In Toronto

OK - just a real quick post as we are in an Internet Cafe.

We arrived in Toronto Monday night - the big move. Due to me not reading the instructions, Craig and I walked with most of our luggage on our (well Craig's) back for about an hour! It helped if we caught the train - not walked to the hostel from the train station - duh! It was humid - but thankfully a fine night and arrived at the hostel at 11.30pm. The owner of the hostel was still up and about and reversed in to the 24 hour food store where we were picking up the keys. He said he had seen us struggling down the road but he didn't pick us up because we were laughing. At least we had a good attitude he said!

Our hostel is in the middle of Chinatown (great for our bellies) and in the middle of Kensington Markets. This place has a lot of colour and character and a lot of strange smells. You will find all sorts of things here - a Jamaican fish hut, Ethiopian spices, cheese shops, Chilean restaurants etc etc. Fortunately, the place is not as seedy as it could be - in fact, we feel very safe.

Well we have spent the last three days looking for accommodation mostly. We finally found an apartment today. We swapped space and comfort (something we would have wanted back home) for a small basement apartment right in the middle of the city. Think of our apartment in Birdwood Crescent and that is about how big it is. Everything is at our doorstep- shops, subway, and most importantly, restaurants. We just have to try and keep healthy. We may in fact hate the apartment, but as I said to Craig, we came here for a different kind of life than one we would have at home.

Work opportunities are already coming our way. My resume posted publicly on a website seems to be working nicely. I already have two approaches from companies after being here for four days (one less than 24 hours after I touched down) and another approach from a company I was working with in Calgary.

You wouldn't believe it but Craig had two phone calls from agencies in Calgary the first day we were here - after having two months of no phone calls. Go figure!!

Toronto is currently very hot - 31 degrees and very sticky. It is much better to be inside in air conditioning.

Anyway, more to come shortly once we have an internet connection.