the world through my eyes…

I’m finding that if I leave Niagara on my days off, I tend to relax more, as I’m in a different environment.  I also seem to be happier when I return.  This last week I decided to go to Toronto for my days off.  I’ve always loved the city and hitching a ride up with Moose Travels or Magic Bus is not only easy, but free for the staff at the hostel.  Even my bunkbed at the HI Toronto was free, so I couldn’t really beat the price! haha

 My original plan was to roam around the city and take photographs.  I spent the first night on Yonge St and then ran into some guest who had stayed at the hostel in Niagara so I went to Scotland Yard with them for a bit before returning to my squeaky top bunk at the hostel.

The following morning I started to roam through the city, but made a last minute decision to take a bus to Newmarket and spend the day with my sister-in-law and my very cute 6 mth old niece, Ila.  It was a great day.  We had fun shopping and running errands.  The last time I saw Ila she was just 2 weeks old, so naturally she has grown quite a bit.  She’s such a happy, smiley little girl.  I couldn’t get enough of her.  It was the best way to spend my day off.

The last part of the week has been a tad stressful.  When Thursday rolled around, I checked my bank account for my last pay from my previous job, only to find there was no deposit made, PLUS my new job hadn’t deposited my pay either.  Needless to say I was very nervous, and scared that my old wasn’t going to pay me.  However, I sent an email to my old boss and about 9hrs later he replied to say I would receive my last pay and holiday payout next week.  I have never felt such relief!!

In between working and taking groups of guests out at night I’ve been trying to tweak my trip here and there to get the most for my money.  I tried to work on it a bit this morning during the slow parts of my shift, but I’m still really sleepy from last night.  Friday nights = fireworks over the falls in Niagara, so naturally I was taking a group to the top of the Skylon Tower.  There were only 12 people, so it wasn’t too bad.  However, afterwards I was suppose to take them to the Wild Mushroom so they could have some drinks etc.

Normally I take a taxi, but for some dumb reason I was told to walk them over from the tower.  Not knowing where to go, I asked a co-worker and I was told to walk up the big hill to Victoria and then walk until we got to the bar.  So we see a big hill, we walk up the big hill, no sign of Victoria St anywhere.  BUT, there’s Stanley, I know Stanley.  So with my group losing confidence in me I take them down Stanley.  I had no clue where I was going.  I knew I was going in the right direction, but I couldn’t see any familiar landmarks.  Plus everyone was thirsty!

By the time I saw a very familiar sign, they no longer believed me when I said I knew where we were.  The reaction was, yeah right Pam, you have no clue!  BUT, I did and we finally made it.  Thankfully everyone mingled and got along nicely.  Only 1 guy in the group got completely smashed and when I got back to the hostel I had to walk him up to his room as he had no clue where he was. lol 

All in all everyone had fun, so I guess it was a pretty good night.  However with only 4hrs sleep, I need a nap before taking another group to Nightmares Haunted House tonight!

Last night, being Friday was another fabulous fireworks display here in Niagara Falls. We had a sign-up sheet out for guests at the hostel so we could take a group of them to the top for the show. ... [Continue reading this entry]

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This morning was spent getting the housekeeping routine down, as I'm covering for the regular girl.  This is the deal, I cover her days off and I don't have to pay to stay at ... [Continue reading this entry]

So last night was my first night in Niagara Falls.  Michelle wanted to go to the bar, so I said why not.  Apparently she was in charge of the hostel tour, which meant taking guests with us.  As we left the ... [Continue reading this entry]

I can’t help but wonder when reality will kick in and I’ll realize that I’m gone for the next 10- 12 mths.  It still doesn’t feel real to me.  Even saying goodbye to ... [Continue reading this entry]