Going to Toronto Soon!


Posted by Jaclyn

I’m taking a trip to Toronto for the weekend after my birthday (21st-23rd) and I’m super excited to go! I’m looking forward to seeing more of Canada, especially since the only part of it I’ve seen before was Niagara Falls.

The trip is about 6 and a half hours away from where I live, so I’ll have a good amount of time to amuse myself.

For my cheap side: I will definitely be packing food for my first day, along with some granola bars for the rest of the weekend. While I don’t know if my hotel will have a fridge, I’ll just go to a grocery store if I need to get food once I’m there. I’ll also probably get a meal or two at some of the restaurants I’m using WiFi at.

 

For my writer side: I will likely be recording notes on my phone to write later when I arrive in Toronto. I’ve been trying out free dictation software, because I’d love to cut out the extra step between my thoughts and my post – I also have an incessant desire to do at least 3 or 4 things at once, so having dictation software just makes sense for me.

I got a new laptop a few weeks back and tried out the dictation software that came with the computer. Needless to say I was not impressed. I used Dragon Dictation on my phone before, but not extensively. I believe the free version has a limit to how many words you’re able to dictate at a time or within a given period. Either way, I’ve been looking at reviews and Dragon will probably be the paid version I go with. It seems to be the best quality for the price.

 

For my “I Need Internet 24/7″ Side: Luckily I won’t have to worry too much about getting work or homework done over the weekend, but I will need some WiFi whether I use it for productive purposes or not. I’ll probably hop between cafes and restaurants if I really need the connection. I find that not having the connection to the outside world makes the trip better anyway. It’ll let me focus completely on Toronto.

Toronto has a website devoted specifically to WiFi hot spots. Other areas also have resources like this (Ohio, Pittsburgh, NYC , LA and many, many others).

 

For my nerdy side: I will most likely be playing books from Audible.com on my iPhone. I’m surprised to say that I actually love the concept of audio books. I didn’t think I’d have the attention span for them at all, but I tried it at first with Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales and I was hooked. Later I downloaded a Russian lesson for free, since they give you credits every so often to get a free book with.

This is my current nerdy book of choice. :)

Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku

 

For my musical side: I will be blasting some Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Voxtrot, and maybe some Blitzen Trapper via my archaic CD player. Since my car doesn’t have an auxiliary jack, I prefer not to use FM transmitters to play through my car stereo because I’m very particular about having no static in my music. Drives me crazy.

 

For my adventurous and somewhat unsafe side: Yes, I will be taking plenty of pictures while I drive. Now I am definitely not a photographer, but I borrowed my mom’s Canon EOS 10D and I have to say it’s a lot more fun than I’d imagined it would be. It’s also a million steps above my terrible 4-year-old Fuji Film camera and my 3gs iPhone with no flash.

Canon EOS 10D

 

Packing: I don’t plan on packing much (especially since I’m only going to spend 2 nights there). I don’t need anything the hotel can provide, and I only need 2 changes of clothes with a pair of sweats, so I’m assuming I can fit everything I need into a backpack. It’ll also be easy for me to carry around if I need to.

 

My itinerary is still up in the air, but when I have everything sorted out I will give more info :)


Traveling Chocolate Enthusiasts Unite


Posted by Jaclyn

Lets begin with a story:

This morning I woke up from my very light 5 hour night of sleep, NPR on the radio (I have no idea why I wake up to NPR, the one thing that almost certainly will put me back to sleep), and of course I dread getting up for work. I laid in bed for 15 minutes until my second alarm went off, which is too loud to stay in bed to. Today was my 15-hour day, so needless to say I wasn’t revved for it to start.

Anyway, I go to work. I’m lucky enough to sit at a desk beside my heater that blows some amazingness my way and I get to listen to some nice soft music to make me thing of my comfy bed. Literally the only things I could possibly want in my life right now are a pillow, a blanket, and some chocolate…

And so begins my inspiration for this post.

Do you ever need comfort food when you’re sleepy? I don’t mean have a craving for it, I mean NEED. I mean “drive a half hour away to get it on your lunch break” need it. I thankfully didn’t have to do that (but I would have), I just had to go downstairs and grab some (Ghirardelli truffles, which by the way are fantastic), but you get my drift.

So I would like to introduce you to some chocolate companies that make their fortunes from the corners of the world, and hopefully some you can enjoy if you get a chance to try them:

Chocolate Companies, both in the U.S. and In Other Countries

1. Vosges Chocolatiers - US

2. Marlieu - France

3. Chocolate Vitale – Seattle, WA

4. Babaevski Concern – Russia

5. Teuscher - Switzlerland

6. Whittakers - New Zealand

 

P.S. I will be sure to update this post when I have more time and give more info on said chocolate companies :)

 

Here are also some links to assist you on your chocolate journey:

A Guide to Belgium Chocolate

Best Paris chocolate shops 

London 

Big Chocolate companies in Germany 

WorldWideChocolate.com

 


Things to do during layovers


Posted by Jaclyn

Most people are burdened with layovers on long flights, and rightly so. They can be extremely boring and tiresome, and they can certainly seem longer than usual when your destination is the only thing on your mind. But there are also plenty of things that can keep you occupied during your wait that are well worth the stop.

 

1. Take pictures and/or write. This one is my favorite. I put these two options together because they have one common objective: capturing the moment.

I never want to miss a minute of anything when I travel. In fact, when I search for flights, I try to take layovers into account, searching for stops I’d like to learn more about on my way to my destination. There are tons of things to take pictures of in and around any airport: people, shops, restaurants, airplanes, the terrain, etc. The list is limited, but the possibilities really are endless.

This is also a great option if you’re a travel writer or have a blog, are required to document your trip due to school or work, or just want to keep a journal for personal purposes. Here are seven reasons you should write a travel blog.

 

2. Talk to people. Are you writing at all on your trip? Now is the perfect time to start. Lots of people will be waiting for your flight and many others – go talk to them. Lots of people will also be flying alone, and for those that seem plain interesting, ask them where they’re going, why they’re going, where they’re from, etc. Small talk can lead to fabulous conversations, and articles.

 

3. Shop. Souvenir shops, clothing stores, different airports have different stores, different themes, and different souvenirs. Get something small to remember your trip by, get something for friends or family.

 

4. Eat. I end up starving every time I land for a layover, so as soon as I’m off the plane I’m racing for the food. You can always go exotic and order something from a smaller restaurant (if you’re in another country), or you can eat safely and go for a larger chain. Most airports have at least one chain restaurant, so if you’re picky, you’ll probably still find something without having to plug your nose while eating it.

 

5. Drink. For those who drink, why wouldn’t you drink? Despite the risk of sounding like an alcoholic, I will admit it makes the time pass faster and it will loosen you up and reduce your stress (I am of course basing this on 1-2 drinks). You may even fall asleep faster on the next flight, which is always a plus for me.

 

6. Sleep. If nothing catches your interest, or if you’ve exhausted all options and still have time to spare, you can always cozy up on a seat at your gate and  get some sleep. My recommendation: put on some relaxing music, grab a neck pillow (find the right one for you) and keep a light throw blanket with you in your carry-on luggage (I always get cold, and airports have a reputation for being chilly).

 

7. Surf the Internet. Grab your phone or laptop and search away. Most airports have WiFi, and while you may not have cell phone service, chances are you’ll be able to access your email and social networking sites to get in touch with people during your wait.

Make sure you have a way to charge your electronic devices. I’ve had mine go dead many times because I’d put them in the wrong bags. Most airports have outlets in lots of locations, so you should be able to find a place to recharge your phone or laptop battery during your wait as well. Then you won’t have to do it when you finally reach your destination.

 

8. Read. You could use aforementioned devices, or you could grab a book or magazine, which every airport has an abundance of.

Check out eight airport lounges worth the layover.

 

And last but not least, if you’re just not feeling the layover, plan ahead. Find out how to handle long layovers from WikiHow.


Canada Railroad Travel: VIA Rail Canada


Posted by Jaclyn


The VIA Rail in Canada is an economical option for travel when on vacation, visiting family, or exploring new areas. It also isn’t an option that Americans frequently think of if they’re not familiar with the country. Since our primary means of transportation in the US is either by car or plane, it can be difficult to imagine a bustling railway system without letting our minds wander to a pre-World War II era.

The VIA Rail system goes throughout Canada, from the West to the East coast, and as far north as Churchill, Manitoba – the polar bear capital of the world (they even have polar bear tours, kayaking, and expeditions), and an amazing location to see the Aurora Borealis in the winter.

Prices range from under $100 to several thousands of dollars, depending on your path. Like any other public transportation system, the distance between destinations and time of day and year has an affect on prices.

The VIA Rail system is great for both students and professionals that don’t want to get behind on work, offering business class and wireless internet. They also have activities to keep children entertained and offer accommodations for large amounts of luggage. They serve meals and offer smoking accommodations at most stops, but do not allow smoking on trains.

Business discounts are available, as well as conference and other group discounts. Gift cards are used by many companies as incentives and bonuses for traveling employees.

College classes, corporations, and even film crews can reserve an entire car or more for special events. Prices are available here.

If you go to Packages > Train Packages, you will see under the search bar that you are able to choose packages based on the purpose of your trip, and based on the season (the site automatically defaults to the current season).

So if you plan to travel to Canada don’t forget about the VIA Rail. You can spend $100 to take a day trip to another city, or you can opt to go cross-country instead of taking an airplane.


Making friends and acquaintances while you travel


Posted by Jaclyn

Making friends and acquaintances is half the fun of travel. Learning about other cultures firsthand has always been what has made a trip special for me – but there are always issues, no matter how big or small, with communication that can prevent you from having the trip you’d planned.

SeattlesTravels.com also has a great blog post about making friends when traveling.

1. Try to speak their language. Even if you’re not fluent in the language, knowing a few choice words and phrases can get you far in other countries. I use Berlitz pocket-sized essential phrase translations books because I find that they’re most convenient for me (as far as books go). They have a plastic cover so they’re durable and sections are color-coded for easy phrase lookup.

My translation savior is my iPhone. I use Byki translation apps to learn languages quickly, which are only $7.99 in the app store, and I use iTranslate, which is free, for immediate phrase translation. The paid version of this app also has text-to-speech options.

You can also use electronic pocket translators, which range from $15-20 to several hundreds of dollars. I don’t regularly use them, but aside from expensive ones having text-to-speech options, I don’t see any real value from expensive electronic translators.

Keep in mind that even in countries of your language can be extremely different in terms of language use and culture. On my trip to London and Dublin I found myself having to look up figures of speech and slang terms after I’d already arrived.

 

2. Always be aware of your phrasing, body language, and their interpretation/misinterpretation of it. It can be easy to forget that there is a culture barrier once you’ve become familiar with someone and are comfortable around them. Don’t forget that there are many figures of speech Americans use that people from other countries don’t understand or find inappropriate. Take into account respect for certain groups of people, religion and politics. Learn what is taboo in your new country and don’t let it slip your mind during casual conversation. Check out Body Language in Different Cultures.

Always be aware.

 

3. Accept invitations to go out or go to events. Even if you’re not super excited for what you’re being asked out to do, no matter what you’re guaranteed to have a story the next day. Travel is all about excitement and learning about new cultures and ways of life. What better way to understand the lifestyle of another country than to become a part of it?

If you feel uncomfortable around your coworkers or classmates, try asking questions about their day and life. Get to know them. I find that this is a great way to ease tension because the focus is immediately taken off you and any differences that may be present and they will spend less time thinking about you and more about themselves. About.com has some Ice Breakers for work-related communication, and I’ve found that these are useful and not too intimate for cross-cultural situations.

And there’s always room for some drinks that will lighten the mood.

 

4. Talk to a boss or professor. Unless you’re traveling alone or with no outside motivation, chances are there is someone that has been through the same experiences as you’re going through right now, and if they haven’t, they will probably have an answer to help you avoid potential conflict or to ease a situation. Bosses typically prepare for sending employees to other countries and professors frequently travel. If a professor or professional contact  in your new country doesn’t understand your situation, try getting in touch with someone from your home country.

 

5. If all else fails, find someone from your home country. If there’s no hope for successful communication for you, or if you’re simply feeling out of place or homesick, the next best thing you could do is find someone who’s in the same situation. It doesn’t have to be someone from your home country, but chances are if you find someone who shares your struggles, you will both be able to confide in and help each other out in your journey.

 


Hooray for sailing!


Posted by Jaclyn

While I’ve just finished a 15-hour work/school day, I felt the need to blog about my recent fascination – sailing! I had a class discussion in my management class on Ernest Shackleton today. For those of you wondering who that is (I had no idea before I read the case on him) commanded a ship back in the day that was headed to Antarctica to get as close to the South Pole as possible. On Shackleton’s way there, the ship became engulfed in ice, and to make a long story short, a 27-crew journey turned into a 2-year long struggle to survive in Antarctica. Amazingly though, everyone was rescued as a result of Shackleton. This was during World War I, so the hype of the rescue was superseded by other more important issues. However, when I read the case study I was moved, and so were others – so much so that many have attempted to recreate this adventure. The Weakerthans also wrote a song about it.

I had thought about sailing in the past and had toyed with the idea of looking for boats, but had never really taken action. Now that I’m finally fully employed though, I figured I might as well give it a shot and take a couple lessons. I live close to Lake Erie so I checked out some sailing schools and decided on Wind Over Water sailing school to take classes from. So that is what I’ll be doing a few select summers of 2012.

I also looked at some boats and realized that what I originally thought I would have to pay for one (the 40-50k price range) was not necessarily the case. I looked online at a few websites and found that boats.com had the biggest selection, widest variety and most easy-to-use website navigation and interface.

Look for more to come on sailing. :)


iTunes U and the joy it brings to my life


Posted by Jaclyn

I don’t know how many people are really into learning new things or how they prefer to go about doing it, but I’d like to take a minute to introduce everyone to iTunes U and its many wonderful resources.

I’m the first to admit that reading books can be far too time consuming and sometimes extremely boring – therefore, because I’m so busy and have little to no attention span, I have fallen behind on not only reading books but business and academic articles, magazines, really any reading material at all. And with the crazy amount of reading I have to do for my MBA, the chances of getting the time to read anything other than a management or economics textbook are slim to none.

I’d imagine you’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with travel. Well, it has a lot to do with traveling actually.

1. There are a ton of resources out there that will explain to you how to finance, save and make money for your journey. Sure, they’re not fool-proof, but if you roll up all the information you’re getting from a $20 scam from a viral marketing website, you will undoubtedly find at least that much on iTunes U, and for no money. Podcasts are also a great resource for ways to save money.

If you’re looking to make money other ways while you travel, you could always learn about topics such as computer and development-related jobs, app development, marketing, web design, and tons of other online freelance jobs, which I’ll expand on in future posts. :)

2. If you plan to write and document events on your trip, there are lectures from university professors and other professionals that explain travel writing methods, exercises, and ways to market your writing. While I’ve seen plenty of these videos on both iTunes U and the podcast market, I prefer iTunes U lectures because they’re more structured and have more valuable information that I end up using.

3. If you’re planning on traveling to a country whose first language is one other than your own, you can find language classes and lectures on culture on iTunes U. I downloaded hours upon hours of lectures with video on Russian culture and the language.

This was most beneficial for me because when I first became interested in Russia I had no real knowledge of the culture, history, or traditions.

4. The iTunes store doesn’t provide an overwhelming amount of information, as opposed to the web. I know that when I’m looking for something specific, Googling only gets me so far. I find one source of information, I read half a page, then I throw it out and look at a million different pages. Lessons on iTunes U are a simple way to mentally organize information, and you may be surprised how much more information you retain when it’s organized for you.

5. Lots of people preparing or in the midst of traveling are so preoccupied with daily routines and necessary tasks that they find little time to learn about something, and for students and professionals, there are requirements and/or opportunities that stem from learning new things in their field or profession. There are also lots of colleges that sponsor lectures and videos.

 

I have a disease that causes me to never feel like I learn enough information. I’ve listened to tons of lectures from International Business to Natural Resources and the Economy, to iPhone App Development, to Eastern Religion. Most of the time I just listen to these when I’m getting ready in the morning, when I’m on my way to and from work, and when I’m getting ready to go to sleep at night. That makes up at least an hour and a half of my day, and it’s well spent.

Let’s compare:
Book on French culture – $15-20
iTunes lecture series – $0

 

Of course, while the academic benefits are there, they would mean nothing if all the information wasn’t free. But it is, so all is well and you can begin your journey of many lectures. :)


Nice to Meet You


Posted by Jaclyn

I’d like to preface my blogging adventures with a short introduction and some insight as to why I’ve created this site.

My name is Jaclyn and I’m 22. I’ve recently graduated with my Bachelors in Accounting from Youngstown State and am currently drudging through my first semester of grad school, getting my MBA in International Business. I work in corporate accounting and I enjoy lots of things – mainly learning about people, the universe, and the reasons we do what we do. While I know this is a terribly vague statement, it most accurately sums up my infinite list of random interests.

I would love to finish my MBA in the next 2-3 years and find a job that either allows me to travel or start a business that permits me to do so. While I can see being in operations management or consulting, jobs that encourage constant movement tug at my heart strings almost continuously. Hopefully I can find a good balance between traveling and a steady career, but in the meantime I will be documenting my research, my experiences and my successes/failures in the process. I don’t currently have the finances to gallivant from country to country, but I’m hoping with some of the education I will soon acquire and the money-saving skills college has bestowed upon me, I can make it happen.

One obstacle I have to face, and the first thing on my short-term list of things to finish is becoming fluent in a language. This is required for my MBA (I’m not required to take classes, I only have to pass a test upon graduation that shows fluency). Although I’ve just begun classes (Fundamentals of Economic Analysis and Managing People in Organizations), I’m hoping to bust out a lot of the basics of language-learning (basically just grammar, noun genders and verb conjugation) by the end of the semester. God knows that my attention threshold doesn’t go far beyond 2 graduate classes and full-time work, so I’m interest in seeing how much I can actually get accomplished in this time period. I will also be documenting my endeavors in this area.

So for the next few months I’ll primarily be blogging about adventures in learning languages. I’ll also be discussing reviews of software, books, and anything else pertaining to language and culture I can get my hands on. French and Russian will be my main focus, however I will be researching many languages including German, Spanish, and Mandarin. If there were more hours in the day, I’d probably spend them learning every language ever, but given my time restraints, I will have to limit it to my two favorite.

In addition to learning Russian and French, I am also engulfed with group projects, homework, and test-cramming – but despite my lack of time, I will find moments to write about various things I’m going through in my travel preparation and adventures (such as my massively unsuccessful attempts to manage my time, my desperate last-minute ways to keep my grades acceptable, and the ongoing struggle to keep my finances above zero).

In addition to all these things, I will also be ranting about issues and current events, particularly in countries of my liking such as the UK, Ireland, Russia, and many others. :)