First time traveller
November 17th, 2006 by bill
When she arrived, she looked a bit lost. She was young, attractive and a little bit scared, it seemed. It turns out that this young (very young) Southern Belle had arrived after a long, gruelling bus ride non-stop from Alabama. It turned out that this wasn’t just her first trip out of her country; but, I think it was her first trip out of her state! I bet anything it was her first trip north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
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It took a few days, but eventually she settled in and made some friends and was having a pretty good time before it was time to leave after only about a week in Toronto. I don’t really recall that anyone went out f their way to make her feel welcome; nonetheless, it seems to be what happens here. Of all the hostels in Toronto, I think it is the Canadiana where this happens most often; but perhaps that’s a judgement best left to others.
So I’ll throw it open to you people whom we’ve had the priviledge of hosting. What do you think?
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From the minute I bowled into the Canadiana I knew it was a great hostel, from the comfortable relaxed atmosphere in the foyer, where people were chatting and reading to the patio out back where they were soon to play a table tennis tournament, which I happily joined in. The staff were ALL fantastic, so helpful, friendly, sincere and happy. They did so well to round up willing travellers wanting to go on a night out and make it amazing. For a person who arrived by himself, I really didn’t want to leave the friends that I’d made there, staff and travellers. The atmosphere was 100% genuinely superb for the duration of my stays there, from the buzz to the calm. By far and away the best hostel I’ve ever been too, let alone North America. Cheers guys!
Upon arriving at the Canadiana its clear that your stay is going to be enjoyable! The combination of friendly cheery staff, with excellent cosy surroundings and breakfast in the form of pancakes and maple syrup, the Canadiana is sure to delight the most unpleasable of travellers!
The staff are amazing and are more than willing to help! The organised nights out were fab and all in all a brill time was had by myself and my beatch lins
xxx
It was a crisp and cool Friday, 20 minutes after a 23 hour bus ride, when I stepped into the Canadiana. The place was abuzz and energy abounded as I checked into a place I’d end up calling home for eight days. I held onto my reservations at first, ignoring the friendliness that seemed to seep from the floor boards and Victorian-era wall color. This suddenly changed on the fourth day, every caution and worry thrown to the proverbial wind.
It began as a remark made in jest – a guy decided to balance a water bottle on his head and I walked in on his feat when I went to eat my dinner on the porch. We chatted a little and a girl I now know, love, and can’t wait to see again, joined in. Quiz Master Bill (so given the title because of the fun and raucous quiz game played with the hostellers mid-week) joined in briefly and we all filed into the common room to settle into a game of, “What happened on September 3rd, 17-so and so?” It was fun. It was more than fun. In the two hours of game-play that zipped past us. I was part of the travelling flock and I knew I’d forever miss this place.
Anyone and everyone can tell you of the amenities – the cleanliness, the friendliness, the bunk beds that can lend itself to late night conversations with people who live half a world away from you – but I don’t think people can fully grasp what it means to stay at the Canadiana. It’s a brilliant duality of function and enlightenment. It can and probably will seem cliche, but I found myself in those rose and deep moss green walls – it was inevitable. The many 12am chats with my fellow hostellers opened me up and I no longer see the world as the forboding place where I am alone and it’s me against it but as my map, my teacher, my partner in crime.
I also found a person that I can call – without a shred of doubt or second-guessing – a hero. His name is Bill and one time delving into his verbalized travel log will not only have you gaping and laughing in sheer amazement, but he will make you want to try for anything. He’s a wonderful man and his stories are just as fabulous. He’s almost like the Papa Traveller of the house – no bull, tell it like it is with a dash of near-mysticism and awe for good measure. I know that I got myself in a bind the last day I was there and he came thru (along with the new friends I’d made) valiantly.
The Canadiana isn’t just a hostel; it isn’t just a place you go to after 12 hours of pounding the Toronto concrete and need to sleep. It’s a meeting ground for new and old friends alike, of new experiences and rehashing of journeys already undertaken. The Canadiana is home you find a thousand plus miles from your own. Just as I know that a little bit of Yonge Street, the Harbour, and Union Station now belong to me, the Canadiana does as well. It will forever be my best memory of Toronto and I know I’ll return there someday.
Canadiana is the best hostel i’ve stayed in, in fact its better than home, so much so that i contemplated the notion of becoming a permanent resident, but alas those immigration people kept demanding something called a ‘Visa’ and ‘citizenship’ because i am from England. If anyone viisits Toronto, dont even think of staying anywhere else, i made that mistake of doing so and am still paying the price, both physically, and emotionally. Canadiana really is a great place, you’ll meet lots of friendly and interesting people, the staff are great (especially Bill), and its in the best location in Toronto. I could go on but i am getting all teary eyed at reminiscing about the place, so i must stop. Just stay there and you’ll understand what i mean…
p.s. The ‘secret patio’ on the roof is truly ace…
My experience at the Canadiana was great. Everyone I met was friendly and outgoing (though maybe not during the pancake rush), the staff is wonderful – friendly, interesting, and helpful. The hostel itself is nice too, with plenty of space to relax, a comfortable environment, and very clean. Due to my own poor planning I was forced to spend my last night sleeping on a bench in the back patio, and even that wasn’t too bad.
Toronto is an amazing city as well. Very beautiful and unique. Everything is pretty much in walking distance. I came up from New York City to have fun and check out the music scene and was surprised at how big it was, not to mention talented. Anyone who likes live music would love Toronto. The locals are great and will usually be willing to help, and some will even invite you to come along with them. My only complaint would be the 2am closing time on bars and nightclubs.
Hopefully I will be going back to both Canada and the Canadiana this winter.