Oh Canada!

There comes a point in your life when you just want to leave everything around you, the people, the place, your surroundings and just run away. Even if it means for a little bit. I was suffering from this run away syndrome. Not that anything was wrong with my life or the people in it but that happens to me once in a while. I just want to get away and for the first time in my life, I actually did. I can proudly say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever managed to take.
I always wanted to visit Canada sometime in my life for various reasons a)I had never seen that part of the world before b) One of my closest friend lives there c) I've always wanted to ride the "Maid of the Mist" ever since I was a little girl
So yeah, I applied for my leave, visa, booked my tickets and I was off to spend 20 odd days covering Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Niagara. The only foolish mistake I made was not visit New York, but I possibly couldn't take more time off.Anyway maybe some other time.
As a country (At least what I saw of it) Canada was a live visual example of what I've always wanted India to be (In terms of infrastructure,rules,regulations and the works). In terms of scenic beauty it stands nowhere close to Europe which I think looks just like a picture postcard.

Toronto from the CN Tower

Out of the 2 weeks I spent with my closest friends in Toronto, I traveled alone (mind you, a key word for all those who know "paa")to Montreal and Quebec City which was by far the best experience of my life. I took a bus from Toronto to Montreal (which I almost missed btw, cause we overslept)and when I reached the Montreal bus terminal, I had no clue where to go or where my hotel was. I lost my google map printout and everyone around me spoke only French so it was really hard for me to explain as to where I needed to go.
Suddenly out of nowhere a Moroccan girl who spoke fluent English came to my rescue, we got talking and I figured that she was just back after spending a whole year in India. She was so sweet (and hot too btw) that she actually walked me to my hotel. Montreal had a huge jazz festival that evening which I attended with her friends and her which again was such a fabulous experience.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

En route to Quebec City along with a group of Australians, Chinese, Mexicans and some Polish tourists we stopped by at a Black Eyed Peas concert. I haven't been to too many live concerts but this indeed was a rocking evening. Quebec City reminded me a lot of Bruges-Belgium. Very pretty, small but can get slightly boring after a point for a city sucker like me. The high tea at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac was the highlight of the Quebec City visit.

Coming back to Toronto where I spent most of my days shopping,eating,drinking and making merry, Toronto almost seemed like I was in Bombay. Every second person you bump into is Indian which completely takes the feeling of being abroad away from you. Sigh! well at least I was in a cleaner and less polluted India.

Hippo!

I saw Toronto in an amphibious vehicle (one that works on land and floats in water), cheesy according to R, but I thought Henrietta Hippo (the name of the vehicle) was the best way I could see the important sights of the city. The best thing I liked about Toronto is how it is alive even in the night. The city skyline in the night, the CN tower,the various bars, restaurants, nightclubs, its almost like people are up all through the night, every night.

Blueberry muffin martini

We visited a martini bar where obviously for every reason I did have the blueberry muffin martini and
trust me when I say it was yum!

Tims

My trip to Canada will hold a special place in my life forever. It gave me a chance to experience things I have never done alone before. Randomly taking off to Niagara for the weekend (with our dearest Gps, our life), getting stalked by an Indian at Eaton Center (Yes, deserves a blogpost of its own),getting lost at random train stations, bus stops,shopping like there's no tomorrow,crazy days, crazier nights,paying 30 dollars to watch "I hate luv stories" before it releases in India and getting slapped by friends after,getting thrown out of a Dutch bar after being the only Spain supporter there, the hot chocolate at R's college,the July 1st and July 4th fireworks from across the border,Tim Hortin's (Ice cap and toasted wheat bagel with garlic cream cheese), R's birthday surprise celebrations and so many more memories I can never forget.

Niagara

R's ca

I hope there are many more trips to follow. Maybe the Canadian Rockies with Alaska.