Checking in

So I haven't blogged in months, I know, I know.

In my defence blogging on a tablet is rather difficult, and trying to locate and keep a decent wireless signal in Italy is just plain impossible.

I have many stories to share, and could sit here typing for hours, but instead I'm just going to say how much I love being on this side of the Atlantic. Italy is such a vibrant and challenging country, and England, where I'm vacationing this week is so bizarrely charming that I would so greatly prefer to live here than back in Canada.

So instead of writing an actual blog entry filled with anecdotes and information I'm just going to check in to say that while I'm in Brighton enjoying internet and an actual computer I think I'm going to try and discern some sort of way to prolong my stay here, or at least work towards returning as soon as possible.

How is your summer?

This time next week I'll be at the airport en route to Italy for the summer. I'm very excited - and very nervous - about it but ultimately I'm looking forward to the adventure! I'm going to be working a lot (at least I'm planning on working a lot - let's hope that pans out) however I will have a couple weeks of time off when I'll get to do some TRAVELLING!!!

I'm excited to see my bestie's house in Brighton, and maybe, maybe we're going to go to Paris, which I've never been to and am dying to see. I imagine dressing fabulously and eating baquette and exploring the city by foot or by bike and exuding elegance and awesomeness, like this lady.

photo from Jak&Jil

source

Did I mention I'm going to Italy for the summer?

Why go to Morocco when you can go to your attic?

photo from Splendid Sass

Stories from Spain

I'm going to try something rather rare for this blog - the standard 'text and photo' format. It's occurred to me that I spent three weeks in Spain and haven't really told too many people about how wonderful my trip was. I took a good 500 pictures while I was away, and I hate the idea of them just sitting on my hard drive not being shared. I also have a lot of stories. I carried this notebook with me everywhere I went for the duration of my trip and made time to write in it every day about my experiences.

So here's an excerpt from my messy little notebook - complete with photos!

Today's story: The Palm Sunday Parade

Today is the beginning of Semana Santa. Spain being religious as it is infamous for being, this meant a PALM SUNDAY PARADE.

Mom, who had been standing outside the house enjoying the afternoon sun noticed a group of 30 people walking down the street. This seemed unusual for the small quiet beach town we'd come to know so she and I ventured out to investigate. As soon as we got to the main road - Calle San Sebastien - we knew somehting was happening. EVERYONE who has ever lived in the town of Conil was coming out in droves. Infants in strollers, babes in arms, teenagers, parents, grandparents, all dressed in their Sunday best [how some of those women navigate the steep cobblestone streets in those 5 inch stilettos is mind boggling].

Children were being herded along, elderly were being pushed in wheelchairs, and everyone was chatting as Spaniards do: loudly.

Mom and I lined up with the rest of the town, amazed at the sheer number of people, their age range, dress styles and excited voices.

Soon young children (maybe ages 5-8) dressed in blue and white shepperd outfits (for lack of a term) carried palm fronds down the street. They lined the sides, their mothers and supervisors walking with them, dolling out tostados and snacks to reward good behaviour.

After a slight (unnecessary?) pause the older kids came next; dressed head-to-toe in red velvet, pulling their hoods down so they could see through the eye holes.

Then played in by a Marching Band was the crown of the Parade: a giant silver float carried on at least thirty of the town's fit men. Atop - Jesus waving on a donkey while Mary watched from behind, a tear down her cheek.

This ia what everyone told me about my trip. Travelling with my mother and sister raised a few concerns, but Spain is too wonderful. The sun is hot, the breeze is refreshing, the people are social, the streets are bustling, the flowers are blooming. We've drunk Sangria in plazas and cafe con leche on patios. Today we're venturing to one of the world's premiere museums to see some priceless art... Madrid is awesome. (And miraculously I can remember some of the feeble Spanish I picked up on previous trips to Central America and Andalucia!)

photo via yes and yes

Tu es un hombre muy bonito!

The above is perhaps the only complex sentence I can speak in Spanish.

With any luck I'll hook myself a sexy Spanish man with it though and then I'll have a Vicky Christina Barcelona time with a Javier Bardem-esque artist, but minus the crazy wife... or maybe not. I digress. The point is TODAY I LEAVE FOR SPAIN!!

Yes friends, I am going on vacation. And after a six-day work week, a sinus infection/cold, a family tragedy, - and really, let's face it, a craptastic winter - boy oh boy am I ready for a vacation. I am going to take lots of pictures to share, and even though I've been lagging in blog upkeep as of late, I shall try to check in, so to speak. Now I just have to do all of my last minute packing, hope I sleep on the plane and pray I make my next-to-impossible connection en route and HOLA ESPANA!!!

WHY IS THIS NOT MY LIFE??!!?!?!?

Envieux

courtesy of Dress Design Decor

What is it with the Travel Bug that it never goes away?

via Design Is Mine

Aujourd'hui je vais alle au Paris!

I'm going away for the weekend and I'm finding it very difficult to pack. Mostly because it's 30 degrees out and the only thing I feel like wearing is a mumu-like maxi dress or a towel... Hmmm

Still Dreaming of Paris...

photo source

Le sigh... Since it is clear I won't be visiting La Ville-Lumière for quite some time, I guess I'll just close my eyes, listen to this song and daydream.

Nomadic Tendencies

I really want to do this.

Or just put my life on hold and travel the world a la Eat Pray Love. (Yes, I liked that book. Admit it: who doesn't like the idea of taking off to Italy, India and Bali for a year??)

Perhaps there's a reason why I find it so difficult to visualise myself in a stable, "grown-up" job... because that requires admitting to being in the same place for an extended period of time.

How lovely would it be to just hit the road - drive to exotic places, meet new and generous people, see the sun, feel the ocean? Aww yeah, sign me up.

Dasvidanya

So in an effort to be more "in the know" I woke up this morning and began perusing online news sites. I am going to try and do this as often as I can, because not only do I get to learn about current global events, but also discover fun tidbits like this:

Google Russia creates virtual tour of Trans-Siberian railway journey

Famous route spans six days in real time with tour guides, geotagged satellite views and choice of background noise

I think this is the coolest thing since sliced bread. I've always secretly wanted to go to Russia / take the Trans-Siberian and now I can do it from the comfort of my own home! (A slightly less thrilling adventure, I'll admit however considerably more economical)

Check out this clip:


Or read the full article here.

Boy oh boy do I wish I was headed somewhere warm and sunny...

Exits are here, here and here.

Last night I impulsively bought a one-way ticket to Toronto.

I couldn't help it! There were 36 hours left in a seat sale, it cost $89, two of my dearest university friends just happen to be headed into town the weekend I booked, I couldn't figure out when I should return so I just clicked 'Select This Flight', entered my trusty Visa number and am now headed to Toronto for an indefinite period of time, departing in a mere 6 days.

Cue panic.

This is exactly what happened in July when I left my job to move to Toronto, bought a one-way flight at the last minute, spent the night before I was set to depart avoiding packing and instead sitting on my back porch listening to music, making pro/con lists and drinking tea all night long whilst having a semi-meltdown slash severe personal crisis. [Whoa run-on sentence.] Next morning, instead of embarking on my new Toronto life, I called the airline and cancelled my ticket.

Point is, I am not entirely sure I will be able to avoid the same scenario this time around. I don't seem to be as terrified as before, and this time my trip includes immediate excitement and reward however I am still as ill-prepared, have no long term place to stay or job to sustain myself.

Huh.

Here's to the Internet Explorer

Ahh internet, glorious internet.

I've been away for the past week sans computer (as my laptop was unable to come with due to its current malady) and it was rather lovely. I was surrounded by family, the weather was warm, I saw some amazing music - Stewart Park Festival = awesomeness - did some Ottawa touring and had a fantastic time.

Now that I back home, where life is much less exciting, I realize just how much I rely on the internet to entertain me. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing although I think that I feel much better about spending X amount of time reading, writing, researching and learning online than sitting like a zombie in front of the television. So here's to the internet! Welcome back into my life dear friend: you, your blogs, search engines, video clips, and infinite wealth of knowledge have been missed.

While I have missed the internet (and continue to miss my laptop) dearly, there are some perks to brief online separation. It's like putting on a top found in the depths of one's closet and discovering that it fits like a dream and looks fabulous.
Par exemple:

• Was treated to a hefty amount of friend requests, posts, messages, event invites, new photos, and all other creepster things on facebook when I logged on this afternoon
• Felt immensley popular when greeted by a myriad of email messages in my inbox [Note: This feeling of popularity and slight elation only occurs when checking personal email accounts. Arriving at work after vacation to 275 emails, the bulk of which are spam and scams, the rest of which are mainly obnoxious queries is quite ghastly.]
• Am pumped about the undoubtedly wonderful things which have been posted on the many blogs/sites I reguarly visit. How exciting to have so many wonderful things to read!

Only con when venturing back online after vacation:

• Online Bank and Visa Statement. This ain't gonna be pretty my friends...

It has been grey, cloudy and damp for 2 solid weeks now. Here's hoping summer is just biding its time until July when it will burst forth onto the scene with sun and warmth. Until that fateful day, I will post pictures of wonderful beaches where I would rather be. This one is in Italy and it is probably the most beautiful beach I've ever been to.

Spring in your step?

So it's been gray, cold and rainy all week long. How dreary (and sadly typical of a Maritime Spring).

I just got back from a 2 week stint in England and Spain, where spring has actually sprung, the sun shines, and the temperature rises ABOVE 10 degrees centigrade. My knowledge and experience of this makes the current weather that much more depressing.

SO

If I can't make the sun shine outdoors than I can at least brighten up my blog with photos of all things spring-y and fair:

Picnics are spring-y (and delicious)

as are orange trees! (And hot bright afternoon sunshine of course!)

Nothing announces spring like blooming wildflowers...

...or roses in a meticulously manicured garden.

Ahh the memories of indulging in such vernal persuits...sunshine please don't be a stranger!