Figured I’d update you all on some recent developments in my 2010 travel plans. This week I booked a weekend in Halifax for February 19-21. Yeah, three full days was all I could pull off, but my best friend needs me and a couple cases of Coronas.
After I booked the trip and started experiencing the first stomach-bubbles of anticipation, I sat back and thought…wtf is there to do in Halifax?! I know absolutely nothing about the city, besides the fact it’s twice the size of St. John’s, has a million universities, and was the site for the huge Halifax explosion.
Anyway, I have a few contacts around the city, including Chris and some blogger friends, and I just recently found out my boozebag cousin will be moving there in two weeks. This all has potential to be quite a two-day, whirlwind trip.
That being said, I’d still like some suggestions on what to do while there. I have a few things planned, but I’m puzzled by my ignorance. At least half of my friends are from Nova Scotia, it seems weird that I’m not better acquainted with the place. I feel like it’s Newfoundland’s sister province. In fact, I spent last night playing Risk with three boys from Yarmouth (I lost, in case you were wondering). And earlier I had a phone chat with Mitch from Cape Breton, the island where at least a dozen of my friends hail from.
Even more exciting news, however, is that I bought a TBEX ticket! Oh shit yeah! I’m going to NYC, baby!
The whole thing was very spontaneous. I’m taking some extra time off work so I can hit up a few days in the city, so I want to make the most of my time there. I’m so excited I could cry. In fact, maybe I will.
But then I realized something, an unfortunate situation which the travel world shall shun me for. I have never planned a trip solely by myself before. Every other time I’ve travelled, it’s been with others or arranged through school/work. I am almost definitely guaranteed to land in NYC, have a panic attack, and pass out on a bus stop where a bum will rob me of my earrings and wallet. OMG.
Did I even mention my overwhelming fear of large cities? Or how I was so terrified of the London tube, I wet my pants? (That didn’t happen. But it could have.)
So I’m reaching out to my blogger friends and asking to be included in your NYC plans. Dates? Accommodations? Drinks? Strippers? I’m going to make a big list of names and paste them to a chart complete with coordinating photos so I can memorize them beforehand. That way I can walk up to you at the conference and be all, “DUUUUDE, you’re the one with that sweet-ass blog about travelling with a camel and a family of 10!” And you will be impressed. I promise.
On a more serious note, I was going to write a post about the situation in Haiti but the effort seems useless now as there are one million blogs doing the same. All I can say is that my heart breaks every time I see the updates, and I cannot imagine the amount of devastation being experienced by the country.
I’m also insanely impressed by the outpouring of support from eager volunteers on behalf of Matador’s campaign to get some help to Haiti. To follow this incredible process, all initiated by the equally incredible Julie Schwietert, keep checking Matador Change for updates.
Also check out Got Passport’s site for some great info. Every little effort counts.
(Thumbnail image by Itdan)