Toronto
By Jaimy de Vries
I was only here for a few days but I experienced many firsts. First time traveling alone, first time being in America, being stopped at customs, having fingerprints taken and first time sleeping in a hostel. Toronto, it was short, but thanks for a special and unexpected experience!
Departure & arrival
Toronto was the first stop of my world trip. I said my final goodbye to my family and friends for a couple of years, see article goodbye to read more about it. Saying goodbye was very hard, but I persevered! You know, I would never forgive myself if I chickened out at the last minute. The flights went well: first a stop-over in Reykjavik and then off to Toronto. On arrival there were two Canadians who very kindly offered me their help and gave me their phone number in case I needed help. When I got off the plane there were several checks and I was immediately asked what the reason was for my visit. I honestly told them that I came to Canada for travel and that I wanted to work in Calgary as an au pair.
They asked some additional questions about my paperwork, and then sent me to the customs immigration and refugee office. My heart was pumping like crazy. Back home it was difficult to apply for a work permit, but I found a way to a working-holiday visa but this can take up months (not 1-2, but maybe 3-4 months) and still there was a small chance to get one. I called a visa service company and they told me to go on a tourist visa and tell them I was a tourist. I read that I can still apply for a working-holiday visa when I was in the country and I was already in the pool. So with the talk with my au pair family we thought it was possible to come on just a tourist visa. So I went. At the office I was extensively questioned and had to show documentation. I tried to stay calm and explain clearly what my reason was and what I had done in preparation. I was extensively questioned and had to show documentation. The border agent indicated that I did not have the correct papers and it was clear that my reason for visiting Canada was to work.
He said that I was not allowed to enter the country and that I had to go back where I came from. I had the choice to voluntary go back or to get a report and still have to go back unvoluntary and with a record. That’s actually not a choice?
Unfortunately I couldn’t stay in the country as a tourist with the promise not to go to work. They won’t believe because I previously said I want to work and have an au pair family here. It was my first destination and my reason for working as an au pair was to keep costs low. But alas, it was a done deal :(. I had to go back.
A lot of paperwork had to be arranged, my fingerprints and photos were taken. I felt like a criminal. Luckily, I didn’t have to pay for a ticket home, the airline was responsible for that. I was very upset, but still remained quite calm. It was a done deal and there was nothing I could do about it. My courage for my world trip sank. It was already so hard leaving my friends and family back home that morning and now this.
I was busy in my head practicing what I should do and how I wanted to continue my journey. I had to change my plans, because I couldn’t catch a plane back to Canada again a week later, that’s too suspicious. But going home wasn’t really an option for me either. I had just left for my world trip and said my final goodbyes to everyone. Of course I liked that everyone said that I could come back home any time, but 2 days after departure …… that’s too soon.
The next flight back was in two days. So I got permission to enter Toronto, under the condition I get back to the airport in time for the next flight. After all, they took my passport so of course I’ll be there.
At the end, I was held up at the airport for 4 hours. After I collected my luggage and carried heavy bags, I had to undertake a mandatory PCR test while carrying my bags and I had to show my passport 5 times after customs. I got tired, overheated by wearing warm clothing and due to heavy lifting, and I started to drop things. I was tired…. Getting to the hostel would take me more than an hour by public transport. I decided to treat myself a taxi ride (thanks Suzanne!) to the hostel. At 11 p.m. I arrived at the hostel. The lady who worked there showed me around. It all looked a bit shabby and when I got to the toilet it didn’t flush either. But I guess this was normal for a hostel. You would’ve thought I’d be losing it, but I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted to sleep and take the rest to think about what I’ll do next. So I did….
City trip
I couldn’t sleep well. I was busy practicing and texting everyone that night to find a new solution. I wasn’t that tired anymore, I think it was because of all that adrenaline in my body. I decided to get up early that morning and explore Toronto. I just have to make the best out of it right!? Today was my “only” chance to explore Toronto, so I grabbed it. I sent the presents I brought and was carrying with me, to my au pair family, did some shopping and walked towards the city-center. This was a one-and-a-half hour walk, but I was fine with that. A long walk would help me clear my head and get all the stress out of my body.
I walked through residential areas, through parks, and towards the city-center. I’d really felt like I was in America with the houses with cute porches, many still with Christmas decorations, the people here speak like an American, and I saw many large cars that were snowed under by the snow storm that was here a few days ago.
It was a cold winter day with a temperature of -15 °C. I was well dressed for the occasion and the sun was shining, so I wasn’t cold at all. The sun gave me the energy I needed. That I wasn’t cold, gave me a reassuring feeling because with these clothes I also wanted to go to Antarctica next year (or this year?). Although it’s a lot warmer there at the moment than here. There it is -2 to -5 °C. Here it is -15 to -20 °C.
During my walk through the city, which ended up taking 6 hours and 30,000 steps, I enjoyed the simple things: the snow squeaking under my feet, the warm sun, lots of dogs playing with each other in the parks and a squirrel running away from me. I also fell on the slippery ice. I laughed and stood up again.
The center was easy to find, I just walked towards the skyscrapers. When I arrived, I felt so little between al those skyscrapers. imagine how I would feel if I walk on the streets of New York city. I walked to the CN tower, the jewel of Toronto. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go in and walk on the well-known glass plates. With my fear of heights I find this terrifying. But when visiting Toronto, you can’t skip visiting the tower. So I gathered my courage and walked to the main entrance. There was a sign: closed due to covid-19. ‘Okay fate has decided for me!’ I laughed. When walking through the city-center I mostly walked along the boulevard where there are also many beautiful parks. The water is frozen and you see large ice shelves. I walked to a park further up the water where I had a beautiful view over Toronto.
I was so tired from the day and probably the day before. I wanted to watch a movie that night, but fell asleep right after I clicked on the start button. Zzzz…..
Getting my passport back
I was so tired after my long walk through the city yesterday, that I slept in. When I woke up at 8:30 A.M. I packed up my things and went downstairs for breakfast. Then I did some research on my laptop to make a plan for the what to do next and how to continue my world trip. I forgot to check out before 11 am, it was already half past 12, but luckily they were very nice and I was still able to check out without extra costs. After checking-out I sat in the common kitchen room and talked to other travelers. We had nice conversations and they thought it was sad for me that I had to go back. I also met a Dutchman who happened to live in the same city as me. What a coincidence!
I left in time to go to the airport. If I would have a setback on my way back to the airport, I’d still be there on time. It went very smoothly to get to the airport with my large bags by public transport. I was also surprised how cheap and simple public transportation was. I was traveling for an hour and it only cost me 3.65 CAD, which is equivalent to 2.50 euros. That is a big difference with the cost of a taxi of 66 CAD (45 euros). I arrived at the terminal, but it soon turned out to be the wrong one. I wasn’t supposed to be at terminal 1 but at terminal 3. They told me to catch the train. ‘The train!? Is it that far away then!?’ I asked the lady at the information desk. It turned out it was. So, the airport is quite big. I’ve seen every corner at terminal 3. I couldn’t find the border agent office! After the help of a number of police officers I was able to find it, it looked like a staff entrance. Still I was there on time. Even too early they said, so I grabbed an iced coffee and walked back. A Border agent accompanied me to the check-in desk. There was no ticket booked for me yet so I had to wait a while. In the meantime, I had interesting conversations with the border agent about my travel plans, his travels and about the corona situation in our country. He also gave me some good advice what to do in my situation on how to come back well prepared to Canada. After I checked in he came back to the gate before boarding, then he gave me my passport back and waved me goodbye. He wanted to make sure I got on the plane. The flight went well and I arrived in Reykjavik at 6 am.
I was and I’m still very proud of myself. Despite the setbacks, I remained calm and positive. Of course I could have been quite shocked and sad, but feeling down is of no use to anyone. By staying positive, I was able to think clearly and coming up with a solution: stay with a friend in Iceland, do fun things there and take my time to see how I will continue my world trip. And in the meantime I was able to enjoy a day in Toronto. It was the shortest and most far away city trip I ‘ve ever taken and it probably will stay that way. Because who is going to fly 12 hours for a 1-day city trip?
This Post Has 6 Comments
Wauw wat een verhaal! Balen dat het niet gelukt is. Ik hoop dat het de volgende keer wel goed gaat!
Ondanks alles toch een heel belevenis, veel plezier met de rest van je reis!
Hoi Mark! haha ja he!? Maar het heeft allemaal ook tot iets moois geleid! Ik ga deze week naar Antarctica 🙂
Wat een stoere kanjer ben jij , en wat schrijf jij op een leuke ,mooie manier .
Ik blijf je volgen , Heel veel succes nog .
Hoi Corine! Wat lief, dankje! Gaat helemaal goed komen – ik ga deze week naar Antarctica!
Jemig Jaimy goed begin! Maar hé misschien is het een teken dat je niet moet werken als start maar lekker moet reizen en genieten!
Enjoy!
Ha Dorien! Thanks! Ja een gek begin, maar uiteindelijk goed uitgepakt. Ik heb besloten inderdaag niet te gaan werken, lekker reizen en ik ga nu naar Antarctica!