Day 9 Toronto to Montreal

After a night spent tossing and turning, possibly because of the heat in my room / wondering about the US election/ discovering at 10:30 last night that I was leaving today and not tomorrow, it was time to get up.

The news that I was actually leaving today was a personal shock. I was certain I had one more day and nearly booked into a matinee of Matilda! When I was planning my day last night, I only checked my train tickets when my guardian angel tapped me on the shoulder as I was going to bed at 10:30. Bit of a shock would be an understatement. I still had things to see. Never mind, the only way to have done it all, was to miss the gallery and that was a highlight. "Starry Night and the Haystacks" were worth it.

I'm a little bit ambivalent about my reactions to this city of Toronto. 

It seems to be a university town? Hundreds, if not thousands of students, on the streets going to the various universities each morning and returning each evening. The high rise architecture- many just tall boring stacks- and lack of trees/ vegetation, except in small wonderful pockets, make it seem like a concrete jungle. And then there are the homeless- so many. Some who obviously have mental issues as well. While the gardeners are trying to keep on top of the falling leaves, side alleys have rubbish thrown in them/ sometimes just the bags of leaves waiting to be collected. At the art gallery yesterday they had several school parties in and at one stage I went to the toilets down stairs and saw the litter left behind by the students. No care. No responsibility. 

I might have lost a day somewhere in my brain, but I sure made up for it this morning.  I checked out of the hotel, after first asking about bag storage down at the station. The lovely bell man rang for me and yes IF you have a ticket you can store your bags. Should cost the standard rate of $6 per bag. Didn’t care I just knew I couldn’t do my marathon if I had both bags. Taxi to the station. Arrived there at 9:15 and checked in my bags. Next I walked as fast as possible to each corner snapping as I went. Across the road to the Fairmont Hotel, then asked everyone I met how to get to the CN tower.

It turned out to be ‘fairly’ close to the station -15 min fast walk if you knew the short cut, which I found on my way back, Ticket>up 346 M at 22 kph, ears popping all the way> photos> down> back to station by 10:15. While there may have been spectacular views, it wasn’t even registering, I just kept on clicking, then changed lens for an even better view. Crystal clear across the Lake to Niagara and all the way around. Worth the sweat. But I was NOT going to stand on the glass walkway to see all the way down!  I even had time for a cuppa when I returned to pick up my bags and wait for the train and even better the computer system was down= no cost!

Got in a conversation with two older ladies at the station. It became a little heated when one thought that migrants shouldn't be allowed into Canada- I suggested unless she was First Nation, she was probably a migrant. She thought that because her family had been here for generations, they belonged! The next heated part of the conversation was about the massacres in Canada of the First Nation people- never happened according to her, but the other lady agreed with me. According to the first lady the First Nations people only died out because of diseases. At least she acknowledged part of the story. 

Boarded at 11 am and departed at 11:30. The trip was completed in Montreal at 5:20 – at least 20-30 minutes late. The train trip was uneventful. Very relaxing way of travelling. I read and finished my e-book, replied to a few emails, but it was quite rough in spots, I couldn’t even type up my diary. This morning’s photos would not upload and yet were done in record time once I was at the hotel? Plenty of space between seats. There were two issues with our carriage: the toilets being broken so we had to walk further and the overhead racks were so high, I couldn’t put my bag up. The trip was completed in Montreal at 5:20 – at least 20-30 minutes late. 

Now in Montreal at Chateau Versailles and my brain is still rocking to the train movements. The hotel is a house that has been converted into a “boutique” hotel. Two floors up, no elevator and no one to drag up the bag. Lucky I am travelling light and in reasonable condition, but even I was huffing/ puffing at the top and swearing under my breath about the travel agent. Inside I was greeted by the smell of cleaning agents- delightful. At least it was clean. A big room and bathroom, with a deadly marble floor if it gets wet.

No obvious shops/ cafes to be seen- because it was pitch black when I arrived at 5:45. The sun set at 4:30 tonight while we were still on the train. When I inquired, ! I was told there was an Italian restaurant over the road. Hmm after dumping my things I hauled myself down the four flights of stairs and crossed the road. After eating snack food all day, I needed real food. Next issue: Italian restaurant. Only two people dining. “Did I have a reservation”? “No.” “We will see what we can do” I explained that I was GF asked if there was anything on the menu I could have?  “We will make arrangements.” Dumped me at the table and took off. The other waiter bought me water, while the original guy totally ignored me. I checked the menu and guess what if it didn’t have gluten, it had lactose/ shellfish/ pork. So when the nice waiter returned I explained that I didn’t think this place was for me. Didn’t they have any risotto (as on the board outside?)" No that is only for ordering from the hotel. Where are you staying?” Over the road. “Oh then you can just pick up the phone and order risotto.” TG this guy had a brain….. “or I could take your order now and we will deliver it in 20 minutes.” Sure enough, after I scrambled up the four flights, had a shower, there was a knock and it was my dinner. (Stunningly handsome young man too) A delicious mushroom risotto. Only issue is that it has subsequently given me vicious heart burn, possibly from the half a ton of parmesan cheese, but it tasted good and filled in a cavity.

 Time for bed again. Hoping for a better sleep tonight although I'd say this hotel is either on the police/ ambulance siren runway. Could be interesting. At least it is cooler than last night's room.