Beachbum to skibum

I have spent two weeks on the beach of Koh Chang reflecting my three month travel journey and watching the sunset over the sand for the last time. The people I have met, the glorious food I have eaten and the cultures I have briefly experienced will leave a strong impact on me. As I finally allow my body to relax and my ginger skin to burn, this trip has only wet my appetite and further fueled my desire to travel. But after eating a pancake at breakfast and realizing there will once again be no maple syrup, I am ready to go back to Canada and hang up my backpack for now. I will be living in Panorama working on the ski hill for the meantime- beachbum to skibum.
Its not goodbye but as they say in Cambodia, 'Goodluck to you'.

Floating Forest

After 3 days of Anchor Watt, walking up at sunrise and walking in the excruciating heat until sunset it was time for something different. A friend of mine, whom had also visited Cambodia, said that no trip was complete without visiting the Floating Forest. We had a lovely tuk tuk driver that became a close friend and offered to take us there. I had heard that the roads were rough and had planned on taking a truck up to the village, but another day with our friend seemed like a much better deal anyways. The sand road was incredibly bumpy and we often had to get out and push the tuk tuk. But sure enough we made it to the edge of a large river. The Floating Forrest can only be reached by boat, so on we went into unknown waters. After about a 30 minute boat ride we arrived to a clearing and stepped into a large canoe. We paddled as overgrown trees emerged from the water. There was nothing but us and nature, until we hit a clearing and arrived at the village known as the 'Floating Forest'. Homes are built on stilts and families live off of the water for their main source of income, transportation and everyday essentials. Children run out to the porches to wave to us and stare awkwardly at the 'Farang' (foreigners) as we paddle past. We stop at a floating house and are welcomed in by a warm and smiling family. Then we are given the feast of a lifetime. A large barbecued whole fish, straight from the water, fried vegetables, fried/battered fish, noodles and the smallest and most delicious shrimp I have ever eaten in my life. As we eat the sun is setting and it is time to say goodbye. We leave by boat back the way we came- into the dense, floating trees and the sun reddens to lead us home.

Chaotic Cambodia

It has taken sometime and reflection in order to gather my thoughts on my experience in Cambodia. The mixed emotions I felt while traveling in this country: anger, frustration, awe and beauty all at the same time add to the contradiction that is Cambodia. One of Asia's poorest country, Cambodia is full of poverty and begging. It is hard not to get desensitized by the begging children and feel that you are merely a dollar sign walking from temple to temple. Silence is golden and never available as the constant pleading and yelling, "lady, lady, lady! You buy?". And yet these people have struggled under immense oppression by the Khmer empire, slattering hundreds upon thousands of individuals for their own gain. As a tourist you can't help but understand that these people have absolutely nothing, suffered greatly and try to put everything in front of you into perspective. Perhaps it was my heart breaking that also broke my bank account as I bought bracelets I didn't want, postcards I didn't need and gave out candies like it was Halloween to the children at each temple and Watt. It is hard to not look around at the wonder that is Anchor Watt, temples that reach the Gods and are handcarved by true artists. Overgrown trees that once held up the structures, now are crushing them as they grow into the clouds. Carvings of wars, mystical creatures decending into bewitching women, demons, Gods and alike fill every crack and I often have to close my jaw as it drops to the floor. I can now understand what it is like to be Indiana Jones as I walk through the temples of a set turned into reality. This is artistry, this is true beauty, "Lady, Lady, you buy?"... This is Cambodia.

Ms. Money Bags

Cambodia Day One
Wide eyed Cambodian child: "Lady, lady, lady! Postcard one dollar. I give you good price."
Me: "No, thank you"
Where are you from?"
"Canada"
"Capital of Canada is Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, major cities Vancouver and Toronto, you buy braclets $1."
"No, thank you"
"Lady, lady, look many different color,"
"No, thank you"
I give you good price 5 for $1"
"No, thank you"
"You buy for your friend"
"No, thank you"
"You buy for your sister"
"This is my sister"
"You buy for your friend"
"No, thank you"
"Postcard one dollar."
This conversation continues for the whole duration of each of the over one hundred watts in Camboria or until my heart breaks and I give her a dollar, or I give the child candy that we bought them in hopes to get them to stop (which consistantly fails to work) or when I give them thai baht after I have no more american money left because of the begging they respond... "Lady this not a lot of money".

Cambodia Day Two:
Cambodian man: "Lady, lady lady. Tuk, tuk!"
Me: "No, thank you"
"How about tomorrow?"
"No, thank you"
"Where are you from, let me guess Canada?"
I laugh, "How did you know that?"
"Because you are little. I wait right here for you, tuk tuk."
(Everything is walking distance from our guesthouse).
"Lady, lady lady. Tuk, tuk!"

Capitalist Enlightenment

I met my sister in Chiang Mai and we are currently making our way down south towards Cambodia. Along the way, we stopped in Sukhothai to explore the temples and various historic watts. After a few hours of giant buddhas we stumbled upon a the site of the oldest gold buddha image in thailand. A monk greeted us and proceeded to take us into the temple. He spoke no english and told us in thai the story of the walking, sleeping and sitting buddhas. We were in awe of this great opportunity to speak with a monk and trying our best to not disrespect him or the temple. However, after about 15 minutes things started to get strange. He started to shower us in braclets and necklaces. Then when I put a donation into the donation box he took out his wallet to what we thought was show us foreign money to display where we were from. But when we were about to leave it seemed he was upset at my donation. Through body language it was clear he wanted us to give him the money and in our currency, not in the donation box. He proceeded to show us how much the braclets cost and what we should be giving him so that he could eat, etc. I am still at a loss of what to make of this situation. I hope that this was a cultural error and that the bad feeling in my stomache is a misinterpretation of what was happening in that temple. In buddhist culture materialism is seen as meaningless and the path the ultimate enlightenment is not paved in gold, but in the act of good towards all of earths creatures. Perhaps it is the presence of westerners that has created a pocket of greed into thai culture. I often feel like I am just a walking money sign to some people and then there are the others that have nothing and are willing to share their meal and the clothes off of their backs. When my sister and I left the temple after giving the 'monk' the money he wanted we got onto our bikes quickly and got out onto the main road without saying a word. When we looked back we saw the monk smoking a cigarette... did he mean nothing when he explained to us in thai the lessons of the walking budda? I don't think I will be able to fully grasp just what happened in that temple. Either way its just plain bad karma.

Loi Krathong, Chiang Mai

I have had the pleasure of arriving back in Chiang Mai just in time for the Loi Krathong, water festival. Once a year, during the full moon the people of Thailand give back to the goddess of water thanking her for drinking, bathing and the almighty source of life. They release homeade flower floats into the canals in offering to a new bountiful year of rain and light fire under large lanterns that are released into the sky. For three days the sky glowed with thousands of lanterns, fireworks and candlelit boats floating in the main river. The guest house I was staying at completely took me under their wing and allowed me to be apart of their family for three days. I was lavished with food, drinks and even fireworks. They helped me make my own 'Krathong' (flower boat) offering and when I showed them my horrible attempt at arts and crafts they simply giggled, undid my creation and made other one for me. I appears my offering would not have been accepted by the gods and all was restored in the world when the guest house staff re-made my little boat with perfectly bound banana leaves and flowers. They drove our newly founded family (mixed with people from England, Spain, USA, Australia, the Canadian girl who cannot make a boat and of course Thailand) down to the riverside and we released our boats into the river. As we lit lanterns into the sky, I was shocked that no one burns down the city with all that fire, not to mention the fact that fireworks are being thrown everywhere. The celebration did not end there as our new hostess' filled us all into their truck and took us to a thai club. The ambience could only be described as thai britney spears meets male go go dancers. The songs weave in and out from english to thai and each respective person is singing in their own respective language. By day three of the festival I had a distinct realization that in thailand safety does not come first. Perhaps it is our western ideals and obsession with safety that ensures we do not have any fun .... or... perhaps it is the fact that I am shocked I still have all my limbs after fireworks have been thrown at my feet by 5 year olds. I will admit by day three of the festival I was able to let my guard down and light a firework. Although, when the respectable owner of the establishment shot a gun off of the roof I will gladly admit I was sure that someone would die that night. A fellow backpacker was offerred to fire the gun and he casually said yes, fired the cannon and returned to sitting beside me with a frightened expression on his face. "I can't believe I just did that," was his reply. Safety first in thailand. I ended the festival with all limbs entact at early morning watching the sunrise with other backpackers. I could not believe the generousity I was given during those 3 days, the homecooked meals and more importantly the friendship. I always thought travelling on my own would be lonely but the people I have met along the way have shown me true friendship with their willingness to spill their souls and discuss their darkest secrets. And yet, it is time to move on, meet my sister and new travelers. I will leave my little thai family for a new one and another adventure.

Elephant Nature Park

I have often thought that one person cannot make an impact on the world, it takes an army, a mob or riot to inspire change. This week I learned this is not the case and in fact one person has the ability to truely make a difference. Lek, the founder of Elephant Nature Park has taken it upon herself to save the asian elephant and change the customs ingrained in thai society. One women has taken in orphaned elephants, beaten, buised and left for dead; paying up to 15, 000 US dollars for these abandoned animals and have given them a new lease on life. They are taken to the park and allowed to roam free and begin to trust humans again. An elephant never forgets and yet these brillant animals seem to forgive the same creatures who tourtured them. Each elephant has their own personality, some naughty, other sweet, caring and kind. The park started with one elephant and now is home to 34, two babies, numerous stray dogs, cats, ox and a donkey. Watching these animals interact with one another and humans who respect them is an experience I will never forget. One elephant, Jokeia was a working elephant in the logging industry. Her masters put her to work long hours and shot rocks at her by sling shot when she disobeyed or stopped to rest from her work. When Jokeia was pregnant, they still forced her to work. At the top of a hill, carrying her master and bamboo trees she gave birth. Her tiny child fell down the hill to its death while Jokeia watched in horror. In grief she refused to work and her master shot rocks at her until she became blind in both eyes. Unable to use her, they left Jokeia for dead. Lek resqued her and this elephant stole my heart. At feeding time, she comes to the platform and when she cannot feel the food or the presence of the person from whom she is fed, she simply lifts her truck and opens her large mouth... and waits and waits. Jokeia has made a strong bond with another elephant in the park and when she is frightened or cannot make her way around the park she lets out a small call and her elephant partner comes running and leads her around the park. It is a true offering of love and friendship. Despite everything these animals have been through, today 34 are able to be free. I spent a week, cutting corn (with a machette!!!), scooping elephant dung, cutting banana trees, feeding elephants, bathing elephants and falling head over heels for stray dogs that slept outside my hut at night. I have been inspired to create change in my own life, not just for animals but for change in societies injustices. It can be done, one person at a time.

The squat toliet

One week into my trip to thailand and I can officially say I have conquered the squat toliet! If you dont know what this is, please google it and think of me. There are two pads for your feet and a porceline hole, thats about it folks. Although, thanks to tourists it is not everywhere it certainly does exist and I have used it more than a handfull of times by now. When you do find a normal toliet, toliet paper is out of the question because for some reason thailand hasnt figured out what to do with the stuff in their sewage system. So there is always a paper basket beside the toliet for the used stuff, yum yum!
PS- for your viewing pleasure I have now uploaded photos to my blog, although not one of me on the squat toliet sorry.

Tuk Tuk

We left the choatic streets of Bangkok to search for peace and quiet in Kanchanarubi. I was amazing that a short taxi ride to the bus station allowed us to catch a bus within 5 minutes and we were on our way! Not to mention the fact is cost us about $3 to travel the whole way!!! wtf. Upon our arrival we caught the first Tuk Tuk that grabbed our bags and put them on a little pole on that back of his bike. To make this image more clear I think I need to describe exactly what a tuk tuk is... well its a little man on a bike with a chair/small bench on the back. So with our packs on the back, the thing already weighs double what this little man does. Then we hop in... this thing is meant for one. We barely fit on, we are sitting on top of each other and are moving at a snails pace. The poor man is dripping in sweat and we are laughing so hard, half from embarrasment, half from emphathy and the hilarity of the situation. We arrive to our guest house, check in and it was all that easy... despite the poor mans effort of course. Priceless!

Sweaty Betty- Destination Thailand

I arrived to Thailand safe and sound and immediately was relieved to ditch my wool sweater and winter toque. I feel as if I have flown into another dimension, after spending a month and a half in Europe. Hot and sticky I arrive in the streets of Bangkok at Koh San Rd. The smell of food fills the air and the streets are so crowded and narrow with shops that I barely squeeze though without knocking down everything in the marketplace. I find my hostel located in a small alley behind a clothing shop and am thankful to enjoy a cold beer while I read my book. I am sitting beside a sleeping kitten, sprawled out in the heat and I can hear the cooking of street vendors from all angles. I wait for Laura who went for a Thai massage (smart cookie) before we check in. I would have never believed in a million years I would be here in Thailand. I have been fighting my own expectations and the western mentality of the mainstream career obsession. The minute I let go of these societal norms I was blessed to end up in this very spot. Here is some food for thought:
"Life isn't about finding yourself, its about creating yourself".

German yoga

My flight out to Thailand brought me back to Berlin for a day and a half, just enough time to get my stuff together for a much warmer climate and take in a yoga class in Berlin. I had hopes that the language barrier wouldn't be an issue and my eyes would guide me smoothly through the class. Germans are notoriously known as efficient, passionate and 'by the book' type of people. However, in yoga those characteristics do not lead to the ideal type of practice. Perhaps it was the particular instructor I had or the studio I randomly walked into but it was the worst yoga class I have taken in my life. It was like a yoga to do list, moving from one pose to another without flow, moving the mat and blankets constantly and no breathing. I was almost stressed out during this practice, as I was told that my blanket was facing the wrong way and everyones blanket must be the same. Toes must be on the floor but heels on the mat and if you are not doing that correctly there is a girl that walks around the room and corrects you immediately. I understand tough love but it has never been a positive reinforcement for me. It does the opposite and I fail miserably. Perhaps the Buddhist monks and Yogis could teach the Germans (yes I am generalizing) a thing or two about the true practice and teachings of yoga. The zen was lost completely, along with my 12 Euros.
Off to Thailand and a sunnier outlook!
Much love,
Hillary

Happy Thanksgiving from Budapest, Hungary

I arrived in Budapest, home to my ancestry and immediately fell head over heels. This has been easily the most beautiful city in Europe, yes surpassing Paris with great ease. The architeture, everything from the turkish influence to neoclassical and art nouveau. Then turn a corner and you are suddenly sitting beside a glorious castle overlooking the Duna river. And yet this poor country has been tormented and survived both Hitler and Stalin, having its people torn at every which angle. Even though every bridge has been distroyed by WWII, today they stand glorious. I could not believe how large the city was that it is broken into two parts, Buda and Pest. It is very similar to Manhattan and New York City. I feel like I could easily spend months here and am very thankful that we were able to spend 5 nights here attempting to soak in the immense beauty. We biked, walked, bused, boated and subwayed Buda as well as Pest. Today we rewarded ourselves by soaking our aching bodies in the Turkish-era thermal baths. I could not imagine a more beautiful place to spend my Canadian Thanksgiving. xoxo

Lvov, Ukraine

We arrived to Lvov, Ukraine at 6am tired and exhausted after an overnight bus ride in order to save money and time. Although, money was saved, the ordeal was not worth it and after stepping in a spilled beer (yes on a bus) and having a seat reclined by our neighbour up to the point of complete discomfort, we will stick to trains in the future! We arrived in a different world, a form of soviet existance in a city that is trying to reclaim its reputation and standard of living. Lvov was the only city that was able to survive WWII without any damage and the buildings, although not all up kept, reflect architectural genuis. The city is beautiful but there is an underlining sense of poverty and a people who are just trying to get by. There was not a tourist in sight, which I hoped had something to do with the low season and then there was the fact that no one spoke any english. When we found our hostel, it was aparent we needed to find other accomodation- and quick! It was in a rundown alley and up a winding staircase right out of the movie hostel, no thank you! We left our bags claiming to be in search of 'a bank' and opened up the Lonely Planet guidebook for any other options. We managed to find Hotel George, located in an old historic building with character but in a much safer location. You need to realize this is the first time I have stayed in a hotel the entire trip and we felt quite posh. Nonetheless, when you do the conversion to the Canadian dollar, the price was about $15 each per night **in a hotel!!
However, the language barrier did not end throughout our experience in Lvov. At the train station on our way out we had the same problem trying to get anyone to helps us to buy a train ticket OUT of the Ukraine.
I often feel ignorant for only speaking English and try my best in each new country to speak the native tongue, but in an information center, let alone a major and only train station in the city, the absence of other languages was very frustrating. Thankfully and wonderful young man helped us out, when he asked us where we were from and we replied, 'Canadian' he was ecstatic! I don't think we would have survived or left the Ukraine without him! *thank you!* When we asked him where he was from, he replied in a strong Ukrainian accent, "I'm a Ukrainian guy!" and laughed. He told us how jobs are hard to come by and his mother works in Italy in order to send the family over Euros. For twenty euros sent by his mother, he can "live like a king." He told us of his dream to live and work in Canada after he finishes his studies, a masters in Electrical Engineering. He went on to say that there is no bad news on television about Canada. To quote him, "In the USA you always see somebody killed another (insert the N bomb here)". Me in Nick stared at each other in disbelief! Did he just drop the N bomb? Nonetheless, with his help we left the Ukraine and took the overnight train to Budapest, Hungary. Phew!

Eastern Europe- revenge of the bottled water

It has become apparent that an individual is supposed to avoid drinking tap water in Eastern Europe due to some weird water treatment system. So, naturally I curse the bottled water and the waste it creates on our eco-system, but in this situation I have little to no choice. Day 1- in Poland we decide to buy the cheap water... it turns out to be strawberry water! Yuck! Whomever created flavored, aspartame water should be outright punished! Day 4- Ukraine, I buy a 2 L water that is in fact carbonated. How do I discover this? While opening it on the overnight train and it explodes all over me and the train window, sleeper and carpet. Perhaps that is why we were held up for 3 hours at customs in the Hungarian boarder.
I curse you bottled water!

Krakow, Poland

The purpose of my trip to eastern europe had much to do with exploring my heritage and where my family lived before they were displaced by the war, against their will. Thus, today after spending two days exploring the beautiful city of Krakow we set the day aside to go to Auschwitz. The camp is situated 60km outside of Krakow and by luck our bunkmates were also going there via car. We took the trip up to the camp and immediately the mood changed. I was concerned with confronting the ghosts of my family, as well as visiting the camp my grandmother, along with her sister overcame but their four brothers never left. Although it was a somber experience it was odd to see the life that exists there now. Despite the hate and ignorance that created the camp, the grass is now growing and covering up the evidence of what once existed. I visited Dachau in Munich (also a location my grandmother was interned at) but Auschwitz and Birkeneau are very well perserved and left with haunting remains. To think that one man's hatred fuelled a nation to killed millions of people based souly on their religion (not race) merely nothing that an individual can control, created such bloodshed. The prison gates are labelled, "work will set you free" when in actuality the whole thing could have been avoided if individuals would have spoken against the regime. It was silence that attempted to kill an entire culture. We walk through these ghosts and we cannot believe that something like this has happened or was allowed to happen. And yet, it still occurs today- in Bosnia, in Cambodia, we continue to live our everyday lives as people suffer. Do not let silence be your biggest regret.

Amsterdam & Berlin

After two nights in Amsterdam, I said goodbye to the Contiki crew and was happy to invite a fellow Canadian on the next part of my journey. After all those Aussies, I met Nickolas at the airport and toured Amsterdam. We saw the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank house (which got me surprisingly more emotional than Dachau, the original place of my grandmothers imprisonment) and of course the red light district. We made our way to Berlin for a Berlin Birthday by train and possibly paid way too much for the train ticket to aviod being in transit on my birthday...?
Berlin is quoted to be, "poor but sexy" and it lives up to that name. I can see how my sister lived here for 6 months. The town is packed with trendy people, beautiful architecture that is covered in graffiti to give it an unexpected charming appeal. We spent most of our time at the Berlin wall and the East Gallery. I could not believe how recent the fall of the wall was and how so many families, lovers and friends were separated during that time. We spent the following day seeing the city by bike and falling head over feet in love with the Berlin music scene and the quaint city. We left Berlin with a hostel reservation and plane ticket to return before I leave for Thailand. We took the overnight train to Krakow, Poland and after reading the warning of travelers being gassed and robbed we slept with a double bolted locked door (plus travel lock on the end), hugging our bags and each other. I woke up frequently throughout the night hearing strange languages and letting my imagination get the best of me. I was certain the chattering was directed at our cabin and how these vegabonds would drug and rob us- although, I am sure they were just warmly greeting each other and discussing how fast their children are growing. The train was in actuality a beautiful and peaceful ride and I would reccomend to anyone to NOT read the travelling advice on this journey. There was two private bunks, two locks, free water and face cloths, as well as friendly staff. We arrived safely in Poland and have checked into a dirt cheap hostel with way too many freebees but with a mental note to consider taking day trains to quiet our vivid imaginations or atleast our good luck. No ninjas to speak of.... yet... but perhaps we should keep it that way.
PS- should we stop in Slovakia on our way to Budapest, Hungary?? Anyone been?

Communist Prague and Oktoberfest, Munich- Germany

Today we drove through Bohemia and stopped in the Medieval town of Cesky Krumlov, as we made our way to Prague. I explored the Jewish quarter and took a gander at the Communist museum, took a pic with Stalin and called it a day! After Prague we made our way to Bavaria's capital, Munich, home of the Oktoberfest. We were left in town for a frantic scramble to buy a Dertle for the ladies and Lederhosen for the gentlemen. At the hefty price of 80 plus Euros and 160 for the men, I settled for a vintage hat at 10 Euros instead. My expectation of Oktoberfest were very misguided. I expected white tents with drunken fools, fights and overall debauchery. However, it was non of the sort. Oktoberfest is about the appreciation of beer and German culture, not about getting drunk. Although, the end result is the same (at 1L steins per glass). Individuals wear their lederhosen with pride, not for the tourists. The opening grounds are actually a theme park and then ten plus magnificent and elaborate wooden structures that are overcrowded with live German bands (think 'um, pa pa, um pa pa') friendly people, young and old (even children) celebrating good health and unity. The waitresses are magnificent in traditional wear, carrying 4 steins in each hand, comparable to about 8, 10 pound dumbbells. Holding one up just to drink took two hands for me. Our table, although complete strangers were our long lost best friends for the night, mixed with German, English and Spanish speaking origins. We sang German songs (although I do not speak a word of German, I would often sing melodically.... 'someethinnnng, in Gerrrrmaaannn' to the correct tune and no one was the wiser). We were even served a traditional German cake, topped with rich cream by the ladle and fruit toppings from our new German friends (picture two pot bellied German old men with flannel shirts and grey wool sweaters, although the tent was stifling hot) in between cheers of our glass steins. If someone could tell me the name of that cake it would be much appreciated.
A fabulous way to end my experience in Germany. Prost!

Vienna, Dance Haven

"If there is a dance God, we just found it". It all began with me being frustrated as we are taken to one western club after another. Tonight, we were once again taken to a pub with no local flavour or culture and after a mix up in communication, like a heard of sheep I followed the group to the bus instead of to what I thought was the next destination that evening. Fed up, I jumped ship with two other volunteers. After asking a few locals for some suggestions we came up with nothing forgetting it was a Sunday night and not everyone is on vacation like us. Nut luck would have it we stumbled into a skate park and some locals simply said, wait 15 mins I know a place and I will walk you there. We proceeded down a bridge covered in grafitti, down some sketch alley and into 'Flex,' an underground, indie dance club. Young, talented DJs, energetic and consuming vibes in Vienna! Finally the taste of the Europe dance scene I was waiting for, unbelieveable.

Contiki Camping & Venice

To give you a sense of what traveling Europe by tent is like, I will attempt to explain the daily rituals known as Contiki. We awake confused, exhausted, and stumble out of bed to de-erect our tents. One cough echos into a symphony of 46 (they call it the 'Contiki cough', I call it the plague) as it takes us out one by one. We re-pack our over stuffed bags, filled with clothes we never wear (you only wear what you can reach at the top of your pack) and souvenirs from the world wind of cities we have visited. Once all the tents are down, we stumble to breakfast and an ungodly early hour. This morning someone mentioned it was Saturday and in complete shock! I realized I somehow lost 4 days! I was absolutely convinced it was Wednesday, thanks to a ghetto and waterlogged watched that stopped working for a significant period of time. I loose track of the date, the time and the city we are in on a regular basis. It best to just sit back and attempt to soak it all in, the culture, the scenery and the immense beauty. The group has become somewhat of a family: dysfunctional, crazy and heart-warmingly loving all at the same time. A typical Jewish family to be exact. Thanks to the large amount of Aussies on our trip, we refer to each other as the 'shittest mates' (which is a good thing) and I know that at just over half way through the journey it will be painful saying goodbye to the friends I have made.
As the group entered Venice, the pace immediately changed and the enchanting city took us all under its embrace. The mercury canals are surrounded by stone carved buildings, all supported by beams and planks pounded into the waters base. This floating city forces you to slow down to a snails pace and embrace getting lost in the narrow side streets. The canal is Venice's only form of transportation, so the streets are not crowded by vehicles or westernization and suddenly you hear a violin playing from an open window.
After savoring my last Italian pasta, espresso and heaps of gelato, we ended the evening with a romantic gondola ride before saying goodbye to Italy.
Arrivederci, off to Vienna.

Nice, Monaco, Florence and Rome

Had the best peach of my life in Nice, in the park, while break dancers practiced their tricks. I could honeymoon here, any takers? I have consumed my weight in pasta and pizza in Italy and wont stop there. The gelato is heaven! Off to Vienna tomorrow... chow bella!

Getting to know you....

(sings) "...Getting to know all about you, when I am with you getting to know what to say".
I am learning more about other cultures from the individuals around the world on the trip, just as much as I am from the world wind of places we are traveling. I was eating a baguette in Nice, South of France *love*, in the park with a bottle of wine along side a girl from Barcelona. She asked me, "do you take a nap after lunch where you are from?" I replied, "no we go back to work."
She looked absolutely mortified! People, why don't we take naps in the afternoon? Down with the man, tell your boss u need a freakin' nap!

Travel tip no. 3, the foreigner

i had a beautiful moment with a girl from Korea on our trip. She has trouble with english and often struggles in conversation. I have been patient with her, mainly because she is so freakin cute and we spent Paris wondering the city together. She said to me, 'in my country i am a very karasmatic, whitty girl and a devoted friend. In english i am very boring because i cannot express myself.' This really touched me. She then went on to say, ' i want to drink wine, beer and coffee.' Of course we got along very well. Take some time today, this week or next and help someone whos first language is not english.

Travel tip no. deux, help a stranger

So many wonderful people have helped me in the confusing transportation system of each new city. If I can take a cue from the most generous man I know, helping a stranger can be your greatest gift. Thank you to all the strangers who spoke English, French, Spanish and even the words of body language, that helped me along the way! Help a stranger today, I triple dog dare you.

Mountain Fever- Switzerland

Guten Tag! We arrived in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland to awe-inspiring scenery. The mix of rolling hills, mountian terrain, quaint cabins and adorable town folk that will melt even the blackest of hearts. We only had time for a nice dinner in camp before dancing the night away in a bomb shelter, Contiki style themed 'P' party. I was the Paper bag Princess, get it?? well no one else did because aparently they dont get that fairy tale in australia, lol. I danced til my hearts content and awoke with little sleep for a big day up to the highest point in Europe, Jungfraubahnen in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Still following? Mainly, its a scenic train that goes up the swiss alps. I cannot begin to describe the beauty, it was unreal and made me miss sweet home Alberta. At the top we were drunk on the altitude and my bunk mate (an Aussie gal) and I spent the first hour giggling at our unexpected sloppiness. We then proceeded to the ice palace, huskey dog sled ride, and an aussie's 1st toboggan ride. The 22 yr old says to me, 'i'm scared' so i gave her a big push.
I love seeing someone experience snow for the first time, it is very precious! I gives us perspective on what we take for granted as Canadians and constantly complain about. So, at the next big dump of snow, perhaps take a minute to dust of the old toboggan and enjoy the bliss of the great white north.

the land of brie

I met up with the contiki tour in london and immediately hit it off with a group of four like-minded girls. The entire group of 46 (yes it is huge, a large turn out) is mainly Aussies. I took it upon myself to teach them to put up a tent, as a good Canadian and was of course the first tent at take down. As a Canadian I represent, WORD. In fact I am one of the only two Canadians on the trip and have taken on the nickname 'Canada!' Day one of the tour in paris was bliss. The brie is like butter, the bread so fresh it doesnt need a spread and the cappuccinos...mmm.... need I say more but surprisingly weak coffee. The metro system is very complex and confusing, but the highlight was a full orchestra in the subway playing underground and a helpful young man who broke all of the stereotyes of the French. We were late (shocking I know) and darting back to the subway in a rush. To our surprise the metro system was an express only and we didnt have tickets (think token only entrances in Tdot) he gave us 6 tickets as ä gift, so sweet. I tried to pay him but he wouldnt have it, so I gave him a canadian souvenir loonie instead. Who says the french are arrogant? I left france wanting more more more and after a night at Nouvelle Eve (cabaret show) I was swearing to come back soon!
Much love,
Hill

Funny fact #1

I overpacked and my bag is larger than me. My first step onto the London tube and I smacked a girl in the head with my pack. I apologized profusely and she responded with the death stare. She then in a huff got her friend to fix her pony. 'Sorry'

London Calling

Well, I arrived safe in sound in London-town and added two stamps to the old passport, Iceland and England! I was greeted by some very wonderful Canucks that have made my transition much easier. I think I often stop dead in my tracks and quickly grab my host, Joe and state 'Oh my, I am in London!" The architecture is nothing short of breath taking and a recent obsession with 'the Tutors' has allowed me to understand some of the history that is constantly surrounding me. I have been museum hoping (thanks to the free admission) but will admit I paid to get into the 'Wallace and Gromit' exhibit at the science museum :) Grommmmiiitttt (insert shaking half fisted hands). You certainly cannot see all of London in 2 and a half days but I am willing to try. Big Ben, London Tower, Saint Pau'ls cathedral, oddly shaped cars with matching drivers sitting on the wrong end, my first oyster, loads of tea and crumpets. I have a half day tomorrow and then I meet up with the Contiki trip and the whirl wind begins.
See you on the other side,
-Hillary

About to leave the T.dot

Hi All,

This week is all about packing up 5 years of living in Toronto, seeing great friends and saying goodbyes.

Keep updated with me and my adventures! I will apologize now for the mystical/ hippie thoughts and moments that will occur but follow me on this spirit journey of sorts.

Love you long time,

Hillary xoxo