Choo choo!

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Blogging on the train from Toronto to Montreal on Microsoft Word. We went with the comfort (nice way to say economy) class so there’s no wifi like the Via 1 class - see, I can go cheap when I have to! 😉 It certainly feels like it, with all the jostling for seats and masses of bodies boarding the train - I thought train travel was supposed to be civilized! I had a run-in with a mother who tried to shove past me and a crowd of people to get double seats on the train for herself and her daughter which didn’t help. If she had asked I would have gladly moved aside since as she said, “mothers should be with their children”.

Anyway, we went on the marathon Chinese tour yesterday, starting with the casino at Niagara Falls. The tour cost $30 each but with the $25 cash from the casino it works out to be $5 each - what a deal! We split from the gambling group and walked down to Niagara Falls - it’s absolutely gorgeous although not as big as the photos make it seem. We took the Maid of the Mist, a 30-minute boat ride past and nearly into the Falls! We were given bright blue ‘souvenir ponchos’ and herded on to the two-level boat. It was verywet and thrilling actually, we were bobbing around with the pre-recorded Falls information blaring in the background.

Then we were bused over to the Canada One factory outlets which were pretty boring. I did buy a pair of black leather pointy Enzo shoes with kitten heels though… Candy pointed out I now have three pairs of black leather shoes. “But this one has a heel and the other two are flats…,” I justify.

Back to the bus for a trip to the Pillitteri winery, apparently renowned for their award-winning vidal ice wine and run by an Italian family. I had only tried Inniskillin before and was hoping we were going to that one, but the tour was interesting despite the Chinese tour leader screaming from a yellow plastic horn and overwhelming the actual tour guide who was speaking English. Everyone was given a sample, and it was funny watching 60+ tourists gawking at the woman swirling the wine around in the glass and inhaling, then mimicking her actions. I usually don’t drink wine since I don’t know very much about it, but I enjoyed this very much since it was sweet and lower in alcohol. Even my Mom who never drinks enjoyed it! We purchased some of the wine and local cherries which are delicious, but I do regret not buying more wine given that it was cheaper than retail and tax-free!

Then one of our relatives picked us up and took us to an Italian buffet - Frankie Tomatto or something. It was total typical suburb food and crowd so totally unmemorable - and it came complete with neon lights announcing “fresh garlic bread” and “pizza”, “pasta”, and “dessert” sections.

Re comments:

1. Hi Joe! I’m still not shopped out yet, and there’s still New York to come! I wanted to visit the Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery but my sister vetoed me since she’s not a museum person and my Mom is indifferent =( We did work out a deal though - we’re going to MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum in New York! Thanks for chatting with Vancity - your message is a little cryptic so we’ll chat when I get back. Vancity did leave a voice mail but I didn’t call back yet.

2. Naleen - I’m glad your training started - it’ll get better after a bit =)

Will update when I check in to the Montreal hotel - ta-ta for now!

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Comments

[Jess]

WINE!
Yummers! I think Niagara converted me to a wine drinker - well sort of, although I did pop open a bottle of sec by myself and drank practically half the bottle already. = p Don't worry about the black shoes, you can never have enough! (Take it from the girl who wears black ALL the time.)