Life changing...

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...

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.

How things change!

It's amazing how life can take a sudden turn, how one moment you are moving along quite nicely, life is the same, everything is happening how you planned and then something can happen that changes everything in an instant.

Last time I updated this I was off to Ottawa for the weekend and then on to Niagara Falls. Well I still haven't left Ottawa. The whole reason being because of Anders, a guy that my friends from home introduced me to. I won't go into the details, but it seems that I just don't want to leave this place.

However, I should tell you about Kingston. I have to admit that for now I am not staying in hostels meaning I can't give you updates on the hostel life and I am being spoilt by having a place for just the two of us. So when we visited Kingston it was to stay in a hotel, a million miles away from any hostel. A room with an amazing view, one that looks out over the marina on to the water and a little balcony on which to relax with a drink in hand and take in the scenery; there's something almost magical looking about the water as it glistens in the suns rays.

Kingston is a cute town, has a gorgeous waterfront walk, old buildings that hold charming character and small streets that play home to a number of shops and bars. Being a university town, you are sure to find a bar or two to party in the evening and that we did with people from the hotel who we randomly met in the room a few doors down.

Nursing a slight hangover, the next day took us to Picton and a place called Sandbanks. Beaches that stretch out in front of you, soft sand beneath your feet, the ocean's waves lapping and huge sand dunes which give the most amazing view once you climb to the top of them.

Then back to Ottawa after being stuck in traffic for hours. Why is it that when you hit traffic you automatically need the toilet, it feels like you've just drunk five litres of water and it's bursting to escape? Also you suddenly become the hungriest you have ever been and topic of conversation becomes food and what delights, (not sure delights is the word), you can find to tuck into once you hit services.

Now my plans have changed. I will be heading to Toronto and Niagara next week, but then back here to Ottawa which seems to have become a home from home and I no longer feel like I'm travelling, just happily living. The next few weeks entails hockey (ice) games, the falls, discovering Toronto and just enjoying the time I have left before my trip home.

I'll update you soon!

A touch of relaxation...

This week has been a little different to the rest and I have had a welcome break from the backpacker life. Although when I got back into it I realised how much a have a love/hate relationship brewing with my backpack, (which is now fixed and back to full working order), and how I am becoming used to living out of this thing. Something I never thought I would say.

I got to spend the week in and around Morin Heights, north of Montreal and beautiful. My friends from home, Allan and Claire, scooped me up for the week and took me to Allan's family cottage up in the mountains. Well compared to the likes of Whistler and Banff these are hills, but big ones! The view from the decking stretches out for miles and there is an endless sea of teas and that gorgeous sound of silence.

We had BBQ's and fires, one of which to celebrate Claire's birthday. Fire obviously means marshmallows, you can't have a fire going and not have marshmallows, that would simply be criminal.

Out and about we swam in lakes and waterfalls making the most of the hot,hot weather and exploring towns which are little with charming character, far from the buzzing city life and town centres I've become accustomed to. No one is rushing past you, in fact no one is rushing, just relaxing and enjoying the life.

One of Allan's friends let us loose on his ATVs which is where I become Charlie's Angel Essex girl! OK I could pretend anway. So much fun to zoom around the dirt tracks looking hysterical I'm sure as I tried to get on in a lady like fashion in my frilly skirt.

Now as I write this I'm in Montreal. It's a gorgeous city with an easy to follow tube, sorry metro, making everything accessible. You can see everything from the Old Port, to cathedrals with lavish decor or shop,shop, shop - oh how I wish I could do the last option.

Last night myself and a few girls from the hostel decided to join the 'Bar Tour' or in English a pub crawl. Lots of drinks, giggles and dancing provided a good night and I even managed the task of getting onto the top bunk of a bed that sways every time you move or even just breathe.

One thing I must mention is that I have no flight now. Yes I booked Zoom and they've gone bankrupt. Typical. So I'm busying around trying to find another flight and apparently there are airlines offering half price tickets for Zoom costumers, but obviously when you try and call them you are stuck on hold for abut 20 minutes listening to some awful music that is on a loop, slowly driving you crazy and I'm sure I'll go to bed humming the tune like a mad woman with an airline obsession.

Tomorrow I'm back to Ottawa for the weekend; Ottawa part three as we went for an over night trip doing the week. Then off to Niagara Falls.

I'll speak to you from the falls.

Bonjour!

Here I am sitting in the hostel in Quebec, making the most of the free Internet and planning my next move.

The train seemed like a much better option then the bus for the journey here to Quebec City, I really could not sit on the bus for another 20 odd hours. What a difference it is, you get your own sit meaning that no one can sit next to you and feel the need to talk to you for hours about anything and everything when all you want to do is sleep. You get a cosy little blanket and pillow to curl up to and even coffee brought to you. So much better then the stops every two hours, freezing air con blasting out at you like they think they are carrying peguins and someone squashing you to the corner on the Greyhound bus.

After getting over the fact that my waist clip on my backpack had broken and just tying it around my waist hoping it would hold, I got to Quebec at seven in the morning to find that the train station had no luggage storage and I could not check in until five in the evening. Lugging the broken backpack around for hours in the heat did not seem like the best idea and luckily the light shone on the bus station and its hidden lockers.

I soon discovered that Quebec is split into towns, one part being up what sometimes feels like a thousand steps. Plus it is this bit that has all of the tourist type things. I have walked up those steps about 50 times I swear and I think my legs are just now on auto pilot because I can't actually feel them there anymore.

It is the 400Th birthday of Quebec so there are lots of random happenings around the town. Lots of street entertainers, shows, bands etc. Canada seems to be full of statues so naturally there is a statue on every corner.

A beautiful city with a romantic feel, cobbled streets with lots of old looking buildings stretching down small streets occupied by art shops - worlds about from the rest of the country, sometimes I really did feel like I was in Europe. One thing though, I really wish I had paid more attention in my French classes, I feel like I look blankly at every person that speaks to me.

Matt, who I mention to have met in Victoria, was staying here to which is when we discovered Quebec City by night and realised you could actually walk for hours. Yes more walking the next night too. I must have walked around the city so many times and could probably tell you the position of any place.

One thing about this place is the religion. There are plenty of Cathedrals around, but they are all like tourist spots with guided tours and leaflets to give out. Somehow it doesn't seem right, when you see people actually worshipping and then others busying around like little bees with cameras chattering away.

Tonight, its a couple of drinks at the hostel with a few of the people here and then an early night as it is a six am start for me. Off to Montreal to stay with friends from home. Claire tells me I have a room over looking the mountains of Montreal. A little bit of paradise awaits I feel.

Scotland, Lobster and the Titanic!

Halifax - right on the east coast. A beautiful town seeped in history and a touch of glam; oh and a very Scottish influence! Bagpipes everywhere, even men in skirts, sorry kilts!

My trip to Halifax didn't start of too successful. After a 22 hour journey on the bus, my back was clicked into one position and I looked like I had just stepped out of bed on a very bad morning. I walk into the station ask how to get to my hostel and just get a stern response, a response stating: "Don't go there." There was no, 'maybe you shouldn't, I wouldn't', it was straight forward don't. Apparently the hostel I had booked is in a really rough area and you never walk around alone at night. After some deliberating I decided to got to the cleaner, better located HI down the road from the station, deciding that to be safe was better then loosing a little cash and I went with my gut instint, which is usually the correct one.

Well I'm glad I stayed there because straight away I met Anna from Germany and we arranged to go for a drink and a bit to eat and we met Sonja and Anna in our room, arranging to met with them later. After a couple of cocktails and fish and chips, (nothing like the ones from a good old English chippy though), we went to a pub with a band playing, a band that reminded me of a wedding band which obviously means great cheesy tunes to dance to and we twisted the night away. Unfortunately they were all leaving on a tour the next day so I set out to check out the town.

The harbor is beautiful with a tourism vibe, much like Victoria, but this place has lots of seafood. The words 'Lobster Roll' jumped out at me from a board and my instant thought was yum. Now I would like to know where the hell the lobster was in my lobster roll! They should have really called it lettuce roll with a smidgen of lobster meet you can barley taste tucked in the top!

Making breakfast one morning I turn around to see a girl staring back at me. At first I thought, 'oh great random weirdo, just smile', then it clicked that it was Anya who I'd met in Regina. I'm so glad I changed hostels, does make you wonder about the 'what's meant to be theory' hey? If I had gone to the other place I would never have seen these people.

So we decided to be tourists for the day and had the funniest time on the bus that turns into a boat and the guide that should have either been a model or a stand up comedian! Good looking and funny, so we giggled like little girls at all his jokes.

I never knew that the Titanic sunk so close to Halifax, in fact Halifax was the first to get boats out to retrieve the bodies. There's obviously a museum dedicated to this and after the amusement of looking at each other in 3D glasses we were taken round a trip of the wreck. Reading the facts though, things like the myth of women and children being saved first shocked me - still more men from first class were saved then women and children in the second and third classes.

One thing I must mention about Halifax at this time of year is Shakespeare by the Sea. At first I was a bit weary about a bunch of Canadian actors doing Shakespeare, but this was amazing. A small setting right in the middle of a huge park; you couldn't have asked for a better place for 'A Midsummer's Night Dream'. The woods were prefect for the fairyland story and provided the likes of Puck with the ideal place to jump around in. Mixing a little contemporary, they really brought the play to life in a great funny way - the way it is meant to be. Although I did get picked on as being the Essex girl in the pre-performance warm up! Typical.

That's the short story of Halifax. An amazing town with great things to do, history in every corner and a bit of bonny Scotland to make you feel at home, just without the snow.

Next Quebec for a little touch of French. Bonjour!

Stories to tell

When you think of a capital city you are bound to conjure up images of buildings sky high lined up one after the other and busy, stressed businessmen and women rushing around the streets, but Ottawa is a complete contrast. There's a different statue around every corner each with a different story to tell, beautiful buildings dating years back and Parliament Hill that can be viewed from the river where the buildings pop out from the trees creating an almost magical castle like scene. Why is it that everything looks more incredible from the water, what is it about a little stretch of blue in front of a place that makes you think 'wow'?

Speaking of the Parliament Buildings, I couldn't help but laugh at some of the stone carvings. As you walk underneath the doorway you look up and are greeted with faces bulging out. The only way I can describe these faces is like something from the Muppet's, the Marley Brothers in The Muppet's Christmas Carol to be precise. Continue to walk around and you spot more faces, creatures and random figures jumping out at you.

The view from the top of the hill is amazing, looking out over the Ottawa River to the rest of the city you can quite easily get lost in the sights - or being a typical Essex girl just get lost on the hill. After meeting some people back at the hostel myself and Kyle went up there at night. The lights of Ottawa is a beautiful view and, if you're anything like me who is slightly like a moth and drawn to pretty lights, you would find this pretty spectacular.

There's loads to check out in the town, including a cute market that sells anything from fruit to necklaces, different monuments and the changing of the guard - although they look like Beefeater soldiers and I was wondering who is guarding Buckingham Palace! I was later informed that they are Canadian soldiers and not a rip off of our guards. Looked pretty similar to me.

At nine o'clock every night they play a light show on the front of Parliament. It takes you through the history of the country, obviously mentions the natives, whales and hockey, then right at the end, as the national anthem plays, they show numerous clips of the country. To be totally honest it was good to see, but it slightly reminded me of one of those tourism adverts you see on TV and expected it to finish with the words 'visit Canada, a country like no other' splashed across at the end.

My time drew to an end and a thunder storm hit, in which myself and my backpack got stuck in, I nearly missed my coach to Halifax as the taxi didn't turn up and then sat on the bus for 22 hours, yes that's right 22 hours, to arrive in Halifax which is right in the East. I'll let you know how it goes.