SSAB - August 31, 2026

Hello from Niagara Falls, Canada!

What a weekend! Yes still in Canada. Where did we leave off?

The economics of backpacking AND… video making? Combine to see me stay one more day in Toronto. Made a video for the Nomad Pod Hotel and they let me stay the night for free.

Off to Niagara and WOW there’s a lot more to do here than I thought, and that I would be willing to do. Boat ride: $54 (couldn’t take my luggage so I stowed it behind a bunch of trees); Hotel $70; Power Station $37; Journey Behind the Falls $37 (worth it because of the singing that later went on). Things are expensive, and there are no water fountains. Did find an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $12.99…coffee was extra at $3.99!

Wish me luck on my voyage to America!

And yes, my China visa debacle video is now live.

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great start of week!!

00:00 Niagara Arrival Update

00:51 Rainbow Bridge Nerves

03:09 Toronto Extra Day Recap

04:40 Food and City Diversity

06:34 China Return Pressure

09:01 Hostel Promo Video Hustle

13:20 Video Backlog Reality Check

15:25 Train to Niagara Plans Change

17:18 Budget Hotel on Canadian Side

20:31 Niagara Attractions and Costs

22:08 Luggage Problem at the Boat

23:35 Luggage and boat ride

26:01 Meeting fans and touring

26:44 Power station review

28:21 Niagara costs and packages

32:14 Behind the Falls letdown

35:00 Food water and city vibe

38:17 Travel timing and bridge

41:23 Hostel check-in fee panic

42:49 Wrap up and next episode