Home Safe and Sound

Well, our last day was definitely the best by far! It was the perfect day to end our adventures in Australia. We booked a tour with Bunyip Tours and spent the day touring Phillip Island. Our first stop on the tour was a wildlife conservatory, where we trampled in the mud to see all the animals.

As we walked through the waterlogged, muddy grass, we saw koalas, dingos, a Tasmanian devil and of course, a cute wombat. I was certain the wombat would not come out of its den, but to my amazement he did! He was so cute...on a scale of 1 to 10...he was a sure million! I was asking the guide if anyone had domesticated them...and I am sure he thought I was quite bizarre as he replied...Ummm...no.

Then to the most amazing experience of hand feeding the wallabies and kangaroo. They were so cute! The wallabies would eat very slowly and neatly while the kangaroo was a messy eater...occasionally nipping your skin as he devoured the food. One of the little wallabies had a joey in her pocket and it was absolutely amazing!

Afterwards we headed over to Church Hill Farms to watch a sheep shearer shear a sheep. (LOL..say that 10 times fast). I think this farmer was the most authentic Australian farmer that we have met on our trip. He was quite amazing as we watched him strip the sheep and manipulate the animal around his legs while holding on with one hand and clipping with the other. The whole experience was done in 2 minutes. He gets paid 3$ a sheep and on average does 50 sheep a day...amazing!

After the farm we headed over to the Koala Conservatory and walked the boardwalks looking for koalas. They were quite high in the trees except for one, but we were not allowed to pet them as the pamphlet seemed to indicate...a little disappointing, but after the kangaroo / wallaby experience I wasn't too let down.

Our before last stop was the Nobbies were we tried to spot seals unsuccessfully as we were surrounded by seagulls - thousands of them. We did spot some penguins huddling under the boardwalk though. We lay down on the poop covered walk to see the little penguins not 3 inches from our faces. Incredible!

Last stop...the Penguin Parade. This amazing stop was a ranger filled conservatory of the smallest penguins of Australia. Every night about a thousand penguins come in from the ocean to meet up with their mates and babies. We sad huddled on a platform waiting for the penguins to come. When all of a sudden, the little creatures suddenly appear. The noise they make is quite distinct. We were unable to take pictures, but we did buy a movie. An unforgettable experience.

OMG! It is already our last day!

I need more time! I keep whining to Tanya who keeps telling me...I know...I know! Well, after my fabulous day of sessions on Wednesday, Thursday we went to the zoo. I love the zoo. I am going to be 32 years old this week...yet I still manage to buy a stuffed animal of a cute fuzy baby penguin. I couldn't resist. I say it is for Ayla...but I mean really...she is 12...who am I trying to fool. The zoo was great...I want a wombat...they are my new favorite animal in the whole world! They also had a baby elephant, baby wild pigs and 4 baby tigers too...very cute.



Afterwards we headed back downtown to go the ABBA exhibit. On the train, Tanya realizes that she doesn't actually have enough change to get a ticket. So we decide to chance it. We hadn't seen any tram police yet...well...yes...you guessed it...just before our stop two police officers get on and start checking everyone...Tanya is like...we need to get off! Well...she smoothly lies her way through that she can't find her ticket, it's our stop, but if necessary she'll pay again...no, no it's all right, go on ahead. Phew! I was waiting to be tackled at any moment.



Of to the ABBA exhibit. In one word - AMAZING! We did every activity. The quizzes, the singing-a-long, the dance video...everything! Very fun! We'll post our video soon!



That evening we went to the Banquet of the ICOPA conference. It was perfect! Everyone was on the dance floor. And the dance floor wasn't big enough, so everyone was just dancing everywhere! We all had a blast with good food and wine. They kicked us out at 1:00 A.M. and off we headed to plop into our beds.



The next morning I was up bright and early for our last conference. The plenary was about where we are now with vaccines and it was very interesting. I think we have a ways to go, but we are definitely headed in the right direction. After a quick tea we all headed off to the last session on the conference. I chose a Giardia session. It was my favorite parasite in my intro class, so I thought I'd see where research is going now in regards to this parasite. Very cool stuff and then off to the final ceremony.

I must say, that I was a little disappointed that I did not win one of the poster prises. But...no worries, ICOPA XIII is going to be in Mexico and I will simply work that much harder to be in the top posters or orals for that meeting. The conference is over! I think we were all a little sad because we were all just getting to know each other, but happy because it was an intensive crazy week.

That afternoon Tanya and I headed off to the Queen Victoria Markets, which after an interesting tour bus ride (said sarcastically - lots of stories there...according to the driver you must be in rehab if you haven't been to the market yet), the market however was already closing. Weirdly, Melbourne seems to have very strange opening hours. You can't find a coffee shop or restaurant open after three! We finally found a McCafe (yes I know...we are in Australia and we go to McD's! But really! It was the only thing open!). We then walk over to a restaurant...thankfully Copper's Inn was serving normal food! Yay! And after a nice big steak we head over to Croft's Institute and then a tea at Krispy Kreme's where we are told, "Donut People are Happy people!" and finally to bed before our last day...today...for our tour to Philip's Island.

I can't wait to tell everyone about today...we got to pet kangaroos!!! And we saw the smallest penguins in the world come in from sea and join their mates after a long day out! The best ending to a fabulous adventure!

St. Kilda

This morning was Angie's last conference day. Destined to finish her day around 2, I dragged myself out of bed and after coffee and warm banana bread at Gloria Jeanès, I grabbed the cable car (and bought a day ticket - I'll let Angie tell you that story!) and headed out of the city. Similar to the Beaches where I live in Toronto, St. Kilda is the sea accessible from the city. I am enchanted by the long pier, and in spite of the grey clouds and wind I walked down and had a tea at the small cafe at the end of the pier, which was actually a new building that was built as an expact replica of the original after it burnt in 2003. The sea and sky were grey and stormy, which just made the day even more dramatic.

I then walked back and dow past the indoor salt pool and then past the entrance to Luna Park, which was closed but looked like a little small town parking lot fair.
I pass the park entrance and stroll along the shopping street, where it seems to either be funky clothes store or bakery that appeals to the crowd. Of course, there are a few shoes stores, too!
I grab the tram back into the city and Angie and I head to the Queen Victoria Markets, subject of another entry!

Public Spaces

One thing I have really enjoyed about Melbourne is their buildings and their creative use of public spaces. Somehow, in a city that was the first established by the British in 1835 year, the urban planners have allowed for odd shaped, colors and textures to be included in their city landscape. (Granted, the local indigenous have been here for roughly 70,000 years, but that is another story.) From the Sienna-like Piazza at Federation Square to the funky university building for the RMIT, which seem to be inspired by Kafka himself.
In between these buildings and Melbourne's alleyways are corridors with steps to be sat on that lead to carpeted squares to hold open air readings, plays, shows, you name it, it happens outside in Melbourne. The Symphony even has its own outdoor permanent venue.
I think my stepdaughter would enjoy this city. It is urban in every way, but not so new that it is still growing into what it will be. Melbourne is grown up, mature and comfortable in its melange of arts, history and shiny new development. Somehow, it all just comes together.

Tonight I dragged Angie to a place called the Craft Institute, written up in Lonely Planet, and I had seen the alleyway it was down on my walk through Chinatown earlier this week. The bar was a hoot, exactly as I had imagined and as promised, with lab equipment scattered on shelves, and the bathrooms contained a hospital bed and were labelled "Department of Feminine Hygiene". Angie promptly ordered something served in a syringe. Of course she did. I could tell she was having trouble not taking out the camera. We sat and had our cocktails and soaked up the cool tunes and the really strong drinks! It would definitely be a regular hang out if we lived here!

The Pub, The Pie and The Tapas

Traveling for me always means new foods, either whole new ingredients or just different ways to prepare certain things or put other things together. Oddly, Australia, like Canada, is such a melting pot that there are few things I have found to be typically Australian. We are also traveling in the city, two major cities, which are as multicultural as they get, so Thai, Sushi, Nepalese, you name it, it is likely represented here in culinary form. Yesterday on the free tram, the statistic stated was of Melbourne's 3000 restaurants, 70 cultures are represented. So, in other words, it is a cool place to eat.
On Tuesday night, Angie and I headed to the Crown Casino to a pub upstairs. We were both tired after long days, so figured a burger and a pint would be a great thing. They had hard cider on tap, much to my joy, and I ordered Angie a glass of sparkling wine while we waited for our table.
When our table was called, we were told we had to go up to the bar to order. Hmmm. Not the sit down and chill idea we had in mind, but OK. Wait, it gets better. Not only do you have to stand in line to give the staff there your order, you also have to pay at the same time! Angie manages the main course, and I go up to order dessert. Oh yes, you guessed it, it gets better. When I finally get up to the bar to order, I tell her I want two teas and an apple crisp. She looks at me and asks: Any food? (I refrained from asking her if she had a hearing problem.) When I got back to our table, I asked Angie why anybody would actually go there for dinner unless it was an accident! Not recommended.
Last night, I picked a Spanish Tapas bar for dinner - Modiva. The tour book said it was THE Melbourne experience! I figured we could share some small items and chat about our day. We get there and are told we can get a table around 8:15. We go and wander the spray painted alley way, circle back to Flinder's Station, walk through Federation Square and then back again. After a few moments of waiting, we are seated and Angie is ready to order 5 courses - all dessert. The waiter laughs, and give us menus. Angie suggests we take a picture of the menu, because there is nothing on it she actually wants to order! Poor sister - the thought of air cured tuna, beef cheek and guinea hen makes her sigh in dismay. We get her over the first hurdle as she orders the squid, which arrives on a plate coated in its own ink, 1 piece about the size of half my thumb, and it is stuffed, too (I am sure by some 4 year old Filipino child). The flavor is great, and my sister starts to loosen up and get adventurous. To be clear, though, she tells me there is no way she would ever go back there. Personally, I was considering the cook book. I would highly recommend it.
Today for a late lunch after the Zoo, we were looking for something to tie us over until the banquet tonight. One Australian trend that we saw but never tried in Sydney was pie - small, individual meat pies of various flavors, served with mashed potatoes on top, mushy peas and gravy. Sound gross? Well, today we indulged at a place called Pie Face, a chain of pie providers. It was certainly tasty, unfortunately for me, I am still tasting it, 3 hours later! They had veggie flavored ones, Thai Curry, and various beef options. They also have little baby dessert pies and soups. $10 gets you a meat pie and a dessert tart (lemon for me, apple for Angie). I would do it again, for sure!
Tonight is the Geek Banquet and then tomorrow night we are still deciding where to eat. Saturday will be the Penguin Tour, so no dinner required then, and then home on Sunday! So soon!

ICOPA XII - Day 3 - Caira, Cribb, Mariaux and Littlewood all in one day!

The morning started off with an entertaining and inspiring talk given by Dr. Janine Caira on the Global Parasite Diversity programs that are ongoing and being funded by several organizations, NSF, PEET and BS&I. The project is world wide and is basically a large scale effort of recording the world's parasite diversity. It is very interesting, and I wouldn't mind getting involved in a project like that at all :) More thoughts for Ph.D. research run through my brain.

The day continued to be filled with talks by my personal set of gurus, Dr. Tom Cribb, Dr. Jean Mariaux and Dr. Tim Littlewood. I filled my notebook with notes and comments as I listened intently to ever word they had to say. All were fabulous speakers, which just raises them on an even higher platform in my mind.

The afternoon session was devoted to an ASP meeting, so I headed back to the hotel where I met up with Tanya and we walked over to have dinner at Movita's - a little Spanish restaurant that in itself deserves it's own blog...we are off to the zoo today...needed a break from the sessions and then the banquet tonight! More later!

A Riverside Day

My plan yesterday was to do a boat Cruise on the Yarra river, a bit of a walk, drop off our jackets to be pressed for Thursday dinner and then head up and do the Melbourne Museum.
Well, the boat cruise happened as planned. I headed out and dropped off our jackets at the cleaners on Collins. The gentleman had no idea what to do about me not having a phone number to reference the work to. Upset, he told me the price and told me to come back in the afternoon. I happily head out on my way.
I walked down to the Yarra and then crossed over around Williams Street, on a pedestrian bridge that was the dream of Mr. Something. The bridge has glass panels that display the research results from the 2001 Census, where they asked about people's ancestry. The statistics are displayed and complimented by huge metal art statues depicting different settler cycles.
The boat cruise is a complete waste of good time, and I would not recommend it to anyone. The most interesting part of the trip was discovering that the harbour, which is 14 meters deep, was supposed to have been dug by hand. Now there's a make-work project if ever there was one!
Exiting the boat cruise on the north shore, I head up to poke around Flinder's Station, the rail station that evidently seeing 250,000 passengers per day. It is a lovely building on the outside, a bit dull on the inside. Evidently the plans for it as well as the Bombay Train Station were drawn at the same time, there was some confusion and Melbourne got the one planned for Bombay. When I see Bombay's, I'll let you know if I believe this little bit of lore.

Across the street from Flinder's Station was St. Paul's cathedral, where I discovered that if I never hear organ music again, I will die a happy girl. There was an organ recital and the organist was the previous head of the Canadian Society for Organists, and he was playing a piece of music composed by the previous head of the Canadian Society for Organists. I thought, 'Cool!' and sat down. Wow. It was terrible. I left thankful I was at the back and did not have any Canadian Flag pasted to my backpack!

I wondered down Flinder's considering lunch. A glass of wine, maybe a salad? Across the street is a street corner with two street side open store windows - Lord of the Fries and Walker's Donuts. I just had to try, so a deep fried lunch I had! Both fries with Belgian Mayo and the raspberry filled donut were deep fried goodness. Definitely having salad for dinner!

I decide to head into the Immigration Museum, it is on the way back to the bus I would catch to the Melbourne Museum, and I was not expecting it to be that extensive. I was quickly lost in a history lesson never to be forgotten. I spent hours walking through and reading the displays. Until 1968, there existed a White Australia policy. I read and learned about how the British took over a land previously inhabited by Indigenous (so very familiar to my own history). It made me sad and angry to read about my forefather's stupidity. There was a fascinating display about the Muslim men who came to be camel handlers, most on three year closed visas, which meant that most returned home after their three years were done, but some stayed, married and had families here.

I walked home very appreciative of the life we live today. I would highly recommend the Immigration Museum. Even as a white girl.

No Cuddling with Chuck!

"No cuddling with Chuck!"

This my sister exclaims as she heads out to her conference this morning. Suddenly, the wisdom of my mother's insistence against pets becomes clear. My sister does not like to share her furry, cuddly things.She picked up Chuck when we were on the Blue Mountains tour, and he has become a part of our journey here in Australia. She named him before she owned him, and while in Sydney he did not leave her room. In Melbourne, we are sharing a hotel room, so my access to Chuck is better. He is the first one my sister looks for when she enters the room. I could be bleeding on the floor, gasping for air, and all she would ask would be - Where's Chuck.
Can you blame her, look how cute he is.

You know, though, I never was good at following directions...

Funny things about ICOPA so far...

Well...in my other posts so far, I have kept them more as a journal, but there have been quite a few little funny moments that I wanted to make sure I remembered so that I could laugh about them in my old age.

Yesterday, during the first workshop, as one of the speakers is talking...I hear, "ARUP"...hmmm, maybe someone burped. I hear it again...ARUP....ARUP....hmmm...that is strange. At this point I am obviously not the only person hearing it and it is distracting the speaker. I try to resist the urge to turn around and look, but the strange noise continues. So I finally give in and turn a little to sneak a peak...as I do...my eye catches a young guy who is licking his lips in an odd manner...way too much tongue. Hmm...strange. He must have really dry lips.

I quickly divert my attention back to the speaker....ARUP....ARUP....I turn again...spot Mr. Licker...he is still licking his lips! And all of a sudden...his whole body twitches and he yelps, "ARUP!" Ahhh! It's him! He has Tourette's Syndrom!

Now...you would think that is more than enough distraction in one session...but no...someone has also decided to bring their child into the session!!! And there is now gurgling and babbling going on as well!! Insane!

ICOPA XII - Day 2 - POSTER DAY

Today was poster day...the day I was slotted to hang up my poster presenting my research along with 300 other researchers. The day started of with a Plenary session on Mapping the Global Distribution of parasites. The speaker, Simon Brooker, introduced a newly launched website www.thiswormyworld.org that allows the users to look at the distributions of several parasites in Africa. Their goal is to eventually have the whole world mapped. The webpage is based on an article written by Norman Stoll - This Wormy World...which happened to be cited a few times today, so I will have to make sure I check it out. After the second speaker introduced his research into parasite neurobiology, it was time for morning tea.

I rushed down to the main lobby to put up my poster for maximum viewing time and was already stopped by 3 different researchers. One in particular, Tomas Sholz was very cool and while we didn't have much time to talk seemed like a great contact to make sure I spoke with later in the week. Off to the Aquatic Parasitology session, I got to hear the end of Dr. Sholz's talk where he gave a great plug into my co-supervisor and co-lab mate Sean & Dave's work and praised them endlessly...pretty cool.

It was time for lunch, so I headed back down to my poster. I was armed with copies of my presentation as well as pins of the Canadian flag to hand out to visitors at my station. They both seemed to be a great hit. While only perhaps another 5 out of the 300 researchers had handouts as well...I was the only student with pins :) So I think this made me memorable :) Just as I am standing there answering questions of one researcher, one of my great mentors Dr. Jean Mariaux, walks up to my station. OMG! How cool is that? Here I was thinking I would have to track him down, and he came to my poster! He is a super great guy and I was able to talk with him a while about my research. He even went to find another of my mentor's Dr. Tim Littlewood and brought him to see me! Even cooler! Both seemed interested in my research and congratulated me on my project. Dr. Mariaux paid me the highest compliment saying that I should have no trouble at all getting my research published!

I was floating :) I met even more interesting people during the lunch break, a researcher from Iceland who thinks he can get some samples for me and another who may have some contacts in Africa (he'll keep me in mind :).

Off to the second Aquatic Parasitology session I enjoy the talks that are presented there. Afternoon tea passes very quickly, and one researcher who I had chatted to at lunch has searched me out again. So we chat a bit more, and I was politely walked to the next workshop that I wanted to attend. The workshop was on Global Education though electronic means. The first session was fascinating! There is a new software created called slidebox that uses Google Earth technology to put slides onto a computer based software that students can then have access to. And not only do the students have access, the professors do as well, seeing where the students are going, what they are looking at on the slide and even what magnification they are using! How amazing is that! I can't wait to mention it to the Teaching Centre at Concordia. I think we should definitely check it out!

Finally time for the formal poster session. Back downstairs I once again 'man' my poster like dog with a new bone. I don't want to miss any opportunity to meet with people whom are interested in seeing my poster. At least another dozen people come by and we have great discussions and some more promises to see if they have some specimens that they could share with me. At least 4 or 5 of the people that came to see me was out of curiosity because they new my co-supervisor Dave Marcogliese. So, even though my supervisors weren't with me physically - they still helped ease the way with some introductions. Thanks guys!

Melbourne - Alleyways to Discover

Today was my first day without my little side kick. As my sister was at her conference, I had the day on my own in Melbourne. My sister was Miss Greedy Pants when it came to tour book ownership, so I had very little time to do any planning. Sometimes, it's a good thing!
After making sure the hotel was going to move our luggage to the other room we are now staying in for the next 6 nights, I head out for a walk. I have no plan, other than I have to make sure I get cash out to pay for the hotel room, as my VISA was not going to work for various reasons (like it has a chip and a mystery password that is a mystery even to me). I pop my TD Canada Trust bank card into an ATM, and enter my withdrawl amount, $600. It says there is no funds to cover the withdrawal. Small panic moment. I remember that I have a low daily withdrawal limit for fraud reasons, so I figure the amount was too high. I try $500. Nope. I get an error message back that reads  - DO NOT HONOR CARD.
Crap.
I head over to the nearest pay phone to call VISA and TD to get things sorted. I run out of change to feed the phone, so have to hang up and run to a convenience store to buy a phone card. Back to the phone I go to speak with the Loss and Prevention department to get the hold released on my card and my VISA issues sorted and all this happens just steps away from a lovely shoe store.
At this point, I am ready for a drink, but it's only 10:30 a.m., so I decide some more walking is in order. I head over to the Arcades, a whole city section filled with lanes and alleys and malls, with lovely stores and cafes. I stop for lunch and sit in a window and contemplate life over a glass of house red and lentil soup. Melbourne seems more like Paris - trendier, funky shops, smaller streets and lots of lanes. I am enchanted. Sydney had that new city sparkle to it, whereas Melbourne has the working class hum of a real urban centre.
After lunch, I duck into Haight's, a chocolaterie. I recommend their Caramel Bars - mmmm.
I head up Bourke to the Parliament buildings, over to the Fitzroy Gardens to visit Captain Cook's father's house and then to the Pavilion for a latte and some planning.
I decide to see the Melbourne Museum, but on my way there get side tracked with St. Paul's cathedral. It is Type A Gothic architecture, nice but rather cold. The Anglican church across the road looks small and dull in comparison. I head to the Cathedral gift shop and score a Jesus bracelet, I think this will be #11 in my collection! They are too costly to pick up for all the girls at home. In latin america they sell for about $1 each, I paid $20 for this Melbourne addition!
I decide to save the Melbourne Museum for another day and start to walk home through China Town, which is again full of little alleyways to explore. Hours later I emerge with The Best Souvenir Ever, a water picture in the style they use in literally every cafe in Australia! Whooo Hooo!
Souvenir in hand, I head down to check into the hotel. After walking 5 blocks in the wrong direction, I get sorted and manage to pick up a few donuts (Krispy Kremes, of all things, and they must fly them over already made, because it cost me $5.70 for 2 donuts!!!). I check into the hotel and am pleasantly surprised by the room quality difference, which I will blog about separately, I promise!
Tucked in for the night, I think tomorrow I will see about doing a river boat cruise and checking out a wine store or two.

ICOPA XII - Day 1

Well....after a rough start yesterday, Tanya and I walked over to the convention centre to get my registration package for the conference. We met a superbly nice professor, Dr. Miles Markus and chatted with him along the way. He is studying the effects of malaria and HIV in Johannesburg. We were slotted in the same alphabetical line and he very kindly mentioned that I should contact Mark Sidall if ever I needed any help in my studies. Great! Off to a much better start already! The reception was nice with a local band playing music for entertainment and various booths set up that you could browse. A man with a snake was walking around...so of course I went to pet it. And I chatted up some girls from McGill...seems like there are quite a few of them here at ICOPA XII.

Off to bed early to make sure I am well rested for the first day. We started off with a plenary section on the importance of eliminating global poverty in an attempt to eradicate parasitic diseases as well as the different challenges the Aboriginals of Northern Australia are facing. Off to the first workshop, the first speaker was almost specifically tailored for me. He spoke on the importance of strategizing your career early and gave quite a few important points that I eagerly made note of. I quickly realize that I am one of the few students not finishing their Ph.D. or in their post-doc and feel a little out of my league. This feeling proceeds me for most of the day as I listen to the amazing talks in the Parasite Evolution session. The talks in this session were all very fascinating and I met Dr. Robert Poulin and one of his students that are working on fascinating questions on parasites that have evolved a progenetic life cycle stage...I start to think of how I can apply some of their work to our local Neochasmus ..hmmm...Ph.D. projects begin to float in my mind...

Two of the speakers also worked with 2 of the species that I am currently working with, so I bombarded them right after the talk to see if I could get some samples off them...both agreed with enthusiasm :) Off to a good start!

After a quick lunch I headed over to a Bioinformatics workshop introducing a free database. Not sure if I can use it...will have to check it out more in depth. My afternoon session was less stimulating, and I was a little disappointed that I had chosen the Population Genetics session rather than Environmental Change effects on Parasitism...oh well.

I realize quickly that while I feel confidant introducing myself and chatting people up one on one...I lack that confidence when faced with a large group of people who are already engaged in conversations in little groups...I must work on this. After browsing the posters that evening, my feelings of inferiority quickly evaporate as I realize that my work that I am presenting definitely has merit and I deserve to be there just as much as any other...M.Sc. in progress and all :)

Tomorrow is my poster day and I am looking forward to meeting people on a more intimate setting, and having them come to me, rather than putting myself out there :) I know, I know...I am working on it!

At the corner of Collins and Spencer

There were so many titles for this entry floating around in my mind:

• Melbourne - off to a shaky start
• Drama Follows Her
• What do you mean CANCELLED????????
• Don't worry, Angie, just drink more champagne... etc

In fact, as is my life motto, things just always work out. I am not sure why I am so blessed, but I always believe that things will work out, and they do, in the end, with maybe a bit of a nudge here and there.

After a leisurely morning of laundry and packing and puttering, we head out to the airport. We are there shortly before 1:00, and are told that we are at the wrong terminal. But the right Terminal is a very short walk away. Great, we head out and walk over. (Just as the rain starts and the wind picks up...)

On arrival at Terminal 3, we try to use the e-check in service, but it does not recognize our reservation. Hmmm. We wait to speak with an agent, who claims our reservation was somehow cancelled. My sister then asks about the original reservation (considering that we were trying to check in with the updated Qantas booking number). Oh! Yes, we have that reservation! Straight on through, the flight leaves at 2... Lovely.
(Remarkably lax security surprises Angie and I - liquids were kept in your bag, shoes and sweaters kept on, only the laptop needs to be scanned separately.)

We deplane in Melbourne after a short flight , book our bus into the city and grab our luggage. We arrive at Hotel Enterprize and the place is a zoo, tons of people coming and going, and three front desk clerks passing keys around and checking people in and out. We state our names and wait. Nope, no reservation. My sister hands over her booking email. The desk clerks tries to tell us that we don't have a reservation. My sister's eyes get just a little bigger. She explains that she has the confirmation from the reservation manager that states he has changed the booking. She points it out. The current clerk defers us to another gentleman. He looks, finds our cancelled reservation, reads the email from the reservation manager, looks at us, looks at his fellow staff member, looks at the computer.
He explains that he is going to see what he can do, but our reservation had been cancelled in error and they are fully booked. He asks us to have a seat.

Deep breathing. My sister, I can tell, is panicked. Within moments we are provided with a room for the night, and the front desk manager promises to get things straightened out overnight. (My VISA was also declined, interestingly, but so were other people's who were checking in at the same time, so I will investigate right after I publish this...)

Our room is minuscule, you can't actually walk into the room directly but you need to shove your luggage into a corner in order to be able to close the door. I commit to not loosing my mind right then and there. The important part of Melbourne is that my sister goes to the conference and we have a place to sleep, at least for one night. My sister is still freaking out, but as we head out to get her checked into her conference, I promise to speak to the front desk person.

It seems he has managed to move people around and has us booked in for 4 nights, so at least until Friday, and is still working on the other nights. We will move tomorrow morning, to a room with internet, as originally planned.

And so, here I am, in Melbourne, Australia, waiting for my sister's plenary session to end so we can grab dinner. Thankfully, Gloria Jean's - Australia's Second Cup clone, at the corner of Collins and Spencer, offers free wireless when you order a coffee. They also have good chocolate muffins.

(Oh, Sydney, I miss you already...)

Oh! Sydneyisms I don't want to forget...

Instead of...put out the garbage...put out the rubbish...
We are not going on the highway...we are going on the motorway (where the fast lane is the left hand lane :)
And please don't get off at the next stop...but alight at the next stop :)

Oh! And we have now declared it a fact...people from the United States of America say their city/state and never their country!

A little update...Friday and Saturday Itineraries

Just to make sure I don't forget anything...here is a little blurb about what kept us busy Friday and Saturday. The weather was nice on Friday so we decided to take the day to visit Manly. Off we go on the ferry to cross over...oh...Tanya insisted we call it our Harbour Cruise....

Well, the views are spectacular, the sun is warm and we have front row seats on the front deck, what more could we ask for! The captain...I am sure his name was Captain Cook :) announces that we are going through the heads and that the swells are higher than normal today...hmmm...wonder what that means...as we suddenly start dipping and bobbing. Of course, Tanya and I pick the only day out of the year where the swells are the highest they have been!

We make it safely ashore and notice that Manly is all about food. My goodness! All these goody stores line the gateway. Hmmm...we are already planing on what flavors of ice cream we are going to get on our way back :) We head off down the Corso (street lined with shops and no cars allowed) and go down to the beach. Signs are posted everywhere that there is no swimming allowed because of the crazy waves so we sit and watch the surfers tackle the gigantic waves. We decide to plunge our feet...and misjudging how far out I was got soaked to my knees! No worries it was a bright sunny day.

We have lunch on the beach wall and head off for Ocean World. Small but with a cool shark tunnel we explore for about an hour and head off back to Circular Quay. The ferry....sorry...cruise...was cancelled due to 4 feet swells! So we head back on a crowded bus and make our way to the Sydney Tower..more appropriately known as the marshmallow in the sky.

We check out the views...hop on a movie ride that gave me motion sickness! And then headed over to Orbit Lounge for a cocktail. Orbit is in a high rise on the 47th floor and the floor goes around in a slow 360 so that you can have amazing views of the city. I order a Ruby Paradise and Tanya and dry martini. We sit back relax and enjoy our cocktails and the view. They had these amazing fried tortellini stuffed with goat cheese and pumpkin! MMM! But at $3 each...we only enjoyed a few.

After a beautiful sleep, we headed out to our final destinations in Sydney: the Aquarium, Wildlife World and Paddy's Market. Both aquarium and zoo were very cool...I want a koala...and our only advice to future visitors is to go during the week when there will be less screaming parents and children. Paddy's Market is flea market...not what we were expecting, but I got a quick massage for $20 from a very persuasive Chinese lady and we bought some cheep souvenirs.

That night we headed out for a very nice evening with Sandra and her son Brian (friends of Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bill) for a wonderful meal and conversation and then stumbled into our beds, sad that we were leaving the next day.

Voila! And with that our time in Sydney is already over!
I am off to get my clothes out of the drier and pack up everything for Part 2 of our adventure!
Miss you and love you all!
Angie
xxx

Farewell Sydney...until we meet again!

I can't believe it is already Sunday. Today we are off to Melbourne...pronounced Melbun here. There is still so much to tell you about! We are behind in our blogging!

Well, Thursday after the Blue Mountains, we had booked a super at Icons Brasserie in the Marriott Hotel. When I purchased the tickets for the Opera, there was a combo special and this was one of the restaurants we could choose from. Before heading out we both take really long hot showers to try and warm our bones from the long cold day, get dolled up and out we go.

After having 2 glasses of champagne that went down very nicely at the Opera, I declare to Tanya that while I do not enjoy wine that much, I am definitely a champagne girl. So...we order a bottle :) The waitresses are delighted with us and would just love to sit down and join us as we sip our bubbly and laugh and crack up at ourselves. We have a limited menu because we are from the "Opera Club" and as I look over the 4 mains, pork, lamb, salmon or scallops, I realize I only really like either the pork or the salmon. But, we had salmon the night before so I decide to order the pork. But, the pork on the menu says, "Roasted pork Belly". In my head, it was roast pork like Grampy makes it...with the little garlic cloves. I figure the BELLY part was just an Australian thing...hmmm...no...no...it is not.

So, my dish comes, and there is this thick layer of fat on the meat. Yuck! Don't panic I mutter to myself! I slice the fat off hopping the meat will me nice...hmmm...no...no...it is not. Even the meat has a fatty texture. So...not wanting to spoil my evening, I start drinking the champagne a little faster and dig in. Well...as long as I kept drinking and I combined the meat with the sweet potatoes or apples on my plate, it was edible :)

After we finish our meal...Tanya dares to comment, "So...how was the Pork Belly?" It was disgusting I reply nonchalantly...but as long as I kept drinking the champagne it was edible :)

Incredibly rich or incredibly stupid

Every now and again in life, what you anticipate will be an incredible experience turns out to be a big, fat bust. Well, tonight, as I wait for my clothes to dry, I am going to share a big, fat bust story.
On Alfred Street, written up in the Sydney tour book, is the Australian Wine Centre. That alone sends shivers up the average oenophile's spine, but for the girl who actually wants to produce wine from grapes she will grow in Oaxaca, a currently grapeless region, the excitement is almost tangible. My sister informs me we have 17 minutes to spend in this store, as we are also slated to look at some opals and we are off to the opera a bit later in the day as well. In dismay I head into the basement store, feeling I may have to take a trip back on my own. I need not have worried.
The small sotre is delightfully full, and prices range as well as growing regions. My idea was to buy a few bottles, give them a try, and then potentially buy others to bring home. I wanted to see if the staff were knowledgeable in the different growing regions of Australia, and try to purchase some that did not have a long dormant season, as this will be Oaxaca conditions.
I wonder how to ask this question. I figure the truth will be best:
"Hi - I am from Canada and my plan is eventually to move to Mexico and start a vinyard. I - "
The older man behind the counter interrupts me and says, "Well, then, you are either incredibly rich or incredibly stupid!!"
My sister stops browsing. She waits. She knows she is either going to have to pull me away from choking the man, or exhale if I laugh.
I laugh. She exhales.
"I guess I prefer the term adventurous."
Nope. Seems Mr. Pompous Ass won't let it go. Seems I am just plain stupid. You see, HE did that already. TWICE. And failed. And I am from Canada, where the climate is only suited to ice wine, how can we possibly expect to grow anything of quality there. MAYBE some of the BC wines MIGHT be passable. MAYBE.

You see, Mr. Pompous Ass has been to Canada, most recently even. Nothing drinkable there. Oh, and Mr. Pompous Ass lives on Manly, on the sea, you see, his wife would just NOT live out in the country, on a farm, in order to make his vineyard successful. There are, according to Mr. Pompous Ass, more vineyards for sale in Australia and France that cost less to buy today than it would cost to put a new vineyard in. I really should just admit defeat now.

I smiled tightly and tried to ask him about growing regions in Australia. Of course, Australia has all the perfect growing conditions. Of course.

I wonder why no one has run this man over with a truck.

I give up. This is the worst experience I have had since landing in Australia. I suggest he make a recommendation. He does, by plucking a bottle of Shiraz out of a display - $19.90 later, I am disappointed with it all together.Way too much berry, high tannins and heavy, blunt finish.

Are there any good wines in Australia, I wonder...

Exotic Yellow Australian Canary

Yesterday, Thursday, we went off on an organized bus tour (small cringe) of the Blue Mountains. It was a small tour, well publicized but also well rated. As it was our first adventure in this area, we thought a tour would give us a flavor, enough to consider if we want to go back for more days in the future at some point.
The tour was exactly as promised - a small group that covered the highlights, with some special surprises. We were also treated to some other interesting things - racist Australian tour guide, ridiculously priced food, glimpses of promising B&B's and Inns for the next trip, and some fascinating, unique landscape.
We head off shortly after 8 in the morning, the bus was running late much to my sister's dismay. As we head out of town, we enjoy the local traffic jambs and the banter of Jim, our guide. We pass the Olympic Village from years gone by, and start into the Blue Mountains. Rumors of a Kangaroo abound on the bus, but we are only, at this stop, subjected to some recently carved turtle etchings and a bad aboriginal story about animal totems.

We move along, stopping in a small village of Glenbrooke for coffee and pastry. We head over to walk some trails to view a waterfall and an outstanding view of the plateaus and valleys knows as The Blue Mountains. As we walk up to the lookout, the cold wind whips up, and as cockatoos take flight in the distance, we turn to take a side trail to a waterfall lookout.
It is at this lookout that the world seems to stop, as our small group of maybe 20 people are treated to a wonder of the world that may very well rival the Sydney Opera House.
Rarely caught on film, this shy, elusive creature of Australia - the exotic yellow Australian Canary - appears much to our awe and delight. Here is a rare glimpse to this national treasure:

Exotic Yellow Australian Canary

$26 Fish and Chips

Still on Tuesday...I was hungry for fish and chips. We had passed several restaurants with Fish and Chips on the menu, but the prices were crazy! We were in Circular Quay though, which is quite ritzy, but I mean come on...it is Fish & Chips. So we finally find a restaurant that looks more like a diner that looks like it might have reasonable prices...yah...$26. At this point I am just like, OKAY! I need the fish & chips let's just do it!

Well...it was 100% worth the $26. They were the best fish & chips I have ever had :)

Afterwards we went to the Rocks Museum...a museum on the history of The Rocks (the neighborhood on the harbour). We found that the history similar to that of Canada with the Aboriginals being highly mistreated upon arrival of the Europeans. Interesting.

We then had 17 minutes to visit the Australian Wine Company...I'll let Tanya tell you the story there and then headed off for an afternoon of Opal shopping. It was raining, so we had rescheduled our visit to the Bridge and Royal Botanical Garden until Wednesday morning. So...we walk down Pitt street popping in different jewelers along the way. The National Opal Museum was a great disappointment...and only those with thousands of dollars were able to afford anything in there. There was actually a butler there to pick up some jewels for his employer..."No..no...he said a white gold chain with a black opal pendant...alright...I'll take a look at what you have in yellow gold..."

After visiting a few jewelers...one funny Asian lady with frog opal rings that promised if we bought it and kissed it our prince charming would appear...we headed off to the "Opal Factory". We had seen signs for it and little ads in the tourist guides, so off we went. It was on the third floor of a building, we hop in the lift and up we go...to come out to a caged door with a little speaker...before we even press the button to announce our arrive a voice comes over the speaker and demands, "Opals or pearls!"...Hmm..."Opals",,,,we are buzzed in...hmmm...stranger and stranger by the moment..we walk into a grungy office like space, with more caged off high security areas in the back. We are guided to a table where we are told that first we will teach you about opals and then you will be shown opals..."Do you want anything to drink?" Hmmm...no...afraid that you will drug me and take off with my kidneys...we remain alert...

So, the 'salesperson' tells us all about opals, different kinds, cuts. He asks us, "How did you find out about us?" At this point we are sure cops are going to come barging in and take down the place, but we assure him we found an add in the tourist magazine. Tanya proceeds to check out earring and ring selections. She gets a pair of earrings and off we go...just dying to talk about our clandestine experience.

What a day...and it is still not over...that night was our opera night...my first opera ever! More on that in a future post :)

Wish for the Blue Mountains...

When we were on our tour for of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, the guide stopped and asked the group where everyone was from...France, India, Mexico, Belgium, Canada, and Wisconsin...California...

So...We've noticed that tourists from America...do not mention their country, but their city or state. Hmmm...is this because they assume everyone in the world should know all of the geographical details of their country? Or is it simply because they affiliate themselves more with their city/state than the country as a whole. Or is it because they want the other American tourists in the group to know where they are from. Interesting that they are the only ones to do this...

So, today we are off to the Blue Mountains...and my wish for today is that we have no "I am from Wisconsin' type tourists.

Rachel, Bruno and Monty

Rachel lives in a small suburb around Sydney. She owns her own horse. She moved here from New Zealand about a year ago, with her boyfriend who is originally from Sydney. The horse she owns is stabled outside of Sydney, about an hour away, and she rides her every day, otherwise she (the horse) gets a bit nutty. There are no rests for horse owners, the stalls need mucking every day, they need to be fed and ridden every day, at least once.
Rachel and her boyfriend live in a small studio apartment, they pay $375 per week for their flat. ( To buy a  small one bedroom condo in Bondi will run you about $450,000. We looked...).
Rachel was kind enough to chat at us while we sat atop of Bruno and Monty and walked around Centennial Park, a massive green space right in the heart of the city. We went from Circular Quay to horseback in about 30 minutes, which included waiting for the bus.
Interestingly, Rachel actually led us through the park on foot. She explained that except for the very experienced riders, this was usual practice. Between the cars, dogs, swans, doves, soccer balls and traffic, the horses can get a bit unpredictable. My sister and I, neither with a ton of experience riding and usually with years in between, were happy to be led and to chat away.
The horseback riding was a splurge. Not opal-ring-the-price-of-my-mortgage-payment splurge, but at $80 for an hour, it was a good touristy thing to do on a beautiful sunny day.Would I recommend this adventure: in a heartbeat!

Angela and Bruno
Tanya and Monty

Laughter is the best medicine

If there is one thing my sister and I are capable of, it is finding ourselves incredibly funny. I know, in years to come, I will be sitting alone at my desk and some memory of Australia will cross my mind and I will laugh out loud to myself. We notice the same things and find humor in the smallest of human conditions.
After a few months of having no time to even sit quietly and think, this vacation has been a godsend. I laugh every day to either the tears-streaming-down-my-face stage or to the crossing-of-the-legs-bending-over-so-I-don't-pee-my-pants stage. My hectic job and life seem miles away, and though I miss my husband and think of my friends often (side note to Erin: do not visit the Royal Botanical Gardens when you visit Sydney - birds AND bats everywhere...) I have to say I am filling my days with memories I know will keep me smiling well into old age.
Today we visited the Harbour Bridge. After stopping at the Museum of Sydney cafè for a latte and a snack, we begin our ascent to the bridge. My sister advises me we will be walking about halfway, and there are 200 stairs to climb if I want to do the pylon museum. I am all good for 200 steps. I mean, I climbed almost everything in Italy, why not Sydney? We pay our $9.50 to gain entry to the museum and 200 stairs. I love it when I pay to climb up stairs. It's in line with paying for someone to hit your finger with a hammer. The climb was actually very easy on the metal, even, wide staircase. We get to the top of the Pylon and step outside.

Yes, the views were amazing, but the wind - the wind was a force to be acknowledged. It made for interesting hair pictures:

Angela faces South

Angela faces North

Of course, as we sat at the Bondi Cafè, hours later, these pictures were the source of more giggles. It didn't help that we had just eaten chocolate lava cakes and had lattes and hot chocolates. Nope, the Lapierre Sisters need no additives to break into fits of giggles.

So far, Australia is like Canada but with an accent :)

We have decided that Sydney so far is exactly like Canada with a few little quirks. It is the perfect combination of Vancouver and Toronto with tons to see and do. So far, we have been stopped by locals asking us for directions (imagine that! And we knew how to get them to where they were going!), or to simply ask us how we are and where we are headed to. Of course, the butcher knew right away that we were not from Sydney (not sure what gave us away). But most people (aside from the bus drivers) have been more than pleasant and helpful. We wanted to share a few vocabulary changes that we have noticed so far...

We will not stand in line, we will stand in queue. We will not use the oven fan while we are cooking, we will use it whilst we are cooking. And lastly so far, we will not take the elevator, we will take the lift.

Looking forward to sharing more with you as the week goes by...

xxx

Angie

Walk left...not right

In Australia, the traffic flows on the opposite sides of the street in comparison to North America. It is quite hard to get used to, and we are often looking a million times before crossing the streets in order to avoid being crushed.

In most places downtown, they have signs painted on the street reminding tourists which way to look, but an adjustment is still required. It seems however that not only are the drivers and cars on the right...but the pedestrians as well.

We need to observe this phenomena more closely, but during our walk from Bondi to Coogee yesterday, we noted that while we Canadians had the tendency to go to the right to let oncoming pedestrians pass...locals were going left. After quite a few awkward passes, we realized that we needed to go left!

We have many more walks planned...so we'll keep you up to date if this Sydneyism is a fact...or just particular to the Bondi to Coogee trail :)

Bondi to Coogee, and then some

One of 40 salt water ocean side pools

"We still look tired!", this my sister proclaims after our 5 kilometer walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach yesterday. I think she really should have said, "We look tired again!"
The book we are using to tour Sydney is the Lonely Planet guide to the city, which has great walk suggestions that seem to range between 2 and 5 km, anywhere from 2 to 5 hour neighborhood strolls. On the plane we had thought we would do the Bondi to Coogee walk the first day, and when we actually did the walk yesterday, we both declared there was no way we would have accomplished it.
We continue to be educated on things Australian as our adventure continues. Yesterday, both staff members at our resort, in unison, corrected our pronunciation of Bondi. "BOND-EYE! BOND-EYE! It's softer!" Evidently our pronunciation of their incredible beach as Bond-ee was a wee bit hard on the ears. We have learnt that the bus system is a mystery, no maps seems to exist with routes or directions, and the bus drivers are the only less-than-friendly people we have met. Australians tend to like to scare their visitors by putting pictures of great white sharks on the cover of every tourist magazine and brochure, and thankfully they like their coffee hot and strong - espresso only. Grocery shopping was less adventuresome than some countries I have visited, but still garnered interesting tubes of Vegemite (a rich source of vitamin B), a tube of Coffee and Milk (great for camping!) and some little chocolate cookies a friend told me about, Tim Tams.
But back to Bondi. Upon arrival we settle in for a latte and to enjoy the view of the incredible bay and the surfers crossing the street to head to the pipelines that attract many. The walk yesterday was sprinkled with stops to watch the occasional wet-suit clad hard body catch a wave.  We walk the little shopping strip and then head down to the beach. We decide we don't need to put our feet in the ocean, and we continue along on our walk. The cliffs allow for incredible views and vistas, the beaches are littered with men in speedos of all ages and others in heavier winter jackets and tuques. We spend the next 4 hours climbing up stairs, walking down stairs, stopping on benches to enjoy incredible views, taking pictures of the surf and the rock formations and trying to capture the beauty of this great stretch of the world.
Exhausted, we fall into the bar at the end of our walk and sit gazing at the incredible view. Again.
What we loved: there are 40 enclosed, saltwater pools that are built seemingly right into the sea, stairs at every bay that allow you easy access to the ocean, and washrooms and changing stations at every beach. Sydney lifestyle seems to include the sea at every opportunity.
What we learned: Amungst other things already noted: My sister prefers a darker ale over a pale ale.
What made us laugh: A less-than-buff suferer dude running to meet his surfer buddy. We're not sure why he was funny, he just was!

So...what is it really like travelling for 30 hours?

Crazy! Long! In desperate need of a shower!

So, we flew from Montreal to Chicago, had a lay over of 3 hours (plane was delayed), then flew to Los Angeles, another lay over for 3 hours and then flew for 15 hours to Sydney. Tanya and I were wondering that since the flight was so long, if the economy class seats would have more room...hmmm....that would be no. But we did have some cool movie choices and our very own remote controls on each seat...I think there were at least 150 movies to choose from, as well as music, games, t.v. and books! We also got a pillow, blanket, eye mask, and toothbrush and paste...so that we did not have breath that smelled like dead goats once we arrived in Sydney :)

Once there, we had to pass through customs...but since Tanya and I both needed a pee stop and freshen up, the line in front of us was very long. Just as we were finally joining the actual start of the line, a nice customs officer says, "Ladies, go on right down to the end over there." Ha! We completely by-pass the whole line!!! Then, we get through customs, pick up our luggage, and now have we see a whole new crazy long line to get out. So, we see another airport security guard, and bypass all the people, and simple ask if this is really the way that we need to go through to get out. "Let me see your declaration cards ladies...no,no...go right on through here please." Yes! Another crazy line by-passed. We get to this whole crazy circle aisle with eight possible choices, aisle eight being the only one that is clear of insane lines of people...and again..."Right on through aisle eight ladies please." OMG! A cute little doggie sniffs our bags...was thinking of taking a run with Tanya's but decides otherwise and voila! We are in Sydney baby!!!!

Off we head to take a train to our hotel. We buy our bus pass for the week, hop on the train, and very easily make our way to our stop. Tanya and I were wondering what to do that day, and after realizing that there was a huge race with 80,000 people in the city happening that day, and starting right were our hotel was and going to Bondi Beach where we had planned to visit first, that perhaps we should reorganize our plans.

We dropped off our luggage and headed out for a Bikram yoga class. We thought the stretching was much needed after being squished like a sausage for 15 hours, plus, we could shower afterwards! Yay! So..at this point, I was sure I was probably going to pass out during the class. For those of you not familiar to Bikram, they heat the room to 42 degrees Celsius and the class is a strenuous 90 minutes. Well, I had the best class ever! The shower was amazing after, and we were refreshed and ready to head out sight seeing.

Needing some fuel first, we headed over to "The Commons" for a late breakfast, a suggestion from the yoga teacher. Not realizing at the time that the teachers idea of a nice big yummy breakfast and our idea was not the same at all. We sat down ready to order pancakes with butter and syrup and a side of bacon and were confronted with a list of breakfast items that we were very unsure as to what they were exactly. So...after a healthy breakfast...we headed back out.

We decided on the Australian Museum. It was huge! There were cool skeleton displays, tons of stuffed local animals that you could touch, a gem display, and a 'Survive Australia' display...were every display was warning about the dangerous wildlife...and how no anit-venoms were available! Yikes!

By this time, it was nearly 4:00 and we were almost falling on our faces. Being allowed to check in, we headed back to the hotel, checked in and promptly fell onto our beds and did not move until the next morning!

So today was our hike at Bondi beach...but I'll let Tanya tell you all about it :)

Love you all and miss you even more,
All the way from Sydney, Australia,
Angie
xxx

Safe and sound in Sydney :)

Safe and sound in Sydney!!! Not yet bitten by anything that requires anti-venom...blog posts to be updated tonight :) xxx

Were THESE shoes made for walking?

The bed in my spare bedroom is now full of Australia Bound clothing. It's a mixture between what you would find at Mountain Equipment Coop and the business casual section of your favorite department store. I refuse to vacation in yoga pants. At last check, the temperature in Sydney was about 14 during the day (I am in denial about the blue droplets meaning rain on The Weather Netwok) and then about 10 degrees at night. Melbourne was about 5 degrees cooler, which means downright chilly evenings.
I called my sister this morning. "OK - 4 short sleeve, 6 long sleeve, 2 sweaters, 2 jackets, three scarves (we are French, you know!) and 5 pants."
My sister responds that in her conference briefing it says "bring wool, not coton". We're not sure if it's just for those wimpy Europeans when it comes to cold weather or if we Canadians should actually consider a wool scarf. I mean, we're Canadian.
Of course, now the dilema is shoes. Two new pair, which I am sure were made for walking, will be packed, sneakers in the carry on.
This leaves me with only one question - what am I going to wear on the plane?