Last Autumn, I was taking the ferry from the tiny island of Lokrum to Dubrovnik, as part of a Croatian holiday. As the water was lapping against the boat and the wind blew through my hair, my boyfriend sitting at my feet as we watched the waves our ferry made—I remember feeling really present, and happy, in that moment. Then, my phone pinged. It was … Continue reading How To Stay Off Your Phone While Travelling
If you’re visiting London, you’ll undoubtedly be using TFL at some point. Transport for London (TFL) is the company that runs the tube (overground and underground) and bus services throughout London. London has one of the best-connected transit systems in the world; I’ve never been in a position of needing to get somewhere and not having a possible route. However, it can feel complicated due … Continue reading Getting Around London: The Ultimate Guide to Public Transit
I moved from Ottawa, Canada, to London, England, about 12 years ago. I was 23, naïve, and assumed that everything would work out for me. I’m super lucky that it did; I got a job, a houseshare with some amazing people, and was able to build a life I’m really proud of. I had no money, but a ton of delusion. Recently I was thinking … Continue reading The Emotional Impact of an International Move
Sometimes, something you’ve been waiting for can sneak up and surprise you. In another life, I was a personal assistant at Condé Nast—at House & Garden, and World of Interiors, magazines. I didn’t know much about interior design (which is the topic that both magazines are experts in, from different points of view), but I was a very good PA, and I was excited to … Continue reading Social Seating in Munich, Germany: When Conversation is the Aim of Art
After I’ve settled at the airport—been through security, checked in to my flight, and laid eyes on my gate—I typically wander through the airport. Favourite shops of mine are always those filled with snacks, discount designer items, and books. Lately I’ve been noticing that the airports book shops aren’t populated only with beach reads and SuDoKu books; there are always racks and racks of self-improvement … Continue reading Why Am I Always Tempted To Buy Self-Help Books at Airports?
I’m lucky enough to live in London, and this week, I have friends travelling from Canada to visit. Although I’ve lived in the city for over a decade, my partner is only on his third year here—when he first moved, we spent time exploring different boroughs, finding things we’d like to do. We found cinemas, cafes, and parks that became regular creature comforts for us. … Continue reading Wander Where You Are – How To Be A Tourist Where You Live
I consider myself really lucky, in that I grew up with multiple languages around me. Growing up in Ottawa, Canada (the capital, which prides itself on being bilingual) we had French as part of our core curriculum, starting at age 6. I also grew up in a family with a Peruvian-born Dad, and so I heard a lot of Spanish growing up from that side … Continue reading Speaking Foreign Languages Abroad: Why Effort Matters Most
There’s a heatwave in the UK, and it. Is. SWELTERING. I can’t stress enough how much the heat in the UK at 33 degrees is unbearable—and how it seems like no one outside the city believes me when I say this. Truthfully, it’s not just the heat; it’s a perfect storm of humidity (the air is hot and damp), the houses were designed to keep … Continue reading Surviving a Heat Wave If You’re Travelling to the UK
As anti-tourism protests take place in Euopean capital cities, I’m asking myself: What can I do to stand in solidarity with people who are saying, your vacation is impacting my livelihood negatively? The immediate answer is, of course… Continue reading Housing, Tourism, and Protesting in European Capitals
I planned my solo, 10-day trip to Paris for months. I made lists, saved tiktoks, and built myself mini-schedules. But even with all that prep, there were things that I realized too late that I should have booked sooner, gotten to earlier, or educated on myself on more thoroughly, before arriving. I’m hoping sharing my story will help you avoid any of my mistakes! The … Continue reading Four Things I Wished I’d Planned Better In Paris
No Small Wander 