TomCworld Blog

• DHL to mail a package back to Apple, then off lunch at edgewater. #

• Had me a Ed’s lobster roll yesterday. Woke up today wishing I could have another… #
• shopping in ChiTown, then off to dinner in the lower east #

Just took a three day holiday with my fair lady to the wonderful city of Toronto in the beautiful but, often cold Country of Canada. This time around instead of flying, we took the modern and quite comfortable Neon Trailways bus. It is extremely accommodating, offering a convenient pickup and drop off location in both NYC (Penn Station) and Toronto (Downtown TO). They made two pit stops for restroom use / food and one when crossing the broader to clear customs. The wifi on board was speedy and it really allowed me to be productive while on the long and grueling 9 hour ride. The price tag for the ride wasn’t bad either, at $50USD round trip (can get fares as low as $1 if you’re flexable with the dates) it sure beats flying and the long trips to and from the airport.

I stayed at the Novotel Toronto Centre at 45 The Esplanade located in the St. Lawrence market Neighborhood / old town. The room that I was given was spacious and very comforatble. The only complaint that I had was the room was a bit cold at night and they didn’t have heat, other then that everthing was great.

While in Toronto for the second time , I quickly notice that the cost of living has increase subsatilly since I last visited (about 4 years ago). The cost of food and daily expensse of just getting around and hangging out in the city is a lot higher than what I remembered it to be. Never-the-less that did not stop me from enjoying myself. Cody and I did the toursit thing but, was really winging it since we have both seen the city once before. We came mainy for the authenic Chinese food and was quite dissapointed to find that the Chinese food here was not all that authenic compared to NYC and frenkly did not tastes all that great either.

Despite the dissapointment with TO’s food, we still found ways to enjoy ourselves. Below are some of the places we found interesting and recommend you checking out if you are ever in town.

Chinatown - this is one of the most authentic in the world. It is filled with sidewalk markets, dim sum restaurants, exotic spices, unique clothing and many kinds if knick-knacks. But don’t be surprise if you find things pricey, it is no longer dirt cheap like it use to be. To get here, take the subway to Dundas and then transfer to the 505 Dundas West Streetcar to Spadina Ave.

Queen Street West - is a neighborhood that has a vibrant art culture. Many of the top Canadian musician and comedians perform here, at local pubs and bars. It is also one of TO most popular shopping districts, filled with great shops, restaurants, patios, clubs, and local fashion designer boutiques. If you are looking for a fun atmosphere to hang out, this the district for you. To get here, take the subway to Queens then transfer to the 501 Long Branch Streetcar westbound to Spadina ave.

Downtown Yonge - is located along the largest street in the world. This is a really lively, vibrant, and exciting location in the heart of the city. It’s filled with theatres, hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. Most notibly for the TO Eaton Centre, Yonge-Dundas Square and the newly developed TO life Square.

St. Lawrence Market - located in “Old Town Toronto”, it boost over 60 specialty vendors offering everything from gourmet foods to local art. To get here, take the subway to King and Yonge, then walk south to Front and turn eastward.

The Path - is the largest ungrounded shopping concourse, it sits under the financial district and spans numerous buildings, connecting a bunch of subway stations.

Casa Loma - TO’s majestic Edwaedian castle featuring soaring ceilings, rich wood carvings, sumotous marble and lumious stained glass. It is over 5 acres large and filled with with secret passage ways, soaring towers, and a 800-foot tunel that leads you to a luxurious stable. To get here, Take the subway to Dupont then walk north up the stairs or hill.

• Just left toronto, will be on the bus for the next 9 hours. Will be back in NYC 7am. #

• Tired from circling Pacific Mall yesterday. Will be checking out Scarborough today #
• Just had an amazing lunch at Thai basil on Bloor. 8 bucks for the lunch special is an aweome deal. #

• In Toronto. Trailways neon bus has power and wifi. It made the 9 hour ride from NY to TO not all that bad. #
• Heading out for dim sum in TO #
• Bubble tea at tea shop 168 in Chinatown TO #

• free! Going to enjoy my amost 2 week holiday. Heading out to the korean spa soon! #

• Just had dinner, think I over stuffed myself. Wil watch some tv with cody before I get back to work again #
• my paper is not nearly complete, gonna bang it out tonight #

• 2 more days of jury duty terror, the fear of being called in to serve #

• Back in the Big Apple aka the greatest city in the world #
• hotpocket for breakfast. working on my paper now #