A Few (short but sweet) Hours in Toronto |

Ah Canada. The land of icy tundra and poutine. But there was something about Canada that I always loved. Whether it was the fact that Banff National Park is beyond unreal, I've never been but someday I will. (on my Dream List) Or the fact that Canadians eat french fries smothered in decadent gravy and covered with cheese curds. (Is this making you hungry? Oops.) But let's be real, the land of maple syrup is always a blast to visit, or live in, I swear people in Canada are nicer. I'd be happy as well if I lived in Canada, but I am a Chicago gal at heart. So last year I had the pleasure of going to a Lithuanian Conference, Reunion? In a way. I'll get more on that later. But read on to find out how I made the most of my 18 hours in Toronto, but first let's rewind to last year at about 4 am in the morning. And let me tell yeah. It was TOO early.

I had a flight leaving good ole O Hare at 8 am and my flight would land in Toronto Pearson airport at 9:15 am. Yep. Das early. But plot twist instead of rechecking my flight info the night before I simply assumed I was leaving at 8 am. SO my plan was to wake up around 6 am, get dropped off and fly to Toronto. No no. You would think that after traveling ALL these years I would check my info a little more. Yeah no. So miraculously. By some miracle. I woke up around 3 am because my phone started making all these annoying sounds. The google notification looked like this. " Hey dingus you're flight leaves at 8 am." Oh... wait. I rechecked my flight info, groggily, and saw, that indeed it was correct. My flight left at 8 am. So up till this day I thank Google, for yet again getting my butt on that plane. So after chugging some water and waking up my parents... a lot earlier than expected, I made my way to O Hare and ACTUALLY on an Air Canada flight. An hour... ish later and no sleep whatsoever I have arrived in Canada! Hello Toronto! Oh wait... did I forget to mention, it was 9:30 am. Great. Was this the hustling bustling city I imagined, no. But a sleepy Toronto was still a sight to behold. Calm, yet busy with people going to work and sipping Tim Horton's.

Ah, first thing on the agenda was exchange some US dollars to Canada and than it was a hunt for some Tim's. Lemme tell ya something about Tim Horton's, spill some tea in a way. It's HUGE in Canada. I would compare it to Dunkin in the States, but I came to conclusion that not every Canadian likes Tim's. And than there's me, and I'm OBSESSED. So. That's my opinion on that. I made my way to the train that was located in the airport taking me straight to Toronto. I think I payed like around $12 bucks for a train ride but lemme tell ya. THIS TRAIN was lush. I was pristine, clean, it had outlets, and WiFi. (Chicago, please take note from Canada, if only OUR CTA was as plush as Canada's) So I sat down on this train and I kid you not the first people I talked to were Maple Leafs fans heading to the city for game day. From that moment it truly hit me, that Canadians indeed love hockey as much as Lithuanians love basketball. For them, hockey is their culture and religion. So it was cool to actually talk to some fans. I have yet to experience a Toronto Maple Leafs game and since the Black hawks can be better, I cheer for the Maple. I get to the city in record time and venture out to Toronto. And can you guess the first thing I spot? It's not a Tim's. And it's not a moose. But good ole CN Tower. Now at first I had no idea what this building looming ahead of me was called, but I knew it was a landmark. So here was my plan. My ride to the Lithuanian Camp was picking me up around 3 pm at Kipling Station, which I had NO idea where it was. I'd figure out that mountain once I'd reach it. But for now, it was me, my travel backpack, (I just packed my huge hiking bag with me as my luggage) the CN Tower and a starving Brigita. So naturally I start walking around and the weather was BEAUTIFUL. When I think of Canada I instantly think of polar vortex cold, but I happen to fly out on a warm weekend. I got so lucky, so lucky that I was sweating bananas basically the entire time I was in Toronto. My Litho friends told me to pack warm which I did, but didn't really figure out to bring some lighter clothes. SO just imagine a sweaty Brigs, with her travel hat, a scarf, long sleeve shirt and joggers, running around Toronto. Yep. That was me. Always bring a spare of clothes for any weather! So the first thing on my makeshift agenda was Tim's. I find one in this food court, and it was PACKED. Everyone and their mother seemed to be getting Tim Horton's. So I wait in line, order an XL Double Double, which is their steeped tea with 2 creams and 2 sugars I think? In a super large cup and a bagel, which they messed up so I had to wait any longer. So after they fixed my bagel order I ventured outside to the little park area, sat down and took a bite of my bagel and a sip of my scalding, hot, tea. Man, that sucker was HOT AF. But man was it good. So I enjoyed my bagel, tea while looking at the CN Tower. Man, was I content at the moment. Here I was sitting outside, enjoying my brekkie in Canada. All by myself, and I was soaking it in. If there's anything this trip showed me is that solo travel is good for the soul. So go out and explore something by yourself! After my brekkie, I decided to have a said photo shoot on my phone with self timer, in front of the CN Tower. Oh, did I have fun with this. Yes, I looked like a complete idiotic tourist, but I look at those pictures now and boy did I have fun, plus they turned out so gooood. My watch read 11 am so I decided to catch a bite to eat. So I decided to order an Uber and venture out to Piano Piano, a recommendation from fellow Canadian Allana Davison. Man was this place a treat yo self kinda meal.

Ubering to this neighborhood was such a smart idea, cause well it was cheap and easy. I get to the little cute neighborhood, thinking the restaurant was open. It wasn't, cause it was too early I guess? So I was bummed thinking it was closed and I made the effort to go to this place. So a sweaty Brigs started exploring more of the town and shocker, found a coffee shop. Not just any coffee shop, but Almond Butterfly, the cutest cafe ever. To pass time I ordered a matcha, and it was probably the best iced matcha I ever had. I wish I was drinking that right now. After a lovely cuppa, I decided to try the restaurant once more and I'm glad I did. It was finally open! I walk in to probably one of the most decked out place and take a seat. You know a place is gonna be good when you can see the kitchen. I knew that this would probably be my only real meal, since I would eat dinner near camp. So in my mind, I told myself I would allow myself to pay the price, and boy did I do that. First thing first, I ordered a peach spritz because nothing screams welcome to Canada than a cocktail at noon. Hey, I'm solo traveling and I can do whatever I wanted. I than ordered the like lunch deal? Which came with an appetizer, main dish that I could of picked pasta or pizza from the menu and their dessert. All for $24 Canadian which I thought was a steal. And in hindsight it was. If I hadn't payed $14 Canadian for the cocktail, that meal wouldn't of been so bad, but well sometimes you only travel to Canada once. My calamari came in, which was a smaller bite, but soo delicious and crispy. I ordered the brown butter sage pasta, and let me tell ya it was also divine. Also paired so well with my peach spritz which made me very happy. :D But the real winner here was the pina colada soft serve, sprinkled with toast coconut. OMG that thing was so bomb, hey Piano Piano please send me some to my house. Thanks. So after stuffing myself with delicious Italian food, I went to their bathroom and changed my sweaty self to a tank top and shirts which I'm glad I packed just in case. It was time for me to say good bye to Toronto and venture out to Kipling, wherever that was. Would I go to Piano Piano again, no. But it was defiantly a tasty meal, and a treat yo self kind of moment, I don't regret at all.

Next stop, figuring out how to get to my driver picking me up at Kipling Station. After asking some locals around which went better than expected, everyone was so nice and helpful. I decided to walk to the station cause it surprisingly wasn't too far, plus I was full after that splurge of the meal. Now this is a sweet moment I'll never forget. I go to the help desk to ask which way towards Kipling and this man who was working at the desk, WAS THE SWEETEST. Shout out to you man. I asked him which way to Kipling and he told me exactly where to go, and I told him how much is a ticket. He's like yeah you got a student id? (I know I look young) Or I looked like a traveler, which I did. And I was like, sure, but it's American. And he goes "Ah, we love our American friends. Here press this button, go through those gates, and take a ticket so you have it in case." This man let me through without paying, and he was so nice about it. So I thanked the man for the kindness, and got on the train towards Kipling. From there I was picked up by a lovely Canadian Lithuanian, and as we headed towards camp life, I said my farewells to Toronto. Thank you Toronto for a few very short, but sweet few hours!

Now, I had a very, very, few hours in Toronto. As tired as I was from almost missing my flight, I decided yes, I could of gone to a coffee shop and done nothing. But I decided to make the most of my what 8 hours? I'm glad I did because I truly had such a blast in the city. Although I have barely scratched the surface, I sure made the best of it! Toronto, I'll be back, and hopefully for a little bit longer!

Have you ever traveled to a city for a few hours? If so, what did you get up to? Let me know on insta! @brigssssss

Stay rad and always keep exploring!