peace play passion: the midway point

it blows my mind that i’m only halfway through peace play pash, mainly because i have no idea how the second half could ever measure up to the first. i have made memories to last a lifetime and then some. and i am savouring every. single. moment.wrote some thoughts on feb 2, 2018 - exactly halfway into my trip. here’s where i’m at:#1 highlight: gorilla trekking in Uganda. nothing will beat that. ever.

other so-happy-i-could-cry moments:- diving with turtles in Gili. this is what they mean when they say it’s a different world underwater. i never wanted that tank to run out of air.- hiking up Lion’s Head at sunrise. taking in the view of Table Mountain. trail running down the mountain. looking at that INSANE view, feeling so happy and deciding that whatever the rest of my life holds, i will make sure it’s epic- walking around Cape Town’s waterfront on my first day and feeling that butterflies-in-my-stomach, falling-in-love-with-this-city feeling. Paris and New York, you know what i mean.- shark diving in Cape Town and getting a surprise visit by a Great White at the very end. lost my shit. that was so epic.- safari at Akagera in Rwanda. rounding the bend with the thrill that there may be an elephant around the corner and pinching myself this is my life.- of course, finding out Janice was prego while in Rwanda. bawled my eyes out.

^^those feelings of 100% contentment and happiness in Africa - those defined my “peace” leg. living my best life moments- dancing every. damn. night. in southeast asia. koh tao, sky garden in bali, gili. all my favourite songs. discovering that it is so fun being me. that is my “play” leg.- when Capsule Hostel in Seminyak took requests for my fave songs and played Macklemore x2 and Slow Hands. i love when people get me.- obviously New York with Carmy for the #pregame. all the free drinks and dance floors. thriving.

other highlights:- bike tour through Ubud countryside, getting a reminder of that untouched local lifestyle that i fell in love with in Rwanda- double rainbow from the back of Christine’s scooter in Kigali- guests of honour at a small village’s soccer game in Rwanda. that was the CRAZIEST.- seeing baby turtles run into the sea and out into the world for the first time, against insane odds, on a slice of paradise called Turtle Island

current internal dilemma:- which lifestyle is really me. who even am i. walking through Louis Vuitton in Melbs i was remembering how i used to want to grow up to hustle at a high-paying job and be wealthy and live a life of luxury. i was always about designer purses, nice shoes, name brand everything. now i think i just want to travel and stay in hostels the rest of my life if it means getting to see the world?? i feel like i’ve changed??- where is MY city?? Paris obviously has my heart, like i NAMED my passion leg after it. but for the past few years i have been a New York girl. then i absolutely fell in love with Cape Town. it’s stunning, liveable, but has that African edge. on the other hand, i THRIVE in that no makeup, no shoes, beach life. but then arriving in Melbourne i was like oh nonono not another city i love. i’m already with Paris, New York, Cape Town, and Vancouver, my home - I AM AT CAPACITY. (luckily i have since realized Melbourne’s not MY city - it’s perfect in every way, but my heart is somewhere with a little more grit. a little more magic.)- like you know when you’re growing up you’re like “i’m going to get married when i’m 25 and live in Abbotsford my whole life.” then i moved to Vancouver, visualize the rest of my life there, and loved travelling to Europe but that’s it. didn’t even want to go to SE Asia cause it was dirty and i get seasick. then i went to Rio and fell in love in every way and all bets were off - i wanted every adventure and i needed to see the world. enter peace play passion. Africa, Asia by myself, gorillas, sharks, leeches, waking up to cockroaches on my lips, making new friends every night. 2-years-ago me did not see THIS comin’. so what’s next???? who knows??

what ppp has taught me:- i am strong and independent and i take no bullshit. i woke up with a cockroach on my lips in Railay and i demanded the hotel manager give me my money back. same thing when i got screwed out of a ferry in Koh Phangan. Mat from Gili told me i have a “tough” vibe and i was like oh that’s weird because i am just a small unintimidating blonde girl but i know what he means. it feels good to travel the world and know i can 100% hold my own. to quote Christine on the phone a few weeks ago, “YOU CAN’T F WITH ME” !!- i have crazy fomo for cities outside of vancouver. like i can never stay in. because what if i miss the best night of dancing ever?? what if macklemore shows up?? what if i could have met a hilarious, smart, tall dark and handsome latino gentleman??- when i was leaving Bali our driver Bagus told me i am positive and i love music and dancing and vodka. i loled because he nailed it, that is me in a NUTSHELL. i am really that simple - play me my fave song or give me a shot of vod and i’m happy.- all this self love feels so good because i am the happiest i have ever been in my life, and it’s because of me. not a guy, not work or anyone or anything else. that’s what ppp was all about - taking my happiness into my own hands. i sincerely hope everyone else finds their own peace play passion.- there have been a couple times i pushed MYSELF out of my comfort zone (sleeping in Akagera Park amidst the lions and elephants, rock climbing in Railay, walking up to live 400 pound gorillas.. travelling Africa in general..) and there have been times when i’ve GOTTEN pushed out of my comfort zone (near-death ferries in Thailand, maybe a couple vibes in Zanzibar and Cape Town). it’s been wild. now if something comes up that is out of my comfort zone i literally just take a breath and get’er done.

—travel tips:- obv research everything. i paid about $100 more for the turtles in Borneo than i should have if i had looked online first. same with our Ubud bike tour. ROOKIE MISTAKES.- i did not want to travel alone but now i wouldn’t have it any other way - i believe anyone can do it. stay in party hostels (or at least make sure they’re busy) to meet people. learn to appreciate your me-time. and LOVE YOURSELF - i am now my favourite person to hang out with. like i am a blast.- i never thought i could travel without my hair curler and straightener - they just make me feel presentable/human. i have used my curler twice and i sent my straightener home - scrap ‘em.- bring only thin beach clothes to southeast asia. like even my aritzia dress was not worn once. too fricken hot and sweaty.- walk on the side of the road where the cars are coming at you. so far Rwanda was the only place where they drive on the right side of the street. and in most places i’ve been, the rules of the road are slim to none.- use XE currency app for converting mula.- use maps.me or google maps to download offline maps, it’s been so helpful- bring a portable charger, earplugs, eye mask, neck pillow. small quick drying towel. i havent needed my sheet liner.- check if any stains on sheets at hostels = bed bugs- just count on a chunk of money going down the drain. booking issues, flight delays, rip offs. but barter every chance you get. EVERYONE is trying to scam tourists - lowball them hard right at the beginning and then you can meet in the middle. taxis, tours, food, clothes, everything. also google like how much the taxi should cost from the airport to your hostel. if there’s uber, check what the rate is and don’t pay much more for a taxi.- music on travel days is obviously so key (so is gravol !!!!) so make sure you have your fave songs or a new album lined up. i’ve been so busy that i actually love those transit days to catch up on music—okay this halfway point status update has mostly been about self love but i do have to acknowledge the amazing people who have shared this journey with me from near and far. how lucky am i that i got to stay with my best friends Tommy and my newfound soul sister Christine in Rwanda, Dan in Melbourne, that Christie had her Borchelorette while i was in SE Asia, that i got to frolic with Carmen in the pregame and she is coming to join passion as well. i SO appreciate my fam and friends that have been so supportive and happy that i’m happy. i’ve gotten so many lovely messages from people. then there’s everyone i’ve met along the way - too many to list, but including my other soul sis Jen and pull-at-my-heartstrings Eric in Kigali, the Uganda triathlon crew, my Cape Town bodyguards Andrew Derek and Pedro, the Goodtime Koh Tao crew Logan Ian etc, fellow dancing queens Diana Caroline Michu etc, Mat and Egy from Blue Marlin. i haven’t spent a day fully on my own this whole trip, and honestly so many people have touched my heart along the way.

okay - is that a lot?? it’s been a crazy amazing 3 months, so it should be a lot lol. i can’t even imagine how the latter half could even compare but let’s give it a shot, here we go!!