My journey began at 9:05 AM at the train station where I met an old schoolmate, Armin, by chance.

He is as far as I can remember (which is not thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat much 😉 ) the only one from school whom I meet from time to time and it’s always nice and interesting. This time not only I had some news but he had as well: he is going to become a daddy, he’s going to get married and will hopefully get his doctor title before he his baby boy arrives end of August. That was a nice surprise for the beginning.
The rest of the train journey was not that interesting.

At around 12 AM I arrived a Frankfurt airport and got the last seat in the shuttlebus to terminal 2. For the check-in, the guys from Air Transat took their time and so I waited for about 10-15 minutest although there was just one guy in front of me…wow…and although they sent me an email in the previous week that the flight would be re-scheduled for about half an hour later, everywhere at the airport the original departure time of 2:50 PM was announced. On the boarding pass they started boarding only at 2:45, so this made a very organized impression altogether.

In fact, the boarding started at 3:15 or so and we finally left the airport at some time after 4. Until then I already made the acquaintence of Martina who visits here her boyfriend in Toronto for the next three weeks. The first hour we talked, then watched the bord movie („Crazy hearts“), slept some minutes – because (of course!!!) –  crying baby was in our row – I just knew it!!!! – ate and slept some more.
Unfortunately I got stomach cramps so the minutes just creeped by – on after another……but finally we made it!!!

At shortly after 6PM local time we arrived at Toronto International Airport…jippiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieh 🙂 And while standing up for getting off the plane my disclocated verterbra sprang right back into place – but the pain still stayed on a bit (until today in fact which is Saturday, 08th May).

After the passport control, I also had to check with the immigration office because of my working holiday visa and the lady officer I got had really honestly all the time of the world including general time of the universe. I thought about telling her that I was up for about 20 hours, that I’m tired and hungry and I was so looking forward to taking a very hot and very long shower but I was afraid that that would slow her down even more, so I just waited and watched the young officer in the next booth checking the forms of the German family who wanted to immigrate to Canada and didn’t speak English (at all) and hadn’t got a home yet – but the man has a job – I’m wondering honestly how he got that….

After another felt hour I got my passport back – with a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge visa form folded inside (I bet all passport officers in the future will be delighted). After that it was almost easy: found the express shuttle to Toronto downtown which takes only about 30 minutes and you don’t even need cash but can pay by credit card.

From what I could see from the bus Toronto was really overwhelming and I was absolutely not prepared for what found there: huge skyscrapers, huge roads, shining hotels,…I was absolutely overwhelmed.

From the bus station it’s only a 5-10 minute walk to the hostel as I already assumed.There, however, waited another surprise for me: in the afternoon somebody had already checked in with my name and it took the guy from the reception about 15 minutes to find a bed for me.

So that was the last time ever that I announce beforehand where I’m gonna stay in this blog!!!! This was really shitty, although it might be a big misunderstanding after all…

At 8:30PM , I finally had a bed in a 6-bed-dorm, had all my luggage on the third floor and was ready to fly… or more precisely… to lie (down) but my stomach wanted something different. So I started off once again and paid my visit to the local deli which made a little posh impression but the prices were ok, so no complaint about that 😉
After a delicous meal of bread and cheese there was just the long-awaited hot shower between me and my first (short) night in Toronto, Canada.