All I Need Is A Passport

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Yes, I know I’m late to the party but thankfully procrastination is not one of my vices that I have chosen to change in 2013. I typically don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I find that they’re often frivolous remarks made just to “keep up with the Jones.” This year is different though. After the past year (well really past two years) I finally decided that it’s time to have my life evolve from a soap opera to have more of an even-keeled comedic feel.  I’ve decided to share these resolutions here partly because I feel that by making them public I will feel more accountable in fulfilling my goals…and of course everything you read on the internet is true ;) But, perhaps more importantly, it’s because when I feel that I’m slipping into old habits, I can return here to remind myself of what I want to accomplish as the year progresses. Wish me luck and here we go…

1) DON’T DWELL ON THE PAST.  Okay, I know that’s a bit ironic considering I have an entire blog devoted to past experiences. This year I’ll choose to celebrate great memories instead and for those not so great experiences…I need to move on. I can’t change what has happened in the past, so I need to learn from those moments and move on. If I can’t do that maybe I’ll just pretend it didn’t happen. Oh how I wish I could acquire the neuralyzer from Men in Black for these times. By eliminating the negativity, it will give me more energy to focus on the present and future…like perhaps planning a trip or two.

2) DON’T FEAR BEING ALONE. It can be awkward when you go to a restaurant, the maître d’ grabs two menus and you say actually, it will just be for one. They ask if you would rather sit at the bar and you feel as though they want to banish you to some dark location so you don’t have to be seen. Well this year if I’m doing an activity solo I want to embrace my alone time. I’m on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for work…if I get to be on my own I’m going to take advantage of it and proudly state “table for one” and drop the “just.” It’s time to forget trying to push trips with my friends. If our schedules align – great. If not, so be it. I want to challenge myself to be more social when travelling alone and develop more extroverted tendencies.

3) USE MY EYES MORE. I want to use this year to better explore and beware of my surroundings. Simply by making eye contact with a person you can begin to understand one’s situation. They are the window to the soul after all. When I travel I will put the camera down (more frequently) and just enjoy my surroundings. The view finder can have such a limited scope when you’re trying to get the full 360 experience.

4) DON’T FEAR CONFLICT. Yes it’s important to treat people respectfully but it’s okay to voice your concern. It is the only way to effect change.

5) FIND THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY. Sun. The beach. Tennis. Surfers. I have a feeling a trip to California can fulfill this resolution quite quickly.

6) BE MORE ADVENTOUROUS AND SPONTANEOUS. I have to credit Laurel Thatcher Ulrich with this one. As she stated “well-behaved women seldom make history.” It’s time to mix it up.

7) DON’T BE SO HARD ON MYSELF. If I slip or fail I will not have self pity but I will also not beat myself up. I will realize that mistakes are opportunities to grow and build upon my past experiences. Well there you have it, my resolutions for 2013. I have no intentions in breaking them but if I do, please see #7.

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When we're about to take off after the plane arrived late only to find out about a mechanical issue.

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I don’t know how much stock I invest into astrology but I have to admit when I read the description of Gemini’s having a dual personality, I think it is a fairly accurate assessment. I live in Vancouver, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The ocean is mere blocks from my place where I can also view the snow peaked local mountains. It offers endless outdoor options but is also a cosmopolitan centre with great restaurants and shopping. Yet on a rainy day the place I love most about the city is my apartment where I can cuddle up in my wings and horns blanket.

I love being a homebody. But I equally love to travel. I find when I am huddled inside and in need of cheering up I can’t help but dream of where I want to go next. Weather and adventure are both guiding principles and I have a bucket list of cities in North America alone that I want to discover. The first on the “bucket list” is to travel to every province and territory in Canada. I have been to all but two provinces (Manitoba and Newfoundland…where I want to get “screeched in”) and have yet to venture north to see any of the three territories.

I have great pride in being Canadian and want to have a truer sense of the nation’s identity. We are a vast country with each region having a distinct personality. Having minored in (Canadian) history at university I am extremely interested in visiting the places I read about in class and watching the learned teachings come to life.

With my job I have been pretty fortunate to travel across the US, visiting 24 cities in addition to my personal travels (see map at beginning of post). I love going to the US and see so many parallels between my home nation and America. So much so that I think people in Vancouver feel a closer bond to those in Seattle (similar environment, politics, weather, etc.) than those in Toronto. As the rain pounds against my window as I write this I am searching expedia for trips. There are a number of American cities I dream of visiting but here are the top five on my bucket list:

1) New Orleans, Louisiana. There is something about this city that has always intrigued me. I feel like it’s a city with soul and character. I would love to check out a Blues club and get a feel for the city. The resiliency it showed after Hurricane Katrina only makes me want to get to know this city more.

2) Hawaii – I’m not sure which island I want to go to most but I want to experience pristine beaches, check out the local fare (and surfers) and of course enjoy a delicious beverage with an umbrella in it. Pina Colada anyone?

3) Atlanta – Again as a former history student this city has great appeal. I have to admit my knowledge of American history is not where it should be but I’m trying to catch up…especially through my travels to places like Boston, DC and Philadelphia. I would love to use a trip here to learn more about the civil rights movement. And perhaps to check out Turner Field as well as I’ve been a massive Braves fan since ’97 (sadly I missed seeing Chipper Jones play at home).

4) South Carolina – I don’t have a specific city in South Carolina I want to see but I have a feeling I would try and end up in Charleston and Hilton Head. When I imagine what the south is like, I conjure up images of South Carolina. It seems so lush and green and beautiful. An area of true southern hospitality.

5) Napa Valley – California is a nice quick flight for me and, well, I love wine. I would love to learn more about different wineries and varieties. While I doubt I could quickly turn into a sommelier, I think I would come out having a greater appreciation of the process and product.

If you have any other suggestions or tips on any of these places, feel free to drop me a note. For now I’ll just continue to explore online and try to stay dry.

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We would bear poppies over our hearts and recite In Flanders Fields. The entire school would gather in the gymnasium for the event once a year. I knew it had to be important but I was too young to appreciate what was going on. We would have the next day off and around 11 o’clock I would join my parents as they watched a program on television that featured a gun shooting off, surrounded by a moment of silence and the playing of the last post on trumpet.

As I got older, November 11th, also known as Remembrance Day in Canada, took on greater significance. Each year we were asked to interview someone about what Remembrance Day meant to them. So on an annual basis I would visit my Nonna to get her thoughts about what it was like growing up in Italy during the Second World War and what Remembrance Day meant to her. It was never a topic she enjoyed discussing but did so, so I could understand the importance of peace and freedom. As the years past, more details of the stories would be divulged. I can’t say I will every truly understand war due to the complexities surrounding motive, violence and the ugliness of human nature. Remembrance Day, on the other hand, is something I understand.

On November 11, 2010 I was in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, for work. We originally had an event scheduled for the 11th until it was agreed upon that instead we would attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial near the Parliament Buildings. For a west coaster in Ottawa in the Fall, it can be quite chilly but I think I was so caught up in the emotion I didn’t even notice the cold.

The ceremony was absolutely awe-inspiring. Thousands had come down to the Parliament Hill area to honour those who had served in the Canadian Military. It was our way of showing appreciation…but really how can you thank someone for ensuring your liberties remain free and so that you can experience independent thought without harm?

There were a number of touching speeches by Canada’s dignitaries but the most heartfelt moment for me was when the military personnel, past and present, marched down the cordoned off streets in front of the massive crowds. I thought of my maternal grandfather who couldn’t serve overseas because of a heart condition and instead mechanically worked on planes to ensure our air force had the best tools possible. I thought of my paternal grandparents and how scary it must have been for them during the war and then immigrating to Canada because it was a place of hope after their homeland had been ravaged. I thought of how different my life could have been…how it may have never existed at all. I studied the men’s and women’s faces as they passed me by and choked back tears of gratitude.

If you are ever in Ottawa on November 11th, please make sure you attend this ceremony. It is one that will not only be meaningful to those who have served but will have a lasting effect on you as well. I know I am not doing it justice but here are a few key points about Remembrance Day in Canada if you are not familiar with this day.

Veteran Affairs Canada declares that Nov. 11 is a day of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace."

Remembrance Day is celebrated nationally  and is a stat holiday for six provinces and all three territories (the exceptions are Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec)

Canadians wear poppies on the left of their shirts/jackets (over their hearts) for approximately two weeks leading up to Nov. 11. This tradition began in 1921 and the poppy image has since been trademarked by the Royal Canadian Legion. Donations are made for the poppy to support ex-service personnel in need.

In Flanders Fields was a poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on May 3, 1915. Please see the video above.

Canada began celebrating Remembrance Day after the First World War (the Great War).

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Christmas has always been my favourite holiday. It is one that I associate with tradition and family…and to some degree predictability. When we were young, we would awake early on December 25th and race down the stairs to a beautifully adorned tree with a mountain of parcels underneath. While we received a number of surprises there were some constants when it came to gifts. We would receive at least one Barbie product and always a Lego set. I think the latter was my dad’s way of getting some normalcy (for him) in a house filled with estrogen. We would then collectively open the package and build a masterpiece. It was amazing how you could create so many structures that could drastically differ in aesthetics with the same core blocks. Colour and placement allowed one’s creativity to soar. I look back now and question if architects approach their work in this way…and if playing with building blocks as children inspired them to take this career path. There may be no better city in North America to explore architecture in than in Chicago. I sometimes wonder if they suffer from “middle child syndrome.” Found in the Midwest, I think people often omit this city for the cosmopolitan beauty that it is when thinking of the US’ greatest cities. Whenever I visit a city for the first time I like to take a tour of some kind. I find it is the best way to cover a lot of ground and help determine what spots you want to go back to and explore further. Double Deckers are often a good option but there is no better way to see Chicago than by boat. There are a number of companies that offer the architectural tour…and believe me it’s a very engaging tour. You get to travel along the Chicago River and view the different skyscrapers that were constructed over the years. One even gets to learn about the Chicago Fire and see the site in which it started. The structures are pieces of art and they appear monstrous as your eyes gaze up from the water to the sky. I don’t want to spoil your tour too much but here are a handful of my favourite spots.

WILLIS TOWER Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Building, is perhaps the building most associated with the city of Chicago. Its name remained in the record books for nearly 25 years as the world’s tallest building. One can head to the top to look out at the city and, if you can stomach it, step out onto a glass floor perch. Be prepared for a bit of a wait.

WRIGLEY BUILDING To me, the Wrigley Building is one of the most beautiful in the city of Chicago. At night, it just gets better. You can head up to the “roof top” bar (which is actually an outdoor terrace on the 16th floor) at the Trump Tower and get front row seats to check out this beauty as it sparkles against the dark backdrop.

CHICAGO AVENUE PUMPING STATION You won’t see this one on the architectural boat tour but you will if you’re weaving in and out of shops along the magnificent mile. Every time I pass it, it appears to me as a castle placed in the middle of a modernized, bustling city.

MARINA CITY Built on a raised platform with a marina underneath its’ structure, the “corn corbs” were the first buildings in the US to be built with tower cranes.

JOHN HANCOCK Upon its completion, this 100-story building was the tallest building in the world outside of New York. While that record has been surpassed (including by three in the same city), the building houses an outlook area with spectacular views of the city and Lake Michigan.

TRIBUNE TOWER In my humble opinion, this is the most spectacular building in Chi-Town. It is equally impressive far and up close. From the water you can view a beautiful neo-gothic structure. From street level you’ll notice fragments from other historically significant sites from around the world have been embedded into the Tribune Tower’s walls. These pieces range from the Palace of Westminster to the Berlin Wall to the Taj Mahal to petrified wood from Redwood National Park. As I mentioned before there are a number of companies that offer the architectural boat tour. I have only experience two lines myself but enjoyed them both very much. The first time I went to Chicago I took Seadog Cruises (http://www.seadogcruises.com/Chicago/home) This tour is a combined city architectural tour and lake Michigan visit. This is a great family tour. They keep it pretty light and, on a hot day, it’s so nice when the boat picks up speed and heads to lake, giving you a nice breeze to help cool down. The one con – he took a couple shots at Canada and my friends in St. Louis. I chose to ignore it and chalked it up to jealousy lol. I was able to walk up to a stall on Navy Pier, purchase my ticket and get on quite quickly.

The last architectural tour I took this last summer was the “official” architectural tour, operated by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (http://www.architecture.org/architecture-river-cruise). This is the best tour to take if you are looking for a tour that not only goes into descriptions of the buildings but also a number of unique tidbits that are great to impress people with at parties. I know it might sound a bit “stuffy” but it’s truly a very interesting tour. The free cookies, coffee and water you could pick up pre/post tour wasn’t too shabby either. This is a pretty popular tour to take. We were able to purchase tickets the same day but if you are looking for a specific time try and order them at least a day before. If you are staying at a hotel with a concierge, they are more than happy to help you book the tour to ensure you get your desired timeslot. The Fairmont Millennium Park even gave us a specific card with walking directions to where the boat departed from, which I thought was really nice touch. I never tire of returning to Chicago. Travelling throughout the downtown core I feel as though I am walking through a masterpiece. When home, I often miss waking up to beautiful structures that could be viewed right outside our window. Thankfully, a friend of my got me a reminder from one of my trips to Chicago (courtesy of Lego) so I never forget that feeling.

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There are nearly 600,000 in the United States. Hardly unique, bridges are found almost everywhere, whether they help get you from point A to point B over a small stream or a rushing river.

The Golden Gate Bridge is included in that number, but for some reason it is hardly ordinary. Like the Glacier in Lake Louise or the Statute of Liberty in New York, the Golden Gate is synonymous with San Francisco. It was once the longest suspension bridge in the world and while that record has past, the aura surrounding the bridge still exists. Prior to my first trip to the city, I often saw the images of the massive structure. I always thought it was pretty but it was a completely different experience in real life. It was one of those “you had to be there moments” which is an inside joke I now get to share with the millions that have also visited the bridge.

It is set in a very picturesque area of California but I don’t think the aesthetics are the only appeal of the bridge.  In my mind, part of the fascination is the bridge’s resiliency, surviving some of the Pacific’s most violent earthquakes. It has had to have some upgrades over the years, but I think it made this girl a little more Californian to have some work done (bad joke, I know, I’m sorry).

Another area of fascination when it comes to the bridge is when I do a search of it on tumblr or instagram. Up pops thousands of images of the Golden Gate. While the main object remains the same, the perspective of the photographer completely alters the image, telling of our biases and how we, as people, can view the same thing differently. I might be reading a bit too much into that but I thought it was a poetic outlook.

I got a little “picture happy” when I visited the bridge in question but thought this would be the perfect excuse to share some of my favourite views of the Golden Gate and why.

The obligatory “I was here” shot. It’s like a tree falling in the woods with no one around, it will only leave questions surrounding the event if you don’t get one.

The historical geek in me loves this shot as it has a great view of the bridge with the old military fort. Fort Point protected the city from confederate and foreign attack, dating back to the Civil War.

I am cursed for getting cab drivers that are…umm…unique personalities. I had a former globetrotter in Vegas, a guy who asked a number of inappropriate questions of me in Vancouver and another in Boston who locked the doors as soon as I stepped in the cab (I msg my friend the entire trip back to my hotel and told her she could have my shoes if anything happened to me…and if you saw my shoe collection you would know what a gift that would be). So when we grabbed a cab from Cliff House back to Ghirardelli Square I was a little weary when he asked if we wanted a tour for about 15 bucks more. Well, sometimes you take risks in life and they are totally worth it. We reached the Golden Gate and captured my favourite image of the trip as the sun was setting.

This shot was taken as my father and I walked up to Lombard Street. I’ve become convinced it’s the only city in the world where you could tell your children and grandchildren that you walked uphill to and from school and actually be telling the truth.

This is what I like to call the “postcard shot.” It looks so beautiful, it seems fake. I think my caption would be “Real cities have curves.”

It may have been their first trip away from home, it may have been their fiftieth. Even though they were away from loved ones, their messages to family and friends that they posed with in front of the Golden Gate allowed for a connection back home and for all of them to enjoy and partake in the San Francisco experience.

If you are an Alfred Hitchcock fan, you may recognize this shot from the film Vertigo where Scottie saves Madeline after she jumps into the San Francisco bay.

In this shot you can barely see the top point of the bridge but that’s exactly why I love this picture. Here we were heading to Sausalito from San Francisco and it was truly amazing how visible the bridge is from so many vantage points in the city.

It was a grey and cloudy day but not the type of weather that would prevent a tourist from heading out. We winded up the roads to twin peaks, reaching the highest point of the city. It was the first time I got to see the Golden Gate in person and the bridge appeared dark and sad, not the bright vibrant colours that I expected. I didn’t think too much of it until I returned home and started doing some research on the bridge. I stumbled upon a seven-part series entitled “Lethal Beauty” that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. It discussed those that had used (or attempted to use) the bridge as a catalyst to end their own life and different solutions to reduce fatality numbers.

Not too long ago I lost a friend to depression. Because of what he did for a living it became quite a public story and unfortunately a number of generalizations and assumptions were made in the media. It is such a complex issue that the World Health Organization actually has a handbook for media with suggested guidelines for reporting depression and suicide to prevent media contagion. A handbook I’m sure very few of the aforementioned ever read. If you get a chance to read any (or all) of the pieces in the series, please do. They are touching, insightful and provide potential solutions and resources. As an aside, if you are looking for another resource, please check out mindcheck.ca. It’s a website my workplace has worked on closely with some local health organizations to educate and provide resources for those who are or know someone who is dealing with mental health issues.  

The most striking and poignant line for me was when Heidi Benson wrote in one of the articles “The bridge is not beautiful if you've lost someone to it.” I completely understand that and what a hard reminder it must be for some families and friends.

For me the most beautiful part of the bridge is the fact that there could be follow up discussion about mental health that was constructive rather than destructive. To be able to publically discuss the complexities of the disease with progressive thinking and without generalizations is essential for educating our society about mental health. It’s because of this reason I think I will always feel a personal connection to the bridge.

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I have been guilty of uttering it in the past. Staring at the wall in an art museum, viewing an abstract painting and thinking “I could do that.” In reality, I don’t think I actually could. As I’ve dabbled with various design programs, I’ve realized creating art is much more difficult than it looks. Over the past few years I have developed a greater appreciation of art of all kinds, even in the abstract realm. While I can’t say I would ever hang that type of art in my home there are two things that draw me to art (yes, pun intended). The first is the imagination and creativity behind a piece. The second is the story behind a creation. A pessimist would say the latter may be a bit of a marketing ploy to sell the art, but I look at it as the process to getting to the end point. A few weeks back I decided to take a trip. There was one problem…I had no idea where to go. I did some research and narrowed my choices down to a select few. As a history minor from university, Philadelphia had great appeal to me and I wanted to visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

As I began to search the city further and discovered what an arty and creative place it was, it became increasingly enticing. I have to admit I was pretty ignorant about Philadelphia. I knew it was the city of Brotherly Love, the origin of the Broad Street Bullies (and some pretty aggressive sports fans), the place to get a cheesesteak and, of course, home to the Prince…of Bel Air, Will Smith. Little did I know it was a cultural hot spot with tons of public art and was the birthplace of modern graffiti. Within a few days I bought my plane ticket, booked my hotel, planned my itinerary and took off. I’ll save a future post about the history aspect…this one will be about the art.

In the planning process I discovered a great website called “With Art Philadelphia” (http://withart.visitphilly.com). It’s an interactive site that outlines the public art along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is apparently the most artistic mile in the United States. You can check out where all of the monuments are located and read the synopsis of each of them.  

Depending on where you are staying, I would suggest starting near city hall and concluding your tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. For the touristy aspect…make sure you take the shot with Rocky before reenacting the running of the stairs, as depicted in the iconic film.

MY BIGGEST TOURIST TIP FOR PHILLY: A number of people will offer to take you picture, which is great if you are travelling on your own. You may want to be a little cautious about who you give your camera to. There are a number of gentlemen located at each major tourist destination in Philly that take your pic and then request a tip. Instead, you could look for other tourists, ask if they would take your picture and then offer to take one of them.

The interior of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is definitely worth a visit. For an art aficionado you could spend days in it. For an avid fan, you could do it in 1-2 hours.

A ticket gives you access to the Main Building, Perelman Building and Rodin Museum. The ticket is good for 48 hours but when you are planning…make sure to check out hours of operation. When I went, two of the museums were closed on Mondays and one was closed on Tuesdays (http://www.philamuseum.org/visit/12-270.html).

This only covers a small sampling of art opportunities in Philly. If I ever get the chance to get back I already have a list going of places I want to explore, including a graffiti tour of the city. I read at the end you get to be involved in the process…and really is there any better way to leave your mark on a city?

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In the spirit of Hallowe'en today's post will explore what are some of the best treats and tricks when it comes to travel.

TRAVEL WEBSITES With sites like expedia.ca, priceline.com and Travelocity.ca to name a few, planning one’s trip has become quite affordable and easy, cutting out the “middle man.” I particularly like kayak.com where if your schedule is flexible you can see prices for flights over a month’s span and determine the most cost effective day to travel. But most of the sites are non-refundable trips…so you may want to double check before you click accept (or at least come to grips that you will have to give away your money if an emergency presents itself and prevents you from travelling). Most importantly, if you are travelling abroad, you need to do some research if you need particular visas to travel to your destination and whether or not you will have enough time to get it before heading to the airport. Some countries even require proper documentation for landing and transferring planes in their country. If you are travelling to unknown destinations…it might be worth utilizing a reputable travel agent that will have all of that information on hand.

BECOME A MEMBER OF A HOTEL’S CLUB For major hotel chains you can sign up for a rewards program that, after time, can lead to free or discounted stays and extra perks when you arrive (like free internet). Often these clubs are complimentary and are worth the cost admission…as long as you don’t mind having your email box flooded with emails.

TRAVEL GUIDES There are countless travel books for purchase that can help mold your plans for a trip. They often cover tourist highlights, restaurants, shopping and etiquette. It makes for a great read on the plane. But if you are looking to discover places that are off of the beaten path it might not be the way to go. If you have the time, check out (free) websites. Sometime’s the most valuable information will come from a city’s official tourist site or reading comments off of Trip Advisor.

PHONE PLAN Mobile phones allow us to keep in touch with our loved ones as we venture around the world. But you may want to check in with your service provider to see if there will be any additional roaming, texting, and phone costs. Sometimes they can put you a special plan for a designated time frame that can save you money in the triple or even quadruple digits.

CALLING THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY Your wallet will feel a bit lighter carrying a credit card instead of a stack of bills but there are a couple things you should know if you are simply carrying the plastic. Not all places will accept a credit card if your bill comes to under a certain amount so you should always bring a bit of cash with you just in case. Also – make sure to call your credit card company before leaving to have a note put on your account that you will be travelling. Sometimes these companies will assume your card was stolen when being used outside of your hometown. If they can’t reach you to verify they may cancel the card and you will be stuck!

LUGGAGE ‘To check or not check?’ that is the question. If you check you won’t have to carry around extra weight throughout the airports. If you don’t check you won’t have to wait for your luggage on the turnstile. There are a number of pros and cons for both options so your best bet may be to consider where you are going and for how long. If you have to change planes (especially through airports like O’Hare in my experience) or going away for a short period of time you may want to consider carry-on. Just make sure you know what the parameters are for allowed luggage. Even then sometimes you get on a smaller plane that doesn’t adhere to those dimensions (like a flight I took from St. Louis to Chicago where only a small purse fit above). On the other hand, checking a bag won’t cause the apocalypse, which by the number of people that do only carry-on may have you believe. There’s nothing worse than being able to stuff your bag into the overhead compartment and then holding up everyone behind you while you struggle to get it out. Not that I have ever done that…

TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT It has been a long flight and you’re exhausted from racing through the airport, taking off and then putting on clothing, and sitting in a fairly tight space for hours…but luckily you’re running on adrenalin, excited to (re)explore a destination. It’s late and not knowing the city too well you opt for a cab to take you to your hotel. Your defenses are down and as you step towards the door a man asks “Looking for a cab?” “Yes,” you reply seeing the finish line in place. He says, “Great I’ll take you.” He grabs your bag and escorts you to a black sedan. While riding in style, if money is an issue at this point you should clarify how much he’ll be charging. Sometimes town car drivers will charge the same as taxis if not busy but often they won’t if you don’t negotiate from the start. Be prepared to pay at least twenty extra dollars if you don’t partake in this ritual. If they say no, grab your bag and walk back towards the taxi stand.

CITY PASS A number of cities in North America offer what is called a “city pass” for tourists. Essentially you pay for one ticket that gives you access to a number of tourist spots that is more cost effective than paying admission to those destinations separately. It sounds like a great deal…but make sure the pass offers the places you will actually be going to. If there is only one or two on the list that sound appealing to you, you may be throwing money away.

TRAVELLING AROUND THE CITY You finally arrive at your destination and want to venture out. Staying above ground is ideal so you get to experience a variety of neighbourhoods while heading to a destination or if you simply want to wander aimlessly. I am partial to walking around a city but sometimes there are places a little too far to reach by foot. Cabs are readily available in most cities but they add up quite quickly. Really consider using public transportation. For the most part subways and metros are pretty user friendly and have websites set up if you want to figure out the navigation of your trip. For instance, even if you don’t speak French, the metro in Montreal is the way to go. Like any big city, there are areas you may want to avoid…so do a little research and converse with the locals to figure out the best means of travel.

RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS There are some cities where you can walk into a popular restaurant and get a table almost instantaneously. And others require a reservation. There are a number of great online services like opentable.com where you can check out available seatings and set aside a table for yourself. There have been times where the site has told me that a restaurant is full and when I arrived it seemed half empty. It’s possible that people didn’t show up or that only a certain amount of tables are set aside for this service. If you use the service and the restaurant that makes your mouth water doesn’t seem available try calling the restaurant yourself to see if there are any openings…or check with your hotel’s concierge as sometimes they have an extra inside track.

[allineedisapassport]

Drinking to the point of oblivion, getting cheated on, riding in a pickup truck or carrying a shotgun (or a combination of two or more of the aforementioned) were the subjects I often associated with a successful country hit. It was about singing about your woes…and there didn’t have to have a resolution by the time the music went silent. In some ways, I suppose, I thought country was like the Blues…only a redneck version, sung with a twang. Okay, I know that’s a stereotypical exaggeration. Two of my grandparents grew up in the Prairies, where the country genre was extrinsically apart of daily life. Even after they moved out West and I went to visit them country could be heard on their record player. While I appreciated that this was their type of music, it simply wasn’t for me.

So when I discovered I was going to Nashville for the first time I can’t say I was overly enthused. I was looking forward to checking out what the city had to offer. But I was worried I might have to purchase some ear plugs.

As fate (who I choose to believe is a vengeful trickster, testing people every chance it gets) would have it, I think I have spent more time in Nashville than any other city for work. Country music is inescapable in the Broadway area of Nashville so you better embrace it…or you’ll have a miserable time.

So out we went and hit Broadway, which is known as being the main strip of country bars in town. The first stop for us was Legends. It was a fairly laid back atmosphere with a band featured on a small stage in the front. Hooting and hollering proceeded as the band played on. Friends and family were in attendance and you could see the pride in their faces. One of my colleagues leaned over and inquired what I thought of the music. I said, “it’s not bad…you know, for country music.”

It was time – we decided to move on and pass through the threshold of Tootsies next door. The place was packed…barely a place to stand but luckily some more of our colleagues were already there and had grabbed a spot to sit. It wasn’t anything fancy…essentially a ‘graffiti’ed table with stools. “What’ll you have?” they asked me. “I’ll go for a Budweiser,” I replied not realizing what was coming out of my mouth and regretting each word as I uttered it. I hate Budweiser but ordering a European beer in a country bar seemed like it would be an insult to the locals. From that point forward, I just went with the flow.

With each song that played I found myself growing more and more fond of the place. The voice of the singer at the front drew everyone in. I was actually quite blown away. The playlist consisted mainly of country tunes but they also played a few “poppy” songs like Sweet Home Alabama that I thoroughly enjoyed.

“You should check out upstairs,” my colleagues suggested. ‘There is an upstairs?’ I asked myself quizzically. I climbed a set of stairs and low and behold there was an additional stage with another phenomenal band and bar to quench one’s thirst. I was shocked such a small place could contain two acts and you couldn’t hear the music flowing in from one space into the other.

You pretty much can’t go wrong with a place on the strip. Throughout the years I’ve visited a number of them…probably more than I’d like to admit to. Rippy’s is another great place to start the night, filling up with a pretty good pulled pork meal, or to grab a couple drinks.

A little further away, but still walkable or short cab ride away if you prefer, is an amazing Blues Bar called BB Kings. The house band and people watching are equally impressive. Watching people two-step to the soulful lyrics popularized by the likes of Marvin Gaye and Ben E. King somehow makes me smile.

If you need reprieve from music of all genres but want to stay in the downtown core, check out Merchants. It doesn’t really seem to fit in the neigbourhood but it’s kind of what I thought the south would be like (based off of old Hollywood movies). Make sure to grab a cocktail with Southern Comfort or, better yet, Jack Daniels to fulfill the stereotype.

When visiting Nashville, come prepared with low bills. Any establishment with live music will continuously pass around a bucket/hat for tips for the performers. If you’re in it for the long haul, contributions each time it comes around of even one dollar is better optics than a one-time twenty dollar bill donation. It’s dark and with American money all being the same colour they’ll be unable to distinguish the difference and think you don’t like the music…or that you’re being cheap.

You’ll also need those bills for the washrooms as a number of them have attendants stationed in them. You can only claim to have “forgotten” your purse at the table once before they catch on.

Nashville may have been a city I was initially weary of travelling to but I have to admit it has become one of my favourite spots in North America to visit. They affectionately call the city “NashVegas” – I always assumed because like Vegas, it’s action packed and tons of fun, but after a few days your body (particularly liver) needs a break (even though I've been told it has more to do with artifical glitz and glam of Vegas than anything else). But if the city can convert a non-believer like me and make me want to go back time and time again, I can guarantee anyone would love it.

[allineedisapassport]

An Island Oasis

Basking in the sun, with the cool seabreeze creating ideal temperatures, a sunny island off of the coast of California sounds like the perfect oasis. It’s clearly visible from the big city but far enough away to escape the grinds of daily life. But perceptions can be deceiving. Today, you can lose yourself staring at the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco and see a large island in the distance. Instead of beautiful homes sitting on the shore, the remains of one of the most infamous penitentiaries in American history calls Alcatraz home. The prison shut down in 1963 and has since become a site that the general public can tour. You can explore the former grounds through an audio tour of the prison. The island, now operated by the National Park Service, also offers night tours of the prison (a little too scary for me) and ranger-led tours of the island, including highlights of the natural habitants of Alcatraz. The island has not simply served as the resting spot for the penitentiary, famously documented in film and television. Prior to the opening of the prison, there was a long-standing military use of the land and following the closure in 1969 it was occupied in protest by American Indians. In fact, from the moment you arrive at the island you will see evidence of this. To find out more about the island and what it has to offer check out http://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm. My Alcatraz tour tip: BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco and it does sell out. When I visited in May 2012 and went to Pier 33 there were no available sailings to the island for three consecutive days. The island is only accessible by boat…so if your heart is set on going and to avoid disappointment, make sure to buy your tickets before your trip.

There is only one official site where you can ensure your tickets are legitimate (http://alcatrazcruises.com/). If you decide to buy from other sites you run the risk of being sold invalid tickets or pay inflated prices. The boat departs from Pier 33 and it is recommend you show up approximately 30 minutes before the sailing time indicated on your ticket…you don’t want to miss that boat (Did I mention getting over there is popular?). Depending on when your sailing time is, I would suggest taking the opportunity to explore a bit of the waterfront on the San Francisco side either before or after your Alcatraz trip. Pier 39, for instance, is a short jaunt away and is home to hundreds of sea lions that rest on the wharf in addition to restaurants, shopping and even a carousel.

Once you finally get on the boat to sail towards Alcatraz don’t fret if you don’t have the ideal seat. People move around to take images and will likely block you at some point anyways. People are extremely concerned with capturing the perfect image on the way there, I have a feeling they forget you can get it on the way back as well. So if you don’t get your National Geographic cover shot on the first leg of the trip, remember you’ll get a second chance.

Stepping onto the island today, I imagine, is a far cry from what it was like in the 1900s. As you walk through the halls and the yard it’s hard to believe some of the US’ most notorious criminal masterminds cohabitated in this small, centralized area. I have to admit I have a fascination behind the psychology of crime/criminals and tried to imagine what may have been going through their minds at the time. ‘What were they thinking as they stepped off the boat? How did a rainy, stormy night feel in a dark, cold cell? Was it more difficult to deal with the isolation at the beginning of one’s prison term…or as it progressed over the years? What was the company like? and Could you ever trust anyone?’ were just a few of the inquiries I had in my over stimulated mind. As I stepped outside of the administration offices of the prison and looked towards San Francisco on a clear, sunny day it exonerated my mind of the dark nuances and history of the prison and its inhabitants. I can appreciate why people wouldn’t want to visit the island, whether based on a “creepy factor” of the visiting a prison or participating in a weird celebration of crime. But, most of all, I can understand not wanting to stand in the precise spot I did because as you stare at the city you will undoubtedly lose your heart as so eloquently described in song. Tony, take it away as I reminisce.

[allineedisapassport]

Public Enemy may have said it best when they uttered four simple words: “don’t believe the hype.” Exaggerations and rose-coloured glasses can allow for selective memories and a misrepresented fact to grow into a legend. So when I was considering potential vacation spots I was a little weary about going to San Francisco. Every single person I had spoken to that had visited the city absolutely raved about it. I was skeptical – were they just setting me up for failure? After a bit of further research I decided I wanted to experience it myself and determine whether or not I was simply hearing propaganda. Well, it took five minutes after arriving at my hotel to realize what a fool I had been for questioning that information.

We stepped out of the cab and arrived at the Fairmont Heritage Place at Ghirardelli Square to a group of smiling and friendly faces.  We checked in and immediately they offered us a chocolate square from the world famous chocolate factory. As an admitted chocoholic I was in heaven and knew good things were in store.

The bellman took us on a tour of the hotel and, let me tell you, this place was a tourist destination in itself. On the ground floor there was a lounge area for the hotel guests/residents to enjoy for daily complimentary breakfasts and afternoon wine and cheese. We continued through the beautifully restored brick building, that once served as the Ghirardelli chocolate and mustard (yes, that came as a surprise to me as well) factory, to one of the hotel’s patios. My breath was taken away. It looked over Ghirardelli Square and had unobstructed views of the ocean and Alcatraz. With fire pits scattered throughout, you could enjoy this area at any time of day. The patio quickly became my “happy place” - a spot to clear my head and, perhaps, enjoy a glass of the local wine. And we had not even reached the room yet.

I felt like the Cheshire cat, my smile taking over the entirety of my face before we proceeded to our quarters. The doors opened to a very modern two bedroom loft with a kitchen and living room. It was definitely my style as it relates to décor. It was adorned with light walls, rich dark wood and silver accents. Modern, yet warm and inviting. The bellman then began to take us on a tour of the room. Overindulgent…yes, but the extravagance only added to the experience. We explored all of the features of the place, including a wine fridge and my favourite part – an iPad. You could leave all electronics at home if you chose and could surf the net, checking emails, Facebook or tourist information. This place even had a complimentary hotel car that could drive you to any location of your choice within a two mile radius. It was first come, first serve but in our experience you never had to wait very long to utilize the service.

I was looking around in awe and had to pinch myself to double check that this was indeed reality. The bellman then left us to our own devices. As the door closed behind him, my mother summed it up best. “Even if I don’t leave this property, this will be an amazing trip,” she proclaimed. By the end of the vacation, I was ready to barricade myself in the room. This wasn’t hype, this was heaven.

[allineedisapassport]

I call Vancouver home. The city is consistently ranked as one of the most livable in the world. You can partake in outdoor activities year round, located in the mountains or on the water, spoil your taste buds with an array of cosmopolitan cuisine choices or just hang out at a local coffee or sushi joint.

It may be a case of the grass being greener on the other side but despite Vancouver being so beautiful there are times when I can't wait to get out of the city to explore what lies beyond this city's boundaries. I get the opportunity to travel quite frequently through work. But typically those trips are quick in and out stops where I don't get the chance to do a lot of sightseeing (and sometimes none at all). They do, however, give me the opportunity to get a taste of a city and whether or not I want to head back on my own time. I'll use this space to document my travels around North America and try and give some tips that even a concierge might not be able to offer. As a disclaimer, these are my opinions and mine alone. You may not agree with them all but I hope you at least get a chuckle or idea along the way. I have my favourite cities to visit that I can consistently visit and never tire of (hello Montreal and Chicago) but I also thoroughly enjoy investigating new destinations to see what they offer. If you have a question, want to provide me with a tip of your own or simply have a comment on my post, please feel free to drop me a note.

As you will soon discover, while I love getting to see new sights and experience a variety of cultures, the one thing I hate to do is pack. But I figure as long as I have a credit card I’ll be okay…if I forget anything at home I can always purchase the necessities elsewhere. But the most important lesson – never forget your passport! Without it, your trip will end before it even starts.