Venice

In sleeping compartment on night train to Venice

-Before I start, Id like to thank everyone for being so patient while I worked out the technical photo problems for so long. I am proud to say that I have figured it out and am able to bring you photos finally!

We arrived bright and early to Venices' St. Lucia train station tired and not well rested as we were on board the nigh train from Vienna. The sleeper compartment held 6 people-3 bunks high on each side- and allowed enough room to lay down on your mattress, there was no sitting up or lounging. Luckily, we shared our compartment with a mother and her two young girls and a quiet man from Japan, rather than irresponsible yahoos who would leave the lock open on the door. We were so pleased to have responsible people as we had heard many horror stories about people breaking into unlocked compartments and robbing people while they were sleeping! Overall, the night train was pretty good and waking up in a new country was very exciting. The main factor that contributed to my terrible sleep was the fact that I was developing a nasty cold- which consisted of nasal congestion, sore throat and lung congestion.



The canals of Venice-Lido

We stepped out of the train station, after spending almost an hour trying to prebook a train to Bari, into the bright sunshine. Instead of stepping out into a parking lot jammed with buses and taxis, we stepped out onto a huge pier jammed with water taxis, gondolas and water buses. It was amazing. The Grand Canal sprawled out in front of us, dotted with boats and men rowing gondolas, a sight I'd only ever dreamed of seeing in real life. We managed to find the water bus (luckily I had researched ahead of time in Frommers travel guides) and boarded the "Vaporetto" (water bus) towards the S.Toma stop, the #1 line. The boat was crowded with tourists and locals alike, and we stood and admired the views during the short trip down the canal, breeze blowing in our faces. About 10 minutes later I spotted the S.Toma stop and prepared to make our way to the exiting side and wait for the young man to untie the rope to let us out. At our stop, we stepped off onto an old wooded dock that led uphill into a narrow street lined with beautiful apartment buildings that looked as old as life itself. Following our broken English directions emailed to us by the hostel owner, we made our way straight up the street to the white church, took a few corners and surprisingly found the address. From outside you would have no idea that it was a hostel. We rang the number on the buzzer a few times, until a pleasant sounding Italian woman answered and let us in. The huge door unlocked, and we pushed it open to find ourselves in a dark room with several doors. We decided to take the marble staircase upstairs where luckily a petite woman stood in a doorway awaiting our arrival. The only way to explain the hostel is to say it was exactly like checking in to a friends house for the weekend. The hostel was located in an old mansion, so the rooms were incredibly spacious with gorgeous ceiling covered with plastered angels and flowers, so elegant. The reception was little more than an old wooden desk with a laptop and a chair. The mansion looked old and needed some TLC, but at the same time the raw beauty of it was perfect.

After checking in, we headed out into the streets of Venice since our check in wasn't until 3pm. We toured around the neighbourhood around the Hostel getting lost in the little streets lined with laundry lines and cafes. People say that you cannot wander the streets of Venice without getting lost within 10 minutes, and they were right! Every street and canal you cross looks the same, so within a couple corners you find yourself completely lost, but isn't that the fun part? I sampled delicious tiramisu from a little bakery, snapped some pictures at the men dressed in the red striped gondolier shirts, and stared in amazement at the canals. Every street we ventured down was unreal. I couldn't keep my camera off for longer than a minute as every window and building was picture worthy. I really didn't think that Venice would be quite as amazing as it looked in books and pictures, but it was, it was more than I could of ever imagined.

Three o'clock came around quickly and magically we ended up in S.Toma square hungry and eager to freshen up in our rooms. We were shown to our room by a young Australian man, working temporarily on holiday. The bedroom was huge with only a couple metal beds scattered around the room and like the reception area, the walls and ceiling were beautiful. I felt like I was sleeping in a museum. We freshened up and headed back out into the streets to find somewhere to enjoy a nice dinner. After crossing many canals, we came across a little restaurant nestled on a quiet street with outdoor seating. The minute we sat down I knew that we were in Italy. The owner came out and greeted us with a smile, treating us like we were old friends. He was such a kind person to every single guest that walked into his restaurant and it was amazing to watch someone put so much love into his job, something I don't see back home enough. He ended up giving us complimentary strawberry wine, half a pizza and tiramisu! We couldn't believe the generosity, so we promised him we would come for breakfast. By the time we left the restaurant it was dark, so the 10 minute walk turned into a 2 hour walk. I felt like a mouse in a maze.



Caffe La Ramblas

 The next morning I woke up chilly and reaching for another blanket. The huge mansion didn't keep the heat in very well overnight. My cold was a little better and I could breathe once again, I even had a bit more energy. We went to Caffe La Ramblas for breakfast as promised and enjoyed a smorgasbord of carbohydrates. That day we explored St. Marcus Square which was impressive and beautiful as well as equally jammed with tourists. We snapped a few pictures and moved on through the crowds onto the boardwalk. The further we walked down the boardwalk the better it became. The crowds diminished and all you could hear was the waves crashing up against the boardwalk. The views of the Grand Canal, yachts and gondolas was breathtaking.

Views from the boardwalk

I must warn though, CAREFUL ABOUT WHERE YOU SIT! In the city of Venice, it is illegal to sit or picnic in the area surrounding St. Marcus Square as well as in other parts of the city as well. We walked to the end of the boardwalk then back up into the city where we stumbled upon my most favourite neighbourhood of Venice. The neighbourhood of Castello is in the upper right corner of Venice and is a must if you ever visit Venice. The streets were empty and free of any tourist stands, leaving only the charm of narrow corridors and the occasional cafe. Castello was so silent.....I felt like I was the only one there. Occasionally you would hear the faint sounds of cutlery against plates up above in peoples kitchens, but other than that it was void of any noise. I cant even begin to explain how perfect Castello was in every way, from the hidden courtyards to the colourful laundry hanging between windows above the narrow lanes. Castello will always have a special place in my heart.




Wandering the streets of Castello

 On our third day we took the Vaporetto to another island called Lido. For 6.50 Euros you get a wonderful tour of the canal during the 40 minute boat ride. Public transportation is always an affordable way to get a tour of a city. Lido was completely different than Venice, with no canals or narrow streets. It was more like a small summer town you'd see back home. Lots of little restaurants and shops to explore, as well as a gorgeous beach. We spent our entire day lounging on the soft sand and splashing in the warm water, even meeting the Egyptian Gondola team! Lido is a fantastic place to have a day in the sun. We ended the day with a wonderful plate of pasta and a bottle of Italian Lambrusco wine.

Lido Beach

Our final day in Venice was bittersweet. I was so excited to spend the day wandering the streets but I couldn't help but think that it was also my last day to wander through Venice. We started with a strong cappuccino then made a deal with a gondolier. Three other people from our hostel whom we'd become friends with, also wanted to go for a gondola ride, so we split the cost of 60 Euros between us making it alot more affordable. The 30 minute ride was amazing! Seeing Venice from the water was completely different, and sitting in the fancy velvet seats was such an experience, our gondolier even sang to us! It was such a peaceful ride with only the oar pushing us through the canal.

Gondola ride

We spent the last night feasting on Diavola pizza with new friends from the hostel, discussing further travel plans and memories made in Venice. I stood out on the patio that night just staring over the edge at the turquoise blue canal below. Visiting Venice was such an experience and in my opinion....Venice is the perfect city. Where else can you go that has so much charm, beauty, and romance all wrapped up in one island.

I will miss wandering aimlessly through the narrow Venetian streets in hopes of getting lost.

Venetian Masks

                                    









Vienna

It has been nearly two months now since I took a train to Vienna... it is very hard to believe. I particularly remember that train ride from Prague to Vienna. We got to experience the compartment seats and the little snack trolley, and even on board dining. We ventured through the train cars, pushing open the Star Trek style doors at each car, and eventually discovered the dining cart. Afraid of high prices, we went up to the menu board to choose a cheap meal, and to our surprise everything was priced quite fairly! We ended up ordering Chicken Schnitzel with potato salad for only 5 Euros, which is about $7 Canadian. We nibbled away at our meal while watching the European countryside fly by us. Eating at a little table on a train is a great experience, with a view that you cannot get anywhere else. I would recommend if you are ever aboard a European train to forget about packing a lunch once and spend the extra few Euros on a meal, I assure you that it will not break your budget.

Our train rolled into Meidling Station about five hours later with my travel partner and I hanging our heads out the window like dogs on a summer drive. There were many buildings along the tracks that were leaning, painted bright colors or shaped in ways I thought could never be built; I'm guessing some architects had fun here! We hopped on the metro (U-Baun) to the Westbahnhof station and made it to Mariahilfer Strasse street which is where Wombat's City Hostel was located. I must admit, I was very shocked when we got up onto the street from the Metro. The streets were rather run down and there was not much for scenery or attractive buildings. I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly, but the street I was on was not it...

Our hostel was very modern and clean, with lounging couches and internet kiosks. Our room was very nice and the bunks were spacious and made from solid pine...it reminded me of bunks I had stayed in during summer camp when I was a child. My only negative point about the room was there was no sign of soap (but I wasn't complaining as it was clean and had a shower). No worries though because we were prepared for such a instance with spray soap. We shared our room with two other girls, one which we never got to meet and another who I would describe as an "interesting" individual with a strong personality and a passion for chocolate, alcohol and perfume. That evening we strolled down the street only to find all the shops and restaurants closed, so we went to a grocery store and bought some Cinnamon Toast Crunch (not the most nutritious, but very satisfying). Full of sugar and overcome with tiredness we retired back to our room for a good nights sleep.

Saturday morning greeted us with a dreary grey sky and a bad cup of coffee from the buffet table. We packed our umbrellas and set out toward the city center in hopes of finding the Vienna I'd imagined. We walked all the way to the end of Mariahilfer Strasse until we got to the Museum Quarter. We walked between the Kunsthistor Museum and the Natural history Museum and admired the manicured gardens. There were a set of four fountains that I was particularly drawn to of a merman and a woman. Through the four fountains you could watch as the two fell in love and ending with the woman taking the place of a mermaid. The fountains were beautiful and the details on the faces really captured your interest, almost like you were witnessing this love story unfold right in front of you. This is when the torrential downpour began. We ran for cover under one of the museums covered steps, and when it let up briefly we quickly made our way to a cafe to get out of the rain. We stumbled upon one of the most classiest cafes in the city, Cafe Hofburg. The walls were covered in elegant wallpaper, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings and men dressed in full tuxedos hurried around delivering coffees to posh customers. We ordered a Schokoccino, a coffee with caramel and whip cream. Wow! It was not the most affordable coffee I have ever ordered, but it was more for the experience than the coffee. I laughed as I watched a couple of elderly woman dressed in fancy dresses and tacky jewelry gossip about the week's events, than proceed to order desserts and giggle about eating a spoonful of whip cream. The cafe was amazing and I am so happy the rain brought us to such a memorable place.

Full of sugary coffee, we made our way to the government buildings, snapping pictures of the Athina Statue standing guard. Next we snapped some pictures at the Rathaus (Vienna City Hall) and the Votivkirche, a gorgeous cathedral reminding me of a 3D jigsaw puzzle. Even more amazing was the interior of the cathedral, where once again I just sat in the pews mesmerized. I could not fathom the detail and dedication that went into every inch of stained glass and painted pillar.

We left the cathedral on search for food after hours of exploring. Wafts of pizza and pasta from an Italian restaurant down the street sold us on lunch. We feasted on a gigantic "Divola" pizza (salami,mozzarella and tomato) and sipped on a glass of Merlot. People watching was fun from the outdoor eatery, and I observed many trendy dressed men and woman hurrying down the street in heavy conversation. The next stop after lunch was to the famous Demel Cafe! The Demel Cafe is a famous Viennese cafe that is said to of made the original Sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam. This was a highlight for me on my European trip as a pastry chef. The Sachertorte not only is one of Vienna's most famous culinary specialties, but it is made world wide and has undergone many legal matters. Yes, I'm sure you are thinking, "It's cake, how is there any legal matters?" Well, it is such a famous cake and there were claims from both the Hotel Sacher and the Demel Cafe that they were the original creators of the Sachertorte. Still to this day it is not determined who indeed is the 'true' owner of the Sachertorte, but many say that the Demel Cafe is the true version. The Demel Cafe was so elegant and we luckily were able to sneak into a table before someones reservation. I ordered a big slice of the famous Sachertorte! It was quite good, a little drier than I was expecting, but none the less it was amazing to be able to eat a piece of pastry history.

After savouring our dessert we decided to try to find another piece of Viennese history, Mozart's House. It was slightly difficult to find the little house wedged between two large buildings, but we did, and it was amazing. There was a small illuminated window that you could look at from the street, where Mozart lived. It was amazing to think that such a talented musician had lived in such a simple room at one time. I took some pictures and bought some souvenirs from inside, as I have always adored his work. I got chills staring into the window at one point, when I imagined Mozart sitting at his windowsill staring out at the same street I was standing on.

The day was coming to an end, and the skies were looking rather grey again so we began the long walk back to the hostel. About half way back we couldn't resist to stop for another pastry at a cute little cafe called Aida. The awning, chairs, tables and walls were all pepto bismol pink and so was the delectable dessert we ordered; a strawberry mousse cake with meringue. After convincing myself not to order another, I collected a napkin for memorabilia, paid and headed back on my way to the hostel.

That night we got back exhausted once again and snacked on our leftover pizza from lunch. I caught up on some emails and had some more "interesting" conversations with our roomie before falling asleep with an open novel on my chest.

Sunday in Vienna was comparable to Christmas Day back home in Vancouver. On top of it being Sunday, it was also Seabass day! So absolutely everything was closed; every restaurant, shop and cafe. We wandered aimlessly for an hour or so hoping to find something to see but only came across one open cafe. We ordered some coffee and discussed what to do on a day where everything was closed when the Waiter overheard us. He told us about Prater Amusement Park, located only 20 minutes away by U-Baun; where all of the locals go on there days off. We jumped at the idea and hopped on the next U-Baun.

Prater Amusement Park was fantastic! It seemed like all of the locals were there indeed, and it was so fun to be surrounded by all locals and no tourists or tour groups. We went on almost every rollercoaster and ride, which were all reasonably priced. We went on one water raft ride with a local family who were laughing and yelling at us in German, not knowing we didn't understand them. Although we didn't understand them, we somehow had a connection with this family and it was fun to just to be a local for the day. Perhaps visiting an amusement park while in Vienna is not what you would expect, but I must say, the random days where you break free of the guide books and the sightseeing checklists always end up being the ones I remember the most. I feel like I got to see a whole other side of Vienna, the real side filled with the local language and residents having fun and not just hustling by to escape the tourists.

It's funny when I reflect back onto Vienna. In one way I was disappointed because it wasn't as beautiful as Id expected. Sure, there were gorgeous cathedrals and museums, but I guess because of my lack of knowledge of Vienna, I was expecting a city with more forest and mountains, but I suppose I would need to venture into Austria more to see that. Vienna in another way was better than I expected. The cafes, the history, and the trendiness of the locals was wonderful and after writing this blog, I realize that I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I had. Vienna, I will miss your cafes and sachertortes.

Prague

When you were a child, did you ever pretend you were a king or a princess? Or perhaps a knight in shining armour riding into a castle? My friends and I spent many afternoons playing medieval games running around the neighbourhood...perhaps that's why Prague was so magical for me. For a few days I got to walk, talk and eat in my fairytale land...a beautiful place called Prague. Prague is nestled in the countryside of the Czech Republic, about four hours south of Berlin. It is a city filled with such beauty and history, and looks like it hasn't changed a bit since medieval times.

We got off the train from Berlin and took the Metro to stop Straromesky, where we then walked to Old Town Square. The square is surrounded by old medieval shops and restaurants and of course, the famous Tyn Church! Tyn Church was the most majestic looking building I have ever seen, with tall black spires reaching high into the sky. Loaded down with our heavy backpacks, we just stood there in awe. Finding our hostel was a little difficult, as there are many little streets winding here and there, but eventually we found the little sign reading Tyn Hostel. We checked into the hostel and were shown to our average 5 bed room. The beds looked like they'd been decorated by a Grandma, as they were all covered in mismatched, tacky bed linens...it made me smile. That evening we rested and toured around the square, ending in an outdoor restaurant overlooking the square,where I feasted on Czech Goulash.

We woke up bright and early the next morning feeling eager to explore...and that we did. We started out with a tasty twisted cinnamon croissant and a strong cappuccino, before heading out towards the Prague Castle. We crossed the river, admiring Charles Bridge in the distance and began the trek up the hill. There were so many stairs, and I felt somewhat defeated in the early morning heat, but the view kept me going. By the time we had reached the top, you could see right across Prague! The river wove through the town, and all the little houses had red terra cotta roofing. It was a photographers dream! We spent a couple hours exploring the Prague Castle and even climbed up one of the towers. We climbed the 287 steps up the spiral staircase reaching a small platform overlooking Prague and the castle below. The wind whistled through the small windows, and for a brief moment I felt like a princess looking out of my tower.

After the castle, we ventured through the Kings Paradise Garden eventually making our way back into the little streets. We stopped at Palliardi, a sandwich shop and ordered a tasty meat, pickle and cheese sandwich. We sat and enjoyed getting off our feet for a few minutes, admiring a lovely church across the street. We headed back onto the cobblestone streets, and had fun playing with wooden puppets and flipping through funny postcards. We walked until we found ourselves in a park filled with local daycare children and people practicing there juggling tricks. We grabbed some chocolate-vanilla gelato and sat on our maps in the grass, laughing at the the kids playing tag. As the afternoon passed, we decided to head back towards our hostel and find a nice restaurant for dinner. We walked across Charles Bridge and although it was very nice with all the statues, I found it too touristy and busy for me. I preferred taking the less crowded bridge and looking at the Charles Bridge from the distance. We found our way back to the square and I sampled a local treat called Trdelnik, which is a cinnamon pastry wrapped around a dowel and roasted over an open fire. We also got to watch a very odd street performance that included exercise balls, fire, men wearing dresses and feet juggling balls...what a treat! Seeing as we were in the square already, we decided to just grab some cheap grilled meat from a vendor. On the way back to the hostel we stopped off at a restaurant and had the most amazing chocolate fondue....yes we are on holidays!

Day two in Prague and we had yet again another full schedule. I discovered the most amazing juice at breakfast, its called Cappy. A slightly thick, flavour packed juice in a little glass jar (which I have only seen in Prague). After breakfast we snapped some photos at the astrological clock; we happened to be there when the 10:00 bell went off. The hourly bell consisted of dancing figurines emerging from the clock and a man serenading the square with a horn. It felt like we were the village people being serenaded by the King! Our plan for the day was to venture to Vysehrad Castle. We took the metro to the Vysehrad station and followed the castle signs. We walked along a quiet path that overlooked the forest, the river and remote landscape. The air was so crisp, almost like Autumn, and the walk was so invigorating! We came across the Vysehrad castle hidden behind the trees. It was a georgous cathedral with stained glass windows and detailed archways; inside was even more impressive. Every last inch of the walls, cielings, and windows were handpainted in such detail, we sat in the pews and just stared. What a privilege to be able to visit such a special place. After the cathedral, we explored the cemetery and the grand tombstones and statues. We read about people's accomplishments and loved ones poetry...it was a beautiful cemetery.

We descended down the steep hill away from Vysehrad towards the town below, passing a photo shoot along the way (looked like a young pop star). We found a cozy little restaurant on a quiet street filled with people speaking a language we didnt know (that is how you know the food will be good). I ordered roasted duck with sauerkraut, pickled red cabbage and dumplings. It was delectible and exactly what I was looking for in Czech food. After eating too much (yet again) we waddled down the street in the direction of Old Town Prague. Along the way, my travel partner started feeling a little under the weather so we quickened our pace and made it back to the hostel within an hour. She had been feeling stomach pain for a day or so, and it seemed that it was starting to get the better of her now. She wanted to get some rest in the room and try to sleep off the discomfort so I decided to go on a solo mission to the forest that had intrigued me. So I headed back over the Charles Bridge to the other side of town and found my way to the finicular. This little train went straight up the side of the mountain, cutting through the dense forest filled with hikers and joggers. Within 10 minutes we reached the top and I decided to just wander around the top of the mountain and explore. I came across a mini Eiffel Tower!!! I hiked up that tower as well ( I was the only one taking the stairs, as I did not have money in my budget for taking a lift!). The view from here was the best of all! All of Prague was nothing more than little red dots and the gigantic Prague Castle now looked like a toy. The wind was howling, making the tower sway slightly. I also went to a Planetarium while on the top of the mountain, where I got to examine precious rocks, planet exhibits and I even got to look in a huge telescope at the sun! After leaving the planetarium, I wandered through a rose garden and watched the sunset illuminate the sky into briliant shades of red and orange. What a perfect way to end my last night in Prague.

That night, my friend and I went out for Pizza at a reataurant near our hostel and enjoyed the medivel streets for one more time. I did not want to leave Prague....I wanted to stay and explore every little nook and alley. I never thought that I would see that fairytale place that I read about in books, but I honestly feel like I have now. Prague will be a place that I will treasure in my heart forever, and I promised myself the day that I left that I would return one day.

Berlin....A city of History

When we arrived late at night in Berlin, we were a little hesitant. There were people out partying on the streets, garbage covering the sidewalks and people yelling randomly at strangers. The city seemed unwelcoming and we felt a little uneasy, so we just decided to stay in our hostel, The Circus Hostel, and get some much needed sleep.

The bright sunshine woke us up in the morning, the air had that perfect summer morning feel, and it felt like a good day. The unwelcoming streets had transformed overnight into a pleasant atmosphere, filled with families, laughing children, and people sipping cappuchinos at small cafes. We were so pleased to feel at ease once again and begin our full day, but first...breakfast. We ate at our hostel, and for 3.50€ we had a wonderful buffet of meats, cheeses, yogurts and breads, that got us ready for the day! Amazing coffee as well, complete with an almond meringue biscuit.

We spent the first half of our day wandering around a local flea market, admiring all the tacky trinkets and outdated clothing. There was fresh fruit stands and wonderful handmade jewlery, and I even managed to find an awesome pair of black gladiator sandals for 4€!! I would definitly recomend visiting a local market or flea market, where you can get out and interact with locals and see their day to day life. After the flea market, we headed down the street about 20 minutes more and got to see a remaining section of the Berlin wall! It was so surreal to see this piece of history right before my eyes. It was so sad to stand there and imagine the pain this wall had put so many people through. We wandered around for awhile reading the posters they had up about the history of the wall, and the people that had died resulting from trying to escape the East or West. Seeing something like the wall really puts into perspective how lucky we really are, and how we need to savour life and all of our freedoms we have, I know I will now.

We walked back to the hostel through random streets, observing the interesting window displays and cute little restaurants until we ended up at a restaurants called Sisals. It was on a quiet little road away from all the main streets and had a great menu with even great prices. I had a chicken schnitzel topped with tomatoes, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese, with my new favourite beverage...Bionade...a german fizzy juice! After a nice long dinner we headed back to the hostel and stayed in for the night, visiting with fellow travellers and getting caught up with emails.

The following day was spent on a 6 hour walking tour with a funny man named Matt. We were afraid that 6 hours of history may get slightly tiring, but it was amazing and we loved every second of it! We started at the beautiful new Synogage and learned some intersting history, then headed to my favourite sight...a huge abondaned warehouse! Every inch of the warehouse, called Tacheles, was covered in paint and graffiti and the ground was all sand with random cars and chairs sticking up. It was occupied with squatters now who made it into art studios or concert rooms and the amount of creativity in this warehouse was amazing. A definite must if you visit Berlin! We walked so much that day, seeing the Government buildings, the Brandengurg Gate, Hotel Adlon (where Michael Jackson hung the child out the window), a beautiful Jewish Memorial made of rows and rows of cement blocks, Checkpoint Charlie, Hitlers bunker location and multiple offices and the beautiful Protesant church. There is so much more we seen but I can only write so much about it, but my plan is to write a continuation of Berlin when I have time because some of the stories and descriptions of the places I visited need to be written about. So I hope to do that in the near future when I do not have a timer on my computer ticking away...

Berlin may not be a Prague or a Paris when it comes to being picturesque, but when it comes to history, Berlin is a winner. The city is mainly grey in colour and with all the memorials and reminders of the past, it can be a little somber at times, but then suddenly you turn the corner and there is a blast of colour or artwork. The amount of creativity in Berlin is astonishing! I enjoyed every second in Berlin, not only for the pictures and the knowledege, but because i think I left there with a better appreciation for my life. I realized just how lucky I am to have the freedoms that I have and how easy my life has been. Berlin was an amazing city that changed the way I look at alot of things in life.....

Thank You Berlin

Amsterdam

Our travels to Amsterdam did not go very well...it was am extremely stressful morning. We walked all the way down to the square near the London Government buildings at 4:30am, only to miss our bus to the airport. The receptionist hadn´t mentioned that we actually had to be on the other side of the square to catch it!! She had also told us that the underground Tube didn´t run until 6 am...which was why we were taking the bus to begin with. Good thing we went and checked the tube anyways, becasue at 5:30am it was running!!! Thankfully, we got back on sceduale and made it to the airport just in time (although we were running to the gate!)

Our hostel, the legendary Flying Pig Dowtown, was located on Nieuwendiijk street just a short walk from the train station. The street was packed with tourists and locals alike shopping at trendy shops or hip cafes that lined the street. I was amazed at how busy it was in Amsterdam, although you could take one step off the main streets into a side alley and be completly alone. In order to cut costs we shared a queen size bed in a pretty average room, which happily was void of any mystery smells. I believe the attraction to this hostel for many was not the rooms or the bad breakfast, I think it was the smoking room. Upon arrival, we were given our keys and told that the smoking room was a hangout for all guests where anything could be smoked!! I noticed that many people sat there for most of the day socializing and smoking, not seeming to move much. We, on the other hand, were too busy exploring the beautiful city all day, there never really seemed like much time to just sit.

Our first day was spent truly like the Dutch...on a bicycle. We rented a couple couple bikes from a company called Yellow Bikes for a nice price of 10€ for 24 hours! We spent the entire day free of maps or watches and just biked. We explored every alley and canal, ate at some beautiful cafes along the water, and chowed down on chocolate dipped cookies! I have one word for our biking experience...Radical!! For the most part, you are completly alone while pedaling through the alleys and little roads, but once you hit a main street it´s insane! At one point, we were merging into a little lane with several other cyclists, a horse, an ATV and pedestrians! I would definitly recommend cycling through Amsterdam as it is truly the best way to experience Dutch life. Bikes seem to be a way of life in Amsterdam, people do all their daily activities on them. People were on cellphones, nursing children, eating, carrying bags of groceries, carrying trees, and we even seen bikes piled up with three children! You could honestly spend half a day just sitting and watching the lively streets go by! Amsterdam has the reputation of being this crazy party city, filled with Coffee shops and prostitutes, but so much of it was the complete opposite. Although there were coffee shops here and there, most of the city consisted of beautiful canals, cute little cobblestone streets, and small eateries. Everywhere you looked, it was beautiful and the entire time I was there I just couldn´t believe I was lucky enough to be somewhere so amazing.

That evening, we decided to head to the well known Red Light District! I didn´t really know what to expect before we went. I was imagining dark alleys, odd men lurking around, and women in suggestive clothing. I was very right, yet so wrong. There were dark alleys with women in suggestive clothing, but the people lurking around was what surprised me! It was like being in a lineup to see a cathedral or a monument. Families were lined up waiting to see the half naked women pressed up against the glass, crossing off the alleys they had visited on their maps, making sure not to miss one. We did see a couple customers enter and exit the rooms, and a young teenager get yelled at by a few working girls for taking pictures, but for the most part it was just another tourist attraction. As much as it was a tourist attraction, it was so odd at the same time to see women be put on display like shoes in a department store. I suppose it is the best way to deal with prostitution, as it is going to happen one way or another. However you look at it though, it is very odd, almost uncomfortable. My biggest question is though, would you really bring your 8 year old daughter to the Red Light District?

Our second day in Amsterdam was spent walking around the city and exploring some interesting museums. Our first stop was to the Exotic Museum in the Red Light District, which was a great laugh and worth checking out for 7€. The second museum was to the Sex museum, located a few blocks down for 4€. They were filled with antique porn, paintings, and the history of sex. It was definitly a nice break from the usual museums! As long as you go in with an open mind, you will have lots of fun!

Our last day was not spent in Amsterdam, we decided last minute to take a train out to a small village called Zaanse Schans! Within only 40 minutes or so, we reached the most beautiful little dutch Village. There was only one little road going through the town, where you could find an antique grocery store, a couple restaurants and some markets. We got to go and sample fresh cheese made in the village and watch wooden clogs be made! We stopped for lunch at one of the restaurants and I had the most amazing sandwich...Roasted chicken with truffle mayonnaise and bacon on ciabatta! Later we just sat on some grass and admired the beautiful scenery. There were bright green fields surrounding the little village dotted with goats and windmills..could it get any better? I am so happy that we ventured to Zaanse Schans, so we could experience the true Dutch lifestyle.

Amsterdam was probably one of my favourite cities so far that we have visited. There was so much diversity in the city! At times, the streets felt like absolute mahem with all the bikes, cars and pedestrians moving about, but the more you sit back and watch, the more you see that it just works. The coffeeshops and the Red Light District were definitly a once in a lifetime experience that I´m so glad I got to see, and the canals and streets were more beautiful then any postcard I have ever seen. I loved Amsterdam and I advise everyone to go there one day if you ever get the chance....it´s amazing!

London

Before I begin with London, I want to say I do apologize for not keeping everyone updated! It has been quite difficult finding internet access-without spending my entire days food budget.

Our flight was quite good coming into London, although alot of turbulance, and despite Heathrow having such a poor reputation for confusion, we got through it problem free. I knew it was a good day when on our way to baggage collection, I found 10 pounds!! It is always so funny when we wait at the baggage carousel because of the reactions to our backpack covers. Our covers are made from drappery fabric in this most tacky red and gold pattern, and when people see them they just gravitate towards them and touch them....I dont think they even realize they are doing it. I must admit they are definitly something to look at, but hey....it cost us only $3 to make and our backpacks stay in good condition.

We got on the Tube and took the Victoria Line train towards our hostel.....according to the internet directions. It turned out that these directions were actually for the Astor Hostel Victoria not the Astor Museum Hostel! Luckily, the girl at the front desk was very helpful and directed us to a bus that would take us to the other side of town to our hostel. The #24 bus actually turned out to be a pleasant tour of the city. For 2 pounds we got a mini tour of London, seeing the government buildings and just the everyday streets of London. From the bus stop we had to walk 15 minutes or so to Montague Street...not to be confused with Montague Square which is located directly beside it. At this point the rain began to fall and we were soaked head to toe! Despite the rough route to the hostel we were still quite chipper upon arrival becasue really...how can you get upset about getting lost and rained on in London....you´re in London!!! Whenever we get lost I always take it as an extra bonus, becasue only when you get lost do you find the best of a city..the real city.

The Astor Museum Hostel was quite nice and you really felt like you were in a hostel. I say this because the reception area was covered in maps, postcards, posters and mismatched paint, giving off a cozy atmosphere. The people at the front desk were very nice, and liked to party with the guests, and they tried their best to give you directions..although not always accurate. Upon arrival, they told us about a pub crawl that was happening that night which happened to be free for ladies...

Trying to get ready to go out partying is a challenge when you are backpacking. Shall I wear three day old shorts or 4 day old pants? We managed to throw together an outfit consisting of a wrinkled dress from the botttom of our bag and some nylons purchased from the local beer and wine store...how classy...I know, but you must improvise while travelling I am learning.

The Pub Crawl was so much fun, and we got to meet lots of great people from our hostel. The guide, Geramy, was lots of fun and took us to a variety of different places. We got to first go to The Penthouse, a swanky lounge up on the top floor of a building overlooking the London Eye and Picadilly Circus Square, followed by 3 more popular London night clubs. I would definitly recommend doing a pub crawl if you want to get a taste of a city´s nightlife without commiting to one club you don´t know too much about.

The following day we ventured to a Cambden Market and explored the many stalls of art, jewlery, erotic barbies, clothing and food. There was something for everyone there, including a store called Cyberdog that was basically a space age clothing store in a nightclub. It was neat, because part of the market is in an old horse hospital, so there were many beautiful horse statues placed around the market. We ended up walking the entire way back home to our hostel, spending some time in the red telephone booths and Russel Square park. The walk back was so nice and peaceful and a great way to see London. That night we went to a little pub in Soho called Nine and had a wonderful and affordable Sunday roast beef dinner, followed by a great comedy show we came across at the London Comedy Club in Picadilly Circus.

Our second day in London was spent sightseeing. We explored the parliament buildings, snapped some pictures at Big Ben, and admired the London Eye. We found our way to Buckingham Palace and spent some time strolling the park, watching people feed the birds. It was surreal when we made our way out of the park to the huge square in front of Buckingham Palace. It was so elaborate and the the gates were georgous with the royal emblems and gold accents. I must add that the guards in front of the palace truly do not move...I watched very carefully. Our tour of the Buckingham Palace was a little pricy, at 17 pounds, but it was worth every last cent. I cannot explain how elaborate the palace was inside....every room you walked in, you just stood there in shock. It was exactly what you would imagine the queen to live in, so elaborate and over the top, yet not tacky in any way...just perfect.

We went to the Strand Hotel for high tea later that afternoon. The tea was nice and strong and the three tiered array of treats was fantastic. There were the traditional crustless cucumber sandwiches, raison scones and clotted cream, and the top was filled with coffee cakes, caramel squares, and fruit bavarian cake. What an indulgance that was! I will add that we did indeed drink our tea with our pinkies up!

London was from what I have seen, a wonderful city. Full of history and old buildings, yet also filled with vibrant new artists and aspiring musicians. It seems to have something for everyone whether you want to enjoy the nightlife, wander through an art gallery, or picnic in a park. We did not spend nearly enough time in London, but I am so thankful for every second that I did.

The REAL Ireland!!

I admit, we were pretty dissapointed in Dublin the first day, and I was afraid that Ireland was not what I had dreamed it was.... oh but it is!! We went on a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, which is on the farthest coast of Western Ireland and although it was quite the journey, it was so worth it. All my expectiations of Ireland were fullfilled and more.

We woke up early, it turned out to be 5:30 instead of 6:30 becasue I had forgotten to set my IPOD an hour ahead from Paris time....oops. We ate our breakfast, then boarded our bus at 7:40am, a tacky green PADDYWAGON.....I hate how obvious they need to make it. Our first stop was at a little gasstation and there I got the most amzing treat....Coca Cola bubblegum!! Wow, how I wish we had that back home. Our next stop was at Bunratty castle, and although we didnt have time to go right up to it and explore it, even from a distance it was beautiful. From there we drove a few hours until finally reaching the Cliffs of Moher. Wow......that is all I can really say, you truly felt like you were standing on the edge of the world. The shear cliffs rose hundreds of feet up from the turquiose waters crashing up against the coast. The wind was so crisp and I felt like I was looking into a postcard. The water was so furious below with slow rolling waves and the seagulls were heard from all around. Behind you, there were beautiful flurescent green pastures dotted with cattle and little wooden fences. I wish I could of spent an entire day perched on the cliffs but the two hours went by quick and it was back onto the Paddywagon.
Our guide was a funny local man, who said it how it was, and gave us lots of interesting information, and our bus was small enough that we were able to take the narrow seaside road to our next destination, the small village of Doolin. It was like driving through a movie it was so perfect, not in a touristic way, but just a natural perfection. There were green pastures as far as you could see with lambs and cattle, and little beach houses with actual thatched roofs! The little narrow street through town was lined with little shops offering the days baking goods, or crafts and children were running about laughing and playing. we stopped at a place called Fitzgeralds, a carvery style restaurant. Bre and I both had braised ribs with of course...mashed potatoes, pea and carrots. It was very good, just what we needed after a long day.

Our next stop was to an area called the Burren. It was an area where the ground and cliffs were all limestone rock. It was the neatest thing to see. The rock had holes and crevices from water seeping through, and we had time to get out and explore. We got some great pictures and then proceeded to venture back across the road to the ocean side where the limestone rocks had formed cliffs. We walked careully right to the edge and took some great pictures of us sitting right on the edge.....i will admit, it made me a little nervous to look and see a few hundred foot drop to the rocky coastline and the crashing waves right below you, along with the gusting winds.

Our next stop was to an old little church and cemetary. The roof was completly gone, and the brick walls were barely standing. There were graves everywhere from years and years ago...it was quite eerie with the graves, the wind howling through the roofless church, and the gloomy skies. It was amazing to be able to visit something so old, and to read about the lives and families on the tombstones. After about 30 minutes we were back onto the bus en route to home. What a long bus ride, but most definitly worth it. The day just made me realize completly that Ireland truly is beautiful in every way I had imagined.

Today, Friday, we woke up semi-rested and ready for more adventure...out of Dublin. We didnt have anything booked and no real ideas where we wanted to go, but we ended up taking a random train to the most beautiful seaside village, called Howth. There were many fishing boats, and little shops where you could buy fresh seafood from the day's catch, and the air smelled of ocean and seafood! We ventured along the seawall and spotted some beaches in the distance and decided to try to find them...after climbing through barb wired fences, crossing though rail way tracks and down some roads we finally came across a little entrance leading to the beach. The sand was white, and there were big waves crashing against the shoreline. We played in the sand for awhile taking in this beautiful little corner of the world, not wanting to leave the secluded haven, but we had to as our last train was approaching soon and we still needed lunch. We walked back to the main little village and got some lasagna and fish and chips to go, and ate on a patch of grass overlooking the harbour.

We are leaving tomorrow, and I must say that we are sad to leave as Ireland has turned to be an amazing place to visit. Not just because of the amazing scenery, but because of the people and the way of life here. People are so kind here, and they really value keeping communities together and helping out one another. I have enjoyed my visit here so much and do hope to return one day to see the beautiful green pastures and to enjoy a conversation with a local.

Dublin

We arrived in Dublin yesterday afternoon. The flight went well....I cannot believe how easily we got to the airport and figured it all out!! The landing was a bit bumpy as it was pretty windy. We found the airlink bus and for 10 euros got a return ticket, so that was a good value.

We were pretty excited to find our hostel, and found it quite easily on Gardiner Street, just off of O'Connar Street. The cute little sign reading, "Globetrotters Hostel" hung neatly from the wall and after figuring out the buzzer we were let in. The woman at the counter was so nice and helpful and got us all the information we needed quickly. She informed us that our beds were ready in our 12 bed mixed dorm and gave us our room key, Room E: Bed 1 & 2.

We left the cute lobby, of painted Irish Paintings and cozy furniture, to the stairwell, where the reality of hostelling set in. The dark corridor and stair well was heavy with the stench of cheap mens cologne (Adidas body spray) and the rose covered carpet. We looked at eachother with concern and proceeded to find E Room. I cannot explain the reaction on our faces when we walked in, there was bunks shoved everywhere in the small room, with unmade beds, garbage, cans, and clothing covering the floor and the SMELL.......I cannot explain the smell. Rotting old food, stinky feet, and mainly, an overpowering odour of that stupid mens body spray!!! The room was dark and there were old heavy curtains covering any sign of light, with an old chair beneath that looked like it had been dragged through the alley!

Our beds were unmade and still had the lasts guests bedding on, and the "lockers" we were told about were drawers under the bunks....some had an area to add a lock and some did not. We found two around the room that did have a locking hook and managed to shove all our stuff in..somehow!! Then, our roomies came in! A group of 6 young people loudly came in and said hello in broken english and proceeded to jump on the furniture, throw their clothing around and then straddle one another. We were a little concerened but thought maybe they would be nice....but turns out, they dont speak English and they are pretty much some of the most anti-social people we have met...we tried to make conversation many times. Our other roomies turned out to be a quiet girl who sits on her bunk staring at everyone looking like she is afraid of everything that moves, and the other guy is a harry potter look a like who sits on his computer...he was pretty nice for the brief 2 minute talk we had before he left.

We decided to head out and get some food, and fresh air! The air here I must say is amazing, its so fresh and crisp and brings me right back to the fall afternoons spent getting firewood back in 100 Mile House. The streets were pretty busy with locals and tourists, with touristy shops jammed with four leaf clovers and green shirts and then restaurants and so many dollar stores!!! We made it to the end of the street to a restarant called KYLEMORE. It was full of locals and it was a cafeteria style restaraunt.I ordered, mashed potatoes with peas and carrots and chicken, and Breanna ordered mashed potatoes with veggies and meatballs..It was soooo good and satisfied all my Irish cliches!

For the rest of the day we looked around at all the little shops, found an awesome Graffiti covered street where did a photoshoot, then we came back for the free hostel BBQ. It was funny, we walked out into the BBQ area to find a few people nibbling on burgers all staring awkwardly at one another...like they should be talking or something. We got some burgers which came to us in 3 pieces, and proceeded to take some "salad", which turned out to be the lettuce for the burgers, haha, people were wondering where all the lettuce had went! we ate it very quickly to dispose of the evidence haha. Later that night we had wine outside and listned to some music and waited for anyone to maybe visit...no one came....then videotaped ourselves singing to some ridiculous song, where we realized the computer guy from our room was watching..how embarassing :( We went out for a walk that night to the busy area and thought we might go into a bar for a beer, but the ones that were busy were too full and not too exciting. We went home and went to bed, scared to go back to the hostel, but no choice. Thank goodness for sleepsheets, earplugs, and eyecovers!

This morning we got up around 9am and went down for our free traditional Irish breakfast which was great! Baked beans, fried egg, hashbrown squares, tomatoe, bacon and hashbrown! A good way to start the day. Then, we got talking to a fellow traveller who was wanting to do the tour of Dublin as well, and decided to all head out. We ended up taking a hop on hop off tour around Dublin for 16 euro. It was interesting...we got to see the St. Patricks cathedral, Trinity University and some other important sights, with a highlight being the Guinness Brewery. The tour of the brewery was great, they took you through the ingrediants, how to taste it, through quizzes, and then a pint of Guinness up in the 7th floor lounge with glass walls so you could look out over Dublin.

I must say though, that Dublin really is not what I thought it would be. The streets are dirty, the walls are graffitied, and there are so many abondaned buildings. Yes, the one main street is the cliche Irish stuff, but who wants to just spend their time walking down one street looking at crappy souveniers. There are lots of people walking around in suits sipping coffee (not sure to what buildings), and pretty much it looks like a corner of LA or some uncharacteristic city.

Tomorrow though, Im very excited becasue we are adventuring to the most western side of Ireland to the cliffs of Moher! Look it up if you get the chance...look soo amazing! Yea, Im pretty sure that the countryside of Ireland will be what we love and not neccessarly Dublin. On Friday, we are planning to visit the Northern part of Ireland to maybe Derry or something. Im really looking forward to the countryside!

Anyways, all is well here and I had better go as this 80 year old man is sneaking a mickey of vodka out of his bag a couple of computers down and is laughing at himself...kinda odd. haha. Anyways, hopefully we will check in again soon....sorry for not having much updates but I can only update via computer desktop and not off of my IPOD, so I will whenever I can get to a computer. I must go now and try to cook up a mean meal at the hostel. :)

Paris

Bonjour!
It is our second day in Paris and it is fantastic! Our first day in paris was a very tired day..... we were quite jetlagged and a little tired and irratable. We seen the eiffel tower and wandered around the streets surrounding us. And we topped it off with a trip to the supermarket for 5 euro chardonnay (amazing) and goat cheese, meat, fresh baked bread , and best of all...... this savoury macaroon, a basil and oregano combo, Mmmmmmmmm.

By the way, typing here on there computer is very difficult as it is a completly different keyboard then back home :)

So today, we began the day with breakie at our hotel of croissant, baguette with ham and emmetal, chocolate croissant, yogurt, and copious amounts of coffee!!!!!

Then, we started out on Pont D'iena across the Seine river to Palais de Chaillot then to the Citè de L'architecture. There was a beautiful view of the eiffel tower and beautiful fountains! Next we walked up Avenue Kleber to the Arc de Triomphe Etiole. It was a gigantic round about with a gigantic white arch with the most amazing detailed architecture.

Next we walked down the Avenue des Champs Elysees!! There were so many trendy shops along the way including a BANK!!!!!!! We were finally able to get money out! Along the Champs Elysees we stopped at the Maison de Auctione which was a stunning gold palace!!!! Next, we made our way to the Place de la Concorde to see the Obelisque!!! The egyptian detail was beautiful.

Then we went on the hunt for a toillete!!!! Harder than it sounds....... but we did finally in some park which some woman allowed us free of charge:) Not for the men though I noticed.....

Next we took the metro (which we have down pact now!!!!) to an area near the Sacré Coeur Cathedral. After some slushies we wandered around a few wrong streets, then asked some locals who in turn told us it was too far (but it wasnt) then we climbed about a million steps to finally reach the breath taking Catherdral. Inside was stunning....so many amazing glass murals and paitings and it just gave you shivers being in there.

The view from the hilltop was fantastic...you could see all of Paris. Next we ventured to the area of Montmarrte which was I think our favourite place so far. The streets were tiny and crammed with little shops and brassiers and pattissiers overgrown with vines. All the shops were filled with locals and tourists sipping wine and smoking. We ventured through the artists street where we seen the most amazing portraits that honestly looked like photographs!!!! We ate dinner in a little restaurant... penne pasta with fromage!!!

On our way back to the metro we came across this boulavard that was completly filled with sex shops and show theatres......kinda funny!!!

We then took the metro to home, bought some more cheap wine and are writing the blog!!! We are going to see the Louvre tomorrow and a bunch more places.....but first...a good nights sleep:)

What do we really NEED??

I have written about 10 lists so far on what to pack..... each one
has ended up either crumpled up in the corner or "revised."


I notice a trend though, each time I write this list an extra item is added. The funny thing is, I know I really don't need another tshirt or soap, and that I truly could live off of one t-shirt, a pair of shorts, some undergarments and a package of soap for the entire time. But, lets be realistic...I'm not gonna pack that light!


Why is it so hard to figure out what we need? We all think we know, but I guarantee that if we all looked at our suitcase carefully for our weekend getaway we would think otherwise. Do we really need face soap, body soap, special scrubbing foot soap, and ultra moisturizing hair soap? Isn't it all soap when it comes down to it? I'm to blame as much as the next person when it comes to life's luxuries.


Having to fit all my needs into a small backpack for 7 weeks, has really made me think. Can I wear this as a shirt, nightgown, beach coverup, and dress?? Do I really need mascara or powder?
Could I live without my fluffy slippers?


I'm realizing now that I really don't need all that stuff. I just need some clothing and a couple toiletries. At first the idea of minimal packing scared me, but now I'm excited! I'm excited to let go of all this stuff we collect. I'm excited to break free from societies pressures, and mind numbing ads forcing us to buy this and look like that. I can't wait to just wake up and go, not having to wonder what to wear or what purse to bring. I think that this part of the trip will be rewarding. I think it will help me in life just a little to remind me of what is important in life....some clothing on your back, some food, great company, and of course...a nice glass of red wine.

A Beautiful Place Called British Columbia

I've travelled a bit now here and there, seeing ancient ruins, postcard beaches, and New York's posh streets, but I must say, my recent road trip has reminded me of something so important. My best friend and I made the 4 hour drive to 100 Mile House, British Columbia, which if you don't know, is a cute little town nestled in the interior region of British Columbia. The entire drive is beautiful starting with the expansive green fields of Abbotsford dotted with trees, cows and even lamas. Making your way to Hope, the scenery becomes more lush and dense, and you feel like you are truly driving through a rain forest.

Leaving the lush greenery of the lower mainland behind, you eventually drive through the canyon, over hills, dips and corners. The Fraser river looks beautiful from above, and at some points of the drive you are right at eye level with the furious rapids roaring over the car sized boulders. I find the orange coloured sandstone cliffs to be the most amazing sight to see, as the eroded layers reveal briefly just how old the land is.

Next are the narrow tunnels (remember to hold your breath), which take you through the sides of the mountains leading you eventually onward to Cache Creek, Clinton and finally to 100 Mile House. It is amazing to think how within 4 hours you can reach two such opposite landscapes and climates! British Columbia is such a beautiful province that offers us absolutely everything, from glacier covered mountains, world acclaimed vineyards, sandy beaches and hours of hiking. I am so proud to call British Columbia my home and although I want to travel the world, I know that I am indeed standing in one of the most beautiful places on earth. So, close your Sunquest travel book, close your Cancun desktop screen saver, and take a moment to look at your own paradise, it's right outside your window.

I cannot believe it has been over a week since I have returned from San Francisco already! Where does time go? Well, anyways I am finally able to sit and write about my fun little weekend.

The only way I can explain San Francisco is picturesque. It just somehow felt like you were peeking into a postcard here with all the pastel coloured homes perched on hills with cute little doors and porches. I've seen the pictures and movies with the Golden Gate Bridge, looking so vividly red against the ocean and always wondered how much photoshop was added. The funny thing was, thats not the case. The Golden Gate bridge was brilliant. It was so massive and it did truly "pop" against the ocean just like I had seen in pictures. During my breif 3 day visit, it seemed like everywhere I looked, the cities colours were endulging my eyes.

We first adventured to the Coit tower on Telegraph hill. The hike up the hill I'll admit gets your heart rate going a bit, but the view and the walk itself is well worth the effort. From here, you can see the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz. You can actually go up the Coit Tower for $10, but as we are travellers on a budget, we stood up on a high post and snapped pictures instead.

After the Coit Tower, we walked down to Fisherman's warf which only took about 20 minutes or so. I enjoyed walking around the wharfs and exploring the less touristy end. The so called "must see" Pier 39 was, I will say....unpleasant. I believe we spent all of 20 minutes there before escaping from the crowds. Pier 39 consisted of tacky tourist shops with "authentic" goods (Somehow I doubt this), and massive crowds all standing aimlessly around.

Further down from Pier 39, the crowds die down a bit and you can stop and look at a massive submarine they have on a display along with a fun museum filled with antique wartime arcade games (FREE). We asked a local where he would eat some chowder and he suggested a place called Boudin's. It was a basic concession style restaurant with pretty good chowder (not chunky enough for me), served in a fresh sourdough bowl for around $8.

After filling up, we walked to Lombard street (as pictured above). My first thought was, "Who in their right mind would even think to build a street like this?" The way it zig zagged vertically down the hill made me cringe as I watched cars slowly make their way down. It is definitly a sight to see when in San Francisco. On our way back to the hotel, we caught a trolly! It was so fun to hang off the side with no buckles orrestraints, and the crsip air felt wonderful as we flew up and down the rolling streets.

Later that night we went to Alcatraz and got to explore the cells and grounds of the world known prison. It was amazing! The audio tour which I was hesitant at first about, turned out to be fantastic and the actual guides we had for the Escapes portion of the tour were great too. We got to see the cells, the kitchen, library, showers, the Hole, and where families actually lived on the island. For $60, the tour was well worth the money and was the highlight of my trip.

The following day we rented bikes from Bike and Roll for a easy price of $28 for the day. We rode to the Golden Gate Bridge and back, stopping for amazing crab on the way home. The Golden Gate Bridge was amazing (and windy), and the sights below of the ocean and coastline were beautiful. You could actually continue on up the hill and explore Bonita Point or to Muir Woods, but we looked at the massive climb and distance to get there and thought it was not a good venture for the day.

On our last day, we visited The California Academy of Science centre. It was also very fun and educational and the displays were fantastic. They had tons of marine animals, a gigantic rainforest you could walk through, a planatarium, and the living roof. For a little over $20 it was a fun way to spend 3 hours or so in San Francisco.

Overall, my experience in San Francisco was great. The people were kind, the sites beautiful, and the food was tasty. I would definitly recommend spending a weekend here if you get the chance to.

My day at work was.....lets say busy (major understatement), and this little getaway to San Francsisco was what kept me going through the day. I finally got through it, got home and did a record breaking 10 minute house clean and ran out the door to catch a bus. After the bus ride (which was shared with some "interesting" people), we then took the sytrain to the airport. The flight was quick and pleasant however, still leaving me slightly exhausted. We figured out the BART system, which is the San Francsico local train system, and ended up surprisingly at the correct stop. I must add, it definitly is much more fun and cost effective taking local transportation in comparison to a taxi.

We walked up Market street, took a couple more turns up to our hotel, The Grand Hyatt San Francisco, and proceeded to check in. The friendly man at the counter informed us that for our complimentary stay (from winning the gingerbread competition), we were booked in the Penthouse suite!! I really couldn't believe it!

Anyways, our room is spectactular and beautiful. It is decorated with georgeous historic chinese decor, and I have fell in love with this antique armoire painted delicatly with golden chinese pictures. I will try my best to create an image of this room...You walk in and in front of you is a couple antique couches, a chaise, a gigantic TV on a weathered wooden shelving unit. The curtains are hung proudly around the dazzling views of the city, and along the wall there is a large marble counter with a golden sink to freshen up. Further into the room, there is an impressive marble dining room table with a golden chandalier above. The room feels majestic and so elegant; I feel out of place with my track pants and headband. In this first room there are two things that have caught my attention, the first being a massage chair tucked neatly in the corner and second is this coffee machine looking gadget that comes with little coffee shots alongside in a black velvet case. I look forward to tomorrow mornings coffee.

The bedroom is spacious as well, and the fluffy white bed is calling me as I type. There is a touchscreen computer, a printer, some chairs, a gigantic window and the beautiful armoire i was talking about earlier. The bathroom is spectacular. There is a bathroom area with little "gates" for doors, and there are of course sinks, flowers, a gigantic tub, a shower, and get this... a sauna! Hmmmm..... Dear Hyatt, Have fun trying to remove me on Monday! I am in awe over this room, feeling like I just can't take it all in fast enough.

Along with this room, we get private access to a VIP lounge/club where we were invited for complimentary breakfasts, hor' devours and an evening dessert selection from the chef! Could this get any better? I don't think so, but I haven't even stepped out into the city yet! I promise I will talk more about san Francisco soon, but this discussion about this room had to happen. Oh, I have to sign off now, our room service is here.... I am about to have the BEST midnight snack, Ribs, some green beans, and apple juice. Mmmmmmmmm.

All This For a Backpack???

For the past few months I have been looking at different backpacks at different stores, catelogues and online, finally finding my match. A blue Gregor 50 Litre pack designed especially for women. The first day I walked into Hillsound, a local outdoor supply store, I was shocked. There were walls and walls of backpacks ranging in sizes, colours, brands and of course price. With some help, I came across the Gregor pack and fell in love with it. The buckles and bands fit comfortably and I then realized how different these bags actually were in comparison to your average $10.99 school backpacks. I had no idea that there were so many factors to consider when choosing a bag, like the waist strap thickness, back ventalation and security features. The backpack was cluttered with a dozen or more dangling straps that I later was explained to, were all very important and very much needed. I was then told the price and given a card, promising I would be in to buy the bag within the next few months.

About a week ago, my travel companion Breanna and myself decided to order the bags from Hillsound, in hopes of having them by the weekend. The pleasant Australian man on the phone informed me that the Gregor Bags were no longer in supply as they were last years model and that we would now have to purchase the newer, more expensive model. Even after explaining that I had a card with the quoted old price, I was informed that the salesman no longer worked there and there was nothing they could do. I hung up the phone unsatisfied and upset, but I wanted my bag.

Today, I decided to walk to Hillsound ,on Broadway Avenue, to order these new and improved bags despite the price increase. I was greeted by a bored looking saleswoman who showed me to the Gregor bags, that turned out to be a couple old models in an extra small and an extra large. I asked to order some new models, but she then proceeded to tell me that they could not do that unless I wanted to pay an additional shipping cost on each bag. You've got to be kidding me! They want me to pay for the product to come to the store so I can buy it? It would be different if it was a special order, but it was not! At this point I was beyound frusturated with the disorganization and poor customer service, that I muttered, "Im going to M.E.C" and left.

I walked down the street to MEC, another sporting good store, and headed to the packs. I spotted the Gregor Blue Backpack on the wall and wandered over. I couldn't believe it! There on the hook were two medium, blue, Gregor 50 litre backpacks on clearance! Not only were they what we were looking for, but they were $50 cheaper! I smiled, grabbed both and proceeded to the checkout in a quick and orderly manner.

So, basically it goes to show you that everything works out in the end. Breanna and I got our bags, Hillsounds' poor customer service lost $400 in sales, and MEC's efficient help and stocked shelves got some new customers. So as I write this, I am looking at the bags perched on my bed thinking, all this for a backpack??

Is it an Addiction?

One may wonder if it is possible to become addicted to something such as travel. I myself, have asked this question and have come to the conclusion that yes, it is possible. My body craves the excitment of planning itineraries, flashing boarding passes, and yes, even indulging in questionable meals aboard the plane. When I get a "fix", I feel spectacular, like life couldn't get any better.
My next question is, "Is an addiction to travel a bad thing?" I suppose it depends who you ask. I personally think there are far worse addictions I could have. I do not smoke or drink often, and the idea of shopping bores me. I do not indulge in visits to the spa or nail salon, and my transportation consists of biking and the occasional hop on the bus. Therefore, I feel like travel is my indulgence, my entertainment and my inspiration.
Regardless of whether it is good or bad, I plan on travelling now and in the years to come. My dreams are of destinations I would like to reach, my memories are of destinations I have reached, and my goals are to visit the destinations that people tell me I can't. Slightly cheezy perhaps, however I wonder how many other people feel the same way? I sure hope a few do, as it is truly a fullfilling and rewarding addiction to have.
My plan is to blog weekly, or more if needed, about travels I make and also about preparations for my big 7 week European adventure. I'm new at this so I hope it goes alright.