a world appart

So thinking about travels, I have come to realise the differences between areas. Some may be the smallest things that can go unoticed, but not all. Language barriers are one of the biggest differences between areas. With little or no understanding can pose a very large communication barrier, causing difficulties of all kinds. Atmosphere also can vary from one region to the next, making comfortability harder to come by. A good example of this is the pace of life in France. It is very different from that of Canada. Even the smaller differences can in turn add up, making ones experience different from that of another. The placement of keys on the computer is not the same as the ones in North America. The Q is where the A should be and the , is where the M should be... so confusing. I am also finding that Canadians are generally friendlier than the French, we will acknowledge a stranger while they will go unnoticed here. The first sight of a Canadian smile is no doubt one of the greatest experiences after not seeing a friendly maple-sirop-loving-poutine-eating-canadian. Without new experiences no one would ever be complete, it is what shapes us. Uniqueness is a great virtue that everyone should experience.

les beguets

Finally sitting in front of a computer for the first time in France! I have felt so disconnected from the world! I have had an amazing trip so far, I do not want it to end! Travelling in a group like I have, I have discovered who people trully are. New friendships have been made, but some may have suffered. The real ones will always last! There has not been a day that has gone by that has I have not been thankful for this experience! Everyday on this trip has been complete though some have been extremely long! Arrivin in London, we took a bus to France making various stops along the way. These included Flanders Fields, Vimy Ridge, Dieppe, Juno Beach, Omaha Beach, Dieppe, Pointe du Hoc, Versailles among many others. Pointe du Hoc and Vimy Ridge have been two of the coolest places we have visited so far, but nothing compares to Paris! What an incredible city, the culture is so rich! It is incredible how this city never stops and the amount of wealth the city has! Staying at a youth hostel in downtown Paris meant we were able to see and feel Paris in a completely unique way! The first day we were there our group walked a total 26 km, not taking the metro once, unlike all other groups. We arrived in Mulhouse last night, it was so amazing to see my French partner again! Her family has been so welcoming and I now feel like it is a second home. The culture is so rich and divers here and the French drive like crazy! I have never ate so mqny beguets in my life, the smell of fresh bread in the morning is like a sunny summer day! Though we have had a lot of rain in the past few days, I would ask for anything different. HAPPY TRAVELS, where

moi.

apple cinnamon cheerios and croutons are the best snacks ever created. you can eat them here or there, in a box, with mouse, absolutely anywhere.

travel is a passion, i would not be myself without the experience. it has made me complete and makes me want to do more. i am completely jealous of my sister who is travelling for six months.

i love to make things. being able to create something unique makes me happy. something that i know i am the only ones that has it.

i think that everyone one has a purpose in life and that they will not be complete unless they pursue it.

toes are one of the grossest things imaginalbe. especially in water they get incredibly prunny. they should not be shown.

people always ask me who my hero is. i don't have a specific hero. anyone who is brave enough to face day to day matters, even those who must face greater battles like cancer, i would consider a hero.

running through a forest makes me feel free. it makes me feel like there is nothing holding me back.

if the world was yellow, everyone one and everything would make me smile. it would convice me that that everything is fine. just like the walmart smiley everything would be all smiles.

sarcasm and procrastination are my ways.

locking doors scare me. i am scared of being trapped inside and not getting out.

tea is one of the best things to drink. it makes me feel calm and peaceful. it is a mini escape from reality. some days it is a survival tool.

i am affraid of breaking things that mean a lot to people, especially their hearts.

when i graduate, i want to go to south africa to volunteer and travel. volunteering has taught me alot, there is a constant need for volunteers. it shapes communities.

i heave always wondered if there is something else out there. not just aliens, but something real, something unpredictable that may never be discovered.

tears don't mean weakness, they show strength. strength of those not afraid to show their feelings.

singing outloud when no one is around is one of the best feelings of all. when no one can judge you. when no eyes are on you. when you are sure that it is you and you only.

cracking my head open and getting stitches is basicly my childhood. numerous times i have landed myself in the er. but on the upside it always ended in a popsicle.

any time i sneeze, i try to keep my eyes open. it doesn't work. it is just not meant to be. impossible. though one of my life goals is to make it happen.

old bands are the best. the ones with music that will last forever. with music that can be played anywhere or anytime. the sad songs and the happy ones.

laughing is my favourite thing of all. there is nothing better. the feeling you get from laughing just fills your body with joy and happiness. and when your stomach hurts makes life worth while.

i used to have flipper feet. i could not walk in a straight line. i would constantly be tripping over things. tree roots were the worst.

i love getting things in the mail. snail mail is the best of all. having the surprise of opening something unknown is like christmas. though bills are another story.

photography. end of story. being able to something the way you want is an amazing feeling. with the turn of a lens and the click of the button, you can create something that will last a life time.

the worst thing of all is going somewhere to get something and forgeting what you were supposed to get. drives me absolutely crazy. should use sticky notes or something.

summer come. winter go.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

So... I realized today that it is exactly one month until I jump on a plane and fly away! Where you might ask? Well it will all begin in Calgary. Following an eight hour flight to London, we will jump on a bus and wander yonder over to a magical place called France. Crazy I know, with 46 people we are all going to be sleep deprived and completely sick of each other by the end of 18 days. Oh and might I add that I will only be going to school for 11 days in March. School is completely overrated anyways. I mean who actually goes? Seeing that we will be in four different countries in just under three weeks makes me wonder if we are going to have a single moment of not sprinting from country to country. My guess is no....Have you ever been to another country or place with a group where another language is spoken other than English? As soon as they hear you speaking English they don't even bother speaking to you in their language. I'm pretty sure most of them just assume that you are completely incompetent and can only say hello, goodbye and how to order a beer. Though there may be some downsides to travelling, those who are looking for adventure will find it. I definitely am... I don't understand how some can live in the bubbles they do without experiencing anything new. I can't. End of story. There are so many places to go, so many things to do! Get out there, try something new! You won't regret it! Don't sit by while the world keeps on spinning.