First Impressions

This post is the first in my series on traveling, volunteering and teaching. So far, I will have two parts to this series – Central America and Eastern Europe. For the Central America stories click here. For tales of Georgia and Eastern Europe click here.

The day I left for Mexico was a nerve-wracking day. I had already been away from home for almost 2 months - visiting my dad in Vegas. I had packed my backpack, plus a suitcase and a carry-on. The suitcase was staying behind with my dad; he was planning on visiting me once I got a little more settled.

I don’t remember what time of day I left, I just remember sitting in the airport, watching the clock, checking and double checking that I had my passport, money, cards, the name of the hotel and my rough plans written in my horribly illegible writing - really, it’s bad enough that I should seriously consider being a doctor.

I had never been to Mexico before and I had two weeks to spend alone in Mexico City before embarking on a tour with GAdventures down to Guatemala. Go big or go home.

After cruising over the giant metropolis for what seemed like hours, we arrived at 4 am. Anyone who’s travelled will probably tell you it’s a good idea to arrive in a foreign country during the day. They are correct. I sat in the airport with my suitcase, reading a book and feeling anxious for 5 hours. Luckily, there was a group of 12 friendly students that were waiting for their ride to show up – so I had people that could watch my bag for me if I had to run to the washroom or go grab a quick snack.

As soon as the breakfast place in the airport opened, I headed there to try some real Mexican food. Now, I fully expected to learn Spanish and had some key phrases down. I also expected that maybe someone there would speak English – at least in the airport, at least a little?! No such luck. As I struggled to try and order eggs (huevo), she asked me what juice (jugo) I wanted and I replied revuelto (scrambled). After that I just took to pointing.

I then took a look at the prices and felt immediately sick: $68 for breakfast? This couldn’t possibly be right. Why had everyone told me Mexico was so cheap? I must have looked utterly pathetic and confused, as the waitress kindly pointed to the price and said “peso!” so the equivalent of 5 or 6 dollars (actually pretty expensive for Mexico City). They just use the same symbol – because that’s not confusing at all. Then again, we use the same symbol in Canada and our money isn’t the same as the American dollar either.    

Finally at 9 am, I was feeling confident enough to leave the airport. I know, I’m practically Braveheart.

I found a cab driver who thankfully understood my mangled attempts at asking for the Monte Carlo Hospedaje and managed to get me there AND make me laugh even though I understood approximately 2% of what he said.

The check-in guy at the hotel was helpful as can be as he showed me to a little room with a table, basic bed and bathroom with the shower in the middle of the ceiling. Meaning I practically had to stand on the toilet to get under the water, but after the long day of travel it felt glorious.

After my shower, I wandered around the streets with no plan. I headed to the Zocolo (main square) and browsed the windows. Men in police uniforms with guns stood guard on almost every street corner, which actually made me feel very safe. A lot of my friends had been worried about me going alone to Mexico City: “it’s so dangerous!”, “You’re crazy!”, “Why?” but I knew that if I never put myself out on a limb, I’d be dissatisfied and no one had wanted, or been able, to come with me. I had a nice day touring and getting my bearings.

That first night though was actually pretty tough. Not knowing much of the language, my first time traveling by myself, my first trip away from home for longer than 3 weeks. Sure, I had traveled throughout Canada and been to the US. I had been to the U.K. when I was a flag-twirling Colour Guard member, on tour, and had even gone to Cuba with some friends on an all-inclusive resort vacation, but I had never done anything even close to this. Every trip I’d been on before this was structured. I had been born and raised in one city, and lived there my entire life. What was I doing? 

After I found dinner (my first dinner in Mexico was pasta – I don’t know what I was thinking. It was delicious, but seriously?) I made my way back to the hotel, curled up with my book and cried myself to sleep. I think that was the first time in my life I ever felt homesick. 

Luckily for me, my travel confidence was about to go up, and my fun about to really begin.

That Time I'm Going To Go To Vegas

After carefully thinking it over (for like 20 seconds), I decided to sign up for Bloggers in Sin City - a wicked blog 'unconference' in Vegas. I went in 2010 and had a blast, I'm hoping this time I'll get to spend more time with some of the people I briefly met that year, and make new, amazing friends.

Our Scavenger Hunt Team 2010

My life has changed a lot since that time - 2 years ago I was working as a waitress, working towards my CELTA and had just moved back home with my mom for a few months. I had no idea what I was going to do "with the rest of my life" and BiSC came at a great time, right while I was trying to figure out if I was strong enough to venture to a new country on my own for a year. 

Over the year I learned to relax, breathe, let things happen the way they will but change the things you want and are able to, and also to reach out. Reach for things that seem impossible, or things that you never thought you'd do. Get out of your comfort zone. Get real with yourself. 

All these ideas, I saw the peak of in Vegas and were solidified over the next year. I wouldn't say BiSC gave me the courage, or gave me the strength but it certainly gave me some knowledge. It made me see that I COULD go by myself  somewhere where I didn't know anyone, meet new people and have an amazing time.

Myself, Allie and Jenny - posing with the bartender

Also, there will be glitter and guitars filled with booze; zumba dancing, pole dancing, table dancing; martinis, wine and whiskey; cheese, desserts and buffets - SO many buffets; glitter, sequins and puffy paint; shop-talk, life-talk, blog-talk, drunk-talk, food-talk, wanderlust-talk; and most importantly, there will be friendship. And did I mention GLITTER??

Mandy and I, on the way to the Skyy Vodka Mixer

There are still 8 spots left (registration almost sold out the very first day - I was starting to get worried after half an hour! But luckily for you, it calmed down a bit and there are a few spaces available!) and every one who signs up by February 15th has the chance to win their registration fee back - thanks to Paper’d, (a brand new iPhone app designed by the lovely ladies at Shatterboxx). 

So what are you waiting for? Go sign up, and we'll see you in May! 

Once Upon A Time in Mexico

Fridays should be quick and easy and take minimal energy (TWSS?). Here are a few of my highlights from Mexico - Mexico City, Oaxaca, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido and San Cristobal de las Casas.

And people think Canadian money looks fake...This is worth about $30.

Breakfast of Champions - yes, I ate a worm

Barefoot Beach Party in Puerto Escondido

Acapulco - My parents honeymooned here almost 30 years ago

Mexican Chocolate Mole - ALL the deliciousness 

2011 - Or The Year I Stayed Out of My Comfort Zone

I remember being younger and thinking that in the year 2000 I would be sixteen, and how awesome and mature I would probably be. Then 2000 came and I was a 16 year old - you know, the kind who thinks they are awesome and mature (read: every 16 year old).

Fast forward 6 years to when I was 22 years old. In those 6 years I'd started working as a waitress, moved out of my parents house, in with a boyfriend, broken up with said boyfriend, moved in with a friend, got involved with another guy who I then moved in with, started working in the Oil & Gas industry and then broken up with that boyfriend and moved in by my lonesome.

Six years. 

Now, 6 years later, I've gone to school for Oil & Gas stuff, quit working for Oil & Gas, worked as a bartender/waitress (again), dated some interesting guys, dated some losers, met actual amazing fellow bloggers, gone to school for teaching English, traveled to 12 new countries - teaching English in 3 of them, been in the weddings of two of my sisters and seen the birth of two beautiful nieces.

Six years.

A lot can happen in 6 years. In fact, a lot can happen in one year. Case in point: I began 2011 in Costa Rica, and now here I am in the Republic of Georgia (don't feel bad if you have to Google it. I did too). 

Yeah, random. I know. My point is, you absolutely never know where life will take you. So with that, here's my year in review:

2010: I quit my job and went back to school for teaching English. I highly recommend this course: CELTA, expensive, but so worth it. After being in my beautiful sisters wedding in the summer, I moved to Vegas with my dad for a few months and then left on the first leg of my travels: Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. An amazing year where I stopped planning and started doing.

January 2011: New Years Eve found me in Costa Rica, I'd spent the last few months traveling through Central America - one of the best experiences of my life. I had never felt so happy and so free. I spent January traveling back through Central America, volunteered in an elementary school in Nicaragua and meeting new people.

Near the end of the month I got mugged with 3 friends and had pretty much everything of value stolen (thankfully not my passport). I had some tough decisions to make: could I last with what I had left? Would I find a job?

February 2011: After a week of panicking, looking for jobs, interviewing, living off my last savings before having to dip into RRSPs, I finally found a beautiful little eco-tourism centre looking for an EFL Coordinator. I interviewed over Skype and left the very next day for my new home. February was spent getting adjusted to life in a little town in the rainforest, teaching adult learners and getting to know my new host family.

March 2011: Finally beginning to speak Spanish, spending lots of quality time with my fellow volunteers, getting into the groove of teaching adults (so much fun), learning how to write exams, learning to salsa, eating way too much rice and beans and tortillas, swimming in the river, cold showers, many nights dancing in our local 'bar'. A great month.

April 2011: One of me besties came to visit and volunteer for a week, then we went to Panama for my birthday - secret island parties, turtles laying eggs, lots of snorkeling, relaxing, laughing and eating.

Volcan Arenal

May 2011: More teaching, relaxing, loving the rain-forest.

June 2011: Final preparation of exams, pizza nights with my students, dancing at the bar with co-workers, karaoke nights, weekend trips around the country.

July 2011: Sad to head home but excited to see my family and friends after almost a year of being away. I started working right away at the bar and spent as much time catching up with people as I could. The funny part of being away is that when you come home, so many things are exactly the way you left them. Comforting yet strange...

August 2011: Preparations for a new adventure - this time in Eastern Europe. They offer short contracts, a host family to stay with, co-teaching, and a small stipend. I spent a lot of time this month getting rid of things, spending time with family and friends and enjoying Canadian food and wine.

September 2011: I packed my bags yet again to head to the very unknown - The Republic of Georgia. I met 3 fun Canadian girls in the airport; all of us unsure of what to expect, but ready for anything. We spent a day in Warsaw, getting to know each other over perogies and photo ops. We started a week of intense orientation once we got to Georgia - learning the language, customs, idiosyncrasies and mannerisms, basically what to expect for the next few months.

October 2011: I moved into a very, VERY remote village in the Georgian countryside, close to Azerbaijan, on a farm, in a town where no one spoke English (not really even the English teachers at the school). This whole month was a huge learning curve. I had to adjust to some pretty weird situations, very quickly.

A common sight on my walk to school

November 2011: After a bad incident with my host family (more on this later) I switched homes, and cities. I found myself in Tbilisi with a wonderful new family who made me feel very welcome. The new school had 4 English teachers, all of whom spoke English relatively well. I felt less useful, but was content to settle in and enjoy city life for a change.

I also took a trip to Armenia - where I had a blast with 8 other English teachers.

December 2011: I spent this month enjoying my new surroundings, getting used to the Georgian way of life, learning new teaching methods, and spending lots of time with my new fellow EFL teacher friends. The Christmas plays at my school were hilarious (more so because I understood almost nothing they were saying so could only guess as to why red riding hood, a bride, an elf, Zorro and Aladdin all made it into the same play).

Just some of the intriguing costumes

Christmas was spent in Istanbul, Turkey with 2 of the funniest people I've met, having a blast couch-surfing, sight-seeing and playing card games. New Years Eve, 4 of us spent at a traditional Turkish party and then stayed in a cave hotel in Pamukkale.

Beautiful Hagia Sophia; Istanbul, Turkey

Now, back in Georgia, I have 3 days left to take in as much as I can before heading back to Canada. I had an amazing year with so many awesome people. My plans and resolution for 2012 is to start writing again. I have so many stories to tell, and am hoping 2012 will be just as amazing and eye-opening as 2011...

Hope everyone had a great year, and Happy New Year!! 

20 SB V-Log Day*

This video post is part of 20SB’s Vlog Day and the topic is “Introduce Yourself”…anyone can participate! Details are here.

A whole bunch of bloggers are posting videos today introducing themselves, I thought it would be fun to join the party, so here you have it:



*I say V-Log, you say Vlog, we can still be friends.

PS - I have a site set up at www.connectingtheblackdots.com however, I couldn't figure out how to embed this video in Wordpress. Wordpress confuses my poor brain.

Why I'll Never be A Hairdresser

I didn't realize that here in Vegas you can buy professional hair dye just as easily as box dye if you just try a little harder than googling “beauty supplies” and giving up after a few minutes to walk to the nearest CVS because that store is EVERYWHERE. And also you are impatient and need to dye it like now.

And by you I mean me.

So after I unsuccessfully tried to put two boxes of “light brown” dye over my previously blonde locks, my hair turned a weird shade of dark red, brownish green. I don't think the green tinge is overly apparent but in the light you could see it.

Also, the first thing the hairdresser I went to for a cut said was: “it's green” so I am not delusional. Luckily she was super amazing and told me not only where to buy professional dye but what color to get to take the green out and prevent it from fading into “ashy greenish blonde” which incidentally sounds like the color of something I might throw up.

After purchasing the aforementioned dye, I went home to discover the main pipe to the house had sprung a leak meaning we had to shut the water off, meaning no showering, no dying of hair, no nothing. For three days.

On the third night my dad rose again (just kidding, that was Jesus) no, he told me he would turn the water on so we could do the dishes, have showers and fill up the emergency teeth brushing water receptacles in our respective bathrooms. So up I went to mix my dye using a paintbrush and plastic container I'd bought at the dollar store for this very occasion and slathered the mixture on my head.

Which was precisely when I realized that no where on the dye or developer did it say anything about how long to leave it in. 25 minutes later I shouted down to my dad to turn the water on. Turns out someone (from the water company?) had put a lock on the turn thing. So there was no way to turn the water on:

I managed to rinse my hair under the boiling hot drizzle in the bathtub while my dad filled up bowls of water from the drizzle in the sink downstairs. It was a disaster. I'd be lying if I said I didn't throw a major conniption hissy-fit complete with deep ugly-cry  gasp-sobs but thankfully my hair didn't fall out.

Note to self: check water source before dying hair.

Why I'll Never be A Concert Pianist

Perfectionist. Overachiever. Organized.

These are all things I’ve never been accused of being, though my resume may say differently. Then again my resume also says “plays the piano” and if you all want to know how that turned out:

Click for full effect

Yes, I’m sobbing while practicing. I loved me some piano playing. I’m also pretty sure my braces even match my stripes there.

As I’ve matured (luckily so has my fashion sense) I’ve realized that though I’m not any of those things outwardly, it’s because I’m really good at hiding them. Take my plans for traveling for example.

Here’s how my “plan” started: “Hey, after I get my English teaching certificate I’m gonna pack some stuff, go traveling for a while and try to find a job in Central America teaching English”.

So I packed some stuff and here I am in Vegas with a flight booked for Mexico in two weeks. That was basically the extent of my plan. Meanwhile, in Vegas, I’ve been researching Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica day in and day out.

It’s like I hurry to get started, then I go back and fastidiously fill in the blanks.

I even made a spreadsheet. (Okay fine, I made 3 spreadsheets).

So while I have activities listed, hotels and costs, where to be when, resume printed, backpack sort of organized (clothes, books, flashlight, first aid kit, sewing kit, nail kit); it’s basically all pretense. I know once I get there my highly organized plans will go out the window. My beautiful spreadsheets will probably serve as timber when I end up on a beach somewhere because all the hotels are booked over Christmas and I haven’t had the foresight to book anything.

I guess I like the idea of being organized, the feeling I’m prepared for anything, and the thought of being one of those people for whom nothing goes wrong and the days unfold as tidily as a road map.

On second thought I think my days do unfold like a road map – it seems to be coming along nicely when all of a sudden I find myself upside-down and backwards with no hope in hell of getting the folds right, or of getting back on the right track.

So I just fold it back up as best I can and pretend that’s where I was going in the first place.