Eastern Canada Trip 2019 Day 6 September 12 Montreal and Quebec City

This is the sixth in a series of posts covering my trip to Eastern Canada in September 2019, adapting emails originally sent to friends. I use NOW to refer to any updates since I did the trip.

As before, not doing accents unless they get autocorrected in. Got up before 6 to study plans for today, then had breakfast a same McDonald's as yesterday lunch. Different machine and didn't print receipt.Walked along rue Ste-Catherine and looked at dog sculptures including one that looked like it was about to poop. One guy shouted,  "Hey dude! have a good day!" I shouted back "You too!" which he seemed to appreciate. Got a little turned around reaching Le gare d'autocars but I recalled seeing it on Ontario St yesterday so found it soon enough. Was concerned because the line was a lot longer than expected but it turns out it was for two buses going to different locations so I still got a decent seat on the Orléans Express. 

[NOW: I added the accents in for this blog post where applicable]

The other bus took off on time but my bus left 9 minutes late as the driver was talking to two other guys. Camera blurred more than I'd have liked so had to occasionally turn it off and one to correct. On the way over a woman on the radio kept saying something accompanied by very forced but loud male laughter. There was one stop in Drummondville, than an earlier stop in Quebec City (hereafter called Quebec this report) before finally reaching Le Gare du Palais in Quebec. For both Quebec stops the driver only announced in French.

 

[NOW: Most of the muincipalities between Montreal and Quebec City have Saint/e in their name.]

I got off and went to the Couche Tard, the French version of Mac's, still with the owl so not Circle K. I did my best to ask for a daypass in French. The guy said, "At least you tried. You did pretty good, actually." I also grabbed a pocket map.

It took a bit to get my bearings (first time in Quebec) then I went to rue St-Jean and visited Librairie Pantoute (Books), off to the side Libraire Première Issue (comics), Libraire Compte du Livre (movies and music; bought a bunch of francophone DVDs; this place wasn't on itinerary but glad I visited), Libraire St-Jean Baptiste (books), Librarie Laforce (comics),  Libraire Nelligan (books); going my memory; some sore types might be off. Also visited CD Mélomane then on rue Cartier visited Bouquinerie 4 Seasons (book store slightly larger than a typical closet),  Le  Bouquinerie du Cartier (books).

I noticed that my pocket map was missing as one one printed map, but found the bus stop anyway and took the 800 bus to the mall Place du Cité (all buses within Quebec are RTC). After a quick check of the mall decided I wasn't interested in any mall stores so skipped two. I walked to VidéoDrome but it wasn't open yet. I walked to Librarie La Liberté which was in a construction site (another theme this trip) but I somehow made it to this bookstore.

 

[NOW: RTC is short for Le Réseau de transport de la Capitale. VidéoDrome has closed.]

I walked to the nearest bus stop south of the construction and took an 801 bus to Université du Laval and took it to a stop that should have been near a CD store but wasn't. I also noticed that a bus that was supposed to connect didn't. I later realized that I somehow got wrong info from Google and this bus ran parallel but further away from where I needed to be. I decided the CD place was forfeit but I did get DVDs from Vidéo Centre-Ville. My bag didn't beep on the way in but did on the way out creating confusion especially with language barrier. He finally asked to see my bag so I showed him the earlier purchases so that satisfied him. 

The 1 bus I had intended to take was not due for 17 minutes according to a screen so I walked a little ways and took another 18  bus back to Palais du Gare, where I grabbed another map. I had a late lunch at the McDonald's on St-Jean. Kiosk printed the receipt. 

I visited the outside of much of the old town and vicinity including Hotel de Ville, a lookout with a view of the water, the Plains of Abraham, La Citadelle which was partly blocked by construction, the Fortifications (basically the top of the wall that surrounds much of the old town, a staircase leading to a tackier area and whatever else I felt like photographing.

 

[NOW: I realized later that the Plains weren't where I thought they were so I didn't actually make it to them this trip.\

Returning to Le Palais du Gare, I got a sandwich from Couche-Tard. When the Oreléans Express bus arrived I could have grabbed the front seat but certain electronics were forbidden that seat so I erred on the side of caution and moved further back. At the other Quebec stop (Sainte-Foy) a guy sat beside me and apparently obliviously elbowed me from time to time as he did his thing. Ate the steak sandwich while taking photos. Mostly spam, blech.

It eventually became too dark to take clear photos for the most part. Most people got off at Longueuil, perhaps taking the metro from there. I got off at La gare d'autocars in Montreal. I briefly got turned around but corrected and worked my way through the occasional construction to Auberge Bishop. Right before I arrived someone right behind me should "I hate pickles!" Me too actually but I wasn't going to go scare strangers with that profound revelation

[NOW: Auberge Bishop has closed.]

Eastern Canada Trip 2019 Day 5 September 11 Toronto to Montreal; also Longueuil

This is the second in a series of posts covering my trip to Eastern Canada in September 2019, adapting emails originally sent to friends. I use NOW to refer to any updates since I did the trip.

 

Last night there was a thunder and lightning and car alarm storm. Got up just before 5. Got on the 501 streetcar (Toronto Transit). With the new streetcars You have to pay from a machine in the middle. Strangely the transfer said 301 not 501. Confirmed 501 upon exiting. I briefly visited Yonge-Dundas Squad. The 24 hour McDonald's near the hostel from 2016 was closed for machine upgrades. A nearby Burger King didn't open until 7. Checked McDonald's again and then bought breakfast from Circle K.

 

[NOW: The hostel was Parkdale Hostellerie.]

I got on the Megabus at Toronto Coach Terminal; my pre-purchased seat gave me an upper front view from the double decker. The first part of the day was pretty misty on the bus ride. At times during the trip it was so sunny I was fighting sleep. We weren't allowed to get off briefly during the one stopover in Kingston.

The bus entered the province of Quebec. Note that for next few reports  I won't bother with accented letters unless autocorrect picks them up. Three things are noticeable about Quebec signs: the French, obviously, comma instead  of periods for decimal points, and speed *minimum* signage.\

 

[NOW: Where applicable I've added accents for the blog posts.]

As the bus entered Montreal it hit construction not far from 2019. Got off at the Megabus depot and made my way to Auberge Bishop. It was too early for check in so I dropped off some stuff. and had lunch at McDonald's on rue St-Catherines, the same one that I first visited during my first visit here; slight wait to find a seat. I visited 1,000,000 Comix, Capitaine Quebec (comic shop), and Cheap Thrills. I returned to the hostel just before the 2 pm check in time and was allowed to check in then.

 

[NOW: Auberge Bishop and 1,000,000 Comix have closed.]

I wandered rue St-Catherine and hit construction near the first pedestrian only area.  I visited Renaud Bray in Complexes Desjardines, Librairie Zone Libre (French only bookstore), Boutique Volume (got a Blu-ray and some francophone DVDs), and Archambault.  I hit another pedestrian area of rue St-Catherines, le village gai  (I think you can translate it). As before, they had pink bulbs overheard, but not there were bulbs subbing for the other colours of the rainbow, with pink subbing for red and I think violet. Towards the end it started to rain.

To get some overhead views, I crossed pont Jacques-Cartier (Jacquess Cartier), with rain soon subsiding, over the two islands comprising Parc Jean-Drapeau (Île Notre-Dame and Île Sainte-Hélène) to Longueuil. I briefly got off and returned to the bridge, this time getting off at Île Notre-Dame. I was on the wrong side of the bridge but there's an underground path with some historical info leading to the proper side.

I visited the area with the Biosphere and Metro Station and walked into some mist spray to cool off.  I returned to the area of the bridge I left off from and got off on the main island of Montreal (Île de Montreal). On rue Ontario I saw the gare d'autocars and hoped I was right that the Orleans Express stops there. But then I saw an Orléans Express bus. That works. Useful for tomorrow.

I briefly wandered up rue St-Denis the numbers jump from the 2000s to the 3400s) but most of the stores I wanted to visit had closed for the day, so before going too far I turned around. I  cut through Parc St-Louis and then another street which is so steep the sidewalk has a staircase. I passed through Chinatown and made my way to Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal). The McDonald's there is normally pricey but not with the coupon codes. Both machines this day worked properly, but unlike the BC and ON  kiosks, these still have the "Light" option before "Remove" before items you don't want, like BC used to have. 

[NOW: BC Mcdonald's recently brought back the Light option.]

As with 2016 there is construction at the cobbled streets. I seems that they are replacing the older kind of cobbled roads with more comfortable cobbled roads that are not as reflective of the old days sadly. I cut back through Chinatown and made my way back to the hostel. Noticed I have a tear in... the seating area of my body. Seems to happen sometimes on vacation, maybe due to reduced access to washrooms or maybe too much fast food. Also lost my locker key somewhere so had to have the lock broken. If that's the worst that happens this trip I'll be happy.

[NOW: The tear was on my body not clothes;  the key turned up too late.]

Eastern Canada Trip 2019 Day 4 September 10 Toronto, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax

This is the fourth in a series of posts covering my trip to Eastern Canada in September 2019, adapting emails originally sent to friends. I use NOW to refer to any updates since I did the trip.

Had another nice chat with one  of the people from the night before. We're keeping in touch on Facebook. Got up around 5:20. Saw a skunk and managed to get some photos without getting sprayed, but since it was still dark, will see  later how they turned out. Went to the McDonald's on King from day 2 though had to doubleback because I accidentally put my coupons in my locker. Tried a different kiosk and this time it work so now at 4-3 in favour of getting receipts.

[NOW: That McDonald's has moved.]

Walked to Exhibition Centre and from there to Ontario Place and back, getting some nice sunrise photos including of the CN Tower in the background. I cut through Exhibition Place again and got to Exhibition GO Station. It doesn't open for customer service until after 12 but got a daypass via a self serve machine. I asked directions to the neat washroom and was surprised that there was none there. However, the eastbound Lakeshore West train (all transportation today GO Transit/Metrolynx) that arrived had one so I used it at the layover at Union Station, where it become a Lakeshore East train. It's a doubledeckerand I took it to Oshawa GO Station in Oshawa. Along the way ticket police came by. He hadn't seen a daypass with my specific destination before but was unconcerned.

I took a 90 bus to downtown Oshawa. I visited Sunshine Variety and decided it was enough to just see the outside of the video game store Skyfox. I visited Memorial Park and did a long walk north. the two stores there that I went to were slightly late opening. Got a couple DVDs from Buy & Sell Kings including the third and final parody era Brady Bunch movies, Brady Bunch in the White House. So one theme seems to be completing sets this trip. Back Downtown I visited Entertainment Cube.

 

[NOW: The store near Buy & Sell Kings that I visited was Gnu Books.]

At Comic Alley Toys i started to put down my backpack but he asked if I was planning on stealing anything and when I said no he said to just keep it on. He doesn't like treating customers like potential thieves, which I appreciated. Briefly leaving downtown again I visited Deja Vu Discs where I  got some DVDs and Blu-rays and then back downtown I visited Worlds Collide comics, A British store (Promenade?) didn't open until 12 unfortunately.

 

[NOW: I think the British store was Paraphernalia Books 'N' Stuff.]

My former supervisor Monica treated me to pizza for lunch and also bought me more for dinner later. I just missed a 92 bus by about five minutes or so so I jogged a ways to work off some of the lunch. I finally took the 92 bus to Whitby. There I visited the new location of Comic Book Addiction and photographed the vintage Hulk and Spider-Man pinball machines.

 

[NOW: I think the pizza place was Reginos.]

I waited at a GO bus stop hoping one would come but finally got moving again and made it to Whitby GO Station as a Lakeshore East train was arriving. I just barely made it; the doors even started to close on me. I took it to Ajax GO Station in Ajax. I walked a way to their Buy & Sell Kings and Deja Vu Discs, plus a convenience store.

At Circle K I got a fountain drink of lime flavoured carbonated water. Probably would have tasted nice except that it was warm. Took a Lakeshore East train to Union Station in Toronto. Perhaps in part due to the pizza I was fighting sleep during this stretch. It briefly spat rain outside Toronto was especially crowded in downtown core. Checked a whole bunch of pawnbrokers on Church St that were next to each other, plus some convenience stores. One Circle K had no drink cups. Another had no ice but was cool enough. I ate at Yonge-Dundas Square and had the rest of the pizza. I thought about heating at the hostel but it's paper bag was starting to disintegrate due to grease. I returned to Union Station and took Lakeshore West train back to Exhibition GO Station. A couple women moved as I sat down. Shrug. I revisited Exhibition Place and Ontario Place and back. Looked at a few more convenience stores but decided to same money by briefly putting water bottle in freezer.

Eastern Canada Trip 2019 Day 3 September 9 Toronto

This is the third in a series of posts covering my trip to Eastern Canada in September 2019, adapting emails originally sent to friends. I use NOW to refer to any updates since I did the trip.

Had a nice chat with others in the room last night. Woke up briefly at night but otherwise "slept in" to 6:20. Walked to Bloor and had breakfast at McDonald's at Bloor/Ossington. Receipt machine work. Passed by by a restaurant named Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu. Hmm, I'm concerned that tofu might have meat in it. At Bloor-Yonge I bought a daypass for later. I walked up Yonge St. One construction sign said that the construction started in "Jully" (sic). I made it to Finch Station, one of the terminus stations and took the 1 train (all transportation today Toronto Transit) to Lawrence Station. A 124 arrived as I did and I took it to Videoflicks. A 41 bus arrived as I finished there and I took it to Eglinton Station.

 

[NOW: The hostel was Parkdale Hostellerie. Videoflicks has closed.]

At BMV Books on Yonge I bought a Mr. Show DVD set. It gets talked about a lot on Breaking Bad commentaries due to Bob Odenkirk. I took a 1 train from Eglinton to St Clair Station, visited Book City, then took a 512 Streetcar to Gunn Loop.

Nearby I took an 89 bus to Keele Station and a 2 train to Kipling Station. I took a 124 bus to near part of the Toronto/Mississauga border, crossed over and passed Etobicoke Creek, crossed back shortly thereafter and walked to the McDonald's I always pass when arriving in Toronto from Victoria.. No kiosk and a nearby DQ didn't have a deal I wanted so continued on. near some construction I asked directions on switching from Dundas St to Bloor St. Good thing I asked or I'd have gone the wrong way. With the construction it still took me a while to get to Bloor but I made it.

A long while later I passed 2 for 1 Movies again and considered going in but was late for lunch and didn't want to get caught up in that. I did briefly go into Book City and then went to the Bloor/Runnymede McDonald's from last night. Tried a different kiosk I think. no luck with receipt.

 

[NOW: 2 for 1 Movies has closed down.]

I had undercalculated my timings so glad I did some of the stuff yesterday. I took a 2 train from Runnymede to the Yonge section of Bloor-Yonge Station. I could have taken it further, but I hit a walk I wanted to do. I made it to where Bloor becomes Danforth. I wanted to go to Mike's Music but today's itinerary was supposed to be tomorrow's until I changed things to accommodate a meet and forgot to change Monday's closed destinations. I'll get another chance at that one.

I visited a third Book City, Re: Reading, Game Centre (bought the final season of Nikita on Blu-ray, completing that set), and Circus Books and Music. noticed that a 7-11 near a hostel I stayed at before, The Only Backpacker's Inn was gone. Took a 2 train (which hit delays) to Kennedy Station and from there a 3 above ground train to McCowan Station.

The 16 bus was I think very late. One showed up full and another showed up right after almost full, so I took that one to near comic Room/Paperback Exchange. First time there but sadly another casualty of the switch to Monday. Won't get to it this trip again. I took a 54 then a 43A bus to Kennedy Commons. Visited Deja Vu Discs and noticed the Chapters there hadn't switched to indigo like most. I took a 43 bus to Kennedy Station, then a 2 train to the Yonge section of Bloor-Yonge Station, then a 1 train to Dundas Station. I grabbed dinner at the McDonald's I went to often when staying nearby in 2016. Their kiosk worked for receipts. Tied 3-all. Visited Yonge-Dundas Squrae, which no longer had the weekend event. Across the street at Toronto Eaton Centre was a group of preachers, one with a megaphone. My feeling as an agnostic is they're part of the atmosphere of the area. It wouldn't be the same if they were gone.

I got ona 501 streetcar that had a cute puppy. Without the leash it would have gotten off too soon. The woman of a young duo got on the streetcar as the doors were closing but the guy was took late. Security checked everyone's passes and caught at least two (unrelated) women. No issue with my daypass of course

A bit tired, I got off too soon, so jogged a ways and took another to near the hostel.

 

Eastern Canada Trip 2019 Day 2 September 8 Toronto including Toronto Islands

This is the second in a series of posts covering my trip to Eastern Canada in September 2019, adapting emails originally sent to friends. I use NOW to refer to any updates since I did the trip.

Woke up at 3:30, got up just before 5. Walked along Queen west to Queensway. The McDonald's there didn't have a kiosk so headed east along King and found another one there and used a coupon code. The kiosk didn't print the receipt. Walked along King and stumbled up set up for the last day of the Toronto Film Festival and thus overlooked the Canada's Walk of Fame. Walked along Yonge I had to cross the street because a street cleaner kept blocking my path. Nearing Yonge Dundas Square I started to slipped one ice cream(?) from night before but caught myself in time. Security was guarding the event set-up there.

 

[NOW: The hostel was Parkdale Hostellerie. The McDonald's on King has moved.]

I got a sandwich at 7-11 for later. I walked past the former location of Backpackers on Dundas from 2016 and passed a guy who was a decent sin ger but singing a really homophobic song. I got what shots I could of Canada's Walk of Fame with the festival stuff there. Just before I passed a petition protesting it blocking King St. Worked my way to the waterfront, passing a Railway Museum by CN Tower. 

I took a ferry to Centre Island, aka Centreville Island. I explore the Centreville Amusement Park which you only pay to go on rides, not wander through. Very little was open. i visited Olympic Island before returning to the amusement park. At the Far Enough Farm section a pig took a liking to me. A peacock seemed to be trolling a caged bird. There were two cats; one came to me when I sat down.

 

[NOW: The first island I believe is also called Middle Island.]

I crossed over to another Centre Island and visited Chelsea Beach aka Centre island beach. managed to gets signs welcoming visitors to both names in same sign.  I visited Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and contined west, where this Centre Island becomes Hanlan's Point. I visited the same clothing optional beach there and took lots of photos even though you're not supposed to. Mind you no one else was there when I arrived though neither the sand nor Lake Ontario were wearing any clothing; but I didn't see any issue with photos as long as no one was in the photos. Mine stayed on. I left just as someone was arriving. I returned to Chelsea beach and visited the Pier there.

I crossed over to NYCC Island and back and then Snake Island  and back. Just after this Centre Island became Ward Island I visited Algonquin Island and back. I visited the Ward Island ferry terminal and then had lunch at Ward Island Beach, there I think a young seagull want ed some food. I walked a ways along the boardwalk but switched to the main road because a 10K was underway and people running along loose boards was distracting. On the main road people were running the other way (earlier in their race) but still less distracting. Because It was so overcast I I walked to Hanlan Point Ferry Terminal and left about two hours earlier than usual (mind you I arrived an hour earlier than usual).

Passing Yonge-Dundas Square, I fouhnd the map book I was looking for at a Shoppers Drug Mart and grabbed a Big Gulp at a 7-11 across the street. On College Street  I visited some stores and a landmark that got bumped yesterday including Beguiling (made a note about some trades; have to pack light until my Megabus trip to Montreal is over; Denison Square just south of College (a statue of Al Waxman was marked up; non the plus side the bench by the statue is normally occupied requiring another visit but not this time; She Said Boom! (moved a few doors down), Balfour Books and Soundscapes; Neurotica (couldn't find and door at address locked); Sellers and Newell Books; MVP Master Video production (closing and locked). Finishing College, I made my way to High Park briefly, then Dundas St W. There I visited Type Books, Pandemonium (got $2 Blu-ray), Book Exchange (closed today).

 

[NOW: MVP has of course finished closing.]

I made my way to Bloor and Jane where Red Nails II (comics) had closed for the day 15 minutes later. The nearby 2 for 1 Movies was closing down. Not much i was interested in and couldn't find anyone working in the store to ask prices. I had dinner at the McDonald's at Bloor and Runnymede. Again the kiosk wouldn't print the receipt. So of the three visited so far this trip two have had printing issues. I passed the Bar with No Name, a name which amused me because in the comics the villain killer Scourge killed 18 super-villains at one. The Bar had closed down. I walked south along Brock and made my way back to the hostel, where I chatted for a bit with someone from the UK working in film.

 

[NOW: 2 for 1 Movies has of course finished closing.]

Eastern Canada Trip 2019 Day 1 September 7 Victoria to Toronto

This is the first in a series of posts covering my trip to Eastern Canada in September 2019, adapting emails originally sent to friends. I use NOW to refer to any updates since I did the trip.

Sleepy so apologies if lots of typos. Tried to catch most. Last night got the idea to print ON and QC McDonald's coupons, Can't use printouts directly but you can type the number codes into the self-serve kiosks. Managed to fall asleep last night only to be woken up at 1:30 by a text from a spammer.

 

[NOW: Hopefully I caught the typos before posting to this blog.]

Put on new backpack for first time. No chest straps but small shoulder straps so it still doesn't bounce. Walked from my place to nearby Embassy Hotel where I caught the YYJ Airporter to the airport in North Saanich. At first I thought |I had left by debit and credit cards at home so was directed to the currency exchange which doesn't open until 8. Luckily I finally found them (like I said, new backpack; only just learning the various hiding spots).

 

[NOW: The airport is Victoria International Airport.]

Grabbed breakfast at Tim Horton's. A 500 mL Coke cost $2.75. I mailed out a cheque I kept forgetting to send out and then went through security without incident. Westjet plane to Toronto was on time. I accidentally sat down on the wrong side of the plane. This was a relief because on the side I sat down initially the window seat had no window. No map screen during flight sadly. For a long period of time during the flight we flew over clouds that weren't that fluffy on top, just flat, so I turned off my camera occasionally rather than essentially repeat the same shot. Clouds partly cleared around the Great Lakes, though they didn't go away until just before landing. Over one lake a cloud formation looked like the head of a cockatiel. I'm a bit sleep deprived but I'm not THAT sleep deprived. 

The plane landed 19 minutes early (passing Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan shortly before landing)  but took a while upon landing to reach the terminal. The flight attendants or at least one made a few attempts at humour during the flight so eventually one said she hoped we were enjoying our tour of the airport. I got off the plane at Pearson, which is actually in Mississauga, not Toronto. Noticed my phone was still on PDT. Grabbed lunch at Tim Horton's. The cashier refused to give me my receipt. Still, it was wise to get lunch then as it takes a while for the luggage to show up, a lesson learned the hard way from past trips. While waiting for the suitcase I ate the lunch and finally figured out how to change the time on my cell.

I took the 900 bus (what few transit I used today were all Toronto Transit) to Kipling Station in Toronto. Just missing one, I took the next 2 subway train to Dufferin station and transferred to a 92C bus to Duffferin and Queen. I had to ask directions but finally found the hostel, Parkdale Hostellerie. 

 

[NOW: In full, the bus was the 900 Airport Express.]

After checking in I walked back to Bloor where I had gotten that 29C bus and walked west to Dead Dog Music. Heading east, bought an incomplete but $2 DVD screener set for $2 at Eyesore Cinema.  I visited Zoinks!, then Doug Miller Books, passing some sort of Asian outdoor event at Christie Pits Park en route. Bought a comic trade at Doug Miller. Sad to report I confirmed my suspicions: Bumpkin the store rabbit passed away shortly after my 2016 visit.

Continuing on along Bloor I passed the former site of Honest Ed's and visited Seekers Books and BMV Books (got a couple of TV Blu-ray sets at the latter). Got some DVDs at Bay St Video. Indigo across the street and a few other places I checked didn't have a map book I was looking for. I decided to cut out a number of places for time but I'll have at least two chances to get to them later. On Yonge St., I got another Blu-ray set at ABC Books (got a Blu-ray that completes my sets of Weeds seasons) and used a coupon number at McDonald's. I visited the Edward St BMV Books then Silver Snail Comics, then Yonge-Dundas Square. It's worth noting that Bloor and Yonge have something in common with Greater Victoria: construction.

I did a long walk west along Queen St, passing another live thing at the park by City Hall, and after a brief detour along University Ave, made my way back to the hostel. As it happened someone was holding the door open for others so I showed her my squab that proved I was staying there. 

[NOW: That park is Nathan Phillips Square.]