Beggars Belief

One story I have not told about my trip to Toronto that really made me angry. Ok I've pointed out previously that there was a lot of beggars on the streets but I see this in a lot of big cities so nothing really new (Toronto has a lot though).
I actually feel sorry for a lot of these people and the initial reaction is to give money to them, but logic tells me if I give them all one dollar of my money I'll be on the streets with them. Also there is always a doubt that I would be feeding a habit although I do accept a lot are there because they don't have the mental capacity to look after themselves or life as dealt them a bad hand. I think Governments should take the lead in this, I will say the problem although it is present in the UK is no way as bad as in North America.

On to my Story it was my 2nd last night in Toronto and I went looking for somewhere to eat at about 7pm, I spotted a Small Bar/Grill that looked ok so went in. I sat at the Bar as the chap next to me was just getting up, I noticed him because he didn't look right. He was wearing a oldish out of fasion jacket that was too small and his trousers were at half mast (too short).

Anyway he paid his Bill with a credit card and actually turned to me and said goodnight, I didn't think anymore about it apart from "he was a bit scruffy".

Later that evening I was walking down Queen street near the main square and youv'e probably guessed it this man was sat on the pavement begging everyone that passed for money. I was totally disgusted he was obviously a con man, I just wanted to punch his lights out.

This reminds me of a night out I had in York last year a few of us passed a young girl begging for money in a doorway outside a trendy wine bar. She was sat on a blanket and had a little puppy with her.

I remember while in the bar thinking and feeling sorry for this girl, I thought to myself I'll give her a couple of quid on my way out. However when we left the girl wasn't there a young man was in her place and surprising he was on the same blanket with the same puppy.

Some people will lower themselves to any level to con us out of our money, this really irritates me.

A Real Lady can Spot a Yorkshireman

I have just got back home but the story would not be complete without mentioning one young Toronto Lady.
Now on my travels to various places nobody has asked me if I am a Yorkshireman, I've been asked if I'm Austrailian, Irish, Scottish, Londoner, etc. Now this is always a sore point because we sound nowt like any of them.

Last Sunday when I returned from my trip to Niagara Falls I was tired and decided to go to pub close to my hotel "The Red Lion" for something to eat. I met up with a Irish Gentleman and his wife and we were chatting sat at the bar. Amazingly one of the servers (not serving us) overheard us as she walked past and turned round to me and said "I bet your from Yorkshire". To be honest I was gobsmacked, this as not happend before anywhere out of Brittain.

The girl was really nice but not giving away how she knew, we came to the conclusion she had overheard me say something.
Anyway we chatted a little bit and I ended up promising to call in and buy her a drink when she was working again, this coincided with my last night Friday.

Anyway when Friday came I had been into town to get a restaurant meal and made my way to the Red Lion, I don't know if she expected me to turn up but one thing a Yorkshireman can be relied on is to keep promises.

I don't know what time she finished working but she came over and sat with me and we talked for quite a while. Once again my sixth sense had been correct and she was a real nice person, the type you could sit and chat with all night and not get bored. I think charisma is the word that I am looking for.

Her name was Diana and it turns out she is 75% English, her dad was a Cockney but her mother had spent time in the Yorkshire region. When she was younger Diana had visited Leeds and York and remembered walking around the Roman Walls. She told me she is saving to visit Europe and would love to visit York again as she had fond memories.

I'm not sure how long we chatted but we left at the same time (I guess around 1am), she had to catch the subway. When we reached to point where we went in different directions she actually turned around and gave me a little hug goodbye. That was really nice I didn't expect it but she was such a lovely person full of personality.

Anyway Diana I hope you do eventually visit York it would please me if our paths would cross again.

Above & below are the two photo's I hade taken with Diana (she has given permission to publish) :-

Toronto - The Last Day

Well this is my final full day in Toronto as I fly back to England late tommorow. I would just like to make a few comments about the place.

First don't let my previous comments about beggars, weirdo's, prostitutes put you off visiting this city if you get chance. All big cities have these problems and yes Toronto has its fair share but to be honest I've never felt in any serious danger. For a start there always seems plenty of people about.

I enjoy walking when I explore a city and there are certainly plenty of good walks, anyone like me would appreciate that. Lakefront trail, Toronto Islands, High Park, various suberbs are interesting areas, I'll post photos when back home.

There are the obvious sites to see so plenty to visit, CN tower and Niagara falls are a must.

The people are very friendly and make you feel welcome, travelling alone that is always a big plus. Last night for instance I was in a bar watching some lads play Pool when a chap just came over and asked if I fancied a game, we played for quite a while, I did warn him I was good then he proceeded to beat me.

Food many good restaurants and places to eat, but I will criticise the bars they are quite spread out for my liking (although good atmosphere when you find them). In my culture we tour from bar to bar rather than stay in the same place but its just different here.

Those that like shopping the centres are really good with many bargains to be found. I suppose it helps me with the pound been so strong and the Canadian Dollar about as valuable as the Italian Lira or Monopoly money.

I did make a slight mistake in coming at this time of year I think a lot more goes on during the summer months around the Harbour Front area and Nathan Phillips square, plus other areas. Maybe I should have come a month earlier but I have enjoyed many aspects of the city.

Finally I will say thanks to a former blogger who did give me a lot of information on where to go and where to stay clear of. This info was very accurate and I really appreciated it, saved me so much time looking around. I doubt whether she will read this but if she does Thanks.

Wednesday in Toronto and a Quality Lady

Well yesterday it rained most of the day so I basically spent a steady day wandering around a few shops. Now Wednesdays are not normally the best of nights out where I come from so was also expecting a quiet night.

Anyway I started to get ready to go out for a meal at just after 6pm. I jumped in the shower and then to my horror realised the maid hadn't left any towels. Soaking wet I had to phone reception to get some sent up, which they did.

Anyway I thought I'd look for a bar meal somewhere so only get dressed in some black jeans and a casual shirt. As I walked down Yonge Street outside the Eaton Centre I passed a restaurant called "Baton Rouge" and saw through the window that some folk were eating at the bar. So I went in and the hostess got me a seat at the bar, I prefer this when alone because its the best way of meeting people.

I'd just ordered a drink and was looking at the menu when a lady came up and asked if the seat at my side was takem, I told her it was free. Now this lady had Class written all over her you could tell by the way she conducted herself and the expensive looking clothes she was wearing. I remember thinking to myself I wish I'd put on some smart trousers and a dress shirt.

Anyway we got talking and she was real good company, it turned out she was called Joanne and from Montreal. She was manager of a hotel group and was in town to look at some hotels.

We talked for ages following our meal and I must say she was a nice person, real quality. She was staying a very good hotel in a much better area than mine, I was a little embarrased telling her my hotel. Anyway we had a very nice evening and eventually went our seperate ways.

One final story I found amusing - I made my way back to my hotel just after midnight wondering if I would get approached by more beggars or hookers.

As I reached my hotel steps the beggars just about had it then I heard a female voice "Hey mister come over here and have a cigarrete with us".

I looked around to see two ladies of the night and replied "sorry I don't smoke"

One of the ladies replied "Hey you sound funny where are you from"

I replied "England".

She said "are you looking for some fun"

I said "No just on my way to my room to sleep"

She then said "You can have both of us for $60"

Now not been interested I thought I would come up with a little white lie and said "I would love to but I don't think my wife would like it she is in the room"

But this girl wasn't giving up and replied "Wouldn't your wife want to watch"

I said "She's not into that sort of thing"

She had an answer "Its ok we have a place around the corner and we'll be quick if your wife is expecting you back"

I gave my apologies and just said to the girls "Be carefull Look after yourselves"

The lady said "Goodbye, have a good night"

Well I will say it again I am not interested in prostitutes nad won't be going with any but if I was Toronto would be a good place to start, they actually really amuse me.

Hookers, Freaks & Weirdos

Yes Toronto has got the lot in big numbers I will add. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of really nice people but some of the sights I've seen each day never fail to amaze me. Like the Women wandering down Yonge street Topless the other morning or two blokes kissing in the street near my hotel. Another women wandering down the middle of the road in her nighty. I can't complain though I was warned about the area around my hotel.

I haven't seen Psycho Beggar since Saturday, I wonder if we'll get the chance to exchange pleasentries again.

Last night I decided on an early night (had a few late ones) and was walking back to my hotel when I was approached by two hookers. Now Tuesday must be the quiet night because it was a buy one get one free offer. I will state here that I don't go with hookers so I politely told them I wasn't interested.
It struck me how young they looked and very attractive as well as educated. I asked them why they were doing prostitution and we actually talked for about ten minutes. They were both quite normal and it turns out they are students at University desperate for cash to live on.
One confessed to having a long term boyfriend who hadn't a clue what she was doing.
It actually struck me how much of a sad story this is and I really feel for these girls getting themselves into this situation, the world is a stupid place at times.

I suppose its Weigh in Wednesday but I have not jumped on a scale, I'm afraid of what I will see.
One thing Toronto is good for is food and have I tried some, of course with beer to swill it down.

Next weeks weight check will reveal the worst I fear.

20 plus years searching is over - I can't believe it

Everyone knows I like music and have a resonable collection of all sorts of different styles. Now when I first got interested (1970's) for those that can remember we didn't have CD's and our collections were on vinyl.
Since the introduction of CD's I have over the years replaced virtually all my favorite vinyls. One in particular by a group I saw in 1979 "The Photo's" I have been unable to find anywhere, believe I have looked in record shops in every city/town I have visited.
I was starting to believe this record was never made into a CD well although I reckon the group were good they only had one chart hit "Irene" which spent an amazing one week at no 56 in the UK charts.
Anyway although this is a English group from Worcester Toronto has come good, I have just bought it in "Sam's Record Shop on Yonge Street", I can't believe it.

Yesterday I went on a trip to Niagara Falls which got off to a bad start. Now my ticket said pick up at my hotel at 8.50am so I got myself to the lobby at this time. I mentioned to the receptionist to give me a shout when the bus arrives. She looked at me in amazement and said it left 10 minutes earlier. The hotel phoned the tour company who got hold of the driver, apparently he had arrived early counted the passengers on the bus, decided everyone was there and set off. In reality a women that was booked on a completely different tour thought it was her bus and got on so his numbers matched. They had to come back for me and drop the lady off, the rest of the passengers looked really chuffed about it.

It was a good trip though the falls are quite amazing, We had a lunch thrown in at the penthouse restaurant in the Sheraton Hotel overlooking the falls. We also got to ride the "Maid of the Mist" boat right to the foot of the falls. Afterwards we went to Niagara on the Lake which is a beutiful little town with buildings well over 100 years old.

I got back to my hotel over 9 hours later and I was tired and thought I'd get an early night (had a few late one's). I grabbed a quick shower and went to the local pub (Red Lion) I'd been in when I arrived on Wednesday. I got a meal and drank about three pints and was just about to leave when a Irish couple who I'd been sat with on the bus came in and sat with me. I didn't want to appear rude so I had a drink with them.
Now what I don't think I realised I had made friends with Irelands beer drinking champion, Not been one to give in easy I kept drinking with them. We eventually left at 2am and I aint got a clue how many we downed I was wrecked.

Now the locals seem friendly every night the street my hotel is on Scantily Clad girls stand at about 20 metre intervals waving at cars as they go by. They appear really friendly some have even offered to keep me company.
Before anyone asks the answer to your question is "NO", I do have some moral principles.

Today I've just got back from walking around High Park which is a very nice area.

Saturday night I walked passed pyscho Beggar again and he muttered something about breaking my legs, I just grinned.

Had a drink with a nice Japanese Lady the other day, ok it was only a Coffee in the afternoon we just got talking at Nathan Philips square.

I've promised another nice girl I met a drink later in the week.

Thats all for now, I need a relaxing day.

Still Alive

Just a quick post to let everyone know I'm still alive here in Toronto. I almost managed to get myself murdered walking back to my hotel last night. A bloke came up to me asking for money and kept hassling me for about two blocks. Eventually I got cheesed off and told him he was a lazy b*****d and to get a job.
He seemed to be offended and got quite aggresive, anyway a taxi pulled up so I jumped in with the silly prat screeming "I'll get even".
The plane journey here was interesting I had a nice young lady with her baby sat next to me. The interesting bit was when it reached feeding time (well it saves bringing a bottle). Actually she was very descreet under a blanket but I was still embarrased (slightly).
Thats just a couple of stories to be going on with. Yesterday I spent wandering around the city finding my bearings although I did go up the CN Tower.
Today I've been to Toronto Islands and spent about 4 hours wandering around, its a nice spot.
There is a problem with the Pubs here, they are so far apart you can sober up walking between. Wednesday when I arrived I got a meal near my hotel in a Pub called The Red Lion its was good and the people were friendly, had a good night but was tired so not late to bed.
Last night I tried one of the places I got advice on my blog "The Rex". They had Jazz on and they were quite good, the food was also fine.
Don't know where tonight yet but most places seem good, well see. Despite the idiot mentioned earlier most other people are really friendly.

Toronto - Can't wait

As most of my blog friends know I will be visiting Canada for the first time in just over two weeks time (Toronto).

Now a couple of months ago I appealed for some help/information on what to do in the city.

At the time I got some great advice from Modigli and some amazing information from Kristine, especially on the nightlife (and more).

One place I must visit is Nigara Falls, this will be a day trip not sure how but I believe there are quite a few tours (I believe you can even go by train).

I will hopfully be going up the CN tower, well it is the tallest building in North America.

I would like to tour a few of the neighbourhoods such as Little Italy, Chinatown, etc.

I like walking (best way to explore a city) and I plan a visit to Toronto Islands one day, Another day High Park is supposed to be really nice.

Yonge Street is the main North/south street and my hotel isn't far away so I'm sure I will explore it.

The Martin Goodman trail runs along the lakefront so I'm certain I will cover part of this, I may consider hiring a bike at some stage.

For events it seems the Harbourfront area or Nathan Phillips square will be worth spending a bit of time at these locations.

On to nightlife, I'm staying at the Ramada Hotel at 300, Jarvis Street which is a little walk from the main fun areas but walkable. I got information from Expedia of one Pub that does good food close to the Hotel on Jarvis Street called "The Red Lion", I'll probably try that on the Wednesday I arrive as I will be tired and not wandering far. Apparently they have a lot of imported beers, they may even have "John Smiths"(one can only hope for miracles).

Another place I got a tip to eat is "The Pickle Barrel" in the Eaton Centre.

Now one thing that is important to me on vacation is a good live music scene and the City sounds promising. Blog friend and local expert Kristine has been a great help here and as mentioned a number of places worth a visit :-
The Rex
The Silver Dollar
Horshoe Tavern
Cameron House
Lula Lounge
Reservoir Lounge

I'm sure I'll be visiting a few of these and also finding many more gems.

And of course I would like to meet up with Kristine on this trip for a meal and a few beers, hopfully she will be available at some stage. This fits in with my plan of meeting as many blog friends as possible and I'm sure I will enjoy Kristine's company (she sounds like a fun type person).
I am a little worried though with all this strong Canadian Beer Kristine may drink me under the table and I will make a fool of myself. I really do hope this night happens.

The one dissapointment for me is when I booked this vacation I had two blog friends in Toronto but one of them no longer blogs. It would have been great if I could have met the other friend on another night but it is out of my hands now. Only a thought but if you read this BF get in touch. You can't have enough friends.

Anyway I reckon I'm going to like Toronto and will bring back many good memories that you will all hear about.

What to do when you are bored

Tonight I was sat at home bored with nothing to do, I did do some serious damage to the bush in the garden earlier.

So I made a decision to book another Vacation so I have spent a fair amount of time checking prices for flights and hotels. Last week I wrote a blog article saying the only place in North America I could get a decent flight price to was Toronto and asked bloggers for information.

Now tonight I find flights to some US cities are dropping but the replies I got from two blog friends (Kristine & Modigli) have convinced me Toronto is the place for my next adventure.

Well the bottom line is "I have booked", I fly from Manchester on Wednesday 27th September arriving late afternoon, I will be staying in the city for 10 nights returning to England Saturday 7th October.

I will write more about what sights I intend to see & what bars and clubs I will try to visit. Kristine has kindly given me some by e'mail where live music happens and I will be checking out their web sites. More importantly she has agreed to meet up one night for a meal/drink/laugh, I'll look forward to that, she will be the second blog friend I will meet following Regina in Chicago.

While I'm on this subject it really appeals to me to meet up with blog friends (cos you are all nice people) if possible and Kristine isn't the only one living in the Toronto area so BF how about a meal one night (on me), don't worry I don't bite (much).

Only two months to go, now I've only got to tell my manager I want time off for my third holiday of the year.

Help Please - Toronto

I have been checking Flight/Hotel deals for a number of North American Cities (planning another trip Sept/Oct.
I did intend to visit Boston but I cannot find a reasonable deal so I have checked other cities on my gonna see one day list.

On top of Boston I checked out Philadelphia, Washington & Atlanta but all US flights seem expensive at present (around £400+), Hotels were also costly in all but Atlanta.

Now by far the best deal I could find is to Toronto £267 and I can also get a good hotel deal. Now I know at least two blog friends live in this area so here are my questions ?

1. Has anyone ever flown with "Air Transat" ?
2. What are they like ?
3. Do you know anything about "Clarion Hotel" (near Sherbourne subway station) ?
4. Is this Hotel in a good area (if not what are the best areas) ?
5. What are the tourist attractions in Toronto ?
6. What is the nightlife like (live music scene) ?
7. What is the September weather like ?
8. How many days would be a good period to see the city ?
9. Anything else you can add ?

Nothing definate yet prices can come down on other flights, the one down side I have found so far is expensive flights to other cities to make it an two centre Holiday. I will be moitering prices over the next couple of weeks.