The day there was a stock market crash

It's Day... I don't know 5 of our trip and we just took the most complicated route to get out of Barcelona. Apparently we don't always have luck on our side when it comes to trains. So far we have been cruising along. Leaving our reservations to the last minute and jumping on trains as fast as we can... This came to a quick halt during our attempt to get from Spain to Italy. The only route we could take from our location was to go to France first and every single train was booked.. Obviously. 

We have done so much running around in the past few days that every city is starting to blur together! However, Barcelona is definitely one that stood out in my mind. We only stayed for one night, but boy oh boy it was one fun filled night. 

The day started with a few touristy things as every day should but ended with the most epic night of all. We came to our gorgeous (and pretty expensive) hostel met our roommates and loved them! Since our trip has been primarily the 5 of us it was great to meet people (especially for me because I finally had another girl present). The evening started with loads of sangria compliments of happy hour at our hostel, and a plate full of tapas (obviously... We're in Spain). After a few bottles of 1€ Vino from the local supermarket (yeah that's right 1€.... It's the same price for water.. I think I know what I'm buying more of) our night was just getting started. 

When it comes to night life, Spain knows how to do it... No one leaves their house until midnight or so and parties last until the morning. Perfect right?! You have your whole day to see the city, explore, eat, nap, whatever you want and then you still have all night to party. Due to a phenomenal recommendation from our good friend Kathleen, our butts were parked on bar stools at dowjones all night doing the weirdest and craziest shots you can think of and staring at screens. 

For those of you who don't know or have yet to go dowjones is a bar located in Spain with little screens around showing the prices of drinks (very typical). However, it's not so typical. On this screen prices are adjusted based on the number of drinks that are purchased. So for instance, if jäger is priced at 3, 50 € and I purchased a jäger shot, the cost will go up by ,15€. This means that if jäger is going up, those drinks that aren't purchased are going down. Just like in the stock market. Ontop of all these changes, every once in a while the stock market crashes (I know shitty right), but in this case it's awesome! When the stock market crashes prices go back to the original bar rates and we start the game again. 

So you're going now right? Hahah definitely a good idea. When you do go, the one drink you have to get is the hand of god... It is seriously messed up. They fill a tall glass with some form of liquor (god knows what kind) and light it on fire. Then the bartender suction cups the drink to the palm of his hand and swishes it around until the fire goes out. Then he give you a straw and tells you to suck in. At first all your sucking is air because he doesn't put it in the cup, and then all of a sudden he does a quick flick of the wrist and the straws in the cup with his hand still holding the air in from ontop. At this pout your inhaling some sort of hot burning alcohol air fume (clearly I can't describe it), and you do this for longer than you'd like. After the straw sucking, he takes his hand off and you take the shot. It doesn't end there. Just when you think there's nothing left in the glass he takes it from you, flips over a shot glass and pours the remainder of the alcohol onto the base of the shot glass. Now this is the worst and most shocking part... He tells you to snort it. So you pick up the shot glass, plug one side of your nose and just inhale all the hot burning alcohol that your bitch ass didn't finish. 

All in all, as I'm sure you can tell from the description of that shot... It was a good but messssyyy night. 

More coming soon .. And maybe a few Italian words too 

Adios Spain, Ciao Italy! 

Xoxo 

A little sauceyyyy

So our trip started out with a massive bang... Literally! I am generally the person who hates the mauve croustade and gets very annoyed by people pushing and shoving me around... But in this case I was laughing the whole time!!

The morning of the event we woke up at 6am and kicked things off with a couple of bloody Mary's (so necessary) and beers. This was followed up by an hour long bus ride to an area of over 100 busses. The event took off with a big greased up pole and a giant ham at the top... The objective was to pile up as many people as possible, reach the top and pull down the ham. If no one is successful at this, the tomato trucks start coming out at 11am. There are a total of 5 trucks and god knows how many tomatoes. To sum this whole experience up in one word all I can say is mayhem! The streets are completely filled and the only way for a bus to get through is to squish everyone against the wall and if you don't make it you better start running. 

The locals all cover up their houses with tarps and bring their hoses to their rooftops to start cleaning all the tourists. I'm surprised the pictures below even turned out because my go pro had nothing but tomatoes and tomatoe juice covering the whole thing. If you are ever visiting Spain this is definitely something I'd recommend.. Just make sure you aren't claustrophobic or you might have some major panic attacks. 

Oh and last but not least, of you need to leave your place in the croud at any time for some stupid reason... Have one friend pretend that they're holding back puke and you're golden. It's like parting the sea, everyone bolts in the opposite direction haha. 

Keep an eye out for more of my crazy shenanigans 

Xoxo   

It's time to play the waiting game

We are so close it hurts.  

We are currently on hour 19 of travel and our buts our getting kicked by our heavy eyelids. With minimal sleep on the flights and the major change over during our first flight it is currently 2 pm in Toronto, but 6 pm where we are now (Lisbon). With only a few hours of sleep, a couple of crappy air plane meals and one over prices panini we are on to our final flight of the evening. Upon arriving at our final destination, all that is left to do is more running around... I am not complaining in the slightest, I am beyond excited for this trip, however I've hit the point where my mind is excited, and my body is saying  "awe hell no."  

And to give this little voyage a cherry ontop (or in this case a tomato) following the few hours of sleep we do get tonight we will be abruptly woken up by a mountain of tomatoes being chucked at our faces.  Welcome to the tomatina everyone! It's going to be hell and it's going to hurt... But when in Spain right ? At least we'll get a Bloody Mary out of it haha. 

Be prepared for no pictures from this event... I might be bringing a go pro but by the sounds of this event it is like one giant mosh Pitt... Hey maybe I'll be able to knock one off the bucket list and crowd surf the tomato sauce ... Or just make a giant tomato slip n slide ... Either makes me super excited just thinking about it haha 

For now I bid you a dieu ... If that's even how you spell it (at this point my brain is mush) 

Keep an eye out for more updates. 

Get ready for take off

Oh my gosh!!!  110 days turned to 1 day and then 1 minute until boarding way too fast! I must have unpacked and repacked my knapsack at least 7 times...once for every day is was home.  I thought it was helping by taking at least one article of clothing out everyday until we left, but when it came time to weigh my bag at check in, mine of course was the heaviest. I'm traveling with 5 massive men... How is it that the smallest person on this trip is carrying the most baggage.  Looks like I'll be banned from shopping for a while.  

So we get to our gate say our goodbyes and then it all begins to set in... My feet will not touch Canadian soil for a whole year. How did this happen? After a stressful day running around attempting to inform OHIP that I'll be out of the country for at least a year (word of advice do this well I'm advance, and if your from Toronto go to service Ontario across from Islington station, or 777 Bay Street... Apparently they're the only people on earth who are able to accommodate this request) I came home to the strongest cocktail my dad could make, one last dinner with my family and then that was it. I was moved out and on an airplane with my entire life packed into 55L .... And a carry on. 

I can't wait to see where this trip takes me. All the amazing people I will meet, beautiful views and mouthwatering foods just sounds like a little slice of heaven. 

Keep an eye out for more posts to come. 

For now here's a quick snap of my view during take off and all the little lights that have made up our lives over the past 22 years. 

The Final Rush

It's official... we are now in the final laps of the race to leave. For the next 8 days I will be working all day everyday.. attempting to move out of my house and back to my parents and saying my final goodbyes to the people here! I remember when I first started telling people my plan at the beginning of summer and everyone kept telling me I have so much time to plan. I knew there was time but with the combination of everyones schedules we really didn't. Now there is only 20 days left!!!! GAHHH
I think the worst part of all of this will be packing... how the heck will I fit all the clothes at my house and my parents house into one small backpack that I don't even have yet! Eeeek!
Once I move home I have exactly 10 days to do all the final touches and get my butt on a plane! I can't wait but I'm also super nervous! Wish me luck and let me know if there is ANYTHING I should think about for last minute needs!

WOOO HOO! 20 days and counting

Living up my last weeks

The past couple of days I have spent my time surrounded by friends, food, booze, toys and a gorgeous view. My roommates and I went up to my cottage and spent our few days off work with loads of water sports and funny events. There was no need for tv or cellphones (besides to take pictures), we just sat and enjoyed the view. With only 6 weeks left in this beautiful country, I'm beginning to realize what I'll be leaving behind. Yes I am beyond excited to explore many other countries and adapt to their culture and all the beautiful things they offer. However, things like friends, my cottage and family are definitely things I will miss. I mean how can I go without this view in the mornings?! 

It was a wonderful couple of days and I am happy that I've been able to spend some time up at this beautiful place while I'm still in the country. I can't believe how fast this trip is approaching. I have no time to see what I need to see, pack and prepare to live out of only a backpack!  I'm definitely going to need some coaching. 

That's all for now.. Sorry for the long gap since my last post. 

Au Pair in the air

hehe my rhyming is amazing I know... but the title comes for a reason. As mentioned in my previous post I am going to be traveling around Europe with a few friends from my high school. Since I am the only one with an Italian citizenship and desire to actually live in Europe for a while, after my four months of travel I am hoping to find a job. With this in mind, I figured the best way to get my grounds, learn the language and adjust to my surroundings would be to au pair.
Unfortunately, so far it has been like a dating site that has gone wrong. I made my profile and sent many host families a message, however, many of them are looking for a minimum stay of A YEAR! Yes, I mean that would be awesome, you basically become one of the family.. but I don't know if I can commit myself to a family for a year based on ... essentially a dating profile haha
With all the basic questions answered (how many kids ..1, 2, 3, do you smoke yes/no, have you had an au pair before yes/no) it has come down to how much information you can slam into one e-mail about yourself and the family you are attempting to live with.
As of right now I have yet to find my perfect match :( unfortunately, the one host family I was really looking forward to hearing about found an au pair before I even got a chance to reply. So ... the hunt continues and hopefully I find my magical family soon... but for now all that I know is that au pair is in the air.