Cape Town

Cape Town: the best week of my life. #wakawakabirthday

peaceplaypassion

(disclaimer: i use proper grammar all day err day at my job so please just excuse my laziness here k)

so! just turned 30. this may come as a shock but there was no way i was entering a new decade by staying in vancouver.

so where to go?!

there is one place that has been calling my name for the last year or so, a place that has been tugging my heart since i first went in Nov 2017. and if there’s one thing i’ve learned about myself in the last year n a half it’s that i’m not one to procrastinate my bucket list. it was time for AFRICAAAAA.

when i thought about it, Rwanda was probably the most special and unique part of #peaceplaypassion. it was definitely the place that gave me the most culture shock, and made me feel the most out of my element.

i wanted more of that. that’s the good stuff.

Rwanda was also the place that gave me my first taste of the safari bug: and that bug is ADDICTING. when i did a game drive through Akagera Park i knew that i was INSTANTLY hooked. you can look at all the pics of elephants you want online, but seeing these incredible animals up close is an experience you just can’t imagine unless it’s IRL. plus i still had to round out my Big 5 sightings, including that elusive leopard, so what choice did i have but to go back to do a proper safari?!

then there was Cape Town — a place i coined in 2017 to be my spirit city. i’ve yet to meet someone who went to Cape Town and wasn’t obsessed with it. i had such an epic time there, i think that part of my trip really changed me. it was the first place i came into my own as a solo traveller. i just met awesome friends, yoloed so hard, had a freaking blast. plus, i had as close as i’ve gotten to a spiritual experience at the top of Lion’s Head at sunrise, when i decided i didn’t know what life held for me post #peaceplaypassion, but i knew it was up to me to keep the adventure going. i just never ever want to let go of that commitment that i made at the top of that mountain.

so i knew i was going to make it back to cape town as soon as humanly possible.

when i was growing up i kinda always thought i’d be married??? by 30??? or at least in a relationship.

welp. here we are.

back to africa i go!!! lol

i did spend my actual bday with my besties in new york city, which WAS my city at the time. (till Cape Town)… what more could a girl ask for on her bday, really?

a 14.5 hour flight from JFK to Jo-burg, plus a 2-hour flight from there to Cape Town, later, i was descending on this breathtaking south african landscape and, SHOCKER, getting emosh.

i was here, back in africa, back in the motherland, the land that is shared by so many incredible animals, each with their own story to tell. i made it my goal to come back here, and here i was. badabing badaboom.

i also have never been so confident that i would have a 10/10 trip. like i was so prepared, everything was perfect, i knew i wasn’t going to screw anything up (trust me, i have in the past). i honestly had set an intention that my trip was going to be an amazing adventure and never wavered from that — that is called manifestation, friends. it works, trust me.

got to Cape Town, back to Atlantic Point Backpackers Hostel, back to falling in love with the V&A Waterfront. it is so fresh, clean, modern, vibey. the views of table mountain and lion’s head. the live musicians singing african beats. ahhhhh. i was so so so happy.

walked from there to Sea Point in literal bliss. everything was so stunning. the mist was hovering over the shore. lion’s head was towering in the background. everything was perfect.

Sunset drinks at Chinchilla rooftop in Camps Bay with my shark diving guide from last time and his gf Ana. i love how travel creates friendships like that.

next day toured the peninsula with Allie from ToursByLocals. this was all a personal trip but this one day was a work partnership and i am so blessed that all worked out. here’s the article. saw dolphins, seals, dodged the baboons at Cape Point, obsessed over the penguins at Boulders. caught the Muizenberg beach huts at sunset and it was so freaking magical.

honestly in Cape Town i felt like i was floating. it was next level. i was so happy the whole time. every person i met i was just like “hi i am so happy” like i could not shut up about it. but everyone was like “i know, i get it.”

i met new friends, drank on rooftops, caught every damn sunset. went out dancing with different people, went to Yours Truly, Asoka, Mama Africa, Tiger’s Milk, the Gin Bar, Radisson Red. popped into Sgt Pepper a couple times for old times’ sake lol. worked on my laptop in a cafe and a rooftop, got a tour of the beautiful Silo Hotel. hiked Lions Head at sunrise again and had the same sort of out-of-body experience. there is something so incredible about sunrise, especially in Cape Town — it’s all quiet, and the city is twinkling and just waking up below and all around the mountain. i get there early so the other stragglers are just making their way up to the top as the sun is coming up. it’s just more peaceful than sunset, when everyone is getting loud. i think sunrises are a secret to success that all real travellers know — this is when the magic happens. never turn down a sunrise.

i was with my new friend Xavier, from Jo-Burg, at Silo Rooftop when the bartender brought a bottle of wine and said it was for me. i was shocked, asking Xavier if she bought it cause i mentioned i was on a birthday trip. she was like nope wasnt me. apparently it was some gentleman who already left. he came back up later and we all had a drink, just one drink, then went home. he was so nice and not creepy and we all were just appreciating life and this amazing world we live in. i said i was having the best time ever in Cape Town and the universe just kept handing the good vibes right back to me.

the next morning he was already on his way to the airport when he msged me: “so not sure what you up to but can get you a helictoper excursion that takes you out along peninsula down to Cape Point and around. it’s awesome and something to tick off. it’s 4pm today. let me know” *waving emoji*

me: “lol WHAT??? how much?? … NO. STOP. no way. … honestly thank you so much but i couldn’t. that is way too crazy!!”

random stranger who i probably will never see again: “The world is crazy girl. embrace it.”

and that is how i got a free helicopter ride around the most stupidly beautiful city in the world. 

it was insane. on my bucket list ranking it came in #2 after the gorillas. probably because of the WHOLE SITUATION. like i was manifesting a sweet trip, but that was next level. i never could have seen that one coming. even my pilot was italian/french/south african, cause why wouldn’t he be? then there was champagne at the end. cause i was thirstay.

what else?

city tour with Kiff Kombi tours was awesome, went to Bo Kaap, Woodstock, got wine tipsy at Constantia. Drew was so great an invited me out with his friends who were so pretty and nice and welcoming and made me want to move there so fricken bad … … .. .

went paragliding with Marc from Fly Sky Wings, flew for like 20 minutes in the sky like a bird. we just floated. he said the winds were perfect that day. took me on a roller coaster over the water, i freaked out at the landing. it was just so amazing. something i had tried to do last time but couldn’t because of the wind, and remember how this trip everything went perfect?

strolling through Sea Point after, its beaches are white sand and its waters are icey blue (in colour, but not that warm in temp either but you know). it’s just so beautiful there. Cape Town isn’t the most safe city (you just have to follow these tips i wrote) but it is so damn liveable. just look at it.

… was going to make this post about my whole trip but you know what cape town filled’er up already! so that was what i call the best week of my life. i have had some amazing weeks, but you ask me when i’m 40 and i’ll still say that week in cape town was the happiest i’ve ever felt. i’ll match it i’m sure, but i don’t think that feeling can be beat. Rio olympics was similar (we called it #consistentfun), and for 6 months of #peaceplaypassion were pretty close to pure bliss. but this one was perfect. i need everyone to go to Cape Town and experience what i mean.

i wonder if people who live there feel like that all the time. kinda seems like they do.

ok bye stay tuned for more africa!

Uncategorized

1 year post #peaceplaypassion: a ted talk

peaceplaypassion

(quick disclaimer: i am aware of how janky this site is and please don’t judge my lack of attempt to be grammatically correct in this post. i write all day every day in my job so just let me word vomit this one out, kay?)

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Welp. One year since #peaceplaypassion. Unless you believe all my Insta photos are actually *instant* and think I am still on it.

I definitely 100% used to be one of those people who thought it was cliché to say that “travel changes you” but the reality is there’s no denying I am a different person from before my trip and I thought I would jot this down because my #peaceplaypassion self is my BEST self and honestly I never want to lose her.

In case you’re just joining now and thought i’ve actually been in bali one day, paris the next, and cape town the next, hi welcome! from november 2, 2017-may 2, 2018, i travelled around the world — parts by myself, parts meeting up with friends or surprising my family in Hawaii. here was my route:

NYC > Rwanda / Uganda > Zanzibar > Cape Town > Thailand > Bali > Gili > Borneo > Melbourne / Sydney > Byron Bay > Cairns > Bali / Komodo > El Nido > Coron > Hawaii/Kauai > Paris > London > Positano > Rome > Paris. home.

Here are the ways my trip changed me:

1) I never used to believe in the universe before.

But the way everything unfolded was just too crazy to not believe that everything worked out the way it was meant to.

I found true peace on my peace leg, played the HARDEST every damn night of my play leg, and literally fell in love in Paris on my passion leg, k.

While I was gone, I lost my job and my apartment, and then I came home to my dream version of each. Talk about a manifestation. After this stuff went down on my trip I really became a dreamer, started to imagine what if I could dream bigger, live a life I never knew was possible, be one of those people who I always looked at and say they lucked out.

I spent my entire trip living my BEST life, putting out good vibes, being excited to meet with people and connect with them and visiting my best friends around the world. The universe met me back with all that. it was actually perfect.

It was 1 month into ppp, I was FREAKING OUT that it would all be over soon and I would have to go back to reality and this incredible journey would come crashing down. Then I was standing at the top of Lion’s Head in Cape Town, (where I will be back in TEN DAYS omg), and I had a revelation that yes #peaceplaypassion would eventually end, but it was up to me to keep the adventure goin’. And everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to and I am determined to stay true to this for the rest of my life. if there’s one thing ppp taught me, it’s that there is more to life than being comfortable — follow the magic, people. follow the adventure.

2) I am much lower maintenance than I was before my trip.

My standards for living my best life are higher, but my standards for “budget travelling” are lower. I will sleep in the cheapest hostel in the dorm with the most beds. I don’t wear any jewelry anymore since my trip, only my “P” necklace that I got on the #pregame. When Tam met me in the Philippines on month 4.5 and we crammed into a tricycle and then a 6 hour bus ride i was like KAPE LEGGO, and he was like … you’ve changed. I definitely would have put up a fuss before, but now it’s all part of the adventure.

I’ve gotten to taste insane luxury, and TRUST ME I WOULD OPT FOR THIS DUH, but it is way more important to me to make the most of my adventure and I don’t need five stars to do it. (I do need safe and semi-clean, but I mean I’m not a barbarian.)

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3) I know MYSELF.

i decided to go on ppp on my 28th birthday because i was single, winters in vancouver are depressing, and i was craving a lil adventure. most of my happiness used to be dependent on my relationship status, and i wasn’t feeling that for my 28th year. because that is not in my own hands. so i decided to take my happiness into my own hands and make sure 28 was a kick ass year, on my own terms.

I can say now that i am stronger, I am more sure of who I am as a person. I know that I can make lemons out of lemonade and I know how to make myself have a good time. Solo travelling teaches you so much about yourself and it’s empowering, challenging, and a freakin’ blast.

I never knew adventure before this trip, I was too scared. 3 years ago I didn’t even want to travel to Thailand cause I was like ew, long bus rides.

now I will say “no” to nothing, and it has taken me from gorilla trekking, to shark diving, to scuba diving, to dancing everywhere possible, to backpacking across six continents BY MYSELF. I know myself better than ever and as my mom says, i haven’t met my guy yet because I haven’t been ready for him yet. Look at my past year and a half — as if I would have let a boyfriend slow me down through all of that!

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Turning 30 in 7 days, going to my favourite city with my best friends, then my spirit city, and then on what might just be my most epic adventure yet. My soul is so ready for this and I can’t wait till #peaceplaypassion Kellie comes back out to play. and peace and pash.

Alexa, play #wakawakabday by Shakira!!!

Pregame

peace play passion – 3 things we could all use some more of!

peaceplaypassion

(originally posted on October 31, 2017)

the next 6 months are inspired by a couple of my life’s mottos: “the world is my oyster” and “yolo”. i will be living this adventure to the absolute fullest, saying “no” to nothing, and frolicking my way across the globe. the plan is to break up my time into 3 main themes (eat pray love style): peace, play, and passion. i have a few commitments that i will for sure be hitting up (cough – Macklemore concert in Melbourne) but other than that, basically down to go wherever the wind takes me!

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Peace – Rwanda

my bestie Tommy lives here with his sister Christine, who is launching a coffee business called goss coffee. they say the lifestyle there is very peaceful, very easy, the people are lovely despite a very recent unpeaceful past. Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills and the landscape looks beautiful and lush. i can’t wait to soak it all up, see what Tommy and Christine have been up to, read my book on their hammock, explore, and you better believe i am yoloing on a gorilla trek. i can’t freakin wait.

Play – Southeast Asia & Australia

i have a pet peeve of the cliche se asia trip (wow you went to a full moon party, you are so cultured tell me more) but i figured might as well see what the fuss is about! i don’t have much of a plan but i am thinking of frolicking on the beaches of Thailand, getting my diving license, meeting lots of new friends. Christie is having the world’s most epic bachelorette (aka Borchelorette) in Bali which is #1 on my bucket list, so that will be a BLAST and will wrap up Asia in early-mid Jan.

then it’s off to Melbourne where 2 of my funniest friends live (like, my 2 friends who make me lol to tears), Dan and Andrew. the lols will be a huge contribution to this Play leg, and it will be nice to be in a clean, normal, Vancouver-esque city after a few months of backpacking.

Passion – Paris

my goal has always been to live in Paris before i turn 30. it is my favourite city, as anyone who has been to my apartment will be able to tell you (based off of my Eiffel Tower-shaped cheese grater, soap dispensers x2, Paris pillow, etc etc). i have been to Paris three times but only for short visits, and i really want to experience life as a Parisian and learn the ins and outs of the city. basically i want to live the life of my fave blogger, parisinfourmonths.

the ish with moving to Paris is, i love my life in Vancouver – my family is nearby, i love my job, love my apartment in Kits, love my FiFi. i also have a maj travel bug that i wasn’t sure posting up in one city would fix. so i thought this ppp project would be a nice happy medium between getting to live abroad, but splitting the trip between a few places, scratching that travel itch, and getting away for a decent chunk of time with 6 months.

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why did i decide to do this? 2 main reasons:

  1. guaranteed happiness

on my 28th bday i was pondering the year ahead and how to make it a great one. Raincouver can get a wee bit depressing in the winter especially when you’re single. i’m certainly not getting any younger but instead of spending this year hoping to find happiness through meeting someone (which i have no control over), i have decided to take my happiness into my own hands and make sure this year is a 12/10 on my own terms. which for me, is done through travel!!

  1. getting out of my comfort zone

last summer i went to Rio for the Olympics, but i don’t think i would have made the trip over if it weren’t for Martha swimming. all i heard was Rio was sketchy and Zika-infested – i basically went fully expecting to get mugged. but i ended up having the time of my LIFE, and fell in love with the city. after that everywhere else in the world was calling me with open arms.

when i was first contemplating ppp my bff Tom reminded me of when him and Tommy rented scooters in Hvar, Croatia, but i just wanted to stay back and beach it. this may have had something to do with the last time i was on a scooter, which resulted in me driving into prickle bushes in Puerto Vallarta (lol sorry mom). but they made me come along on a scoot ride and it was the most glorious sunset ride through the cliffs of Croatia, complete with a delicious dinner at a little town called Stari Grad. i was so glad they forced me to come. so it’s settled, stepping out of your comfort zone does pay off!!

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Tom set up this website, so i am going to try keeping a travel journal mainly to have all my memories of the trip in one place instead of burying them down my insta feed. in case anyone cares to follow along and read, i want to send a few shout outs – to my mom for not only tolerating but encouraging me to go on a crazy adventure even though i know she’s scared i will maybe yolo a bit TOO hard; my whole fam including Barney and Keira who i am going to miss sosososo much; to my friends for the love and well wishes; my Talk Shop fam for letting me be a Millennial and come home to a job with all my beloved colleagues; and anyone that has ever yoloed/moved abroad/followed their dreams and stepped out of their comfort zone, for inspiring me to dive headfirst into this adventure.

thanks for reading!! ❤

Passion

post ppp

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So the post-travel depression is real. I cried when the plane took off in London (was ½ the price to fly out of Gatwick so I trained there from Paris) and then shed a few more as we landed. It probably didn’t help that I was listening to the song of my trip, Never Be The Same – Camila Cabello, like I am aware I will probably tear up every time I listen to that now. The MEMS. I walked through customs and the guy was going through my passport and was like “so you happy to be home?” I was like NOPE.

 

At least Barney was very excited to see me. And my parents left his hair long so he would be cute when I saw him at the airport (it’s now cut and things are very awkward).

 

I think I spent a full day crying on the couch. Like my life is kinda in shambles. But that’s normal after a long trip. Honestly I am excited for what’s next. WHATEVER that is. I just had my 29th bday, and on my 28th was the day I decided I was going to go on peace play pash. I was like “I could either sit at home being content and maybe a bit lonely this year, or I can make SURE 28 is a kick-ass year.” For me, self-induced happiness is best achieved through travelling. Enter ppp!!

 

I’ve decided the same about my 29th year. Going to be a kick-ass one.

 

😀

 

Just a couple things I noticed about being back in Vancouver. Despite my best efforts to resist, it IS SO BEAUTIFUL HERE. Of course the mountains and the fresh air and the cleanliness are all shining through, and it definitely helps that the weather is gorg. Coming home to a rainy Vancouver would have been a surefire contributor to my deep dark hole of post-travel depression.

 

(Oh I just wanted to say that in case anyone is reading this and is comparing to my previous posts and wondering how I suddenly learned proper grammar and capitalization – I’m typing this on a laptop instead of my phone and it auto-corrects. As Dan said “I write how I talk” so that explains any abbrevs or colloquialisms in my posts.)

 

Okay so the things I noticed.

 

I can wear my purse sitting behind my hip and not in front and clutching it with both hands, like I have been doing in other cities for the past 6 months

One guy was walking towards me from like 3 metres away and was like “OH SORRY” as if he was going to run into me. Like hunny you weren’t even close. But “sorry” right back atcha.

I realized how many friends I have here who I am genuinely excited to see and vice versa. This has been awesome. ❤

There was a marathon and EVERYONE was cheering EVERYONE on from the sidelines lol. The runners had name tags so the spectators were like “GO KAREN! GO DAVID! YOU CAN DO IT! JUST ONE MORE HILL!” … DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD EVER HAPPEN IN PARIS LOL??? They would be lucky if they got a round of applause. So Canadian.

Other than that I think I just noticed how everyone is living their perfect little lives here. Everyone is walking around Yaletown with their little French bulldogs and drinking their green juice. I remember when my biggest struggle in life was that I wanted to have a parking spot right at my office, instead of having to park 10 minutes away and then walk. It’s just a funny little life we live here in Vancouver. Just sayin’.

 

Okay that’s the gist of it for now. Bye friends!!

Passion

Paris recos

peaceplaypassion

Paris recos

as a wide-eyed, Paris-obsessed tourist, my mish was to learn the city inside and out. see map for flags marking the places i wanted to check out (i went to most of them!).. you could say i was busy in Paris!

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so here is a lil guide to Paris by MOI!!

where to stay:

– the “centre” is Notre Dame so anything around that is coo

– Saint Germain des Pres is the typical Paris from the movies, beautiful clean streets with cafes, where all the old artists/writers hung out. quite touristy because of this

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– Le Marais is kinda the new St Germain – very cute, great shopping, super central. tourists think it’s more authentic but locals still think it’s touristy. a speakeasy hotspot!!

– Republique/Oberkampf: this is where more of the locals live, accom is more affordable. awesome bars around here. we stayed in Belleville nearby.

– Bastille – love this hood, lots of cute bars and restaurants. International Youth Hostel is dece enough and cheap. you have to leave the rooms from 11-3 though, kinda weird

– Montmartre: very cute winding hilly streets, lots of bars around Moulin Rouge (also hookers, so whatever you’re into), beautiful white cathedral Sacre Coeur. typically cheaper hostels because it’s further north. but still walkable to the main stuff. Monclair Montmartre is a good hostel!

– around Champs Elysees/ Arc de Triomphe – BJV Champs Elysees Monceau hostel is well located, right by Parc Monceau which is so cute. from this area over to the Eiffel Tower are high end hotels and shops, worth a stroll if you’re feelin boujee.

– my ideal area to stroll around (and stay, if i should be so lucky) is still the classic Place de la Concorde/Tuileries Gardens/the Louvre. obv very touristy and expensive but so so perfect and and Paris and beautiful

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bars:

– speakeasies: Little Red Door, Candelaria, the Ballroom, Moonshiner (go through the pizza place). i think Experimental Cocktail Bar was my fave one, and Jefrey’s right across the street is cute too. also Lavomatic is through a laundromat, that one’s still on my list!

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– Mary Celeste is near the speakeasies and is a good cocktail bar

– Le Syndicat, Mauri7, Chez Jeanette are right beside each other. Le Syndicat is a cocktail bar, kiiinda a speakeasy? and the other 2 are more chill Paris pubs where everyone spills out onto the street drinking

– best place to dance: O’Sullivans Grand Boulevard! great stair dancing. big party area, can also go to Corocan’s. i tried to go to a club called Silencio and the bouncer said “you are not invited here” LOL

– Rex Club if you are into doing many drugs and bobbing to dj shows till 7am

– Dirty Dick or Glass are some grungy/packed bars near Moulin Rouge

– if you’re feeling fancy/like spending a lot of money: through the front door of the Ritz go to Hemingway Bar (casual 30 euro cocktails but cool to be in Hemingway’s old stomping ground) and there’s Ritz Bar too with a much more affordable 24 euro cocktail menu. there’s also Le Rooftop near Champs Elysees with amazzzeee Eiffel Tower views

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– Jacopo is nearby Le Rooftop/Champs Elysees, very young cool vibe. i just popped in but wanted to come back!

– Chez Georges an underground wine cellar in St Germain, fun lil dance floor

jazz:

– my go-tos: 38 riv, baiser salé (go upstairs).

– Caveau de la Hutchette is really cool and is in an old court and torture chamber.

– also Caveau des Oubliettes in Saint Michel, was super crowded, upbeat funk jazz which was cool

to do:

– walk this route: Notre Dame, along the Seine to the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde. note the mirror imaging of the city design: the Arc de Triomphe leads directly down the Champs Elysees to the little arc by the Louvre. also when you’re standing in the Place de la Concorde, see the pillared building on one side and its mirror image across the bridge. LOVE this. continue down the Seine, admire Pont Alexandre III bridge, and straight down to the Eiffel Tower. good photo opps of the tower across the river at Palais de Chaillot.

– if it’s spring, go to Parc de Sceaux for a cherry blossom paradise. 45 mins by RER train from Gare du Nord

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– ballet tickets are only 10 euro if you go to the box office 1 hour before the show. views will suck but it’s worth it to be inside the stunning Palais Garnier

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– shopping: Le Marais, Rue de Rivoli, St Germain, Champs Elysees if you’re fancy. Galeries Lafayette is a big mall with stained glass ceilings

– museums if you’re into that: go visit Mona at the Louvre or see modern art at Musee d’Orsay

– go check out the Pantheon, Place de la Contrescarpe, and the adorbs Rue Mouffetard. don’t make the mistake of eating before you hit this street like i did, because you will want to get some treats

– obviously just sit at all the terraces and drink a coffee or wine, depending on time of day. you get to decide the time.

to eat:

– breakfast: be one with the Parisians and have a coffee and maaaybe throw in a croissant. but i did have a delish real brunch at Benedict in Le Marais and Passager in Bastille (the bagel sammys)

– literally just to-go crepes and baguettes. not overrated.

– obv cheese plates

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– Wild & the Moon or Lemon were good healthy food spots

– Pizzeria Popolare of Big Mamma group has the most deeelish 5 euro magherita pizza, and that’s comin from someone who was just eating her face off in Italy. and a peach spritz. the restaurant is so cool, with floor-to-ceiling bottles decking out the windows. there will be a line up down the block so prepare to wait

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– kebabs/falafels are a must-have drunken snack. sober works fine too.

– OBVIOUSLY go to Ladurée for a macaron or other treat

cute parks:

– Parisians are all about their parks.

– people flock to Place des Vosges in Le Marais

– Buttes-Chaumont is a big one that reminded me of central park

– Parc Monceau is so pretty and posh, near Champs Elysees

– Luxembourg is beautiful, lots of locals doing their thing

– nothing will beat Tuileries Garden for me. it’s so pristine and perfect. the Eiffel Tower view, perfectly manicured gardens, white sculptures, fountains surrounded by everyone lounging in the green chairs. par-fait.

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that’s all i got for now but i thiiiink i’m probably missing some so guess i’ll just have to go back??

Paris, Passion

next stop, yvr

peaceplaypassion

i’m on the plane to yvr. i hate this fricken flight. westjet doesnt give you a free meal on a 9.5 hour flight. there are no screens, only ipads for rent. i feel like SUCH a rookie for not downloading the westjet app when i had wifi so i could watch shows on my phone. i just finished my book. the old man beside me smells and is illegally drinking his duty free alcohol. i dont have a window seat. i just want to sleep but i cant sleep without a window to lean on.

 

lol have you guys ever heard me so bitter? THE HONEYMOON’S OVER PEOPLE.

 

i definitely cried when we were taking off. i’m not ready for my adventure to end. i thought i was a couple weeks ago but i’m not.

 

i’m just feeling allll the feelings. i know when i get back i will have to face reality. i dont want to. i know this trip is going to feel like a dream in just a couple days.

 

i sound like a brat but trust me i am aware how lucky i am to have had the best 6 months humanly possible.

 

really the #1 thing i feel is gratitude. how did everything happen so so so perfectly on this trip? it wasn’t without some very very expensive/unpleasant hiccups, but i guess overall those things are really what made it perfect. how cliche of me is it to say everything happened for a reason… the challenges are what made me feel the strongest. but really i just had the best trip.

 

i am going to go home and just absorb it. go through photos, read my blog posts, soak it in. i think my 3 fave places were Cape Town, Bali and Paris. peace play pash. honourable mention to Rwanda for having such a special place in my heart, Komodo for being so off-the-beaten-path-endearing, and Positano for being heart-stoppingly gorgeous.

 

but who knows, maybe once i am home and reflecting i will have different faves.

 

know what’s been really fun this trip? feeling INSPIRED. dreaming of writing a book, or travelling more, or living in a faraway land, or something magical happening. i feel like the universe has done some interesting things to me on this trip. like i feel like i’m cheesier than i was before i left. i used to get sewww annoyed when people say things like “everything happens for a reason”, and NOW LISTEN TO ME. there are some songs i listen to from my trip that make be feel like my heart is going to explode. they mean so much. it’s fun to dream. it’s been so fun to have conversations with people about this through my whole trip, people who feel the same.

 

my favourite quote is “i don’t know where i’m going from here, but i promise it won’t be boring.”

 

going to leave this with a copy and paste this from my insta post:

 

—

 

6 months. 15 countries. a gazillion emotions. most of all, i am so so grateful.

🥂

⟡ to my family for being the best ever. obv it was especially tough for my mom, Keira & Barney. thank you for getting me out of several sticky sitches & having my back unconditionally.

⟡ to my bestest friends who joined me for some ppp fun: @carmenang_ x2 @tombalakshin @christiejeks & who welcomed me into their homes: @tommygossland @thegreatgoss @danielcolangelo1990. i think i am the luckiest girl in the world to have shared this experience with you guys.

⟡ to the friends i was able to cross paths with along the way, @courtneybowman14 @lauren_abennett @mslindanguyen the #borchelorette girls & #borchelor boys @brittaneya @kittypawtterson @rbrianne3 @sai_onara6.

⟡ to the new friends who inspired me, looked out for me, danced with me. just a couple shout outs to @jenstuart.xo @erickuzabakiriho @evanlesh @robbielevin @gesjo738 @princerelevi @andrewdxo @derektia @felipealv24 @beingbeccaaa @mikkel.aragon @apollolara @mmfgonzalez @mark.w009 @tkarlsson_.

⟡ to my friends & long lost acquaintances who sent me the sweetest messages from home & who loyally liked my excessive instas. i swear i was holding back guys.

⟡ to those who had doubts about me travelling some of these places as a solo girl, for letting me prove you wrong.

⟡ to the boys (& a couple girls) who bought me drinks which i shamelessly accepted due to my dwindling budget.

⟡ to my liver, the real ppp mvp. sorry about that.

⟡ to the wild animals in what turned into my global safari. 🦍🐘🦒🐢🦈🐉🐠🐨🦁🦗

⟡ to @camila_cabello for my ppp anthem & @macklemore for making 2 guest appearances. ps why havent you opened your dms.

⟡ to my Parisian Nick Miller @plmrvn_ondms for letting me live in a dream.

⟡ to all the locals in this crazy, fascinating, beautiful world. from Africa to SE Asia to Australia, back to SE Asia, Hawaii & Europe, thank you for showing me life outside of my lil Vancouver bubble.

i am so so so excited to keep #peaceplaypassion-ing my way through life. i just love everyone & everywhere.

grateful.

next stop, yvr ✈️

 

—

Paris, Passion

Paris. home stretch.

peaceplaypassion

 

in Paris i started the month with a life of insane luxury at the Ritz with Court, bonding over good vibes and a love for all things french.

then i had Paris hostel life, where my new gay best friend Levi and i frolicked around Paris dancing and talking about boys (more him than me, lol) and having photoshoots.

then there was the Paris nightlife version, where my shimmy sister Carmy and i walked all over the city, drank vodka in our airbnb for midgets, and went speakeasy hopping and dancing into the wee hours of the night.

my final home stretch in Paris was a Parisian fairytale. i got to experience what it’s like to be one of the starry-eyed Parisian lovebirds, floating around the city and going on dates filled with wine, jazz, new English/French words, Eiffel Tower views, rendezvous with local musicians, and the kind of conversations about life that you never want to end but also can’t wait till the next topic.

i don’t know what will happen with that but i am writing about it because even if everything goes to shit and we never speak again, i will always be grateful for that Parisian fairytale that i somehow got to live. this trip is all about me which has been PERFECT, but i never dreamed of ending it with that kind of cherry on top. if it weren’t for my Parisian fairytale i’m sure i would have been a ball of anxiety for a week while my trip came to an end. i felt so much respect for me and my trip. it was a dream while i was in it anyway so if that’s all it was meant to be, i’m totally okay with that.

may feel differently in a week lol but that’s where i’ve been and that’s where i’m at!

here’s a summary of my last week:

– amazing dancers “les autres” at Palais de Chaillot with Eiffel Tower backdrop

– getting wine tipsy by myself with the French Jimmy Fallon as my server, and using the free snacks as a free dinner hack

– Parc de Sceaux – omg EVERYONE GO HERE it is a pink cherry blossom PARADISE!!!

– stayed at CV Hostel near Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe and explored that luxurious neighbourhood, Carrie Bradshaw’s Parisian crib Plaza Athenée, the beautiful Parc Monceau where i dreamed of going for runs in my local neighbourhood park

– the most delicious 5 euro pizza and 1 hour line at Popolare. this is the best, everyone go here.

– jazz at 38 Riv, caveau des oubliettes and Quartier Rouge

– wine along the Seine. it sounds crazy but that was really all that was left on my Paris bucket list.

– cutest French bar Pamela Popo

– Le Rooftop bar – amazing Eiffel Tower view

– Irish sports bar Cork and Cavan for the game. dont ask me who played.

– golden hour at Tuileries Garden

– a wee bit of shopping in Le Marais – perfume and lingerie because Paris and retail therapy

– crepes, croissants, french onion soup, and did i mention wine

– my last night, i was in bed a bit sick. until i got a text and met with Timothee and Hugo who i met in nyc for many drinks at midnight at Mary Celeste. because YOLO PEACE PLAY PASSION YOU CAN SLEEP WHEN YOU’RE DEAD. ppp bookends.

finished off the passion leg by myself with my favourite activity, strolling around the city for hours. Paris. you are all i ever dreamed of and more. i’m so glad i don’t have to get rid of literally all my home decor.

Paris, Passion

couple rando notes from Paree

peaceplaypassion

okay it’s my third day back in Paris and i just wanted to share some thoughts lol. i think these are inside jokes with myself so people, feel free to skip this one 😉

 

i LOVEOVELOVE when people talk to me in French cause THEY THINK I’M FRENCH. LIKE THAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT

 

last night after i had only free appies for dinner with my wine, i obviously got a drunken cheeseburger (2 euros so it’s fine) and the guy said he didnt think i was a tourist. so flattered burger guy, merci

 

i am just strolling down the Champs Elysees and went into Cartier to browse at the life i will never afford. when i was leaving the doorman said something to me in French (no idea what it was) and i was like YES I HAVE MADE IT.

 

was also looollling at what Levi said to me when i was first in Paris and he was making my Tinder profile. (he has lots of experience, but the Grindr version lol) i wanted a chill adventurous pic like my gorilla pic, to weed out the pretentious douche bags. Levi was like “you dont have any classy photos” and i was like “no i dont want a classy guy” and he was like “NO YOU NEED MONEY GIRL” looolll

 

i turned on Tinder while i’m here to like make some friends and it has been VERY entertaining. Parisian men. v forward. i did meet a jazz musician (drummer) for some wine, and then some more wine. he was the non douchey type of Parisian and it was fun 🙂

 

 

also another thing Levi and i chatted abput – to sound Parisian you just have to mumble the words to master the accent. i love walking around saying “bonsoir bonsoir” pretending i’m french.

 

okay this post is already backlogged so just gonna publish now, bye!!! love from paree!!!

Passion, Rome

ROMA <3

peaceplaypassion

i loved Rome since i first came with contiki in 2012. i love the winding cobblestone streets with mopeds haphazardly parked on them, the pastel red/yellow/orange colour scheme, how you will just turn a corner and find a beautiful grand piece of architecture that in Vancouver would be the nicest building in the city but in Rome it’s like meh. i love the classic tourist attractions – Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Forum, Spanish Steps. not overrated. i fell in love with Piazza Navona at sunset. the street musicians and ambiance are everything in Rome ❤

 

and dont even get me started on the food. i am literally eating gelato before noon, pizza or pasta for lunch, and vice versa for dinner. somehow in Italy i drink prosecco too – who knew? just using the excuse “when in Rome” for every part of my diet here.

 

also, psa – i realized that the 2 inanimate objects i miss most from home are my fifi (fiat) and (panago) pizza. guess i’ve always been Italian at heart?? ❤

 

i have done the major touristy stuff already so am literally just strolling the streets and eating/drinking here. my step count is topping the charts.

 

i am hitting up all my girl @parisinfourmonths Rome recos. obsessed with the speakeasy Club Derriere and the bartender who looks like Ozzy from Survivor (side note – contemplating writing a speakeasy guide to Europe, is there a market for this plz lemme know). you enter through a wardrobe – v narnia. also love Miguel in the restaurant entry to Club Derriere, called Osteria delle Coppelle. great carbonara.

 

tried to go to another speakeasy Jerry Thomas but they charge a 5 euro annual “membership fee” and cocktails were 15 each. k no see ya.

 

loved the pasta at Da Francesco and having a drink at Bar del Fico to Drake & other rap music. like i neeeed this music.

 

obsessed with the cute lil hood Trasevere!!! had never been there before. it’s just the cutest hidden alleys with terraces, colour scheme on point.

 

also Villa Borghese is a magical park where i suntanned and read (single state of mind- andi dorfman). there is an adorbs pond with boats that you row in like a scene out of the notebook.

 

current p a s s i o n soundtrack:

– nice for what – drake (obsessed)

– love – kendrick

– psycho – post malone

– look alive – blocboy ft drake

– guatemala – swae lee

– say something – jt

– gods plan – drake

– basically every drake song ok

– loyalty – kendrick riri

– nevermind – dennis lloyd

 

funny things about Rome:

– there are signs directing you to the nearest McDonalds, everywhere, like more than any other sign

– cars think they are people and are always driving on sidewalks

– men are EXTREMELY forward. like within my first 10 mins of strolling 2 had asked to take my picture. one was walking alongside me for like 5 mins and could not take a hint. they have z e r o shame

– one of the locals was telling me there are only 2 underground metros because Rome is actually built on layers of cities under the surface that can’t be be touched. guess that’s what happens when you’ve been around 2,000+ years?

– when it gets warm out, the locals all pile onto outdoor squares and drink. i went to one of these in Monti, near the Colosseum

 

Rome felt a wee bit lonely sometimes cause i didn’t really meet any quality peeps to hang out with (euro is harder than se asia cause everyone’s out sightseeing), and everyone in Rome is just in the loveiest love. was mostly solo frolicking. however this trip is not ABOUT being lonely so that being said, the city was an AMAZING companion – most days i was just getting butterflies from how cute the streets are. the streets of Rome were my date lol.

 

i stayed at Hostel Alessandro Downtown near Termini station which was great for me, but would recommend staying near the center if possible. you can do this route by foot in a day: colosseum, the forum, city hall, piazza navona, trevi fountain, spanish steps. tip: enter the colosseum through the forum or Palatine Hill entrance to skip the line.

 

visit villa borghese and trasevere if you have time!! and the Aventine Keyhole where you can view the Vatican through a little keyhole.

 

i also checked out a little fairytail street called Quartiere Coppede which was super cute, non touristy but a bit out of the way.

 

starting to feel ready to come home. i think your subconscious prepares you for the end of a trip. i miss having a home base and like i miss cuddling with Barney.

 

however – i know that post ppp i will be crawling into a deep dark hole of depression SO just soaking it up while i can. one more stop left…