The Big Chill

I made it. And man, it is COLD. It is FECKING FREEZING. I cant believe just how cold it is. In fact, the population of Vancouver cant believe it. Its MINUS 8 with a wind chill of MINUS 20 degrees celcius here. I've had to go and buy thermals straight away, because when I walk down the street, my thighs burn because the wind is so cold.


Leaving home was surprisingly uneventful. Or maybe its just because I am getting used to travelling. I was quite nervous leaving my family, and I fell apart at the airport as usual. Mostly because I didnt want to leave Charlotte. I'd gotten very close to her over the last few weeks and it was hard to see her looking at me, not knowing what was going on.


Anyway, we got to the airport and found out that my flight was delayed by three hours due to "bad weather" in Vancouver. Sixteen hours later, with a stop in Honolulu in between, I found out that the "bad weather" was actually one of the biggest snow storms in recent times. It apparently hardly ever snows in Vancouver, so the airport only owns one snow plough... hence the delay. Despite the delay, and a nervous couple of minutes waiting to land on the ice-covered runway, I managed to get through customs at Vancouver airport, get the bus, get to the hostel and set about discovering without too much hassle.


There is a pretty cool atmosphere here. The minute you get here, there is this sense of community amongst all the "backpacking crowd". When people see you with your snowboard, or hear your accent, they ask you where you are heading, or talk to you about their experiences. Already, I've worked out that it is all about networking - not what you know, who you know. People know people who can help other people out. Its great.

I havent had time to do some proper photography but I did a couple (as above).

Will write tomorrow.

P.S - Sorry Mammy, I didnt get a chance to call you again this afternoon - I couldnt face leaving the hostel to go outside. I've never been to Siberia, but I reckon its as cold as Siberia here in Vancouver.

Ready to Go

KateOnTheGo is ready to go.... again. I am having to pack my backpack....again. I'm having to say goodbye to my family.... again. Get on a plane.... again.

Here's the plan -

Tomorrow - Fly to Vancouver
The Next Day - Stay in Vancouver
The Next - One more night in Vancouver
Then - Off to Whistler
A Couple of Days After That - Begin work!

My Absence

I have to apologise to my loyal readers for not being online much over the past couple of weeks. I am still in Australia, but am flying out in four days to Whistler. I've been mostly hanging out with my family, and catching up with friends - not exactly "fly by the seat of yer pants" stuff, but its important to me. Being away from everyone has been difficult, so catching up on things here will enable me to carry on travelling without the heartache. I am itching to get on the road again, but there is still that sadness that I will inevitably have to leave everyone again.

Happy 1st Birthday Charlotte!!!

I flew thousands of kilometres to be here for this day, and it was worth every minute of it. To see her interacting with her little friends, to see the joy on her face as people sung "Happy Birthday To Her" and to watch her unwrap her presents - you cant replace those memories. Thanks for her mother, she has given me permission to put some photos up of her birthday. I have so many photos I dont know which ones to upload!


Here she is in her pretty little outfit, ready for her friends to arrive.












It wasnt long before little Chelsea (Charlotte's cousin) and Charlottes best friend Hannah arrived, all dressed up in their party outfits.












Before the party food came out, they played together for a little while, talking in baby talk and singing to the music that came from the musical toys.

Charlotte was loving the attention!!!!












Out came the party good and Charlotte, who isnt usually allowed too many sweets, goes crazy with the party food. She consumed three cupcakes in ten minutes.....













........not to mention a few slices of fairy bread....


















She also managed to get lots and lots of kisses from everyone, including her Aunty Kate.

Birthday, cont.

Soon enough it was cake time. Charlotte clapped and laughed while everyone sung Happy Birthday and then when it finished, she stuck her hand right into the cake then licked it. So cute!







It was the present time! She had a load of fun, and found the wrapping paper more interesting than the presents themselves.











Amped up on sugar, the kids then went about playing with Charlotte's new toys.

















I was then enlisted to provide the children a "shoulder ride". I gave Charlotte one and realised that it was harder work that I first thought. The service ended shortly thereafter.













All in all, it was a tiring day for the little one, but there was so much sugar in her system, there was no slowing her down!

(check out the sunburn on my chest! hahaha)

Happy Birthday My Little Angel

This has got to be the cutest photo I have ever taken!

Justin Timberlake

I never really used to be a fan of J.T. I was crazy about N'Sync (okay, I admit it) but I always thought J.T looked barely ten years old. But now.....DAMN!

Sun Burn

It was finally a summer day in Sydney and I was down by the beach with some friends. I was only in the sun for an hour or so but my skin just fried. It appears that my skin has become more sensitive to sun (it was already pretty sensitive!!) because I've been out of it for so long. I must remember that I will have to wear sunscreen while I am in Whistler.

Its SOOOOO cold!!!

"A goosepimply, teeth-chattering Sydney has another reason to shake its collective head at the weather gods today.

This morning's recorded low temperature of 8.3 degrees is the coldest November minimum in more than a century.

Not since 1905 has a November day experienced such chill."

(http://www.smh.com.au/news/national)

I worry about global climate change when we get such weird weather like this. Its two weeks til the official start of summer here in Australia and its SNOWING in some parts of the state!

Airport Funnies

I must say, I find the whole "going through airport security" quite funny. Over the past few weeks, I have encountered line after line after line of people trying to get through airport security to travel. I've had lip gloss, creams, toothpaste, the lot confiscated. People have had liquor, perfumes and other liquids taken off them because of ridiculous british aviation security rules. Do I complain? No. I laugh.

You see, when I first check in, I am asked:

1. Have I received any packages from strangers?
2. Did I pack my own luggage?
3. Did I have my luggage in my possession at all times?

I am tempted to say "well, actually some strange guy came up to me and said if i took this package, he'd give me 50 bucks, so i said yes. He was a nice guy, helped me pack it in my bag too. In fact, he even minded my bag while I went to the toilet."

I'm sorry, Mr. Heathrow, but if i was a terrorist or drug trafficker, I wouldnt chose the checkin counter to be the place where I would unveil my plans tobreak the law.

The Australian Government's Department of Transport and Regional Affairs put out a fact sheet which states at http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/factsheet/fact14.aspx:
A number of items are prohibited from being carried in the cabin of an aircraft or through a screening point because they are a security risk.

Examples of such prohibited items and weapons include:

• knives, including metal cutlery knives
• guns and ammunition, including toys and replicas
• explosives
• a pair of scissors with blades more than 6cm long, or a pair of manicure scissors
• tools such as chisels, knitting needles and crochet hooks
• corkscrews with sharp points
• crossbows and spear guns
• sporting goods that could be used to harm including bats, sticks, poles, rods and spikes

This list of prohibited items that cant go in the cabin is also found at the check in desk and also customs.

How many times have you overheard someone say "Oh damn, honey, I knew I should have put the cross bow and the spear gun in my suitcase!"

And as for the explosives, the Australian Government would much prefer they go into the hull of the airplane instead of in the seating area!!!

Thankfully, the Australian Government provides a factsheet which gives you great advice in their factsheet - "If you are unsure about any such items, please check with your airline before you travel - or leave them [being the cross bow, stick of dynamite or AK47 replica] at home."

Ahhh.... you have to look at the bright side of life sometimes otherwise we'd all go crazy.

Fighting Bureaucracy Singlehandedly

As a lawyer, I have spent over three years fighting for people. Listening to their complaints, trying to find a resolution for them, and ensure that the person in the "right" finds justice on their side.

So it is interesting that when it comes to me arguing over things that personally affect me, I'd rather just "cop it sweet" and deal with it. For example, today I found that my English bank charged me a massive 30 pounds because my bank account was overdrawn by a mere 10 pounds. I had pulled my british money out of the account, into my australian account, and a shop must have delayed putting their transaction through to my account, so it took the money out of my account.

In Australia, if a person doesnt have money in their account, they cant make the purchase, simple as that. The transaction is immediately declined due to insufficient funds. Well, not for this British bank. It takes the money out regardless and then charges you 30 pounds for the privilege - they simply dont give the consumer the choice as to whether they even want the overdraw facility in the first place.

So, my account was overdrawn 10 pounds, and then I was given a 30 pound overdrawn fee, hence I now owe the bank 45 pounds. Which is a lot of money when converted back to Australian money.

I sat in my room this afternoon and stewed over this. Firstly, I was angry at myself for not reading the small print. Secondly, I stewed over the fact that I should have more control of my finances. And then, like always, considered it too much of an effort to try and argue with the bank about a term in a contract which I should have read. I hate sitting on phones arguing with faceless customer service people, who cant make decisions. I hate sitting and talking to them, only to find the matter isnt resolved, find it goes to management, find that they are just as faceless and just as rigid in their arguments on the matter.

However, today I thought "hang on a minute, this isnt right." I should have been told about this when I was "sold" this bank account by the travel company. Having an unlimited "overdraw" facility, yet copping fees when I do use it, and not know about it, is a misrepresentation. Its a major factor of this account and surely any applicant should be made aware of this.

So I jumped on the phone. To cut a long story short, the bank agreed that seeing I wasnt told about the potential for my account to be overdrawn, they have allowed the fee to be cancelled. I had to go to management (after talking with the faceless rigid customer service girl) but the guy was reasonable, understanding and quick to rectify the matter.

So maybe some things are worth fighting for....I dont like arguing. I hate it. I find it tiring, and stressful, and often think that if people chose their battles a little more wisely, there wouldnt be so much stress and pain in the world.... i just think arguing over 30 pounds seems silly when there are other things in the world to worry about.... that said, its not just me being charged 30 pounds. Its everyone else who they dont tell.....

Maybe its a case of looking at what you are fighting for, genuinely considering whether it is something you should "just deal with", or whether it is worth raising the point. If you genuinely believe that you are right, and its not just a case of causing trouble, then maybe I am right to raise the issue.

I guess I just see so many people arguing over "principle" these days, rather than thinking about what they REALLY want out of the whole process and whether it is worth the pain, angst and time.

Anyway, on a lighter note, check my shirt out. Its so ME!

A Bit O' Old Fashioned Bitchin

I'm sitting here trying to work out:

1) how I am going to be able to pay all of these horrid monthly credit card bills while I am away;
2) how I managed to spend so much on my credit cards while I was away (okay, Biarittz, Sweden and my new found interest in mac cosmetics may have had something to do with it! ooops).
3) why I cant get my act together in order to avoid bank fees and charges.

I always figured that seeing I was a lawyer, I'd be hell rich. However, I didnt anticipate having a quarter-life crisis, giving up my good job and going in search of my "Shangri-La".

Ugh. Enough to make a girl depressed.

Thankfully I have my beuuuuutiful snowboard sitting beside me here, to remind me of the good/finer things in life.

The Love Of My Life

Nine Days To Go - Whistler Blackcomb

Yesterday I purchased my flight to Vancouver. It cost a little more than I budgeted for, as did the travel insurance, but i guess this is going to be a trip where I am going to have to really be tight with my money. No splurging, no luxurious weekends away, no excessive shopping. In nine days, I am off to Canada to work at minimum wage, not lawyer-wage. I dont have that much saved. But i dont care. I'm free. And will be for the next six months. I guess that is what is most important to me these days.

To quote the Whistler Blackcomb website, on 10 Nov, "Whistler woke up to a winter wonderland with 30cm of snow falling in the Alpine overnight and there's lots more on the way. Today the Alpine Forecast is calling for 10-20cm, 5-10 cm tonight, 5-10cm on Saturday, 30-40cm on Sunday and 20-30cm on Monday. By the end of the long weekend, expect to see 70-110cm of new snow!"

I've never lived in winter conditions like this. I'm from Australia, remember? I see photos of them playing in the snow, all rugged up, all tanned and I wonder how I will handle the climate! Time will tell!

A Big Fat Dose of "I Told You So"

I'm absolutely delighted to hear that Brit-knee has dumped Fed-Ex. Oh, and Reese has walked out on Ryan. Nicole forced Keith into drink rehab. Paris has a new boyfriend...again. Anna Nicole Smith and Howard Stern were on Entertainment Tonight and they both looked like they were on hard drugs. Celebrities make me feel so much better about my life!

Wee Little Woman

Spending time with Charlotte has made me realise just how much time children take up in your day. My sister is an unbelievable mother, but it takes a lot out of her day. Each morning, Charlotte wakes up and from that moment onwards, Annie needs to be constantly on guard - Charlotte is either crawling off to grab something that she isnt allowed to grab, wanting feed, needing her nappy changed, off grabbing something else that she isnt allowed to grab... it is constant work. I get exhausted spending only a couple of hours with her. I seriously respect any mother that is out there looking after two or more children! One is certainly enough.

But geez, this kid sure is cute. She has to be the happiest baby I've ever come across. She only cries when she's tired. Apart from that, any time she catches you looking at her, or anytime she is playing, she's got this big gummy grin. Her laughter is music to our ears.

I will post some photos as soon as I get a chance to hold her down long enough!

I took these photos in London at a Florist Shop near Westminister tube station. The florist was dancing the Scissor Sisters very loud and had glitter balls hanging from the florist store ceiling. The gus was extraordinarily camp. You had to see it to believe it! I also came out with a pretty good set of photos, thanks to him allowing me to photograph his work.

My Time In London

Update On Life In Australia

Well I have been home for four days. And what a four days it has been. Already, I have spent two days back at work (yes, I am back with my old employer doing some contract work til I leave for Canada) and four magical days with gorgeous Charlotte. Charlotte is the only thing that has changed here. Everything else is still the same.

I have terrible jet lag though!

I Was Never In Berlin

I told a fib.

I was never in Berlin. Never met anyone to go to Prague. Never got a busbaout ticket.

All along I was in London, preparing to fly home to Australia to surprise my mother.

And what a surprise she got!

She was so overwhelmed when I walked up to her in the airport that she had to sit down while she was hyperventilating.

You see, my sister, father and I made up some elaborate plan to get mum to the airport in order for her to collect "a bag" of my stuff which supposedly was being sent into customs. Instead, it was me.

So I now home. For three weeks before heading to Canada to begin work on 4 December. I've known for about a month that I would be home now, but had to keep it a very close secret, and had to continue the trick on the blog so that my mother (my most regular reader) knew nothing different.

Its great to be home. Its great to hold Charlotte. She remembered me, I think. The minute I picked her up, she nestled her head on my shoulder, something which is apparently really unusual for her. Ever since then, she's been giving me this gummy little grin, as if to say "I missed you!"

Anyway, I am really struggling with the jet lag, so I will have to end it here and have a wee sleep. But, let the adventures continue!

k

I Bin Ein Berlinner

I made it to Berlin! What a ride. A long one. The bus ride was painful, but hey, with Busabout, you get what you paid for. I compared it to a long haul flight, but only more bumpier. Sleep was hard to get but it served me well and last night I managed to tuck myself in to the Generator, Berlin.

So today I am off to find all of the wonderful main sights of Berlin. I will probably only stay here for a couple of days, because I met two girls at the hostel who are heading to Prague so I may go with them. The more the merrier, they say.

Anyway, I will try and upload some pictures from Amsterdam.

Will chat when I've got more to say!

K

Amsterdam Part Deux

There is a little windows mediaplayer video doing the rounds at the moment of me dancing around to some Amsterdam karaoke song with a bunch of italian blokes at the Heineken Factory. I swear, it was only after the first Heineken, I assure you. It seemed like such a good idea at the time - "send your free video to your friends" it said. It was just one of many wonderful things you could do at the Heineken Factory, a haven for all beer drinkers. And the beer was good. Very good. And I guess the video was kinda funny too. I will try and attach it to the webpage for all to see. I am not ashamed. *blush*

My days have been gloriously filled with efforts to avoid the Dutch weather - if it aint blowing down trees, its hailing down bits of ice the size of fingernails. Oh yes, welcome to da Nederlands in autumn/winter. Its the pits. Its difficult to hold on to an umbrella, a hat, and a camera all at the same time. Not happy Jan. Day one (well, the first full day) was spent at a few markets and the Heineken Factory, which somehow managed to fill up a fair bit of my day, once I found my way about.

Yesterday, day two, I went exploring out to a Windmill Farm and Cheese Factory yesterday in a town 20 mins from Amsterdam, called Zaanse Schans - in order to get a bit of a feel for Dutch life in the 1700s. It ended up being a surprisingly enjoyable day, and in the 15 minutes that it wasn't hailing or tornado-ing, I managed to get some awesome photos done, and to anyone looking at the photos, they would not think i'd been out on a rainy day. I'll load them up when I get to a decent computer.

Today I travelled 40 mins out of Amsterdam and off to the Hague, the old capital city of Netherlands and also the Home of the UN International Court of Justice. It was all going gloriously well until the hailing and raining, and winds and hurricane came along and suddenly, wandering around the Hauge was the last thing I wanted to do. I managed to battle my way through the weather til I got to the Mauritihaus Museum, which to any art buffs out there, is one of the best museums in Europe (outside of Italy or France, anyway). It houses many of Rembrandts works, and I went to a special exhibition about the collaborative works of Rubens and Brueghel. Its most famous work was the best - Johannes Vermeer's "The Girl with a Pearl Earring" was definately a highlight. For those that arent art buffs, it was the alternative to battling out cyclonic conditions outside. Lets just say, I became a Dutch and Flemish art buff pretty quickly and tried to make the experience last as long as I could before going out and braving the weather again.

Two blocks of walking and I decided that my life could go on just fine if I failed to find the UN International Courts of Justice and if I didnt get a picture, so what. I am now at the station, using the internet, before heading back off to Amsterdam, for a final Heineken before carrying on the journey tomorrow.

Next stop? Berlin!

K