Christmas Letter 2009

Greetings to all during this holiday season! I hope this Christmas letter finds you all happy, healthy and enjoying the season wherever you are. As this year has obviously been an important one in my life, I thought there was no better time than now to write my first Christmas letter.

On February 9, 2009, I left Edmonton, Alberta: my home, my family and friends, and my comfort zone. My goal was to spend one year travelling the world and making the most of this amazing opportunity. I have travelled before but not for such an extensive period of time and not without a purpose. This year I was not bound by an itinerary, a job, or a preconceived idea of what I wanted to do and accomplish. That was all for me to define.

Happy Christmas! - First stop was London, England. This gave me a few days to ease into travelling on the other side of the world alone. It was here that my first goal was achieved: meet new people. In order for me to travel successfully, I knew that I had to overcome barriers and insecurities and not be afraid to meet new people. It all started on day one.

Milad Majid! - I flew to Cairo, Egypt and immediately felt challenged and overwhelmed. Egypt was a place like no other: the cacophony of sounds, assault of earthy smells and the sheer number of people was overwhelming and brilliant! I loved travelling throughout Egypt as every day offered up amazing sights and experiences, delicious food (goal #2: try new food) and challenges I was confident I could overcome. Very early on I had found what I needed: independence and strength.
Highlights: Climbing Mt. Sinai, camping out in the desert, amazing food especially falafel and koshari

Kala Christouyenna! - My next flight was to Athens, Greece. I have felt a connection to this amazing country for years and I was overjoyed to return. Finally, my university training became relevant (surprisingly, there isn't a need for a classicist with Greek history, art and architecture training in Edmonton!). I was able to travel to parts of Greece I had not been to which made Greece that much more appealing: the places all had such unique and mystical qualities.
Highlights: Meteora shrouded in fog, Delphi, Athens, my favourite gyros shop in Monastiraki

Buone Feste Natalizie! - After a long ferry ride, I arrived in the land of pizza, brilliant architecture and fashion. Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and Rome were absolutely lovely. As were Florence and Venice but at this time I experienced my first major difficulty on the road: illness, exhaustion and frustration. I loved Italy but I needed a change.
Highlights: Pizza, more pizza, blessed by Il Papa at the Vatican, walking around four great cities

Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto! - Slovenia offered just what I needed. My Opa was Slovenian and it became important for me to visit his home country. And very quickly it became my favourite place in Europe. I have never felt more at home away from home: it was a friendly, beautiful and natural place. And I felt honoured to have been there.
Highlights: Ljubljana, Lake Bled, caving, Poker nights (all night) with new friends

Frohliche Weinachten! - On to the land of rolling mountains, Sound of Music and giant servings of schnitzel! I was in heaven. I was only in Austria for a few days but I loved it: the hills were definitely alive with the sound of music. Trust me.
Highlights: giant schnitzel, Sound of Music tour, Salzburg before Easter

Frohliche Weihnachten! - My arrival in Germany began with spending Easter with family. This was one of my first home stays and I needed it over the holiday. I then moved my way north through the country, visiting new places and returning to see others but embracing every moment. At this point, I had been travelling for two months so I was finally feeling like I knew what I was doing.
Highlights: Easter with family, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Rhine Cruise, staying in a castle overnight, visiting friends and family

Vrolijk kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! - An unexpected but lovely stop in Amsterdam. My timing was days before the biggest celebration in the Netherlands so it was a short visit but I loved the city, the sights and the people I met. A place definitely worth returning to (I didn't even see the rest of the country!)
Highlights: 2am in A'dam, walking the canals, van Gogh museum

Frohliche Weihnachten! - Another logical but unplanned stop in Brugges. Mission: eat traditional Belgian food. I spent a day eating chocolate, waffles, frites and deep fried cheese and went into a chocolate coma. Brilliant! Unfortunately, didn't see much of the town because of all the food!
Highlights: food, chocolate, reconnecting with friends

Joyeux Noel! - On to the country of cheese, wine and love: France. Unfortunately, I spent most of my time in Paris alone but I still managed to enjoy my week. What an exciting and busy city. I needed a week just to try to attempt to see everything! The north was brilliant - went to a magical place called Mont St Michel. Delightful!
Highlights: fresh baguettes, crepes from street vendors, Mont St Michel, brilliant museums in Paris

Happy Christmas! Nollaig Shona Dhuit! Nollaig Chridheil huibh! - Back to the United Kingdom. I had five weeks to explore England, Ireland, and Scotland before returning home. And I loved every second of it. I was on a mission to find the best fish and chips which meant I was eating it as often as possible (Just so you know, Keswick in the Lake District). I had four weeks of sunshine and five weeks of brilliant experiences. I loved the UK for its fish and chips and local pubs. You can't go wrong with that. Oh, and the friendliest people.
Highlights: fish & chips, local pubs, seeing friends, Killarney (IRE) and Keswick (ENG), haggis

Once I returned home, I spent the summer travelling around Canada and exploring my hometown. I never realized how much my city has to offer besides a really big mall. Travelling has definitely deepened my appreciation for where I live.

Merry X-mas! - On to the United States of America. I had over two weeks to travel from Washington, DC to New York City stopping in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston along the way. It was a brilliant trip where I eased back into travelling internationally (or thrown in head first). Loved some places, wanted to get out of others.
Highlights: staying with friends, Boston, NFL game (my first live game!) in NYC

Merry Christmas! - On to the Southern hemisphere for the first time in my life. I wanted to travel to Australia for as long as I can remember and it definitely impressed me. It is a massive country full of diversity and challenges. What a wild place!
Highlights: Kangaroo Island, Daly Waters Pub NT, getting certified as an Advanced Adventure Open Water Scuba Diver, Whitsunday Islands

Meri Kirihimete! - New Zealand was an unexpected surprise. I have fallen in love with this country! Every place offers something new and exciting and I feel like a true adventurer. (Goal 3: Try adventurous things ie. sports, white water rafting, skydiving) It has challenged me in new ways but I feel like I am at last ready!
Highlights: Paihia, Rotorua, white water rafting, black water caving, meeting new people, Barrytown, skydiving

This Christmas I will be in Melbourne, Australia. This will be my first Christmas without snow and more importantly, without my family. It has been weird leading up to the holidays: walking around in a tank top in the sun, seeing Christmas decorations (fake snow!!) and the realization that I will celebrate Christmas 18 hours ahead of home! It should be interesting. New Years will be spent in Sydney, the hippest place to be on December 31. I am ready for it! On January 6, I return back home after eleven months of travel, growth and discovery.

So obviously, I have had a busy and well travelled year. But it could not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my family: I love you Mommy, Daddy, Bryan, Kristen and Jeff. Thanks also to my uncles and aunts, my friends back home, to everyone who has followed my travels throughout the year and to everyone I have met along the way. I am extremely fortunate to have met so many great people this year who I consider my friends. You have all made my experiences that much more amazing and memorable! I have valued those who spent a few hours with me, those who spent days, those I toured with, those who offered accommodation and assistance. Thank you and I would be happy to return the favour! Just ask!

I wish you all the best holiday season, a brilliant 2010 and happy and successful years to come!

Love, Lisa