The reason for my trip to Toronto was simple – Rent. Yes my friend and I traveled over 2500 kilometres to see a musical, one that we’d seen before (for me three times, for her twice). It might seem silly to plan a vacation (albeit a very short one) over one event. To that I say pshaw.
Let me take you back in time to when I was 13 or 14. The year was 1996 or possibly 1997, I don’t remember. Anyways my mother had on the Rosie O’Donnell Show and instead of the normal ‘cutie patootie’ nonsense I normally heard from the television, I heard a song. The cast of the original Broadway production of Rent was singing Seasons Of Love and I cried. I knew nothing about this musical, but there was so much emotion and power in this song, in the lyrics and music, in the voices that carried it out, that it stayed with me. I had to see this show.
Ok that title seems a bit harsh, right? But my friend and I recently went to Toronto (the reason will follow in another post). I’ve heard lots of bad things about Toronto, nothing specific just that it sucks in a vague and general sense. Being from western Canada there’s an us versus them attitude about Toronto. Perhaps other areas in Canada feel the same way. People would make many quips about Canada’s largest city, or ask why I’d want to go to Toronto – as if I’d told them I was packing my bags for hell. Toronto was never a city I had dreamt of visiting, then again there was a point where I said I’d never want to visit Las Vegas, but I did and had a great time. I know better than to judge somewhere I haven’t been.
My trip was very short, only a few days. Working for a hotel chain has its benefits, which for me included staying at a very nice hotel on Front Street for $68 a night – in a room that costs almost $400 per night. For the four nights my friend and I were staying it seemed like a great deal. There were some great things and some not so great things about this trip, like all trips. And like most of my traveling I got the sense that I only saw a fraction of this city. But here’s my general impressions.
It’s finally here another new year. New Years isn’t really a big deal to me. I didn’t go out (I worked til 11) and I normally don’t make resolutions or reflect on the past year. Maybe that’s a good thing and maybe not. But I’m blogging about New Years… I’m trying to reflect on 2009 and the first decade of the new millenium. Remember when it was 1999 and everyone was worried about Y2k? Crazy.
Anyways 2009 on all accounts was a good year. I have no complaints. It wasn’t amazingly spectacular, but then again my life usually isn’t. But there weren’t any major problems for me, I’m here happy and healthy. I have good friends and family, a job, so it works out ok. But I believe 2010 will be more epic and awesome than anything before. It’s good to believe.
I realized that I’ve failed to put a new post in a few weeks. A lack of traveling, combine with always working and having to get my portfolio finished in the last couple weeks has equaled me being neglectful of this blog. I realized when I was getting my portfolio together for school (which only needed 3 pieces) that I don’t keep the writing that I do. I write lots, but I delete things or leave them unfinished. So I basically had to create 3 pieces of writing, because I didn’t feel right about digging up some essay from High School that’s 7 years old. Especially since my point of view has grown so much since that time. Here’s an essay I submitted.
Assignment number 7 for MatadorU is to get us to think about budgets and funds. I’m not a budget person, every time I work a budget out it never works out. Math was never a strong or well liked subject for me in school. I always think I have more money than I do. But here’s the current monthly budget that I have for now. I’m sure some of this is over budgeting but it’s better to be safe that sorry, right?
Assignment #6 For MatadorU.
Being a travel writer does not mean first class tickets to exotic locations and luxury accommodations. Those who were hoping to get a paid vacation with no strings attached should probably look at another career path. In my research to find websites and magazines that will publish work from a budding travel writer I found a common theme for most if not all publications; a passion for travel and writing from a unique perspective. No one (except maybe your friends and family and even that may be a stretch) cares about your travels unless you have something new and interesting to say. Triple check your work for mistakes, style and flow and don’t be afraid to send photos (in fact most publishers insist upon it). The assignment from MatadorU asked for 10 sites that pay travel writing, although I did include some that do not. For the list read ahead.
I realize that if I have a blog I should try to update it on a regular basis, offer at least some thoughts, information, advice to the general public. And that I shouldn’t get distracted by shiny objects *oooh shiny*
The other day or week I was talking to my manager. For all the recession hoopla our hotel has been doing well, keeping steady business and in recent weeks getting busy. And I know that we need someone else on staff. It’s been the same seven people at the front desk since January, it’ll be a year for me in November. We’ve had a lot of people drop off resumes, but I’ve only seen a handful get to the interview stage. I asked her about this and she told me that she was very selective about who she’s interviewing because she doesn’t want someone too young (like some of my coworkers who are 21 as opposed to my 25 years of life) that may want to leave as soon as something else/better/new comes along. She said they wanted someone like me who will be stable.
I feel like a fraud. Smiling at the two gentlemen from behind the counter I pull out a yellow highlighter and draw on the map in front of me. It’s the same pattern up, then left, then up and finally right. I no longer need to look down to see what I’m doing. At least once a day someone asks “how do you get to West Edmonton Mall?” I hear myself talking, trying not to sound like some monotone robot. “Take 2 north to the city, stay in the left lane and take Anthony Henday West. Follow that around, you’ll cross the river. When you see the 87 Ave exit take it and go right. It’s another ten minutes from there to the mall.” They take the map and walk away.
There’s advantages and disadvantages to working at a hotel. Repetition is one of the disadvantages. I don’t blame people for wanting to go to WEM or West Ed as locals call it. At one point it was the largest mall in the world, now according to Forbes.com it’s the 4th largest. And still a mall with an amusement park, waterpark, skating rink, bungee jumping, minigolf, movie theatres plus over 800 stores is bound to have something for even the most avid mall hater. But I always wish that people would ask me for other suggestions on what to see and do in the city.
Drive or take the bus to Old Strathcona. If you are driving park at the South Scona lot south of Whyte Ave at 105th Street (across from The Keg). It is better to pay a flat rate per day at the lot than to park at the metres and run out of time. Old Strathcona is one of the oldest areas in Edmonton with buildings dating from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Walk north up 105th Street to Whyte Ave and stop for lunch. Whyte Ave has a variety of different restaurants, from Greek to Japanese to Persian, there’s something for everyone. If the weather is nice enough outside go to a restaurant with a patio and enjoy the view. Whyte Ave has a lot of unique independent stores, as well as some known chains like Starbucks. Most of the shopping is between 109th and 104th (which is also known as Gateway Blvd). There are stores east of 104th as well, although this is the less trendy area of Whyte.
Assignment 4 for MatadorU. The travel blog post. I will post the other two when I can.
The other day I found myself in the city as we Leducians call it (that would be Edmonton). I had to return a cell phone to a certain store… the phone had no battery. And to quote Forrest Gump “that’s all I have to say about that” or I’ll start ranting for another 1000 words. Point being I was in the city and decided to spend some time there instead of just driving back home. I called some friends who were all busy/working/sick/my cat’s clawing through the couch. I figured I’ll just explore the city myself.
