To Travel Again

Ah to travel again.. It all starts with an idea in your head...

We've stuck to Canada since August 2005 at which was the time we last visited Switzerland. Besides that, we took 4 days to go to the Okanagan and also Osoyoos. I don't remember doing much more than that traveling wise. This year we drove down to California so I could spend my vacation moving back up to Canada. You might call that travel, but I certainly don't call that vacation time.

Unless I look back in this blog, I'm not so sure I can find much more evidence of more than 3 days vacationing. You can only imagine why I must be longing for a good vacation. It is sort of staring us straight in the face. P and I both haven't had one! Nor will we totally get one until Christmas at which time everyone takes some time off.

My point is that P has finally told me we are going on Vacation next year. If it takes you more than a second to figure out where we will be spending at least part of our trip, you better stick around this blog a bit longer.

My main goal is to see areas of Amsterdam, France (Alsace/Chamonix) and Switzerland where we both have not seen enough. Actually I will be photographing because that is what drives me to complete excitement. His main goal is to relax and shut me up since I'm obsessed about moving back to Switzerland.

Our next main problem will be deciding the exact dates, time off, who we will visit and where we will stay. We are really hoping to spend some time staying with friends, even blogging ones to counter such costs.

But one last thing, we are planning almost a year in advance. We want to see the wine crush or the Autumn festivals. It's just an idea building, and keeping me sane as a struggle living my life as an Expat in Canada.

I want your feedback as we are still in the idea stage of our travels...

Origins in North Vancouver

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Original

I first thought of unique or original. Soon after I totally forgot what photo I wanted.

This building is one of the original buildings in North Vancouver. In particular it's an old school house with an entrance for boys and girls on either side of the steps. This beautifully restored building is just a few blocks from where wee live. It also is a great place for kids to play and watch incredible sunsets and view of Burrard inlet.

Autumn Colors

Even with the windy ever changing weather this weekend, there was more sun than rain. As a result, I found a few great colors of Autumn around North Vancouver via my two feet and my eyes.

The Leaves of Lonsdale Ave.

Autumn colors.

Fallen Leaves..

Of course I hope to take more pics because I just love autumn colors.

The Fall Festival

As we welcomed in Fall yesterday, North Vancouver actually celebrated with a Fall Festival. I say actually because festivals are like blue moons here in Vancouver, they seldom happen!

One thing that I miss a lot about Switzerland are the many festivals. Most European cities have festivals for every occasion. It's one easy way to wear away the blues and to enjoy what your village or city has to offer. You'd think people this way would take notice, but that's not really the case.

Here in Vancouver, festivals are quite minimal and are never "that" advertised. In advertising, I'm talking about putting up signs on store windows, having people tell others via word of mouth. You know enough to get the word out to make you want to go watch and attend that festival.

It was really nice to see Lower Lonsdale bringing in the autumn season, but North Vancouver has much more room to grow and share in the festivals with heart, sole and culture. That is something all of Vancouver really lacks.

For those of you living in Europe, I'm sure you know what I mean.

How many festivals do you attend?
Christmas festival in the street?
Fall festivals?
Fasnacht?
Summer Festivals.?

Maybe it's just something I don't see as much here because the cities are much bigger.

There was one band at the festival that reminded me of just that. Sorry I didn't take pics, but imagine a 4 year old playing alongside his father in a goofy costume. Talk about cute!

Trying to Figure It Out

Do you ever just feel like you want to accomplish so much in the weekend, but of course know it all will not happen? That's certainly happening to me this weekend. I want to accomplish all so much. I'll give you a bit of a taste of it. I wanted to go to the gym, swim, go car shopping, go shoot some Autumn photos, do some baking and go grocery shopping.

The Autumn weather has been windy, thus making the weather an unpredictable partially sunny day.

I've also been working on photography which has totally been on my mind lately. Here is my flickr graph (available tomorrow).

As Fall starts, we also start our new schedules.
I'm not sure if I'm ready for the change but it's already here.