Pamper yourself

Great things happen when you choose to pamper yourself.

While I was in Madrid I wanted to get my hair done as a little treat. I don’t like overpaying for hair services- therefore the best thing to do is to move as far away as possible from the tourist district. There is this one great area of Madrid that is absolutely beautiful. It is a very cultural / bohemian neighbourhood (

called La Lavapies. I found many amazing things around this one metro stop such as this restaurant called Chez Farida

, I got my blackberry unlocked for $10, I got delicious oranges, I found a great store selling beautiful things for super cheap, and most importantly, I found the hairdresser of my dreams.

This is why I love traveling: I was walking along and then looked over and saw a men’s/women’s hairdresser. So I went inside and attempted to enquire in English how much it would cost for a wash and blow dry. She spoke not one word of English- so with my understanding with Spanish I came to the understanding that the total would come to 8 euros- yes only 8 euros. I was in shock- I didn’t quite know if I understood her properly because I have long, curly, unruly hair and for a wash and blow dry to come to that- which is normally minimum of $25 dollars- I was going to get the service- and clarify at the end. She is from Morocco. She washed my hair, got out the roundbrush, the elbow grease, and started working at my hair.

Oh my goodness people… you don’t understand. She put in so much hard work, 2- 2.5 hours to be precise. She took tiny strands of hair at a time to blowdry and blowdry like I have never seen anyone blowdry before. Now when I was in Paris, a friend Régine told me about another hair dresser in her neighbourhood (just outside of Paris) who did a great job on her hair for cheap too- also Moroccan- for $16 euros. Now these Moroccans just know and understand curly hair. They don’t blowdry it until it’s a puff of fuzz and then take out the flat iron and smooth it out to a straight that is so unnaturally straight. They take the time, put in the elbow grease, and work each strand of hair until the curl is out and the hair stands naturally straight with a loose curl at the bottom (by choice) – I also had my hair blowdried super straight – but the natural curl is fabulous.

Okay, sorry, went off track there, so back to my Moroccan hair dresser in Madrid. The ability to communicate with people abroad is so fascinating when you don’t speak the same language- it is 100% possible when you really don’t think it is. Let me explain… her first language is Arabic and second language is Spanish. My first language is English and my second language is French. I don’t speak Spanish, but understand it, and she doesn’t speak French, but understands it. So we spent hours speaking our second languages to each other while understanding our third. We talked about each other’s lives, families, and life in general. She is such a special person, she works hard and is trying to support her two children who are living in Morocco with her parents while making a fraction of the monthly salary that you and I make. I told her she has to come to Canada and myself and all of my curly haired friends and family can support her by having her as our personal hair dresser!!! I also said I’d help look for a Canadian man for her- to send him over there and he can sweep her off her feet! We spent hours laughing.

After the first 3 days in Madrid when I first met her, I went to Morocco for a few days. I decided to go back to Madrid for another 5 days for the sun, the people, the relaxation, and of course my hair dresser. I went back to her 3 more times. I felt like I was ripping her off by paying so little for 2 hours of hard work- so I always gave her a nice tip! My last visit I got my hair layered too- she also did a great job!!! And only paid a minimal fee of 15 euros!!!!! For a wash, cut, and blowdry!!! Insane!!!

The morals of the story are:

- Communicate in ways you can, an understanding will come out of it.

- Get your hair done in Madrid, it is cheap

- Spoil and pamper yourself

- Keep an open heart.

We exchanged email addresses- I have yet to email her- but I plan on it. If you or a friend ever makes your way to Madrid, contact me, and go to her salon, she’s awesome.

Statistics

Before I go back into time and add various stories... I wanted to share some statistics with you. I am sure I will add more... but here are a few!!!

*Transportation:

Planes: 27

Vancouver-London
London-Dublin
Cork-London
Paris-Barcelona
Barcelona- Paris
Paris-Algiers
Algiers-Paris
Paris-Zurich
Zurich-Paris
Paris-Dublin
Dublin-Paris
Paris-Lisbon
Lisbon-Paris
Paris-Barcelona
Barcelona-Sevilla
Granada-Barcelona
Barcelona-Paris
Paris-Johannesburg
Johannesburg- Paris
Paris - Edinburgh
Glasgow-Dublin
Dublin-Paris
Paris-Madrid
Madrid-Fez
Marrakech-Madrid
Madrid-Paris
London-Vancouver

Flights canceled: 1 x Paris-Edinburgh
Flights forfeited: 2 x Marrakech-Madrid


Trains: 24

London-Paris
Paris- Rouen
Rouen- Paris
Paris-Arras
Arras-Paris
Paris-Marseille
Marseille- Cassis
Cassis-Marseille
Paris-London
London-Paris
Sevilla-Granada
Paris-London
London-Paris
Paris-Brussels
Brussels-Paris
Edinburgh-Glasgow
Glasgow- Pitlochry
Pitlochry- Glasgow
Glasgow-Paris
Paris- Chambéry
Chambéry-Lyon
Lyon-Paris
Fez-Marrakech
Paris-London

Missed trains: 1 x Arras- Paris

Long distance bus rides: 5

Dublin-Trim
Marseilles-Aix en Provence-La Ciotat-Marseille
Johannesburg-Kimberley
Pitlochry-Bruar
Glasgow-Highlands-Glasgow

Automobiles: 14

Dublin-Belfast
Belfast-Dublin
Zurich- Seedorf
Seedorf-Altdorf-Lucern-Zurich
Kimberley-Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein-Kimberley
Kimberley-Cape Town
Cape Town-Kimberley
Kimberley-Johannesburg
Paris-Versailles
Versailles-Paris
Bruar-Pitlochry
Chambéry-Geneva
Geneva-Chambéry

Car rentals: 1

Dublin- Galway-Cork

Ferry rides: 7

Galway-Arran Island
Arran Island-Galway
Switzerland
Les Calanques
River king- La Seine River- night time
Bateau Mouche with Isabelle and Roseni on La Seine River
Loch Ness, Scotland

Parisian metro rides: incalculable

*concerts: 12

Joshua Radin, Vusi Mulasala, Fete de la musique, Prince (yes- the one and only), K'naan, Playing for Change, Spanish Guitar, Rock En Seine- K'naan, Luc singing opera, Brasilian Samba party, Redbull 3style, Drake

*Large bodies of water: 5

Irish Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean (Barcelona, Algeria, South of France), Atlantic (SA), Indian ocean (SA), Pacific Ocean

*amazing moments: incalculable

but to name a few: meeting K'naan, meeting Mark Johnson, Prince concert, sleeping on the street, watching world cup final in 3D, Christian Dior Fashion Show, An Opera Party, 5 star hotel in Lisbon, An Opera birthday dinner party, living out the strikes in Paris, the Alhambra and the South of Spain, our family reunion in South Africa, Vasco and Nunez de Balboa meet Isabella and Lucy Bird in Dublin with my best friend who's a 4 year old and our special handshake, going on a safari thanks to Uncle Gamza, a dance party on the Train to Marseille, a dance party on the boat on the Seine, Crepe making thanks to Roanne's husband, oursins in Algeria, Vasco and Nunez's photo-shoot, Thanksgiving dinner in France, Emergency evacuation team- Canadians repatriated from Cairo, Lunch on a bateau mouche with Isabelle and Roseni, visits and cocktails at Diplomatic residences, girl cousins trip Paris-London.

*famous people meeting/seeing: 6

K'naan, Mark Johnson, Charlotte LeBon, Ambassador of Canada, South African President in Paris (drove by with his entourage), Liv Tyler

*castles, churches, abbeys: incalculable

*dirty kisses: 1 x Blarney Stone

*clean kisses: I'm not telling (my mom reads my blog)

*times being pooed on: 1 x In Ireland

times stepping in poo: could count on two hands in Paris

*number of new stamps in my passport: 27

*number of new visas in my passport: 2

*visitors to Paris: a handful

*people who said they wanted to visit but never had the opportunity to: lots

*beautiful sunsets: many

*camel rides: 1 x in Algeria

*baptisms: 1 x Cael

*number of marriage proposals: 4

*maximum number of camels proposed for my hand in marriage: 4

*lugging my luggage around on public transit: 8 dreadful times

*fearsome experiences: 1

*delicious food: incalculable

but to name a few... Planet Sushi (thanks Regine :) ) , crepes, demi baguettes, mini croissants, pastas natas in portugal, Roseni's delicious Brazilian meals, fresh fruit at the barcelona market, paella in spain, coconut yogurt in France, All South African family's cooking- especially Shani's, biltong, Woodwards fresh Passion Fruit juice, cheese in France, galette in Chambéry

*countries: England (IIIII), Ireland (III), Northern Ireland, Spain (IIIII), Algeria, Switzerland (II), Portugal, South Africa, Belgium, Scotland, Morocco, France (south:II)

*amazing people: incalculable

*ITCs: incalculable

*moments and experiences I am so grateful for and will never take for granted: incalculable

ALL IN ONE AMAZING YEAR!!!!!

I'm back

Well... 1 year has passed and I am back in Vancouver. It is actually hard for me to say that I'm back "home" because although Vancouver has been my home for a very long time, I feel like there are now so many other places I can call "home" that I have already, or that I would like to in the future.

It has been an easy and somewhat smooth transition being back. I got back Sunday afternoon- spent the week catching up with family and some friends and it was back to work on Friday. I'm really happy the way it worked out because I was able to catch up with colleagues, get all my accounts set up, and get a little refresher training...then, it's the weekend!!! Monday reality will hit I'm sure!

I am moving into my friends flat today (Saturday)... a room opened up for April 1! I am excited to be living there because it is in one of the best neighbourhoods in town, I will be able to bike to work, 1 block away from my potential gym, access to fresh food, it's cultural and eclectic. (I just had a thought... I should continue with the photos of Vancouver- I hardly ever take pictures here... but who says just because my 1 year adventure abroad is up, that the adventures in Canada don't continue!!!)

I am determined to go back and post all of my adventures... now I have some spare time, as I settle in. I have to date back to November! That' a lot of blogging... so please be patient with me!!! My cousin Ayesha in London has inspired me as she nominated me for a small blog award!!! So sweet!!!!

check out the link to see what she wrote and to gain access to her website! She is SUCH a talented artist, it is unreal!!!

http://ayeshagamiet.com/news/liebster-blog-award/

Good to be back in Vancouver!

My french evolution

So I guess after a year of living in Paris- it has rubbed off on me. How so you ask?!

If you read previous posts if when I first arrived in Paris- I was having a hard time accepting the cultural differences with Vancouver. It was challenging at first as the differences are quite prominent.

Okay some examples:

I used to curse at high heels for minimum of 8 hours a day- I have now embraced them.

I used to hate coffee, now I love my café crème.

I used to wear very colourful outfits - I like wearing black now.

I used to have a smile on my face, even on public transit! Now I look as grim as the rest of them.

I used to not like raw salmon in sushi, now I can't get enough of it.

I used to appreciate the people in my life 99%, now I appreciate them 101%.

I used to have only 2 pages stamped in my passport, now I have 18 pages stamped.

I used to appreciate friends in quantity, now I appreciate them in quality.

I used to think french were rude, some of them still are, but there's some pretty freaking fantastic ones out there.

I used to not have as much confidence in myself, now it's oozing out of me. (hehe jk- not oozing, just lightly gushing)

I used to be afraid to speak french in public and blushed EVERY time, now I speak with confidence, despite the errors- and keep my natural skin colour.

I used to just have a regular phone and not care too much about it, I now love my smart-phone and am addicted to it.

I used to be lazy about working out now, I now want to go to the gym every day and feel bad if I don't!

I used to like chocolate, and despite how much I try to cut it out, I still really like it.

I used to not eat white bread, I now eat french baguettes.

I used to have people as my best friends, I now have Vasco, Nunez, my camera, and my blackberry as my best friends.

I used to not smoke, now I second hand smoke (scared ya haha)

I used to not like expensive things- I still don't like REALLY expensive things, but I like expensiver things.

I used to not wear face and eye cream, I now wear face and eye cream.

I used to not straighten my hair so much, ever since I was introduced to the best and cheapest Moroccan hair dresser, I love my hair straight.

I used to not mind living out of a back pack- after a year, I am a little tired of it.

I used to not have aches and pains- I'm only 27 and I have a sore foot and a sore back.

Well- that's all that are coming to my mind right now. I am sure I have evolved in many other ways too :) Once I get back to Vancouver- I am sure the people there will spot some more differences!

(I didn't say all of my changes were going to be positive ones, nor did I say they will last forever :) )

Coca Doodle Doo

So I was having a discussion with a friend of mine about farm animals one day- yes, random- not sure how we got started on it. We were chatting and then we got onto what the rooster says. I told her in English it says, "Coca Doodle Doo"- she burst out laughing. I then asked her what the rooster says in French- she said "Coco Rico" hahahaha... then I burst out laughing. I guess different languages attribute different sounds to the same animals. An example of reality being filtered through and shaped by culture!!

I googled a few others - for giggles :)

In Cebuano ( one of the many dialects in the Philippines ) we call the rooster "sunoy" and the sound? its " tuk-to-ga-ok "

In Bicol (another dialect in the Philippines) it's pretty much like the Cebuano's -- it's "tuk-to-RA-ok"

"Kook-Rooo-Ka- Rooo" - in Hindi!

Roosters in Sweden say 'kuckeliku"

Kykkeliky in Norwegian

"kookaroo" in Greek

so funny!

The lone traveler

When traveling, you rely a lot on the advice of others.

When I get back to Canada- I plan on writing a review for every hostel I stayed at as I am forever grateful for the reviews they have provided me.

I LOVE the websites www.hostelworld.com and www.hostelbookers.com and www.tripadvisor.com. I am telling you- people don't lie- what the reviews say about the accomodation is what you can expect! I love it!!!!

When arriving into a new city- mapless most of the time- all you want to know what to do is get from point A (train station or airport) to point B (hostel/lodging). Hostel bookers send you a friendly email confirmation and directions from all modes of transport. It's fabulous. I swear by them.

I am so grateful that I feel it is my duty to give my 2cents too. So I plan on it :) I suggest you use them too and post for other travelers as they are so useful for Nomads like myself.

21 days

Well I have decided to take a different approach to my delayed blogging.

I will write a bit about how I feel and what I am doing right now- I will fill in the blanks as I go along- so it will be a mashup of posts with no specific order at the moment- hoping to get back on track when I go back to Canada.

Okay- so I am currently in Lyon, France- after having visited a friend in Chambéry, France with a dinner in Geneva, Switzerland- I am preparing my next 21 days. Yes- that is the number of days before I take the magical flight back to Canada.

Thought I would share with you the significance of the number 21.

• Symbol of the person centered on the object and either on himself.

• Number of the perfection by excellence, 3 x 7, according to the Bible.

• This number "contains the ratios of the principle of individuality 1 with the cosmic differentiation 20", according to R. Allendy. These ratios would constitute an act of organization - 2 + 1 = 3: "Thus the principle of individuality, placed between the world of the spirit and that the matter, realizes in itself the meeting of both."

• For Claude of Saint-Martin, "the number 21 is the number of destruction or rather of universal termination, because, as 2 is separated from 1, it is necessary that it has a means of to unite there if it wants it. This number shows at the same time the command of the production of things and their end, as well in the spiritual one as in the corporal one."

• Number representing the maturity and the responsibility for an individual. It expresses also the notion of chief.

So here I am - soon to be going back to Canada after my one year abroad.

My goodness - this experience has turned out to be much much more than I expected it to be. It has been incredible.

I am having mixed feelings about leaving Europe. I have made such amazing friends and my colleagues were absolutely wonderful. I will miss the easy access to surrounding countries and the history of Paris, France, and Europe. I am really looking forward to seeing my family, friends, and colleagues in Vancouver though. I am looking forward to living out of drawers and not my suit case/ back packs. I need to treat myself to a massage when I get back. I am looking forward to having a stable 'home' for a while.

I am not ending one adventure, I will be starting another.

Uploading pictures is a process. I will with time- for now, look forward to a few words from me as I live out my 21 days.