Robyn's Wanderings

Happy Father's Day, dad!

Happy Father’s Day! And who would be better to travel with than your dad? No one, so  our wanderer Nicola and her sister Katie share some of their favourite travel moments with their dad.

So sit-back, enjoy and remember your dad’s on this special day!
Father’s day weekend and Katie and I are far, far, away from our father. So what to do? Write a blog post in dad’s honour, of course! You may recognize dad (Matthew) from the frivolously fun kilt post, and now we would like to tell you a few more tidbits about our fabulous father.

Things We Love About Dad (aka M-A-T-T-H-E-W): 

Thanks for putting us first, dad (except in this photo!)

A – ‘a bit of drama‘ – Dad always has room to include some drama! If you know Matthew in real life, he is both serious and silly. Much to our delight, there is theatricality and so much love for flair. Broadway shows may have played a role in this one… we started by seeing Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat in New York City and have not stopped seeing musicals whenever we can. One particular event, dad was reading us a bedtime story of Lewis Carroll’s ‘The Walrus & the Carpenter‘ and the ill-fated oysters. Dad read the poem in character, with so much emotion, that Nicola started sniffling at the poor little oysters. Before you know it, we were both in tears!

Dramatic dad even faceplants in the sand.

T – ‘terrific towel-rides‘. Which kids don’t love swimming in pools!? Dad had a special trick up his sleeve to “bend the pool rules” a bit (and this mainly happened when mom had her back turned!). Dad would stand by the side of the pool and hold on to one end of a towel. He would give us the other end and we were pulled along the side of the side of the pool at ‘lightning speed’ as he ran along the side of the pool… the “no running sign” must not apply to fathers!!

T – ‘thrilling wheelbarrow rides‘. When we were on holidays visiting grandparents, we spent lots of time outside. Their gardens were large, full of birdbaths, rock gardens, badminton nets and flowers. Katie and Nicola were always looking for fun things to do with each other and roping in dad if possible! After spying the massive wheelbarrow, dad noticed our interest and offered us a wheelbarrow ride. We took him up on the offer immediately! As long as we were not dumped out, we were having a grand old time.

Dad wouldn't have done it all without mom, of course!

H – “household help” – If dad is good at one thing (as if we can pick), we would say that ironing is one of his household activities. is there some mending to do? Dad will sew it if you ask. Is there some ironing to be done? Dad will do it on a sunday night. Our maternal grandmother was a seamstress and we wonder just a tad if she gave some marital advice to dad on his wedding day. As mother-in-law, she might have planted the seed that a tip to a happy marriage is “ironing and sewing for your family”?!

"Ironing Matthew" as we say

E – “European extravaganza” – Perhaps it’s because we were both born in england, or perhaps it’s because we loved visiting family for Christmas in the “motherland”. But once we ventured to Europe, we could not get enough. From spending a year each as Rotary Exchange Students (Katie in Ukraine, Nicola in France), to a semester in Paris,  summers spent visiting our grandmother in Croatia, to bus tours from Spain to Denmark and everywhere in between! Dad instilled a love for travel, exploring and adventure in our blood systems. And it’s NOT just there-and-back. It’s throw in Amsterdam for the weekend, an overnight in Germany. eat local food, drink local beer, and enjoy!

We love having a beer in Budapest, Hungary, with dad!

W – “Worldly wisdom” – Imagine this: On summer holidays when we were in elementary school, we used to ask dad to make up math and English problems for us to keep our brains active. Looking back now, we think perhaps we didn’t “ask” so much as “were encouraged” to exercise our brains. Dad can be found doing a number of brain-busting activities… puzzles, crosswords, guessing flags or country capitals. Listing off all the united states in alphabetical order. You can’t even trick him with things such as spelling kyrgyzstan or the neighbours surrounding laos. Foolproof!

Dad at Grape Bay with his "babies"

Most recently, Dad helped us both plan a super special event: Mom’s surprise 60th birthday bash in Bermuda! Six months of planning led to a phenomenally-executed surprise that included: surprise visits from Nicola and 2 Guelph friends, Katie and her fiancé, a scrapbook full of memories and well wishes for friends & family, and an ipad! Want to know more deets? All shall be revealed in the next blog post…!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!! Love Katie & Nicola.

Those days when you feel THIS good...

A hush has fallen over Robyn’s Wanderings lately. Why? Well, because of something I never thought would happen: Life. Between my moving and settling into a new job, it has been hectic. 

Our wanderer Nicola has also been a busy bee. Doing what? Well that’s what she’s back from the Toronto winter to tell you about:

The phoenix. Does this mean something to you? And I’m not talking about the the Phoenix Stores in Bermuda. This is more like the phoenix Fawkes from Harry Potter (if you recall, I have a particular proclivity for all things Potter!), the less-than-attractive bird that bursts into flames and rises from its own ashes? This word recently cropped up  in a game of Taboo (if you have never played, you should!) and it got me to thinking…The last 3 months in Toronto were a challenge. This phoenix definitely burst into flames – and more than once. One friend described it as an initiation process. A hazing that took over life and brought about some intense decisions: live in a hostel for few weeks? remove myself from Toronto completely for awhile? purge all my belongings and start from scratch? One Sunday night I found myself sitting on the grass in front of the ROM (looking a lot like I lived there), after having gone to the movies alone to escape reality. I thought “Well, now what am I supposed to do?!”. Admittedly, the thought in the back of my mind was to pack up and head to Bermuda. A little beach therapy perhaps?

Oh so tempting...

 But eventually, I figured out a game plan and changed my circumstances. Friends came out of the woodwork to help (and not always the ones that you expect), and I was even adopted by a host family who I adore!

Bottom line: There’s been a bit of a lull here at Robyn’s Wanderings, but the hibernation is over! 

In the interest of wanderlust, there is a lot of travel action ahead of me this summer. Where, you ask? That is TBA, so stay tuned. All shall be revealed. These feet are feeling the familiar itch to get away. It won’t be for an escape, but more of an adventure or two.

Thinking ahead ultimately leads me to thinking about the past. One of my most common things to daydream about is “Where was I this time last year?”. So let’s take a look and peek into days gone by… (more or less this time of year).

This time 5 years ago:Finishing up my semester abroad in Paris. Spring had sprung, exams were over. We were rowing in the Bois de Boulogne, a great park in the northwest part of Paris. Picnics by the Seine River, inhaling baguettes and fromage, and savoring street crêpes in the City of Lights & Love. C’est la vie.

Savory or sweet, crêpes are a treat...

Four years ago: I had finished another year at U of Guelph, and I was at home in Bermuda for the summer. Before jumping into a summer internship at the bank, I had the pleasure of having my first visitor of the summer! The summer of 2008 I was lucky to have 4 visitors chez moi: My Canadian friend Brittany (who I’d met on exchange in France), my 2 Swedish friends (who I visited in Stockholm in 2007, and in turn they visited me), as well as my best friend from Oklahoma. Mandatory beach outings? Fine by me! 

 

This time 3 years ago: In exam-mode in Chambery, the French Alps. In order to combat the monotony of studying, we took it upon ourselves to enjoy the outdoors and try to avoid sunburn. Post-exam European travel adventures were in the making. My itinerary included Paris (encore!), Germany, Greece, and Sheffield (northern England, to visit my sister). Little did I know how much this trip would define my year abroad.[Also, that my year abroad would make it to the internets in video form. Parlez-vous un petit peu de français? See this: http://vimeo.com/3970599]

17th century French castle ruins for a study break

This time 2 years ago: In the foothills of the Himalaya in India, living in host families and waking up at 6am to help with chores. Eating THIS MUCH spice on a daily basis, including breakfast. Living outside of my comfort zone and enjoying the challenge. Not to mention the very cute little children to play with!

Cutting the grass with Yogita's help. Even at the tender age of 3, she was more talented!

This time last year: A long weekend in Boston, Massachusetts. Porter airlines from Toronto island, a weekend catching-up with some Bermudian friends in the city. And not to mention such delectable delights as JP Licks (ice cream), Mike’s Pastry, and of course Boston clam chowdaaa!

While browsing around Quincy Market, chowda is a must-have.

So I ask you… where were you this time last year (or in the last few years)?! If you were in hibernation, don’t worry. Perhaps 2012 is your chance to go wandering

Sunglasses required for Himalayan hillsides

“Put your sunglasses on, because you ain’t going home till the morning comes.“ Frank Sinatra

Yes, the blog has been quiet for a while and hibernating much like our blogger in Toronto, Nicola Arnold. Luckily both the blog and our Toronto-based writer are back!

And what could be better to bring her back? Well spring and the sun of course. How is she going to see it? Well maybe some sunnies? Or perhaps a pair of aviators? You’ll just have to read and find out:

Clocks have changed, snow has melted, layers are unraveling, and sunshine is creeping out. And in my case, eyes are squinting.

I said adieu to my favourite sunglasses in the fall, and not just because it was wintertime. I inadvertently cut short their lifespan. One fall day in October I swung my legs out of bed and stood up. With a resounding CRUNCH (or was it just a tiny snap?), I broke my beloved red sunglasses in one swift step. Darn it!!

Now, as Canada creeps out of a wintry hibernation, I’m realizing I need to hit the shops to find another pair. For a few snowy month, who needs sunglasses? Granted there are, of course, sunny days that break up the monotony of a white winter. Then there’s the occasional winter getaway to a tropical (or sub-tropical ie. Bermuda) destination. Or even ski trips where sunglasses are required. But overall, lack of warmth = lack of sunglasses.

The French Alps, sunny side up

RIP spectacles. No, they were not expensive nor designer. No, it was not the end of the world. Replaceable of course, but they were just the best glasses I’d had in awhile and had their benefits too. It was a memorable buy – a 2-for-1 deal that I shared with my friend, buying at the same time cupcakes and enjoying a lazy spring day eating cupcakes in the park with our new summer accessories. Colourful red frames. Reflective lens making for fun photography. Sat in place without nerdy adjustments. Bought days before my 6-week trip to India (with temperatures soaring in the 40′s Celcius and sunshine beating down… much needed protection!).

We got 2 for $25... sunglasses of course, not cupcakes!

“My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses.“ Audrey Hepburn 

Let’s take our sunglasses and make them internationally & culturally cool:

- if I had travelled to Australia or South Africa, I may be sporting some sunnies
- if I was still gallivanting around Paris or Chambery, I would be saying mes lunettes de soleil
- if I was in the US of A, I’d be rocking some shades
- if I wanted to rock out to 1980′s music, I’d would belt out Corey Hart’s “sunglasses at night“.
- if I wanted to be trendy I’d have Aviators, or Ray-Bans, or some hipster style…

The kids definitely enjoyed rocking their sunnies as well

Where had my sunglasses had the pleasure of accompanying me on my journeys? Well, bought in Hamilton, Ontario, they were then transported to the sunny beaches near Hamilton, Bermuda. Their first main trip included several weeks in India, proving to be a great photo-taking device for Himalayan hillside sunsets and Taj Mahal, amongst other sights. Next, their adventures led them to Scotland, Germany and Croatia for some summer sunshine and family/friend reunions. Finally, they settled in Toronto where they ended their days prematurely.

“It’s 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses! ………. HIT IT!!“ Blues Brothers movie

Visiting Taj Mahal when it was 49°C (120°F)

As the sun is here to stay, it’s time to go hunting for a new pair of sunglasses. The sunlight hours are extended and new adventures await…

Having a rough time? Sit down. Take a break.

We’ve missed Robyn’s Wanderings and the bloggers that bring us much needed travel inspiration. Luckily Nicola is back and she is bringing us…..a bad day.

We all have them and whether traveling or not, there are ways to overcome these setbacks. What was Nicola’s bad travel experience? Ah well….you will have to read to find out!

Hello once again! Long time no see. Things have been busy, travels replaced by daily life… and to tell the truth, there have been a few hiccups recently.

Bad Day

When you are cheap in life, I must admit, life is cheap to you. Nevertheless, the flaws in the plan are all part of the bigger webs we weave. Undoubtedly, we all claim to have 20/20 vision in hindsight. When it’s all been put into perspective, thought, we have been gifted (or is it cursed?) learning experiences. The worst disasters that we encounter, in life and travels, can make for the best storytelling in years to come.

Cancelled, cancelled, cancelled... what's Plan B?

The following scenarios may bring to mind some of your own meltdowns, misadventures and moments of truth: 

- you locked yourself out of your room, car or apartment
- you lost your bus, subway or train pass
- you discover bed bugs, cockroaches or mice in your hostel, hotel or accommodations
- you walk down the wrong street in a large city, realizing you are the only visible female…
- your bank card declines when you try to buy a flight, train or bus ticket online
- you miss the last train to the airport so you catch a taxi, just to sleep at the airport for your 6am flight
- you discover that your roommate has a gun in the room – real or BB gun, you are none to sure
- your laptop, passport and wallet are stolen on a subway, just days before you join your family for the holidays
- you catch a stomach bug the day before a 14 hour train journey in 35C heat
- _____________ (substitute any & every alternate storyline here)

Alanis Morissette spoke the truth a bit when she gave us Ironic.

But out of all these misfortunes there are memorable travel stories and – if they don’t make you cringe, scowl or burst into tears – maybe (way) further down the road, even laughter! Ridiculous situations are bound to happen to you, whether alone or with others. First, make sure you are safe. Second, deal with it the best way you know how. Third, ask for help.

Ask a stranger to take a photo of you... and you may be giving your camera away!

My first solo catastrophe in European travels is memorable to this day. My first weekend-getaway-turned-catastrophic-pity-party… including being “stuck” in Paris, inclement weather, low-cost airlines, lengthy transit times, lack of communication with my hosts, and mishandling a common (albeit irritating) situation. Anxiety was high, logical thinking was on the back-burner. I tell the twisted tale still, 5 years later, knowing that my reaction to such a situation today would be different.

And India? An interesting tip about travelling in India: Make your Plan B before Plan A. Smart? Yes. Necessary? Yes. Don’t touch India with a 10-foot pole? Don’t be silly! Just be prepared that you can never be (fully) prepared for India.

"And that one time in India, when we were stranded on our camel safari... a bit too close to the Pakistan border..."

Days, weeks, months, or years later, you will recount the stories. “Remember that one time…” and you will continue to embellish or downplay the situation. Journeys can be a slap in the face, but at least you will be wiser for next time. If there is a next time!

Perhaps the coffee is a bit less decadent than this cappuccino

 Our weekly blogger is back and Nicola is going to have a busy Saturday traveling around the world! From Toronto, to Greece and beyond!

How is she managing it? Well, here she tells us how: 

C’est le weekend! The work week may be over, but that does not mean the end of busy times. Here’s how my Saturday is going to work, in a nutshell:

A bit more of a sleep-in than the Mon-Fri alarm allows, it’s time to wake up and have some coffee… 

Today includes a reunion with a university friend/study abroad comrad/Greek travel buddy… so what better way to catch-up then to invite her to Toronto for a chat over meal & dessert crêpes and reminisce over our year in the French Alps? To top it off, we’ve chosen Cafe Crepe, a crêperie in Toronto that also has a unique feature on their menu – Nutella lattes. This is true… will report back if we do indeed give it a taste!

Nutella on my crêpe AND in my drink, please.

Next, time to hop on a bus and head north of Toronto for my next reunion. A Bermudian friend living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is getting hitched in August in Bermuda… Cupmatch weekend, to be exact! I am delighted to be a bridesmaid (my first bridal party stint), so we are meeting up to check out bridesmaid dresses. Of course, this means modelling and I am all for that. My time to shine & report back to the others in the bridal party!

Dress to impress in India (may be different for this wedding!)

Naturally, Bermudians being Bermudians, we are going to catch up on news of friends & family back home. Maybe throw in a “wish we were at the beach right now”. Despite enjoying life in Toronto, it’s also nice to think of summery weather to keep us going in the Canadian winter.

August 2012 in Bermuda, here we come!

And to end a Saturday in the best way we know how, and maybe depending on how the dress shopping goes… we are going to turn “stressed” into “desserts” and make ourselves enjoy some sweet treats at Caffé Demetre, specializing in all things in sweet-tooth heaven. 

ps. I’ve also been told that I am spending the night in a “man-cave”… so I dearly hope the spiders are aware this wanderer is NOT willing to share the bed! 

Where are we again?

Hello one and all and this week we have a new wanderer helping us out….Nicola’s sister, Katie, has been to visit…..well do I even have to say it? Amsterdam!

What’s the latest? what do you have to see? Tell us Katie: 

Amsterdam is (in)famous for its coffee houses and red light district. However, if you delve deeper, there are many other sides to Amsterdam – everything cultural, historical and beautiful! Whether it’s a day-trip, or you’re passing by enroute to another European city, a long layover at AMS airport or a weekend break, Amsterdam has a lot to offer.

Spending some time in Amsterdam? Here are some tips, ideas and general tidbits. The possibilities are endless:

* Explore the maze of canals on foot, or rent a bike and pedal like the locals! There are as many bikes as there are people in Amsterdam (bike rental: 8 – 10 euros per day). Or do it in the form of water on a canal cruise with commentary (price: 8 – 10 euros for an hour cruise)

* Van Gogh Museum – see his transition from dark paintings of peasants to paintings with Japanese influence to pointillism

How to get around Amsterdam? A bike, perhaps?

* Rijksmuseum – and see the I AMSTERDAM life size statue right outside

* Anne Frank House – brought the diary to life, every high schooler who read the diary MUST go here!

* Dutch Resistance Museum – see who made the choice: adjust – collaborate – resist during WWII

* Museum Rembrandthuis- see a live demonstration of how Rembrandt made his own paint each day!

* Get the ‘I Amsterdam card’ this includes public transport and museum entry, well worth it! For 24 hours = 40 euros, 48 hours = 50 euros, 72 hours = 60 euros.

* Worried you don’t speak Dutch? No worries, they speak English better than you and I!

Get your clogs here!

* The floating flower market is also a sight to see – all varieties of tulips and other bulbs. Good place to pick up gifts for friends and family… such as clogs!

* Pop in to one of the Pancake houses, which serve Dutch mini-pancakes called ‘poffertjes’

* You will see ‘XXX’ all over the city. This is not a reference to the red light district! It is the symbol of the city, the three crosses of St.Andrew, and stand for the 3 dangers of medieval Amsterdam ‘fire, floods, plague’

* People who own stunning houses in the Jordaan district are endearingly termed DINKs = ‘double income, no kids’!

The bottom line: Don’t be a DINKus, and go and see Amsterdam for yourself! 

Bounjour and welcome to this week’s blog post from Nicola Arnold…..all about Paris. There could not be a more appropriate follow to Quebec City so voila:

Voici ma bande annonce pour mon Paris je t’aime à moi. [Here is my teaser trailer for my very own Paris je t'aime]

Parisian pastries

Last night, we ate a marvelously rich & succculent French supper at Batifole in Toronto. ‘We’ being a friend from my university with whom I studied abroad for a year at Université de Savoie in Chambéry, France a few years ago. What better way to toast to our new working-worlds in the city and to reminisce about the days we spent hiking in the French Alps than to sit down for a meal that included such quintessentially French orders such as:

* Salade d’Endive, Prosciutto, Copeaux d’Emmental de Cave, Vinaigrette aux Figues.
* Le Cassoulet Royal; Confit de Canard, Saucisses Fermière, Poitrine de Porc Rôtie.
(Plus one of the daily specials that I am forced to describe less eloquently: Rhubarb tart with flaky pastry, shallots, cheese and garlic).

The venue? Authentique. The dishes? Délicieux. The memories? Nostalgique. The experience? Formidable!

A little quirk of mine? I am often aware (thinking to myself) of where I bought the that clothes I’m wearing. Last night, I was wearing a sweater that I had bought in France at one of my favourite shops – . Black & grey, with mismatching buttons. In university, if I was sitting for a French exam, I would try and wear something that I had bought in France for the exam. Authentic good luck would then come my way, n’est-ce pas?

Scarf? French. Jacket? French. Jeans? French. Boots? French.

To add to the French-ness of the evening, the easy-to-read-on-the-subway book in my bag was a comic-book style story about an American mother & daughter who live in Paris for 6 weeks in Jan/Feb 2007… full of hand-drawn doodles, funny commentaries on daily life in France, photos and of course food & wine!

Where am I going with this?

Yes, I’ve previously mentioned my experiences studying & living in France… A year in Lorraine. A semester in Paris. A year in Chambéry. But this January marks the 5th year that I was in Paris for a semester. And so far, for every day of 2012, I have thought about those 4 Parisian months. Lots of people love Paris… and lots of people don’t (Too dirty, not kind to English speakers, didn’t meet the hype I imagined, etc.).

But I lived there. Four months only, perhaps, but I had a neighbourhood. I bought groceries. I ran errands. In Paris.

See "Cite Universitaire" in the 14th arrondissement (center, bottom)? I lived there for 4 months.

If you are a fan of any of the following American tv shows, you may know that their dramatic endings involved (potentially) running off to Paris:
- Rachel Green lands a job with Louis Vuitton in Paris in the Friends finale
- Carrie Bradshaw battles between New York vs. Paris in the Sex and the City finale
- Jerry, George, Elaine & Kramer head to Paris for “one last hurrah” in the Seinfeld finale

Amongst others, I’m sure. City of romance, of lights, of history, and of baguettes! 

The Eiffel Tower from the Arc de Triomphe/Champs-Elysees

A la semaine prochaine, amusez-vous bien mes amis! [Until next weekend, enjoy yourselves, my friends!]

It’s a new year and our Wanderer Nicola is still finding ways to make us jealous for her travels. In her second round of sunsets around the world we visit Norway, Croatia and, of course, Bermuda! The sun has set on 2011, so Nicola show us what to look forward to:

Happy New Year, one & all! Who can resist a celebration that includes fireworks & champagne? Wow, it’s hard to believe that I wrote my 2011 NYE post just over a whole year ago… on a flight from South Africa to England to Amsterdam. Watching the sun set over Africa and the sun rise over Europe from my window seat.

Speaking of sunsets, remember this colourful entry? Interestingly enough, I received a message from a friend (who also happens to be a photographer) complimenting me on the sunset blog photos. It can be difficult to know how many people these columns reach, so I was pleasantly surprised! Given that the subject was sunsets, though, I cannot take much credit for the snapshots. With the winning combination of clouds, colours, beaches or mountains, sunsets basically set themselves up for splendor!

Simayal, in the foothills of the Himalayas

If you’re itching for a movie to watch as the sun fades behind the clouds, try Before Sunset, and watch Ethan Hawke converse with Julie Delpy in Paris, France. Europe, dusk til dawn, and a conversation that is just as electric at the scenery around them (sequel to the original film, Before Sunrise). City of Love & Lights, after all…

In Bermuda… sunsets really out-do themselves. When you live in a rock surrounded by the deep blue sea you have a lot of natural beauty to boast about. Whether you are at Horseshoe Beach, Grotto Bay or St. George… boating, at a beach or on your balcony…

We all watch & wait with anticipation for sunsets, and you can tell a good one is coming your way wherever you are. For the fidgety, anxious, move n shake kind of people, it seems that sunsets (and sunrises) are a moment of fresh air. A chance to take a break, and let the magic unfold. See what you think of these quotes about our glorious sundowners:

While visiting to Croatia in summers, we drag ourselves out of bed (somewhat begrudgingly) at the crack of dawn to walk along the coastal towns. Of all the early starts you could have, a Croatian summer is worth the lack of sleep-in. Besides, as the temperatures creep up into the 30′s Celcius, you want to take a snooze in the afternoon. And then you marvel at the sun setting behind the mountains & hills of the islands along the Adriatic Sea.

An evening walk on Elbow Beach, Bermuda

In Bermuda, we are able to make beach & sunsets go hand-in-hand.

Idyllic? Yes.

Do you remember reading (or watching?!) Charlotte’s Web? The sun setting has us exclaiming words to extoll the sunset in all it’s glory, much like the vocabulary that we learnt from our friend Wilbur the pig: ”terrific,” “radiant,” and even “humble”.

Sail into the sunset in Oslo, Norway

To sum it all up, Lord Byron has the closing words: “It /sunset/ was the cooling hour, just when the rounded Red sun sinks down behind the azure hill, which then seems as if the whole earth is bounded, circling all nature, hushed, and dim, and still, with the far mountain-crescent half surrounded on one side, and the deep sea calm and chill upon the other, and the rosy sky with one star sparkling through it like an eye.”

Frosty, where is all the snow this Christmas in Canada?

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all of that! It’s that time of the year when the weather gets cold and the hearts get warm! 

Our wanderer, Nicola Arnold, has spent her holidays traveling around New York. Rockefeller centre, taxis, Harry Potter…it’s a wonderful world of holidays:

Advent calendar chocolates are few & far between, presents are wrapped, cookies are baked, turkeys are defrosted, families are gathering far & wide to celebrate with joy. It’s Christmastime and we all know it! This year, I cannot say “I’ll be home for Christmas” – I’m not in Bermuda, nor am I celebrating with family in England, Croatia or South Africa as in previous years. This Christmas I am in my adopted home – Canada - and there isn’t even snow in this supposedly “Great White North”.

But here’s a little secret: I already celebrated Christmas

Unbeknownst to many (especially my mother, who I surprised), I spent a short & sweet weekend in NYC with my parents, to kick off Christmas.

New York City.

Or…

Broadway Baby.
The Big Apple.
Manhattan.
Gotham City.
The city that never sleeps.
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of (Thanks, Alicia Keys)

Yellow cabs, American flags... hello New York City!

NYC is our old stomping ground, and the main goal for getaway weekends to New York City is “How many musicals can we cram into our time here?” And at Christmastime, the excitement in the city is multiplied – New York is a magical mayhem of movement, madness… and musicals! Have you ever been to New York City? Around Christmas? Well, I will borrow the “You know you have visited New York City when” style of points and tell you a bit about the weird & wonderful experiences that can probably only take place in New York City.

Nicola’s Yuletide Celebration aka NYC: 

* You feel like you are in Star Wars, swerving through groups, bypassing window-shoppers and avoiding throngs of tourists. Toronto and Boston feel like a ghost-own compared to NYC! The yellow taxis are different, it’s more of a boxy-style cab honking its way down Broadway now.

* The guys selling stuff in Time Square choose you as a victim to give their CD, because they are trying to make it big and get on MTV. Here’s how it went down:

CD guy: Listen to this, you’ll love it.
Me: Okay, thanks.
CD guy: Would you like to give a small donation? It’s Christmastime!
Me: Ask my dad, he’s got the money!
CD guy: I’ll even sign your CD, what’s your name?
Me: Nicky.
CD guy: Okay, I’ll make it out to N-Sexy!

You cannot 'Trump' NYC for excitement on every street corner

* You rush from the wintery windows of Macy’s to the holiday windows of Sak’s Fifth Avenue to compare notes, styles and creativity points.

* You are moseying around Bergdorf Goodman (the swanky department store where mink coats actually cost $23,700), and you run into your high school French teacher who is also in New York City on a pre-holiday trip with her children from Bermuda. It’s a small world!

* You have some big decisions to make: You must decide if you will re-watch an already-seen-it-but-I-want-to-see-it-one-more-time musical (such as Lion King, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, or Rent), or if you will branch out and try another new show. Which Hollywood stars are you going to rush to see on stage? Adam Pascal? Alan Rickman? Daniel Radcliffe? Bernadette Peters? Hugh Jackman? Samuel L. Jackson? Kim Catrall? Or your very own Bermudian starlet, Rebecca Faulkenberry, in Spiderman?

Dear old Harry Potter on Broadway? Magical!

* You try to have dinner on Saturday evening around 6pm near Time Square and there is, quite literally, “no room at the inn”. All your favourite restaurants are busy with the pre-show patrons. Ellen’s Stardust Diner has a line snaking outside. The Pig ‘N’ Whistleis chock-a-block. You finally resort to an Irish pub on Restaurant Row, delighted to much on burger sliders, French fries & beer. Mission accomplished.

* You see not one but 3 Tim Hortons shops in central Manhattan and you, almost, feel like you are a Canadian in America when your heart skips a beat. But then you run off to indulge in a sweet treat at Dunkin’ Donut or Au Bon Pain instead.

* You remember everywhere that Kevin goes in NYC in “Home Alone 2″? The same famous “AAAHHHH!!!!!” face of Macaulay Culkin, set at Christmas, in New York City. Although you do not see the bizarre bird lady in Central Park, nor does the Plaza Hotel exist – it has now turned into apartment buildings, and a friend of your friend is a bartender there! You go to Rockerfeller center and see the ice-skaters and remember that it is the spot where Kevin reunites with his mom.

Rockefeller Center, ice skating and Home Alone flashbacks

* You are hop & skip from one fancy drink location to another – first the Marriott Marquis in Time Square for a pre-show drink (at the former revolving bar which no longer revolves), and then at the Peninsula Hotel to warm up after browsing the shops on Fifth Avenue… you decided that queuing to get into FAO Shwarz to see the toys was just not gonna happen… instead, time for an Irish coffee & biscotti!

* The best thing about being in Time Square is seeing the “Coke” ad in all it’s fluorescent glory, which at Christmastime is the Holiday Coca-Cola ad with the polar bears and penguins. In fact, all the lights and advertising and flashy marketing has you looking left, right and center in dizziness.

The 12 Days of Christmas, Citi bank style

* You are invited to two Christmas holiday parties by your friend & host: one for an acting studio, and the other for a tea salon. The first is in the basement of the studios, rooms filed with cookies, cheese, biscuits and wine. The second party is in a martini bar (complimentary martinis!) with BBQ style food and a dessert table. And you are not at all “crashing” the parties… you are warmly welcomed!

* You realized that while you are wandering the streets of NYC, you occasionally burst into any of the following NYC-themed songs:

New York State of Mind – Billy Joel
New York Minute – Don Henley
New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
Downtown – Petula Clark
Take the “A” Train – Ella Fitzgerald
Living for the City – Stevie Wonder
New York City Boys – Pet Shop Boys……. or one of many, many others!

But please, don’t take my word for it. If you have never been (or have not been in awhile), go to New York. It is worth your while to see/hear/smell/taste/touch/feel the magic of Manhattan for yourself. Especially at Christmastime… Happy holidays!