I've lived outside of Toronto for most of my life and I still feel like I tourist whenever I go down there. It's far enough that you have to make a day out of it, but there's so many things to do down there I still haven't done everything!
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is an incredibly well known area because of it's multicultural history. It's packed full of cafes, restaurants, bars and stores, and home to some of the most creative businesses.
St. Lawrence Market
I've only ever been to St. Lawrence Market once, and it was the first time I saw a full blown animals carcasses...it was creepy. But anyway, it's a cool market where you can buy fresh everything. There's even a stand in there all about juice.
CN Tower/Edge Walk
You can get an unbelievable view from the CN Tower, and an even better one if you choose the Edgewalk. Until a few years ago this was the world's tallest freestanding structure and it comes with glass floors (so you can squirm at how far up you are) and the 360 Restaurant.
Casa Loma
This gothic revival style house-turned-museum is a must see for history buffs, and architecture lovers. Completed in 1914, this castle has 98 rooms, stables, estate gardens and antique cars. This house definitely gives off a Great Gatsby feel with it's grandeur and elegance.
Distillery District
The Distillery District is a historic area of downtown Toronto, and is great for shopping boasting more than 80 shops, cafes and boutiques. It's also the largest collection of Victorian era industrial architecture in North America. This area is beautiful at night and around Christmas time, and has numerous art instillations.
There is nothing worse than getting excited for a trip, packing and getting there only to realize you forgot something. I've had my fair share of these moments which is why I feel qualified to give you advice.
Triple Check...Everything
Trust me when I say you will not regret doing this. I can't tell you how many times I've double checked and then realized I forgot my camera charger, or my outlet adapters. One time I left an insane amount of liquids in my carry-on and had it confiscated...it was devastating. I've never been much of a list person so naming off all the things I have out loud helps me.Overpack
For some reason people make fun of me for being an overpacker but I feel like it's an advantage not a flaw? I like being prepared for anything. I'll pack extra outfits just in case I'm not feelin' the one I planned, and I'll bring one of those rain ponchos just because. When I went to Cuba last year I only packed three pairs of shoes. One cute pair of sandals, one ultra comfy pair of flip flops, and heels. Well my one cute pair of sandals broke the third day I was there and it could have been no big deal if I'd packed another pair but I didn't! Thankfully the friend I went with and I are the same size and she let me borrow a pair. But do be aware of the weight limit, you don't want to pack a back up outfit for every day you're away, be overweight, and be forced to pay extra.Pack Extra in Your Carry-On
I learned this tip when I was flying to Uganda a few years ago. I was told I should pack extra clothes in my carry-on just in case they lost my luggage, so I did. I didn't lose my luggage, but someone in my group did and he went three days without fresh clothes in the African summer heat because he didn't listen. So, take it from him, pack. extra. clothes. Even if it's just leggings and a tank top. I went as far as putting my toothbrush, deodorant, and an extra pair of socks. You never know.Keep Your Makeup Minimal
What I like to do when packing travel makeup is to bring your essentials. You don't need two different powder brushes, three blending brushes, and three primers. I like to bring one eyeshadow palette, and a couple lip options. I like changing up my lips when I'm away because it's less work, and requires less room in my bag. You don't want to be spending half an hour blending out your smokey eye to perfection when you can spend two minutes swiping on a red lip and head out the door.
Skincare, Skincare, Skincare
If you have a long haul flight, bring makeup wipes in your carry-on. Even if you're not wearing makeup it's nice to wipe the oils off your face and follow up with a rich moisturizer and lip balm. Flying causes a lot of people's skin to dehydrate and you want to arrive with a smooth canvas to put your makeup on. Even while you're away you cannot forget to take your makeup off at night! Please don't sleep in it!
Wear Pants With Pockets
This may sound silly but during the process of getting on a flight you need to show your passport and ticket constantly while trying to do something else at the same time. Your life will be easier if you have a pocket to shove your passport and ticket into to make going through security faster. I'm an anxious person so I get a little panicked if I have to hold stuff in my hands while take my shoes off, putting my electronics in different boxes quickly and without forgetting anything, with a long line behind me.
Last October I went on my first all inclusive vacation to Cuba for a mother daughter trip. That was the first time I'd gone in the ocean since I was around three years old. It was a great trip, people always complain about the food when visiting Cuba but we thought it was good and it didn't make us sick. My mom is going back in a few months with my dad (who swore he'd never go back to Cuba but we convinced him because our resort was so great) and it's made me miss my trip.
An adorable pup we met on the beach who was digging for crabs
My mom walking off into the distance with a lot of washed up seaweed
There is a part of me that still thinks this isn't real and it didn't really happen but, in 2013 for the first time I traveled to a different continent. I'm really into travel so obviously this is something that I'd thought about a lot but when the opportunity came up when I was a senior in high school I brushed it off for weeks thinking "no way my parents would pay for that". It wasn't until I had actually talked to my mom that I felt stupid for brushing it off because she didn't freak out at the price or dismiss the idea outright like I had. She simply said "wow, really? That's an incredible opportunity. I'll talk to your dad about it." Before I knew it I was attending the meetings, being given itineraries and boarding my first long haul flight. My school had organized a trip with a charity for 20 students to volunteer in Uganda for two weeks. We did stuff like build desks for local school children, deliver kits filled with things like mosquito nets to families in need, and visit a baby orphanage. It was incredible to see and connect with people leading completely different lives on a drastically different continent. So I thought I'd share a few photos from my trip.
(not my photo)
Kampala
Front yard of where we stayed
(not my photo)
Jinja
(not my photo)
Delivering kits to families in rural Jinja
Market in Jinja
(not my photo)
Visiting a girls home in Jinja
Murchison Falls
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
We saw a lot of elephants and every time I wanted to cry because they're my absolute favourite animal and I was just in pure awe.
(not my photo)
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
*some photos are from other people that went on the trip
I was in Montréal over Easter weekend visiting family and decided to visit Old Montréal. I've never done any sightseeing in Montréal despite going every year. The first time I'd even been downtown was three years ago!
We didn't have a lot of time so the Old Montréal checklist was the Place d'Armes square, Notre Dame Basilica, Rue Saint Paul, and Maison Christian Faure.
Notre Dame Basilica (faces the Place d'Armes square)
Easily the highlight of my trip was this gothic revival style church. We got in free (I'm not sure how much admission is) because it was Easter Sunday and I was floored when I walked in. I'm big on architecture, which is probably why I'm obsessed with Europe, and I've never seen anything like this before. I would have spent an hour here if I could.
Notre Dame Basilica
Notre Dame Basilica
Notre Dame Basilica
Notre Dame Basilica
Rue Saint Paul (just beyond this is a poutine place that's apparently amazing, we would have went there for lunch but my cousin didn't tell me about it until we'd already eaten.)
I wanted to see this street because the entire walk felt like I was in a different country. The cobblestone streets, the horse drawn carriage rides, the building with architecture from the 17th century all made it feel a little Parisian. Of course, I've never been to Paris so I don't really know, but I imagine that's what it's like.
Maison Christian Faure
Maison Christian Faure
I wanted to buy everything but I ended up buying a coffee eclair (on the tray of the first photo). It was the biggest, fanciest, and most delicious eclair I've ever had. The place is really nice, but the manager was indifferent towards the customers and seemed annoyed with his staff. I wasn't really bothered by it though, he wasn't rude to anybody.
Afterwards we just went to Starbucks then got on the metro and went back to my aunt's for Easter dinner, and the morning after I made the six hour drive home.
