Day 10: Chilly in Canada

With Canadians here in Toronto complaining about the ‘interminable winter’ and ‘delayed spring’, we were actually quite surprised that temperatures were as low as -4º C (24º F) when we arrived in “Pearson International Airport” on Tuesday evening.

Although our wardrobe for this entire trip is summer-only we had anticipated being warm in the hotel for the layover in Ontario.

When we turned up the thermostat setting in our room we expected to have some heat kick in, but the system continued blowing a cool breeze and our fridge—I mean, room—which had its windows open when we arrived, remained in a condition not unlike having our own personal, portable polar vortex.

One maintenance man later, followed by another man with blankets, the system remained adamant that cold was the “cool” option for hotel visitors to Toronto.

We headed to bed and had a comfortable night—as penguins in the snow—while we stayed under the covers.

This morning we woke up to no change nor respite with our heating system’s frigid temperament again testing our limits.

Promised after breakfast that the system had been fixed while we dined, we rejoiced and went upstairs to get some work done and to escape the cool temperatures we also found in the dining-room.

The heating system doggedly defeated the next maintenance team sent to our rescue, and, undeterred the cold air continued to flow, mocking our shivers with icy grins.

When the maintenance team could do no more, we were given another room and found that, much to the amazement of those who would believe otherwise, there really is a warm spot in this cold Canadian country. At last!

And for our pains? Quite unexpected, and unsought by us, we were awarded 3,000 points by the hotel! Now that is the “cool” I like, though not necessarily the most comfortable way to earn them!