02.-03.03. - Toronto & Vancouver

So on March 2nd, we traveled to Vancouver - of course with a layover in Toronto. We arrived relatively on time at Schiphol Airport, but there we were informed that our flight is delayed by one hour. Not a big deal, our luggage will be automatically transferred in Toronto and we have 2.5 hours to catch our connecting flight. Our first flight from Amsterdam to Toronto goes relatively smoothly, of course with the familiar comfort of the economy class: no legroom, no sleep, uncomfortable. However, the service on Air Canada is significantly better than on comparable German airlines. Despite this, the prices are comparable, if not cheaper.

We reach Toronto with a total delay of 1.5 hours (meaning one hour to change planes), but shortly before arrival, we receive the message that our luggage will not be transferred. That means: disembark, immigration office, collect luggage, check-in, drop off luggage, security check, and boarding.

The questions from the Canadian border officer are known from the USA and quickly answered: we are allowed in! The luggage is already on the carousel when we arrive there and the security check also goes smoothly. Our connecting flight also seems to depart on time: all is well! As guests in the economy class with seats relatively at the front, we are also the last to board the plane. So far, so good. But we are not allowed to take off because our luggage is not where it should be and because we are missing the clearance for departure. So we now take off with over 1.5 hours delay, but for that we take a faster route (???!?!) and arrive only 30 minutes later than planned.

When trying to pay for the tram with a card, of course, the machine does not work and the card is not accepted. Back to the airport, look for an ATM. After finding one, the rest goes quite well and we find our bed for the night fairly quickly. Shortly afterwards, we get something to eat and then fall pretty tired into bed.

The next day we have a cozy breakfast (toast from the pan and jam) and see what we can do here. Everything is quite expensive. We decide to take a leisurely walk through the city and take public transportation to downtown, but spontaneously get off one station earlier than planned. Downtown Eastside / Chinatown. Without knowing it, we end up in a neighborhood of the city that is not quite safe.

In this neighborhood, there is an extremely high level of homelessness and drug-related crime. We see almost exclusively drug addicts, many of them take their first shot in the morning and many people with bongs or other pipes.

Later we also see the beautiful sides of the city, such as the Gastown Steam Clock, various harbors, English Bay, various bridges, downtown Vancouver, some birds, and people who have mistaken the season:

We also explore a bar, the beer is as expected watery but drinkable. We quickly buy some provisions for the following days and return home around 7:30 pm and write a blog ;)