My experience in Canada - what I loved and what I didn't
The best way to see Canada and experience the beautiful landscape and people is to travel by train. Starting in Vancouver, we visited Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Waskesiu Lake, Prince Albert National Park, and Churchill in Manitoba before finishing in Toronto (a separate article about my trip to Toronto will be posted soon). This was one of the best train journeys I have ever taken. In this article, I will share with you some of my favorite places to visit in Canada, as well as some of the lowlights of Canada I experienced during my visit.
Why I chose Toronto
I chose to visit Toronto because it is one of the most populated cities in Canada and is the capital of Ontario. It is also a very multicultural city, which I thought would be interesting to experience. Overall, I had a great time in Toronto. I loved exploring the different neighbourhoods and trying new foods. I also found the people to be amiable and welcoming. The only downside was that it was pretty cold during my visit! One thing I did not enjoy about Toronto was the lack of parks. All significant parks are located in downtown areas and are separated by big highways or train tracks. However, many museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions were scattered throughout the city for me to explore. Overall, Toronto is a beautiful place with lots to do and see.
I am looking forward to returning someday soon.
The Best Things About Toronto
I loved Toronto! The city was so clean and vibrant, and there was so much to do. I especially enjoyed the food scene - there were many great restaurants to choose from. The people were also amiable and welcoming. One of my favourite moments was when a man at a gas station called me Honey because he thought that's how Canadians say Hi. I laughed and told him that it wasn't a Canadian thing, but he insisted on continuing to call me Honey for the rest of our interaction (and followed up with a smiley face emoji). It was delightful, and even though we were strangers, it felt like we could be friends. There were some things I didn't enjoy as much as others. It took a while to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road than what I'm used to. It also got cold pretty quickly, which meant that we had a tough time staying outside for long periods without feeling too hard or not wanting to walk around in a jacket for an extended period. Despite these challenges, I had a good time exploring Toronto and getting to know the people and culture.
The Worst Things About Toronto
1. The weather is atrocious. It's either super hot and humid or cold and snowy. There's no in-between.
2. The traffic is terrible. Cars are constantly honking and cutting each other off, and it's stressful.
3. The cost of living is high, especially in the downtown area. Rent is costly.
4. There's a lot of crime, both violent and petty. You have to be careful where you go and what you do.
5. It's filthy here. There's litter everywhere, and graffiti is everywhere too.
6. There seem to be many homeless people begging for money or food. 7. The public transportation system isn't very reliable, and trains are often delayed or cancelled. 8. Restaurants aren't always open late enough for those with night shifts, so there aren't many options if you're out late at night. 9. As someone who doesn't drink alcohol or coffee, Toronto has few options available for drinks (especially in the winter). 10. The architecture isn't fascinating--almost everything looks like a boxy office building--and there's not much variety when it comes to stores. 11. There are fewer opportunities for employment here than in many other places because most jobs require English proficiency, which I don't have yet (though I'm taking classes). 12. One of the worst things about Toronto is that they drive on the opposite side of the road! 13. It was tough to get used to driving here, but luckily my host mom gave me a car before I arrived, so that helped. 14. Another problematic thing about this city was figuring out how all of the transit systems work since there were three different ones, and it took me a while to figure them out. 15. One thing I loved about this city, though, was how close together everything seemed!
If you have a chance to go to Canada, don't miss out on Montreal
Montreal is a city located in the province of Quebec in southeastern Canada. It is the largest city in the region and the second largest city in the country. Montreal is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors. The city is home to many cultural attractions, including museums, theatres, and festivals. Montreal also has a vibrant nightlife scene, with many bars and clubs. If you're looking for a great place to eat, you'll be spoiled for choice in Montreal, as the city has a wide variety of restaurants to suit all tastes. However, if you're not careful, you can easily spend too much money while visiting Montreal. I was surprised by how expensive things were there: even food items usually very cheap in London were more expensive. I was also surprised by how big the city is: it took me an hour to get from one side of the island to another on public transport!
If you are into entertainment, definitely check out Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful city with a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. The nightlife is excellent, with plenty of bars and clubs to keep you busy. The food is also fantastic, with a wide range of cuisines. However, it can be expensive, so be prepared to spend a bit more than you would normally. Overall, I had a great time in Vancouver and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good time. The people were amiable, and the weather was terrific. The only downside was that there weren't as many activities to do outdoors, but that might be due to my short stay.
Overall, Vancouver was a wonderful place to visit, and I'm thrilled I got the chance to explore this beautiful city. It's worth mentioning though that during the summer months it's very sunny, which might not suit everyone. As always, I enjoyed every minute of my trip and cannot wait to go back! The best part about my trip was probably the wildlife. Many animals, including raccoons and coyotes, made me feel like I was in an episode of wilderness protection (yes, they exist). There were also tons of plants- everywhere we went, we found some flora or fauna. In addition to enjoying all the natural beauty around me, we visited a couple of other cities, such as Banff National Park, Victoria, BC and Calgary, Alberta. These trips were beautiful, and each town has a unique charm to satisfy travellers' needs.
Conclusion
I loved my time in Canada and highly recommend it to anyone considering visiting. The people were friendly, the scenery was beautiful, and there was so much to see and do. However, there are a few things to bear in mind:
- The weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly.
- The cost of living is relatively high, so budget accordingly.
- Don't forget your travel insurance!
It's essential for peace of mind when you're traveling abroad, which means that you'll have somewhere to turn for help if anything goes wrong.