[2011] Vienna, Austria

I had been to Vienna 3 times before, but every time it was in cold, snowy, winter weather and had felt unsure about it. Finally when the weather warmed up we went back. And, lo and behold fell in love with the city. We started off with a visit to Museum Gugging. Somehow, Hayes found out about it and it was fantastic. It is one of the very first museums of Brut Art by supporting artists with developmental/mental illnesses. They still have lots of artists in residence, producing art there. The artwork was beautiful and interesting and we even got to meet some of the artists! Here is a good video by The Museum of Everything on Museum Gugging. I also have a photo with one of the artists below. I look scared because I had no idea what he was saying in German to me...I was trying to understand, but it was really hard!

We then hung out in Naschmarkt for a few drinks and lunch. We also went to Trzesniewski for open-faced sandwiches that also sells tiny beers: Pfiff. So cute! 

I went back to Vienna this year and it was cold, but since I'm already in love with the city...I loved it! Plus, I got to hang out with my bestest friend in Austria Milie!!!!! 

Can't wait to go back again~~!

 

[2009] Stamps, Japan

I noticed during my second trip to Japan that the elder Japanese tourists, most of them in Kyoto for the cherry blossoms, were collecting stamps from tourist sites or even train stations in a nice big book. I got so excited that my mission that entire trip was to collect a stamp every place possible. It was so much fun and it forced me to practice my Japanese too. Mostly just asking: Su-tampu wa doko ni arimasuka?

[2011] Prague, Czech Republic

I spent one night in Prague and it was windy and rainy. And I have come to realize that I do not enjoy travelling or site-seeing when the weather is poor. This is one of the reasons I want to go back to tour around the city when the weather gets nicer. Another reason I want to return is because the infamous clock tour was out of order!!

The few things I didn't enjoy were the loud and drunk tourists fumbling around the main square in the evenings. And the kitchy/tourist stores all around...didn't seem Czech at all. 

My favourite on this visit was the John Lennon wall. It was just really powerful. I only got an overexposed shot with my film camera in the rain, so I'm posting photos from Vaani and Jess' trip. They were the ones who told me I had to go see this wall. I'm so glad they did!

[2009] Hong Kong

Another Lunar New Year in China.

This time spent in Hong Kong with friends and lots and lots of food. I was full the whole time. It was unusually chilly when we visited so I had to wear everything single piece of clothing I had packed each day. I spent my time mostly with friends from Queen's University. There were so many of them I thought I was back in Kingston.

The most striking thing about this trip was the vast amount of Filipino workers in HK. On Sunday (I believe) these workers have the day off, and since they don't have their own home they spend their day out on the streets. They just sit in a park, sidewalk, anywhere really and hang with their peeps. It was a very interesting social phenomenon. I'm not really sure how I feel about this at all. 

[2011] NYC, USA

My first time traveling with my best friend Jessica Oiyan Chan. It was MARVELLOUS! That doesn't mean we didn't fight, because we did. Mostly because I can be a biyatch and ignored her for a few hours at the AMQ exhibit. Not purposefully, but I was just in an introverted mood. That day Jess took a lot of photos of me from behind. Whoops! Including the fights and arguments we had, I enjoyed every second of this trip.  Can't wait to visit Sadia again!

Favourite moment

A guy trying to pick up Sadia: Hi, I'm ______. I'm in med school.

Sadia: What?

Guy: I'm in med school.

Sadia: What year?

Guy: 2nd/3rd/4th(?) (Don't really remember)

Sadia: I'm a resident...dun dun dun

AWKWARD moment for guy. Good try though. Best part: I got a photo of the conversation!

Highlights

1. Baked by Melissa mini cupcakes --- wish I could dissolve one in my mouth right now!

2. Von Leuwan ice cream

3. rushing home everyday to try and catch our OB-GYN intern hostess but usually arrived too late to find her fallen asleep while eating dinner.

4. Shopping at Muji

5. First time trying Magnolia cupcakes!!!! YUMMMY

6. Being shown how an IUD is inserted into someone's uterus. Classy times.

7. Cultural moment at B&H photography shop

8. Statue of Liberty

9. Hanging with my besties!

[2010] Hallstatt, Austria

Day trip!!!!

Beautiful little mountain village. We enjoyed lunch and a mug of some very very good punch at a hotel on the water with slow service. We took some jumping photos and then decided to throw ice chunks at the ducks below. It wasn't as bad as you think. I mean, we weren't aiming at them.