And out of the ashes of a desolate travel year with a bleak future — just when I thought my days of wandering were over — suddenly the pieces fall together. Like a puzzle. Like a mother-freakin’ jigsaw puzzle, yo. Except I was never good at those.
(Well, I put together a “World Traveler” puzzle at Christmas with Dad. We cursed a lot and drank beer. Maybe it was the beginning of something new.)
The puzzle in question. Aw, now I miss my daddy.
ANYWAY. Looks like starting next week I’m basically on the road for the next couple of months. Checkit.
March 6-13: Orlando, Florida
Lucky me being an Aeroplan cardholder and all, I was selected to participate in a special trip to FLO-RIDA. The place, not the “Club Can’t Handle Me” rapper. Although that’s pretty appropriate too, come to think of it.
Remember that plea I sent out awhile ago asking PR folks to send me somewhere warm? It worked. My god, the universe is amazing.
I’m going to be hitting up Seaworld and Lego Land as part of the trip, and then Disney World and Universal Studios on my own time. My ultimate goal is to drink a butter beer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. BUCKET LIST ITEM.
I literally have one whole week to myself to do whatever I want. Lounge pool side, eat my face off, get drunk at Disney. Alone. I’m embracing solo travel. It could be the beginning of something great.
March 19-April 17: Halifax, Nova Scotia
I’m finally back to one of my favourite east coast cities to visit Jo and her daughter I haven’t even met yet. Unreal. Plus Cailin is there, so that’ll be alright.
I'm gonna miss this.
I’ll also be fleeing from the reality of Matt moving to Calgary after living with me for three years. I’m not sure how to deal, you guys.
I have a million other people to meet as well while I’m in the city, so if you’re in town, toss your name in the mix! One pint on me. The Split Crow Power Hour, anyone?
April 30-May 7: Dominican Republic
A real vacation for my friends Dawne and Terry’s wedding. How excited am I for a real vacation? Reaaaal excited. I might not even bring my laptop.
(I probably will.)
I get to reunite with some old friends and even a classmate or two that I haven’t seen in years. Other than that, I literally know nothing about the DR.
I’ve also told Dawne that I will be doing this at the wedding:
She said this was acceptable and even encouraged.
May 10: Montreal, Quebec
FINALLY MY DREAMS OF MONTREAL LIVING ARE COMING TRUE!
I’m buying a one-way ticket. I’ll be back in St. John’s in time for summer lovin’, but until then, I’m staying with some friends in Montreal and maybe launching off to Ottawa and Toronto for a jaunt.
Or I’ll stay in Montreal. Or go to Iceland for a month. I’m not sure. The world is my hypothetical oyster…which is kinda gross if you think about it.
August: BURNING MAN!
I HAVE TICKETS TO BURNING MAN! So many conflicting emotions. So many unanswered questions. I probably should get some travel insurance.
Nothing is planned for this yet at all, but I’d like to fly into Las Vegas and make my way to the desert. It’s gonna be bit of a mission to get there.
In closing, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite videos from Burning Man. Because I can. And because I’m too excited to continue typi
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG is that girl having a dance seizure? what the heck was that? hahaha
oh and way to go just mentioning me in passing that I’m in Hali
waaa
haha
see you sooooon!
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Candice Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Isn’t she awesome?! And I figured I have to lay off the Cailin references, in case people still think we’re lesbos.
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Cailin Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
“still think”? Hahaha
Oh god
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Sounds like a pretty cool year! When you are at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter do not under any circumstances eat (or drink) anything before you ride The Forbidden Journey – that ride is unreal!!
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Candice Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
LOL, duly noted! Thank you!
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spilledinkguy Reply:
March 1st, 2012 at 7:14 am
You might also want to consider not eating or drinking anything before that wedding performance.
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
That’s gonna be hard to do
Toronto yay! I’m here now too!
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Candice Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
YES! I need to discover the REAL Toronto!
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Oh, I am HAPPY for you! Back on the road again….it’s all working out again.
I find that whole Burning Man thing so……compelling. It freaks me out like crazy but I’m fascinated by it. I dip my toe in the idea of it and then shriek like a kid and run away. And then sneak back to it again. I can’t wait to hear your report!
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Considering I’m the most awkward person on the face of the planet (okay, exaggerating), I have a feeling it’s gonna be quite the adventure. I will keep you posted!
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These are some great travel plans. Exciting you get to spend some more time in Montreal. And Burning Man – that’s been on my festival/event bucket list forever. Can’t wait to hear more about it.
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Ooh I’m sure you’ll hear tons!
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Amazing how dreams come true – well the ones you really hope for.
Great to see all your hard work paying off Candice. Now maybe I should dream a little more about a sponsored sort of trip and put it out the the universe.
And nothing like a real vacation to look forward to.
How far you’ve come in two years!!
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Awww, thanks Leigh! Sometimes I doubt myself, doesn’t feel like I’ve come far compared to some people. But glad I have dedicated readers such as yourself!
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Can I just please say how happy I am to see the Pool Girl on Drugs video included on here? When I first saw that a year ago, I laughed like a hyena on ecstasy (what? You haven’t seen this? I’m sure you could find this in Toronto) and watched it every day for about two weeks. I hope you enjoy your travels!
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
I totally never saw it before! I am SO out of touch with being hip. Ugh. I can’t wait to be just like that girl.
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I am so jealous of all your travel plans. I am definitely going to live vicariously through you for the next little while. but I am glad you will be back for summer lovin’. I would be devastated and so would Baby C if you didn’t get to him right away or witness my first drink after 9/10 months of no alcohol what’s so ever. there is no one else I would rather share that moment with.
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
LOL! Oh god. You’ll be baby free for GSF right? So epic.
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Ahhh so many fun things lay ahead!!! One way tickets are the best slash most terrifying thing to purchase, but you will love the freedom of it, I’m sure. And.. you’re totally right about the oyster.
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
yessss! Totally didn’t wanna give myself a deadline. I ALWAYS make that mistake!
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Can’t wait to meet you!!! All of your trips sound super fun and exciting. You are turning out to be quite the jet-setter ;P
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Crazy to think we’ll be meeting up soon! Woot woot!
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I was in the Dominican last June and it was a blast! I stayed in Punta Cana and it was gorgeous!
I’m also going to Harry Potter Land, that’s what I call it
But not until May!
Have fun!!
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Bahaha, I totally call it that too…Wizarding World just doesn’t jive
And that’s where I’m headed, Punta Cana! Yay!
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A) If you are coming to Toronto, we are going for a beer. Or two. “I will show you the wooooorlllddd….. on a magic carpet ride.” Or something. But on a carpet ride to a shisha bar, maybe.
B) YOU HAVE TICKETS TO BURNING MAN. It sounds amazing – you HAVE to let me know what it’s like/if everyone walks around naked/1-10 for how much I have to go sometime soon. Are you going alone?!
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A) If you are coming to Toronto, we are going for a beer. Or two. “I will show you the wooooorlllddd….. on a magic carpet ride.” Or something. But on a carpet ride to a shisha bar, maybe.
B) YOU HAVE TICKETS TO BURNING MAN. It sounds amazing – you HAVE to let me know what it’s like/if everyone walks around naked/1-10 for how much I have to go sometime soon. Are you going alone?!
C) I couldn’t watch the vids because I’m in class right now, but I’ve made sure to remind myself to watch them when I get home. *sheepish face*
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Hehehe, awesome! Yes, I want to experience more of Toronto. Breezing through there last year was way too quick.
Nope, not going to BM alone…hopefully. And I’m POSITIVE everyone wants around naked.
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Hi Candice!
I went to Burning Man in 2009. If I can help with any of your unanswered questions, let me know
Dave
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Sweeeet, will do!
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Congrats! This is shaping up to be a good year of travel for you. Glad to hear it. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on doing Disney solo, and how you like the WWOHP. (I recommend getting there early in the day, when it first opens. It gets more crowded as the day goes on.)
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Woot, thanks for that tip! Gonna trip to get there this Monday. Cannot WAIT for Butterbeer.
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I can’t believe how little I’m going to see you over the next few months!!!
I can’t believe you will not be getting drunk with me anywhere near my birthday. Again. Worst best friend ever.
But I am so super pumped for you. So much on the go. Going to be a great year
(but I haven’t forgotten we need to take an irish dance lesson at some point. . . )
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Agh, I seem to miss EVERYONE’S birthday this time of year! Sadface. I’ll bring you back some Mickey Mouse ears or something.
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Awesome plans for 2012. I’m slowly starting to make plans or get plans made for me, or somewhere between those two. Great video from burning man too, so cool.
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Thanks! Yeah, pretty sure that video was the tipping point for me…had to get tickets after seeing all that.
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Sounds great! Glad to see you’re back on the road… I can’t wait to hear about your time in Montreal – definitely one of my favourite cities!
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Thanks! SO pumped for that experience.
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After Burning Man you can stop by my house so we can finally meet. For real I’m about 3hrs south of that hot mess.
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
OOH YES! Also, best description of BM yet. “Hot mess.”
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I grew up in Orlando, and I still haven’t had butter beer!!!! So jealous of your trip to DR. YOU HAD BETTER come to Vegas before or after Burning Man — I’m onto you!!!! (Dead serious.)
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
You grew up here?! I had no idea!
Hahaha don’t worry, if I make it to LV, I’ll definitely be sticking around a few days!
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WHOAAA! You’ve got tickets to Burning man!! That is so cool. This adventure sounds like a whole of fun! I wish the best for you and looking forward to reading more
Cathy Trails
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Candice Reply:
March 7th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Thank you! Still gotta figure out a way to get there, but I’m super excited.
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I’m happy for you, Candice
I would love to go back to Montreal, and I’d also love to taste some butter beer. I’ll be staying posted for your travel updates!
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Candice Reply:
March 17th, 2012 at 7:04 am
Thanks Sabina! I’m so pumped!
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