Canadiana Backpackers Blog

It’s a sure sign of spring whenever robins appear around the hostel’s patio.

And it’s a sure sign of autumn when Robyn leaves the hostel for Montreal and school.

Over the years, we’ve had several staff members who come-and-go. Sharon, for instance, worked here for about seven years while she studied Homeopathic Medicine.

Myriam (a.k.a. “Muffin”) worked here after graduation from university and worked here while obtaining her Master’s degree (Social Work) and still, works here mostly on weekends to supplement her income as a Community Worker.

Robyn also worked while studying English Literature at the University of Toronto. But Robyn decided to switch schools and attend Concordia University in her home town of Montreal. (That move is a bit like dropping out of Harvard for Kentucky State University.)

So we had a going away dinner for her at the local Corned Beef House (an eatery one block east of the hostel). The CBH, co-incidentally serves Toronto’s best “Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwiches” and first class “Poutine”.

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That’s right. The hostel is in the middle of a TIFF. (As in Toronto International Film Festival).

There are more than 50 film festivals worldwide every year. Some are well-known (like the Cannes and Sundance Festivals) and others quite obscure like the Busan (South Korea) Festival or The Morelia (Mexico) Festival.

Better known venues include Berlin, Rotterdam, Miami and Hong Kong. But none are quite like ours – right here in Toronto! So  forget Cannes, Sundance and New York.

The TIFF, is in its’ 36th incarnation. It has grown over the years from a tiny beginning in 1980 to what is now, straight up, “the most successful public film festival in the world”.

World premieres, galas, associated shmoozes and parties comprise this illustrious event where stars, directors and industry honchos make the rounds.

In previous years, the focus of the film festival centered around the upscale Bloor/Yorkville area of Toronto. It’s the chic, expensive area; sort of a Toronto version of Rodeo Drive.

But the city has shifted focus and a new Film Festival HQ has been built in the heart of the city’s entertainment district. That is EXACTLY  where our hostel is located!

The Festival HQ/Bell Lightbox Theatre is located precisely one block south of the hostels doors and the Scotiabank Theatre (a venue for many of the films) is right across the street from us.

Celebrities attending this year’s festival include: Brad Pitt; Clive Owen; Catherine Deneuve; Glenn Close; George Clooney; Jane Fonda; Juliette Binoche; Keira Knightly; Megan Fox; Willem Defoe; Viggo Mortensen; Salma Hayak, to name but a few.

If you are a cinephile or simply just love to experience new and innovative films, the Festival is the place to be.

As mentioned, we are situated one-block from the epicentre of festival events. If you are a movie buff on a limited budget, THE Canadiana Backpacker’s Inn (voted #1 in North America in 2003) is the place to stay.

Check out the action just one block from the hostel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8LeQdQxrjo

Marco arrived at our Toronto Hostel’s door from Germany in the summer of 2011.

He quickly became a well-known emember of the hostel’s social scene due to his gregarious, thoughtful and helpful nature.

He wanted to see more of our country so he rented a car with the idea of driving to Halifax, Nova Scotia, over 1200 kms northeast to the coast of Canada.

He met Monja (also from Germany) who was also traveling and working. She jumped at the chance to drive to the coast and share fuel and food expenses.

If they had opted to travel by bus, it would have entailed a numbing 30 hour plus, non-stop ride.

This is merely another example that here at the Canadiana, friends can be made quickly and easily.

Of all the hostels in Toronto, no one is here alone for very long.

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Monja and Marco.

Monja and Marco just before setting out on the road.

Arjen (pronounced something like “Aryan”) worked at the hostel’s front desk four years ago (2008). He is a teacher in his native Holland and had opted to take a year off for a working/holiday in Canada.

So Arjen joined the long list of work visa backpackers who join our staff for a year.

In times past, old friendships and aquaintances gradually fade and become distant menories. Not so in the “wired” 21st Century.

We just heard from Arjen who had been net surfing and came upon our website. It prompted him to write. Here is what he wrote:

“Wow, looking at the Hall of Fame of out hostel, I wonder if there will be small niche for me. I promise I will come back one day, with my fiancee!

After returning from Canada I took up a job being a bilingual teacher in one of Hollands international schools, teaching history (in English).

I would like to thank all of you over there that showed me that life is all about having a good time, and taking those experiences with us for the better development as a person.”

Regards,
Arjen

OK. Great to hear from you Arjen! This works for us. We’ll be putting you up on the hostel’s “Wall of Fame” very shortly. We’ll let you know when it is online so you can see and read what has been written about you.

And we’ll hold you to your promise to visit with your fiancee.

Arjen

Summer in Toronto got back to normal in 2011. After two or three years of cooler pleasant summers, the heat and humidity returned the city.

This summer was a particularly hot one and saw a lot of records for heat and humidity fall. Toronto experienced 39C (the humidity made it feel like 45c+).

The Labour Day Weekend marks the traditional end of summer in Canada; the return to school of kids and teenagers (at long last!); and the beginning of the Fall Season.

The weather is pleasant and cooler and is one of the busiest times of year for the hostel. It marks a lot of “beginnings” and  “ends” for a lot of people.

Universities reopen from the summer hiatus; hunting season begins for outdoorsmen; leaves begin to fall from coniferous trees; the New Year approaches; and winter is just around the corner.

In Canada, Labour Day falls on the first Monday of September (that’s next Monday) and being a statuatory holiday, it is the last long weekend on the summer.

It is also the last day of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) anf it concluded with a three day Air Show which is not to be missed.

This year it seems there is a slight austerity measure in keeping with tough economic times.

Spectacular shows of the U.S.Air Force’s Thunderbird F-16′s and the U.S. Navy’s legendary Blue Angel’s F-18′s are not scheduled to perform. Nor are the Tricolor Arrows of the Italian Air force or the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force.

This year there will be two precision aerobatic jet teams in the air. A private American team “Heavy Metal” flying l-39 and T-33 jets.

The other group are the show’s featured performers (as always) Canada’s own Royal Canadian Air force “Snowbirds” in their Tudor jets.

Just head for the waterfront in Toronto on Labour Day Weekend. The show is free.

The A-10 Thunderbolt a.k.a. “Warthog” will appear at the show.

Canada’s CF-18 Fighter.

The RCAF “Snowbirds” Aerobatic Team.

WW2 Spitfire Mk 9 accompanied by a RCAF CF-18 fighter.

I wouldn’t have believed it possible.

As the summer winds down and the hostel is completely full, hostelers are still wondering what is happening in the city for entertainment. I have, thus far, been at a loss to meet a single backpacker who is aware of the  Canadian National Exhibition (C.N.E.) which is happening a mere 20 minute hike from the hostel.

The C.N.E. is simply the world’s largest annual fair/exposition. It is located on Toronto’s waterfront with permanent display buildings and features product displays from automobiles to artwork; from livestock to living room furniture; computers to carnival rides.

There are bands, rock groups, cooking demonstrations, sporting competitions (such as show jumping, baseball, judo and karate); in short, just about every item or event you can think of.

The exhibition grounds are enormous – over a mile long and more than a half mile wide.

The exhibition is held annually and this year runs from August 19th to September 5th. Entrance fee is $16 and well worth the price!

Labour Day Weekend (marks the end of the exhibition) is capped off with a labour march and a spectacular 3-day air show.

To find out more, see the C.N.E. website:

http://www.theex.com/concerts-events/special-events/

It is safe to say that every backpacking guest that enjoys a pint of the “amber nectar” and visited our hostel (prior to this summer) is familiar with the legendary “Fox”.

Since our Toronto Hostel is located right in the heart of the “Entertainment District”, it safe to say that we are in close proxmity to pubs and nighclubs – lots of them!

The Fox and Fiddle was a two story Georgian Style structure located exactly one block east of the hostel’s front door. It wasn’t the closest bar to the hostel; nor was it the most elegant; and it certainly wasn’t the cleanest.

But it was far and away the most popular – by far. (Delicious half-price chicken wings on Sunday and Monday as well as $10 pitchers of beer helped win fans).

The “Fox” was located on the northeast corner of the massive Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) headquarters and condominium development. It had to make way for progress. (It is being replaced by a 40 story luxury condo).

The building had been designated a “Heritage Structure” and was thus saved from demolition. The developer had the choice of incorporating the building into the condominium’s design or moving the entire building.

There are only six companies in Ontario that can accomplish such a delicate undertaking. All were busy and the Fox remained open for almost an additional year while the TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre and two condo towers were being built on the other corners of the same block.

Just a few weeks ago, the Fox disappeared overnight.

It had been sealed-up, undermined, jacked up and moved in the middle of the night. The historic building has now been re-located directly across the street.

Unfortuately, the owners of the Fox and Fiddle franchise have also relocated so the building is no longer a pub. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to enjoy a pint at two new pubs opened kitty-corner from the old Fox Pub site.

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With 20 plus staff members, we have a lot of birthday’s to celebrate at our hostel. The tradition is to have a meal and drinks for the birthday celebrant – usually in a local restaurant or pub or sometimes right at the hostel.

Our most recent party, was held on our patio and it was a particularly lavish affair. It was held on Sandra’s (the hostel manager) birthday. Teresa (our head of housekeeping) preparing her famous lasagne as well as fish. (The bbq chicken, rice and potatoes were catered).

The reaqson for such a lavish affair, is that it was also the birthday’s of Robyn and Mia (our Montreal Mafiaette staff members). Hence, three birds with one stone!

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Teresa serving herself faisch. (Fish.)

From l. to r. Malene, Mia, Sandra, and Sigrid.

Sigrid Maier first visited our hostel as a backpacking traveler in 2004. She really liked the city of Toronto and the Canadiana Backpackers Inn. That was the beginning of her (thus far) seven-year association with the hostel.

Sigrid returned in 2005, opting to take a “gap year” from her studies to come to join our staff and thus help develop her already condiserable English skills.

According to the hostel’s manager, Sandra, she adapted to the somewhat complicated booking system faster than any  other employee – before or since.

Sigrid lives in Ravensburg, Germany and is a graduate of the University of Konstanz with a degree in English Literature and Linguistics. As you might have guessed, she is an accomplished polyglot and speaks English, French, Italian, Swabian (an Alemannic dialect of High German) and, of course, German.

She also created the hostel’s first Facebook Group (Canadiana Backpackers, Toronto) which has well over 1000 members.

Sigrid re-visitied us last summer and has returned this summer for another visit. She has a ready smile and gregarious personality and, as a result, has made a lot of friends around the world and here in Canada.

Sigrid expressed amazement at how many people here remember her and has maintained contact with old “hostel friends” from Dublin to Darwin.

You can meet Sigrid most evenings this week on our patio. She’s the blond with glasses catching up with old friends and making new ones. And she’ll likely have a glass of wine or cider in her hand.

Don’t hesitate to say, hello. She is very approachable.

Guess where she’s off to?

Her home: Here’s what she’s leaving for a hostel bed!

Check out her “wallpaper” at home in Ravensburg.

It has been a year since the night French adventurer Paul, pitched up at our hostel after riding his bicycle more than 250 kms from Tobermory to Toronto in a single day.

It was just another leg of his epic ride across North America from Vancouver to Quebec City. He camped out every night, cooked all his meals over a campfire and had 22 close encounters with Canada’s ubiquitious bears.

After months alone on the road, he was met here in Toronto by Candace and Guillaume friends from France.  They planned to ride with him from Ontaio to Quebec on a route through Northern Ontario covering more than 500 miles.

Guillaume brought his bike and the plan was for Candace to purchase a bike in Canada. As luck would have it, we had a bike at the hostel (a Nakamura) that was equipped with saddle bags and ideally suited for long-distance travel.

We loaned thhe bike to them and they purchased a guitar instead.

Candace and Guillaume are a popular singing duo from Marseille in Southern France called Tabernac. They planned to scout out possibilities of playing around Quebec.

The first thing they had to do, was to change their name. Tabernac in France simply means “Tabernacle”; but in Quebecquois, it is used as a swear word.

Paul is now working as a kayak instructor at Tadussac, Quebec where he guides adventurous people on whale watching expeditions in tiny sea kayaks.

Candace and Guillaume are back in Canada as Paul has organized several “gigs” for the folk duo in Quebec.

The guitar they bought last year has been autographed and donated for  the hostel guests to borrow and is kept at the front desk.

The duo had to change their name to something more acceptable in order to play in Quebec – Tabernac!

Paul will be returning to the hostel next month to begin his next adventure. He has purchased a camper van and plans to drive from Toronto to Panama which is as far as it is feasable to drive because of security issues.

His plans beyond Panama  are open but he is considering sailing around the “danger zone” from Panama to Colombia.

Paul’s late night arrival in the summer of 2010

Paul (rt.) with Guillaume and Candace of “Tabernac!”