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.

I have never wanted it to rain so badly in all my life.  The heat today mixed with the humidity is intense.  I feel as though I’ve sweated of 10lbs already.  However, this is Niagara in the summer time, so I had better get use to it!  Thankfully tomorrow’s forecast is rain, which means I’ll be hanging outside, cooling off.

Apart from the history of the hostel being a former brothel (I swear, I did not intend to make a rhyme with that!), I found out today that the old abandoned building behind the hostel use to be the detention centre.  Oh great!  Actually the building itself is kinda cool, so  had to get a few pictures!

Although the hot day almost melted me, Nicole drove down from Mississauga late this evening.  It was fantastic to see her.  It’s been about 3-4yrs since we last saw each other (we’ve been friends since we were 5yrs old), and as always things picked up right where they left off.  We went for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, walked through the streets and visited the falls.  It never ceases to amaze me as to how many tourists are still roaming the streets of Niagara at 10:30pm!

After Nicole dropped me off at the hostel, I had a wee nap before going with Michelle to the Queen- a local bar/restaurant that everyone in the area hangs out at.  It was karaoke night, so you can only imagine!  However, I merely enjoyed others singing, I’m not brave enough to get up myself.  While I was sitting there this guy, Billy started talking to me.  He was way passed being sober, but seemed nice enough, plus everyone seemed to know him and like him.  Towards the end of the evening we had an interesting conversation, this is how it went down…

Billy: That woman is going to force me to go home with her.

Me: You don’t have to go home with her, just tell her no.

Billy: But she has air conditioning at her house. My Mom doesn’t have air conditioning.

Me: So you’re going to go have sex with her because she has air conditioning?

Billy: No, I’m not going to have sex with her, we’re just going to sleep in the same bed.  We’re neighbours, that’s what neighbours do!

I have never wanted to laugh so hard in all my life.   He was so drunk and yet, so very serious at the same time.

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]