Back to School

Week One – DONE!

Well, the first week of my Travel & Tourism course is behind me now.

It was a very odd feeling on Sunday night to be packing my backpack and making my lunch for the “First Day of School”

It’s been about 10 years since I had a first day of school and I was a nervous wreck.

So many things went through my head:

What if I was late (I HATE being late)?
What if this was a total mistake?
What if my classmates were uber annoying (and yes, some of them are)?
What if my instructors were idiots?

Oh man, there were so many variables.

But when it was all said and done I had NOTHING to worry about. And if anything, I am WAY ahead of the game.

We started with World Destinations - AKA: Geography - WOOHOO!

Since my passion is for all things travel related, plus the fact that I am a total map geek (I can study maps forever), I was more than prepared in regards to knowing the continents, oceans, country names, cities and capitals.

I have to admit, it was really quite shocking to hear some of the answers to some of the questions we were asked as warm up. Like who doesn’t know where the CN Tower or the Parliament Buildings are? Or where Cape Breton Island or Hudson Bay is?

YIKES!

But whateves, I’m not there to judge … I’m there to learn!

On Day 2, we each had to give 5 minute presentations on our assigned provinces. I was assigned Newfoundland and KILLED IT! But yet again, I was shocked to watch some of the other presentations where non of the required info was presented (we had been assigned very specific things to cover and were suppose to take our notes from each presentation in order to study for today’s test … UGH!)

How hard is a 5 minute presentation?

Sheesh, if some of my classmates want to pursue careers in customer based industry I am scared for them … hopefully its just the age and experience talking here, since I am pretty sure that I one of the oldest in the class (by a long shot) and one of only 2 students who have had REAL jobs in the past ….

Looks like all my real estate and retail customer service expertise will be a total leg up!

Today we had our first test – A Canada based geography test. Basic stuff: label a map, name the federal capital etc, along with some global geography (oceans, continents, where is the tropic of cancer … etc) and I am pretty sure I nailed it. But well see on Monday … don’t want to get too cocky too soon ;)

Now for me to get cracking on researching for my presentation on Monday: Utah here I come.

I am RETARDED with Excitement!

The plans are coming together .... and I can't wait!

Here's why:

Camping in Africa is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites in national parks and outside towns. Campsite facilities in southern Africa are generally good, but can be basic in certain places. There are generally small restaurants and/or bars, washing facilities and occasionally telephones available.

The camps have flush toilets, and showers at some camps are outdoors, having simple reed enclosures for privacy. Additionally, warm water is available at most sites, but it is not guaranteed to always be warm when you take your shower; the warm water may be used up others who also use the camp. We usually set-up camp within close proximity to the toilet facilities, though occasionally to reach them you may to walk a short distance.

All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including camp mattresses, which are warm and comfortable. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person safari canvas tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travellers find these more than adequate, as they have a base area of approximately 4 square meters. These tents are regularly treated with a waterproofing agent, but under certain rainy conditions, the tent fabric may become saturated to the point where seepage or leakage may occur. All tents have built-in mesh insect netting on the windows and doors.

We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals.

In camping within the national parks and conservation areas, some camp sites are enclosed for keeping the resident wildlife out. Other camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area.

Your camping experience in the Okavango Delta is fondly called “bush camping”. This will be the most basic two nights of our trip, as there is no running water, no showers, nor toilets facilities. You will be truly camping in the wild, away from civilization and its comforts, and completely surrounded by nature – an unbelievable experience some in fact feel is the highlight of the trip.

Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime.

Every have a life changing vacation?

I had my second one this past July/August and its amazing how just spending time with your loved ones can make you re-examine and review your life and where you are going with it ….

After spending 18 days moving about Southern Ontario, visiting my Mom and fam, my Dad and fam, my Brother and all my wonderful, wonderful friends and now their young families, it is clear to me that what I may have thought about my life, even just 2 years ago, has now changed.

I want things I didn’t think I wanted and I want them NOW!

BUT I know I cannot make things happed just by snapping my fingers, and I’m totally fine with that.

However, I do know with clarity and certainty that want things now that I never thought I cared about before.

Let’s see how this all pans out, shall we?