Taking my Breath Away; #TravelLinkUp

In 2008 I was living in England, completing a master's degree and my parents had moved to Vietnam for a 6 month adventure of their own--which turned into a 5 year enterprise! The plan when I finished my studies was to fly back to Canada via Vietnam and spend some quality time with the 'rents in their new, exciting home. What I hadn't anticipated was how truly breathtaking I would find this country.

Days prior to landing in country, I handed in my dissertation, moved out of my shared London flat, and flown over 12 hours with a layover in Malaysia before being reunited with my parents, whom I hadn't seen in several months--the longest we'd ever gone without seeing each other. I was a ball of sweaty emotions when greeted by the smiling faces of my family and a wall of heat and humidity.

I was in sensory overload. The constant honking, the different smells, and the pure congestion everywhere. It was the first time I was truly experiencing culture shock and I was in love with how different life is for people living here than what is normal for me. Basic needs are the same but providing them is a bit different. From throwing toilet paper out in the bin rather than the toilet, to tightly wrapping up all foods in the kitchen to save from the many bugs.

Even crossing the street was something different. Watching the sea of motorbikes moving across, through and around like orchestrated chaos meant I reverted to my five year old self, holding the hand of my father as I let him navigate our way safely across the street.

I don't think I could have gone anywhere on my own.

Frankly, Vietnam never ranked very high on my must-see places list but I wasn't going to let that stop me from going to this new and exciting destination (#freetrip, thanks parents).

There was no time to settle, we had a jam-packed itinerary as we toured my parents home-base, Ho Chi Minh City, the coastal beach town, Mui Ne, the capital city, Hanoi and Tam Coc (our substitute destination when a typhoon stopped us from being able to go to Halong Bay). My 12 days in Vietnam were not long enough, but it was a good taste of the variety of things available.

The country is desperately beautiful and the people incredibly kind and friendly. Not that I was surprised by any of this, but it still struck me in each restaurant we ate at and every person we met.

Vietnam was sometimes breathtakingly beautiful, sometimes excitingly chaotic, and often times generally overwhelming. I frequently felt uncomfortable and clueless as to what was going on around me, but that's bound to happen in a place where I don't speak the language.

Vietnam is one of the most exotic places I've ever visited. I felt shell-shocked there (dissertations do that to a person) and didn't process what I experienced until I returned to Canada and immediately wanted to return. I wanted to return to the foreign landscape of Ho Chi Minh City and feel again my heat rate race as I tried to cross the street.

I'll repeat it to the end of days, visiting a place where you know someone is the best way to travel. I experienced local life the way my parents were living. I got to see their local hangouts, shown locations that were significant to my father's history as a veteran, and experience everyday life as we grocery shopped, did laundry, and snacked at coffee shops. I wouldn't have wanted to see Vietnam any other way.

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and guest host Tanja at The Red Phone Box . You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until February 7th.

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2018 Travel Wish List

Travel. It's my favourite thing. Big or small, I want to do it all. But if I had to limit myself to just a few (hopefully attainable in 2018) these are top of my list.

1. San Antonio, Texas

When I was very young, my parents took me to Texas to visit their friends. All I remember from that trip was that the grass was very prickly and that a dog ate my Barbie (talk about traumatic). A dear friend of mine has moved back States side and now I have an excuse to travel down (the best reason to travel if you ask me) and see if everything really is bigger in the longhorn state. UPDATE!! Flight booked for Texas!

2. Halifax, Nova Scotia

After spending a brief time in St. John's, Newfoundland this past summer (posts to come) I realized I wanted to see more of the east coast of Canada. I also realized that I need to make 2018 the year I do some solo travel, what better place than in your own backyard.

3. Charlottetown, P.E.I.

To go along with the above reasoning. 2018; It's happening!

4. United Kingdom and Ireland

I did this trip last year and it was a blast. And since last year, I've had some friends move to new towns and I must go check it out. (Visiting friends is seriously the best excuse to travel).

5. Netherlands

I have a dream of doing another Provence girls trip but this time to the Netherlands.

These are just a few of my dream destinations for 2018. I mean they aren't completely out of reach, but really I'll take what ever kind of travel I can get my hands on.

What are your wishlist travel destinations for 2018?

What are your travel plans for 2018? Do you like to have it all mapped out before January 1st or do you prefer to wing it?

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until January 7th.

Don't miss a post! 

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10 Reasons to Travel

I first discovered my love of travel when I was lucky enough to attend my high school Europe trip. Three countries (one principality), ten days, 25 girls, three teachers, one amazing experience. I had been fascinated by the Roman Empire (still am) and adored being able to learn more about it from my same history teachers right in the very spot things went down. We were even at Julius Caesars grave on the Ides of March!
After this first trip I knew I was hooked and there were so many more places I wanted to see and experience.

As I've grown older, I've become more philosophical about travel. Meeting people who want to travel, but don't, people who have no desire to travel, people who have travelled the world and are done and others who just can't ever get enough. There are all kinds out there, but I've come to the conclusion that travel is not only fun it should be necessary in developing a well-rounded, well-adjusted, progressive, productive citizen of the world.

You don't even have to go all that far. Canada is a very large country and no two provinces are the same. Venturing out of your home town and meeting people in a new community brings the universal truth into glaring light. And that is; we are all just trying to muddle through doing the best we can for our families and ourselves.

I've been wanting to write this post for some time now and as co-host for this months #TravelLinkup "10 Things..." it seems a good a time as any especially in this post-Brexit, post-President Trump times, to look at the reasons why I travel and why you should too.

In no particular order, travel offers:

10) Experiencing history

Learning about history through well written textbooks is good and all, but when that history comes to life, you cannot help but feel connected to a timeline. Stand in the place historic figures stood before  you, see the same architecture built by past civilizations. This is all our story.
The first time I stood in the stadium seating of the Colosseum looking down to the arena I got chills as I could finally imagine what that must have been like 2000 years ago.

9) Exposure to different perspectives

We all have our own perspective, formed from our experiences, backgrounds and history. Our perspective is how we see life and everyone is different. Being exposed to different perspectives means we can develop a better understanding of people.

8) Meeting people

People are great. There are so many great, interesting people out there in the world with a story to share and something to teach us.
When my parents first moved to Ho Chi Ming City they were exploring the city and admiring the architecture. A local business man noticed them and struck up a conversation. He invited them to dinner at his house with his family and they still keep in touch to this day. In my experience this isn't something that happens at home. We are more closed off to the people around us, focused on getting from point A to B and not making eye-contact with the human beings around us. 

7) Change of scenery

Before I moved to London on my two year work visa I felt like I was stuck in a rut. Sleep, work, walk the dog and repeat.

Life is too short to feel like everything is ho-hum. A change of scenery can help put a pep back in your step and refresh your soul.

6) A great big world

We are but a small cog in a much larger machine. Yes, our problems are important to us and our feelings are valid, but when you travel it really helps you get out of your own head and see there are other people in this world.

5) Food

There is so much good food out there. As culinarily diverse an area can be there is still an issue with authenticity. Some ingredients just aren't available everywhere. What better way than to experience a culture than through it's food? That sounds like heaven to me.
The Peruvian cuisine is an example of just this experience, as different cultures moved to the country they brought with them their traditional dishes but have used local ingredients making an interesting fusion of food that can only be found in the restaurants of Peru.

Lomo Saltado (stir-fry meat with fries and rice)

4) Tourism industry

Some regions rely on the business generated by tourists. Do you part for local economies, travel.
Tourist attractions are tourist attractions for a good reason (for the most part), don't avoid them all.

3) Same, same but different

Here's a little story for you. While on Isla del Sol, as we were waiting for a pace of donkeys to move along the walking path, I was struck by just how different my life is from the people that live on this small island in the middle of Lake Titicaca.

That is until Eimear voiced her opposing opinion. We were at our family run hotel trying to communicate with the landlady when her husband came out and gave his opinion on what she should tell us. We didn't understand the exchange but we certainly comprehended the eye-roll and humouring smile she gave us. Despite how different our lives seem, we are all essentially the same. We have relationships, we feed our families, we do daily chores, we love, we get angry, we laugh. We might do it in different languages, but we are all essentially the same.

2) To push you

Comfort zone? What's that? You don't know what you are capable of until you find yourself outside of that zone.

1) FUN

I mean seriously, who doesn't love a little holiday. A break from the every day. Travel is just pure fun, even with all the stress and hiccups that can arise.



It's important to broaden ones horizons. Being in one place doing the same things with the same people every single day of your life will only get you so far. Increasing the things you know, experiences you have and your capabilities never a bad thing. So get out there and read everything you can, engage in conversations (in person), and travel beyond your familiar boarders.

An InLinkz Link-up

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The Story of my Travel Fear: Link Up

The last time I flew, it was almost the day my travel fears came true.

I was making my way home from my three week tour of Britain and Ireland. I had arranged a long layover in Amsterdam, booked my hostel looked into transportation to the airport and had everything planned out. I spent the day touring about, dodging the rain by meandering through museums, snacking on delicious frites, and wandering along the canals. Perfect day spent. I went to bed early and headed off to the airport.

Now, I will fully admit, I'm the type to be late for everything. Seriously, it's a bad habit that I repeatedly try to break. Friends are fully aware, if we make plans to meet at a certain time, they pretty much have an extra 15 minutes because I will be late. However, this isn't true for flights. I will be at an airport annoyingly early because I would rather by bored waiting at the gate then stressed trying to make my way to the airport.

This last trip, I thought I had it all perfectly timed. I was going to be early, have time to grab some breakfast in the terminal and read my book while I leisurely waited to board.

Have you ever been to Amsterdam International Airport? It's busy. Like hella busy. And for my particular airline everyone (not just my flight) had to use this self-check bag machine that still required assistance as no one seemed to be able to actually do it on their own.  Cue my blood pressure rising as I stood in line for 40 minutes inching forward. When I got to the front, I asked the service desk woman if I would be able to make my flight and she said, "Uhhhhhhh, yes."

I wasn't instilled with confidence.

I arrived at security with a long line, of course, and a sign that said, "Wait from this point; 20 minutes". That's not so bad right? But it was LYING! Right to my face!! Another 40 minutes later, I had made it to the front of the line and walked through the security with no issues. My bag however, required further scrutiny and so did 6 other people that were ahead of me. Cue another hot flash as I envisioned myself having to purchase a new ticket on a later flight to get home.

Finally it was my turn. The security guard opened my bag, did a swab and ran it through another scanner. All of a sudden a dozen security guards started appearing out of no where and gathering around the area. Everyone was calm, but also not doing anything. My bag sat there, staring back at me, close enough to touch but so very far out of reach that it pushed me further into the realm of possibly being stuck in Amsterdam for another day. I briefly considered saying "F@!# it" and leaving it be hind as I made a dash for my gate.

Someone gave the signal and work resumed, but a new security guard was now handling my bag and they went through the process again. I almost passed out.

Finally through, I bolted for the information board. On this day I was that person running through the airport dodging erratic moving children and slow paced old people. I made it to my gate with 4 minutes to spare. 4 minutes! I calmly joined the end of the line gulping air and wiping my dripping temples thanking my very lucky stars.

And that it the story of how my travel nightmare almost became my travel reality.

Do you have any travel fears or scares?

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and this month's special co-host, 
Maggie from Planes & Champagne. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until August 7th.

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My Travel Story #travellinkup

I don't know when exactly I became infatuated with travelling. As a kid, my family often would road trip to Montreal and Vermont to visit family, but I didn't really consider that travelling. We saw nothing more than the same old walls and the same old faces and although I loved my homes away from home, it wasn't travel. However, sometime between grade 9 and 10 I learned about the high school Europe trip and it became my mission to be part of it.  The trip took place every other year and there was a strict criteria that students had to fulfill.  I took history courses, introduced myself to the teachers running the programs and started saving my money (and by saving my money, I mean asking my parents to pay for a major chunk of it--it's good to be an only child sometimes!)

When the time came, and student selection was made, I was one of 25 girls going on the 10 day March Break trip to Switzerland, Italy, and France.

I was SO EXCITED!

The first 36 hours of the trip were exhausting. On that long haul flight, after 2 layovers, I discovered I am INCAPABLE of falling asleep on planes. We arrived at Zurich airport in the early morning hours and were whisked away to Lucerne, where we were allowed to explore the city like giddy, teenaged zombies. It was around hour 30 that I discovered that I couldn't access my bank account. And so began my introduction into international travel.

A baby faced Erin in blue shades. Rocking 1999 so hard!

This high school Europe trip created so many memories and solidified several friendships that I still cherish today!

The travel urge was in me and I couldn't let it go. I selected my undergrad based on the semester abroad program, and later attended uni abroad (after applying on a whim).

Having opportunities to travel is certainly a luxury and one that I realize not everyone has. But honestly, I think it's one of the best things you can do as a student/young person.

What's your travel story?

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and this month's special co-host, Fresh and Fearless. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until July 7th.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

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Favourite Place of Home #TravelLinkup

I've mentioned it before, the Toronto Islands are one of my most favourite places on earth and luckily for me, it's located conveniently in the place I currently call home. Every summer I purchase a ferry ticket at the Toronto Harbour to cross Lake Ontario and disembark on the shores of Ward's Island, Center Island or Hanlan's Point. I bring friends and family over there to experience the loveliness that is life on the island and am sure to have a meal at the Rectory Cafe. When I visit Toronto Islands, I forget that I'm so close to the city and to my work/life stresses. As soon as I board that ferry, I'm on a mini holiday without a care in the world.

2017 though, has been a tough year for the Toronto Islands. 

First, the family run Toronto Island Bike Rental lost it's bid to provide the rental service to people on the island, after 32 years in business. Thankfully, it doesn't mean an end to rentals on the island, as a new company was set to take over May 1st. 

The heavy rains and high waters that have been affecting many parts of Canada have not spared the islands. The rising waters have covered much of the land and is still rising. Residents on Ward's Island are continually sandbagging in an attempt to keep dry. However, the baseball diamond has been turned over to nature as it sits under a foot of water and carp from the lake have swum inland and started spawning.  

The bike/walking trail on the south side of Toronto Island just west of the Pier. East of the pier was fine due to the elevated break wall. 🙁 #torontoislandflood #torontoislands #torontoisland

A post shared by CVD™ | Chris Van Dyke (@cveedee) on May 31, 2017 at 9:48pm PDT

The ferry boats have been closed to non-residents with a projected opening season only staring July 31st (but this has been pushed back several times already). As you can imagine, this has hurt the island businesses that count on tourists who come in for the day across the lake. The first casualty was announced with the island's Rectory Cafe planning its permanent closure in October. There were several factors that led to this decision one of the owner's said, but the flood has definitely not helped the situation.

It breaks my heart that I probably won't be able to spend a warm summer day there this year, but I know despite the difficulties they are experiencing right now, it will continue to be a Toronto oasis for myself and others, as it has been for centuries.

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and this month's special co-host, Kiwi Footprints. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until June 7th.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

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