North American Compassion?? – Vancouver, Calgary and off to San Diego…

Ok, no more apologies, I just have to admit I really suck at being a blogger, however to my amazement people still continue to read my blog.

I don’t write short, interesting, funny blogs each day, quite apparently, but instead I do exactly what you’re NOT supposed to do on a blog. LONG, drawn out, sometimes funny, sometimes insightful, usually just dribble about my thoughts, feelings, things I eat/see/do and how I’m becoming happier in life. OH that’s what this blog is supposed to be about, but just more consistently right?! Ha. I understand it, but I guess it’s not one of the things I fully ‘get’ yet!

These past few weeks have been nothing short of more experiences. I went from Sydney to Vancouver, to Calgary, back to Vancouver and now San Diego. Amidst my travel bliss I had to come back to reality for a few weeks. My brother was getting married and I thought I should go back and be there for it. I must say though, I initially went back to Vancouver kicking and screaming. Plus the 9 hour plane ride to Honolulu, 1 full day in Honolulu, two creepy surfers who ‘petted’ me, 5 hour plane ride to San Fran, 2 hour layover, and again another 2 hour plane ride into Vancouver was certainly not any icing on any cake.

BUT

I got a new sister in law! She’s fantastic and the sister I’ve never had. I always had to tag along with my brothers to go to the comic book stores, to go do boy things, but NOW I have a sister I love and when they go do boy things we can go do girl things..like shoe shopping! It’s spectacular. I can’t gush more about it. We get along great, and she’s nothing short of a doll and a sweetheart. She is great for my brother, and that is really the point of the matter. We even bonded over a 2 hour pedicure (the actual time of the pedi was 20 mins, we waited for the rest of the time!!), and planned that when I go to Korea for the big wedding, next Feb, that she would include me to join her and her university/college friends in going to the baths, saunas, hot tubs and fun filled girls time. I always considered myself a bit of a tom boy, but odd how so many years later, I love the deep orange/red that my toes are painted and can’t stop wiggling and staring at how cute my toes are, especially after all this walking and traveling my feet have become nasty. Ew.

My NEW wonderful sister in law!

So from content to harsh reality. Calgary. I can’t even fathom how I stayed there for so long. Yes, I’ve made some good friends there and it served it’s purpose of making money, being in the rat race and owning…things. Which again months ago I had a hard time letting go of, and now I have no regard for them. I do still enjoy some of the fine things in life, I still appreciate my Audi, a nice glass of wine, and nice bed, but I certainly don’t place as much value on ‘stuff’as I did previously. It was an awakening for me amongst many other lessons I’ve actualized these past months. I could feel the lack of compassion in Calgary the minute I landed. I don’t know if it’s just something that happens to someone when they live there long enough. OK, to some of my friend’s credit and otherwise, not EVERYONE is this way. It’s more of a false compassion. It’s not actually about someone genuinely wanting to help you, but more of a “I’m helping you as a favor…but I’m going to charge you an arm and a leg and screw you every which way possible and I’m going to ooze false sincerity while doing this”. That is what I felt, doing business in Calgary these past weeks. I consider myself quite the savy business person and others considered me the balsy, honest, telling it like it is person and getting things done while not walking on anyone and still completing the task efficiently. Certainly NOT the ethics in Calgary so it seems. It’s all about making the bucks and taking people for all they have and definitely not about earning a buck the honest way. I got sucked into this mentality and never even realized it until my long absence from there. Again for all my Calgarian friends who are reading this and disagreeing with me…I guess I have changed, and in my eyes I’m just no longer suited for Calgary and now I really understand why I never felt ‘right’ there. This IS who I am, who I always was…it just was put on the top shelf while dust collected over it, the years passed and only finally now was it discovered again. That’s just it…friends, colleagues, acquaintances, everyone is comfortable with your role in the dynamic. They like to keep you in that role, and when you change, not everyone is accepting of the change, not everyone wants the change mainly because it reflects on them in another light that perhaps they didn’t want to discover. No regrets, Calgary was great, but never again will it be for me. Again I will leave great, amazing people, as I have many times in the past, but without them I wouldn’t be who I am today. I never forget this or them, and with all the different modes of communication I don’t ever have to be too far from them. My favorite quote from a great friend “Home is not a place, it’s where the heart is”.

Vancouver was an emotional time as well, families, weddings, old great friends, and old haunts. Vancouver will always be that, just Vancouver to me. It’s absolutely gorgeous but rains far too much of the time and I can only handle so much grey skies and gloom over blue skies and snow.

The beautiful Rocky Mountains you see just driving down the street.

Fast forward from all the disdain, and onto Sunny San Diego – my next destination in which I will spend just over a months time here. A place I’ll explore in many respects to see if perhaps this will to become my new home. Either way it seems California is going to be in my future in some capacity. It’s sunny 280 days of the year with beaches galore, plethora of activities, this could quite possibly be the new love of my life…but right now I’ll settle for hanging up my hat, if even for a moment and staying for awhile until the next adventure beckons.

Serendipity does exist; Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Urulu and Cairns

I realize the long hiatus on my blog and yes I do feel awful and guilty. However with that being said at least the few followers I do have can know that I have been LIVING life..and not only writing about it.

As I have explained prior, or perhaps not, I do write only when I’m inspired to write, rather than writing about random miscellaneous nonsensical stories that have no meaning and when you finish reading you’ve felt you’ve wasted precious moments in your life simply by reading my blog.

I have honed my skill on being a ‘world traveler’ at this point. I can go full speed for days on end, and then ensure that for a few days after I am in a vegetative state doing nothing and recuperating for all my fun experiences. It’s overwhelming being the tourist and going all the time, so now after my full experiences in Vietnam I’ve now been able to manage, balance my time, fun, experiences and life without taking it over the top and having break downs.

I can’t begin to explain how wonderful and open I feel my heart has been since I’ve been on my travels. Even the most utilitarian acts make me spill with joy of memories, happiness and THIS is what life should always feel like. I can’t believe that I let myself be taken by the mundane and pessimism that creeps in ever so slowly and in quick succession fills every thought, feeling and emotion that you experience and go through. How could I let myself become that person? I never even realized the moment I became that person and how I became that. It’s all but a distant memory at this point.

I’ve had amazing moments in my life as of late and these will forever be the highlights in my black and white film reel broadcasting in my dark room, glowing with a soft flicker of light from the white screen flashing moments of laughter, tears, happiness and joy. The things I have learned, the people I have met and the experiences I have been through will always be with me. Nothing and no one can steal or remove these regardless of how hard they try, that’s the best part.

I’m no longer scared, I’m no longer apprehensive, and I’m no longer the person I was. I don’t mean to say that I have changed completely as a person, but I certainly have become a much better version of who I was. I never believe that we master and become the best we can possibly achieve before we pass, as there is always something more to learn regardless of how old and wise we are. I still don’t feel brave, I still don’t feel as though I’m doing something special as I know that many others have done this exact act as I am doing many times over. What I do feel is that I have finally lived life. I feel alive. You may ask, how does one feel alive when you’re not really dead? Your soul of small burning embers smolder and it feels as though you’re dead, that you don’t feel anymore and you’re simply going through the motions and THAT is when you know you aren’t living anymore.

I’ve never felt more..calm, independent, secure, surreal, and unbelievable in my life than I have at this moment and the past months. We as humans make excuses and continue living in what we know isn’t and doesn’t feel right. We can’t pin point exactly what is not right about it, but it’s easier living through this gray matter than having the courage to make changes. It’s much harder and requires much more effort, and that is what we dote on, yet we never can quite visualize the other end of the hard work and effort. We simply ignore the other side and never realize how amazing it would be if we put in some time and effort in being..happy. Seems simple..to want to be happy, seems like it should be intuitive, but how is it that we see all the signs but yet we miss the turn off??

I was in Cairns, and had many explosions of this ‘other side of happiness’. Surreal moments snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, walking through the jungle, and meeting wonderful inspiring people along the way. I slept under the stars in Alice Springs/Ayers Rock, Urulu. I walked through the mystical desert, I swam in the ocean filled with amazing sights and I’m back in a city where new acquaintances have and will grow into lifelong friendships.

I scuba’d for the first time in the Great Barrier Reef and that is something that I will never forget. It’s moments like that, that as a child growing up you can only dream and think of as such a fantastical feat and that it could not possibly EVER happen to you. But it does, and you feel, cherish, splendor and revel in the fact that you did it. It might not be the same ambitions or dreams that your neighbor, best friend, family, or anyone else wanted but it was YOUR dream and you were able to achieve it and it was nothing short of brilliant. These are the moments we should all live for. The moments that regardless of anyone else surrounding you, it’s what you wanted no matter how big or small. These are the victories we should amaze at as individuals. These are my feats and victories and I’m so proud and happy to have finally had the audacity to make these dreams into reality.

I had some great down time in Sydney and decided it was time to get out and explore more of Australia. I booked my flight into Melbourne, Alice Springs, Ayer’s Rock, Cairns and back into Sydney. I unfortunately had to skip out on Byron Bay and surfing due to changes in my itinerary. However I think I’ll learn how to surf in Hawaii when I go so nothing missed!

St. Kilda

Melbourne was nothing short of spectacular! It had so much culture, so much fun and being there with someone special certainly helped as well. I have also discovered that I’d rather travel to places and spend some time getting to know it rather than trying to get as many countries under my belt as possible. Quality over quantity! There was so many places to see and experience in Melbourne. If you like culture, ambiance and wonderful helpful people you definitely have to go to Melbourne. So many cool, off the beaten track places to go. That’s the charm of Melbourne. All the places are hidden behind false facades, smoke and mirror and behind that you find these gems of places..just like the gems of people you meet as well. Kunis was the best Japanese restaurant I have been to, section 8 was the coolest outdoor lounge I’ve been to and Lygon street was the best place for the tastiest pizza I’ve had in a long time as well. I felt as though I was in a movie..my life was the movie, and I was living and staring in it. Unbelievable. St. Kilda with the beach and artsy restaurants, Brunswick with the off the beaten track night clubs/lounges, Lygon street with a plethora of Italian restaurants and Swanston with a lounge/restaurant named ‘cookie’ which seemed to be our staple for a night-cap before turning in for the night.

Urulu at sunrise

Jungle

From the city I moved into the bush and for some hiking in Uluru/Ayer’s Rock. The monolith of stone that is known as the world’s largest rock in the red desert. It didn’t seem like a desert with so much greenery however the small sunburn on my nose seemed to indicate otherwise. We slept under the stars in our swags (a sleeping duffel sack that goes over the top your actual sleeping bag to help deter the natural elements of beating on you without being surrounded by a tent), while it rained the first night, and was windy, after we ate kangaroo stew, and built the biggest bonfire I’d seen. It’s always amazing and spine tingling to be somewhere with so much culture, history and ominousness. I not only experienced days of hiking and amazing sights, but I also met many amazing new friends with new experiences to share.

From the desert I went to the ocean. I’m in awe of the natural wonders I saw while only hearing the deep breathing of my lungs. I scuba dove for the first time in my life, and I have to say starting out at the Great Barrier Reef was certainly a spectacular beginning to many more dives to come. It’s amazing, all the colorful fish, coral, giant turtles and so many other organisms. This day was definitely a high in life.

So many say – “Australia’s so similar to Canada, it’s not worth it”. I have to whole heartedly disagree. Yes there are similarities.. we both are governed by the queen, we both speak english..and we all know how much I love Canada and am a true Canadian through and through, but for most part there are many differences and well worth coming to this side of the world to see.

Australia has definitely been my serendipity. This was a country I hadn’t planned on seeing or visiting but since coming I’ve made so many discoveries. I’ve met an amazing man (ironically he’s NOT Australian), I’ve never felt more at peace and happier, I understand how to LIVE in the moment and enjoy right NOW, and mostly my heart is grinning and brimming with joy. Sounds corny and cheesy, but I’m sure if you’ve been following you’ll know I like cheese and sentiment. Don’t take things for granted…friendships, life, opportunities, and all the hundreds and thousands (sprinkles) that come floating by. Grab hold, embrace and no matter what the outcome, you’ve done it and whatever doesn’t kill you really DOES make you stronger!!!!

Australia’s Flora and Fauna..neither of which I know anything about.

Hello….is anyone out there?! Marco…??? I sometimes wonder if I just stopped writing my blog if anyone would be upset, or if anyone actually reading my blog to begin with!? Let me know if you’re out there people!

When I arrive in a city with potential possibilities that I might stay and live for a while, I like to really immerse myself and discover if it would be a good fit. It’s a similar process to finding a good psychiatrist, doctor, friends, even a boyfriend (or if you are a male in your case a girlfriend). The only thing real difference is that the potential city doesn’t quite answer back to the questions you ask it, but really they’re supposed to be rhetorical questions anyway. Again as you see the lapse in my blog entries you’ll now understand what I’m doing, or otherwise I don’t really have anything interesting to share with you. I’m also not really one to blog or have the need to blog about what I ate today or what TV show I saw or mundane everyday activities as I’m sure you all have your own and there’s no need to waste time and read about mine.

However, I have done some sight-seeing and have gone to the Botanical Gardens in Sydney, which I spent about three hours at, and I easily could’ve spent more time at, the Rocks, Sydney’s Conservatory of Music, Museum of Contemporary Art, and just recently went out to the Blue Mountains. At the Blue Mountains we went to see the glow-worm caves, camped a night, went to Victoria Falls, stayed in a motel one night, and went to see the Three Sisters Mountain ranges. Needless to say this Easter weekend was a jammed packed weekend of fun!

Gorgeous flower in which I have no idea what its name is

Look closer they're not PINE CONES..they're BATS.

I now also REALLY understand the meaning of ‘NO sleep’ when you’re a parent. No, it hasn’t been 9 months, and I didn’t have my own child..yet, but I’ve had the glorious task of helping my friend take care of his three beautiful kids this weekend. The numbers were as they should be, three kids, three adults. That’s the only way really I figure that parenting works. I very much give kudos to parents that have kids which skew the 1:1 ratio! Seeing is that I ‘tagged’ along on this camping trip with my friend his gf (who is my twin/doppelgänger!!), and his three kids, I got to sleep in the tent with the kids. When I first arrived I laughed at friend and gf when they would go to bed at 10:30 sometimes earlier, but NO, no laughing matter anymore.

I stayed up with the eldest (7 yrs old) for a little while longer while everyone else went to bed around our impromptu camp fire; which I am very proud to say, I helped start with the teepee method we Canadians use, which is the most effective if you ask me. We then shortly went to bed, and it was MY task to make sure the kids didn’t freeze to death, as it was a bit chilly in the night, and that they didn’t escape. We finally went to bed and I tucked her in, and pulled the sleeping bags up on the other two and thought well this was easy. Hah. Riiight. I’m also the lightest sleeper so any slight noise and I’m up, including young children kicking their sleeping bags off, which meant I was up, oh, three, maybe four times in the night pulling their sleeping bags back up. I finally fell asleep and the kids were just getting up for the day. I think the best part was that the youngest got up in the night, unzipped the tent, as I was dead asleep I heard the noise and abruptly sat straight up, and asked “where are you going”, while thinking….one of the kids are escaping on my watch. “To the bathroom”, to which I could hear her dad ask if she was ok. Whew..ok, we’re good.

This is what happens when you have kids…this is either going to make me a really great mother when I’m ready to have my own, OR, not have any at all…50/50. But isn’t everything in life!? lol.

The highlight of the trip…we made S’MORES!! I can’t believe these Aussies don’t know what s’mores are. Yummy gooey deliciousness of melted marshmallows and milk chocolate smushed between two graham crackers, in which they call them Granita biscuits here. Mmmm…THAT is what camping is about. D’oh, my SECOND biggest blunder, besides a funny little incident driving in my friend’s car where everyone drives on the wrong side of the road and I had to shift with my left hand, I forgot the marshmallows. So..I hiked over to the next campsite, and proceeded to work my charm to borrow some marshmallows, and they were gracious enough to give me some. Ok, no charm, just a pathetic plea that MY three kids wanted s’mores and I forgot the marshmallows. Ha ha. Now I owe a ‘pay it forward’ to someone again!

Glow worm cave..it was dark, but you can kind of see the glow worms..

Clearly NOT glow worms...glow kids, and I'm the biggest one on the left.

So a restful Monday before the adults, sans myself (although if I continue to splurge – this time on an awesome birthday outfit at Kookai, I will have to go back to work sooner than later), have to go back to work, and really I’m just tired from lack of sleep.

Blue Mountains - Three sisters

Can you ask for a better view?!

I am learning a ton about myself, my tolerances, what I want in a life partner, that men are the same only SLIGHTLY different all across the world so far, and that having friendships and support in life where you live are so important. I’m working on changing some of the ‘tapes’ I learned while growing up and now making them healthy tapes, and the best part of this journey is that the world is my oyster, and since I only have a few ties left, which I am still working on due to another unfortunate mistake on my part, I really can make any where in the world my home. I am also very much learning that I am through and through a very proud Canadian at heart no matter what I look like, where I am in the world and however long I am absent from Canada.

They speak the same language but have so many different meanings and words and an awesome accent here, it’s almost like home when I get home sick. Like “Scmick” – you can figure that one out, and they also eat Woodles with ice cream on it for breakfast! It’s not quite the ‘true north strong and free’ but it’s pretty darn great…but I think it’s mainly the people who make it great….

Waratahs (Australia) VS Blue (New Zealand)

I arrived in Sydney five days ago…and it seems as though it was just yesterday. It’s been wonderful and great. A city full of extremely tall people so it seems, and such spectacularly friendly people as well.

It seems as though I’m loving Australia after only five days of being here. It’s one of those places that you just can swoop in, barely know and fall in love with. Perhaps it’s because it’s very similar to my homeland of Canada and I never realized my fondness for it until I left it. I’m still undecided about the weather and cold of Canada, whether I’ll want to go back to that, but the lifestyle definitely coincides with me. A little bit of fun, a little bit of easy-going, sprinkled with nature, outdoors, topped with bourgeoisie and you have the perfect mix of a place that offers the best of life.

I’ve been taking my time and scooping out the city and the tours and things I wanted to do. Whilst I was in Asia I couldn’t find a decent copy of Australia or New Zealand reference books (AKA lonely planet guide) so I came and have been winging it since. I usually like to have a country mapped out in regards to places and things I want to see but unfortunately I had to come ‘blind’. Not awful seeing is that I had a good friend living here so accommodations were going to be of the best kind – free!

I arrived, and seemed to have gotten some sort of stomach bug, so needless to say I didn’t leave the house the first day I arrived. The second day was a light tour of the city to get a feel of all the different sites I wanted to see as there are many and very overwhelming if you try to fit everything in. Alas after about five days I now have a rough itinerary of what I want to do. Beaches intermingled with city museums, gardens, zoos, laced with Winery tours, days of trekking at yet another of earth’s spectacular views, rounded off with a surf trip and some scuba diving. I MIGHT have to sneak in a pair of shoes as well, I’ve been missing the heels quite dearly as of late and wearing something more ladylike than my flat white ballet shoes and some sort of sun dress at most.

I had packed a small suitcase and really haven’t accumulated much due to the fact that I couldn’t really squeeze another thing in, however I’ve purchased a few items and seems as though I might have to ship some things…home. Right, if you recall at the beginning of my blog I sold everything so I don’t have a home anymore…so we’ll have to decipher where I shall ship my things too! Before I left on my journey I thought, OK, how am I going to pack for this year trip? This is going to be crazy. Well as I began my trip, I realized..ok, I didn’t do so poorly, and thus re-packing some more. As I get on further in my travels I realized I have packed TOO much already, and am looking to dump a lot of clothes and things. Funny how your perspective on things like this change after a while. The only times I’ve felt I’ve needed more or different clothes is when I’m in a city, such as Sydney, and I know people whom I can go out on the town with. But I figure after Sydney I won’t need much of the sweater, or warmish clothing I had needed in Northern Vietnam.

We had an evening at James Squires and it was a blast. It was someone’s birthday and I was tagging along for the celebrations. Met far too many people and I never stopped laughing the entire evening. I’m not really a novelty to them, I just add to the ‘Canadia’ quota, but they sure are a novelty to me! I love their accents and all that is Aussie! I met a man, who wasn’t a short man, 6′-4″ to be exact who went on that evening to have me in stitches for most of it. I wanted to get familiar with phrases they use here in Australia and he was the right man to show me the way. First off, his name was Micheal, in which they call “Mik”, just like the guy off the famous movie in the 80’s we all relate to Australia..you know the one. He taught me phrases like “Fair Dinkum”, in which you can use in really ANY sentence, or you can just say it alone to express excitement depending on the tone and inflection at the end. The phrase that left everyone in endless belly laughter is ‘This place is going off like a house on fire’. Especially when I said it, I apparently sounded as though someone should alert the fire dept, rather than referring to the boisterous, fun, crazy time we’re having. There was another about a dingo’s donger..but I thought I should pass on that one. Turns out the whole ‘shrimp on the barbie’ doesn’t exist either..they call them prawns here.

Needless to say it has been wonderful gut busting, in tears laughter since I’ve been here, especially trying to talk like an Aussie. I have figured the best one out…as long as you add ‘Reckon’ to your sentence you’re as good as Aussie!

The next day was nothing short of a completely FULL day. Fabric shopping, lunch with some new gf’s I’d met, driving range and a Rugby game all in the matter of one day. Actually it was supposed to start off with 9am surfing before the fabric shopping, but due to the drinks the night prior, and c’mon we know I’m not a morning person, I skipped on the surfing. Plus I’ll be doing a week trip of that into Byron Bay so I’ll have time!

Fabric shopping was certainly refreshing. Refreshing you say? How is that?? Well for starters when I look at fabric it brings the creative side out in me. All the patterns, the colors, the choices you have, it was overwhelming but in a good way. Quilting will help bring the nurture side of me out…the one that my friend didn’t think I had, nor did I for that matter. Ah..yes, quilting. Now to figure out WHICH pattern I wanted to use..funny, my new friend that took me with her and her amazing friends thought I’d be bored, and at the end, they were waiting for me and needing to pull me away from the shop.

With my new friends in tow, we headed to a restaurant called Fratelli Ristorante. It’s this wonderful I-talian restaurant with a fresh warehouse market below and you have to enter the restaurant through these small side stairs that seem quite hidden. The upper floor is an old style rustic theme. Not your typical rustic Italian themed restaurant, and really just a mixture of styles and looks. You entered amongst rows and rows of balsamic vinegar, olives, tapenade of many varieties, and of course every olive oil you can imagine.

The cafe/Ristorante itself opened up to a loft style wood beamed ceiling, with windows that looked more of an old cathedral in that of a church all painted in white. It was clearly more Italian in the displays than that of the actual ambiance. I was a bit too focused on food at this time hence the lack of pictures.

We started out with pate, which didn’t taste much like pate, but was delicious none the less. Our appetizer tasted more similar to a Brandade than a pate, and was topped with a poached egg and very delightfully thin sliced pickled red onion, a top two perfectly crispy toasted pieces of baguette. We did indulge just a bit as well by ordering some prosecco wine to go with our lunch. Absolutely delightful fizzy champagne intermingled with white wine; sparkling wine is what they call it. It was the perfect accompaniment to a fun weekend girls lunch. How very…Sex in the City!! Haha..

I shared my lunch with one of the ladies, and we had trout with mint and rosemary alongside some pasta dish. OK, so let me tell you I LOVE garlic, I love garlic so much that I can eat it everyday, I can eat it in a train, I can eat it in a plane, I can eat it here and there, I can eat it almost everywhere. BUT, this pasta was GARLIC overload. I don’t know how it is possible and how many BULBS of garlic, not cloves, but bulbs of garlic they actually put in this one dish. It was TOO much. I even loved eating at the Garlic Clove in Calgary and they have garlic in their deserts and still that wasn’t too much for me. Three of us had this pasta and we all thought not only were we reeking of garlic and it was coming out of every orifice and pore but perhaps we got garlic poisoning. We later did survive, and to counteract the taste of it in your mouth I found out that a piece of watermelon does the trick! The trout was absolutely delightful, perfectly cooked and seasoned deliciously with the exact crispness skin should be on fish. Ahh…a little slice of heaven.

Then we parted with the ladies to meet up with the men for a bucket of balls at the driving range. Nothing nicer to the ears than that metal ‘ting’ of the driver hitting the ball at exactly the right place taking the ball in a flight fast and furious, not too high in the air, perfectly straight and as far into the distance as you could squint. I took up the driving range, OK, I went ONCE to the driving range in SF and have loved it since. Great mental game of concentration…like meditating, but being able to hit something as hard as you can while still trying to do it skillfully. Golfing on the other hand might be different but I sure loved this! Perfect mix of attention, concentration and whacking at the same time..heh heh.

As quickly as a bucket of balls were gone so were we. A quick stop at home base to refresh, down some waters and onto the rugby game at the Aussie stadium. I was excited. We were meeting some others to start the evening with some beers and eats before we headed into the stadium. Now my images of what a pint of beer is was nothing even close to the beers they serve here. No way was I ordering one of these and being able to even last through the game, never mind that it didn’t start in two hours, and by the time I even got through half of it, it wouldn’t be cold anymore. We all know what warm beer taste like.

Largest Beer I've ever seen.

We finished off dinner, which I skipped due to the huge lunch we had, and headed into the stadium. I was excited, I think I already said that. I love watching most sporting events live and this was something I’ve never seen professionals play and I felt like a giddy school girl! Our seats were great, and I even got each play described to me to ensure I knew what was going on! I got the hang of it, and it is much faster than a game of hockey or football, due to the non stopping time of actually time played. It was thrilling and we had some pretty great seats as well. After the game we were even allowed on the field and the players were signing autographs. I got a picture with Mr. Palu and was he an enormous man. I mean these guys are not only tall but built like an ox. He even had to bend over so that we could be in the same photo!!

Grrr..got my tough girl face on.

Look at the ratio of ME to him..

That ended a perfect day, in a seemingly perfect country, in a perfect city where all the men are tall, dark and handsome, the beaches are endless, the weather is gorgeous, and the friends, hospitality and food are nothing short of spectacular. If this is what Sydney has to offer I might be here a long time…I reckon!!!

I heart Siem Reap – Cambodia

I landed in Siem Reap and an immediate wash of wonderfulness poured over me. I don’t know if it was something in the air or I was just feeling good about my next stop. I had planned to stay for only three days, not quite sure what I was in for, but I later regretting not staying longer than the three days.

I was greeted with an amazingly architecturally built airport. The were descendants of the people who did build Angkor Wat so how could they not have creativity oozing out of every pore they have?! It is simply the nicest, not biggest, but architecturally interesting airports I’ve been in, and I can now say that I have been in many!

My three days were all but a blur of sights, mingled with many drinks, even sprinkled with some working out and lounging. I even managed to fit in some sleep. Imagine me getting the hang of how this is all supposed to go after three months of Asia and 6 months thus far.

The moment I arrived I was whisked to the Tonle Sap Lake, and it was amazing. Some great scenery, and when you arrive you notice that the lake is..brown. I’m not talking slightly murky, I mean to say that it is BROWN. Now when I’ve been in Asia you immediately see the seemingly dirty water and associate smelly and dirty. I think I mentioned a keen sense of smell somewhere along my previous blogs. As I motioned closer and closer to board my junk cruise I noticed there wasn’t a smell at all. Hmm…interesting, but my nose was all the more thankful.

Looks like you can smell the dirty..but NO, none!

Sailing, sailing..underneath the..

I saw the fishing village of about 500-600 people. They fish at night, sell their fish at dawn and sleep during the day. This is how these people live, and how their children will live and how their grandchildren will live. Amazing the rural life these people have and that is all they will ever know and all they will ever get the chance to know. The kids went to a primary school in the fishing village but don’t get educated much more above grade 6 if that. Quite sad that they don’t have the means to offer higher education. This is their way of life, and it probably won’t change for hundreds of years to come. This is one of my favorite photos of all time – kids in what seems to be a wash basin, laughing and enjoying as if this was the perfect life they every could imagine. I love kids. The innocent, the fresh, the curiosity, and the playfulness they have without boarders blurring them between acceptable, right and wrong. There’s an absolute pure spirit about them that we lose as we become older and our hearts fill with more sorrow and heavy because of hurts. I wish there was a way to sustain this pure spirit in all of us…to stop putting up walls and to embrace without fear. That will be the hardest lesson of all this year.

Wash Basin Fun

There is also an alligator farm at our stop, and this freaked the heck out of me..they were close enough to see completely (caged underneath the dock), but yet far enough in distance and height to the rail that you couldn’t fall in and be eaten. None the less I walked away with the heebie jeebies. I’m not much for critters, insects or reptiles. Although I did end up finding out that I was sharing my room with a gecko and wished he paid his half of the hotel bill!

Not someone I want to snuggle with..

My second full day was spent touring the temple of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm (Where Tomb Raider was filmed), all incredibly ominous and breath-taking. There is just this amazing feeling that fills you regardless of your religion. I think it’s mainly the presence of being in such an incredible place that was built so many years ago with so much foresight, strength, perseverance, and simply hard work.

Spectacular

Angkor Thom

Ta Prohm

After a long hot day of seeing temples I was ready to relax and take a shower. After you succumb to being hot and sticky the minute you walk outside you’ll be fine! I was drenched in sweat due to the fact that when you go to Angkor Wat you are not allowed to be let in if you are not wearing long pants, and something that covers your shoulders. I learned afterwords that you can actually wear a tank top and shorts, just as long as in some places you brought a pashmina to cover your shoulders. The history behind the temples – well short version – was that it started out hindu as there was quite an influence of India in Cambodia, as it seems all countries surrounding it had invaded it, exploited it at some point. The king than later turned it into a Buddhist temple. That’s the really short version of its history. I did splurge on a guide, and that was definitely money well spent. Once you get inside the gates it’s a long distance between the temples and at times it certainly was good to be able to catch a ride, or have someone explain what was going on, although mine was heavy into history..which for someone who’s not into history..well it was a bit long. I had a guide and a driver, I even splurged for a car rather than a tuk tuk, and was so thankful to get into an air-conditioned car after walking for hours in the scorching heat of +34 degrees Celsius and I think it got to about +40 at its peak of the day. Yikes. Nice farmer tan..lol.

After the tour of the temples my driver, who was the dude who picked me up at the airport, asked if I wanted to go for an ice beer. He works for the company that the hotel hires to pick you up for your airport transfers. Sure I thought, he seemed safe enough. He works for a tourist company, I should be safe..Siem Reap isn’t THAT big, and my friend was expecting me in Sydney in two days so if I didn’t show up..
I’ve been listening to my intuition that much more since traveling and it’s been right on the mark so far. He took me to a local place and we had ice beer (which is really just beer with the glass frozen so it has ice on it, thus ice beer – although we Canadians discovered that LONG ago!) and what seemed to be beef jerky and fried corn. Delicious little snacks that went well with the beer. I’m not usually a beer person, but again, when in Rome, plus I’m learning to ‘go with the flow’. Ha

As we’re having our beers, it’s after his shift, so his friends are calling him. He speaks English well enough but there is still a bit of a communication barrier going on. So as his phone rings incessantly I, being as nosy as I am, asked who it was. He said it was his friend, room-mate, asking him where he is. “Oh, is he coming too?”. “No, I only tell him I out to eat, but not where.” “It’s ok, invite him!” “It’s ok?!” “Yes, yes.” “OK I wait till next time.” So of course his phone rang again fifteen minutes later. “Was that him again?” “Yes, he ask where I am now!” “OK, is he coming?” “Um..no I not tell him.”
OK, ok, there might be a language barrier but my spidey senses were tingling and I felt as though something was up. I don’t necessarily mean that I felt I was in any danger but this was going to be one of those..gentle let downs I’m getting use to. I’ve been quite flattered traveling alone. Perhaps it’s an aura I emit or a carefree spirit that comes across, but regardless of what it is men seem to be draw to it. I think it’s mainly due to some lessons I need to learn more than anything else, but who knows…

I spent the next day going to a cooking class – Le Tigre de Papier, which was a speed course as again I was the only participant. There was a group of girls an hour later thus the speed course. Mango Salad, Amok (traditional Khmer food) and banana tapioca. All delicious of course..food cooked with coconut juice, how could it not be delicious. After my class I stumbled on a cafe that was suggested by Lonely Planet and was bang on with their opinion. This was a funky cook, lounge with free wifi, delicious tasty snacks, cool drinks and even a couch/bed to sit on while you’re sipping and sampling. Blue Pumpkin is the place to go when in Siem Reap..fantastic, but I didn’t bring my laptop..d’oh. I then discovered the street behind pub street. Pub street is exactly that, a street filled with pubs and eateries from traditional to Irish. Go figure. The street behind it was similar although I did find two gem of a place places. One was an art Gallery by a local artist and another was a local jewelery store with these incredible creative handmade, silver and natural stone jewelery. Not cheap that’s for sure, but definitely worth a look especially if you’re not trying to stay on budget so you can see the rest of the world!

Blue Pumpkin Cafe

All in all I absolutely LOVED Cambodia and Siem Reap. The people are so hospitable and amazing. That being of course that their main industry is tourism and they have learned to do it well enough by my standards. You enter into a country that is so poor, yet educated with things as recycling, respect for their environment, and government issues, you can not have compassion for this country that also suffered through Khmer Rouge. The government is corrupt, as are the police, and everyone knows it, and surely I would say don’t get into trouble here, but I never once felt it was a dangerous country as everyone thinks it is. Sure they tell you not to walk around late at night, drunk and by yourself..but that’s common sense and something I wouldn’t do in some Canadian streets. These people have suffered for so long yet they have this amazing spirit about them…that they have accepted their life, good, bad, poor, rich and regardless of stature in life they are happy. That is something to be proud of. The entire place smelled of Jasmine and had baskets for garbage all along the pathways in Angkor Wat. That itself is truly amazing…it was definitely sad to see all the garbage in Vietnam littered everywhere..spoiling the most beautiful of sites. I loved this country, and didn’t have enough time spent there…so who knows, perhaps this is a perfect opportunity to do my volunteer work that collapsed in Nepal….

An Excerpt from a movie..so it seems.

Traditional Khmer dance

Good Bye VN, hello Cambodia

My last evening in HCMC and I decided to look up a nice restaurant for dinner and I found a place called Qing. It was a fabulous little retro lounge that was is a perfect little place for drinks with friends, although they should’ve been playing some sort of house music or something rather than..soft 80’s hits. BUT apparently that’s what they love in Vietnam! They love their rock or their soft rock from the 80’s. Great ambiance and feel, but it was surprisingly empty, but again it was new so perhaps it’s not been ‘discovered’ quite yet.

The food was delicious! The appetizer I had, normally I don’t as it’s too much food for me, but I heck I wanted to so why not, it was the salmon tartar on a kimchee bilini and wasabi cream cheese. It was decadently rich. It came with three, seemed small at the time, little morsels, and the flavors complimented each other wonderfully. Although I must say the kimchee tasted more similar to green onion that it did kimchee. When I make it at “home” I will make it with green onion instead! The wasabi was a bit much for me, but I’m not a big fan of loads of wasabi when I eat sushi, but complimented well. It was definitely a starter to share as the cream cheese was too rich for me. But then again, maybe others wouldn’t think it necessary to share, it was a small portion after all.

Cool retro lounge with asian fusion food in District 1

Salmon Tartar with kimchee bilini and wasabi cream cheese

I then ordered sea bass, which I thought was going to be served on a plate onto of some noddles…but to my surprise it was in a soup! Ok, not what I thought, but let’s go with it…sometimes a good motto in life as well, I’m learning. It was a small fillet atop some delicious, delicate tasting egg noddles. To compliment the taste it was supposed to come with bok choy, but I do believe it was chinese spinach that was in it, but all the better. I think it went better with the spinach than it would have with the bok choy.

The fillet was cooked perfectly tender as fish should be, and the noodles..they were a bit of heaven. Fantastically light, not the heavy noodles you would expect being an egg noodle, and perfectly paired with just a little bit of spice in the lemon grass broth. Again the most wonderfully light but plentiful in taste fulfilling every sense and taste bud you have. The delicate noodles, with just a small piece of fish atop, swimming in a hint of spicy, lemony, garlicy, delightlfully herby broth was the perfect spoonful. If you know me, you know that when I eat Pho every bite has to be piled on my spoon with all the flavors on the soup in each spoonful. Yes it takes me a LONG time to eat pho!!

Delicious Sea Bass soup with the most delicate egg noodles

It was a great fusion restaurant, and a little gem of a place. Hopefully it’s still there when you go. They have managed a nice fusion of Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Western. The service was wonderful as well..but I was only one of two customers so I would expect impeccable service!

The next morning I was on a plane and leaving Vietnam and onto new adventures in Cambodia. Although I loved Vietnam, and I wished I had more time in Saigon, and perhaps less time in Hanoi (if ever to do this again) I had already booked my flight to Siem Reap. Saigon was definitely more to my liking. It still has the old charm and trying to immerse itself in the modern world but it was great.

The next morning I was refreshed and ready to get on my flight to Siem Reap.

I waited at the airport and looked around as I was actually on time and two hours early for my flight. I boarded, and met a nice couple beside me from Canada. They were working in Taiwan and we chatted about my travels and theirs. It was nice to meet someone from Canada as I seem not to meet too many people from there.

I was at the airport going through security and I seem to not always have the best luck when it comes to going through security. My first instance was years ago going to Maui. I was with two of my friends and the only one with a small purse and sun dress. I mean sundress as in nothing to hide BUT I was the one pulled aside for a random body check. I thought, ok, seriously, how is it possible that I would have anything on me..

So at the border crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia, I waited in line to go through the boarder. Ok, I was next, and this should be fast. I have a Canadian passport and that’s as good as gold. We are welcome anywhere..ha, ok, a little Canadian arrogance. I was waiting at the desk while I gave my passport and documents to the officer..and waiting and waiting. I thought, oh no, something must be up, it shouldn’t take this long. He asked me a few questions, where I was going to be staying in Cambodia. Then he asked me “how long are you going to be there”. “Four days sir”, “then where”, “to Australia”, “what nationality are you??” “Canadian I said”, and though, it’s clearly written on my passport, although I didn’t SAY it aloud. He then turned to the front of my passport and said “oh”. He must have thought I was Vietnamese hence all the questions. I got that often. I never thought I looked Vietnamese, but apparently everyone in VN thinks I’m Vietnamese. OK, then it was fine, he stamped me and let me past! Whew, all was good!

The airport adorned in the Khmer architecture!

I arrived in Siem Reap and was feeling wonderful albeit that it was +34 degrees. It was hot but I could still breathe, unlike some of the places I’ve landed when it’s that hot and smoggy out. I loved Siem Reap already and wished I had more time here than I originally planned. The hospitality here is wonderful, thus being of course their main industry is tourism.

I arrived and immediately felt as though this was going to be a place I love, and I am right so far! It’s amazing, the people are great, and it’s a beautiful country….

Ho Chi Minh – AKA Saigon

Have you even been to a county and then suddenly had the epiphany that you now understand what the reference is in regards to things back home?! I have! For all you nerd who need examples (I’m talking about a particular friend – and he knows who he is), there is a restaurant back in Calgary that is called Pho Pasteur. I never knew what the “Pasteur” was in reference to. Ok, I still don’t know what the actual word means, however, there is a very famous Pho (Noodle soup) restaurant here in HCMC (Ho Chi Minh City) on Pasteur street. Coincidentally that restaurant is one of the best places in Calgary for Pho and one of the best places for Pho in HCMC. Must NOT be a coincidence, which solidifies my theory that nothing in life is a coincidence! Everything happens for a reason, and as I travel I’m finally gaining insight as to what some of these ‘coincidences’ mean. Better late than never!

I signed up for a cooking class today. I figured I better have something to bring home to my friends, and since I’ve already packed far too much on my trip, and I’m not about to lug around souvenirs all around the world to bring to my friends I better not show up empty handed…especially if some of them are going to put me up while I integrate myself into the work world again..heh heh. So my resolve was to sign up for a cooking class in every country I go to, (almost all) so that I can make some delicious goodies when I go back and earn my keep!

Saigon Cooking Class by Hoa Tuc. I googled in search of some authentic Vietnamese cuisine taught by some amazing chefs and I found two. I’m not knocking the other company, which might be great, but I decided to go with Hoa Tuc based solely on their web site. That’s how I’ve been making all my decisions, hotels, tours etc. It’s not the best way to do it, as I’m learning, however it’s A way to do it..!! They are located in District 1 in this small alley off of Hai Ba Trung street. Never underestimate a small opening in Vietnam. I’ve learned it might seem like a small opening, however it most likely leads to a large open space or cave (Halong Bay), which of course was the case. I walked through the alley, and it’s not quite even an alley, just feels like one, and it opened up to a large atrium with three restaurants tucked behind it.

Everything in their own neat bowls..just like on TV!

Hai Ba Trung seems to be the street where a few very well-known restaurants are located. However of course these are all restaurants that are frequented by ex-pats, and you aren’t paying $30,000. VND for a bowl of Pho. They aren’t even terribly expensive, a main would be anywhere from $150,000. – $300,000. VND, which is about $7-15 a plate, but sure seems expensive when I’m use to eating a bowl of Pho or vermicelli for $30,000. VND which is about $1.50. These are mainly restaurants with a western flair. Irish Pubs, Italian, Spanish tapas, French fusion, and Cafes with delicious wafts of freshly baked bread with sumptuously melt in your mouth delicious, buttery centers and the perfectly crispy crunchy exteriors matched delectably with the strong pungent sharp bitter taste of the strong coffee they serve here.

I arrived and thought I was at the wrong place as I was expecting a few others to be present for the class. I lucked out and got a private lesson as apparently everyone came during the morning session…pays sometimes to be a late riser! The chef came out to introduce himself and let me know that class would start in 7 minutes. 7’s an odd number, but ok, I wasn’t keeping track anyway. I sat patiently as they set the table filled with some goodies.

We started with the traditional Fried Spring Roll with seafood and taro. I had made spring rolls prior, but now I realize I have made them ALL wrong! These were delicious morsels of tastiness, fried to the perfect golden brown tenderness accompanied with some fresh herbs and a piece of lettuce. Turns out what we north americans think of as garnish is actually part of the tasty experience. I also learned how to make Nuoc Mam (fish sauce) the proper way. I previously had been winging it, and tasting it along the way to make sure it tasted proper, turns out I was missing lime juice and vinegar. Half the ingredients, although no one thus far has complained so it must not have been that awful!

Look Ma, I made these, and the dipping sauce too!!

Then onto shredded banana blossom salad with chicken and finally traditional Pho with beef stock. All which after concocting myself I got to eat. By the time I got to the Pho I was already full! So absolutely delicious and authentic and fresh, just the way I have come to associate that of Vietnamese food. They even gave me a complimentary dessert. I believe it was papaya mixed with creme fraiche and a few other ingredients that only that restaurant makes in all of Saigon. Perfectly tart, sweet and light enough to compliment a great meal. That’s the one great thing about Vietnamese food, it never leaves you feeling heavy like most Western foods does. Also the whole myth of eating asian and feeling hungry after a few hours is NOT true. I was definitely full for the evening…*burp*. They even gave me a neat little small folder with all the recipes printed on them JUST in case I forgot how to make it..great experience and definitely worth the bucks! ($45) to be exact.

I even made the hot pepper garnish!!

Pho

After three hours of cooking and eating I decided I needed to walk some of it off…or rather even to digest what I had eaten.

HCMC is..a rural third world country on the verge of becoming a very charming tourist friendly city. In my opinion. There are much more English-speaking places and people, however some customer service standards need to be worked on. I’m not talking about the food stalls that offer home-made meals for mere dollars, as the non speaking english vendors add to the charm of this city and any city for that matter. That goes hand in hand, however if you’re going to charge Western prices for your meals, hotel services, then your standards should coincide otherwise you’re just taking advantage of tourists. Not good business sense if you ask me, but I guess no one is really asking me.

I end my day with a work out in my hotel gym (I splurged for two nights – and working out helps me balance) and a swim in the pool. I went down in my gym attire and on my way back up to my room, the elevator door opened and three generations of a Vietnamese family happen to be in the elevator. I walked in, and one of the gentleman was standing right in front of the buttons, so I waited and paused for a moment. The older gentleman, loudly said “UP”. I said “yes, excuse me”. The younger man turned around to look at me, as many people do when they find out I’m not Vietnamese (I never thought I looked Vietnamese until EVERYONE here thinks I am and speaks to me in Vietnamese), and he just stared at me. The older man uttered some words in Vietnamese to his son, and grand-daughter, and the only words I heard were…”Brunei”, to which they got off the elevator on their floor and the feisty in me couldn’t help but to poke my head out the elevator and say “I’m CANADIAN, but thanks for asking!!!”.

I get this a lot..no one really distinguishes WHAT I look like, I look Vietnamese so everyone here talks to me in Vietnamese first off and telling me that I look Vietnamese. Then I run into a lot of Chinese who speak Mandarin, who yell at me in Mandarin, to which I politely reply “I don’t speak (fill in the specific language they speak her). Some Mandarin speaking dude even followed me the length of the swimming pool in which I was doing a lap (ok a very POOR lap of swimming) yelling to me in Mandarin to which again I politely said “I don’t speak Mandarin”. I even get funny looks from Europeans when I speak perfect English. Thankfully I can distinguish the different languages, although I can’t ACTUALLY understand what they are saying, I only can tell what language it is, thus making my sentence of “Sorry I can’t speak..” end well enough so they understand to stop talking to me.

I’m in Asia and I don’t feel as though I quite fit in and when I’m in North America people KNOW I don’t fit in due to the way I look…so where do I fit in? That’s another story and blog all together….

My small wine from my mini bar has kicked in, and it’s time to get a decent night sleep to only start these shenanigans all over again in the morning!!!

When the going gets tough the tough…go to Australia!

I knew that I would certainly hit some rough patches in my travels, I just never expected it to be so soon. I’m finding it rough being in a third world country, trying to communicate in a language that doesn’t quite mean what you’re taught it to mean in a country far from here.

Don’t get me wrong, I certainly have learned LOADS about myself. Heaps and heaps, and these will all be revealed in my book rather than on the internet where it may not be the best media to expose myself. Vietnam is also a beautiful country, but very much unpolished in its means of tourism.

When in Hanoi, I stayed at a very quaint little hotel called “Charming Hotel” in the old quarter. It was cheap, the rooms were clean, there were no frills attached. Now I have still yet to figure out how the star system works. As in what requirements do you actually need to be a two/three/four and five-star hotel in Vietnam. Perhaps if anyone reading knows, you can enlighten me.

Back to Charming. The staff was incredibly helpful, and definitely ensuring that their guests get the best value for their money and ensure you’re not being ‘ripped’ off, which seems to be the norm as a traveler here. I would suggest you do your homework or travel with someone who speaks the language, OR be very prepared to be charged far more than what you’re supposed to be charged. They booked all my tours in Hanoi which included Halong Bay, Sapa, Perfume Pagota and a city tour of Hanoi. All at good prices, and definitely fair in comparison to what others paid for the same tours.

Now I’m not sure if it’s perhaps the generation gap, or that perhaps younger people pick up English better or what exactly the case was, but the staff at Charming could actually understand what I wanted, needed or was trying to communicate to them. As well they gave me correct information as to where to find what I needed and so forth. You think this is an easy task, and normally it is quite the easy task, but not such in a country that English is learned strictly for tourism.

Again I can’t gush any further about the wonderful service and helpfulness of the staff at Charming. Certainly made being a single traveler that much more relaxed. They even had one of their bell boys take me on the company motorcycle to find a rain jacket when I was on my way to Sapa! Which hotel do you know does that?! That deserves a star in itself. Did I mention they were only $20 a night!? Small quaint little place, with a comfortable bed, and the front desk even had my computer installed in my room FIRST during my stay there.

I can’t say that I’ve experienced the same if even CLOSE to that service here in Danang. I thought since I’d been sleeping on a train, not sleeping enough, and just wanted a nice swanky hotel for once, I would come to Danang and splurge. I found a place on my trusty website: Asia Web Direct, and it seemed great for the price so off I went.

Green Plaza Hotel Danang. DO NOT go there. Of course the room and all the amenities were nice enough and I would think so considering the price I paid for it. Beds were comfortable, not quite like they are back home, but good enough for someone who’s been couch/hotel surfing, living out of a suitcase for 6 months. Now let’s talk service. They were considered a four star hotel. Again not sure the criteria here, but awful. The reception looked at me as if “who the heck are you, and why are you staying here” because I didn’t look like an expat, who was willing to pay through the nose for just about anything. Although I must say I still ended up paying through the nose for services.

Let’s refer back to the first entry, where we all know I’m a bit…frugal. Ok, I’ll buy the $250. pair of seven jeans, and I even splurged on a burberry purse in HK, BUT c’mon, $3. US at the hotel to wash ONE shirt?? ONE shirt, not two, ONE. Now after trekking in Sapa, and wearing maybe one/two outfits for the three days due to the cold weather, and wearing my hiking shoes so I didn’t slip and bruise myself again…my clothes were definitely due for a cleaning. I don’t normally need deodorant, but ~phew~, not so fresh smelling clothes. I was due for some laundry to be done. Plus I’ve come to realize I like clean clothes, who doesn’t, and since I have only one bag, albeit I do have a separate bag for my dirty clothes, I feared my luggage smelling like dirty socks for the rest of my journey.

So needless to say my laundry itself was ridiculously expensive, but needed to be done…the other cheaper places don’t dry your clothes very well which leaves yet another odor to be less desired in my suitcase yet again. I’m realizing that being in a third world country with raw meat hanging in the humid, hot, filthy, dusty, outdoors that my keen sense of smell is going crazy.

Now onto the staff at the Green Plaza Hotel Danang, NO ONE spoke English except the two people at the front desk. I decided being sick I was going to stick around my hotel and take advantage as much as I can on a hotel I splurged on so I decided to eat at the restaurant they had at the hotel. Again ridiculous prices…for Vietnam. $5. US for one small glass of wine, and apparently nothing on the menu was available. I think I had to make about 7 choices before I picked what they actually had. After about the third time they came back and said they don’t have that, I asked “so what DO you have?”. “We have this fried rice.” “Ok, I’ll take that”…..oh wait “we don’t have that” either. Do you understand my frustrations here people??? Instead of having a menu that tells your customers what you COULD have, how about having a menu of food that you ACTUALLY have??

I apologize for the rant here, but I hit an all time low in my travels only now after 12 days of traveling alone. Thank goodness for ‘skype’/email and some good friends who helped me through this distress while I sobbed myself to sleep with all the communication frustrations I’ve had in Danang so far.

SO, for a break I’m heading to Oz/Nz to spend some time with a good friend from the early years of University, and to speak a language where they understand when I use words consisting of more than two syllables. When I’m recharged I’ll head back into SEA for a few more stops. I feel like an utter wimp, and all of those who told me that traveling alone would be hard, and I scoffed at them…I’m once again proven wrong. Humble pie it is today. It seems to be on my menu quite often as of late…and I don’t even know how to say it in Vietnamese.

After all, the reason I didn’t book an around the world ticket was for instances exactly like this. I’m not having fun so it’s time to move on…Again I certainly loved the country side and all the natural beauties that Vietnam has to offer, however perhaps I’ll come back when you aren’t wanting to rip every tourist off just because you can…

When I arrived at Danang, they said my taxi to my hotel would be $100,000. VND, I said too much, they said $80,000. VND. When taking a taxi back to the airport it was $53,000. VND INCLUDING paying the toll to get into the airport. This was to be a relaxing time, figuring out who I am, and enjoying myself. Well…not so relaxing when you feel as though every turn you make you are being ripped off or hassled to purchase something…for a softie Canandian such as myself which I’ve come to understand I enjoy the niceties in life, it doesn’t make it relaxing.

I am however trying to remember to pay it forward. I think that is part of my ‘mission’ in life and in my travels. I’ve received numerous generous tips, help, meals bought for this lonely poor traveler, and every time I receive I ensure that I give the same to someone else along my travels. Amidst all the money grabbing and the cheating of tourists, as all you are to them is a money sign, after all this is still a third world country, there still are gems to be found, and experiences to be learned from both. Take the good with the bad, and I’ve learned it’s ok to cry (thanks to growing up with brothers, this was not an emotion I am familiar with) but to dust yourself off, and tomorrow is another day. I’m feeling slightly better and ready for another long, humid, hot, negotiating, on my toes day to Ho Chi Minh, where I will spend the next few days and then be on my way to shrimps on the barbie, kangaroos, and fuzzy koalas.

After all, my blog is labeled journey to a smiling heart……

My latest paying it forward – I bought all the staff (6 people) at Charming Hotel ice cream cones the day I left. I’ve never seen people so happy for such a small gesture…THAT is what makes my heart smile.

Same Same…

You know what really sucks? Being sick. What sucks even more than being sick…being sick in a country where you don’t speak the language, where you don’t know where to find normal apple juice, and all you crave is your own bed with your own sheets and your comfy snuggly Pj’s that crinkle in all the right places. Ahhh…home. Yes it would also be nice to have someone coddle you in your moment of being utterly ill, looking utterly disgusting, and doing utterly disgusting things that no one else would do for you. OH right, I decided to travel the world, and so here I am in Hanoi after my crappy train ride, which I think got me sick in the first place, with no apple juice in sight, no bed or pj’s cause I sold my home months ago including my bed. Reality check…how’s that saying go, you made your bed, now you have to lie in it!? I’m not complaining, however if someone could invent a time machine where I could be whisked back to my home for only a few days I’d give my…left arm, c’mon my right arm is far too valuable.

Thankfully I have a friend, who has a friend who lives in Hanoi who speaks Vietnamese. She took me to the chemist and suggested that I take these natural herbal pills that work amazingly well. This is some natural Vietnamese miracle. Cam Xuyen Huong. They’re equivalent to cold fx in Canada if not better cause they are all natural. I popped two, drank a bunch of liquid and felt as though I was going to burst into flames. My skin felt as though it was on fire, my eye balls felt as though they were going to propel themselves out of their sockets.
I was entering the worst of the whole getting better. Boy would it have been nice to have had someone of comfort. Instead I was inside my hotel room all alone huddled in my bed sweating but cold at the same time and listening to the comforting hum of my TV broadcasting “Biggest Loser Asia”. I didn’t leave my room for two days, and sweated through three sets of clothes to finally awake in a haze with a foggy mind and clogged nasal passage. Ok, I did leave my room once, but that was in a forge for some food, as in order to take my medicine I had to take it with food in my stomach, and if I didn’t have food, I couldn’t take my pills which meant I wouldn’t get better…see the cycle people. Sometimes the vicious circle needs to be broken..I’m CERTAINLY learning that as well..more about that later. In my search for Congee (my favorite comfort food – Chinese rice porridge) I had walked all of four blocks and felt dizzy so I knew I was in no condition to be doing anything other than find my food and go back to my room and sleep some more.

SO – two days later I resurfaced and still don’t feel normal (that’s subjective) but I’ve got my tours booked!!
City tour of Hanoi, Halong Bay for three days two nights, Sa pa for three nights, two days and finally perfume pagota before I fly out to Da nang and lie on a beach in Hoi an!

…..

I again apologize in lack of writing, seems to be what I am doing a lot lately, however internet access in Vietnam is slow going and it seems at times I’m able to get my account here and other times I’m not able to. I’m also only able at times to get onto my facebook account so internet has seemed to be sketchy at best for me unfortunately.

The hardest exercise I had to complete in University was to walk through my campus at half the speed I usually do. Similar to the movies you see when one person is walking through a scene at a speed which seems so slow while the entire world around them is rushing by at millions of miles faster than they are. That is what I feel like I am living through right now. The person who is going a quarter speed of the remaining world around them. Not necessarily a bad/good thing at all, just very different from what I have been use to in life. Again this was the theme of my journey correct!?

Hanoi was a prime example of that. I will NEVER complain again about traffic in my life. The main mode of travel in Vietnam seems to be by motorcycle. Which seems to be quite efficient and the cost-effective as well. As the sea of motorcycles whiz by you wonder how these people don’t have road rage which seems to be a common disease in North America. I seem to question this myself being three times the amount of people in one area than that of where I use to live. The heir-achy is such that small yields to large. As a pedestrian you yield to everyone. Then follows bicycle, than motorcycle, then car, then bus, and so forth. Seems to work fine here and SO FAR I have not seen any accidents. I suppose however that traffic is something that they deal with on a regular day basis so hence they don’t flinch at an everyday activity. Perhaps they are more worried about where their next meal comes from or how to make a living in a very poor third world country??!! Maszlo’s heirachy takes effect here. Also a lot of honking applies as well to let them know you’re coming through. You know there is a lot of leaning on the horn when that part of the steering wheel is worn out.

Just a regular day in traffic.

My first day after feeling up to dealing with the world..this side of the world was a city tour of Hanoi. Everything you could imagine. Ho Chi Minh’s mansoleum complex, One pillar pagoda, Museum of Enthology, First University, Temple of Literature. I was staying in the Old Quarter at a hotel called “Charming Hotel” so I had walked around Hoan Kiem Lake and made myself familiar with what was around that area. It was a great little tour, and definitely helpful having someone explain things to you rather than try to understand on your own. Well worth the $16, including a wonderful little lunch! Although I must say it was a bit surreal seeing Ho Chi Minh in his sarcophagus very well-preserved I must say. I guess what made it that much more emotional for me is that the other person I’ve seen that way, not so well-preserved, was my grandfather a few years ago now. Odd feeling none the less. My guide today was ‘Before’. That was his translated Vietnamese name from English. Perhaps his way of breaking the ice on his tours, which every good tour guide does to ensure their guests are having a good time and comfortable and relaxed and enjoying their tour. Word of mouth is always best business practice even on this side of the world. His favorite saying in English was – same same – meaning similar but it seems to be much easier to say same same than similar. Seems to be a phrase many Vietnamese say about many things.

Halong Bay – Trying to get onto the NEW seven wonders of the world list, and rightfully so. It was absolutely gorgeous and I went on a day that was cloudy, misty and not so nice. I only imagined how beautiful it would have been had the sky been blue and shining that day. I went on a three-day, two night tour. Although I paid a bit more than the bottom price I’ve been noticing that it’s not worth it. I got the same meals, same accommodations, and same tour than those who paid less than I did. Although the junk I sailed on was a bit nicer so I was told. I don’t think it was worth the additional monies I paid however. I kayaked in the sea although it was cloudy and looked nasty the water was quite warm. Who would pass up kayaking in the sea at Halong Bay?! We saw the caves that the Vietnamese hid in during war-time, we stopped at Cat Ba Island for the evening, and toured the bay to check out all the monuments.

Can you imagine how beautiful it would be if it were sunny!?

Sapa was the highlight of my days. Three nights and two days leaving in the evening on a night train, which I dreaded due to the horrific trip in China. I’ve come to realize it wasn’t so much the train ride but more the happenings in China. I managed to have decent cabin mates and met a newly wed couple from Holland to only be shushed by the Vietnamese man who apparently didn’t like us talking. Arriving in Sapa (northern country village in Vietnam) we were ushered like a herd of animals onto our bus. I must say Vietnamese tourism hasn’t QUITE mastered the niceties what I’m use to regarding other tours. Our first day was a 4 hour trek to see one of the villages. Simple walk, however it was freezing that day, thankfully as usual the walk helps warm you up. The second day was a 12 klm hike in which we were lucky to have the sun come out in the afternoon, while I forgot my sunscreen my forehead and nose are sun-kissed, er rather lobster like. This was absolutely beautiful scenery and I was very happy to be away from the city and the smog of the vehicles, smoke and all other odorous smells of the city. Good clean air, and amazing scenery. We ventured through many villages and to see the Black Hmong People and their way of life. I am always amazed at people who live with the absolute basic needs of life and seem to be as happy if not happier than others.

Black Hmong people

Amazing endless rice fields

We started our tour from our hotel, and along came three little girls and two other older women carrying baskets on their backs. I thought this was part of the charm of Sapa but we came to realize otherwise halfway through our trek. I understand that their only way of making a living is selling tourists items they have made, however it is sad that as children this is what you learn even from a very young age, to try to cheat tourists, to peddle items you’ve woven, knitted, or crafted in order to make a quick buck. They first make conversations with you asking about you and telling you about themselves, however you then realize there is a hidden agenda behind their conversations. Now after you’ve spoken to them very innocently you decide you don’t want to purchase one of their items they get very angry with you. It’s as if they feel they built a trust and now it’s gone because you won’t purchase from them. They get quite aggressive, and say you promised and you have to buy. It’s unfortunate the values learned by living a life-like this, but again this is the only way they understand how to make money.

Village girl playing in the sand

I met a group of young people on my tour and ended up hanging out with them for the rest of my Sapa tour. Four girls from Denmark, two boys from Kelowna, one guy from Spain, one from Dublin and one from Australia. We ended up going out and having a few drinks, playing some Denmark drinking games and staying out far TOO late for a 12 klm hike that started at 9am. Great bunch, and lots of views and opinions. Turns out women all around the world are the same with very similar thoughts and insecurities. I found myself being the ‘mature’ one of the group giving the girls talks about how important it is to feel comfortable with yourself and having self-confidence. Yeah. Me. That’s right!

One more night train back to Hanoi in a cabin with a toddler and infant who wouldn’t stop screaming/yelling and I was worse for wear again. Vacation right!? It’s similar to that of Vegas where you need another vacation after your vacation. Arriving in Hanoi at 5am and onto my final tour of Hanoi – perfume pagota. I was exhausted, still coughing and sick but you only live once, I’m in Vietnam and sleep is over rated right!?

Perfume pagoda – NOT what I expected. I must say I am NOT shocked by much but I was shocked by this. Faint at heart please stop reading now. My thoughts of perfume pagota was MUCH different from what it actually is. First you take a 2-1/2 hour bus ride to sit on a small boat to be sailed to the island. This was the easy part. While touring the pre-temple I had ended up talking to another tour person who happened to be from Jersey so it was great to again have conversations in which you didn’t need to speak in the most basic English you learned in kindergarten. As we got onto the boat, the ‘driver’ shushed us, and we were scolded for speaking English. First we were told that the boats aren’t supposed to take foreigners, however in a quick glance you could spot at least two handfuls of Caucasians who clearly were foreigners. I apparently at least look Vietnamese (according to everyone here) and he was Vietnamese American, at least we blended in.

Boat Hop Scotch to shore

As we arrived to the island, it was boat hop scotch to get to land. STOP READING IF YOU’RE FAINT OF HEART!!!! What I saw next has scarred me for life and I never thought anything would. I finally saw a dog hanging on a hook. He was a mid-sized dog and it was hanging on a hook as any other meat would be in Asian cultures, and I don’t know what it was but I couldn’t take it, it really grossed me out. I think mainly for the fact that only a few months earlier in SF I was walking my friends dog for him while he was away. It really made the distinction between North America and Asia.

Here I was thinking that it would be a nice quaint pagoda tour seeing some temples and so forth, but here right in front of me and awaiting your nice smooth boat ride was fido on a hook. Something I can NOT get use to regardless. Eeps. As we descended to the pagoda there was merchandise to be sold on either side of the trail. That in itself was a kill buzz for me. I was expecting a tour that was much more spiritual and serene not full of peddlers who at every chance they get try to sell you something. Not the confusion/Buddhist way I would suspect. None the less I made my way to the top, to be shoved, pushed, and smothered to get in yet another line to see this pagoda. Thankfully I had my new friend/translator with me which made it less difficult. It turns out it’s a cave with thousands of worshipers with food, money and incense praying for a good year, respecting the teachings of Buddha and monks and to ensure everyone’s happiness in their family. I suppose this was what I was to expect being that it was the last day of the lunar New Year and Tet here in Vietnam.

Alas I traveled to Danang by plane and splurged on a swanky hotel and have taken some much-needed time off and soul soothing. I’ve realized how different it is in Asian and I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I need and am comfortable with. It may not be a long time since I’ve been in Asia, but it has been about 5-6 months of living out of suitcase and it’s not been easy at the best of times. I think my appreciation of my life and all that I had has come to an all time high. The constant communication issues, asked to purchase something, taken for a tour on motorcycle, taxi ride every minute I walk down the street has taken its toll on me. I thought HK and it’s density was jarring, but Vietnam and being as poor as it is definitely pushes me beyond my threshold of tolerance. This probably because I left HK feeling as if I needed some personal space, some clean air to breath and some relaxing non tension feelings as if constantly needing to be alert for someone trying to rip you off because you’re a foreigner, has given my feelings of Vietnam its slight taint. It’s a great country and much to see, eat, and love, however my mental state leaving HK was not quite at its peak and it’s made this journey that much more difficult. I’ve had great experiences and met some wonderful people (All at the Charming Hotel in Hanoi – amazing helpful people, whom on my last day I bought ice cream for the staff and they were the happiest most appreciative people I’ve ever seen), but I think I’m ready for a break and something a little easier right now.

This journey is about getting to my smiling heart, and although it’s at a slight grin right now I need to stop exhausting myself and just enjoy. The best part of not having a set schedule and plane ticket I can dictate where I want to go next and what I want to do as it’s about doing what makes me happy……..

I’m Chinese, it’s ok for me to say this….

It was a quick tearful goodbye. I had said my goodbyes to my cousin’s the evening prior as we had dinner and I retreated to finish my packing. It wasn’t goodbye, but it was ‘see you later’ as I’ve said when leaving San Fran and my new friends there as well. I had bonded with my cousins again and had learned a lot from them both concerning life matters and my Canto certainly improved as well! I think a part of my thoughts are also biased based on the book Outliers I’d just read written by Malcolm Gladwell. His thoughts in one of his riveting chapters regarded circumstances and factors surrounding us impact how we formulate our thoughts and perceptions of what we deserve or feel we deserve. Surroundings certainly dictate our thoughts and views and I’m a clear believer of that as I continue on my journey.

my gate at Guangzhou

I was at the train station in Hung Hom in Hong Kong with my ticket in hand ready to go to Guangzhou. I was tired of eating noodles and the only other option available was McDonalds and Starbucks. Starbucks is taking over the world! So I opted for a greasy burger, which I suppose I was due regarding my fast food fix. It had been months, but for some apparent reason being that I’m from Canada everyone in these Asian countries assume I want to eat westernized food.
Ok, so I thought the train would be a fun experience, and perhaps when I was younger and not completely spoiled of niceties, it would’ve been a great experience. Don’t get me wrong, the scenery as promised was gorgeous from Guangzhou to Nanning; however the journey itself was a lot more challenging than I had expected.

Guangzhou to Nanning

I got on my train, 1-1/2 – 2 hour train ride, and I always allot for ‘lost’ time, which meant I had approximately 2 hours after arriving in Guangzhou, take a taxi from the East Station to the main station and purchase my next ticket to Nanning. Seems simple right?! When in China and you DON’T speak the language, give yourself MORE time than that. I arrived and immediately awaiting at the end of the escalator was someone asking if I wanted a taxi. I asked how much and he wouldn’t tell me, but kept walking, so I followed. I asked again, “How much?” His broken English replied, “Meter”. Ok, I kept walking. We got to his taxi which was a regular car and again I asked him how much, in return his response was $100 Yen. Good thing I did my research and knew that a taxi from one station to the other was only supposed to be $30 Yen. So I said no thanks and walked away. Back into the station and I asked the lady at the counter, and she said the same. I asked why it was so expensive in which she replied it’s a private company car. I thought well if I take a taxi it’s a private car to myself as well right? So I said no thanks once again and walked away, in which they yelled at me, “Ok, $80…ok $30””. Sigh, why does this side of the world feel the need to rip people off at every possible chance? I proceeded to find a taxi down the stairs and sure enough it was $30 to the other station.
Taxi guy spoke Canto, so he said I could go over there (in which he pointed in a direction of what seemed not too far from where he dropped me off) to purchase my ticket. I walked over what seemed like a sea of random people strewn everywhere possible in front of the train station. I felt as though I was walking through a human maze of people trying to maneuver my suitcase which thankfully I decided to get one with wheels instead of the traditional backpack. In going to the wrong place many times over, and having not been able to even communicate where I could get a ticket and NOTHING was in English, I should’ve paid attention in my tutorials whilst I was a young’en, I missed my train. THANKFULLY there was another one leaving later that day. I was not going to have to stay here for the night. While in getting my train ticket, I had stopped at a few ticket counters asking where this elusive ticket station was. Ok, so I view myself as quite a polite person, but Guangzhou got the best of me. The people here were ridiculously rude, while giving ME dirty looks cause they cut in front of me, and I inconvenienced them as they had to step around me while I was already at the front of the line to ask a question. Again, when in Rome. I was leaned right up to the counter and another man who clearly saw me, I realize I am short and sometimes not seen, but he barged right in front of me pushing me over and I politely said I’m next. Knowing clearly in my mind when uttering those words that he probably didn’t even understand me anyway. Ok, I already let another guy push me aside to ask his question and time was of essence and I’d already been stepped on, pushed, looked at funny, doors opened only enough for someone to slip through with no courtesy of the next person, namely me, and I wasn’t going to let this guy get away with it. So I ended up being a little more forceful with my words. I’m NEXT. He clearly didn’t understand me, but certainly understood my implications. I had to push him back on his shoulder to avoid him from pushing me over. I was ready to leave Guangzhou and never look back.

simple but satisfying

I boarded my sleeper to Nanning, and was starved. I hadn’t eaten (a likely cause of my grumpiness) and was exhausted from all of this. I had repacked in HK again, and left more behind, but I’m realizing I still have too much with me. Amazing how if you start to only wear five/seven outfits you don’t realize you haven’t changed your clothes in days nor feel the need to. I was on the train platform and asked some guy which cart I was in, and he pointed at 10, in which I got to 10 and asked another guy and he pointed me back in the direction I came from. I don’t know if it’s a case of friendly people in wanting to help even if giving the wrong information or if this was residue from the rude people in Guangzhou. I arrived, and ‘met’ my roommates. One woman with her young son, and two business men it seemed. Tickets and passports were asked for and I headed to the eating cart and did a lot of pointing, and communicating in one word sentences such as rice etc. Here’s a pic of my oh so delicious meal, seeing that I hadn’t eaten, anything was delicious!!

I had then gone back to my cabin to head off to bed, and it was only 10pm! A record for me considering I’m a night owl..whooo, whoooo…I ended up finding out one of my roommates spoke Canto so he was my translator which was so much more helpful. My angel amidst the dark, dreary and miserable day I was having. So the next morning at the break of dawn I was up taking in the amazing scenery. We then hung about, and the two gentlemen asked if I was hungry and asked if I wanted to get breakfast with them. So off I went, at least this time I could get something I wanted or at least know what the choices were! The nice man even paid for my breakfast and was very inquisitive of my journey which I was more than happy to talk to him about. There are nice people in China after all. I’m certain this was a circumstance of environment.
The evening prior to heading to bed, I thought to myself, ok, one instance of rude people, don’t let that be the main deciding factor for the remaining train journey. Right then and there I read a little, threw on the IPod and relaxed a bit and was ready to change my mind set. Amazing how powerful your mind is, once you’ve decided to make changes. It’s a matter of being cognizant of your actions, aware of your thoughts and catching the negative and ensuring that you change that mindset. It’s amazing what ‘vibe’ you put out there when you change the negative into positive. I’ve proven my theory so far a few times, this being one. Part of my journey on the way to my smiling heart is learning these valuable lessons which seem so plain and easy however when you don’t put in the work you never gain the rewards.
I arrived in Nanning, and parted with my new translator and again thrusted into a bustling train station in which I couldn’t speak or read the language. I did know that I was supposed to find counter 7, of course, nothing is easy, there wasn’t a counter 7. Counter 16 is where you have to go! I ended up spotting some backpackers and asked them if they knew, and luckily a young boy in front of them was helping them on their way to Beijing as well. They asked him and he said 16 and I made my way through the maze of people again. I made the 100 feet, which seemed more along the lines of 300 feet, and the boy found me and approached and asked “may I help you?” I said with much delight, “yes!” Got my ticket with help from this boy and he asked what I was doing since I had such a long wait. Normally I wouldn’t go off with strangers, as taught to me in kindergarten, but he weighed less than I did and had this friendly demeanor about him so I asked if he could show me around.
I learned Sam wasn’t from Nanning either, but was more than happy to take me around as he waited for his train as well. His train was at 2 and mine was at 6:45. So off we went. He helped me with my bag and I took his little school bag. I also learned that he was in International studies and more than anything else he was happy to be able to practice his English! Good deal for the both of us! It was scorching hot in Nanning, and I was sticky, hell I was still sticky from the day before so what’s another day, as far as I could…er, smell I was still ok! We went to find an internet café so I could check in with my hotel to ensure things were taken care of and wanted to let a few friends know I’m still in transit and I’m relatively well despite some rude encounters. I’m Canadian, I don’t KNOW how to be rude..haha..a wonderful stigma people across the world have with Canucks and I’m sticking with it!
We ended up exchanging emails, so I could ‘help’ him with his English in emails and we went to grab a bite of…wait for it..noodles. Such a really sincerely sweet boy, apologizing to me that his English wasn’t great and he was sorry he couldn’t communicate with me better. Mind set changed and all the things you attract when you change it, amazing, who’s to question it?! I was in the front foyer waiting for my train and Sam came running back to me again…”Sheila Ghay (Ghay – polite term for lady, older than a girl, but younger than a spinster! Ha) there are comfortable seats in this waiting room you can sit in!” It certainly was it was filled with couches. So with leg draped across my bag I was in for a snooze. Hot, sticky, tired, mentally exhausted the back of my eyelids were a warm welcome.
In my soft sleeper berth on my way to Gia Lam (5klms from Hanoi) I was the only one occupying it, so my only friends on that duration was U2, Gwen, Jason Mraz, and of course Jack Johnson with a little Beastie Boys and their opinions strewn in. Air conditioning, my own private berth, green tea, some dried mango and this was my heaven, while 5 months ago my perspective on heaven would’ve been much much more different. I was on my way to a hopefully nice decent hotel called Charming Hotel in Hanoi which included a nice shower..what more can bring a smile to my face at this point?!!!

My soft sleeper

Just like in the movies