Shenanigans around the globe

Recently my (middle) sister and I went to Basel, Switzerland for a couple nights. It's the first time we have gone away just the two of us so it was long over-due. After a turbulent flight and bumpy landing, which included almost losing my hand (she doesn't like flying) we were in Basel airport. Which is an airport with exits to three countries - France, Germany and of course Switzerland. We had a cozy studio apartment just a stroll away from the Rhine and a wee walk from the town centre. The host had left us a lovely welcome in the form of mini bounties on our pillows, so after our swift tiny snack it was time to explore and make the most of our 48 hour trip. We meandered along the river - coffee and pastry in hand - taking in the beautiful architecture and pointing out our favourite houses, passing nursery groups lead by men (a sight I've not come across before) and many joggers. All the building are in muted colours, with accentuating darker shutters and balconi

Found an old journal and within it I wrote blog style posts while on my round the world trip so I thought I'd copy them into this blog. From Vancouver we flew to Fiji. 3rd stop - Fiji Wave of heat. Clouds of mosquitoes. Nadi Bay Hotel. Celebrating New Years with a funny/sleazy kiwi man and Sna. Creepy man in room 7 who will wait for me for sexy time - American style... wonder if he's still waiting. Cocktails. Spending three hours swimming in the pool with a German guy and an Alaskan army dude. Prim and proper frogs everywhere. First bikini waxes. Cats joining us for dinner, perching behind us on our chairs. Constant dampness from sweat, sunscreen, insect repellent, pool water, seawater and rain. One lousy fan. Anti-itch cream. The ultimate lei. Being barefoot for a solid two weeks. Sunshine at Coralview. Crab races (no. 3 always wins). Drunk Australians...Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi! Playing shithead. Comparing insect bites. Lazing in hammocks eating coconut.

Found an old journal and within it I wrote blog style posts while on my round the world trip so I thought I'd copy them into this blog. From New York we flew to Vancouver to stay with family. 2nd stop - Vancouver  Starting off as "secondaries" at Newark airport, being puffed at by this walk-through machine. 35 minute journey. Family. Singing and playing the bass on Rock Band and getting 90% for both. Stupid couch - broken toe. Getting obsessed with the Twilight saga (side note: I was 17). Trudging through two foot of snow. Beautiful dead birds. Picnic on Bowen island by the lake. Chips on Grouse Mountain to escape the cold (it was -15 degrees). Dim Sum - trying chicken feet - like marbles in a slimey sack. Redeemed by garlicky fried tiny white fish. Mastering chopsticks... sort of anyway. Seeing old friends from Nepal. Sledging on bin lids at midnight down the streets of Vancouver on the first night of snow, trying (and failing) to avoid the parked cars. Being attacked by

Found an old journal and within it I wrote blog style posts while on my round the world trip so I thought I'd copy them into this blog. 1st stop - New York  Busy streets. Crowded subways. $2 hot dogs that are completely amazing, and garlicky. Twinkle of the city from the top of the Empire State Building at dusk, stretching forever. Never ending streets, sky touching tarmac in the distant horizon. Documented memories at Ellis Island. Taxi! Lemon meringue pie and root beer at 1am in an all American diner. Laughing so hard at danger fields comedy club, trying to remain unnoticed so we wouldn't get picked on by the comedians, forgotten gloves, late night chats with comedians. Fat squirrels. Yummy cheesecake. Floating pumpkins at the Macy's thanksgiving parade. Sweet sweet potato pie. Amy Ruths Cafe. Waffles bigger than your face with blueberries, bacon, whipped cream and maple syrup for breakfast. Being a ghetto chick for a week. Best shower ever. Drinking smuggled beer in the