Hello Canada! It was a long drive from Chicago to Toronto, but for how cheap it was, it was worth it. Also, there is a certain charm about long bus rides for me. Always meet interesting people and hear interesting stories. There were a couple long-distance bus-drivers on it, riding to their next job destination, so, got to hear a bit of their life and adventures.
The iconic CN Tower (553,3 m high communications and observation tower).
Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario and the most populated and probably most well-known city in Canada. It is considered one of the most multicultural cities in the world, boasting over 200 distinct cultural communities.
I was staying in Greektown area. Toronto is very multicultural in general and has a good food scene. Tried some really good Pakistani street food, Polish pierogis, African chicken wings and more.
The hostel - The Only Backpacker’s Inn - also has a bar with a large selection of local (and not) craft beers which were lovely.
Discovered Kensington market.
Kensington Market is a maze of colourful narrow streets. It's a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood full of small stores, vintage boutiques, hipster coffee shops, street art, tiny eateries and art spaces.
Graffiti alley - so many cool murals and wonderful street art.
Toronto Film Festival was happening in the entertainment district. Managed to catch a screening.
Just cows in the middle of the city.
The coolest fountain ever - Berczy Park Dog Fountain - paying tribute to our furry four-legged friends!
Met David at the St. Lawrence market for lunch. Awesome lobster roll (and sooooo many options to choose from!).
A fun fact: National Geographic Magazine has previously named St. Lawrence Market as the best food market in the world.
Another city beach! Enjoyed some more local IPAs on the beach. Also, it's worth it to take a walk at Toronto Waterfront along Lake Ontario.
Visited the hip Distillery district and walked around in the charming Toronto downtown areas.
Distillery district is a pedestrian-only neighbourhood set in quaint 19th century buildings that once were a huge whiskey distillery and now house bars, breweries and restaurants.
What Toronto has done with the creepy underpasses, made them artsy and cool and installed skateparks and such for young people to hang around.
I'll always take some Banksy!
Kim's Convenience! If you have not seen the tv-show - do yourself a favor and watch it! Many laughs guaranteed!
It was a bit cloudy, but still decided to walk to the Woodbine Beach. It was a lovely walk even without proper beach weather.
Nathan Phillips Square
Times Square Toronto version - Yonge-Dundas Square - also the center of downtown Toronto.
Went to a nearby board game cafe with some hostel people.
Next stop: Ottawa!
Hopped on another FlixBus and headed towards the capital of Canada.
Ottawa was named as the capital city in 1857 by Queen Victoria of Britain. It is seventh coldest capital in the world. Its name comes from the Algonquin word adawe – which means to trade, as it’s always been an important business centre. Despite being a capital and a big city, it gives small town vibes. It’s historical, beautiful and there’s a lot of nature nearby.
I was staying in Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel. An old prison turned into a hostel nowadays. Absolutely recommend it for a short visit. It’s in downtown, very reasonably priced and offers free breakfast with fresh fruit in the mornings. Also, they give a prison tour each morning to get to know the jail better.
The hostel was originally the Carleton County jail, also called the Nicholas Street Jail or Ottawa Jail. After the jail closed in 1972, Hostelling International bought the building and made some renovations while preserving most of the original structure to give visitors the impression that they were spending the night "in jail". Death Row on the top floor of the jail has mostly been returned to its original condition. The prison was built in 1862 next to a courthouse (connected by a tunnel). It is also a place where Canada’s last public execution took place.
The history of the place is pretty gruesome and the conditions, especially in the early days were absolutely inhumane. Also, it’s said to be haunted.
My favourite quote from the guy giving the tour: “Ottawa has only two seasons, winter and construction”.
Well it was not winter, so it was definitely construction. And it really was everywhere (maybe even more than in Tallinn).
Walked around Parliament hill on the first evening and experienced a lovely sunset. Parliament hill is an area of Crown land on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. It's home to Canada's federal government. The historic, neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings are definitely a lovely sight to look at.
Fun fact: every Wednesday from May to August there are free public yoga classes on the Hill.
The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Met Eugene after 11 sth years. A mini WVU reunion. So fun!
A giant spider (Maman, from 1999) in front of the National Gallery, made by our jail-tour guide's mother! Small world!
Crossed the Alexandra bridge to Gatineau and went to explore Laval street.
It's a trendy street filled with bars and cafeterias with outdoors patios, art installations and streetart.
Did you know Ottawa has waterfalls? And there’s a tavern with a beautiful view over the river and the waterfall (Tavern on the Falls).
As it was the Mexican Independence Day, there were some festivities in the town.
The Viva México Fest is part of Mexico's week in Canada, to commemorate the 213th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico's independence.
Sparks street was turned into a Mexican street party. Met up with some people from Couchsurfing and enjoyed the food and mariachi and dancing!
Bye Ottawa!
As there was no FlixBus or Greyhound and local buses and trains were crazy expensive, tried out Canadian version of BlaBlaCar - Poparide and scored a quick, cheap ride to Montreal. The only thing: you'll need a Canadian phone number to use the app. Luckily I have some Canadian friends!
To be continued!
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