Well day one was a bit stressful. I had been pretty sick the day before getting over some kind of kidney infection or stomach flu. With some finagling and lots of water I managed to feel better by the time I was supposed to leave.

Took off around 4 am for the airport packed and ready. I even had a sandwich so I wouldn't have to eat anything on the way. Got to the airport, parked and dragged my stuff to the terminal only to find out I parked at Terminal 1 and my plane was at Terminal 2. *smacks self* No biggie... it's not like I was in a big airport so I asked which way and was able to hoof it on down to the right terminal and get in line. Everything worked out fine. I was glad I got my passport since even though I had my ID with me they asked for my Passport only. I got my one bag checked in and went to wait for my plane.

Plane took off and I was happy I had a window seat. Nice view outside of the city and clouds and everything below. Took several pics I will upload later on. I think the flight was only about an hour or so before we showed up at DWF. We disembarked even though the same plane was going to take us to Toronto. I went and took care of things and ate the rest of my sandwich and while waiting I saw this little girl and her grandmother come on a terminal shuttle. They put the grandmother in a wheelchair and they sat near me. As I waited I noticed how lost they looked and noticed that they spoke Spanish and nobody around here seemed to be able to translate for them. I turned and tried my best to give a "need help?" look at the little girl (she must have been around 10 or so.) She finally looked at me and said in spanish "where are you from?" and I answered in my poor excuse for Spanish "Texas" before asking where she was heading from. She said they were from Peru and started to babble at me excitedly in Spanish. I had to hold up a hand and smile and tell her I didn't know that much spanish. She basically asked if they were on the right plane. I told her as best I could that the current plane was going to Canada and the next plane would take them to where they were going... Portland. I don't know if it were Maine or Oregon... I assumed Oregon since I was thinking of Oscy and such.

So from here, I had to part with the little girl and her grandmother. They seemed kind of sad and a little nervous so I wished them luck and boarded my plane. After what seemed forever I get to Toronto. WHOOHOO   I got out of the plane and was really confused and lost. I was trying to find my luggage and couldn't. I had to ask someone to help me and that's when my bag came off the baggage conveyor. I had been waiting for a good 30 mins or more for that one bag. I walked around trying to figure things out. I tried to use my atm card then my credit card/debit but none of the machines liked my cards. I hadn't taken out too much cash and because of that I ended up being lucky I had 18 bucks to convert for the bustrip. I looked around for transport for a good 30 mins or more before I realized the bus was the cheapest fair to the hotel. I bought my ticket and waited. After we took off they picked up this Egyptian guy with some other people and when nobody sat next to me all the time I was on the bus,  he did. He was friendly enough but it was kind of weird cause he kept trying to chat me up. I think he was just being nice but I really find that annoying sometimes. He was going to a medical convention of some kind and he had just come in from Egypt. He even asked what hotel I was at and I wasn't sure what he was going for so I said The Marriott.    Ended up he was just being nice and nothing else cause he took off immediately with a "have a good trip!" after we got off at the Delta Chelsea stop. Once he was gone I got directions to the real hotel. It was just down the street a couple of blocks. I only got lost once and asked one of a handful of hotdog vendors on the street what direction I was going.

Once at the hotel I saw a group of people that seemed to be Mysterium folks but I didn't know them off hand so I just decided to be coy and get myself checked in and upstairs. Lucky me I was on the 2nd to last floor. Took a few minutes to recup and ended up in the Lobby again and with a "are you myst people" comment I found myself amongst the first group of Mysterium folksters. I believe the group included: Astral, Wind (something or other) Mike, Ran and some others I forget off hand.

After some hanging around I bumped into people I knew like Chucker and RChan and later in the evening BLUEMAX showed his face. It was a great moment because I had talked to him for so long and only had the webcam piccies he used to post (which I turned into Diet Coke ads since that's all he drinks)   I reached to shake his hand and he took me in a big hug.  It was cool. Later Mihshehl showed up and there were more big huggles. Lots of people began to sprinkle in and I had so many huggles. I believe Nomie showed up that day too late and I saw him and went "Nick?" and he didn't look... then I said "Nomad?" and he didnt' really respond... finally I said "are you wandering nomad?" and he went "I might... be." LOL He was coy but finally came over and said hi to everyone.

We all ended up going out to eat I believe but I don't recall where. It was a busy busy day and we hung out around the hotel for the most part.

Mihshehl and myself helped Max along with I believe lonely to unload his tech stuff. He had alot of nice toys.

Well that's it for now... atleast for day 1...