In Canada–a rare self portrait

Outside Union Station in Toronto a couple of months ago I got a quick shot of myself. It was a surprisingly warm day for Toronto in March, so much so that I went out sans jacket! Often I travel alone so I take the opportunity to take a quick snap when I see one – almost like proof that I was actually there. Here I am, a tourist, trying not to look like one; apart from the camera, amongst everyone heading out for lunch from work, cosy in a pink hoody in the strangely warm wind which blows my hair out of my face for a moment.

Where would you be right now?

If you could choose, where would you be right not? In this cold, rainy Scottish day I’d rather be sitting on Santa Monica Pier with a chilli dog in the spring sunshine. Tasty street food, great view, different culture, warm weather and anonymity, just sitting on a bench with a seagull, not knowing the time.

Annual Toronto Trip

Toronto has become an annual trip for me in March, it surprises me how normal this has become to me. I used to think a trip to Canada would be something you saved up for and spend weeks there, rather than a short stopover on the way home from LA. I really enjoy these trips though, one day I’ll see more of Canada than downtown Toronto!

I really enjoy this yearly jaunt though, one day I’ll see more of Canada than downtown Toronto!

Prepared for LA

 

As I prepare to travel on to LA from Brisbane, I’m reminded of the first time I travelled here, my expectations were low, I thought it would be scary and the people cold. I was proven wrong, this time I look forward to exploring and sharing some time with the LA locals, I hope I won’t be disappointed. It’s interesting the way your ideas and expectations can affect your experiences.

 

Walking on Thick Ice

Recently we spent a week in Hamburg, where it reached as low as –14’C, resulting in frozen lakes and rivers. The locals made the most of this, getting their ice skates on from first light. We joined in with a walk across the Alster Lake, after the ice had been tested and declared safe by the relevant authorities of course!

It’s easy to be awed by such a large lake freezing and creating such thick ice, it’s a reminder how the weather and temperature can physically affect our surroundings.

Bowl full of Coffee

A literal bowl of coffee, warm, on a very cold day, chipped nail polish and layers, hat and gloves off for a wee while. The best company in a large city, a city which could be my city, I would call it my own. There’s something about German cities that always gets to me, they want to belong to me or for me to belong to them.

But I wouldn’t do it alone, I need you to belong too, for now our city is grey. Undoubtedly my bowl is full, yet I still day dream. For today we drink together a bowl full of coffee in our borrowed city.

When in Texas

When I visit Texas, I turn into an alternative version of myself, an semi-American version. I don’t know what causes it, perhaps the weather or the time difference or maybe just the vastness of everything that is America. However a little bit of my Britishness remains intact.

I drink plenty of Margaritas, but I can’t stay up past 11pm

I eat giant portions of meat, then I get up at 6am to go to the gym

I say ‘you guys’ and ‘y’all’, but still spell flavour and favour correctly

I drink cheesecake milkshake, but can’t force myself to eat American chocolate

I love to eat warm cinnamon rolls for breakfast, but I complain about the weak coffee

I’ll take a baked sweet potato any day but hold the cinnamon butter

I marvel at your huge closets, but argue all night with you about guns in your home

I’ll eat anything Reese’s but don’t dare offer me a cup of microwaves tea to go with it

There’s so much I love about Texas, mostly it’s the things that are different to the UK, it’s what makes America America, but it’s always nice to come home, especially for a real cup of tea!