Try using hotspot vpn if you haven't already. It lets me get past the schools security. The only thing it doesn't help with is keeping a constant connection, but maybe it'll work for you.
I think so too. I checked out the screenshots and it showed a blaziken, so somewhere torchic or its evolutions should be available. If so I definitely want one
I chose riolu as well, didn't nickname it just yet. At first glance at the list of the starters I was gonna choose piplup but then I saw riolu and was sold .
I haven't gotten farther than having just received the pokedex (life keeps on keeping me busy :I). I'm gonna get back to it after work. I did like the pikachu event at the beginning, looked very nice