A Ticket to Nowhere...Exploring the Expansion at the EIA

I got up and out of the house early (for a Saturday) and headed to the Edmonton International Airport.  This probably doesn't sound particularly unusual after all this is meant to be a travel blog so surely I've been to my local airport before.  True enough.  Usually however I go to airport because I am going somewhere or at the very least picking someone up.  Today however this was not the case.

As part of a group of over 1300 "passengers" arriving today I was there to help the EIA to trial the flow through of the new terminal that will be used for departures to the U.S.A. starting on February 11, 2012.  In the fall of 2011 I had seen an article in one of our local newspapers requesting volunteers for the simulation and had thought that it might be interesting to get a sneak peak at the new terminal.  I wasn't disappointed.

No my name isn't really Margaret

A short while after arriving at the special event parking and boarding a yellow school bus I entered the new terminal where everyone was being given their passenger script enclosed in a brightly colored file folder.  Script in hand I was directed up a flight of stairs to the departures level.    After taking a moment to review the information I headed down the hall as directed to collect my boarding pass and luggage.  I was handed a first class boarding pass to Phoenix!  And since I was a first class passenger today my "luggage" had already been checked for me.

Headed to the U.S.A.!

Next stop: security.  Nothing really all that different here.  The usual bag, keys and change in the bin.  I carried on without incident.  Since this terminal will be servicing passengers traveling to the United States the next logical stop was the Customs Hall.  Since today I didn't even need my passport this was a breeze too.  I wasn't even asked if I was traveling on business or for pleasure.

The hard part was over.  Now to head to gate with plenty of time to relax before it was time to board.  It's a bit of a walk to get to the departures lounge so passengers can choose to walk twice as fast along the moving sidewalk.  Now I've encountered these before in many larger airports but I think think that the ones here are the first in an Alberta airport!  There is some lovely art on the walls along here including a mosaic of what appears to be Edmonton's lovely river valley.

Art!

Before you settle in to wait for your flight you may want to stock up on all things Canadian (and other luxury goods) at the Duty Free.  The Duty Free store is located just before you reach the departures lounge.  The passage through here was quite narrow and depending on how busy things were there could be an issue with bottle necking.  Today I didn't stop to shop but proceeded straight through.  Since I wasn't actually leaving the country I was pretty sure we wouldn't be allowed to buy anything here anyways!

By the time I arrived here I had realized that I forgotten the notebook that I normally travel with and since I had wanted to make some notes for this post I went in search of a new one.  At present there are a few shops available with more to come.  I checked out Relay and while they had lots of popular reads I didn't come across a notepad or book.  I settled on a couple of postcards.  After all I just needed a blank surface to write on so the $1.80 I spent was well worth it.  Now if you are feeling a bit peckish before your flight you are in luck.  For the time being there are four food establishments in operation:  Starbucks, Quizno's, Wings Tap & Grill and a Chili's express.  For the trial today free samples were on the menu.  While everything looked tempting (especially the wings) I had skipped breakfast so I tried a mini cupcake and a coffee from Starbuck's.  This morning that fit the bill.  I had about an hour and half in the area before it was time to "board" my flight so I wandered around checking out the amenities.  In addition to the usual seating at each gate there was a variety of other seating in the central hall  including one area that doubles as art.  Power outlets for those traveling with anything they might need to recharge before the flight were plentiful in the seating area.  Add to this free WiFi and the flash-packers among us should be a happy bunch.  There was lots going on during the trial with musicians, jugglers and stilt walkers circulating among the crowd--now I probably won't see this next I'm here but today with the many families with young children taking part I found it very fun and appropriate.  There were definitely people from all walks of life taking part which was great to see.  Additional simulations were taking place around me including a situation with a lost ipod and a mock medical emergency.  Other than the entertainers the only thing that made this scene seem out of the ordinary were the brightly colored file folders we were are carrying with us!

Time to go!

After collecting the delicious lunch that was provided by Krave, a local catering company I was off to wait by my gate.  After all it was nearly 11:30 and since my "flight" left at noon it was almost time to board.  Since today I was "flying" first class I was able to "board" first.  As I exited the departures lounge I was quite amused when I overheard one of the EIA volunteers ask the couple in front of me if they had gotten their lunch (which was over at Gate 74 and if you wanted it you needed to collect it before you left).  The couple insisted they had to board their flight.  To which the volunteer tells them that the have a "ticket to nowhere".  I chuckled at this statement a little as the couple headed back upstairs to collect their lunch.

Welcome to Edmonton!

Meanwhile I proceeded downstairs to the arrivals level as  I was now an arriving passenger.  The second part of the simulation was much less involved--it was just a matter of walking through the terminal, being welcomed to Edmonton by a friendly volunteer, turning in the provided questionnaire and leaving with a parting gift before being shuttled back to our vehicles.  Unlike in real life there was no luggage to collect and no stern looking Canada Customs officer scrutinizing what I was bringing back home!

All in all I think EIA has given Edmonton a new facility to be proud of.  It's world class and will serve the airport's growing number of passengers well.  The simulation seemed to run smoothly as well.  I'm looking forward to flying through the new terminal in March when I'll be headed to Phoenix for real!

If you are interested in what's going on with the EIA expansion you can find more here or you can follow them on Twitter: @flyeia  or find them on Facebook:  Edmonton International Airport.  If YouTube is your thing check out the videos about the expansion here.  Have you seen this for yourself?  Tell me what your take on the new terminal is!

P is for Procrastination

Are you a procrastinator?  I am.  I admit it.  It's awful.  A couple of months ago I started thinking about making my summer vacation plans.  I researched a couple of small tour operators, I looked into flights and buses and trains.  And I booked nothing.  Partly because I was waiting for the next seat sale.  It came and went.  And so did another one.  And still I couldn't commit.  Am I afraid of commitment?  Well, yes and no.

I've been working a lot lately.  And I have had my eyes on the prize--that being exploring a part of the country I haven't yet been.  Sigh.  If everything worked out I was going to check out Moose Travel Network (East) and Salty Bear Adventure Travel--both look like they would be a blast.  And now Air Canada may be about to strike.  I've spent some time on a picket line myself so I am not enamored with the idea of crossing one.  I'll fly Air Canada again once things are resolved.  In the meantime I am sort of glad I'm a procrastinator.  Usually it seems to work in my favor.  Maybe I'll find a fantastic last minute getaway instead.

For now my summer getaway is back at square one...oh well.  Guess I should start thinking about booking the time off....

Gearing Up for a Great Canadian Summer!

For the better part of the year my country is cold.  I mean really cold.  I moaned about it last winter and come next winter I am sure I will again.  I love my country---but I hate it's winter weather.  So for Canadians the warm kiss of the breeze on a summers day is precious.  It's why when it's 15 C in early spring (and a week ago it was -15 C) you will see people roaming around in shorts and a T-shirt.  And sandals.  Mind you I'm not one of those people.  I run cold and if I'm in shorts the weather is definitely warm.

A summer day in Canada?  It could be but no this is Scotland!

It is only recently that spring has come and I am already working on summer plans.  And this summer I have decided that its all about Canada.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  Canada is a HUGE country.  I've been fortunate to have traveled throughout quite a bit of it but there are provinces I still haven't visited. I also am not in a position to be able to take too much time off at once and for some of the places I also want to go I just can't justify the airfare if I'm going to whip through in a week or two.  So what a perfect reason to explore a little more of the place I call home.  My plans aren't yet written in stone yet but the name of the game is go somewhere new.  

I've traveled both solo and in groups before and I certainly like the group dynamic, especially when I am not going to be in one place very long so I have decided to look into a couple of small Canadian tour companies operating in Eastern Canada.  The master plan if it works out is to join a group with one or both companies and blog about my experiences on the road.  In the coming days I am hoping to see what I can arrange.  

In the meantime I am also looking forward to exploring a little more of my own backyard as a long lost friend returns to visit.  My friend Y was an exchange student at my high school when I was in grade 11. We lost touch when she returned home but I thought of her often.  Then a few months ago she found me on Facebook.  I was so excited to hear from her.  She is coming back to visit for a few weeks this summer and I am super excited to take the opportunity to visit a few of the local attractions as we have this chance to take a walk down memory lane.

So it's shaping up to be a great Canadian summer.  Looking forward to sharing more!  Have you got some suggestions of where I should go in eastern Canada?  Leave me your comments!

Wandering into 2011

I have to admit that 2011 has gotten off to a bit of a slow start.  My internet presence has been negligible and real life has taken over.  Since December my focus has been the holidays, family, friends and work.  I had hoped for a winter getaway but instead stayed home and shoveled snow.  A lot of snow--I haven't seen a winter like this since I was small.

2011 so far has also brought a couple of firsts for me as a blogger too.  I wrote my first ever guest post.  To read my post, Living with Less:  What Travel Has Taught Me About Money & Material Things, head over to Spunkygirl Monologues.  Pam, both a fellow traveler and fellow Albertan, runs the site and this month is hosting posts from other spunky girls every day.  I am very glad to be included among them. 

I was also excited to hear my site has won its first ever award.  E College Finder.org went looking for sites promoting study and work abroad opportunities and experiences.  And they found me.  Wow.  Consequently I've been recognized as one of their Top 75 Study Abroad Ambassadors!  I'm in good company too, among some of the sites I enjoy myself such as Do It While You're Young, Two Backpackers and Traveling Canucks.  There are many other great sites as well!  There is a whole list of links to check out and if you are looking for study/work abroad info you should take a wander over there.

The new year is still pretty bright and shiny as far as I am concerned and there is still much to come.  As always I am looking forward to sharing my wanderings both past and future with you and I hope that 2011 has started off with a bang for you!

Living with Less: What Travel Has Taught Me About Money & Material Things

A funny thing happened to me as I attempted to do some Boxing Week shopping at the end of 2010.  I made my way through several stores, amongst the throngs of bargain hunters, looking for a bargain myself.  I had decided that if I didn't go on a trip over the break I would treat myself to a new (and bigger) TV.  But even though I found many a tempting deal I just couldn't do it.  I couldn't part with my hard earned cash for something as frivolous as a new TV when I had visions of beaches and ruins and fabulous foreign food dancing in my head--you see, travel has simply made me change the way I think about money and "stuff".

Before I traveled I had spent most of my life attached to stuff.  Books, magazines, old clothes, gifts I received way back when I was a teenager (which is a half a lifetime ago now), and even some of my old school assignments that I was particularly proud of…I had kept them all.  When I packed everything up to pursue a chance to live overseas there were an awful lot of boxes that I packed up and stored for my eventual return...  


To read the rest of my very first guest post please head on over to Spunkygirl Monolgues. While you are there check out some of fellow Albertan Pam's posts about her adventures in Asia last year. 

The Darkest Days - Seeking Sun on the Shortest Day of the Year!

Rhodes, Greece looking sunny and even ... tropical.

Today is the Winter Solstice--officially the shortest day of the year.  Today the sun didn't rise until nearly 9 in the morning and set just after 4 in the afternoon.  I don't know about you but the shorter days leave me desperately wanting to see more of the sun.  Although I live (and grew up in) a part of the world that experiences a very harsh winter I really can't say that I enjoy it.  The good news is that tomorrow the days will start to get longer again.

In less than four days I will have some much needed time off and if I have my way I'll be spending at least a little of it in another time zone.  And if I am even luckier it may even be somewhere that has daily highs above 0 C!  As I write this it's minus 19 C--anything warmer will do.

The hard part is that its got to be cheap.  My budget is small so a cheap flight and accommodation is a must.  Fortunately I have no qualms about going at the last minute but at this time of year that doesn't always translate into savings.  I am looking for a deal.

So for the past while I have been  scouring budget sites looking for the perfect winter getaway.  I am easy to please, a cheap flight and a hostel bed would suit me just fine.  Sadly this time of year, travel can be at a premium with people all over heading home and abroad to see family and friends.  So as a result, thus far no dice.  Still I am hoping that if I keep looking maybe I'll find exactly what I am looking for--at the very last minute.  I've been checking out Expedia, Travelocity and LastMinute.com to name a few.  Any suggestions would definitely be welcome--please post them.  My traveling companion and I will be eternally grateful!

And if nothing else Hawaii in January is looking promising--too bad I don't have any time off then!

Until next time, happy traveling!

Feeling Under the Weather When You're on the Road

For most of the last week or so I've been sick.  Sore throat, chills, fever and feeling achy all over.  Bottom line, it sucks.  I've been dosing myself with Vitamin C, echinacea, chicken soup and the occasional Neocitran.  There's not much worse than when you are are ill.

Except when you are away from home.

Even if you love to travel and were to make up a list of the pros and cons of globetrotting, being sick or getting injured while on the road definitely makes the top of the cons list.  Think about it--you plan an amazing trip, pay for it and then hit the road.  Part way thorough you suddenly aren't feeling so well.  It doesn't matter what it is, but the last thing you want to happen is to be so miserable that all you want to do is go home to your own bed.  And what if you can't?  If you are living and working overseas like I did for a while going home may not be the easiest option or not one at all.  Nearly every traveler I have met has some sort of story relating to being sick on the road--it's more common than not but the most important thing is to keep your story from becoming a horror story.

So what's a savvy traveler to do?

Well there are many things that you can do to stay healthy during your trip.  First things first--start before your trip.

Before your trip:

• Eat well, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep.  
• Do some research.  Certain ailments are more common in some parts of the world.  Is the water safe to drink?  It may not be wise to eat uncooked food in some cases as well.  Keep in mind that the locals may have no problem with the water where you are traveling but bottled water may hold the key to keeping your insides happy.
• See a travel health professional well in advance of leaving.  They can provide you with emergency or preventative medicines that you can take with you.
• Get vaccinated.  Depending on where you are headed this may be especially important.  Some countries require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry,  Yellow fever vaccination is an example of this.  Your travel health professional can help you with this too.
• Get travel medical insurance!  If you don't need it this trip count yourself lucky--but if you do need you could likely save yourself a lot in costly foreign medical bills.
• Prepare for the possibility of motion sickness (if you have never traveled by water you could get seasick and just not be aware of it--I was once on a cruise with a woman who didn't realize she suffered from seasickness until she was on her trip--the only time she seemed comfortable over the course of that four days was when we were on land.
• The same goes for altitude sickness---give yourself some time to acclimatize before taking on serious changes in altitude.  You will have a better chance of reaching the top! 

During your trip:

• Drink lots of water.   If it has been recommended to drink bottled water do so.  Be wary of ice added to drinks and any beverages that may be made with local water.
• Know your limits when enjoying the local bevys.  (And that goes for any other substances you may be enjoying as well.)
• It will probably be hard but try to get enough sleep.
• Wash your hands, same as you do at home.  Carry hand sanitizer to use when soap and water aren't available.
• Enjoy the local food but try to eat a variety of foods.
• Pack some protection!  Sure you are on vacation but an STI (or an unwanted pregnancy) is a souvenir to avoid bringing home
•  If you do have an injury or find yourself ill seek medical attention.
• If you have the opportunity to rest when you are feeling under the weather--do so.

Although I've done my best over the years to stay well as I have traveled I certainly have not been immune to the various traveler's maladies.  Minimizing the impact if you do fall ill is key to making sure that the memories from your trip are fantastic.  Hopefully these tips will help to keep you well on the road.

Until next time happy traveling!

Job Opportunity of a Lifetime

Find a job you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life.

-Confucious

The Job Opportunity of a Lifetime!

I love this quote and I'm sure there is a lot of truth in this however as things stand I love the job I have now most days but it certainly is still work.  On the best days not as much, but on the bad days...well you get the picture.  I've definitely been lucky to have some jobs I have enjoyed but I have also had my share of not so enjoyable ones like most people.  I mentioned in my previous post Travel Contests Galore!  Who wants a free trip?  that I was planning on applying for Transat Holidays Vacationer Wanted.  I can't resist even though I love the job I have now.  Why?  Well, travel is seductive, alluring, compelling.  It makes me do things I would not normally do.  It's like a drug and it is my drug of choice.  I like nothing better than hopping on a plane to fly into the wild blue yonder--if my destination is unknown to me so much the better.  The sights, the sounds and the smells of a new destination are intoxicating every single time.  In fact it gets better every time.  I'll rough it to see just about anywhere but I also have a taste for a little luxury, great food and fantastic company!  The reality is this job will be work some days too but I am sure the fantastic days will far outweigh the rough ones.  Twelve trips in twelve months to some fabulous locales sure sounds good to me!  Like I said before I couldn't help myself and I submitted my video today just before the deadline.  Wish me luck!


If you have read my previous post, My (travel) story...and why I want to keep traveling!, you will know that I took a huge chance on a job that would have given me a chance to travel before.  It didn't work out the way I hoped but despite that it led me to spend a year working abroad anyway which was still an amazing opportunity.  I would do it all again for another opportunity to see a little more of the world.  This competition is already fierce and only a select few will be the final contenders for this opportunity of a lifetime.  I'm hoping to hear opportunity knock but I am sure whoever is chosen will be amazing.  And in the meantime I will keep on taking a crack at whatever opportunities may come my way.  


If you want to have a peek at my application video here it is!  If you have ever wanted to visit the West Edmonton Mall--you can get a little bit of a sneak peek here!







Hope you enjoy it-- and if you do you can share your support on the Vacationer Wanted Facebook page.  Just click Like and leave your comments!  And if you have a travel dream too don't stop dreaming and don't stop trying to make it happen.  When it comes true you will be glad that you did!


Next time as promised we will have Road Trip:  The Sequel!
And until then, happy travelling!

Road Trip!

I love a good road trip.  On a really good one you will laugh, cry, love and maybe even fight.  I've done my share over the years.  I grew up in Canada in smaller city that only recently started public transit and having a car meant freedom.  Summer camping trips, an impromptu trip somewhere 3 hours away to have a meal or just a drive for no reason--I'm guilty of all of these.  Of course that was many years ago when fuel was half the price it is now, I had summers off (except for the part-time summer job - had to pay for the fuel somehow) and I didn't have so many bills to pay.

One of my favorite trips was many years ago back during my very last year of university.  A good friend of mine and I drove from Edmonton, Alberta to Kingston, ON (and actually as far as Ottawa).  We packed up and drove it over the course of several days with stops in Regina, Saskatchewan (to visit my Dad), Bloomington, Minnesota (to check out the Mall of America), and Niagara Falls, ON (I'd never been there before despite having lived in Ontario for about 3 years at this point) just to name a few.  We camped, we ate cheap and listened to great music and sung along too.  We chatted.  About everything and anything.  Even though our lives have gone in different directions I often think fondly about that friend and that trip.  At the end of the year she even flew back to Ontario to meet me and come along on the return trip.

More recently I've done shorter trips.  One at the beginning of this summer and one at the end.  In opposite directions even.  Over the May long weekend I had the pleasure of accompanying one of my oldest friends on a road trip to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to visit her sister and just relax.  A weekend of food, movies, reading and even a little Scrabble ensued.  After work on Friday we hit the road stopping in Lloydminster a town that has the distinction of being partially in the province of Alberta and part in Saskatchewan.  After a bite to eat it was time to go again.  We rolled into Saskatoon sometime around midnight.  I was glad I wasn't driving--I generally have a pretty good sense of direction but for some reason I always seem to get lost there.

There were three notable restaurants we dined in over the course of the weekend.  Traeger's Restaurant and Bakery, which had an excellent french toast also had desserts in the case looked amazingly decadent--it's almost too bad we came for breakfast!  The next time I'm in town I'm going for dessert.  Another local breakfast favorite is The Berry Barn which is just south of Saskatoon. This place is very popular and reservations are definitely needed.  The food is tasty and the star attraction is the topping bar which you can have over waffles or cheesecake or whatever sounds good to you.  When I was there the toppings included strawberries, peaches and of course saskatoon berries.  When you've finished eating you can linger in the gift shop or if you have come at the right time of year you can pick yourself some berries to take away with you.  Last but not least we had dinner at The Cave.  This one is worth visiting strictly for the decor.  Once you step inside it looks--like a cave, complete with stalagtites.  The menu is varied and the portions were large.  I was suprised by the fact that there were tablecloths.  I was not expecting that.  You also get a map--keep it since you might need it to find your way to the bathroom!

My summer was bookended with one last road trip.  West this time.  Stay tuned for my next post when I head off to the Canadian Rockies.

Until then happy travelling!

Travel Contests Galore! Who wants a free trip?

Lately it seems everywhere I look I see a new travel (or travel inspired) contest out there.  I'm sure a lot of this is to do with the proliferation of the internet and social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and others.  And another thing I'm sure of is that every company that sponsors one of these contests is getting an awful lot of bang for their marketing buck by running them.  For the travel obsessed like myself, these contests represent an opportunity to potentially see a little more of the world on someone else's dime!  Sure they may be a longshot but they sure are fun--and some of the prizes to be had are pretty fabulous.

Best Travel Job Ever - Earlier this year my friend Alesha and I participated in the Best Travel Job Ever which was a contest sponsored by Flight Centre, Air Canada, Intrepid Travel, Roots and Henry's.  The entry required contestants to enter a video that was posted on Youtube and the entries that received the most votes were put before a panel of judges to choose finalists and eventually a winner.  This one was a lot of fun and I can only hope they might do it again.  The site is still up and if you are looking for some inspiration you should check it out.

Paradise Hunter  - 52 Weeks of Paid Vacation - This job offer is open until November 5, 2010 but I think it qualifies for this post.  In a one minute video you need to show why you should be the next host for Paradise Hunter.  There are some great videos and host job winner will also get a $60 000 salary and their very own piece of paradise at the end of the year.  Open to applicants around the world over 18.

Transat Holidays - This one is positioned more as a job offer than as a contest but I still think it also fits this post.  The successful applicant will have the opportunity to travel on Transat Holiday trips throughout the next year and then write and video their experiences.  In addition to the travel there's a $40 000 salary too.  You need to be over 21, have a valid Canadian passport and submit a maximum 2 minute video and your resume.  I couldn't help myself so I've applied for this one--I love my job and don't want to leave it but the opportunity is so good I had to give it a shot!

GAP Adventures - Earlier this year GAP had the Create Your Adventure Contest. This one was kind of cool and the grande prize winning entry by a young man named Ryan will be on offer in the 2011 GAP Adventures brochure.

Intrepid Travel - This one is current.  Real Life Experiences or Win 30 Trips in 30 Days.  Choose one of the trips from the map and explain in 25 words or less why you want the trip and you might be selected to win that trip.  If you are planning on booking with Intrepid soon enter!  Just for entering you will be emailed a voucher that is good for 20% off an Intrepid trip.

Facebook Contests: Facebook also has tons of contests (travel and otherwise) if you know where to look.  Find the pages of your favorite products and services and they may just have something for you!
Here's a few current ones to check out:


Travelocity and the Mexico Tourism Board - Like these two on Facebook and figure out where  the Travelcity Gnome is in Mexico.  Winners get a Mexican vacation and contest is open to US and Canadian residents 21 or older.

Cathay Pacific - Want a pair of business class tickets to Hong Kong?  Like Cathay Pacific on Facebook and enter your Asian inspired dessert to win.  It could even be served on their flights.  Open until January 2011.

Baileys Brings You Home - Who doesn't love this Irish tipple?  Baileys wants to reunite you with your family and friends for the holidays and is giving away round trip tickets to anywhere in the US.  Entrants submit a video or essay--and like Baileys and Facebook too.  To enter you have to be a US resident and over 21.  Enter before December 10th.

So take a chance and enter one or all  of  these (of the ones still open anyways).  It might just be your lucky day.  And if you hear of any cool travel contests drop me a line!  In the meantime get your cameras rolling, your keyboard tapping and your creative juices flowing.

Until next time happy travelling!

Working Abroad--Why you should do it and why I wish I had done it sooner!

In the streets of London.

I spent much of 2008 and 2009 living and working overseas.  Since I was young I had dreamed of experiencing life somewhere else in the world.  In retrospect it was an opportunity that I would not trade for anything.  I only have one regret and it's that I didn't do it sooner.

I recently received a message from an old friend of mine (who has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in the UK herself) who was trying to help another friend of hers out in getting the type of visa I got to work in the UK.  I was more than happy to pass along any help that I could because I know how much that opportunity has enriched my life.  I  hope that the information I provided was of some help.  But that request also got me thinking--I wish I had known about these opportunities sooner.

Living and working in another country isn't just about earning pounds or euros when you are used to making dollars.  It's about learning about another culture, enjoying new food, friends and adventures.  If you are just getting started after finishing school a year abroad doing a job that may not be a career builder will not be a blight on your CV (or resume for those of us in North America).  Your time overseas can tell a possible employer that you are independent, adaptable, and willing to take on new challenges.  You just left everything that was familiar behind and journeyed out into the great unknown for heaven sakes!  Take a bit of credit where credit is due.

There are some great resources out there if like me you wish to spend some time abroad.  If you are a Canadian you should check out The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada site - Canadians Travel and Work Abroad page.  This site lists destinations that young Canadians are eligible to participate in work exchange programs.  There are plenty of options, especially for Canadians, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy and Japan just to name a few. There is also a link on this page for young nationals of other countries who want information on coming to Canada to work for up to a year.  This page is a great place to start if you are still investigating the possibilities that are out there. Most work permits or visas available under these programs are require you to be between the ages of 18 - 30, however there are a few that participants can be eligible up to age 35.

If however,  you have already decided that you are ready to jump on the next plane there are a few things you need to consider first.

1.  For many of these programs you need to apply BEFORE you arrive in your destination country.  You have to prove a few things before you are accepted such as your age, your citizenship, and proof of sufficient funds to help support yourself when you arrive (or to purchase passage home.)  There can be other restrictions as well--research the program for the country you hope to visit.

2. In most cases once you have applied, paid the fee and ticked all of the other requirements off the list you will have to send your passport to the embassy or high commission of your destination country.  If all goes well it will be returned to you with a brand spanking new visa in it.

3. Some destinations will require you to have a valid return ticket when you arrive--if so don't purchase a one way ticket until you have checked this out.

4. Some programs restrict the type of work or the duration, ie you can only work for the same employer for 6 months on your permit.  Keep this in mind when looking for work.  However also keep in mind due to the magic of the internet you can begin your search for work even before leaving home.  A couple of sites I found helpful for my work search in the UK were WorkAbout and AnyWork AnyWhere and Reed.co.uk.   If you looking for work in a specific field there are many other sites out there as well.

5.  You will probably need a tax number before starting work in your host country.  In Canada this is referred to as a Social Insurance Number, in the UK where I was working its called a National Insurance or NI number.  Apply for one as soon as you are able--usually once you have arrived.  Check into labour standards and minimum wages.  Know your rights as a worker!  Unfortunately some employers will try to take advantage of temporary foreign workers as they are more likely to get away with infractions.  I have my own story about this.

6.  A local bank account is helpful, especially when you are going to be in the same country for a significant amount of time.  It can be difficult to open as a foreigner walking into a bank in strange country so there are organizations that can help you get this done.  I used First Contact in London and setting up my account with HSBC was nice and easy (for a small fee of course).  First Contact or similar companies will help you out with other things as well.  If you are headed to another country inquire about similiar agencies that can help you get set up.  Once set up you will have a place to deposit and save your hard earned wages in the local currency.  The bank will likely also provide you with local cheques and a local debit card.

7.  Health Insurance!  This one I can't stress enough.  Foreigners are not often covered if they require medical attention outside of their home country and this can lead to big medical bills even for something as simple as a broken bone.  In some cases if you have a visa that is valid for work you may be covered as was the case with me while I was in the UK.  I learned after I was in A&E (Accident and Emergency)  that Canada has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.  I had separate insurance as well but was lucky enough not to have to pay for anything and therefore I didn't need to make a claim.

So do your research and then have some fun--the experiences you have and the people you meet will teach you things that you can't learn in any book or by watching TV, or even surfing the web.  You will probably have the time of your life.  Life is to short not to take a chance once in a while.

So why do I regret not doing this sooner?  I got my visa after I turned 30, which is the cutoff age of many of the programs available.  If I had gone away sooner I probably would have taken advantage of the opportunity to have worked abroad in other countries as well.  But its a lesson learned and I still had the time of my life.  If you are thinking of working abroad and have any questions I might be able to help you with I invite you to drop me a line and I will try to cover any questions in a future post.

Until next time, happy travelling!

I'm baaaaack!

Reality has come crashing down around me these last few months.  New home, still learning the new job, summer...well you know how it goes.   I have kind of withdrawn from a lot of things as a result.  Unintentionally of course.  But there are new things to come.  First off this site is slowly going to get a new look.  How do you like my header?  It will be a work in progress but I am looking at bringing you more of my adventures and misadventures as well as sharing my favorite travel related information that you can find here on the world wide web.  I look forward to your feedback as I expand this site.

Until then happy traveling!

Guest Post By Krista D. Ball

Not everyone has the desire to travel the world. Not everyone has the means, either. Yet, I think a little exploration can do our minds good. If we spend too much time in the same place, we become entrenched and our world view becomes stilted.

As a speculative fiction writer, the imagination needs constant stimulation in order to keep up with creating new worlds, cultures, and even races. Visiting new places, even as simple as a new ethnic restaurant or a small town gift shop, expands my world just a tiny bit more.

I confess that I’ve never had a burning desire to see the world. I trust the internet when it says that there are pyramids in Egypt and that there are leaning towers in Pisa. However, I have travelled in small ways and have seen many things crop up in my writing.

I’ve been along the coast of Labrador and saw firsthand what cultural genocide, corruption, and alcoholism can do to a proud people. I’ve been to outport Newfoundland where I saw people cling to their culture in the midst of economic upheaval. And I’ve seen the Rocky Mountains and myself an early explorer.

As humans, we need to continue expanding our minds or else we risk mental atrophy. Regardless if it is grand or small, travel is one of the important ways that we continue to explore the world around us. And, in doing so, we explore our own lives.

Krista D. Ball is a speculative fiction writer in Edmonton, Alberta. Her upcoming novelette, Harvest Moon, travels back in time to visit a fictional First Nations tribe in northern Alberta.

I've been remiss...readjusting to life at home after a year abroad

Apologies for taking so long to post this. It seems as if the rest of my life has gotten in the way lately of sharing my travel stories. I am hoping this will soon improve. I've now been back for nearly seven months and I am slowly going about reclaiming the accouterments of the average person's life. The new job was found sooner than anticipated and while it started out as temporary and uncertain it has since become more permanent. For this I am grateful. I got my phone number back too--I've only had it for 10 years now and I don't know if I could ever give it up. I've been saving as much as I can to pay off the bills from the last trip too. This still hasn't stopped me from dreaming about the next one though. I am slowly trying to tie up all the loose ends, bank accounts, taxes, you name it. I made mistakes in not considering a lot of things before I went away. Lessons learned I guess. For right now I am looking forward to reclaiming my own space. The last few years have been characterized by short stays in shared accommodation. While this way of life has many merits and I have had wonderful experiences the time has come to start over. I am however very grateful for all those who have put me up over the last couple of years. So needless to say I am looking forward to my new digs.

So for now my travel plans aren't big ones but that doesn't mean they still can't be fun ones. A long weekend road trip is first up and then I am hoping for at least a couple of short camping trips over the summer. Who knows what the summer will bring?

For those of you who followed the Flight Centre's Best Travel Job Ever and the entry made by Alesha and I--I wanted to thank you all for your support. However I just found out there is going to be a little bonus round! Vote for us one last time on May 20th, 2010 to get our names in to win a trip to video blog in sunny California! To go to the page to vote click this link!

And you won't have to wait too long for the next post--tomorrow brings a guest post from a fabulous new Canadian writing talent, Krista D. Ball. Her novelette Harvest Moon will be published in the fall. Her post will discuss how travel has influenced her writing. I hope that you will enjoy it. To learn more about Krista's work please visit her website www.kristadball.com.

My (travel) story...and why I want to keep traveling!

I have spent countless hours in my life examining maps, reading travel books (and phrase books) and daydreaming about the places I would one day go. Travel has changed me. I am not the same person I was before I embarked upon the trips of the last two and half years.

I was fortunate in my early years to have traveled throughout a lot of Canada and the United States but I had never gone overseas until I finally traveled to Europe in 2007. I had wanted to go sooner but put it off because I was paying off loans from school and had no one to go with. I had entertained planning trips with friends in the past but it never seemed to work out. So finally I decided to just do it--I went on my own and planned a trip lasting nearly a month. Needless to say I loved every second of it--I had certainly been bitten by the bug. And there was no turning back.

Not long after returning home I decided I wanted to find a way to keep "living the dream" if you will. So applied for a job with a European tour operator. I figured I had nothing to lose--the worst that would happen is nothing. To my great surprise only a couple of days later I received an email asking me to call to arrange an interview. So I thought about it again, other than the cost of the trip I really had nothing to lose. I made the most of it and had a little reunion with a couple of my university friends when I arrived in London--if this was the end of the road, the trip was not wasted as we had a great time! Two interviews in two days and I was back on a flight home. Exhausting but exhilarating at the same time. After being home for about about a week I got a letter--in a big envelope. Anyone who has ever applied to university learned this rule--a small envelope meant bad news and a big envelope means . . .you got in! This rule rang true in this case as well. I had been offered a coveted place on one of the tour companies training trips! I could hardly believe it! This was a chance to travel, meet new people and earn enough of a living to keep the bills paid--a true chance of a lifetime!

In the weeks that followed I quit my job, gave up the apartment I had lived in for nearly five years, said goodbye to my roommate and my friends and parked my car. At my going away party I sprained my ankle, or so I thought... I had my eyes on the prize and pushed through the pain to get my apartment cleaned and get on my way. Not much later I had arrived in London, late, sans luggage and with a very bruised ankle.

The training trip was strenuous, right from the get go. We were tested at every turn. In nine weeks we would hit the major European destinations the company traveled to and learn as much as we possibly could about each place--we had to be able to speak about each country's history, culture and other special topics about places, events and people of note. And that was only the beginning. This was work and I expected no less. People dropped like flies and I hung on like my life depended on it. It really felt like it did. But after nearly seven weeks on the road, a really nasty stomach bug I picked up somewhere in Eastern Europe, and a still sore ankle I couldn't keep up and was not allowed to continue. I was devastated when I was given the news. I cried all the way to to the airport the next morning as I made my way back to London. And in my fog I managed to drop my very heavy suitcase on my foot--the same foot that had the bad ankle! It was only two days later when the pain in my foot got so bad I went to A&E (that's Accident & Emergency for those who are not familiar). After looking at the X-ray the doctor looked at me quizzically as he pointed to my ankle and asked me if I was sure that it didn't hurt there--I told him "not anymore". I had broken my ankle all those weeks ago and my stubbornness had led me to not see a doctor lest my dream be shattered--my own stubbornness had very likely cost me my chance.

Despite everything, two years down the road I don't regret the experience. I saw places I never thought I would see in my life, met incredible people, and learned all about Europe--and I would never pass up the opportunity to go back. I've only been inspired to see more of the world. So until then, I will live vicariously through others, share my experiences through my blog and continue to daydream again about the places I'll go until the next trip! And of course enter a few travel contests as well. Like The Best Travel Job Ever! This could be my second chance to see more, do more and share it with anyone willing to listen! Namely YOU! So please give us your votes! And where will I go next? Only time will tell! How far will I go to live my dreams? As far as I have to!

A Day in Athens

Ok, so I promised to tell you how I spent the day in Athens. So here it is.

Anyone who has traveled to Greece will understand when I use the term "Greek Time". For those of you that are unfamiliar with this, the concept of "Greek Time" is this: things kind of run at their own pace in Greece . . .time tables are often rough guides for when transportation arrives and leaves. The pace is very relaxed. Meals are often much later than most North Americans are used to--and as a result if you are the type to want to start your day with a hearty breakfast you may have difficulty in finding much more than coffee or tea and bread. Sometimes you may find some cheese and olives and even some Greek style yogurt with honey on offer. For me, not being a big eater in the morning worked out well and I started my first day in Athens with a coffee and bread with jam and cheese overlooking the Acropolis from my hotel's rooftop garden. The Hotel Adonis has a great location in the Plaka (Athen's old town) at the foot of the Acropolis. The hotel is simple but excellently located and fairly priced. I found it listed in Lonely Planet. I also stayed in the Hotel Hermes, which is just blocks away and much more upscale.

After breakfast I wandered through the Plaka, map safely tucked away in a small bag. In time I found myself at the very foot of the path leading up to the ruins of the Acropolis--it was a Sunday morning in November and my lucky day--free admission. It was cool outside but still warm enough to make the trek up without a jacket. Though there were many other things I wanted to see that day I was in no hurry. I had waited years to see this place and would savor the trip up. I was not disappointed. The path was relatively empty on the way up but there were others enjoying the view from the top. The ruins are formidable, and it is difficult to comprehend the skill it would have taken to build this place. Seeing the Theatre of Dionysus was a highlight for me as well. In university I studied both classics and drama. I directed a production of Aristophanes' Lysistrata in my 4th year and it was amazing to see a place where this same play might have once been performed. This was an amazing start to an amazing trip--I did make a couple of mistakes however. I forgot to bring two things--water and spare batteries for my camera! There is a small stand near the visitors facilities that had water available but it seemed overpriced and I did not find batteries until I returned to the plaka! As a result I did miss out on some great photo ops.

I spent the remainder of my day doing a number of things, visiting the Archaeological Museuem (also free entry that day!), wandering through the ancient agora, taking the Metro, watching the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square, enjoying the flora and fauna of the nearby gardens, checking out the wares of the shops in the plaka and enjoying a freshly made spanakopita for a light lunch. Other things to do if you find yourself in Athens--well, there are loads of museums, including the new Acropolis museum which has opened since my last visit, there is some great shopping including the flea market in the Monastiraki area, and just enjoying the food on offer. There is so much more I could tell you but I will save it for another post on another day! If you are inspired and want to visit but have questions please feel free to post or email me! Happy traveling!

It's All Greek to me . . .

So far of all the places I have traveled my absolute favorite place is Greece. My love affair with all things (or at least many things) Greek began way back in Grade 5 when my teacher told our class the story of the Odyssey. It continued over the years as I discovered the mythology and the food. By the time I was university I was hooked. I very nearly took a minor in Classics and one of my first year courses was an Introduction to Archaeology. It was a large class in a huge lecture hall and was taught with lectures and slides. The first month of the course or so, one of the professors showed us slides of her trip to Greece. Some of these were at the dig site she was at but not all of them were. I fell hard. The photographs were stunning and only intensified my wanting to visit.

It wasn't until 2007 though that I first managed to visit. I traveled on my own and spent a couple of days solo in Athens before joining a group to take a four day cruise through the islands. If you ever visit Athens you will likely discover one of two things. You will either love it or you will hate it. I loved it. The streets are chaotic, red lights don't necessarily mean stop and there is no pedestrian right of way. For an English speaker the language is strange--but don't fret, street signs in heavily touristed areas are transliterated from Greek into English. Learning a few words of the language will earn you smiles from the locals. And thanks to the Metro, built before the Athens Olympics, most of the city is very easy to navigate. The Metro is a work of art in itself and is clean and easy to use. Many places in the city you can walk to, especially in the streets of the Plaka which are narrow, winding and not really built for cars--you will see many a moped zipping down these streets though so keep your eyes open. A map, may be helpful for you to help navigate in this older part of town.

Before you go, do your research! There are loads of great resources out there that can be of great help to plan your trip, online and otherwise. My favorite is is Matt Barrett's travel guide to Athens which you can find at www.athensguide.com. He's got tips on everything including how to get there, and get around, what to do, what to see and what eat (and how to pronounce it too!). Lonely Planet's guides were helpful as well. If you are traveling on a budget check out hostel reviews for cheap sleeps and other money saving tips.

Are you inspired or intrigued yet? I hope so! Next week, more on Athens. My favorite places to see, things to eat and a couple of neat places to sleep! Stay tuned!

A Year ago today I was in . . .Madrid!

This time last year I was in Madrid, the capital of Spain. Previously having only been to Barcelona I was in for a treat between the food, the sights and the art! It was a very short trip but it made an impression on me nonetheless.

I really liked this city, although I must admit being in the middle of Spain it is still quite cold in January. The picture you see of me here was taken by yours truly at the top of the Alcazar in Segovia, Spain which is just a short train trip outside of the capital. As elsewhere in Europe if you want to take a day trip and don't have access to a private car, taking the train is the way to go. Madrid is served by two train stations. Once you figure out where you would like to go, visit the tourist information office and they will happily point you in the right direction. The train is also very cost effective. If you decide to go to Segovia and want to go to the Alcazar there are public buses which I suggest. It would be a rather long walk.


Other things to see in Segovia include the stunning Cathedral and the Roman Aqueduct which can been as you come into the town. It's amazing now and hard to believe that it was constructed during the Roman Empire. Today it is an UNESCO World Heritage site. What I really went to Segovia to see was the Alcazar. The Alcazar (which is an Arabic word for a castle or fortress) in Segovia has been a royal residence, a prison, and even a military academy. Today it is more of a museum and a beautiful one at that. There are suits of armor, stained glass, paintings and even a tower you can climb for a few extra Euros. If you don't mind a cramped staircase (it's the same way up and down) and a bit of a climb the view is superb.


Another good day trip from Madrid is out to El Escorial. El Escorial is located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Take the train here as well. From the station the monastery is good walk away, however it is uphill. The site, like the Aqueduct in Segovia is an UNESCO world heritage site. It has been a royal palace, a monastery and a museum as well. It is also the resting place of Spanish monarchy and their families. If you decide to visit the only way to see the crypts is either by talking a guided tour or by paying for the audio guide. Do it if you are even slightly interested. If you are ready for lunch when you are done, and it is midday try one of the local restaurants menu del dia (or menu of the day). You'll get a 3 course meal with some sort of a beverage for a set reasonable price.

When you get back to the city, Madrid has amazing art museums on offer, great food and much more. The big three museums are the Thyssen, the Prado and the Reina Sofia. I made it to two of the 3. The Prado museum houses a great variety of works including the Spanish masters. If you are a Goya fan and only have time to see one museum go here. If you are a Picasso fan on the other hand and want to see Guernica go to the Reina Sofia. After, wander the city in the evening, go dancing if your up for it and try out some local tapas and Spanish wine. You'll be glad you did.

Party Like its 2009!

Where were you on Y2K? It has been ten years since then. The world didn't end then and hopefully we have a few more turns around the sun yet. I don't know about you but I still have places to go, things to do and people to meet. Though I must say that 2009 was a good year for those things for me.

In review, places I went: I traveled to Spain, Egypt, Ireland and Scotland; things I did: climbed Mt. Sinai, kissed the Blarney Stone, took a ride in a hot air balloon and people i met: too many to name them all (I met loads of new people) but special mention to my travel partner for six weeks Kaitlyn and friends I knew from before where special mentions go to Janna and Yvonne for putting me up (and putting up with me) while I was in London-town!

But New Years Eve is a time to celebrate the successes and the milestones of the last year and to put the failures and misfortunes behind you and to embrace the clean slate that is a brand new year. So the time for resolutions is upon us again so here are my 10 for 2010:

1. make changes toward a healthier lifestyle (yeah I know everyone does this one!)
2. clean up my finances (my traveling habit is really expensive)
3. go somewhere new (I may not be able to leave the country this year, but I figure visiting a town in Alberta I have never been to counts!)
4. learn something new--I haven't decided what this is going to be yet
5. blog at least once a week no matter how busy I get
6. take more photos (I get lazy about bringing my camera with me and then kick myself when I didn't get pictures)
7. appreciate the simple things
8. be productive
9. join a club
10. laugh more than cry

If you are having a hard time coming up with your New Year's Resolutions here's a little something that may help you:
http://moninavelarde.com/newyears/

First and foremost this is a travel blog so I would like to share with you some awesome places you may want to consider ringing in the new year in years to come (if not this year).
1. Edinburgh, Scotland for Hogmanay--the biggest New Year's Party on the planet where for five days the streets are alive with revelers: http://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/
2. Sydney, Australia--one of the first cities to ring in the new year with amazing fireworks over the Harbour bridge
3. New York City, USA - watching the ball drop at Times Square at midnight, do I need to say more
4. Toronto ON, Canada - I have great friends who are usually in town this time of year and it would be awesome to ring in the new year with them
5. and lastly home--where I will be this year amongst friends

May 2010 be the best year yet for you, your friends and family and may you all reach heights you have never even dreamed were possible! And of course happy traveling!