So here I am, sitting at the computer in the spare room in the UK. Yes I'm back home and everyone is asking the question, how does it feel? Well it feels weird, strange, like I've left a whole new life behind, one that I am missing like crazy.
When I left for Canada I didn't know what to expect, all I knew was that I wanted to travel, I needed to get away and discover another part of the world, discover a different side to myself. I never expected to come home wanting to move out there, I never expected to find someone that I would miss so much on my return.
People have asked me what it was like travelling alone, what the hostels were like and I can honestly say if you are considering such a trip then do it! Yes you are nervous, I was sick at the thought of entering somewhere on my own, but just push yourself, push yourself beyond your comfort zone and there is a whole new world waiting for you.
Within weeks I felt like a different person. You talk to people because you simply have to and the confidence you build is such an amazing feeling. Meeting people from all around the world is something that I will never forgot, and these people I hope will always be friends. Sure you get your fair share of... how do I put this? Not your type of people? But you will also meet amazing friends who are in the exact same situation as you and share memories that you will talk about in years to come.
This trip has started a huge new chapter in my life, one that I am so excited about. My plan was to stop this blog when I got home, but I'm going to keep it going, turn the page to the next chapter, the next story. Follow me in mission visa! it's going to be fun.
As I've said, I never believed in fairy tales, but maybe I should have all along...
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Fairy tales and happy endings...
It's funny how when setting up this blog I talked about dreams coming true. I was never one to believe in fairy tales and happy endings, never one to believe in dreams; more goals and working hard. However this trip has shown me a totally different side to life.
Have you ever written one of those lists that go something along the line of, 'what to do before I'm 30'? Have you thought that the list would ever become reality? For me it has.
1) To travel across Canada and really see the country.
2) To watch NHL in Toronto.
3) To see Killer Whales in the wild.
The only thing left from that list is to work here in Canada and I plan on ticking that off as soon as possible. Isn't it strange how one simple trip can change your life forever, can change you forever?
Last weekend took me to Toronto, the city that has always been my number one place to visit and it didn't disappoint. A busy city buzz and an electric atmosphere mixed nicely with the chilled out Canadian manner and scenic views.
Toronto took me back to hostel life and I have to admit it was strange to fit back into it after spending over a month in a place with just Anders and I. The usual city hostel dramatics occurred - girls coming home at four in the morning with a boy trauma and a que for the mirror, showers and bathrooms in the morning. The great thing about the hostel is that it was central and easy to get anywhere, meaning easy to escape! Perfect!
Saturday was my day to explore one of the 'seven wonders of the world', Niagara falls. I decided to join a tour, a way meeting people and generally I was being to lazy to arrange everything myself. Firstly we started off with some wine tasting - nothing like four different wines to start the day off hey? Then we were off to the falls and a ride on the 'Maid of the Mist'. This little boat takes you right up to the falls providing spectacular views whilst ruining any kind of fashionable credibility you may have by getting you to wear blue plastic ponchos. It was however quite hysterical to see all these people in blue macs, it looked like some major science experiment had taken over the place and we were the lab rats.
The falls are incredible, but the town surrounding is not so. Fall of big chain restaurants, arcades and haunted houses, it slightly ruins the natural beauty of the water.
Once heading back to the city I used the time to catch up with friends, from home and from Ottawa. Obviously this meant a few drinks and a bar.
Sunday was a day that I have been looking forward to more then anything. Firstly I went to the Hockey Hall of Fame and loved the fact that it wasn't all NHL in there, there was so much world hockey too. I had to be the only to get excited by London Knights socks and Manchester Storm jerseys.
That night was the night of the Toronto Maple Leafs game, the game I have been waiting for since I was 11 and starting watching hockey back in Britain. I admit I was over excited and loved every single second (apart from them giving away two gaols in the last three minutes and loosing of course).
Next day, back to Ottawa to be greeted by my gorgeous boyfriend with flowers and chocolates - Turtle chocolates - I could seriously write a whole blog piece on Turtle chocolates and Turtle ice cream! In fact I think if I eat more I might turn into a turtle!
Now I'm on the run up to going home on the 27Th October. I'll fill you in on any goings on before then.
Have you ever written one of those lists that go something along the line of, 'what to do before I'm 30'? Have you thought that the list would ever become reality? For me it has.
1) To travel across Canada and really see the country.
2) To watch NHL in Toronto.
3) To see Killer Whales in the wild.
The only thing left from that list is to work here in Canada and I plan on ticking that off as soon as possible. Isn't it strange how one simple trip can change your life forever, can change you forever?
Last weekend took me to Toronto, the city that has always been my number one place to visit and it didn't disappoint. A busy city buzz and an electric atmosphere mixed nicely with the chilled out Canadian manner and scenic views.
Toronto took me back to hostel life and I have to admit it was strange to fit back into it after spending over a month in a place with just Anders and I. The usual city hostel dramatics occurred - girls coming home at four in the morning with a boy trauma and a que for the mirror, showers and bathrooms in the morning. The great thing about the hostel is that it was central and easy to get anywhere, meaning easy to escape! Perfect!
Saturday was my day to explore one of the 'seven wonders of the world', Niagara falls. I decided to join a tour, a way meeting people and generally I was being to lazy to arrange everything myself. Firstly we started off with some wine tasting - nothing like four different wines to start the day off hey? Then we were off to the falls and a ride on the 'Maid of the Mist'. This little boat takes you right up to the falls providing spectacular views whilst ruining any kind of fashionable credibility you may have by getting you to wear blue plastic ponchos. It was however quite hysterical to see all these people in blue macs, it looked like some major science experiment had taken over the place and we were the lab rats.
The falls are incredible, but the town surrounding is not so. Fall of big chain restaurants, arcades and haunted houses, it slightly ruins the natural beauty of the water.
Once heading back to the city I used the time to catch up with friends, from home and from Ottawa. Obviously this meant a few drinks and a bar.
Sunday was a day that I have been looking forward to more then anything. Firstly I went to the Hockey Hall of Fame and loved the fact that it wasn't all NHL in there, there was so much world hockey too. I had to be the only to get excited by London Knights socks and Manchester Storm jerseys.
That night was the night of the Toronto Maple Leafs game, the game I have been waiting for since I was 11 and starting watching hockey back in Britain. I admit I was over excited and loved every single second (apart from them giving away two gaols in the last three minutes and loosing of course).
Next day, back to Ottawa to be greeted by my gorgeous boyfriend with flowers and chocolates - Turtle chocolates - I could seriously write a whole blog piece on Turtle chocolates and Turtle ice cream! In fact I think if I eat more I might turn into a turtle!
Now I'm on the run up to going home on the 27Th October. I'll fill you in on any goings on before then.
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