Travel Quote - Anthony Bourdain

"Travel Changes you. As you move though this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt"

"I'm a big believer in winging it. I'm a big believer that you're never going to find a perfect city travel experience or the perfect meal with a constant willingness to experience a bad one. Letting the happy accident happen is what a lot of vacation itineraries miss, I think, and I'm always trying to push people to allow those things to happen rather than stick to some rigid itinerary."

The Global Degree Thank You Note

Hello Everyone, 

As one might have wondered in passing what happened to my fundraiser (The last Dreamer), I was able to raise some money but I didn't hit my mark. It ended on June 6th and I found out that no one got their contributions refunded back to them. I chased down the technical support team in hopes that they could answer my unanswered questions. I am not a dishonest person and the last thing I would want is to take advantage of my lovely friends who were  supporting my dream. 

When I finally received an email back after a long deal of frustrating correspondence from the website 'people' I was told that they have had a glitch and it has charged everyone's credit card for the amount that they had contributed. To my shock I was feeling that I had not only lied to my friends but I have taken advantage of them in some sense. I wondered how I would be able to return these funds back to the correct individuals. The 'people' and some of my friends were happy to give me the money anyways, which I felt a little guilty about. In the end that was all they could do for me since they didn't have the ability to send the money back. 

The story goes, I was working in Taiwan at a hostel trying to make money but because the wages were low I wasn't able to save up a lot. This was when I created the video, hashed out ideas, talked to a plethora of wonderful individuals about my dream. I then left Taiwan after returning to Japan to say my last goodbyes and embarking on my Eurotrip in May. My funds were depleting as one would know that Europe is not a cheap country. 

I had enough in my pocket to get me to the end of this trip where I would go home and tend to the matter of finances and obtain a new working holiday visa for an EU country. It was suppose to be Germany but I felt like there was so much more to see since it was in a much closer proximity, so I decided to take my time and travel onwards. As some of you may already know from my posts and photos I have just walked the Camino from Portugal to Spain to get some perspective on what I should do with my upcoming future. 

The kicker is that when I was Porto (about three weeks ago) I was either pick pocketed or very clumsily lost my wallet. I was heartbroken and defeated that I still had this eye-opening venture of a walk ahead of me. This was at the beginning of the walk. I was very lucky that my boyfriend was able to give me some funds to get me through the alburges throughout and slept outside when we could. I spent 15 days walking in the Spanish heat, the tropic rain, battling bugs, walking along highways, farms and much more. 

I wasn't entirely disconnected from the internet but I wasn't getting anymore correspondence from the tech team at global degree until I had at last arrived at my end destination Santiago De Compostela. The way of St.James were pilgrims who walked to see the remains that were unveiled, they came from all over Europe. The pilgrims who made the religious walk, battled inner demons, the weather and an the anguish of the pains in their bodies on the long and arduous journey.Throughout the camino one learns a lot about themselves. I walked to see if I could find myself, with no money in my pocket relying on others. When it came to the end my camino, they wired your money to me in Madrid before I boarded the last leg of my journey from Spain to Germany to head back to Canada. 

I was overwhelmed that this came when it did because I don't have any credit cards, debit cards or cash of any sort. My pockets were empty but my mind overflowing with thoughts of what was to become of me when I arrived home. I will find work, endeavour to save up money to catch tailwinds to another unknown land to me. Until then I will try this civilized life where the following weeks will be known and the comfort of people aren't from only strangers met along the path. So I write you with my deepest thanks that you have helped me make it to the final destination, a place called home. 

If you have any questions or concerns of the above feel free to contact me via email. 

I love you all very much and I will remember this blessing until the day I take my last breath.

Yours, 

Jenny Tam

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters to what lies within us.

Starting the Camino

Here we go! 

From the beginning I didn't really know how far it really was. Following the yellow arrows felt more like a game than anything I could imagine. I didn't think that it would be more than that after awhile. 

In the beginning it was just a walk past greenery on a nice brick pavement. Eventually, it became darker and darker. We had planned on sleeping outside the whole time anyways but we had to find a place to set up a nest. 

I would consider our first night a success, we didn't end up staying in an albergue.

OH, lastly we forgot to buy the passport for the stamps. Whoops. Well at the end we don't need a book to show me that I did it. I know that when I finish the camino. 

O~~Porto, Portugal

Arriving in Porto wasn't that bad, we took the train over and then the tram down. There was a miscommunication between our host and I. I got super frustrated with the guy but in the end but we found out where we were suppose to go. Strangely enough we found ourselves in some sort of share house...I don't know if they were working or students. 

Porto is a very pretty place, sadly I had a terrible experience. I lost my wallet here and ended up spending a part of my afternoon at the police station. They were kind enough to me and the people behind me that lost their belongings too. Unfortunately, this happens here a lot. The whole point of coming here was to get our Camino map.  

I guess even with the Camino map in my hand and no money in my pockets things weren't getting any easier. Even though we just thought it was going to be a long walk. 

Bye Bye Porto.

Oh look it's Lisbon

Upon our arrival I was a little shocked that heat from Madrid was carried over to Portugal. 

From the airport we made our way to an airbnb place and settled in. The room was big but the people that were hosting was strange, I didn't really like it. There was just something off about them, then again I shouldn't complain because the lady in Barcelona was practically non- existent. Luckily the European couple was really nice, where were they from again? 

We walked down the small and tiny sidewalks, they really didn't accommodate pedestrians. Fighting off the beating rays from the sun there was much more that I wanted to know, what do they eat here? Strangely, who am I kidding I didn't do any research. I figured country number 30 would the winner. 

I loved the trams here although I didn't take a ride in them I watched the from the beaches around town. They're cute but they seem to only run in the center of the city. As I walked around and gazed upon my new surroundings I realized that this city is made with a lot of multi coloured building. 

We had a nice relaxing time just enjoying the weather.

Oh they really like their pastries. :P

Good bye Madrid

First thing after waking up on this warm Spanish day, I already had it in my mind that I wanted to get high up and see the city of Madrid. We walked down the streets up to the building that we would be able to see a view. Lucky for us it was free that day or was it like 2 Euros, I can't remember now. 

Either way there was an art exhibit at that current moment and we were able to attend for free. I love free art, it really is the best kind.

We weren't in Madrid for long but I really enjoyed my time here. 

This is a picture of the place that my friend from Madrid recommended to me. He said I had to have a Calamari sandwich. it was super deep fried but it was good to get something other than Churros :P 

First day in Madrid

After checking into our Air BnB place and got a full on map from Moses with lots of awesome stuff for us to see we were off. When I say off I mean straight to the market to eat mini tapas. I have really learned to love Spanish food. 

Ohh the originals, from some famous place in Madrid. 

Madrid is a very pretty place. :)

Barcelona to Madrid

Okay, first I would like to say that it isn't cheap to fly from Barcelona to Madrid in the summer. So we opted in for the bus with Alsa (bus company) it totaled to 35€ for a one way ticket and our bus would leave at 1am-9:15am which means that we would adjust our time from 

accommodations for  transport. I feel that is what is poking little holes in our wallet. 

The bus stopped pretty frequently, by about 7am the sun was creeping up over the mountains and I was more than ready to get off the bus. 

I can't wait to get to Madrid! Bring on the hot hot weather. 

Mount Tibidabo!

Strangely as we sat on the bus heading upwards I was reminiscing in the Friends flashback of that episode where Joey teaches Ross how to use this story about backpacking across Europe to get a girl.

From the top there was a view that didn't really fit the amusement park that suddenly appeared after disembarking the bus, or should I say the amusement park doesn't flatter the view. 

Either way, I really enjoyed the escalation upon arrival, clear blue skies that did nothing but remind me that I was living life to the fullest and that adventure and new scenes were handed to me on a silver platter.  

Thinking back to the vast city of Barcelona I think to myself that I should have really taken in the view a little longer. The cathedral that resides at the top was very archaic and most of all is a reminder that people did use to hike up here before the creation of civil roads.

Park Guell - I would recommend buying a cheaper ticket online before arrival since the line up was so long. I didn't realize how popular he was! Either way it was a wonderful day out even though the amount of selfie sticks was a consistent battle to fight photo bombing people.

We finished the day on the beach! A lovely way to soak in the rays, although I felt like the sun was really beating down. I knew there was a lot more sun in the upcoming days.

Barcelona Day 2

I awoke this morning feeling that I was running out of town and that I had a lot to see and do before I left. The list grew surpassingly long for me to be able to check everything off. 

First stop was the Gaudi's building but the line was long and at the door costed 21.50€ so we went across the street to grab tapas. 

I had initially wanted to go to a tapas place that was recommend to me but alas I didn't make it.

The the Barcelona cathedral.

Wandered to the beach for a relaxing day with sand in between my toes and warm weather to bring upon smiles nearing the end of the day.

I really like Barcelona. 

Barcelona Day 1

Oh yeah! The land of tapas, sangria, beaches, paella, omelettes and over sized buildings.

Our first day we walked and just walked...

The flight over from Brussels to Barcelona was a quick one!

This was just around the corner from our place, it seemed almost like an introduction to Barcelona.

The harbour is a nice hubbub for all. 

Seriously it is tough to do much else than relax. 

The infamous gate...does that mean I can check off Barcelona, Berlin and Paris...are there more of these? 

The familia! Even though it was raining we made it. :) day one 'check' now this was the most exhausted I have felt in a long time.  

Antwerp to Bruges

This little town was really recommended to me (us) over and over again. Maybe I heard it a little more than he did but either way since we bought 10 train tickets for 70€ you mind as well use it up.

We were able to get on a train and off a train as long as we wrote down the destination. The 10 trip ticket is only for outer city train and is valid for 1 year from purchase date. I feel like we got our monies worth. :) I actually didn't check all the prices of the trains we rode around in but either way I would recommend it's a steal I'm sure. 

So after about 90mins on the train we were there. It's a little city with water, like a ringed river all the way around it. 

The shopping centre provides you with touristic local food (an abundance of it) here we ate some Belgian 'waffles' lol 

Oh yes and expensive chocolates! There were so many of them! 

Next stop Madrid! 

Back to Antwerp

Due to the Ghent festival and a very good time in Antwerp last time I brought Michael here to show him around. Actually, we didn't see a lot of the city itself due to the Ghent festival and a couple lazy days trying to plan ahead for Spain.

We really just took it easy having meals and enjoying the rain :P 

There was a local harbour side party on the Sunday that we attended :) 

It was a lovely party with lots of lovely people.

This girl was manning the local food truck :P 

The Ghent Festival

The whole city of Ghent in the centre of the city has a music festival. This alternative canal filled town just celebrates for 10 days every year.

When I heard about it I really thought to myself that I should really attend. So I did just that. From July 19-29 they had their celebrations. 

There were stages all over the place, we really could have used a map. 

We met some nice people from holland under a bridge who gave us a beer and chatted with me about Edmonton. Who would have known that he would have been to the biggest mall >.< 

We got totally drenched in the rain but we still were able to meet more people trying to avoid the rain. This picture was taken by one of the French guys that were married to Belgian woman.

Last but not least I was able to even meet up with monika! As you may have known I met her again in Poland after Japan. Lucky me!