Venice...The City of Water

Hey Readers,

I recently returned back to Germany from a 3 day trip to Venice, Italy. I went with 3 friends that I met here. It was a great experience, however, my cellphone didn't work there unless I had WIFI, so I had to rely on my friends who could access their data. Without the phone connection, I would have gotten lost in the many alley ways and would have had to plan ahead for the day as to what sites and restaurants I wanted to go to that day.

The Canal. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

The first day we decided to put our luggage in the baggage hold at the bus station. We also purchased a 3 day water bus pass, that would last us the time we were there...it only cost 29 euro for the 3 day pass, for persons under 30. The baggage hold was 6 euro each for 5 hours, but worth it, since Venice is all canals there are bridges with many stairs everywhere...not ideal for carrying your suitcase. We arrived at 8:00 am and we didn't get our apartment until 1:00 pm. We rented an apartment through booking.com because it was cheaper for 4 people then to stay in a hotel. We also liked the option to go to a grocery store and buy some things to make in the apartment. The apartment was beautiful, we had a canal view (one of the many, not the main water way) and it had 2 bedrooms, a big bathroom, and a very large terrace.

Best Gelato Ever.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

 The girls I traveled with wanted some Asian food the first day, so we went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch that day. You can find the photos of this food on the Venice, Italy Photo Page. But we walked Venice to see all of the main sights, Rialto Bridge, and St.Marks Basilica. We even waited in line for 45minutes for the best Gelato in Venice. By the time 6pm rolled around, I was exhausted because of lack of sleep on the Flixbus the night before. We wandered our way back around 7:30pm, and I was asleep by 8pm. The next day we got a head start around 10am, and we decided to do the island Lido and Burano. Lido is a beautiful beach island, I was very taken back to see cars on this island, because we had already spent 24 hours in Venice, where they don't have cars. The girls wanted to see Burano island because of its beautiful coloured buildings and because a famous Korean singer made a music video on this island.

Burano Island, Coloured Houses. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby and Eugene Kim.

We found a dessert bakery on the island, where we enjoyed some small chocolates and I got myself a real Italian Canoli.

When darkness came over the island, we decided it was best to head back to Venice. Once we took our water bus back, we chose to have some pizza for dinner. It was a must on the list of things to have in Italy, Pizza and Pasta. The pizza was so good, best I have ever had. Except if your looking for Dee[ Dish, you need to go to Giordano's in Chicago.The restaurant was called Antico Forno in Venezia. There were thick crust like the one photographed below, or thin crust available as well. The other photo below shows how many different pizza flavours they had available at any time. A lot of flavour, and a small restaurant with a small area you can enjoy your slice, or take it to go.
 

Antico Forno Pizzeria. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Greatest Slice of Pizza I have ever had. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

When we got up on our last day, we decided we didn't want to pay for our luggage to be held for the entire day as our bus didn't leave until 10pm and we had to be out of the apartment by 11am. We chose to be out by 10am and make the most of our day. We went to Murano Island to try and see some glass making, however we didn't realize that they do not do it on Sundays. We missed out on that but still explored the island. All of the glass sculptures and designs were wonderful.

We then went back to Venice to check out St.Marks Basilica again in the day light, we even went inside the massive building. Around 4pm we decided we should go to an Italian restaurant and have some pasta. I had Bruschetta to start (which I shared with the others, they didn't even know what Bruschetta was). For my main dish I had some lasagna. You will find photos of these in the Venice, Italy photo page on this blog. We had a little bit of time left to see the last few things, before going back to the train station area to catch the water bus back to Tronchetto (Bus Terminal) to catch our Flixbus back to Munich.

The bus was late arriving to Munich because we got held up later than expected at customs, coming back into Germany. So once we got to Munich, we had to wait later than expected for a Train back to Kempten, since the cheaper morning train was gone, and it would take about 1.5 hours for the daily Bayern ticket to be available. We stayed at the train station and then headed to Kempten around 10am. Then rested for the next afternoon.

This was a whirlwind trip to remember. We had a lot of fun, and crammed a lot of stuff into the 3 days but it was well worth it for the memories we have together.

Hope you enjoyed this...
Bye for now.

Presentation about Canada

Hey....

This is my presentation of Canada. I will present it to the Culture Club this Friday here in Kempten. They wanted to know about Canadian Culture, Food, Traditions and Music. There are some links as well to some Youtube videos I found that show more about Canada.
I hope you enjoy it.

Talk soon - Venice blog is coming soon...still organizing my photos.

Big Red Chairs

Heyyyy....

Big Red Chair located at Home Hardware in
Grand Bend, along Highway 21.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Summer of 2017, I spent it working, between my studies in Finland and commencing studies in Germany. Along side my neighbour, who was busy with her summer studies, we decided to try and travel around taking photos in as many Big Red Chairs as we could. We didn't get too many but I will talk about a few and what we did while there. I will also recommend a few things to try out if you are in these areas.
The photo to the right is at Home Hardware in Grand Bend, Ontario. We were on our way to my sisters with my dog. We had to take the dog to the chiropractor for her back. We saw this chair and decided we better take some photos, since every time I head to my sisters with my parents, my dad always joked with me that we would take my picture here. The Hardware Store had even built a nice little staircase to step up on, so we could get into the chair. While in Grand Bend, you can also check out the beautiful beach along Lake Huron, or get some hiking done at the Pinery Provincial Park. Grand Bend is a great beach, camping, hiking, fun location in the summer...but very busy with tourists.

These are Parks Canada Chairs at
Point Pelee National Park in Ontario. Most difficult to find...on a trail.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

This photo is at Point Pelee. This is along Lake Erie.  Again a great beach location, and there are trails for walking, exploring birds and such. They have many other activities in this park. We did not have to pay to get into the park because for 2017 all National Parks were free to celebrate Canada 150, you just had to apply and get a park pass. Parks Canada decided to celebrate the 150th Celebration by putting the red chairs at National Historic Sites and National Parks. We decided to travel around and check a few local ones out...thinking they were going to be large, but they are just regular size, still awesome though. These chairs were very hard to find, there is no direction or anything, and we found them back on a trail in in the swampy area, there are bugs...so wear bug spray. However, it was an adventure, and there is a boardwalk throughout the swamp so you don't get your feet wet or anything. Great place to relax and go bird watching.

While out at Point Pelee, we drove past this restaurant called Birdie's Perch and decided on our way back to Windsor, we would stop here for lunch. My dad was with us and we all decided to try it out. The absolute BEST Perch Tacos I have ever had. If you are in the area here you need to check out this Double Decker Bus, fish and fries restaurant. There are other good things on the menu,but the fish was awesome, and that's what their known for, so I definitely recommend it.

Stopped here for Lunch. Best Fish Tacos EVER!!!! Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

These are Parks Canada Chairs at
Fort Malden in Amherstburg, Ontario. 
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

These Parks Canada chairs are at Fort Malden in Amherstburg. This is a National Historic sight near Windsor, Ontario and it is known for its military application from the War of 1812. There are barracks, and a building that shows a private residence, there are cannons and other military representations. These red chairs are just like the ones in Point Pelee, just a much different view.
Below, is the view of the Detroit River from the chairs. The Island in the left of the photo is Bois Blanc Island (Also known as Boblo Island). There used to be an Amusement park on this Island but it was closed in 1993. Today the Island is being developed with homes and condominiums. It has restaurants, a lighthouse, a marina, and many other things for the residents of the island.

This is the view from the Chairs at Fort Malden.  To the Left is Boblo Island. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

 The last photo I have added is my Neighbour and me in our last Red Chair of the summer. My dad found it at Patio Palace in Windsor. It was very weird trying to get into this chair as they did not have the nice stairs like Home Hardware in Grand Bend. We had to climb in from the side, under the arm of the chair. They are much higher off the ground then anticipated. It was also awkward to take the photo, this was a very busy road in the city, so many cars were zooming past us as we climbed up to take our photo.

Big Red Chair at Patio Palace in Windsor, Ontario Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

This was our fun adventure that we embarked this summer. It was a great couple of trips we could fit into our schedules while getting to spend a lot of time together. Hopefully, we can check out a few more areas in Ontario next year or maybe come up with something else to try and see. So much fun...Thanks Cassie for embarking on this adventure with me.

Bye for now...

Reunited...after almost 12 years

Hey readers,

This past weekend was so fun for me. I reached out to a contact that I met about 12 years ago. When I was in high school, I participated in a reciprocal exchange program with the ISE company. My exchange student was from Mönchengladbach, Germany, she would come to my house first for three months, and then I to her house for three months. I recently started my study abroad semester in Germany and found out that she now lives only 127km from me. We made plans to meet up and had an amazing reunion in Munich, talking and walking and sharing our life changes for the last 12years.

This photo is in Mönchengladbach in 2006. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

When I was 15, I decided I wanted to go on an exchange because my sister had done it before me, only to Spain. From a Canadian perspective it is more comforting in that your exchange student arrives to you first, so at least when you arrive at their home you already know one person. It was a great learning experience for both of us, and we learned quickly about different cultures and different upbringings. While I was there, I learned that I was too young to be traveling from home. I think 15 and leaving your family for 3 months is a big adjustment, I also found that I was distanced from a few friends, and it took a little while for me to adjust back.

Me and Sofie (My old exchange partner) in Marienplatz in Munich, 2017. Photo Credit: Sofie Schmid

She met me at the train station, and then went on a walk around the city, showing me all of the sights. She showed me the main areas of the downtown sectors (some of which I had seen when I was touring with my parents). We spent a lot of time catching up the changes in our families and what has changed in our lives, there was a lot to cover when it came to studying and marriages and such. We walked a total of 14km around the city. She even took me to the rooftop terrace at the University. We enjoyed a hot chocolate, and an espresso. The view of the city was awesome, it is a flat city so you could see for miles, you could even see the Alps in the far distance. After that we went for lunch at Pommes Boutique, the menu has many types of french fries with different combinations of meat and vegetables added, as well as a large selection of sauces you can have on them.

Surfers at the English Garden, in Munich. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

To finish our trip we ended up hanging out at her apartment, and talked. We relaxed and I found out that I had blisters on both feet for wearing the wrong shoes, I did not have on walking shoes...but oh well they will heal. I ended up taking the Subway back to the Train Station and headed back to Kempten that evening. The train this time was the ALEX brand, and It reminded me of the Hogwarts Express. There were individual sections to the car where 6 people could sit together. 

 Its never too late to reconnect with old friends, you can always catch up.

Talk soon.

Weekend Hike in the Mountains

Readers...

I made it there and back without a heart attack. As some of you know, I am not much of a hiker...so this weekend was a big challenge for me. I achieved some personal accomplishments today. I climbed most of a mountain up to a cottage for the weekend, even though I wanted to turn back probably 10 times.

There was no cell reception but the views were spectacular. It was the Schwarzberghuette Cottage (sorry the link is in German), you should look into it if you are ever in the Allgäu Region of Germany. The mountains had barely any snow on them on Saturday morning when we began our climb. It took about 1 hour 30minutes to get to the cottage after the bus ride from the nearest village. It was hostel style rooms but they all had a view from the small window. The food there was good as well.

This is the outside of the Cottage. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

After we got settled in and left our backpacks in our rooms (do not even try to take a luggage bag, you are walking up steep inclines and pulling luggage is that last thing you want to be doing) our coordinators offered another hike. I was done at this point so, I stayed back and did a small walk to the meadow where they usually have the cows on the mountain. I enjoyed my views and sitting and talking with the one coordinator, it was like my own personal tour. While I was doing that, the rest of the group was walking further up the mountain and across to a lake. The lake was ice cold, as it is mostly mountain run off from melting snow and ice. Some students came back after the lake but others went on to the peak. They did an additional 2 and a half hour climb that I did not. I still have added some photos others shared with me.

The lake the others hiked to. Beautiful view I missed out on. Photo Credit: International Office, Hochschule Kempten

In the evening we just hung out in the cottage playing games and socializing with the other students (there were about 34 of us in total), some we had met during Orientation here but others were just international students we had not met yet. 

The Sunday Morning, Fog and Snow on the Mountain. Photo Credit: Eugene Kim

I was very happy that I even decided to do this trip at all, and totally worth it for that view and experience with the other exchange students here. When we woke up on Sunday morning at the cottage, there was more snow on the mountain. Being at a higher altitude it had snowed overnight, it was just a light dusting, but still a wonderful sight to see in the morning.

Thanks for reading!!!
Talk soon...

Lindau, Lake Constance...

Readers, 

Another week here in this beautiful country. The past weekend I went with some friends to see Lindau. It is a city located on mainland and island. It is on the Eastern side of Lake Constance. Lake Constance borders 3 countries – Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You could see the Austrian Alps, and the Swiss Alps…faintly. It was an amazing site, even though the mountains were covered in fog. It was also a great cultural experience because my friends were from 5 different countries and none of us were German. 

 

The Group of us down by the water. Photo Credit: Eugene Kim

We took a 1-hour train ride from Kempten to Lindau (Island) and everything there was in walking distance. We even looked at two churches in the city center. One was more plain with white walls while the other had beautiful paintings and marble throughout the entire altar, always beautiful stained glass as well. We got some Kebab and ate it in a local park along the waterfront. 

Attached to this blog you will see some great photos. It reminded me much of home, where I live. We live in the heart of the Great Lakes of Southwestern Ontario. This lake, the smell, sight, and sound all seemed like it was where I was meant to be. If only they could move the University about 1-hour to the West, Germany would be heaven. There were sail boats on the water and even a few swimmers, though the water was way too cold for me.

The Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario. It is the crossing from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada to Port Huron, Michigan, USA. It is also across the St.Clair River where it meets Lake Huron (One of the 5 Great Lakes). Photo Credit: Cyndie Vanderwerf

Along the St.Clair River...Looking towards U.S.A.- Summer 2017. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

This weekend we go on a hiking/cottage weekend in the mountains. There is barely any cellphone reception and I look forward to going and seeing the beautiful landscapes from above. It is about an hour hike from our drop off location, but I will go into that later.

I wanted to add that I have a few past vacations I want to share on this blog as well. Hopefully I have those written in the next little while. It’s not always about going forward but sometimes reflecting on the past experiences can enhance the experience of the future.

Talk later…

Going Abroad

Readers…

I was thinking I should go into some detail about why Finland and how I ended up doing my entire Bachelor’s Degree there. In January of 2016 I decided that I wanted a change and to go back to school to get my degree. I have two Canadian College Diplomas in Business Administration and Tourism Management while attending Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario. My mother and I decided to do some research on University’s that offer a great education in Tourism. There was a really good one in Vancouver, British Columbia, but I was feeling adventurous when we stumbled on a couple in Finland that were taught in English.

Now, Finland you say, why wouldn’t you have stayed in Canada? It turns out that further into our research we discovered that Finland is globally recognized for having the highest education standards and learning techniques for their students. I also found out that there was NO tuition fee in Finland for anyone, even NON-EU citizens (This has now changed in 2017 – there is now a small fee, but still cheaper than in Canada). 

I applied online to two different schools, and found out how to apply for housing which I did as well. I did not hear anything for months so I thought to myself, I must not have gotten in. However, in April I received many emails stating that all applicants had to do an entrance exam and that I had two options; to Travel to Rovaniemi Finland and complete my exam at the school, or to drive 7 hours through the United States to Chicago Illinois and complete the exam there in a hotel with many other students.

Chicago Theatre. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

I took the chance to explore Chicago while I was there and stayed for a few days to calm my nerves before the exam. Soon I will include photos of my adventure in Chicago for you to enjoy.  I wrote the exam and thought I did okay but wasn’t 100% sure as there are many applicants each year. I received acceptance in the middle of May and had to work quickly to apply for a Finnish student visa, as I am not a citizen of the European Union. Canadians can travel to Europe for up to 3 months before needing a work or study visa.

Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

When June came along I had my appointment at the Finnish Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario. My parents and I made the 7.5-hour road trip to Ottawa two days before because again I had never traveled and seen the sights of Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. Stay tuned to this blog for photos of that adventure as well.  The meeting went well, I had all my documents (acceptance letter, private out of country health insurance, passport, confirmation of income). I had to provide them with a pre-paid envelope so they could mail me the actual card when it came in the mail. I received it well before my date of departure and was on my way on August 25, 2016 to start school on September 5, 2016.

Once I was done with the Finnish Embassy process it was time to get serious and get everything organized to be gone for a year. This was time where I had to reflect on my feelings and how hard it would be to leave my friends and family to start this new adventure. I knew I was going to be missing some events as well in the fall. But in the end you have to think of all the new friends and networks you will make in Finland, and all of the experiences you will be having that you can carry with you for life. 

I did some traveling before getting to the school in Reykjavik, Iceland and Helsinki, Finland, but I will talk about that at another time.

Talk soon…