peaceplaypassion-blog

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

(originally posted on October 31, 2017)

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

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:

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!!

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!! <3

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

post ppp

So the post-travel depression is real. I cried when the plane took off in London (was 1/2 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.

:D

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. <3

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!!

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

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!

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

- 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

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!

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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.

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

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

next stop, yvr

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 ✈️

—

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

Paris. home stretch.

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.

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

couple rando notes from Paree

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!!!

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

ROMA <3

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 <3

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?? <3

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...

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

P o s i t a n o

arrived in Positano and it is literally a dream. i have butterflies. i was staring at the cliff and thought my eyes were deceiving me cause it does NOT LOOK REAL.

this was the last major place on my euro bucket list, maybe only Cappadocia in Turkey is left (although i would obv go anywhere if given the option, let’s not kid ourselves). i have wanted to come ever since i pinned its photo on my “to-go” board on Pinterest like 5 years ago, so of course for my “passion” leg i had to slot’er in!!

flew into Naples, then it’s an easy 2-bus route to Sorrento and then Positano. you just hop on at the airport. i am staying at Hostel Brikette which is a lil pricey for a hostel but it’s the only hostel in Positano and the view is breathtaking!!

my first eve i was wandering around in a daze just taking pics of everything in awe. i met locals Lorenzo, Vito, Ricardo, who took me to a fave beach, got me a limoncello and drove me home on their scooter. i love Italian accents they literally are like “spagHETTi carbonARa”. they work at a family clothing store, run an air bnb, and run the tour boats to Capri and live a simple life of making spagHETTi with their FAMily and walking in barefeet. all the locals know each other, like literally all of them. it is so so precious.

i went on a kayak with Lorenzo, checked out the “air bnb” (castle) built into the cliff where riri stays when she comes, and a cave.

was strolling around planning on an early night when Katie from australia and Luigi from here pulled me over to their table for a limoncello spritz. this led to another limoncello spritz, lots of wine and a second dinner with Luigi and Nicola lol. yolo.

i am learning that the locals are VERY friendly and they looove to hang out. for extended periods of time.

i had a beach day but am dyyying to come here in the summer. the beach will be so so adorable with all the blue circle umbrellas and boats dotting the water. also Katie tells me the beach bar scene “goes off” in the summer.

i got a really good taste for the local lifestyle while i was here; each night i somehow found myself sitting at a table with 2 or 3 italian men, sipping wine or limoncellos. i went to a local’s bday party on my last night and got flashbacks of Jersey Shore. they gave me a giant takeaway pizza which i trekked up the gazillion stairs with, handing out to locals along the way. Christian said next time i come i can stay for free in his hotel and YOU BETTER BELIEVE I’M GONNA HOLD HIM TO THAT.

i think Positano is the most instagrammable place on planet earth. there are lilacs everywhere, the cutest alleys and doorways. in the evenings the clouds form around the hilltops and look all moody and majestic.

i am leaving here with very defined calves. stairs FOR DAYS. the locals love to say “when iiii was young, i used to climb these steps 3, 4, 10 times a day”. it’s like how my parents say they used to trek to school in a few feet of snow lol.

i feel like my heart physically hurts to leave Positano. it’s weird. i felt this way leaving Bali too. i think it’s cause i have this desperate need to come back but i don’t know when i’ll be able to. there’s so much left in the world still to see before i can make any repeats.

but anyway, grateful to have made it this time. the show must go on!! ciao bellas!

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

London - friieeends!!

popped over to London and got some quality time with long lost friends (basically former talk shoppers)!!

i took the Eurolines bus which was cheap but kinda long/a pain. had to get out for France and UK border securities, go through the underwater train, etc.

spent a night at Lauren’s beautiful home in the countryside and had a delish British meal, hung out with her adorable 3-year-old twins Harvey and Sebastian and baby Eva (they were literally quoting “Charlie bit me” and i was DY ING), drove around Kent and other cute neighbourhoods, had a real British high tea. so presh and SO good to see Lauren, who i am convinced is superwoman.

i headed to a hostel in Clapham and at first i am a bit grumpy in London because i miss Paris and it’s cold as balls and expensive and a lot of public transit. teehee.

spent a night on my own and bar hopped in shoreditch - loved this one you enter through a fridge in Breakfast Club, you have to give the password “i’m here to see the mayor of scaredy cat town”. so official.

met Britt for lunch at Oxford Circus, so happy to see her she is doing so so good <3 met up with Carmen and Evs, walked around to Covent Garden, Big Ben under construction, a real British pub pie in Soho.

Carmen Katie and i had (a lot of) drinks at Britt’s place in Vauxhall, then Carmy and i went for a late-night dance to Drake etc at Rumba. sooo fun but we’re confused why London isnt like Paris and clubs close at 3??

cute lunch at Aubaine with the lilacs and Italian waiter/my future husband, then strolled through Hyde Park and Notting Hill. all SUPER adorbs.

i keep getting flashes of scenes from Love Actually in London and am actually missing Christmas a lot! remind me not to skip it next year.

our last night we went out on Northcote Rd in Clapham, danced at Adventure Bar. love those girls, was so good to be reunited!!

off i go on a bus, train, flight, bus, bus to Positano. left at 3am with zero sleep. traveling, amiright?

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

p a s s i o n

i’ve been in Paris for just over a week now. it’s such a trip that this is my last month of travelling!! like where has the time gone, but also it feels like a million years since i’ve been home?? peeps always say you come home from a trip and it’s like nothing’s changed, but actually i feel like a lot has changed for me. what bums me out is the things that haven’t changed and they should, like if people are unhappy or in a dead end relationship or job. i wasn’t in either of those things - i actually loved my life - but this trip has just made me such a strong believer that if you aren’t genuinely happy with your life, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. you only have yourself to blame if you’re not livin a 10/10. my trip has been so incredible and it feels so good to be independently happy. i just want everyone to pick their passion (or their peace, or their play) and do that. NO SETTLING. OKAY??? okay.

i’ve been to Paris 3x before but only for like 3 days each time. this leg is about soaking in these butterflies in the city that i love (as evidenced by my Eiffel Tower cheese grater, soap dispenser x2, pillows, etc) and learning it inside out. past the Eiffel Tower and Tuileries Garden (although still some classic faves) i want to explore every arrondissement, get to know the locals, eat a croissant every day (so far, success), brush up on my francais. i want to take my time and have cafés on terraces, and read my book in the park. when i first came in 2012 i saw a girl reading on those Parisian green chairs in the Tuileries Garden and i thought, i want her life.

this was me yesterday - dreams do come true guys:

so far my Parisian life has been in 3 parts.

1. the Ritz

Courtney and i met at Tara’s stagette a few years ago (which i randonly crashed in Vegas) and we’ve only hung out a couple times but we both love Paris and positivity. good vibes. i am so happy she reached out and was able to meet me in Paris. for various reasons lol but i can’t wait to reunite when i’m back in Van!!

by some insane stroke of platonic luck we were treated to staying at the most gorgeous hotel in the freaking world. the Ritz Paris. i arrived after 24 hours (or 48, however you wanna look at it) at 1am, down $800, flight delayed, bag lost in Moscow, tears streaming down my face. walk into the Ritz like this. somehow i am in the Ritz, the Eiffel Tower is effing SPARKLING FROM OUR BALCONY and i put on the coziest peach robe because i have no clothes, and all will be okay.

that was a lot.

the Ritz has gold swans for faucets, a heated towel rack, everything is fluffy and peach (it was used to compliment their pale skin back in the day), a dreamy Parisian terrace, a bed that was fit for Marie Antoinette. THE STAFF IS INSANELY NICE. shout out to Greta for being an absolute doll on the phone and Johan for calling Air France every 15 mins to get my bag, and rolling his eyes and saying “The French”. i think we are bff but for some reason he didn’t invite me to stay longer.

The history here is insane. Coco Chanel lived there for 33 years, as she started up Chanel just down the street. Hemingway lived here and frequented the bar at the back of the hotel. (if those walls could talk..) Emma Watson stays here, David Beckham.. as we were there so was the King of Morocco. casual. same.

Court and i got coffee and croissants, had some good life talks (reminds me of my time with Christine in Rwanda), strolled through the Tuileries Garden and down the Seine, to Pont Alexandre iii, reemed out Air France lol, stopped at the Champs Elysses. had a nap because jet lag was killing me and the bed is essentially a cloud.

woke up and drank wine and frolicked on the bed. that place is a fairytale. stopped by Hemingway Bar for a 30 euro cocktail (thats approx $47 cad. NOT in budge. not even close. but treat yoself, yolo, hemingway, free appies, the experience, etc etc.). pranced over to Place de la Concorde for the most magical sunset with the Eiffel Tower as backdrop. living in a dream.

2. hostel life

i literally almost shed a tear when i checked out of the Ritz and transitioned back to hostel life.

but then i met my new gay best friend Levi from Indonesia/Colombia/Africa and our room was cute and we frolicked all over Paris together.

bought 3 euro wine, dodged a bar owner whose wife is due in 2 days but apparently he loves me (Parisians i tell ya), met new friends in Montmartre and then went dancing at Corocan’s Irish Pub. were not let into Silencio - “you are not invited here” LOL - and topped the night off with a crepe obv.

next day we had a gorg photoshoot with Levi’s gorg iphone (rip) lol was so fun/extra. croissant for breaky, crepe for din. banana drink at Dirty Dick, then to meet Steph and our new friend Matt at Harry’s. Steph Matt and i love life and love to yolo and we then went for a drink at Jefreys and Experimental Cocktail Bar. LOVE both those bars!!! here i discovered Love by Kendrick Lamar which may be my song of this leg.

just really happy to be in Paris.

3. reunion with Carmy!!

Carmen kicked off ppp with me in New York and we had the best time frolicking and dancing and are replicating exactly that here in Paree.

we are staying in a cute lil airbnb in Belleville (just up from Le Marais) and by lil i mean the ceiling is 3 inches above our heads and we have bonked our heads multiple times on the bathroom “doorway” (which is a curtain). “what is this an airbnb for ants?!” still cute though!!

i have flagged about 200 places i want to visit on my google maps so we have been flying through them!! to sum up:

- open mic jazz bar, hanging out with the band, Carmy plays the sax. then off to Baiser Salé which is the BEST jazz club, so fun!!

- brunch at Passeger - bagel sandwiches yummm. “is this dressing made of water?!” :D

- strolling through St Germain, my fave cafe is Mabillion. cutest mint chairs

- Jardin du Luxembourg, Eiffel Tower

- French onion soup on a terrace

- Le Mauri 7, le Syndicat (speakeasy) and Chez Jeanette for drinks. then over to Hotel Bourbon to dance with some weirdos. weird vibes lol

- went to the ballet at Palais Garnier which is STUNNINGGG. if you go to the box office 1 hr before showtime you can get tix for 10 euros. view wasnt great but neither are our bank accounts. we paid a fraction of the price so got to view a fraction of the stage. so worth it just to see the venue.

- dancing at O’Sullivans Irish Bar - good vibes!!! chill people, fun bartenders, amaze dj who actually plays your requests :):)

- on our sunny day we strolled and read our books in the Tuileries Gardens (my fave place in Paris), got hot chocolate and macarons at Angelina’s (very rich but cute)

- went to a Parisian rave at Rex Club but it just so happens we werent tripping out on ecstacy so not sure i could fully appreciate the experience lol. everyone arrives at like 2-3 and the party ends at 7. cant really make friends cause everyone is bouncing to the beat like zombies. defs an experience though!! lol

- currently writing this in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont which is soooo lovely and reminds me of Central Park. it’s big and hilly and everyone is out running and playing.

... couple days later, Carmy just left today and here’s the rest of the recap!!

- a very French evening: Seine-side wine with some trendy Parisians, sparkling Eiffel from the bridge, escargot in St German.

- Chez Georges for an interesting playlist including the Beatles, Hebrew anthems, old school Britney, then some Ed Sheeran (.. ED?!) a wee bit more dancing at Frog & Princess

- Sacre Coeur, strolling/eclair in Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, Aperol Spritzes on a terrace with an excessive waiter from Barbados. he likes to party.

- our fave night: speakeasy hopping and new friends!!! met Robbie and Evan at Little Red Door, who didnt not not meet on Grinder, then to Candelaria. then off to our fave O’Sullivans for dancing till 4am, on the stairs, all the best moves. a HILARIOUS night. we are all doppelgangers: i am Molly, Robbie is Conor, Evan is Nick Jonas, Carmen is Marisa Tomei or maybe the Mona Lisa

- brunch at Benedict, shopping and lattes in Le Marais. meet our Content Crew at another speakeasy Ballroom, then to Experimental Cocktail Club and Braiser Sale for more jazz. another amazing night, friends are fun!! Carmen heads straight to her flight at 4:30am because you can sleep when you’re dead.

Paris really is a dream. the entire city is a work of art. like you have the Arc de Triomph and then directly down the Champs Elysses is the mini arc. in the Place de la Concorde there are mirrored buildings with identical pillars from actoss the bridge. like thought and artistry was put into every single part of this city.

the history is crazy here - like name me a square in Vancouver where kings and queens were guillotined and is now a beautiful oasis - i’ll wait. the architecture is SO grand and the little balconies are SO cute. i love it all. also the people are so classic Parisian. you see them dressed to the nines just strolling down the sidewalk and you’re like, yep this is Paris.

French girls are broody and chic. everyone should read this book i’m reading called How to be Parisienne Wherever You Are. it makes me want to embody everything that the mysterious yet passionate Parisian women are.

French guys are either super stand offish or super forward. (“can i get your number?” “i dont have a number” “whatsapp?” “nope dont have that either”) the clubs dont get busy till 2am and will close at like 6 even on a Sunday. before 2 Carmy and i are uuusually the only girls on the dance floor. i dont think they’re super used to people having fun?? lol. like one security guard at the ballet was like “you’re not from here. do you know how i can tell?” i was expecting him to say something pretentious like “your accent sucks” or “you’re not dressed up enough”. what he said was, “because you’re smiling”.

fave things to do: speakeasy hop. stroll through St Germain or Le Marais, pop into stores to sample perfume or hand lotion, to smell candles. go into books and read the backs of Parisian novels. eat a croissant for breakfast. soak in the Tuileries Garden and see the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

popping out for a bit but will be back to finish passion.

<3 <3

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

from play to passion: status update

in an airplane, reflecting on my play leg. one of my biggest takeaways of my travels so far: resilience.

when you travel third world countries your standards change. the morning i woke up back in southeast asia after being in australia i was already covered in bug bites. i think i counted 18 between my ankle and my toes at one point. in Komodo i think i had some sort of heat rash on my shoulders, in El Nido i think i had been swarmed by sand flies. each time i assumed it was bed bugs (a bullet i have dodged so far, knock on wood). ever since i woke up to that cockroach crawling across my mouth in Thailand, bugs don’t faze me.

i have rode perched on a rickety seat of tuktuks/tricycles, squished on a lopsided seat on a 5 hour ride. in Rwanda i was crammed in a local bus with the worst BO i have ever smelled, just craving for the woman in front of me to crack the window. not fazed. (also, we pulled over at a police checkpoint and some sketchy stuff happened with the driver and a woman being pulled away in tears. slightly fazed. but moving on)

spent 6 hours in Bali’s domestic airport only to end up missing my flight, shed a tear, then turned on my fave songs in the uber and went back to get drunk with my hostel and mexicola friends back in Seminyak.

went to the weirdest kung fu acrobatics show in Beijing where i was the only tourist and everyone was horking and spitting on the ground the entire show. i was shivering freezing and had no idea what anyone was saying but the performers were crazy talented. and so nonchalant about it. in my head i am laughing to myself thinking, what a random thing this is that i am doing.

it’s all part of it.

before this trip i had never backpacked. i suitcased around europe and rio. now my backpack is my Wilson. i feel complete when i put it on, like it’s a part of me. there’s somethin about carrying all your current belongings on your back.

this girl in Manila was all in a tizzy that i had walked on this sketchy street and that i was traveling asia by myself. she was like DO YOU KNOW SELF DEFENSE? AREN’T YOU SCARED? at Motel Mexicola in Bali this girl wouldn’t let me leave her side when she found out i was traveling alone. she was like BE CAREFUL, NO ONE IS HERE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.

lol hunnies i traveled in Africa by myself. Asia has been a walk in the park.

i can guarantee 2-3 years ago Kellie would not have embraced the “experience” aspect like i have learned to. traveling to me now is a challenge of getting out of my comfort zone and taking it all in stride. resilience. i am really hoping that transfers over to my real life. i guess we’ll find out.

back in vancouver i am getting kicked out of my beloved apartment due to a renovation. it’s been stressful feeling like my hands are tied from across the world, but luckily i have the world’s best family and friends who have volunteered to help me out. it’s the sign for a new adventure, i guess! i LOVE my perfect life in Kits but if this trip has taught me anything it’s that there’s more to life than being comfortable.

another takeaway from my play leg: i love being the fun one. i totally get that from my mom. people want to be around you when you are positive, no drama, just enjoying yourself. it’s been a blast :) i know myself better and have more self esteem than ever. if you don’t love yourself, you need to check yourself.

i’m not dwelling on the things i used to dwell on being a single 28-year-old. there is so much more to life than waiting to meet someone, settling down into married life and kids. not saying i don’t want that one day but i am certainly not sitting around hoping it comes anymore. not that i really was sitting around but you know what i mean.

so many feels towards all of the people that have been on this journey with me, whether i met them on my travels, we reunited on purpose, or they have sent me inspiring/supportive messages from home. i really feel lucky to have these people in my life.

when i got unpleasant news from home i decided i want to be the person who makes lemons out of lemonade. my mom sent me this:

maybe that’s what my play leg was about. positive vibes. making lemonade out of lemons. dancing. partying. self love. smiling.

:)

[peaceplaypassion-blog]

SURPRISE & ALOHA!!

before i left home, my family had planned a vacation to Hawaii and when my mom told me they wanted to go in March, which is when i had planned on being in Paris, i pouted.

the next day i realized.. if i extended my stay in Australia by 2 weeks (till mid March) i could just pop on across the Pacific ocean to join them. i told my brother and Janice but kept it a secret from my mom, dad and Keira. i have been SO EXCITED to surprise them this entire trip!!!

i ended up killing time in se Asia instead of Aus which meant i got to go back to my beloved Bali and meet Tom in the Philippines, so it all worked out!! easier on the budget as well, and also it’s been snowing in Paris in March.

they were SHOCKED when i came in the door of their house in Kailua-Kona (on the big island). my parents were just like WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE HOW DID YOU GET HERE, in a daze, and Keira said it was the best day of her life lol.

i had a 31 hr travel journey to get there including a 14 hr layover in Beijing (won’t be going back there) but told my mom i was doing the rice field trek and out of service, since in China you can’t access Whatsapp, Insta, fb etc.

Hawaii was exactly what i needed to decompress, transition out of my se asia “play” mode and get properly excited for Paris. also i am so lucky to have the best family ever who has helped me with apartment drama, etc. while i have been away. they have my back big time.

we spent 6 days in Kona and then flew to Kauai for 5.

the big island is basically all volcanic ash and we saw a black sand beach, a volcano glowing at sunset and into the night, went snorkelling with barrel rolling manta rays at night (so close they touched us!! apparently this is the only place in the world they do this), checked out a few beaches.

in Kauai we stayed in the Poipu Kai Regency resorts (highly recommend!! the grounds were so nice and location is prime) and saw beached turtles and seals at Poipu, checked out Waimea Canyon and some waterfalls, surfed at Hanalei Bay (including my mom and Keira, SO PROUD OF THEM!!) and had lots of good meals (coconut shrimp ftw) and lava flows.

had the best time with Keira, i was so happy she hadn’t grown too big and is still the cutest human ever. i noticed she can finally hold a conversation without getting too distracted which is nice!! sometimes i look at her and she is so cute it physically hurts.

i’m now in a plane en route to LA for a 20 hour layover (might as well throw another one of my fave cities in this trip) and then off to Paree. i am so so so excited. :)

[peaceplaypassion-blog]