This is a set of Facebook posts I posted on my way home after a fun weekend
The 6 part series of my weekend adventure.
First off – please ignore typos – it is very difficult to
type on a moving train.
Decided a friend needed a girls' weekend, so hopped on a
train to St. Catharines- except trains no longer go to St. Catharines.
Sitting on the westbound train, there was a large metallic
clunk then we stopped. They checked the train several more times, but never
told us what was up. Each stop delayed our arrival at Union Station, which
shortened my transfer time.
If you haven't been to Union lately – it's a chaotic mess –
renovating. Got off VIA and now had to find GO Transit, which if you live in
Toronto is a piece of cake. If you live in Eastern Ontario and haven't been to
Union in Station in.. .cough...cough…years – it a frustrating adventure.
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| renovations inside Union Station |
2.
My train was 933. It said that on my ticket – in clear
legible numbers. The train number on the board said 24. After being assured by
several orange dressed GO personnel I got on train 24. As I sat, the announcer said the train would
leave in a minute. I'd made it by 1 whole minute.
Train left station. Announcer stated all the stops and
Burlington wasn't on the list. Hello rising blood pressure.
Eventually I realized I was on a car that had a GO Transit
person. I asked him. He laughed and confirmed I was on the right train. We get
to Burlington, I get off and like a properly trained lemming – follow everyone
off. No Sandra. And soon after that – nobody else except a really creepy guy.
Call hubby. I'm here. Sandra's not. Fix it. After a crash
course in how to use Facebook, Greg is actually in communication with Sandra. Now
I have her cell number – yes, we should have thought of that sooner.
3.
Now comes the Laurel and Hardy time. There were several communications
between Sandra and I - Most hilarious -me - I can see the parking garage. Sandra - What
parking garage?!?!?! Me – the 4-storey parking garage right in front of me. Then
walks through creepy tunnels with really confusing signs and dead zones which
made us lose cell connection. Finally we figured out I was in P3 – she was in
P1.
We met. We hugged. My blood pressure lowered.
The next day and a half were a blast. We stayed up Fri night
until 2:30 AM. Saturday we went to Coras for breakfast then to Niagara Falls,
then Niagara on the Lake and then out to dinner where I had really fabulous
vegan mac and cheese.
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| overlooking Falls from hotel room on a previous trip |
Sunday, we went out for breakfast then back to her place
where Motown ruled the music – Wilson Pickett let his back-bone slip!!!
Sadly, the time to return had arrived. We drove back to
Burlington – still chatting – we really hadn't stopped – we had 3 years to
catch up on.
She pulls into GO Transit parking lot and stops in front of
a large fence with a nasty – NO ENTRY sign.
4.
After a quick and sad goodbye, I scurry to the entrance.
Just to clarify – they are renovating Burlington Station and there is very
little signage. But I was rescued by a wonderful young lady who happened to be going
on the same train and she lead me back through those scary tunnels and up to
the platform.
The train arrives. I take a seat. Next stop Toronto. What
could go wrong?
Train arrives at Union Station. Announcer happily announces
– Doors will open on the north side first. Then south side. If you know me and
my sense of direction, I am now seriously in trouble. Leap of faith time – I
followed a competent looking person out of the train and into the station.
Now to find VIA. Remember, I'm in GO Transit. Easy for me to
say- but holy smokes has the place changed since I was here last. Like a mature
rational adult, I read the signs. I swear to everything above – on the sign it
says VIA and GO and then an arrow. How can both be that way when I'm already in
GO!!!!!!!!!!!
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| GO Transit is a light rail transit in the greater GTA |
5.
I search out a GO employee -
not an easy thing in the day of modern technology – humans are
unimportant. After getting it through his head I was done with GO and wanted VIA
– he directed me down the hall, follow the ramp, all doors on left will take
you to VIA. I did what he said and I ended up in Toronto – I mean out of Union
Station and into the city. Numerous 4 letter words.
Turn around and try again. Somehow, I found the Great Hall –
the symbolic part of Union Station – except it's being renovated and nothing
looks the same.
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| Great Hall before renovations |
Then a miracle occurred. I found an information station with
people at it, wiling to answer my questions. He said to turn around and go back
to gate 21. I didn't want to. I didn't want to go back into that chaotic mess.
Then he noticed I had a Business class ticket- :-) Have I ever mentioned how much I like business
class?
He directed me to the business class lounge. I had over an
hour to wait. I did what he said. Followed the sign. The arrow is pointing
left- so I turned right. Ha! You think I messed up. Nope. Walked right into the
business lounge – on the right.
6.
Now, you have to prove you have the right to be there. I handed over my ticket. She said at 5:30,
she'd call for the train to Ottawa. I said – Cornwall. She said – Ottawa. I
said – Cornwall. She got a bit testy and snapped – Ottawa! I pulled the ticket
out of her hand and ran my finger under the letters C O R N W A L L. She
shrugged. I bit back what I wanted to say and took an incredibly comfy seat in
a fabulous room and connected to the wonkiest wifi I've ever been on. I got on
FB to tell family and friends I'd made it. I got booted off. I tried to log
back in and got told – insecure site- and I wasn't allowed in. Fought wifi for an hour and then the train was
called.
When Union Station was well signed and not at all chaotic,
they escorted the business people to the gate. Now they say - go that way. But luck was on my side, guess because I
didn't verbally bite that snarky ticket person's head off – a woman passed me
with a purposeful stride and I followed her through the chaos and straight to
the train. She happened to look back and I told her I had no clue where I was going
and I was following her. She laughed – an understanding laugh.
Now I am sitting here, having been fed pork medallions,
cheese and fruit, dessert then chocolate.
Next stop is Cornwall with Greg waiting at the station.
Cause – what else could possibly go wrong???
7.
Shouldn't have asked
what could possibly go wrong – the whole train just went black.
8. Final update
The train is lit and moving again. Next stop home and hubby.
If I drank – I'd need a beer!
