Today, I was set to arrive in Toronto, Canada. Last night at the Montreal bus terminal, I met Sofia, a Swedish expat currently living in Toronto. She was on her way back from a four-day trip, just like me. We ended up talking a lot during the night. She shared stories about her recent family visit to Iran and what life was like there—it was fascinating to hear about her experiences.
Making Plans with Sofia
Sofia filled me in on Toronto’s public transport system and even shared some insights about the hostel I’d booked. She mentioned hearing good things about it, which was reassuring. I’d picked that particular hostel because it was close to the CN Tower—a spot I planned to visit in two days.
The bus ride had completely drained me—I hadn’t slept a wink. It was long, cold, and utterly uncomfortable. Sofia felt the same way; we were both exhausted. Despite that, she kindly guided me to the subway, showing just how thoughtful she was. Before parting ways, we agreed to meet up later in the day. It felt like we’d already become friends, haha.
The subway station near the bus terminal of Toronto was closed, so we had to walk to the next one. Along the way, we passed a large square called Dundas Square, which instantly reminded me of Times Square in New York. Sofia mentioned that later in the day, it would come alive with crowds and energy. At 6 a.m., though, the streets were quiet, and the square felt almost deserted—a peaceful start to the morning.
At the subway station, I purchased three-day passes that allowed unlimited use of streetcars and the subway. Each ticket cost $11, totaling $33. Sofia helped me find the right train before we parted ways. She was such a kind and helpful person—I really appreciated her company.








Closed Doors
Sofia had advised me to get off at Queens Park subway station, so I did. From there, navigating was straightforward. The hostel was on College Street, a major thoroughfare, so I hopped on a streetcar that arrived almost immediately, saving me some time. The weather in Toronto was pleasant, but unfortunately, I felt completely drained. All I could think about was getting to my bed, hoping for an early check-in.








I arrived at the Planet Traveler Hostel in Toronto at 6:30 am, only to find the door locked and the lights off. I let out a sigh—just my luck. The reception wouldn’t open until 7 am, as they didn’t offer 24-hour service.
I waited outside the door, watching the city slowly come to life. A few homeless people wandered by, including one particularly animated man shouting to himself as he crossed the street—I couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. Across the corner, I noticed a Subway restaurant and a few small convenience stores.
The Planet Traveler Hostel
At 7 am sharp, the door and reception finally opened. I checked in, and the receptionist, a friendly guy, assured me he’d try to get a room ready for me as soon as possible.
I sat down in the main area, grateful for the wifi so I could get some work done, even though I was feeling miserable. As more people trickled in, they started their day with breakfast, and I couldn’t help but feel irritated when others joined my table. But honestly, there weren’t many places to sit, so I couldn’t really blame them.
Rooftop Nap Time
By 11 am, I couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked again about the room, adding a bit more drama to my request. Finally, the guy mentioned their incredible rooftop lounge. It wouldn’t be busy, so I could take a nap there.
He mentioned the room would be ready by 1 pm, so I made my way upstairs to the rooftop.








The first thing I did was take some pictures, captivated by the incredible views of Toronto. I began with the small balcony overlooking College Street. The large balcony was stunning, with one person sitting on one of the sofas. I set down my camera and bag, then set my alarm. Spotting a blanket inside, I brought it outside and settled on one of the other sofas. Within minutes, I was fast asleep.
Resting Some More
Around 1:30 pm, I woke up to the heat outside. I was a mess, but I made my way downstairs to check in. The room was ready, which was a relief—it was so much better than having to wait until 3 pm.
The room was clean but a bit cramped, and there were too many bunk beds for my liking. With no other options, I opted for one of the higher beds. I decided to continue my nap right away—I still wasn’t fully rested.
Around 4 or 5 pm, I finally got out of bed and took a refreshing shower. I sorted out my laundry since I could use the machines now (the hostel had needed them for linen until 3 pm). After that, I headed to the mini market to grab a drink and some food.
Exploring the City with Sofia
Around 7 or 8 pm, Sofia arrived at the hostel, and I was ready for an adventure. I had done some research online and decided to head to the Eaton Centre. I figured I might pick up some clothes if I found anything interesting.








From the hostel, we walked all the way to Dundas Square, which felt like quite a trek for me since I usually preferred the subway. It only took us about 15 minutes, though, not too bad. The area was packed with crowds, and I was amazed by the energy. The Eaton Centre was right next door. Sofia led the way, and I asked if she was up for a drink. She was, so I told her I’d cover it as a thank you for all she’d done for me. We spent the time talking about our homes, families, traveling, and work.
We continued our walk through the shopping center, but it was getting close to closing time. We were on the hunt for a toilet, which took longer than expected. After asking a few people, we finally found one. In Canada, they don’t call them restrooms, but washrooms—something I complained about several times that day.




The mall had closed, so we walked back to Toronto’s Dundas Square and sat down again around 9:15 pm. We chatted for a bit longer, and by 9:30 pm, I headed back to the hostel while Sofia made her way to her apartment.
Late Night Writing
Back at the hostel, I worked on some more reports and got ready for the next day. Around midnight, I was kicked out of the common/relaxing area downstairs. It seemed so pointless to close it—where were people supposed to use Skype or relax now? There was no Wi-Fi in the rooms.
I went to my room and wrote some more reports in bed. Around 2 am, I finally fell asleep. I had to wake up early the next day—my pick-up was at 8:15 am. Tomorrow, I’d finally get to see Niagara Falls.