Byron Bay

So we haven't really said anything about where we currently are.  After landing in Brisbane on Thursday, we took a bus to Byron Bay (its on the coast, and about a 2 hour drive).  Byron Bay kind of reminds me of a tropical Tofino in some ways as it is a surf town full of hippy like people.  But it is much busier than Tofino, and larger.
We stayed overnight in The Arts Factory hostel, which is very neat.  They have free didgeridoo making sessions, yoga, hand drumming workshops, talent shows and live entertainment.  Oh also nature walks.  Alison, as I um...type... is on a nature walk. 

After one night at the Arts Factory we moved to a apartment style hotel room as Jen and her husband Kyle came down from Brisbane for the weekend.  Alison and I did surf lessons on Friday, and then did 'part two' of our lessons with Jen and Kyle on Saturday.  It was awesome.  I have surfed probably 5 times before, but it is something that i think takes alot of practice.  Needless to say, it is going to be a while before i can quit my job and become a professional surfer.  Actually, considering the only place i will have to practice when i return to Edmonton is West Ed water park, it is very likely that this may never happen.  I digress....

On Sunday we hiked up to the Byron Bay lighthouse which has amazing views of the surrounding beaches.  As we were looking down on a group of surfers we saw a bunch (that sounds like bananas....a school?  a pod?  I have no idea what a group of dolphins are!) of dolphins playing with surfers who were a ways from the shore. 

Today is Monday- our last day in Byron before we head to Brisbane to spend some time at Jen's.  We rented a surfboard and caught maybe 5 waves total between us.  But that was not for lack of trying!

For those who may be envious of the weather let me say that yesterday had me re-considering my dislike of winter.  I know, i know, it may seem that i am never happy.  But let me just say that 38* is a little too hot for this prairie girl.

(ps.  I tried to add pictures to this post but it kept 'rejecting' me.  thanks a lot google.  anyways we will post pictures soon!  for now you must just imagine white sand beaches, green green green trees, and aqua water!)

Labyrinth walk

Feeling great, more comfortable with this traveling thing already.

Last night Jen (Caryn's friend who is living here), Caryn and I walked down to the beach at night. It was incredibly beautiful. The full moon was reflected off the water and bright enough to cast our shadows. It was still warm, but pleasant, and the sound of the ocean was good for this Saskatchewan kid.

While Caryn and Jen caught up I messed about on the beach. The sand is so fine and, from a practical point of view, very easy to work with (as in sand castles, duh). So, I made a labyrinth! Thought my labyrinth/camp champs would like to know my thoughts:

Very thankful. Thankful for Caryn, thankful that we can go on this trip. Must remember to be thankful for all this. For the first time in my many labyrinth walks I was thankful for labyrinths themselves. As I was walking out, I realized my labyrinth was going to be washed away (I know, quite a classic problem). Anyway, it really hit me how everything is temporary. Think about it. This trip, people, relationships, events. It reminded me to APPRECIATE. So, that is what I will try to do.

And I appreciate all of you. Thanks for all the comments on the last post, we are thinking about you daily. xo!

32+ hours later...

Ali: So, we made it. After 32 + hours of flying (or waiting at airports), here we sit happily at the Arts Factory, Byron Bay, QLD, AZ

Caryn: Our flights were uneventful (which is a good thing). However Ali did chase down some children in the LAX airport, claiming they were famous. I ran the other way because i didn't believe her.

Ali: But seriously. Those guys are famous.

Caryn: She was smitten. swooning. star struck. blubbering even! she had to fan herself for like 15 mins after she got their 'agent' to take a picture of her with them.

Ali: Ok. I don't actually like the band, if you can even call them a band. Ok, I sorta do. It's a catchy song, I can't help it. Your vote: the end of culture or modern romance? take a look:

http://www.mindlessbehavior.com/ - make sure to watch the My Girl video. (the girl is me, obvi)

Caryn: Clearly, i am out of the loop when it comes to child boy bands.

Ali: Caryn NEVER less than 3's me.

Caryn: Anyways, here is the picture. Ali's encounter with the Famous Children.

Mindless Behavior in love with Alison

Caryn: So we are settling in here, and tomorrow we embark on the road to becoming famous surfers. Jen and Kyle get here on Saturday, so we'll hang out with them for a few days, which will be good.

Ali: So, dear followers, please do comment: Mindless Behavour, yay or nay?

Caryn: we less than three you all!

I scream, you scream: Guatemala: Part 2

You will see everything in Guatemala. You look over, and WHAM! Something you've never seen before. My favourite: overturned melon truck. Melons EVERYWHERE!

Guatemala was a near-perfect trip. Anything that we had done with mom was lovely to do again. It was great to think about her in that context: being SUCH an adventurer. She was so happy there. What a traveler. She would have loved to have met Eduardo, I’m happy we got to see him as a little guy. He smiles with his whole mouth wide open. He was mostly afraid of Kath, Caryn and me, and would scream when we were near (but he also screamed when we left: “LAS NINAAAAAAS!!! So that’s nice).






















RED BANANAS! A REALITY.


The west coast was new for us this time. When you go to the coast you don’t see the ocean (too polluted!), instead you go to a giant resort. It’s big and it’s immaculate and Disney-land-esque, but you don’t feel like your ethics are compromised. Yes, all the worker are Guatemalan BUT so are 99% of the guests! I guess everyone in the country pays a sort of... vacation tax... and then they are able to go on holidays locally very cheaply (for example, the rollarcoasters etc were 50 cents).

As someone who loves water parks, I can assure you that the water park was fantastic: the best I’ve ever seen. The Guatemalans know how to do water parks. They know everyone just wants mat rides and to go in trains. So, yep, that’s what most of the slides are. And that’s why Caryn’s lungs were right in my ear when I bore witness to the most terrified scream I have ever heard. Her throat is still sore to this day.

Me: “So, are there many tourists right now because of Christmas?”
Martin (our driver): “There are no tourists.”
Us: (confused silence)
Martin: “There is a no-travel advisory on Guatemala right now.”
Us: (more confused silence)
Martin: “You know, cause of the war up north.”
Us: (slightly embarrassed silence)

Guatemala (we speak no americano)

First thing is first:  open THIS in a new browser to listen to as background music.  Then proceed.  

Its been practically a month since we got back from Guatemala and we have not whispered a word about it!  This may just be part one (aka Caryn’s account), which may or may not be followed by part two (aka Alison’s account).

So yes- we were in Guatemala for around 9 days over Christmas time, spending time with Wendy, Louis, their 1 1/2 year old Edwardo  and other family members.  Wendy is a friend of Alison’s family- she lived with them for 3 months during a Canada world youth exchange. 

We spent 3 days in Xela (where Wendy and Louis live), then 3 days at the coast, then a couple of days in Antigua.  Each place was very different from the last.  A very diverse trip.  Lots of fun.

Instead of boring you with many words, here are some pictures :)

Christmas decorations- This frosty looked a little out of place to say the least.  In Xela, where we first stayed, it was around 5 or 10 degrees in the morning/night, but got up to about 25 during the days.

In Xela we visited the Cementerio General, which is a large and sprawling cemetery, full of colorful headstones and family crypts.  According to legend, Vanushca Cárdenas Barajas was a gypsy girl who fell in love with a wealthy young Spaniard. However his parents forbade the union, and Vanushca died of a broken heart when this boy was sent to Spain (and she was told that he had died). People visit Vanushca’s grave and offer flowers or will paint her grave, with hopes that she will help them with love favors or other things.  Her grave is covered in graffiti recording these requests.

 Ralph, Katherine, Alison and I in the cemetery.  The cemetery's outer wall is a continuous row of tombs stacked four high, and painted a variety of colors.  There were many local people around in the graveyard, cleaning, decorating and 'flowering' their family members graves and tombs.  This is very common for people in Guatemala to do before Christmas.

 This was a church in Antigua, at night.  I know nothing else about it- but i thought it was beautiful.  There is a lot of spanish architecture in Antigua... it is a very cool place!

 A picture of Wendy, Her mother in law, and Eduardo (who is adorable!).  Eduardo has one speed: RUN.  He is a very very sweet kid.

Alison, Kath, and I on Christmas Eve with our Scarves (which we wore quite a bit in Xela!)  It was cold at night- and their houses are made of cement- which keeps them quite cool during the day!

So back to the song:  I heard it frequently in Guatemala... and it definitely got stuck in my head for the entire flight(s) back to Canada. 

Is it stuck in your head yet?

India

Caryn had a dream that I wrote a blog post and that I called it “India.” It’s not often that you have such a wonderful chance to make a dream come true so I thought I’d seize the opportunity.

So, India. I just finished the novel A Fine Balance. I loved it, although by the end it consumed my life. At random times during the day I wondered what would happen to the characters next, and even now it’s truly hard to believe they aren’t real people. This is similar to how I feel about Glee, but that’s not the point.

I feel a lot more prepared for India having read the book. It seemed to go in depth into so many parts of Indian culture and different Indian experiences. I’m glad I’ve got a little insight because I’m sure it will be a huge culture shock. Sure, on the one hand, India is a traditional tourist spot, so no problems right? On the other hand, there’s the travel video I watched (ps I recommend Globe Trekker vids for where ever you want to go, or just to watch for fun). So anyway, this guy is a pro traveler ie it’s his job. How does he like India? He gets sick, the pace is frantic (at one point he’s at a HUGE event just asking random people, “so what’s going on exactly?”) and he said, “I think India is an experience I’ll enjoy in a few months.” That is, looking back on it.

But I’m excited! As long as we go slow and take time to adjust, things should be ok, right? I’m ready to see people being cremated on open-air pyres along the Ganges River (our first stop... maybe “I’m ready” is a bit over-confident). I’m expecting to see beggars of all types (the man with no legs and hands was one of my favourite characters in the book). Bring on the masses of people! The traffic! The noise! The daal! The strays! The this! The that! The everything! Oh man... what have we gotten ourselves into? I can’t wait to find out.

So, dear commenters, my experience with India so far has been through A Fine Balance and a Lonely Planet guide. How about you? Movies, Bollywood, or have you been? Tell us what you know of India.

Bigger concerns

What’s up, our one follower?! (Just joking Michelle- even though at this time you are the only person officially following this blog, i’m convinced that hundreds dozens a few people are secretly following it, checking back daily... wondering when the next post will be...)  Well wait no longer!  Here it is!  

Only 3 months till we depart!  Well at least theoretically at this point.  Our flights are in the hands of our travel agent, although i have not heard back from her for 10 days.  Am i  a bit concerned? Yes.  Have i tried to contact her without hearing back? Yes.  Is there something else that was causing me to toss and turn at nights? Yes.  

HOW AM I GOING TO GO OVER 4 MONTHS WITHOUT CRAFTING???  

I know! Some of you may be thinking “whoa-there-what-now?  What about booking flights? (most of you), What about Spiders in Australia? (Michelle), What about getting eaten by sharks while scuba diving? (my Mom), What about the most immediate concern of moving out of your place? (Alison)”.  Believe me.  In the world of Caryn, crafting and being creative are legitimate concerns.

But fear not!  I have solved this problem, and you may even benefit from it!  Postcards!  I plan to take some colourful pens, addresses, and these really fun stickers that i bought on ETSY.  Since i enjoy pictures here they are:

(note: i did not take these pictures.  While i would love to take credit for the perfect hand pose and having smiley face cookies on hand, i cannot.  They are from the etsy posting.)

At some point i will ask for addresses.  Not now though... I'm off to call our travel agent again!!