Day One: Tuesday within the Octave of Easter

Woke up at 3 am, showered and called the airport shuttle to confirm my shuttle pick-up for 4 am. This was the first day of my trip and I didn't want to start it off by not having my transportation to the airport show up. Then a ten minute walk in the cold early morning to where I was to meet the shuttle (ie mini bus with luggage capabilities.)

I arrived at 3:55 and the bus showed up a couple minutes early. It was probably between zero to five degrees Celsius, whether inside the bus or out. I had dressed for slightly warmer weather, with a sweatshirt and light windbreaker. Little did I know that when I would arrive at Toronto for my flight connection, and again later in Frankfurt for my layover, the weather would be even colder.

You are not allowed to carry any liquid in a container that is over 120ml. So when we arrived at the airport, I drank my bottle of water and had a scone for breakfast, while sitting in the leather chairs near the check-in counters.

The flight was four hours, and I think I slept for most of it. Woke up to the announcement that it was minus 5 degrees and snowing in Toronto. I was confused about baggage transfers, whether it would automatically occur, or if I needed to claim it and check it in again on the next flight (not a flight veteran.) I was pretty sure it would be transfered automatically, but went to the baggage claim area to make sure anyway. After staring at the carousels for a while, I conferred with an airport employee who assured me that my bag would be transfered automatically. I think he worked in baggage claim, but I wasn't sure. After several minutes of wandering around, I had to ask a customs guard where gate 175 was.

Lunch consisted of a cold grilled chicken sandwich, fries, and 100% pure pulp-free orange juice, while sitting in a huge, otherwise empty, food court. I took out some of my travel guides to get a head start on my itineraries, utilizing a black pen and highlighter to make plans.

The blustery snow outside continued and the terminal seemed very quiet. After lunch I walked through long empty corridors, and took the opportunity to use the people movers, which I personally think are a brilliant invention.

I am currently reading through the Gospel of St. Matthew, and flipped to the end where Christ gives the commission to his disciples, after his resurrection:

"and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."

- Matthew 28:20

Seemed like a promising and comforting passage with which to start my travels...