It's Gator Time!!

We’d been living in Florida for long enough that not having seen an alligator was beginning to be a badge of shame. We live right next to the Everglades, and apparently they fish these bad boys out of people's pools all the time... So it was Gator Boat Tour time!

Juliano, our friend Dani and I headed out to the Everglades to see what the swamp was all about. I was expecting some hillbilly excitement, and friends - I was not disappointed.

Please excuse the random girl doing a 'sexy pose' next to that truck. I'm just jealous because I can't sexy pose very well.

We went with Everglades Safari Park because they were on the main road, had a decent website and seemed fun. 

You get to ride an airboat (so fun!) around the glades and spot lots of great wildlife including turtles, alligators and all sorts of birds.

Best part of it all?? You get to HOLD A BABY GATOR at the end. I don’t know if my crazy face adequately describes the amazingness of that. I kept trying to cuddle him like a puppy - and the guy was all... “don’t put him so close to your face - he’ll bite you” and “stop trying to kiss him, he’s a wild animal”. What a buzzkill.

The tour is a little over an hour and costs US$23.00, but if you buy your ticket online - you cans save $3.00. Back at the lodge you can walk a path around the property and see lots more older, larger alligators and crocodiles. Did you know the Florida Everglades are the only place that the two exist in the same place? It’s because of the mix of salt and fresh water.

On the way back home, we stopped off at Calle Ocho in the Cuban section of Miami (yeah, it’s a real place - Pitbull didn’t invent it...) in Miami for some authentic Cuban sandwiches... YUM.

What’s the craziest animal you’ve ever tried to kiss??

Also - the quality of the photos here didn't just magically increase overnight. Dani took these with her awesome camera and mad photography skills. Thanks Dani!

(Side note: This isn’t a sponsored post or anything - I just went because it seemed awesome, and it was) 

Do Not Lose your Safety Deposit Box Keys.

As I write this, I have a countdown clock open and ticking down in front of me. 40 hours until departure. We've been busy having drinks with friends, and fussing about our packing list - as expected.

Buut... every plan has kinks doesn't it?

Here's ours: I lost the keys to our safety deposit box. Yep. With all this moving around and packing, they're gone. I do not suggest this.

Turns out that the bank can't just please let you into the box, even if you ask. You must pay. You must book a locksmith - who usually books out up to a week in advance. But if you beg and plead and let them know you are moving out of the country at the end of the week!! you can get in. For $200 we had a lovely visit with Wayne the locksmith who literally DRILLED our box open today.

Less that one day to go and we're chasing our tails and running all over town in cars we're borrowing from friends and family while trying to solve problems that shouldn't even exist.

Silver lining: we got to move our box to a bank branch thats more convenient to us now. 39.5 Hours. Losing my bananas.

Have a good day and don't lose your stuff! ha ha...

Road Trip: The Drive

Hey Bloggy Friends,

{I hope all my Canadian Blog Friends had a great long weekend!}

Remember that time I said we were going on a road trip? And then I told you we sold our house while on a road trip? Except I never really told you anything ABOUT the road trip? Yup, it's because I'm a crappy blogger. As it turns out, keeping a travel blog about preparing to travel comes a lot easier to me than a blogging about actually traveling. Strange.

Anyways...We did it. We went on a road trip! The first leg of our journey was from Calgary down to Sandpoint, ID for one night. It was a gorgeous drive through the foothills and into Rocky Mountains. Turns out I might not hate road trips as much as I was expecting to... {so cynical, Dana}. Here are some fun facts about our trip:

3350 Km driven

6 Face tattoos spotted

5 Nights in AirBnB homes

3 Nights with friends

2 Professional sports games attended

1 Sorta hitchhiker

Waaay too much beer sampled...

On the way there...

USA border security confiscated a bag of oranges we had in the car. Sad, because I was hungry later. The cheap motel we rolled into late that night was 50s themed. It was hilariously amazing.

On the way home...

TMI: I'm a horrible road trip partner because I probably have to stop for a pee every 2 hours or so. On the way home, while enjoying the gorgeous drive down the Coquihalla Highway, I forced Juliano to pull over at a rest stop for a 'break'. While slowing down to pull over - we passed a speed trap {moral of that story: my tiny bladder saved us a massive ticket!}. At the rest stop, a teenaged guy approached us and this happened:

Guy: Umm... excuse me? Are you guys by any chance driving to Calgary?

Me: Yep. Why? Is that your car over there getting towed?

Guy: Yeah, well... technically it's my mom's car getting towed. I was driving my girlfriend home to Kelowna.

Me: Ah ha ha.... that sucks. Hey - did you know that today is Mother's day?

Guy: Really? Shit. I don't have any cell reception here.

Me: You should call her.

Guy: Yeah, I know. Can I please get a ride with you? I can pay for gas or whatever.

Me: ha ha ha...I don't need your gas money. But I feel like this will be hilarious, so hop on in!

And that is how we picked up a sorta-hitch-hiker in BC and brought him all the way home. Turns out getting your mom's car towed on Mother's day is not really appreciated by your family - his dad was pissed. It was hilarious. Also he was quite polite and friendly {Canadians...} and complimented my taste in music {which made me feel young and trendy} - overall success on our part.

Some random notes about road tripping...

- I know the words to A LOT of songs. What a waste of brain space, I should be fluent in Portuguese by now.

- Trains are cool, bridges are awesome. Train bridges = super awesome

- Road side {and river-side!} picnics are the best

- I don't know anything about geography. Seriously, I'm lost about 90% of the time.

- Farmers Markets are cool in every city. And the food is always the best there.

- There is no chance in hell that I'll ever be able to translate USD-per-Gallon to Canadian-Cents-per-Liter for gas comparisons. You literally need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. I give up. But still:

Most expensive gas: 1.47/Liter in Vancouver, BC

Cheapest gas: 3.71/Gallon in Sandpoint, ID

- Cheap motels always have free breakfast and wifi. Fancy hotels make you pay for both. Why?


I know this post was a bit scattered, but I'll be back with more about Portland, Seattle, Vancouver and Kelowna soon!

Cheers!

Who Travels with you??

There’s so many ways and combination of groups that people travel in – how do you travel??

Where we went: Work travel only! I’ve never extended a work trip, or really tried to enjoy the city I’m working in. Work travel is rare for both of us{yearly?}I'm not the expert, but I'd like to explore my independent solo-traveling side a bit more!

Just the two of us! This is my favorite way to travel! Juliano is a great travel partner, he never gets lost and picks great places to eat. I find the best stuff to do, and am way better at bartering.

Where we went: Cuba, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Seattle, Montreal, lots more!

Pros: Sharing a bed saves money, less compromise on what to do, being together

Cons: Not meeting many new people, being with your spouse 24hrs a day can make you crazy, hard to get pictures together.

 Couples travel! This is really fun if you go with a couple who has similar interests as you and you get along. Bonus points for being able to split up into guys/gals… hello shopping and spas!

Where we went: Las Vegas, Baby!

Pros: Sharing bottles of wine means you get to taste more, shopping and spas (as above), great ideas/suggestions from another perspective

Cons: What if the other couple is horrible?? Or wants to eat MacDonald’s EVERY day? Are they swingers? You should know this.

Ahh… the most ‘local’ way to travel – and you get to visit your family! Staying with family is (a) almost free and (b) fun in the short term. Depending on your family – this arrangement has a serious expiry date, stay within it and all is fresh… even a day over and you’ve got sour milk.

Where we went: Ottawa, Brazil

Pros: Free food, free lodging, free showers, free local guide, free car to use, seeing your family!, living like a ‘local’

Cons: Do NOT overstay your welcome, family can be crazy, sometime you never get to leave the house because it’s like herding cats {I mean that in a very loving way}

This differs for Family Travel, because everyone is traveling! This was our first year traveling with family – and we went the ‘holiday’ route.  Highly recommended. Most families have a variety of people that like different things…. And that shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want most days. Picking dinner plans should not be a HUGE fiasco.

Where we went: Cozumel, Mexico

Pros: family bonding time, vacation, mom probably pays for stuff

Cons: these photos will be on your mom’s wall forever – don’t get a bad haircut, family can be crazy

Pretty much vacation + friends + wedding = super-fun-drunky times. You get to meet people on the fringes of your social circle, and go on a holiday with a bunch of other people that you like! And a wedding – it’s a party within a party!

Where we went:  Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, Seattle/Oak Harbor, WA

Pros: lots of drinking buddies, vacation, wedding events, usually nice locations

Cons: no choice of time/location for your holiday, maybe you have a black heart and don’t like weddings, family will be there – family can be crazy {other people's families included}

Pretty much destination wedding times a zillion, minus the tuxedos and grandparents. This is the spring-break style travel with lots of pictures and slightly less memories. It’s all about group dynamics… so good luck with that. I recommend lots of extra food, extra booze, easy bathroom access and no couples with drama.

Where we went: Houseboating on the Shushwap Lakes, BC

Pros: so much party, lots of fun people to meet/hang out with, probably very little responsibility

Cons: holy crap – can all these people co-exist? Who had to organize this??

Soo..That's how we've traveled in the past! Our future travel includes road trip travel, staying with strangers, living on a boat... and who knows what! How about work-stay or study travel?  Let me know what your favorite travel group/style is!

Overpackers Anonymous: Backpack Time

Friends, I have a confession to make. I am an overpacker. 

Yep, I almost need a Sherpa to go on an overnight visit, and know for a fact that if you pay five zillion dollars to upgrade to first class – there are often no luggage restrictions.

 But – I am in recovery. I am trying hard to mend my ‘but I NEED 8 bikinis! I don’t like to wear wet ones!’ ways. Example A: My Mexico suitcase {Yes, we brought real ‘wheeled’ suitcases. It was LUX trip.}

 This was my attempt at ‘packing light’. Seriously. And guess what?? I wore ALL OF IT. Not good.

In that I am recognizing there is a problem here I have to face some facts about our new adventure:

• I can only bring a bit of stuff – boats don’t have much crew storage
• I don’t even want to OWN that much stuff anymore
• I would like to carry-on everything all the time

 Carry on everything!? Yep. Why not go cold turkey? I’m going from a pampered resort traveler to a full on backpacker. Here’s what I currently carry-on with me {a little better – give me some credit!}

 Not too bad. Actually most of this will stay in the ‘keep’ pile. The wallet & travel wallet will merge, and my macbook air will be added.

Now that I've recognized the problem....

It's time to start looking for a travel pack.

We’ve started looking around to find the perfect backpacks for our adventures, as the ones we have now are too big {originally bought for our trips to Brazil}. And I think we’ve narrowed it down to the Osprey Farpoint 55.  Here’s why:

• It has a removable daypack
•  The base part works a carryon item {day pack is worn as personal item}
• Front panel loading to put all my crap nicely
• Backpack straps zip into a carryon style suitcase
•   Seems well received by other travelers {like this + this + this}

What travel pack do you use? Do you like it? 

What bag would you buy if you were purchasing tomorrow? 

We still have a bit more time before we buy, but I want to know what you love!

Cozumel, Mexico - Holiday!

What's up friends! I'm in Mexico all week so the blog will be on pause while I enjoy my sunshine, scuba and margaritas...

While I'm gone - here's some funny stuff on the Internets to keep you entertained...

• Used Yoga Mat ad on Craigslist
•  I'm Comic Sans, Asshole  - The font you hate stands up for itself
• Please accept this drawing of a Spider - hilarious.
• Passive Aggressive Notes - everybody's come across one of these, and it's awesome.
• Carnival Photos - In Brazil and other places...
• Take a look at this dreamy yacht... the  RM Elegant - it's the kind of place I want to work!
• Have you ever gone glamping? {Glamour + Camping} Looks pretty great here
• What I'll be eavesdropping on for six hours each way...
• Turns out, I'm a terrible wife

Have a great week - see you soon!

Ps. The resort I'm at has a camera that you can watch throughout the day.... a live shot of the pool. Creepy or great marketing tool? I feel like a creep when I look at it... but I can't stop!

Happy Family Day

Happy Family Day to my fellow Canadians! Today is a day off for us - so enjoy. I have no post, so here is a photo of me trying to enjoy some Love Swans in Brazil. Juliano does not like love swans, apparently. Even though they're awesome and romantic, Juliano.

Princess Bride Wine?!

"Mawage, that bwessed awangement. That dweam within a dweam!"

I used to work in a wedding invitation store and I swear that someone once used that in an invitation. Coolest people ever. Now two of my favorite things: the movie Princess Bride and wine drinking. What happens when someone decides to combine two already awesome things??? Princess Bride Wine. An explosion of awesome: As You Wish Chard! Inconceivable Cab!

I've never wanted to live in Texas more - The Princess Bride Quote-Along & Feast!! I want to go SO BAD!

Oh, Westley.

The Man is our Sugar Daddy

This has come up a few times - so let's go there.... Are we leaving as some kind of counter-culture, anti-establishment sort of thing? Are we doing this to 'Stick it to the Man' and get away from it all?

Ummm... No.

Let's face it, if you've read our Money posts - you know that we both work full time 9-5 jobs. Also, you know that we live/work in Calgary, AB - which means that we both make our money from the Oil & Gas industry. (We're Canada's Houston!). People have differing views on the oil industry.

Ha ha... I'm just being funny. Some people in Calgary hate money - they like camping and not having jobs.

 Sigh, funny again. I'm aware that there are ethical consequences to our industry - but that's not what this blog is about. While I'm not even close to the 1%, I do live in a pretty privileged part of the universe - where White Girl Problems and Starbucks Gold Cards exist. {Yes, I have one - don't judge me!}

We built the fantastic life that we have through education, hard work, and {lucky for us} a friendly economy. When we moved back from Brazil in 2005 we were broke-ass, uneducated and living in my Mom's basement (thanks Mom!). This city has afforded us a lot of opportunities to become successful on our own accord. Several of those opportunities included working for 'The Man'. 

Working for large companies is not always a dream - but it has enabled us to make a life that we've wanted. And now, even as we move towards new goals, the same jobs will help us prepare. We couldn't do what we've done, nor could we do what we are planning without them. Some people have jobs that they love, and are fulfilling on many levels. If that's you - awesome. For us, it's not all sunshine and rainbows - it's often pragmatic verging on opportunistic. Not in pejorative way, just is.

Enjoy your jobs today friends ~ if you love your job, high five. If you love what your job is, high five to you too!

Side Note: If you hate your job everyday and it makes you miserable - no high five for you. You are the architect of your own adversity - make your self or your situation better!

Occupy photos from: Here I Here

Roughnecks Lacrosse

Yeay - we're back to being Calgary Tourists! Juliano's brother is here for the month, so we've been pulling out all the stops to show him around Calgary [and most of Alberta!]. Next on the 'Canadian Things' list was a Lacrosse game. The Calgary Roughnecks tickets are lots of fun to watch, and the tickets are affordable ($30 ish).

We thought we were getting the best deal ever on front row seats. Buuuttt... we were right behind the home bench (yeay!) and had a BUTT VIEW of the team for the entire game (boo). We did get to see their trainers in full action though - these guys wear NO shin/knee protection.... lots of blood.

 Awesome Side Note: Roberto took a photo with the Drill Crew when we went for burgers after.

Hipster Guide to Scuba Studying

I haven't been in school for awhile - so now when I study something, I'm just a pretentious Starbucks hipster. I have to read through this dive manual before my scuba classes starts though. Here's how to do it...

Start out getting your self firmly established in the 'comfy chairs' of a Starbucks, and take up the whole table. Then:

1. Start reading book. There's good info in there, like 'You probably noticed that you can't breathe water'. Thanks, book.
2. Try to teach yourself confusing hand signals while sipping a latte. Practice vigorously.
3. Take a mini-test at the end. Feel smart.
4. Google 'Cozumel Scuba' pictures until your lunch break is over.

And there you have it. You are now a smart, educated Starbucks hipster.

What do I blog about?

These things apparently. Mostly our house it seems...

Make your own here!

Want to know what -36 Celsius looks like?

 

It looks like this. That's Juliano in the blue jacket.

We're like Antarctic penguins cuddling together for warmth on the C-Train. 

Bundled up like Randy in A Christmas Story.

Brrr....