Tuesday's Travel Tip - *Click* And now we see Martha...

K. I survived the Fringe Festival, had a week’s rest (??? Rest is for the wicked!) and now I’m back at it. In fact I was taking my own advice before even writing about this week’s topic. Research… how cool is that! Haha

So this week’s tip is more of a DIY kind of thing. It’s simple. We all watch the travel shows, we all surf the net looking for info on places we want to go, or places we’ve never heard of. I propose something more intimate (no, not more sleeping with travellers, although you have to admit that was pretty cool!).

The return to the slideshow! Or perhaps an updated version thereof. Let me explain.

Somewhere, today, in your very own city, quite possibly, someone might be giving a talk about a trip they did. Showing some photos. Blah blah’ing about how cool they are, and how that lion/bear/kangaroo/whatever almost ate them. It’s usually free, or for a nominal charge. Most importantly, you are able to ask questions. Interact. Although, if you keep interrupting, and start getting the evil-eye from the presenter, then maybe rethink your people skills. Be courteous, someday the person up there could be you.

I attended a “conference voyage” this week hosted by the Boutique Tourisme Jeunesse (French site only). It “cost” me $5, for which I was given a $5 gift certificate for the store. The topic was on travelling to South East Asia. Now, this presentation was for novice travellers, giving tips and info on how to get your trip to Thailand and co. organized, and what to expect when you got there, but it was still really interesting. Especially interesting was how everyone’s perception is different. For example, we have our beloved cities, and those towns that just didn’t like us. (I’d still pick Ho Chi Minh over Hanoi any day! Haha But I encourage anyone who’s been to Vietnam to comment).

So here’s how this becomes DIY. You need to go out and FIND this event. Good places to start are travel agencies, youth hostels (there’s at LEAST one in your city, Hostelling International is a good start), local and community newspapers, your city’s main webpage, and the list goes on and on.

Seek and ye shall find!

Tuesday's Travel Tip : .......

Tuesday's Travel Tip is cancelled this week so that we may bring you this Public Service Announcement...

FRINGE!!!! YA BABY YAAAA! WOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Sorry, couldn't help it! haha

Yes, the St Ambroise Montreal Fringe Theatre Festival IS OOOON! Running now, until, and including June 18th! Be sure to check out shows! There is a little something for everyone! Dancing Japanese Performance Art, Dancing Fatties, Dancing Fairytales....and a whole bunch of shows...without..dancing.

If you're into it, this festival has probably got it! And at a max ticket price of $9.00 per show (+ service charges), this makes for some affordable fun.

So come see us at the main outdoor site situated at the corner of St Laurent and Rachel. Come say g'day to yours truly at the box office daily 8-11pm. Come check out more live bands at the Academy Club, and stick around for the nightly talk-show, The 13th Hour! And get ready for Fringe's Sweet 16 PROM this Friday nite!!!! Relive the horror of being 17 ALL OVER AGAIN! (Was it JUST me who had a bad prom??)

Last but not least, it's never too late to get involved. Wanna see free shows??? FREE stuff is coooool! Contact Patrick at benevol@montrealfringe.ca.

Let's get this summer started. For all things Fringe, check out the website , for list of events, where everything is, schedule, what's hot and what's not!

Tuesday’s Travel Tip : Sleep With The Locals

Now what are the best times you’ve had travelling?

Ask most people, and they’ll say something along the lines of “That time… we met these locals… who took us around! It was SO much FUN! Highlight of our trip!”

Let’s face it. People that live in a city (or town, or village, or wherever) who aren’t afraid to talk to strangers are usually fun, extroverted type-A people. And they’re the most fun people around!

So why not stay with them? That’s right! I said, stay with them.

I have always been a big fan of save a dollar when travelling. And getting to see the insides of a city versus the touristy glitter and glue exterior is a major plus. Yes I want to see the tacky tourist “I have to tick this off my list and take a photo of me in front of it” stuff. But I also want the behind the curtains. The best place to eat the local specialty. The best beer in town. What do the locals do for fun? Let’s get involved. You may stick out like a sore thumb (picture being the only white girl at an all-Fijian concert/dance party, and you’re on the right track), but who cares. You’ll have an amazing story, and so will a whole bunch of other people once you’re gone! haha

So how do you get involved? Well, that’s easier than ever, thanks to this golden age of internet.

Thru sites like couchsurfing.com you have access to other likeminded travellers, willing to offer that spare bit of space and time to save you money and make your journey even more memorable. And wouldn’t you know it, Montreal is currently the number one Couch Surfing City on their site. I live in a bohemian city, gotta love it! Thousands of people are signing up weekly. With a strong network of like-minded backpackers, it’s bound to be a success.

So start surfing! Check out the site and see how you can get involved, whether you’re going or staying! Sleep with the locals?…well, that’s your choice. How about a cup of coffee and some story swapping to start!

Disclaimer: Come on, these days everyone needs a disclaimer! Just the way it goes. And so this is mine. Traveljulie.com supports free enterprise and free places to sleep. But nothing in life is guaranteed, so trust your gut instincts! If you don’t feel 100% about a place…don’t stay there. Be true to yourself, be safe, have fun!

Tour de France? Let’s start with an Island

J: How’s your ass Gen?
G: Ouch! And you?
J: Well, the pain in my knee is overshadowing the pain I feel in my ass, so it’s ok.


One pulled ligament later, I find myself pedalling home with my left leg. Just… my left leg. No prob! It’s only..oh, 14 kms. Aw, damn!

And so Genevieve and I completed the Tour de L’Isle, yesterday, June 4th. A 48km fun in the sun bicycle excursion here in Montreal. Basically, you pay $27 to ride amongst a gazillion other cyclists. Get told repeatedly to go left and watch out for sharp bends (La courbe La courbe? Qui? Quoi?), dodge volunteers and pylons, and pedal furiously to get to the next stop.

Stop 1: Apple Wedges and caramel dip. Plus a draw to win a bicycle! (A better one than the one you’re obviously on!)
Stop 2: A thousand mile line-up for 3 pieces of cheese and a bottle of chocolate milk. (‘Cause heavy dairy products are a great idea when cycling)
Stop 3: Dial! Yup, body and laundry soap. (Are they trying to tell us something?)

I’m glad I experienced this event, but will I do it next year? Well…only with more prior training, and if I’m part of a group wearing silly things attached to their bike helmets.

Kudos to the cool street of families that were playing upbeat dance tunes from their porches and getting everyone involved from kids with pots and pans to grandma waving from her lawn-chair. That, to me, was the most memorable part of the day. Thank you!

There’s lots happening in your own city. It’s summer (or winter), so get out and get involved! You don’t have to be a nut who cycles 76 kms for…fun? Just get out and have fun!