I'm currently in the Toronto airport with Emily, clacking away on these iPads that have been provided for all flyers during their wait. It's been quite a ride so far, and we're still in North America!
Somehow, us country ladies, managed to figure out the hour or so voyage on public transit to get into the city and even more amazingly managed to find the core of the action 5 minutes before midnight simply by running with all the others. Follow the crowds, be a sheep, be rewarded by a grand fireworks display to say fuck you to 2014 and hey-yo to hopeful 2015 (we were punished too by the crowds. Neither Emily or I could breathe. Bracing ourselves as best we could against the crushing hoards we barely had enough breath to count down the new year).
The first four or so hours of 2015 were cold, mildly frustrating, but ultimately rewarding and grande as we walked all over trying to find a place to sleep in -9 degree C weather to no avail. Every place was booked, but we found refuge in Denny's and we're eventually directed to the largest hotel in the city... "If anyone has rooms, it's them."
We walked in and we're immediately asked if we had wristbands. I was so confused I just jerked away from the man staring at my wrist and said no. But Emily came to the rescue and asked important questions such as... Wtf do we do with no place to stay at 3 in the morning?
Answer: go back to the subway, take it to the outskirts of the city and hail a cab... Hopefully. But the subways might stop running and there may be no cabs.
Fate would have it, we made the last train, and even the last bus to the airport which were perhaps the most interesting rides of my life. Folks in Toronto aren't like New Yorkers, they don't have personal bubble issues and instead invite you to dance with them and other strangers on the train because no one can be unhappy on the first of the New Year. At least no Canadians.
We made it back to this lovely lovely airport with benches WITHOUT armrests and no loud announcements. We hit the sack around 5 am and roused about noon. All in all, an extremely successful and wonderful New Years, I'd say.
I like these folks of Toronto... They seem friendly, approachable, wild, and seem to give not nearly as many shits as my fellow Americans, less high strung. I know it was New Years, but the spirit didn't seem as strained to ENJOY THE NEW YEAR OR MU LIFE SUCKS! Also I was able to give lots and lots of fist pounds.
Bonus: all public TCC transit (buses and subways) were free all night.
Not a bad beginning, eh?
T-1hr till boarding to Istanbul
C'mon, universe, whatcha got in store this time?
Much love,
Enjoy the fresh start,
Kelly (& Emily)
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