World Cities

Day 201: The last observation deck, the CN Tower

July 14, 2014

The CN Tower was calling, so today was all about snapping some epic shots of Toronto from above. I rolled out of bed at the luxurious hour of 10:30 am—plenty of time before the 12 noon checkout. A quick breakfast, some dorm-packing gymnastics, and one last shower later, I was ready to conquer the day! Bags stored, checked out right on time—smooth start to the day. I spent the afternoon typing reports in the hostel’s main area, feeling productive and smug about my foolproof evening plan: the bus left at 9:30 pm, so I’d head out by 7:30 pm to…

by Maarten

Day 199: The arrival in Toronto

July 12, 2014

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. 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…

by Maarten

Day 197: The Biodome and the Botanical Gardens

July 10, 2014

There was a mix-up, so today I ended up visiting the Biodome, followed by the Botanical Gardens of Montreal—an absolute must-see in Montreal! I woke up around 9 am to begin the day, took a shower, and headed downstairs. As usual, Gopal (someone I befriended back in Malaysia) was already up. He made me some toast, which I slathered with peanut butter. I poured myself a glass of milk and drank it eagerly, as it had been ages since I last had some. Today, Gopal had to go to work since he had been away for two days. His job…

by Maarten

Day 196: Football and The Chair Warriors

July 9, 2014

The plan for the day included attending Gopal’s (who I befriended in Malaysia) performance with his band, the Chair Warriors, where he played drums. Waking up around 9 a.m., I started the day with a refreshing shower before heading downstairs. Gopal greeted me with a breakfast he had prepared—eggs on toast. Grateful for his hospitality, I thanked him warmly. We left the house around 10 a.m., and I was filled with excitement for the Dutch match later in the day. I had high hopes for a win, though, as it turned out, they didn’t deliver—but more on that later. We…

by Maarten

The New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, New York City

Day 194: Grand Central Station and Wall Street

July 7, 2014

Today’s agenda included visiting some of New York’s iconic landmarks, Grand Central Station and Wall Street. I woke up around 9 am, mindful of the 11 am check-out deadline. After a quick shower, I set aside time to handle an important phone call. The previous night, I’d noticed an email from the airline asking me to contact them urgently. Without a local SIM card, I opted to call via Skype—an affordable and practical solution. Unfortunately, the wait was excruciatingly long, made worse by the endlessly looping hold music that tested my patience. I explained the issue to the airline representative…

by Maarten

Day 193: Central Park and Top of the Rock

July 6, 2014

Today’s plan was to see Manhattan from above at Top of the Rock! The morning started around 11 am as I got ready, though I wasn’t feeling great—last night’s craziness and too much alcohol had taken its toll. A lingering disappointment from the night before weighed on me; I hadn’t exchanged contact information with Kim, the girl I’d met. It was frustrating, especially since this was probably the third time I’d met someone amazing but lost the chance to reconnect. It really bothered me. In the afternoon, it was back to the laundromat for some laundry. While waiting, I grabbed…

by Maarten

Day 192: Watching Football and another night out

July 5, 2014

Tonight, I planned to watch the Dutch football match at Tonic Times Square bar. I woke up around 11:30 am, got ready quickly with a shower, shave, and brushing my teeth. Afterward, I messaged Steve to tell him about my plans and invited him to join if he felt like it and had the time. The Tonic Times Square bar I found online was going to be packed with Dutch fans, so I knew I had to get there early. If I didn’t, they might send me to their sister bar, where I’d read they’d immediately send families with children…

by Maarten

Day 191: Fireworks at Brooklyn Bridge

July 4, 2014

Today, I planned to watch the Fourth of July fireworks near the Brooklyn Bridge. Rolling out of bed around 2 p.m., the aftermath of last night hit me—it had been wild, far beyond what I’d anticipated from the meeting. The first five minutes still stood out: the moment I nearly walked away but decided to stay. Fast forward to 6 a.m., and I was finally back at the hostel, exhausted but thrilled. A Well Deserved Bath With Drew gone, I had the entire dorm to myself for the day. Taking full advantage of the solitude, I filled the tub using…

by Maarten

A packed crowd a fratty bar, New York City

Day 190: My first couch surf meeting

July 3, 2014

Stepping out of my comfort zone, I planned to attend my first couch surf event today. The day started late, around 11 a.m., as I woke up feeling tired and unmotivated to head into the city. The idea of visiting Rockefeller Center and its observation deck crossed my mind, but instead, I focused on writing. Progressing through my articles, I managed to upload content up to the Bahamas section—a small but satisfying achievement. Scrolling the internet, I felt a bit desperate to find some company. The hostel was nearly empty, and I really wanted to celebrate the 4th of July…

by Maarten