Toronto: Will I look like an idiot walking around with a suitcase (on wheels)
Oct 9th, 2004, 08:04 AM
#1
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Toronto: Will I look like an idiot walking around with a suitcase (on wheels)
Ok,
I will be leaving one B&B and going to another in Toronto (Because I couldn't choose just one - I am like that) Anyway, the 2nd one I will be going to (Pimbletts in Gabbage Town) doesn't accept check-in until 3pm and there is no luggage storage.
So my suitcase will have to be my travel companion for a few hours... then the day I leave I was hoping to get a flight in the late afternoon so that I could do some last minute shopping. My bag will be accompanying me again.
Will I look stupid? (Not that I really care what people think) I am more concerned about how practical/unpractical this will be.
I will be leaving one B&B and going to another in Toronto (Because I couldn't choose just one - I am like that) Anyway, the 2nd one I will be going to (Pimbletts in Gabbage Town) doesn't accept check-in until 3pm and there is no luggage storage.
So my suitcase will have to be my travel companion for a few hours... then the day I leave I was hoping to get a flight in the late afternoon so that I could do some last minute shopping. My bag will be accompanying me again.Will I look stupid? (Not that I really care what people think) I am more concerned about how practical/unpractical this will be.
Oct 9th, 2004, 09:20 AM
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NO I don't think you will look stupid. There are so many tourists coming and going that now one will give you a second glance. However, I do think it will put a cramp in your siteseeing and could be a bit of a pain.
I know ther are no storage lockers at Union Station, but I just had company here from Wales who had the same problem, and too late, she discovered that there are storage lockers at the main bus station on Bay Street. I'm not sure where you will be, but if you are downtown, the bus station might not be too far out of your way, and may be worth it.
Good luck.
I know ther are no storage lockers at Union Station, but I just had company here from Wales who had the same problem, and too late, she discovered that there are storage lockers at the main bus station on Bay Street. I'm not sure where you will be, but if you are downtown, the bus station might not be too far out of your way, and may be worth it.
Good luck.
Oct 9th, 2004, 11:45 AM
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There are so many business travellers in Toronto doing the same thing that I wouldn't worry about it.
One other option you could try would be to check your bag for the day at one of the large downtown hotels. While I know that only guests are really supposed to do this, you will not likely have any problem if you try it since so many people are checking in and out.
One other option you could try would be to check your bag for the day at one of the large downtown hotels. While I know that only guests are really supposed to do this, you will not likely have any problem if you try it since so many people are checking in and out.
Oct 10th, 2004, 08:42 PM
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You would have to work a lot harder than that to look stupid in Toronto (grin)! A city of 4 mil has ALL kinds and then some. . .maybe the first B&B you're at will allow you to keep your luggage there until your second check-in, never hurts to ask!
Also check one of the local hostels, there should be quite a few, and see if they have ideas on where to store your lugs downtown. There has to be some solution.
On the bright side, T.O. is quite wheel-accessible and not at all pickpockety so you'll be safe.
You'll love it and have a great time! I love T.O., especially since I don't live there anymore. . .
Also check one of the local hostels, there should be quite a few, and see if they have ideas on where to store your lugs downtown. There has to be some solution.
On the bright side, T.O. is quite wheel-accessible and not at all pickpockety so you'll be safe.
You'll love it and have a great time! I love T.O., especially since I don't live there anymore. . .
Oct 12th, 2004, 10:39 AM
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I cannot resist this one. How do you look without the suitcase? Try it both ways and see how you come out!
Now if you did what one friend of mine did, you might draw a few laughs. He used a kid's red wagon to pull his lecture materials around campus.
Now if you did what one friend of mine did, you might draw a few laughs. He used a kid's red wagon to pull his lecture materials around campus.
Oct 13th, 2004, 10:41 AM
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My friend really did use a red wagon.
He had troubles with his back, so he took his kid's red wagon to his office and used it to transport his materials to class.
He would go strolling across campus pulling this thing behind him.
The children by this time were in high school and were not using the red wagon.
I think Chuck did amuse quite a few people with his wagon. But that was a marked improvement over another friend who needed to transport materials and borrowed a cart from Kroger's. Enroute to campus the cops stopped him for an expired tag. Then he could not find his driver's license, and then he had to explain the grocery cart in the back seat. (He drove one of these old monster Chryslers that was at least 20 years old at the time.)
My wife uses an L. L. Bean black backpack for her carry-on luggage because it leave both hands free.
I said something about it, and I was told two facts of life: 1. I was to shut up and 2. the opinion of others could be placed in a hidden location.
I did find that going around with a walking cane did help everywhere except Chicago's O'Hare Airport. In Canada, particularly in Toronto, I was greeted at the door of the new terminal and offered a wheel chair.
Smart move, I got to carry my wife's pack in my lap and the wheel chair lady knew the ropes and got me to the security gate in a big hurry.
At the security gate, the fun really began. My new hip made the machine go ding dong.
Some very polite fellow, came to "check me out". I must have been ok, because I went on to Calgary.
But, in retrospect, the crowing glory came in Atlanta when I went through security prior to boarding the flight to Toronto. I of course rang the bell at the security gate. I explained that I had a metal hip. Some security guy who gave me the impression that he did not know a metatarsal from a humerus came over and said "Yeah? Where bout's is it?"
My wife who had already cleared the same gate just about needed oxygen.
In Munich, the Germans took the direct route after I rang the bell. They put me in front of an x-ray gadget that was of forensic strength. The hip on the screen was nice and bright. No questions needed; they knew where my hip was.
He had troubles with his back, so he took his kid's red wagon to his office and used it to transport his materials to class.
He would go strolling across campus pulling this thing behind him.
The children by this time were in high school and were not using the red wagon.
I think Chuck did amuse quite a few people with his wagon. But that was a marked improvement over another friend who needed to transport materials and borrowed a cart from Kroger's. Enroute to campus the cops stopped him for an expired tag. Then he could not find his driver's license, and then he had to explain the grocery cart in the back seat. (He drove one of these old monster Chryslers that was at least 20 years old at the time.)
My wife uses an L. L. Bean black backpack for her carry-on luggage because it leave both hands free.
I said something about it, and I was told two facts of life: 1. I was to shut up and 2. the opinion of others could be placed in a hidden location.
I did find that going around with a walking cane did help everywhere except Chicago's O'Hare Airport. In Canada, particularly in Toronto, I was greeted at the door of the new terminal and offered a wheel chair.
Smart move, I got to carry my wife's pack in my lap and the wheel chair lady knew the ropes and got me to the security gate in a big hurry.
At the security gate, the fun really began. My new hip made the machine go ding dong.
Some very polite fellow, came to "check me out". I must have been ok, because I went on to Calgary.
But, in retrospect, the crowing glory came in Atlanta when I went through security prior to boarding the flight to Toronto. I of course rang the bell at the security gate. I explained that I had a metal hip. Some security guy who gave me the impression that he did not know a metatarsal from a humerus came over and said "Yeah? Where bout's is it?"
My wife who had already cleared the same gate just about needed oxygen.
In Munich, the Germans took the direct route after I rang the bell. They put me in front of an x-ray gadget that was of forensic strength. The hip on the screen was nice and bright. No questions needed; they knew where my hip was.
Oct 13th, 2004, 04:33 PM
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Mr. Brown,
That was a very entertaining post.
-I agree with your wife though. (What's so bad about a backpack. I had a nice one from Eagle Creek, but I finally replaced it with one of those "healthy back bags. VERY NICE!)
Anyway, this is off topic, but I was wondering, did you ever teach/coach at Sprayberry HS in Marietta? Same name, and I think I heard he took a job at UGA. (At least I know his son played football there.)
That was a very entertaining post.
-I agree with your wife though. (What's so bad about a backpack. I had a nice one from Eagle Creek, but I finally replaced it with one of those "healthy back bags. VERY NICE!)Anyway, this is off topic, but I was wondering, did you ever teach/coach at Sprayberry HS in Marietta? Same name, and I think I heard he took a job at UGA. (At least I know his son played football there.)
Oct 13th, 2004, 04:53 PM
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Wallace,
How do you like your healthy back bag? I just bought one for an upcoming trip and am anxious to know what it will be like. Any tips for using it. Like putting heavier things in the top inside pockets or anything like that? Did it work well on one shoulder?
How do you like your healthy back bag? I just bought one for an upcoming trip and am anxious to know what it will be like. Any tips for using it. Like putting heavier things in the top inside pockets or anything like that? Did it work well on one shoulder?
Oct 14th, 2004, 07:57 PM
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Kodi,
I LOVE my bag! I always used to wear my old backpack like that (and got all sore because it wasn't designed for that) - You can imagine my delight when I saw the healthy bag!
The pockets inside are AWESOME! Put heavy things (small umbrella, wallet etc. in the inside pockets. It gives a better weight distribution than just putting those things in the bottom of the bag. - By the way, the water bottle pocket on the outside has one directly behind it on the inside ... I wanted to see if I could use both pockets at the same time or if it would be too tight. You can have 1 bottle outside and have a spare inside!! (It seems silly to be excited by this
)
Anyway, I bought the largest bag in Nylon. It is so big and roomy! The nylon is really easy to clean too. (and water seems to roll right off!)
I LOVE THIS BAG!!!
I LOVE my bag! I always used to wear my old backpack like that (and got all sore because it wasn't designed for that) - You can imagine my delight when I saw the healthy bag!
The pockets inside are AWESOME! Put heavy things (small umbrella, wallet etc. in the inside pockets. It gives a better weight distribution than just putting those things in the bottom of the bag. - By the way, the water bottle pocket on the outside has one directly behind it on the inside ... I wanted to see if I could use both pockets at the same time or if it would be too tight. You can have 1 bottle outside and have a spare inside!! (It seems silly to be excited by this
)Anyway, I bought the largest bag in Nylon. It is so big and roomy! The nylon is really easy to clean too. (and water seems to roll right off!)
I LOVE THIS BAG!!!
Oct 15th, 2004, 10:24 AM
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Bob Brown, very entertaining post about your hip! You have a knack for writing...have you published any accounts of your "adventures"? Your writing reminds me somewhat of Dave Barry. "Bob Brown's Hip Goes to Europe!" What do you think???
And, to Wallace_and_Gromit & Kodi, I have to ask: Where do I get one of those bags??? What is it called? Healthy Back Bag??? I have a black leather back pack & when I was travelling last weekend it struck me that I need to try something new.
And, to Wallace_and_Gromit & Kodi, I have to ask: Where do I get one of those bags??? What is it called? Healthy Back Bag??? I have a black leather back pack & when I was travelling last weekend it struck me that I need to try something new.
Oct 15th, 2004, 01:02 PM
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Wow,
I ordered mine from TravelSmith(.com) but several other places on and off the web sell them. They are made by Ameribags, so you could go directly to their website if you wanted... or just Google it. They are called "healthy back bags" (I don't recommend getting it in leather - too hard to take care of.)
Let me know if I can answer any more questions (This is NOT a paid endorsement. Ha!Ha! I just get excited easily )
I ordered mine from TravelSmith(.com) but several other places on and off the web sell them. They are made by Ameribags, so you could go directly to their website if you wanted... or just Google it. They are called "healthy back bags" (I don't recommend getting it in leather - too hard to take care of.)
Let me know if I can answer any more questions
(This is NOT a paid endorsement. Ha!Ha! I just get excited easily )
Oct 15th, 2004, 05:51 PM
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Wallace, I just had to run up stairs to look at the inside water bottle pocket. I understand your excitement! I'm excited too, and can't wait to use my new bag. I got the big one too,in the micro fibre. I think it's going to be great. I can swing it around to the front too, if I need to feel more secure. I asked my massage therapist about it, and she thinks it looks great. (She's always on my case about my heavy purse)
Wow, I bought mine at my local mall in a luggage store in ONtario, Canada.
Wow, I bought mine at my local mall in a luggage store in ONtario, Canada.
