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On June 15, 2022, my group traveled back to Toronto to convene with the other group for our final Fulbright meeting. We went to the Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec (YQB) at around 12:00 P. M. by cab paid by IREX. We flew to Toronto aboard Air Canada around 3:00 P. M. and landed at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) at around 4:36 P.M. My Quebec experience was not just educational, it was also a celebration of cultural exchange. I enjoyed all the conversations, interactions, meetings, visits, and tours we had with prominent people and in significant places. My eyes, ears, and heart were thrilled with innumerable AHA! moments. But my experience was just a fraction of what Quebec City could offer. There's more to the city that's worth exploring for weeks or months. At the airport, I already missed Quebec.
My luggage leaves Hotel Manoir de l’Esplanade with a heavy heart.
We take our cabs right in front of the hotel and bid goodbye to the hotel's hospitality.
My luggage gains weight as it carries the priceless memories of Quebec.
I follow the line to the security screening, thinking about when I can come back to this amazing place.
I sneak my last peek at the historic grounds of Quebec.
Toronto awaits patiently for our grand return.
As they arrived earlier than us, the other group flying from Saskatoon waited for us at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). From YYZ, we were then transported to Chelsea Hotel Toronto by a small bus paid for by IREX. The heavy traffic downtown did not diminish the excitement of all Fulbrighters sharing their unfiltered experiences with each other. Unique characters narrated different cultural angles of the same stories and plots. As I took delight in hearing stories thrown in different directions inside the bus, I realized that even Fulbrighters had different takes on the same experiences. This is what makes Fulbright meetings extremely momentous. We value the diversity of cultural perspectives. We listen. We share. We change the world.
From the 19th floor on my first stay, I went down to the 14th floor on my second check-in at Chelsea Hotel Toronto. It was still a good spot to take a breathtaking view of Toronto downtown. After resting for a while in my hotel room, I went downstairs to feed my hunger at the hotel restaurant and went out for a quick walk to a nearby grocery store to grab some snacks and energy drinks. I had a lot of assignments from my graduate school to complete that night. Then, I remembered about Jollibee. Despite having eaten already, I failed to resist the pressure to revisit the fast-food restaurant. The affordability of Filipino food prompted me to take out a family meal that I ended up wasting due to a miscalculation of my gluttonous skills.
Toronto flags welcome us with waves of excitement.
The thrill to check in at Chelsea Hotel Toronto kicks back in.
I feed my hunger at the hotel restaurant with a slice of pizza and Canada's ketchup-flavored Lays.
I also grab some Canadian snacks and energy drinks from a nearby grocery store.
I give in to the temptation to revisit Jollibee after skipping it for a few days due to my Quebec escapade.
I overestimate my gluttonous ability that I end up wasting my order.
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