Niagara Falls Gig: A Nightmare Journey with a Picture-Perfect Ending
Keywords: Vancouver magician, Niagara Falls entertainment, Toronto Magic Company, corporate magician, travel mishaps, event entertainment, Marriott Niagara Falls, fitness, Kinton Ramen, subway travel
When Jonah Babins from the Toronto Magic Company booked me for a gig in Niagara Falls, I was pumped. A stunning location, a packed corporate event, and another chance to do what I love? Sign me up.
But getting there? An absolute disaster.
If you’ve ever had a trip where everything goes wrong, you’ll feel my pain. From early morning airport struggles to rental car nightmares, and an unexpectedly expensive Uber ride, this was one of those gigs that tested my patience.
Luckily, the payoffs were a breathtaking view from my Marriott hotel, a much-needed fitness session, and a legendary Kinton Ramen meal made it all worth it.
Lesson #1: Know Your Car Rental Company
The trouble started the moment my 6:30 AM Vancouver flight landed in Toronto Pearson around 2 PM EST. I checked my Expedia booking for my rental car, only to realize I had booked with a company called SurPrice a random off-airport rental service instead of a reliable name like Hertz or Enterprise.
That mistake cost me $36 in taxi fare just to get to the rental place. Not a good start.
Lesson #2: Keep Your Driver’s License in Your Wallet (Not Your Car in Another Province)
After finally arriving at the rental desk, I reached for my driver’s license and found nothing.
Cue the horrible realization I had just moved to Coquitlam and my temporary paper license was in my Rav4 glove compartment back in Vancouver.
No license = no rental car.
Which meant my only option was to Uber the entire way to Niagara Falls. $150 later, I arrived at my gig, shaken but still in one piece.
The Gig: A Win Amidst the Chaos
Despite the travel chaos, the performance went great. A packed house, a fantastic audience, and another successful night of corporate magic. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most.
But the real adventure was still ahead getting back to Toronto the next day.
Lesson #3: AI Makes Public Transit a Game Changer
Determined not to blow another $150 on an Uber, I mapped out an alternative route using AI.
Go Train was such a nice ride
The journey? Surprisingly smooth.
1. GO Train from Niagara Falls to Aldershot GO Station ($20)
2. GO Bus from Aldershot to Oakville
3. GO Train from Oakville to Pearson Airport
4. Line 1 Subway from Pearson to Eglinton for my Kinton Ramen fix
ChatGPT helped me navigate Ontario’s transit maze, saving me tons of money. AI for the win.
Marriott Stay: A View Worth the Hassle
After the madness, my Marriott Niagara Falls stay was a lifesaver. The view? Unreal.
Nothing like waking up to this after a chaotic day of travel.
Fitness & Reflection
After back-to-back gigs and stress-induced Uber charges, I needed a workout.
The Marriott gym gave me the perfect space to reset before heading back to Toronto. Fitness isn’t just about staying in shape its about keeping a clear head when life throws you a curveball.
Final Stop: Kinton Ramen
Before flying back, I made a mandatory stop at Kinton Ramen (Eglinton location).
Lesson learned? Even the worst travel experiences can end on a high note with the right food, the right mindset, and the right view.
Final Takeaways:
1. Stick to big-name rental companies (skip the off-airport surprises).
2. Keep your driver’s license accessible (not in another province).
3. AI travel tools can be a lifesaver (public transit isn’t scary with the right guidance).
4. After a stressful gig, great food, a good hotel, and a workout can fix everything.
Would I do this all over again? Yes but next time, I’ll double-check my wallet first.
