Mar 272012
 

In general, if I haven’t planned prior to traveling, I basically do whatever the mood strikes when I am actually on the trip. This makes things easier for me as I either plan or plan to be spontaneous. πŸ˜›

Since my main purpose for coming to Toronto was to visit with my friends, Shu & Q, whom I hadn’t seen since they left Abu Dhabi over a year ago, I didn’t really do any investigating of the area or decide on sightseeing activities. Basically, I figured they would show me around. πŸ™‚

However, when I arrived, I heard some talking about Niagara Falls. When I started looking at the guide books and maps, I realized one thing people do when they visit Toronto is make a trip to Niagara Falls. Hm…, I thought…. How close is it, I asked. Just about 1.5 hours…not far…let’s do it!

As my previous posts show, Shu and Q were free on the weekend, but Monday meant I was free to figure out my own plan. Apparently there is a fairly cheap Chinese bus that goes to the Falls, but I thought it would be more interesting if I did a proper tour. So, I did a Google search and found this tour company as the best and cheapest option.

So, this morning, they picked me up and we met up with the group and off we went!

It was a good day. The Falls were spectacular! Although it was quite cold, the sun came out in the afternoon making everything more beautiful. I felt God’s presence and creation with a sense of awe and peace. Beautiful. Amazing. Wonderful.

Well, here are the pics from the day!

Finally caved and tried Tim Hortons since I am in Canada after all - not bad and cheap!
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Finally caved and tried Tim Hortons since I am in Canada after all - not bad and cheap!27-Mar-2012 06:01, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.2, 5.72mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 800
Niagara Falls tour:  Stop for a wine tasting - ice wine is the thing around here...
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Niagara Falls tour: Stop for a wine tasting - ice wine is the thing around here...27-Mar-2012 08:16, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour
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Niagara Falls tour27-Mar-2012 08:17, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 5.9, 25.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 80
 
Niagara Falls tour:  Apparently this place is sponsored/owned by Dan Akroyd - didn't know he is Canadian...
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Niagara Falls tour: Apparently this place is sponsored/owned by Dan Akroyd - didn't know he is Canadian...27-Mar-2012 08:43, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.1, 5.4mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 800
Niagara Falls tour:  The tour mobile
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Niagara Falls tour: The tour mobile27-Mar-2012 08:45, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  A stop to see Lake Ontario
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Niagara Falls tour: A stop to see Lake Ontario27-Mar-2012 09:04, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.9, 8.25mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
 
Niagara Falls tour:  Apparently that is New York and where part of the War of 1812 took place
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Niagara Falls tour: Apparently that is New York and where part of the War of 1812 took place27-Mar-2012 09:04, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.9, 8.25mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  Niagara-on-the-lake - main tourist stop especially in the summer when visiting Niagara Falls
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Niagara Falls tour: Niagara-on-the-lake - main tourist stop especially in the summer when visiting Niagara Falls27-Mar-2012 09:08, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.8, 7.73mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 800
Niagara Falls tour:  Smallest church...
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Niagara Falls tour: Smallest church...27-Mar-2012 09:16, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 5.7, 13.09mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 640
 
Niagara Falls tour:  Niagara Whirlpool - across is Canada; to the right is New York
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Niagara Falls tour: Niagara Whirlpool - across is Canada; to the right is New York27-Mar-2012 09:29, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.5, 6.45mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  Whirlpool on Niagara River
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Niagara Falls tour: Whirlpool on Niagara River27-Mar-2012 09:29, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  Niagara River
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Niagara Falls tour: Niagara River27-Mar-2012 09:30, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.2, 5.72mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
 
Niagara Falls tour:  A hydro-dam giving power to Canada and New York
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Niagara Falls tour: A hydro-dam giving power to Canada and New York27-Mar-2012 09:31, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 5.9, 25.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 160
Niagara Falls tour:  Cable car crossing Niagara River whirlpool
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Niagara Falls tour: Cable car crossing Niagara River whirlpool27-Mar-2012 09:32, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.6, 16.1mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  Horseshoe Falls
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Niagara Falls tour: Horseshoe Falls27-Mar-2012 09:54, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 11.0, 5.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 80
 
Niagara Falls tour:  Horseshoe Falls - Journey Behind the Falls view
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Niagara Falls tour: Horseshoe Falls - Journey Behind the Falls view27-Mar-2012 09:54, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 11.0, 5.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  Horseshoe Falls - Journey Behind the Falls view
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Niagara Falls tour: Horseshoe Falls - Journey Behind the Falls view27-Mar-2012 09:57, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 11.0, 5.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 80
Niagara Falls tour:  Horseshoe Falls - Journey Behind the Falls - silhouette of me
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Niagara Falls tour: Horseshoe Falls - Journey Behind the Falls - silhouette of me27-Mar-2012 09:57, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 80
 

After I got back, we headed out to a tasty warm dinner of ramen!

Tonkotsu Ramen for dinner! YUM!
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Tonkotsu Ramen for dinner! YUM!27-Mar-2012 02:29, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
 

Then, we took a walk –

Near Howland Avenue - just a funny name...
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Near Howland Avenue - just a funny name...27-Mar-2012 03:06, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 800
 

to Korea Town, where we got dessert. I ate so many of these when I was in Korea for a month. Love them!!!

Hoddok (Korean pancake with brown sugar and nuts) = happy happy!
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Hoddok (Korean pancake with brown sugar and nuts) = happy happy!27-Mar-2012 03:17, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
 

A very happy ending to a great day!

Tomorrow, I am off to Philly….

πŸ˜€ -T

Mar 262012
 

Jet lag hasn’t been so bad considering the amount of flying I did, but it still exists…. Although I woke up at 5am with some dozing until about 10am, Shu and I still managed to walk from Howland through Little Italy to Queens Way to Chinatown to Kensington Market area and back home again.

It was a beautiful day, which was very much welcomed after yesterday! πŸ™‚

After a short rest, we headed to Korea Town for some delicious Korean food! Now, I’m trying to stay awake long enough to ensure that I don’t wake up too early though I have a day trip to Niagara Falls planned for tomorrow.

Here are some pics from today:

Apparently a Toronto icon - Honest Ed's random store of everything (didn't actually go inside though)
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Apparently a Toronto icon - Honest Ed's random store of everything (didn't actually go inside though)25-Mar-2012 19:03, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
A Canadian delicacy - Poutine
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A Canadian delicacy - Poutine25-Mar-2012 20:30, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 320
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25-Mar-2012 20:31, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
 
Too cute!
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Too cute!25-Mar-2012 21:19, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.6, 9.4mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 200
Toronto Chinatown gate - MON
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Toronto Chinatown gate - MON25-Mar-2012 23:54, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
Kensington Market area - loved this mural
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Kensington Market area - loved this mural26-Mar-2012 00:11, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
 
Bike rack in Kensington Market
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Bike rack in Kensington Market26-Mar-2012 00:13, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
A Canadian fire house for my dad...hard to see it though...
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A Canadian fire house for my dad...hard to see it though...26-Mar-2012 00:15, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 7.2, 9.4mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
Hard to do justice to the lovely residential areas
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Hard to do justice to the lovely residential areas26-Mar-2012 00:19, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.4, 7.9mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 100
 
Pure maple syrup - 8.99 in a local organic store or 18.99 in a bottle at a 'gift shop' for tourists, you choose...
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Pure maple syrup - 8.99 in a local organic store or 18.99 in a bottle at a 'gift shop' for tourists, you choose...26-Mar-2012 01:12, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.6, 9.4mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 200
Yummy Korean food with my favorite hosts!
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Yummy Korean food with my favorite hosts!26-Mar-2012 03:10, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 125
Mmmmmmm....
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Mmmmmmm....26-Mar-2012 03:10, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
 

-T πŸ˜€

Mar 252012
 

My first full day in Toronto has been pretty relaxed. We had a relaxed start, but still on the early side as I’m kind of used to getting started around noon, not when it is still morning…. πŸ˜‰

Q & Shu's cute attic apartment
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Q & Shu's cute attic apartment24-Mar-2012 15:11, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 400
Q & Shu's cute attic apartment
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Q & Shu's cute attic apartment24-Mar-2012 15:11, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.2 sec, ISO 400
Q & Shu's cute attic apartment
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Q & Shu's cute attic apartment24-Mar-2012 15:12, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 400
 
Q & Shu's cute attic apartment
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Q & Shu's cute attic apartment24-Mar-2012 15:12, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 200
 

So, we headed down to St. Lawrence market, which is a farmer’s-like market in a renovated warehouse near/in the Financial District. There’s two kinds of markets – a yuppyish middle-class white version and a more diverse relaxed farmer’s market version. I tried bee pollen, which is considered very healthy, and it made me swell up on my lips and throat. Who knew?

Downtown Toronto:  Union Station and CN Tower in the background
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Downtown Toronto: Union Station and CN Tower in the background24-Mar-2012 17:42, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 6.6, 6.3mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Downtown Toronto:  Financial District
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Downtown Toronto: Financial District24-Mar-2012 17:42, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
Downtown Toronto:  Financial District - Hockey Hall of Fame
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Downtown Toronto: Financial District - Hockey Hall of Fame24-Mar-2012 17:42, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
 
Downtown Toronto:  Financial District
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Downtown Toronto: Financial District24-Mar-2012 17:42, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 6.6, 6.3mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
St Lawrence Market:  Mmmm pork...meat...
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St Lawrence Market: Mmmm pork...meat...24-Mar-2012 17:51, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 200
St Lawrence Market
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St Lawrence Market24-Mar-2012 18:04, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 200
 
St Lawrence Market:  Pork!
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St Lawrence Market: Pork!24-Mar-2012 18:06, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 400
St Lawrence Market:  Guess this is some Canadian bacon specialty
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St Lawrence Market: Guess this is some Canadian bacon specialty24-Mar-2012 18:11, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200
St Lawrence Market:  Juice!
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St Lawrence Market: Juice!24-Mar-2012 18:16, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 200
 
St Lawrence Market:  Saturday Farmer's Market
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St Lawrence Market: Saturday Farmer's Market24-Mar-2012 18:29, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200
Downtown Toronto
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Downtown Toronto24-Mar-2012 18:54, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.6, 9.4mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
Downtown Toronto:  Near Church
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Downtown Toronto: Near Church24-Mar-2012 18:56, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
 

After that we stopped for a quick coffee break at a cool place called Origins on King St.

Downtown Toronto:  Q next the Q water tap
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Downtown Toronto: Q next the Q water tap24-Mar-2012 19:02, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.25 sec, ISO 400
 

From there, we went over to an Asian food market called T&T. It was nice to see so many options, but I wished I had more in Abu Dhabi.

Downtown Toronto:  A visit to the T&T Asian Food market isn't complete without a Lover Hot Pot!
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Downtown Toronto: A visit to the T&T Asian Food market isn't complete without a Lover Hot Pot!24-Mar-2012 19:50, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
Downtown Toronto:  T&T offers live seafood - I know these are muscles, but somehow they look oh so wrong...
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Downtown Toronto: T&T offers live seafood - I know these are muscles, but somehow they look oh so wrong...24-Mar-2012 19:54, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
Downtown Toronto:  Shu found one that looks good
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Downtown Toronto: Shu found one that looks good24-Mar-2012 19:57, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200
 
Downtown Toronto:  So many to choose from...
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Downtown Toronto: So many to choose from...24-Mar-2012 19:57, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200
Downtown Toronto:  Lunch at T&T
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Downtown Toronto: Lunch at T&T24-Mar-2012 20:26, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 100
 

On the way back, we hit the Distillery District and stopped in this crazy stored where a guy does art with rubik’s cubes….

Downtown Toronto:  The Distillery Historic District
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Downtown Toronto: The Distillery Historic District24-Mar-2012 21:14, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100
Downtown Toronto:  Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes
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Downtown Toronto: Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes24-Mar-2012 21:22, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 200
Downtown Toronto:  Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes
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Downtown Toronto: Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes24-Mar-2012 21:22, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 200
 
Downtown Toronto:  Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes (same store, but liked the idea of high heel wine holder)
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Downtown Toronto: Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes (same store, but liked the idea of high heel wine holder)24-Mar-2012 21:23, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 200
Downtown Toronto:  Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes
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Downtown Toronto: Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes24-Mar-2012 21:24, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 250
Downtown Toronto:  Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes (or dice)
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Downtown Toronto: Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes (or dice)24-Mar-2012 21:25, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.4, 7.9mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
 
Downtown Toronto:  Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes (or dice)
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Downtown Toronto: Distillery Historic District - Art with Rubik's cubes (or dice)24-Mar-2012 21:25, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.4, 7.9mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
 

then the wind picked up adding to the cold, so we headed back to have a rest and eat up our fresh crab. πŸ˜€

T&T crabs ready to eat!
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T&T crabs ready to eat!24-Mar-2012 23:38, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 200
 

I stopped taking pictures in the evening as the cold increased and though I’m awake, I’m not quite so with it…. Anyway, we went to a lovely and very cheap Vietnamese restaurant off of St. Claire and then had a long journey back as we walked through the elements for part of the way. It definitely felt nice to get to a warm and dry place!

More fun tomorrow!

πŸ˜€ -T

Mar 242012
 

Surprisingly, I am awake at a ‘normal’ time (8:00am) after taking a 12.5 direct flight AUH – JFK and then after a 4-hour layover was on a 1.5hour flight JFK – YYZ.

The flight to New York from Abu Dhabi was fairly painless in the grand scheme of things. However, nearly 12 hours of two children crying/whining and the sounds here and there of others have made me really think there needs to be children’s ONLY section at the back of the plane (not the front!!!). It’s not possible to keep them from fussing or crying at different times, but why must the rest of us have to suffer?

My flight companion was a 72-year-old Indian woman. I know because she asked me to complete her US customs form. She was nice, but a little too big for the seats, a little too old for getting up and down during a long flight and very very burpy! hahaha. She was sweet, though, I guess.

Randomly, my counselor in AD was in the seat behind me going on holiday to the East Coast. I wondered if that was some sort of sign that I should go see her when I return in April…? πŸ˜‰

Everything else is a bit of a blur as I was so exhausted once arriving at Q & Shu’s place in Toronto.

I’m gonna have to go in search of coffee soonish, though, I think.

More to come…

πŸ˜€

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