[2009] North Island, New Zealand

I'm having trouble with my blog...it's kind of the reason I have been posting more sporadically. I have come to the realization that I am a Math and Chemistry teacher for a reason.  I hated English in high school! Even though I enjoy learning new languages, I struggle with writing in general. Therefore, I am devising a new format for writing about each location. It's still a work in process, so it may take a while before I finalize on an outline, so here's prototype 1.

Highlights!

-Glowworm cave! We went to a really small one, owned and run by a Mauri family. --- Really cool! Highly higly recommend. Except that I don't remember the location. John Willoughby will know though. Ask him!
-Hayes thinking he contracted Avian Flu!!! 

It's a shame I didn't...
-visit the South Island
-get to go to the fish farms and eat supposedly the freshest sushi in the world.

Things to note
Don't worry if you get lost in NZ, just pull out a map or pull off the road or turn on your blinkers, or just look confused and within 30 seconds someone will stop to help you out. Seriously, I am not even exagerating. The people are REALLY nice!

A Toast to New Zealand for...
-introducing me to pinot noirs! Soooo good!
-teaching me how to drive on the wrong side of the road
-smelling like sulfur in most places.

[2010] Monument, USA

My trips to Monument, CO are always the most relaxing. They usually involve animal and sunset watching. Not a pasttime I get to enjoy on a daily basis, living in a city and all, so it is quite a delight. I also find it so easy to nap, mostly due to the altitude, partially due to my laziness, which is also a bonus.

We bought a salt lick while we visited and it seems to attract deer consistently, which makes deer watching even more exciting. Throw in a ninja kitten lurking in the grass trying to pounce on them and you've got double the excitement! :)

[2011] Luxembourg

I travelled to Luxembourg with 3 students from the Global Issues Club to attend the Global Issues Conference. It was a disappointing conference for several reasons that I do not need to get into here, but I have to say I really enjoyed this city. I think every Luxembourg student I met could speak 3+ languages! How amazing is that? Needless to say, I felt quite inferior to these students.
Our group enjoyed a quick walk through the Modern Art Museum, just a block down the street from our hotel. They had some really beautiful pieces.
I guess I have to admit that my favourite thing about Luxembourg was the fact that it had a La Duree shop! Drool! Love at first sight...double love at first taste!

[2008] Eiffel Tower, France

Ever since I studied the Eiffel Tower for a grade 4 project with Mr. Dawson, I have dreamed of visitng Paris to visit it. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of my Eiffel tower model made out of toothpicks...but I was finally able to visit it. It was during the week of Bastille Day and so it was a beautiful blue Eiffel tour.

 

[2007-2009] Daejon, S. Korea

It's been some time since I've been in Asia now. Approximately 1.5 years and I'm finding myself missing it. When so much time goes by, I seem to forget all the negative stuff and just hold on to the good aspects of it. It's kind of like an ex boyfriend. I even miss the hustle and bustle, whereas while I lived there I couldn't stand it.
Here are some pictures of the 'dong' (neighbourhood) I lived in in Daejon. The Ojungdong, AKA dwaejidong, was packed with suljibs (bars, or can be directly translated as alcohol-houses), bunshikjums (hole-in the wall restaurants) and coffee shops! A university student's haven. Which makes sense since we were adjacent to a university.
I really miss going for a quick snack after classes with my colleagues, or ducking into a coffee shop to mark during a free period. It made working and living in a university neighbourhood well worth it. Even if I did have to watch out for throw up in the streets along my walk to school.
Below are a few photos of the storefronts in the area. 

[2011] Berchtesgaden, Germany

Eagle's Nest was Hitler's favourite place for some reason. He built a little cottage/meeting place on this peak to entertain/impress important guests, I suppose. We learnt on the tour that he only visited it once after its completion. 

It wasn't the most interesting place I've been. And, the price to take a bus and elevator to the top was not worth its while. Next time, I would walk the trail to enjoy the view.

[2008] Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On our way to Indonesia, we had a night and a morning to spend in KL as a layover. Our first meal there was at a street vendor. Mistake number one! I'm pretty sure it was what led to my romance with a toilet for the next 4 days. But I always say, you cannot visit SE Asia and expect NOT to get sick! Point in case.
We got to hit the main tourist spots in KL, had 3 great meals and made a new friend! Mr. Lee was our taxi driver for the day and he was awesome. He told us lots of good stories and he gave Darby and Hayes some love advice: "You go to Korea alone, you come back married!"
Oh, Mr. Lee! I will be calling you up the next time I'm in town, because I would love to hear your stories again!

Lots of lights, no cars!