Stress alert – LA

I am trying to hold it together. This is not work. Nothing bad is happening. There are no time pressures. We are on holiday. Never the less, this is stressful and I can feel the symptoms creeping in. Tight chest, grumpiness, short temper, heart racing. Breathe. How is it possible that one of the most […]

See you later…. Canada

The Ojibway people do not even have a word for goodbye. I really like that. Instead they say ‘See you later’ or ‘See you next time’. So, see you next time Canada. It has been an absolute pleasure. Dad always told me it was one of his favourite places to travel and it is now […]

Wilderness – Canada

When I say we have gone off grid and spent the last few days in the Canadian Wilderness, I really truely mean that! Without having opened our home to an exchange student, we never would have had the opportunity to see wild Canada in the way we just experienced. Our exchange ‘daughter’s’ family has welcomed […]

Days 1-9: Glorious food – USA and Canada

As we go off the tourist beaten track and head into the Canadian wilderness, I wanted to reflect on the happiness of my stomach! I had this notion that while on this trip, we would be eating burgers and chips every day. Boy was I wrong. I had completely underestimated the multi cultural background of […]

Day 7: Real world – Toronto

Let me set the scene. We catch the train from Niagara to Toronto at 5:45pm. Very efficient and friendly service. Met some Aussies on the train who are heading to the International Rotary Conference. All is well. We arrive in Toronto, get slightly lost looking for the hire car place. We then have a bit […]

Day 6: Beauty – Niagara Falls

SAA

Day 5: The power of water – Niagara Falls

I have managed to find my words again today! Arriving here in Niagara yesterday just blew my mind. Not only that…….. I had reached a point of exhaustion without noticing. My husband and I were on ‘high alert’ the whole time we were in New York. We were constantly watching the kids like a hawk, […]

Day 4: Power – Niagara Falls

No words to explain. I am tiny. Mother Nature is queen. SAA

Day 3: Liberty and Tragedy – NYC

Today, our last in New York, was about grand sculptures of symbolism. We started with the Statue of Liberty. She stands for so much that I as an Australian take for granted. She represents freedom, hope, truth, justice and enlightenment. She is a beautiful collaborative effort between France and America. Her crown represents the sun’s […]

Day 2: Contrasts – Central Park NYC

Trees and skyscrapers. Horses and squirrels. Elderly and children. Concrete and Grass. Today, we rode bikes around Central Park. Again, I realised I know nothing. Firstly, there were hills, I imagined it flat. Secondly, it was hot (33 degrees and humid) not balmy warm. Thirdly, it was huge just like all things in America!! We […]