It’s Tuesday September 5th and my first day on the North American trek, which starts in Toronto, Ontario and is the same space that Jack Nicolson, the Tragically Hip, and the Barenaked Ladies and if anyone out there knows of the Rolling Stones were present…then you’re at Global Village Backpackers, formally the Spadina Hotel. Well, they weren’t there the same time as me, but nonetheless they were here. The original and currently the biggest hostel in Toronto, has tour tickets, city passes and almost any information you need to know ‘bout in the city of Toronto.
There’s many ways to have a good time here, you can start with a tour that will go almost anywhere in Southern Ontario that encourages canoeing, kayaking, ice-fishing, scenic, pub crawls and Toronto sites. I guess there’s no reason to stop there when Global Village Backpackers works with an on location tour company that even does tours of Canada
What? Did you say tour, right upstairs and when you get too side tracked and you start thinking ‘bout your love in another town, then there’s the phone card machine. Like that’s going to happen, but with all of your friends and you can stay in group dorms so just talk to Sarah & Matt to hook you up on that and/or hang out in one of the few private themed rooms and you can select from the World Traveler, Degrassi High (TV show in Canada) and a couple more. If it’s the weekend and you can’t get a hold of either Matt or Sarah then there’s Gal Koren (hope I spelled it right).
I’m going to try to get a chance to hang around the bar and see how the vibes flow…, but till that time it is the only Hostel that has a bar. Music is alive here and the Global Village Backpackers works together with music festivals throughout the city of Toronto and the province of Ontario…check in with Matt because the may have some special offers for some of the festivals in the future. You can enjoy your drink on the patio but you do have to keep it down after 2:00am because of the makeup of the city is quickly making this area a residential area. Guests are encouraged to play and they also have bands sometimes come on in. Karaoke on Fridays and open mic, but you’re fortunate enough, you might just get to see Matt and the band perform. And after all your fun and sweating it out, you can do your laundry on the premises. If you don’t desire to go out for a while then you have access to the lounge room, with TV and VCR or pick up on the internet or the wireless connection throughout Global Village Hostel.
Wake up to the beautiful staff and I mean beautiful…that will do everything for you to be comfortable, starting with a smile, but it might help if you speak some français, since there’s quite a few French woman working here at Toronto’s Original Hostel in the middle of the downtown core and feel safe with your swipe card, no keys…no duplications. So come in and have fun in this atmosphere that always includes daily events in and around the city.
And when your ready to leave you can take an affordable limo ride to the airport or even take the most affordable means by local transit for $2.75, but keep in mind it’ll take you about 1 ½ hours. If you’ve stayed here let Global Village knows how much you’ve either enjoyed your stay or make some constructive suggestions.
Thanks Matt for the tour, lunch and yes Betty at local Pub, also in the area is the famous Burrito Boys and if you’d like to pull up your sleeves and being your own chef then you’ll have access to a colorful, all access 24 hour common kitchen for all guests accompanied with the global village boom box. If you wait till the morning and you can get a FREE pancake breakfast with maple syrup and enjoy a real Canadian experience.