Day 59 Timmins to Toronto Tuesday 16th June 2015
By Chris
The bus from Cochrane got in at midnight. Staying again at the BonAir Motel. No deluxe cabana out the back this time. Still the rooms are clean, nice, comfortable and well appointed.
The three minute walk from the bus station to bed was the life saver.
Next morning, a great breakfast next door at ‘Mike’s followed by the lowdown on local gossip from the cab driver on the way to the airport.
My favourite was the story of the hotel beside the airport where building had stopped, partially finished. The guy developing it had been caught having an affair by his wife who had then frozen his assets.
Get to the airport and meet up with Josh, Kristen and Caleb. This a great opportunity for a catch up chat as the flight to Toronto is delayed. Their commitment to the Cree Gospel Chapel and the Moose Factory community is humbling. We discuss how Josh was an intern there before he was offered the job as Pastor.It looks like a big commitment for one so young but his passion is evident when he discusses his work.Kristen too shares that commitment and also plays a major role within the community as well as being an outstanding mother.
During our conversation Kristen gives us the email address of a friend who lives in Montreal.She says that Alaina will be delighted to meet us and show us around.
I am a little hesitant but given the generosity I have seen from this group of people it sounds like something we should probably do. Kristen also tells us that Alaina is going to Australia soon so we can give her some tips.
Anyway flight gets away. On arriving in Toronto I help Josh, Kristen and Caleb to try and make their connection to New York. Hugs all round and I for one do hope we meet up again some time.
Being Toronto experts we get the shuttle into the city.We then try and find our way into the linked walk way(PATH) through downtown buildings. This seems to be a feature of several Canadian cities. We tried last time but were thwarted by rain and have decided to try again.
Whilst we are looking at our map, in typical Canadian style, a woman offers to help. She points out the entrance through the foyer of the Fairmont hotel directly ahead of us. We got pretty much all the way to the Youth Hostel through the underground path. Once there we get our old room back.
Then in a bid to reduce baggage weight (not mine) I decide I need some lighter gear to replace some of the stuff I have been lugging around for years.This means I have to go to what has been one of my favourite places MEC. We go make our purchases and then head out to dinner.
It seems like an interminable walk to the Japanese restaurant we have chosen. We arrive outside a understated building and walk into what appears to be Dante’s inferno but is Guu Izakaya.
Most Japanese restaurants are minimalist quiet kinds of places-well we walked into this one and couldn’t believe our ears or eyes. All the staff shout in Japanese when anybody enters, or leaves the restaurant, they also shout out table orders and also when dishes are ready to be served.
Everybody participates including the kitchen staff-I was in my element-I wont even try and describe what happens when they find out it is someone’s birthday!!!!
It is not only crazy but the food was amazing. We sat up at the bar fronting the kitchen and it was poetry in motion. My only question was should -deep fried Brie be on a Japanese restaurants menu?
