TORONTO

7-11th July

So I arrived in Canada pretty tired after my 10 hours or so of travelling across the ocean (it didn't help that the flight was delayed). I was pretty desperate to find my way to my hostel asap, but the Canadians had other ideas- they weren't so keen on opening the gates to their country. After customs they plucked me out of the crowd and took me aside for a questioning session. I watched as all the other holiday makers strolled through the departure gates and started to feel a bit nervous as the security guy asked me 'if I always travelled alone' and 'how much money I had access to' and demanded to see proof of the tour I was taking ( if this is Canadian security I'm dreading the USA!). He eventually realises that a twenty something English girl is no major threat and lets me go....

I get a posh airconditioned bus from the airport which takes me to the nearest posh hotel to my hostel. Under the weight of my heavy bag I toddle over towards my new home, GlobalBackpackers. Once there things start to look up,in my room is another English girl- a lone traveller (who didn't get stopped at the airport). We get on really well and after a much needed chat we both drop off to sleep. The next day I meet another lone traveller (we loners seem to attract each other) and I spend a day with her, kind of bumming around, just what I need. Day 2 I feel I need to be a bit more adventurous and set out to explore Toronto...walked all day, literally. Through China Town, round the University, and of course the shopping mall!!.. Day 3; I get up extra early to go up the sky tower, I'm told it's best to go for 9am to beat the crowds, however, I arrive about 9.30 am in true Helen running late style. Good timing because another lone girl was going up the exact same time as me so i had a friend! However, the crowds were already forming, you had to fight your way onto the see through floor!! I go to the hostel bar that night and met all sorts of nationalities, it's great but sad because it's my last night and I'm off...somewhere tomorrow (because it's a tour I'm not really sure where my first destination will be!)