The flight from LA to Toronto wasn’t bad, shorter than I was expecting (about four and a half hours), which was a relief. We flew Air Canada and despite what I’d heard it was a good service. Downside was the entertainment system not working for half the plane but we had an iPad and laptop with videos on them so we were entertained. I think I might have even slept.

The fun side of the flight was hearing from the air hostess that she was on about ten days leave after that flight and she was off to Scotland to see her boyfriend. She quite happily told me, and the 15 or so other people seated around us, that it was a serious trip and he was basically going to be told off. She might come back single. I liked her. She added some colour to the trip.

Easy going through customs at Toronto Pearson then around to get work permits. Not much hassle. Apparently I can’t work in businesses related to the sex trade such as strip clubs, massage parlours or escort services. Talk about career limiting.

Once we were through customs we saw a whole contingent of giggling teenagers swarming over a couple of people I recognised from being on our flight. We have absolutely no idea who these “famous” people were. They wore hats, there was a guy and a girl, they were young. And I’m sure I wouldn’t recognise them if I ever saw them again.

Airport shuttle to a hotel that really wasn’t all that close to the airport, despite its name and proclamations. Room was fine though and it was nice to jump in a shower and brush my teeth (they were feeling furry). We hadn’t eaten for a while so we went downstairs to get some snacks from the lobby. On the way back to the elevator we walked past the bar/lounge area where there was a mixed group of people, Americans from the sound of their accents.

One of the men called us over and proceeded to tell us how it’s some women’s fantasy to go to bed with two guys and would we be interested in leaving our room key somewhere for the lovely lady seated opposite who was going bright red. We declined and ran away. Welcome to Canada.

We managed to sleep about seven hours before waking up and going in search of breakfast. Then it was back to bed. Glen managed to sleep but I couldn’t so lay in bed until the alarm went off at 11 and we had to get up. The hotel called us a taxi and we headed Downtown to our accommodation.

The taxi driver was from Pakistan (Glen thought he said Bankstown) and friendly. He talked to us about phone plans and pointed out places of interest like the lake, CN Tower and Rogers. He was also very helpful in saying that the neighbourhood we were going to be staying in is pretty dangerous at night so we should be careful.

Later when we met the owner of the apartment we’re staying in, we told her what the taxi driver said but she did her best to reassure us and say it was a really nice area. I’m still wary but it’s a new city so I’m wary of everything and everyone anyway. The owner came by to give us a wireless modem as the other one had broken, and also to replace the tv (though we can’t get the new one to work). Her and her partner were both really nice and helpful. She works in real estate (after working in research in UHN) and said she’d send us through some apartment options for where we want to live. How nice is that?

We’ve been for a couple of walks around the area and beyond. The weather turned nice after raining this morning. We’re close enough to various things and walking distance to most others. Because it’s summer it doesn’t get dark til 9:30, which is pretty cool, though I think that’s going to wreak havoc with our body clocks as they try to adjust.

Well, that’s about it for our first full day in Toronto. Tomorrow it’s off to get identity cards and whatever else is needed. Maybe some tracking devices and a gun.