I made it just fine to Toronto. Before I went to meet my relative, I had arranged to spend one night in an Airbnb. It was in a small apartment in downtown Toronto.
My Airbnb contact was a very pleasant and responsive older woman from India. We had exchanged messages several times. She had sent very explicit instructions as to how to find the apartment, find the lock box, and how to get into the apartment.
To my surprise, when I arrived in Toronto, she sent me a message that she was actually in India, but not to worry, her daughter would greet me. She would be around for my visit if I had questions, etc. She arranged for her daughter to meet me in the lobby at 6 p.m. The daughter was there as arranged.
Together we went up to the apartment which was very spartan. She showed me my little twin bed in a small room the size of a large closet with a curtain rod and drapery for privacy. We sat chatting on the living room couch; she sat cross-legged with her slim young woman legs. She was in her mid-twenties, I guessed, born in India, but brought to Canada as a baby. She said she had an apartment elsewhere. She explained that her boyfriend helps with the rentals. He lives about a block away and she often stays there. I noticed a closed door with a padlock: that was her mother’s room and her mom’s two cats were in there. She takes care of them when her mom is away.
The conversation began to drag, and I had a feeling that she was settling in on the couch. I said things like, “Well, it’s been great to meet you.” She showed no signs of getting ready to leave. Finally I asked, “So where will you stay tonight?” “Here, for now” she answered, “in my mom’s room.” This surprised me. I have rented many Airbnbs with shared kitchen and bathroom, but never in a very small apartment. Well, okay. We’re gonna be college roommates.
She gave me a good tip for a restaurant within walking distance. When I came back, she was in her mom’s room with the door closed. I turned in early. As it often is when you sleep in a strange place, I was alert to sounds and heard occasional thumps and noises that I ignored.
I woke up early, made my coffee, and then was suddenly surprised by a sharp yell from her room. “Ow! Stop that!” And then, “NO! I said don’t touch me! Cut that out!” She sounded really angry. My thoughts began spinning; oh great, the boyfriend is here with her and it’s not going well. I really don’t want to be in the middle of this.
Suddenly she came rushing out of her room in her PJs, her face contorted in pain or anger, slamming the door behind her. “He scratched me! He drives me nuts!” She washed up and then said, “Those cats are going to be the end of me.”
Copyright © 2025 Ann Sigford
Thanks for sharing your AirBnB story. As I reflect back to a month long whirlwind trip to Europe with a couple of college friends we probably stayed at the original concept of AirBnB in the very early 1970’s. I can’t say I felt scared but we probably should have been more cautious but we had our only little entry for our very neat little bedroom and the most delicious hard rolls with butter and juice in the morning. Luckily we never had yelling or other people in our room or animals. Maybe our world was much more trustworthy then or we were naive.
This is a very well written and entertaining tale. The situation would have (in the moment) scared me to death. So happy you safely returned to write the story.
It scared me too, luckily not to death. I felt huge relief when she said it was the cats!
My first shared-space AirBnB is in two weeks, also in Canada (Halifax), so this story strikes a chord in me. Thanks for sharing.
This was the only AirBnB scare I’ve had in 11 years of using it in many countries. Don’t worry just be open, and roll with it! I have many great memories of earlier trips. Bon voyage!
What a story! One surprise after another for you, right down to the “domestic dispute” with another surprise ending. I loved it.
Thanks for the comment Linda!