November 22nd, 2009
Scott
Source: me
This is Lombard Street in San Francisco, one of the most crookedest streets in the world. There are 8 switchbacks, and the speed limit on the one-way street down is a blistering 5 mph. While a tour guide there claimed the street’s crookedness was a result of an earthquake where residents decided to “leave it that way” after, Wikipedia claims it’s intentional in order to handle the steep incline downhill. I tend to believe Wikipedia. A tour guide lied to me though, which is not good. Now how can I believe anything I think I know about the history of San Francisco?
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November 11th, 2009
Scott
Source: stevenvanwel at flickr
I’ll say right now, making this list will be easy. I’ve been to Paris twice – both times in 2007 – and there is a lot to see and do there. In fact perhaps the most difficult thing will be ranking things in some type of order and sticking to only 9 items. I may have to create another post to cover the things I ran out of place on this list for.
1. Eiffel Tower, Le Tour d’Eiffel
This is it. This is Paris. See it during the day, see it at night, go to the top, eat in the restaurant (if you can get reservations that is). The Eiffel Tower is what makes Paris, Paris. It’s easily accessible on the Metro (subway). Those of you who enjoy walking can walk it.
2. The Grand Louvre
Known just as the Louvre, this museum houses the Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the sculpture Winged Victory, Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, Delacroix, Raphael, Rubens, and Vermeer. The Louvre specializes in antiquities – things more than 500 years old.
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November 11th, 2009
Scott
Source: me
The above photo was taken in Nerja, Spain as we were walking down a small street. It was taken May 11, 2009. I love this, a bicycle cart full of flowers as a complement to the hand-written sign announcing their operating hours. It’s one of those things that is a total set up, but is a perfect little thing that makes me want to come in for a drink. If they put this much effort into the sign, imagine was the cappucino is like. It shows “we care about the small stuff”.
Source: flydime at flickr
Some of you may have noticed how Euro-centric my blog is when it comes to where to go on sabbatical. That stems from my recent trip to Spain and on my plans to go back there for a longer visit next time, and also a previous trip to France and Paris which made us fall in love with the City of Lights.
But there are other places in this world that fulfill the basic requirements of a nice place to spend 6 months:
- warm or hot climate year round
- close to the beach
- plenty of interesting things to see for day trips
- can live inexpensively if you choose to
- provides amenities such as Internet, electricity, English television
- home of other expats and tourists (which in my mind guarantees a certain catering to foreigners)
Now not everyone would have the same list. Chris Guillebeau would be aghast I am sure at that last line. But for now I actually find comfort in the presense of other tourists and are not annoyed by them. YMMV.
Visas
According to ThaiVisa.com, Thailand grants 30 days visas for tourists. This might seem to be the first stumbling block to 6 months there, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. Visas simply need to be regranted by leaving the country and coming back in, even just for a few hours. Thus the “Visa Run” was created. Basically, step foot outside Thailand, and step back in. It’s a strange law. And of course you have to pay the fee.
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Source: mick62 at flickr
One of the most common reasons why people who wish to travel do not do so is, “I can’t afford it.” World travel is more often simply an answer to the question, “What would you do if you won the lottery?” People do not realize that you do not have to be independently wealthy in order to get out of your own little corner of the Earth.
One common way, especially for single people, is to become an English teacher. And no, that does not necessarily mean you have to speak multiple languages, or have a degree in Education. Speaking English is one of the few qualifications.
Many people in other parts of the world (China, Japan, Korea to name a few) believe that if their child were to be fluent in English, they would have an edge in life – particularly when it comes to choice of careers. English speakers are more likely to be promoted to management, work in higher paying jobs, and have an easier time when travelling. This is the same reason we here in Canada force our kids into taking French classes, and many American kids are made to take Spanish.
And it is true that research into intelligence suggests people who speak more than one language are smarter than those who only speak one. And speaking more than two indicates you are smarter still. So it’s easy to see where this belief comes from.
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Source: ChoudhrySaab at flickr
I would be remiss writing about all these great European destinations and completely ignore my own backyard. Toronto has some great sites – some obvious and some not so obvious. And so, without further ado, is my list of the top 9 things to see and do here.
1. CN Tower
This is Toronto’s pride and joy. Torotonians naively cling to the view that the CN Tower is one of the tallest structures in the world – and at one time it was. But with office towers in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur now pushing one kilometer high, the tallest structure in Toronto is only a paltry 533 meters. Now fair warning, the price to go up the CN Tower to the main level or the higher observation deck is a bit high by my standards – $28 per person last time I checked. But if you spent hundreds or thousands of dollars to come to Toronto from afar, shell out the $28 to see the city from the top.
2. Yorkville
Yorkville is a shopping district at the north end of the downtown region of Toronto that is known as the trendy part of town. Lots of cafes, bars and restaurants where people go to see and be seen. And most of the high end shopping is either in Yorkville or only a block or two away on Bloor St West.
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Source: me
The above picture was taken on the road from Marbella, Spain on the way to Seville. The number of wind turbines I saw numbered easily in the hundreds – 200 at least I would say. Every hill and ridge had them. I wonder if that’s the world’s most number of turbines in one place. It has to be close right? I trimmed the photo to make it extra wide to highlight the turbines.
