Runaway Blonde

Tales, photos, advice and favourite quotes from an experienced solo traveler. Currently living with my dog Molson in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Let's get lost.

[nurseglobetrotter]

“Comparison is the thief of joy” What is the right way to live?

Our heads can be funny sometimes, especially with the influence of social media. We see the good stuff, and only the good stuff of everyones lives. I am guilty of this myself. My life isn’t perfect, as previous posts describe, but I don’t post those photos on instagram, no one does. Am I where I expected to be at 31? Absolutely NOT. Growing up in a small town in northern Ontario my dream by this age had you asked me 15 years ago in Civics class would have been to be living back there, a few kids, good husband, nice home, food on the table. I did become a nurse so that one was accomplished. As I got older and left town for university in a big(Er) city things changed. I found myself pushing away serious relationships, and my visits became home forced, short, and impatient. This was not because I didn’t want to see family, I loved every minute spent with family. This was because I started realizing just how huge the world was outside of the Soo. I found myself wanting to explore that. I took my savings out as well as a descent loan at 25 and moved to Australia and lived and traveled. Upon my return I moved out west and continue to spend every penny I own on exploring the world and myself. I kept telling myself that I would know when I was ready to be done adventuring and to settle down but yet here I am, 31, still at it, still unsure of where to plant my roots, and totally ok with it. Is this right for everyone? Definitely not, but it is right for me.

Of course though, I couldn’t help but look around and sometimes ask myself “Am I living life right?”. I see other women my age with the life I thought I’d have: married, a few kids in, mortgage on a white picket fence home. Am I wrong to have spent my savings other ways? Are they wrong for diving into wife and child mode before seeing the world? Who is right in this scenario? 

The answer to that question is simple - neither. Neither person is right or wrong here. I know this might not be a mild blowing post. Maybe this is something you’ve already known, but for some reason I do need to remind myself from time to time that there is no right way to live our lives, there is only the right way for YOU. Just like there is no perfect man (or woman), only the perfect one for YOU. Don’t let social media steer you away from the path you are on. You are on it for a reason. Comparison is the thief of joy, as Theodore Roosevelt said. Choose to focus on the joy of your journey. There are things you’ve done or are doing that others look at with admiration just as you do theirs. So am I where I thought I would be at 31? No, and thank GOD for that, because it wasn’t where I was supposed to be. Not yet. If every life was lived the same way how boring would our world be? Live and focus on yours. I believe it is exactly where you are supposed to be. 

CT

[nurseglobetrotter]

My Disney Fairytale: Meeting a guy at a dog park and our leashes getting all tangled like 101 Dalmatians. Now that’s a woman I can get on board with. Screw Cinderella, I can rescue myself 💪. amirite or amirite dog mamas? (at Canmore, Alberta)


[nurseglobetrotter]

Excuse me ma’am, have you seen my kahunas?

Keeping those bold backpacker qualities at home

First blog post in a while. I’ve been working on my masters thesis which has kept me busy and unfortunately free of wandering this great world, so my laptop is not a place of pleasure lately. Summer is here and I have a great topic I think some of you could relate to. Or maybe it’s just me, we’ll see! It sure is nice to be back to writing for pleasure for a while. 

Do you ever find that the boldness you experience when you’re travelling solo goes away when you get home? I frequently have people come to me and ask how I travelled alone. Was I scared? How did I meet people? I sometimes surprise myself when I think of all of the wonderful friends (seriously, some of my very best friends) that I have met while abroad. I am a relatively outgoing person and I’m not afraid to approach someone and make a conversation so my friends often think their solo travel experiences would be different. Not true. Something comes over you when you’re on your own in that hostel, on that day tour, on that trek, that you just makes you bolder. It makes you step out of your comfort zone and unafraid of approaching people, trying new foods, taking a dance class, etc. I also find that if I am somewhere that perhaps doesn’t have a crowd my age, or maybe just isn’t touristy at that very time I am just so happy in my own company. I frequently will sit at the bar for a night cap, go out for a nice dinner, or go see a live band on my own and be perfectly content.

Yet here at home if I wanted to go for a drink and my friend couldn’t come, I just didn’t go. I wouldn’t be upset, I just thought “meh, night in instead. Maybe we can go out tomorrow”. Why is that? Do any of my fellow nomads feel that they are less (pardon my French here) “Ballsy” when you’re back at home? I’ve been struggling a lot with that lately. When I am on the road I am the absolute best version of myself. The makeup is off and with that so is the need to feel approved, the need to have company, the worries of how I look. I can sit at a bar for hours chatting to the bartender or simply reading a book if they are busy or there is a language barrier. I’ve approached groups of girls dancing and asked if I can join the party. I’ve had candlelit sunset dinners on the beaches of Bali alone. No phone, no wifi. Just me and myself and the sun on the beach. I’ve hitchhiked with a stranger in New Zealand for cryin out loud. No fear, no judgement. But once I have roots planted in come the fears and insecurities again. “I don’t want people to feel sorry for me” “Everyone is here with someone else but me” “Thats something you do in groups, not alone”. Don’t get me wrong, I think I do pretty darn well by comparison to a lot of women my age. I will go to the odd movie alone, occasionally get a table for one at restaurant, and I have lived totally on my own for over a decade, hundreds to thousands and at times hundreds of thousands of km away from family. I date if they enhance my already happy life, not because I NEED them to feel enhanced. I consider myself a very strong independent woman. But lately, I think because I’ve been in Calgary for so long without a solo trip due of my studies, I’ve been so disappointed in how much I’m requiring friends to do things I should be just doing alone. I spend a lot of time on my own which I have always loved, but I do things that are “socially acceptable” for someone to do alone. When I travel I do things that I wouldn’t dare do on my own here. Ie, go to bars or nightclubs, go dancing, explore a museum, take a tour. Where did this girl come from?! Where did that hitchhiking, globe trotting, solo dancing, plane jumping, adventure seeking, bartender chatting, coin flipping to pick a destination girl go? Am I a different person when I plant roots? If that’s the case COUNT ME OUT fixed address.   I had to sit down and think about that for a while. What I’ve realized is in fact she’s not gone. She’s in there. You can be your nomad self at home. Those aren’t two different people, that’s you! You’re just too afraid to let her shine. That person doesn’t need to go away. So I’ve made a pact with myself to do things I do when I travel while in my home life. I’ve been going to pubs and enjoy a pint a few times a week. Sometimes I’m not the only one alone, usually I am, but I just don’t care. I also signed up for river surfing lessons to take up a new hobby. My best friend couldn’t join but this time it’s not stopping me. BTW – river surfing is a Calgary thing. No oceans but a super active city so people surf on the wakes in the river. It is similar to wake surfing on a boat, minus the boat. It sounds douchy but I swear it is AWESOME!

I desperately wanted to leave town for the Calgary Stampede this year and all of my friends seemed to be booked doing other things. I didn’t let that stop me. I took my dog, packed up the Subaru and went on a camping week in Tofino, BC. Honestly guys, greatest thing I could have done – for both of us. Our campsite was right on the beach. Every morning we paddleboarded the Pacific Ocean, at lunch he’d watch me surf from shore and then we’d go into town and try a local pub or restaurant, and at night we’d light a fire and eat fish and chips on the beach. I remember sitting in front of our fire, reading my book with my best bud at my side after a good conversation with other campers and thinking how blissfully happy I was. “There she is”, I thought.  

So in case any of my fellow nomad, globetrotting, independent, hippie dippy friends out there are feeling the same way at home I just want to tell you that a. you’re not alone. And b. BREAK THAT FUNK! If you’re in a place where you can’t travel (in my case, going back to school and saving money for my next adventure) try and make your home your adventure as best as you can. Be the tourist in your own town. Be the girl or guy you were on the road. Try that new restaurant or pub, go on that tour, take that lesson. Get your backpack out and take a mini weekend somewhere close. You don’t have to leave your travel self behind. That person is in there, let them shine.

Candy

[nurseglobetrotter]

Colombia. One of my absolute favurite destinations. As always, shoot me a message for any questions you have about this beautiful country with fantastic people. 
🇨🇴 #yolo #itscolombianotcolumbia (at Medellín, Antioquia)

[nurseglobetrotter]

Air Travel Etiquette

Ok people, I’m a reasonable person right? Pretty nice to people, takes a lot to set me off. I moved out of town at 18 and have backpacked quite a bit so I like to think I have some pretty extensive coach air travel experience. So I’m sitting on a plane after a day of some pretty descent errors and pet peeves writing you some basic simple rules that will make your travel and the travel experiences of others around you much easier, from check in to take off. I recognize most of you reading this aren’t perpetuators of these errors so this is meant to be funny. Also chime in with any suggestions or things I’ve missed!

1. The AirCanada/France/WestJet/Lingus worker did not personally delay your flight. It is not their personal fault the line is long or improperly staffed. This extends to your flight attendants. They do not get paid enough to be your personal gofer (go-for). You’ll get your drink/meal/headphones, you’ll get your question answered, etc.. They have a strict routine they have to follow. Don’t screw it up with your neediness and impatience. These are actually highly trained professionals and should be respected and treated as such. One once jumped out the emergency exit because of crazy passengers (the plane was parked, but still!). Be nice, be respectful. I sure as hell couldn’t do that job. There are going to be good and bad people at their jobs just like every other job on this earth, but most people are good, or at least were at one point before we broke their last straw.

Oh no, your flight has to disembark because there was a mechanical error inside or hurricane outside? How dare they not put you and your family in an unsafe vessel hundreds of thousands of feet above the ground! Don’t they know you have places to be?! Ugh. Yeah it’s frustrating, but be real people. A surgeon fixing your heart valve isn’t like “meh, good enough”, why should your aircraft. Recognize some things are beyond anyone’s control. Maybe keep your anger inside or take it out on a punching bag or family member that will still love you later, k?

2. Security. This is not news people. No belts, no wallets, no keys, no shoes with buckles. Laptops in separate buckets. I was just behind someone with a Nexus Card (trusted traveller) who delayed us all because he kept having more and more in his pockets. It also makes you look kind of sketch. Like what are you hiding dude? Don’t be sketch bag McGee.

3. Boarding. I don’t know about other places but most Canadian airlines use zones. It’s simple really. They call your zone (1,2,3,4,5) and you board when they do. It’s counting. They do it by seating. Usually first class is 1 and 2, then people requiring extra time, then 3, then 4, then 5. They do this so that windows get on first, then middles, then aisles. Back to front. This is to prevent people getting up and down 50 times and to get on board faster. So why, why I ask you, on both flights today were people in 4 and 5 lined up with the 3’s? What’s your rush? The plane isn’t going anywhere! It’s not some cruel joke they have that after 3 boards the plane be like “jk were going”. Chill out, have another sip of Starbucks, another shot at Chilli’s, another airport Caesar and get on in your zone!!

4. Seat selection. This is huge! My biggest pet peeve of all. I’m a shift worker and by skill of the trade can hold my urine for 13 hours at a time. Safe? No. Effective? Yes. I have flown Addis Ababa to Toronto and didn’t get up once, a new record. I sit in the Window seat because I never pee. I sit quietly in my seat and sleep for hours. Do NOT pick a window seat if you’re planning to wake up your neighbours to go pee every hour. This also applies to short layovers. If you booked an hour or less layover and want off the plane quickly, take an aisle seat! Don’t make me, who picks appropriate layovers, never pees, and is more than happy to be the last off the plane, get up and stand in the cramped aisle for you. If you’re a family, book ahead of time if you can. I get asked almost every other flight to move so people can sit together and I usually prebook and pay for my seat selection... but I can’t say no! Even as I write this I am sitting in an aisle seat at the back of the plane next to a bathroom despite booking a window at the front to let a man sit with his wife and baby (see, I’m not a total A hole). Not as bold In person as I am in this post! Try your best to get your seats early. Dish out the 20 extra bucks and prebook... or check in as soon as it’s available (24 hours before).

5. Food selection. Today I sat next to a woman who brought on her own Caesar salad with salmon. Enough said. Unless you’re a brittle diabetic you’re not going to die if you don’t eat a full meal on a 4 hour flight.

6. Etiquette. No one wants to smell your socks. Keep your shoes on. Also wear deodorant, or shower that day. Not necessarily both - but one would be nice. A trick I use on long travel days with layovers? Go to the duty free shops and “test” perfumes. Works like a charm. Seat reclining... don’t. Just because you can recline it all the way back doesn’t mean you should! Also armrests! I’ve been told the middle seat gets dips because... middle seat... need I say more? Also, please please PLEASE have your carryon needs out when you arrive at your seat. Don’t be going into your carryon prior to sitting, it hold up everything.

Notice I don’t even mention children?

Because they can’t help it. Kids are going to be sad. They are on a cramped tube with a bunch of strangers that are taking off their shoes and eating fish. They can’t help it. You can. You’re adults. Have I missed anything?

What a load off!!

[nurseglobetrotter]

I frequently get asked why I’m single (not in the compliment way, but the “do you have a secret tail?” kind of way), when I plan on settling down (which will happen eventually, slow your roll) and if I’m a lesbian (which would be so much easier for wardrobe reasons - but unfortunately no - I’m not). A friend sent me this and it summed it up perfectly! I’m just a happily single ol hetero :) We’re a rare bunch but we’re out there, living life until someone deserves us. Thanks for the epic summation @brookew1209

[nurseglobetrotter]

"You'll never truly find yourself if you're too scared to get lost". - Erin Hanson. Bless you E.h

[nurseglobetrotter]

My dad ladies and gentlemen. Too often being overweight is linked with being lazy. I've also known that not to be true, I hope he'll make you see that too. ❤️ #hike #caminodesantiago #spain #noexcuses #travel #manspiration (at Camino de Santiago)

[nurseglobetrotter]

And they’re off! In 2014 I had a little identity crisis and became tired and frustrated with the day to day routine. I thought that there had to be much more than what I was seeing and I was bound to go find it. So I dropped everything and moved to Australia to work and travel NZ and South East Asia. My parents were reluctant but supportive as always as I went on my own into the world. I would frequently go on bungee, skydive, hiking, scuba or backcountry adventures and stupidly tell my parents first. My Mom would say “Candy what if something happens to you?!” And I would reply “Know that I was at my happiest, and know that I love you”. That would be it, I’d be off, some times for weeks without contact. They’d hate it, I didn’t get it.

Last year my Dad retired and having travelled a lot themselves they wanted a new adventure. Somehow they ended up stumbling upon the Camino de Santiago 500 mile trek across Spain. Of course all 3 of us kids freaked out and hoped it wouldn’t last but they would not let it go!! We got them an Air Canada gift card for their 35th wedding anniversary last year and guess what they booked with it?! Tickets to France to start their trek. Over the last year I’ve watched them walk and train relentlessly for this day and now here it is, they are off. I asked my Mom “But what if something happens to you?!” And she simply replied “Know we were happy, and know that we love you”. Grrrr. Mom and Dad, as crazy as I think you are for finding this fun to do in your retirement I have never EVER been more proud of you, or more sure that I am your daughter. Send my parents your best good lucks and inspirational quotes! I’ll be sending them one a day to keep going.

P.S. My fellow lost souled Nomad’s on the trail, we haven’t met but we know each other, because I’m one of you. You’re going to see a couple either holding hands or fighting, probably not people you’d picture on the trail but also the two strongest people you’ll ever meet. When you see my parents help them. Please get them home safely. You have no idea how much they are loved. #taylorstrekspain #travel #retiredtravel #bucketlist #spain #caminodesantiago (at Camino de Santiago)

[nurseglobetrotter]

And though she is but little she is fierce ✌🏻

[nurseglobetrotter]

One those rare "pinch me" moments 🏂 (at Mt. Norquay Banff)

[nurseglobetrotter]

🇵🇪 , 🇹🇭 , 🇳🇿

[nurseglobetrotter]

Tip for the terrified first time traveller: Tours!

I write this blog for the people who are much like I was. The young buck that isn’t in the same place as their friends and doesn’t want to be, but is terrified of making a change. The people sitting at home looking at photos of friends or strangers travelling thinking that they would love to but can’t do it alone. I write this in the hopes that even one of you will find it and realize that you are not alone, and you can do it!

Maybe your friends (and we love them nonetheless) don’t want to travel because it was never appealing, they would prefer all inclusive vacations, or do all of their travelling with their significant other. I had that problem. I had these big dreams but was terrified to do them alone. My friends frequently bailed when plans were to become concrete and I would plan to go alone, but was easily scared away by random stories of dream countries to me like Thailand, Colombia, or the island of Bali - all 3 by the way I’ve since done! People who have never travelled love to remind you how unsafe countries are, especially for solo females, and they love to remind you of that ONE story a friend of a third cousin twice removed told them. You know the one. About a girl who went travelling alone and never came home. I’m sure you’ve heard something similar at some point. You might get scared by these, I know that I did. They made me scared to a point that I didn’t live my dreams.

One day, sitting on my bed, a came across a Facebook page for Contiki. It could not have possibly come at a better time. I decided to click it, and I’ve never looked back. Before I talk about my first Contiki experience and what it did for my future travel legs, let me explain a little about what it is. Contiki is a travel company geared towards travellers for 18-35 years olds. There are many different companies geared towards young travellers but I’ve only travelled with Contiki so this will be about their particular company, although I am sure there are many other great options. They range from 4 day to 3 month tours anywhere from North America to Australia and pretty much everywhere in between. They also range from laid back vacations to high impact travelling, meaning you pick a tour that’s slow or fast speed or somewhere in between. Some tours are camping, some are straight up hotels, some are both. There genuinely is something for everyone. Well, now that I’ve given a background story, let me tell you why I love them so much.

The first contiki I decided to do was Thailand - a country that I always wanted to experience but was too afraid to try solo. I bit the bullet and booked the East Island Hopper in June 2014 and eagerly and fearfully counted down the dates in my calendar. My first night was on the Island of Koh Samui. I got up to our hotel room and opened the door only to immediately meet another eager first time solo traveller - a girl who became a best friend of mine and whom I stay in touch with to this day. We even send a charm bracelet back and forth to each other with charms of the places we’ve been with the bracelet (like the travelling pants but way cooler, right?). The next night we met the rest of our group, some travelling as couples and friends, but most solo like us. This quickly turned into one of the best 9 days of my life. We did it all, from elephant watching, to swimming in waterfalls, snorkelling with sea turtles, and yes, a jungle party on Koh Phangan. I stay in touch with almost everyone from this tour, have visited 7 of them (or them to me) and talk to our tour guide often.

The tour showed me how quickly you can meet friends on your own. It showed me how many people around the world are going through the same wanderlust feeling you are for various reasons. It opened conversation of where we’ve been and where we’re heading next. Many of the travellers jumped on a Contiki for a break from the straight up backpacking life so I was able to get tons of advice. The next trip I booked was totally solo (Bali) and amazing in a whole other way. I have since become a pretty active solo backpacker but will still hop on a Contiki while on the road to take a break I’m from the constant price checks and constant planning (which is exhilarating and exhausting all at once). 4 months later I added a Contiki to my New Zealand trip, and I hate to admit it, because I like to think I’m a good researcher, but they showed and taught me things I would have no way of finding out on my own.

And yes, it’s true, multiple people including 2 separate coworkers of mine have met their spouses on a Contiki… so there is that. If you’re into that kind of mushy stuff ;)

I tend to mostly go it alone now. If you travel for long periods and want to tour the whole time it isn’t always financially feasible (some do it, I just can't stay in one place long enough to save!). Plus for me it’s a whole other self discovery experience doing the canned beans, greyhound bus, stinky backpack, hostel thing. But notice I said “mostly” go it alone. "Mostly" being the keyword. I couldn’t help but to hop on a 8 day Peru Contiki while I was in South America last November, and of course it didn’t disappoint. We are all still Facebook friends, and I actually need to go congratulate 2 of my fellow Machu Pichu trekkers from that tour on their baby before I forget! So better wrap this up!

So if you are reading this, thinking about making a change but scared to make the leap look into tours. Even if it isn’t Contiki - See your travel agent, find what’s best for you. I promise you will be so happy you did! I’ve never looked back.

Happy Trails my friends!

[nurseglobetrotter]

Don't be scared to walk alone, don't be scared to like it

John Mayer

[nurseglobetrotter]

Argentina Continued: Iguazu Falls

My parents recommended Iguazu falls to me after their visit in 2013. I was reluctant about it because I went to university very close to Niagara and put both waterfalls in the same mixing pot (I've since been set straight). After much verbal abuse from their part and multiple recommendations from other travellers I met while in BA, I booked my ticket. They say mama is always right and once again that rang true. Damnit. I highly recommend heading to this stunning place if ever in Argentina/Brazil. I travelled here with a friend I met in my BA hostel. We opted to fly because it was barely more than a bus and took a fraction of the time. A group of guys we met in BA recommended staying in the National Park because the city of Iguazu (we did the Argentinian side) has little to see/do. We opted for the cheaper option and stayed in town and took a 20 minute bus for 5 pesos to the national park. In retrospect we both agreed with the guys, spend the extra money and stay in the park. If you meet 3 people in a hostel and go together and split it will be affordable and totally worth it. I’d devote no more than 2 days to Iguazu, but you have to see it. Photos do it no justice. ❤️

Message me anytime for any questions or feedback you have regarding any of my posts.

[nurseglobetrotter]

Beautiful Iguazu Falls

[nurseglobetrotter]

A couple of Buenos Aires favourites :) PM me for questions about this great place!