An Edmonton Art Gallery Adventure

It has been brought to my attention that while I don’t consider my local adventures too terribly exciting, someone from another country might.  So…with that being said…look out readers, you are about to get a dose of Canada!

Last weekend we travelled to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the weekend.  The purpose of this trip was to enjoy being a tourist in my own community.  On Friday night, I had found a festival guide in my hotel room at the Royal Inn Express, which by-the-way had an amazing Continental Breakfast and was so comfy and quiet.  This guide became an inspiration to try some of the things that many people actually travel to Edmonton to do.  The one major thing that stood out for this trip was the Art Gallery of Alberta and the Muttart Conservatory.   

The Art Museum of Alberta has always been a peek interest for me but I could never seem to find the time or excuse to drive into downtown Edmonton to see it.  This weekend would be that weekend for me, rain or shine.  On Sunday we decided to take the Light Rail Transit (LRT) into the city from Century Park. Originally we were planning on parking at the Southgate Mall station but after circling the parking lot numerous times, we came to discover that there was NO park n’ ride at this station.  To me this is completely bewildering.  I have never in my life been to a major transportation station and not found a park n’ ride, but this is one of the many things I find strange about Alberta’s urban planning.  Honestly, where was the thinking here?  After travelling further south to the Century Park station, my overly excited 3-year-old finally got his train ride.

We got off the LRT at the Central Station.  I had to laugh at this stop because Calaway Park located in Calgary, AB, had completely spammed to walls of the entire underground platform.  If we hadn’t already been to this park, I honestly might have been swayed by all the propaganda…but alas, I have, and will not be going back again.  I don’t enjoy an over-priced day at an over-rated amusement park.  Following this, we walked through a maze of urine scented hallways until we finally found sunshine in downtown Edmonton.  As we walked down the sidewalk I noticed The Russian Tea Room, a place to have a cup of tea, cheesecake and your fortune read which I mental noted for my next trip down.  In addition to this we hoped to eat at Healthfare, which of course was closed on Sundays.  My spoiled husband has already eaten there and says it is delicious. 

Once we arrived at Churchill Square we found that there were people playing in the giant fountain…so of course we joined in. 

After a good cooling off, we headed to the Art Gallery for some culture.  I highly recommend seeing this if you find yourself in the area.  It is a smaller gallery but carries some amazing pieces.  My favourite is Emily Carr.  She is a West Coast British Columbia gal who painted West Coast and Indigenous art…I could have stayed by her exhibit forever.  I honestly felt at home…my sense came alive again.  So beautiful.  But, with that said, Art Galleries aren’t the best places to take 3 children, 2 of which are young and needed naps at that particular time.  As a result, my beautiful daughter decided to protest our culture break and inform the building that it was time to go…Now. 

Unfortunately, the following day it was raining and windy so we postponed our Muttart Conservatory excursion for another tourist-in-your-town vacation.

Until next time….

Serena   

The Joys of Planning.

So, what do I do when I have an international trip on the horizon? I start planning other trips!

Since Spain is in October of 2011 I decided that 2012 needed some attention as well.  Sarah has mentioned a fantastic idea to drive down the coast of Croatia! I am totally interested in joining her and am so completely excited.

My research on the Croatia area began at Lonely Planet’s website http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2058704 where there was a ton of posts related to the topic of travel as well as informative responses to my enquiries. The plan is to travel from Rijeka to Dubrovnik which I hear is completely breathtaking. All I am waiting for is Sarah to land the dates for us.

My second plan is to travel to Bangladesh.

I recently bought the book Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011 purchased through amazon.com http://www.amazon.ca/Lonely-Planets-Best-Travel-2011/dp/1742200907 and found a section on affordable travel destinations. Apparently, Bangladesh is extremely cheap, with the book claiming that you can eat for less than $1 US and find lodgings for even cheaper. As well, it is reported to be a far superior travel destination to the neighbouring India.

Since I was already planning a month stay in India, perhaps I will do Bangladesh first and India in future years. I have also researched this trip on Lonely Planet’s website and have received a bunch of tips and information about the area (such as, don’t travel during monsoon season!).

I hope to do this trip next year as well.

As for my October Spain trip, I have discovered that travelling around Spain as I originally planned to do will probably not work out. I have recently redirected my focus to Barcelona only, though I will definitely squeeze in some time in Valencia since I hear the food there is amazing. If it works out however, I will head for Granada also.

Happy Travels!

Serena

Viajar a España (Travelling to Spain)

In T-Minus 5 months...I will be flying to Spain.  While this particular trip involves my husband, it will be no less exciting and truly blog material.  The initial purpose of the trip was to satisfy the years of putting my true ambitions on hold.  Now, with the youngest of my 3 children nearing 2 years by that time, I am free to begin my solo journeys again.  After much thought was put into what to do on my debut trip out of the kitchen (and Canada), I decided that I would like my husband to awaken his inner travel bug and join me.  Since he is much more content with the stability and monotony of regular life, this was potentially going to be a hard sell.  I chose Spain due to its culture, architecture and other-worldly charm.  Additionally, the language barrier, which would create a challenge, and the relaxed way of life, which I hope will transfer onto my husband countering his workaholic nature, were major draws also.  In short, I think it would be an easy international trip for my less adventurous husband that could possibly lead to his desire to travel more…and of course who doesn’t love Spain?

 So to make this more exciting, we are travelling with no itinerary.  With backpacks packed full of necessities, we will step off of the plane and onto Barcelona soil with hope and ambition.  Chances are though that I will book the first night in a hotel to ensure that we are rested prior to our adventure, but after that warm, soft, inviting sleep, we will be finding hostels (or park benches) to lay our heads.  I would like to explore Barcelona for a few days and then make our way to the Granada area.  I am not certain as to whether we will fly or take the train.  The Lonely Planet books all describe Spain’s train system in comparison to “Alice in Wonderland” since “nothing is as it seems”.  This could create some challenges for us…but also could make for some great blogging stories. 

In preparation for our trip over the next 5 months I need to:

A)     Learn Spanish.  I have some French since my son is in Immersion and did well in French class as a teenager, but as experience has shown me, once I am put on the spot to use those skills I become a deer in headlights.  I recall driving through Quebec and stopping at a gas station.  As I looked around for a trash bin a man spoke French to me.  I looked at him as he pointed to a garbage can.  I searched frantically in my brain for the words “Merci” but could I find them?  NO.  A sheepish “Thank You” came out.  I fear this is what will happen in Spain. 

I need to brush up on my Spanish before I go.    

B)      Read my Lonely Planet Spain book.  I am sure a lot has changed since the “Europe on a Shoestring” book came out which I have been basing my knowledge on.  Knowing the ins and outs of Spain will ensure I won’t miss anything or waste too much time on problem areas (like the trains!).

I need to stop procrastinating and read the book.

C)      Stock my bag.  Thankfully I have a friend who has travelled in this style many times before.  I have my list of ‘must haves’ and have been prepped in hostel etiquette.  I still call her with questions and concerns from time to time.  Like the beautiful person she is, she answers my enquiries with grace and patience.  Thanks Nat!  Check out her blog at http://footlooseadventurer.blogspot.com/

I need to shop for my ‘must haves’.

Wish me luck!

Serena

Welcome fellow travel enthusiasts.

Hello and welcome to our travel blog!! 

Here you will follow the exciting adventures of Sarah, Caroline and Serena as they explore the planet, for the most part, completely 'man-free'.  The trips will include solo travel, women-only travel and travel with children.  This will further emphasize that the only boundaries in life are the boundaries we impose upon ourselves...or so we hope.

Enjoy our explorations, our trials and errors and our life changing experiences, in mind, body and soul.

Let the wild rumpus begin!