SSAB - August 31, 2026

<p>Hello from Niagara Falls, Canada!</p><p><br></p><p>What a weekend! Yes still in Canada. Where did we leave off?</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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!</p><p><br></p><p>Wish me luck on my voyage to America!</p><p><br></p><p>And yes, my China visa debacle video is now live.</p><p><br></p><p>Donate to the show! PayPal link below!</p><p><br></p><p>https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA</p><p><br></p><p>***</p><p>Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com</p><p><br></p><p>Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p>Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com</p><p><br></p><p>Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog</p><p><br></p><p>Google Stock Tracker Sheet</p><p>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p>Hope you have a great start of week!!</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Niagara Arrival Update</p><p>00:51 Rainbow Bridge Nerves</p><p>03:09 Toronto Extra Day Recap</p><p>04:40 Food and City Diversity</p><p>06:34 China Return Pressure</p><p>09:01 Hostel Promo Video Hustle</p><p>13:20 Video Backlog Reality Check</p><p>15:25 Train to Niagara Plans Change</p><p>17:18 Budget Hotel on Canadian Side</p><p>20:31 Niagara Attractions and Costs</p><p>22:08 Luggage Problem at the Boat</p><p>23:35 Luggage and boat ride</p><p>26:01 Meeting fans and touring</p><p>26:44 Power station review</p><p>28:21 Niagara costs and packages</p><p>32:14 Behind the Falls letdown</p><p>35:00 Food water and city vibe</p><p>38:17 Travel timing and bridge</p><p>41:23 Hostel check-in fee panic</p><p>42:49 Wrap up and next episode</p>