Under 7 months to go until the adventure begins.
On July 27th, Brent and I will be embarking on quite the journey, one I've been planning for in my head for many years. Over the Christmas holidays, Brent shared all the news with his family - and they are very excited for him. He needs a break. And I just want the adventure.
Where am I at? Well, with time off to enjoy some rest and planning, I'm overwhelming myself with information. Which can become like a giant step in the wrong direction. I have to remember I have almost a week off still before I start my new show.
My knees are doing better. I guess that's good since I'll probably have to stop going to physio with this new job starting on the 7th.
GPS vs PLB. This has been an ongoing debate for me for several months now - really once my Decode pal Clem suggested that I get a GPS unit for my trip. A GPS mapping system has its pros/cons and so does a Personal Locator Beacon. The login was swaying from one side to the next - but the GPS one the fight. Both units are very pricey - I think the PLB is more expensive though - cause we would have to buy it in New Zealand to ensure it is on the right frequency.
Why drop the idea of a PLB - and what is a PLB? I bet most people might not know what it is. A PLB (or a distress radiobeacon) is a type of tracking transmitter which helps in locating a person in distress. Basically this unit has a magic button - and if you activate the unit, it transmits a radio signal that satellites register, and your location information is used to aid in rescue efforts. If you find yourself in a bad situation (injury, avalanche, personal safety concern, etc), and you activate the unit - you will be found/rescued within 24 hours. An amazing piece of emergency/rescue equipment - which has helped to save many lives since their introduction. Initially, as I was planning this trip on my own, the PLB was the best idea for me - as a safety in any situation where I found myself hiking alone. Not advisable.
So - the GPS is our new friend. We will rent a PLB when we travel down to Stewart Island for a 10 day tramp (it's advised) - but that might be the only time we rent a PLB. If we run into situations where the mountain tramps we do are questionable due to heavy rain fall in the forecast - it would probably be advisable to invest in another rental of a PLB.
I purchased the GARMIN GPS-Map 60CSx. It's a fine piece of equipment with some of the best features available for a hand held unit. We have not yet purchased a map for the unit - because believe it or not, finding a topographic map of New Zealand in Canada - is impossible.
I have been in contact with a store in New Zealand called Map World (a store in Christchurch - from this one picture of the store, it looks like I would be in heaven in MapWorld) - they sell the FreshMap collection of New Zealand maps - which offer topographic and street maps of the country. If you go to FreshMap's webpage, they direct you to this store in Christchurch. So I emailed the company and heard back from them (yay!). On their website there was no indication of international shipping - they only listed a handful of stores in New Zealand that sell the FreshMap collection. This wonderful person from the company emailed me and indicated all of the information that we need to do an international purchase. And the best part of it is - it's in NZ dollars. The Canadian dollar is worth more - so this won't be as expensive as originally thought. The map comes on a MicroSD card - so you insert it right into your GPS unit and away you go! $345 NZ plus 20$ shipping = $278.12 Canadian. Not terrible. We will then take the map information - and we can include our own itinerary. So any information from DOC trails can be added as points of reference (such as a hut - which would be a daily goal on the NZ tramps).
So - this new Christmas toy (thank you mom & dad & grammy & grampy) will arrive in the mail in 2-5 business days. The map - I haven't ordered it yet - but I'll have that purchase in by the end of the next week or two. :)
MEC. We did a shopping tour of Europe Bound and MEC yesterday (and another Europe Bound on Friday). *sigh* I've got to say - it is becoming more painful to shop at MEC these days. It's become like a popular spot for so many different people - it's insanely crowded all the time. We're going back this Thursday/Friday once people are back at work - cause yesterday was just painful.
Some sad news - the Gemini tent is on Back Order. Out of the blue - it's no where to be seen in the store. The tent, the footprint...no trace. One sales rep told us they should be seeing new ones in February/March. Ugh. That sucked.
We're making a shopping list over the next day or two to start with the piddly shopping - and start our kitchen purchases.
Things get so heavy, so quickly.
First Aid/CPR. So, been doing research in that realm too. And despite the allure of just joining the YMCA's training or even St. John's Ambulance and Heart 2 Heart's courses...I think we're taking a financial hit with an outdoor adventure company. There are a few courses posted on MEC.ca. And the unfortunate part is the cost (one at $170.00 the other at $175+GST). But - we have to be realistic about what kind of a trip we are doing. This isn't your 'let's go see Europe but stay in the major cities' type of adventure. The goal with NZ is not to see the cities - but the land and nature. We have to focus on a course that will train us in First Aid considering that we could be a two days' hike from help. This requires a specialized training. A lot of first aid courses available in the city present more 'patch work' first aid - what to do before you can call help or if help is 30 minutes away. Or how to stabilize someone before you put them in a car destined for the hospital. We need to be trained to assist an injured party that might have to be left behind while another person hikes to a ranger station half a day away to seek help. All that to explain why we might have to dish out $350.00 to ensure that we are properly trained to save one another's life in the worst case situation - or help someone we cross paths with in NZ. I would like to say that to me - Brent's life is worth the money. And the possibility to help a stranger is just as important. Bonus - we do get CPR training (level C) with the $175+GST course.
What else can I say about life prepping for NZ? Travel doctor's first appointment should be this thursday/friday. Ooooo - we bought a solar panel charger. It's the 6.5W foldable eliminator from Canadian Tire. It was on sale for $99.99. I still have to test it out - AND we need to buy a power inverter to allow us to charge our 120V friends - the camera battery charger, the iPod charger, and the rechargeable batteries for the GPS charger... There are not many options for portable chargers. I looked into the Solio chargers - nice and compact, but TERRIBLE reviews. Not worth the time I don't think. I'll let you know how this unit treats us once we get the power inverter.
Brent's still searching for a sleeping bag. It sucks being allergic to feathers - that eliminates most of the sleeping bags in the backpacking department (i think there is one -12 option at MEC for him, otherwise he has to look into +5 and up). Our thinking is to keep the bag in the -12 range due to the altitude changes we'll see every night. If it's hot - sleep on the bag...but if its cold - you need the rating in your bag.
I guess these are the big things so far.
Oh - I scored at Christmas in the NZ prep department. My brother bought me a crank-charge LED flashlight (a nice/light one). And he gave me my first stash of NZ money - for emergencies only. And two wine glasses made out of stainless steel. :) My parents got me a pocket sewing kit (perfect), a timex watch with two time zones and velcro band to actually fit my measily wrists...and financial provision to buy some goodies a la MEC. Got me a canadian flag zipper-clip and a travel angel pin too. :) Oh - and a golden bear bell. Not that there are any bears in NZ - but I might keep it on my pack for good luck. :)
And - we began building our medical first aid kit. The lovely supplies - so wonderful. :)
Did you know that the only native land mammal in NZ is a small bat? Weird eh? Most people think sheep are native to the country - especially since NZ is known for their sheep - but sheep were introduced to the country.
More to tell after our shopping trip. And more research to tents (as we need to look at a possible alternative to the Gemini *sigh*), fleece, kitchens and more.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
my knee is addicted.
Stupid electo-shock type physio.
So, my knees. A hot topic of this blog's conversation. :
Outside of my knee fluid (or lack there of) issue, I recently (this past tuesday) find out that I also have a patella syndrome. Basically, something I already knew...but I was never told the exact name of the syndrome. And right now, the name escapes me (how useful am I?).
So, my patella, which is the kneecap, my femur and my tibia - are not happily living together within the ligament and muscle world that is my knee. Apparently, there lies the "articular cartilage", which is attached, or at least in the vicinity of the patella. My left knee has cartilage left...but it is grinding and suffering some damage. My right knee is bare...or has so little, that it might as well be without cartilage.
This bone on bone grinding issue....I know about. It's painful. And usually, at the end of the day, my knees are swollen. :( Internally, cause there is little to no fluids protecting my actual knee cap...so instead of swelling out, I swell inward.
Now, is this a result of my osgood schlatter's disease gone wrong? From extensive sports as a child? From walking in general? From...????
Why am I bringing this up again? Well, because I'M ANNOYED. I've had a 'specific condition' related to this region...and it's not just 'bone on bone grinding' as I've been told in the past. There are specific parts grinding in specific ways (i only really had a vague idea before - because my knee specialist didn't really sit down and explain it all...he gave me more of a vague knee overview).
BUT....there are KNEE BRACES that can specifically help this condition - to alleviate the pains I feel from this exact problem.
So annoying!!!
I'm now looking into these braces to see which will work best for me. But man, to know that if I need it, that there is a brace out there that will put exact pressure on my patella, so that when i'm driving long distances...I don't have to spend half the trip on cruise control while masagging my poor knee. So relieving.
Then again, in New Zealand, is the gas pedal and brake controlled by the left foot?? I wonder.
Anyway - so my knees have been acting up lately. My left knee is still resenting the attention my right knee is getting. Cause after spending time with the 'shocking suction cups', my right knee feels swell. My left knee feels a bit worse, probably because its condition is heightened by the lack of my right knee's problems.
My right knee acts up when i'm driving...but especially on thursday of this past week. More pain than normal, almost all day long. Then, I step foot into the physiotherapy clinic, sit on the medical bed, and suddenly...my right knee is okay? Stupid knee. It's because it knows it's going to get its shock therapy.
My knee is officially addicted to this physiotherapy. Is that strange?
On a real NZ note - I heard back from someone at the NZ consulate. So, that answers my questions. Onto the next step. Applying. Then I need to get my NZ Tax #. :)
Travel doctor will be seen at the end of December/beginning of January.
GPS shopping will begin next saturday with a trip to radio world!
And in terms of my claim with the city of Toronto - still ongoing. I have a feeling they will prolongue this thing as I have up to two years to 'sue' them if they don't look into the incident. There have been a few people in different sectors that have suggested another liable party, but I can't contact them until the city tells me that it is in fact not the city of Toronto's fault...and that they can confirm that it is this alternate party.
Stupid round about ways. I just want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. ugh.
New Zealand research awaits me. :)
So, my knees. A hot topic of this blog's conversation. :
Outside of my knee fluid (or lack there of) issue, I recently (this past tuesday) find out that I also have a patella syndrome. Basically, something I already knew...but I was never told the exact name of the syndrome. And right now, the name escapes me (how useful am I?).
So, my patella, which is the kneecap, my femur and my tibia - are not happily living together within the ligament and muscle world that is my knee. Apparently, there lies the "articular cartilage", which is attached, or at least in the vicinity of the patella. My left knee has cartilage left...but it is grinding and suffering some damage. My right knee is bare...or has so little, that it might as well be without cartilage.
This bone on bone grinding issue....I know about. It's painful. And usually, at the end of the day, my knees are swollen. :( Internally, cause there is little to no fluids protecting my actual knee cap...so instead of swelling out, I swell inward.
Now, is this a result of my osgood schlatter's disease gone wrong? From extensive sports as a child? From walking in general? From...????
Why am I bringing this up again? Well, because I'M ANNOYED. I've had a 'specific condition' related to this region...and it's not just 'bone on bone grinding' as I've been told in the past. There are specific parts grinding in specific ways (i only really had a vague idea before - because my knee specialist didn't really sit down and explain it all...he gave me more of a vague knee overview).
BUT....there are KNEE BRACES that can specifically help this condition - to alleviate the pains I feel from this exact problem.
So annoying!!!
I'm now looking into these braces to see which will work best for me. But man, to know that if I need it, that there is a brace out there that will put exact pressure on my patella, so that when i'm driving long distances...I don't have to spend half the trip on cruise control while masagging my poor knee. So relieving.
Then again, in New Zealand, is the gas pedal and brake controlled by the left foot?? I wonder.
Anyway - so my knees have been acting up lately. My left knee is still resenting the attention my right knee is getting. Cause after spending time with the 'shocking suction cups', my right knee feels swell. My left knee feels a bit worse, probably because its condition is heightened by the lack of my right knee's problems.
My right knee acts up when i'm driving...but especially on thursday of this past week. More pain than normal, almost all day long. Then, I step foot into the physiotherapy clinic, sit on the medical bed, and suddenly...my right knee is okay? Stupid knee. It's because it knows it's going to get its shock therapy.
My knee is officially addicted to this physiotherapy. Is that strange?
On a real NZ note - I heard back from someone at the NZ consulate. So, that answers my questions. Onto the next step. Applying. Then I need to get my NZ Tax #. :)
Travel doctor will be seen at the end of December/beginning of January.
GPS shopping will begin next saturday with a trip to radio world!
And in terms of my claim with the city of Toronto - still ongoing. I have a feeling they will prolongue this thing as I have up to two years to 'sue' them if they don't look into the incident. There have been a few people in different sectors that have suggested another liable party, but I can't contact them until the city tells me that it is in fact not the city of Toronto's fault...and that they can confirm that it is this alternate party.
Stupid round about ways. I just want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. ugh.
New Zealand research awaits me. :)
Friday, November 16, 2007
In the Beginning. Physio: Week 1
Ah, New Zealand. You are only 8 months and 11 days away.Might seem like a long time for some people, but when you’ve been dreaming about this day for years, the waiting to departure is peanuts.
My passport came in the mail this week. That was exciting. :) One more necessary document for the VISA application. The passports are different from my last one (which is now 6 years old). There’s a watermark over the page with your picture on it – kind of makes your face a different colour (redder?). Ugh – that dreadful passport photograph.
Oh well.
I wrote an email to the New Zealand High Commission in Ottawa and the NZ Honorary Consul in Toronto with questions about the VISA application process (conflicting information on two separate official documents). Still waiting to hear from them. :(
Physiotherapy began this week. I guess that’s a good thing. It’s the WSIB physio…so not the full physio that I do require for my knees and hips. More like special treatment for my right knee. I think my left knee is jealous.
I am doing 6 weeks of IFC treatments (something like Intermittent Frequency C…). Basically these large suction cups go on or around my knees and suck in and out (basically breathing) and also administer electric pulses. I felt like a science experiment.
My job is to sit and let the machine do its magic. It’s supposed to increase circulation in my joint and help strengthen my quads. I can only go twice a week…as their office runs on an 8am-4pm schedule three times a week (I can’t get off of work at 3pm!!!). So I go Tuesdays at 6.15pm, and Thursdays at 5pm. Thank goodness work has slowed down enough to enable me to attend at least two sessions a week.
So, I get to sit down and just read magazines. There was a moment when my leg suddenly started convulsing on its own…kind of worried me. My inner right quad muscle was really not enjoying the ‘shock’ treatment. Almost a freaky thing to watch. You just have to pray that your leg will calm down enough to not feel any pain. Or ring the magical bell the physiotherapist gives you in case of emergency.
At the end of the session, my right leg felt better than my left one. There is an unusual increase of discomfort in my left knee...and I fear it's my knee's revenge over not paying attention to its need for therapy.
Oh, and I learnt one exercise. I will apparently learn more on Tuesday when I meet my second physiotherapist.
I was also told to avoid stairs as much as possible. Yet, I work on the third floor of an old school sans elevator. Heh, heh.
After the initial 6 weeks, I have no idea what’s in store for me. I’m in the WSIB physio for 12 weeks.
Hopefully this will help strengthen my knees for the journey ahead.
Friday, November 9, 2007
MEC date
Brent and I had a MEC date last night.
I love MEC. I would vouch for that store and their products forever. That store is like a little piece of Heaven on Earth to me. And it's because I'm interested in everything they sell. They cater to the outdoor adventure person -- from backpacking to camping to biking to kayaking to rock climbing and so on.
I get overwhelmed in the store though, so trips to MEC can be discouraging. I have too much on my mind and can't focus on what I need. A sense that I'm not prepared for this trip - or that I won't go with the right things.
Then I stop and think - it's a luxury to be able to afford items that will help with my trip - and that I shouldn't get overwhelmed. But to cut down on my costs once I'm in New Zealand, I need to make sure I have everything ahead of time.
Anyway.
The Spectre jacket was on clearance from 350$ to 220$!!! BUT...they were sold out and there wasn't any left at their distribution centre. MAJOR BUMMER. That's a huge savings on a coat that has now been replaced by 410$ and 435$ versions. OUCH.
That was a hiccup.
Looking at light dayhiking shoes as a third shoe option. One - backpacking boot; Two - backpacking sandal (with boot treads on the bottom); Three - possibly a lighter boot for day hikes sans back pack. Keen had a pair on clearance...but I wasn't sold on the idea. So, I'll probably miss the clearance for those as I ponder the need of a third pair of shoes.
The Gemini. We saw the tent. So...I don't know. A MEC rep was setting up another tent when we asked him if we could trouble him later to help us with the Gemini. About 20mins later, when we returned to the tent section, he had already set up the Gemini for this other couple, so all the work was already done.
So the pros and cons of the Gemini.
PROS: It's pretty lightweight. It packs small - which is good. It has two doors and two vestibules. It is larger than the Tarn 2, because it doesn't tapper at the feet.
CONS: It has two perma windows on the fly, that you can't cover - which is strange. You can't hook a gear loft properly. You can string one across the top, but not necessarily the most ideal way. The vestibules have no footprint. It's still pretty small - like 100% cozy, not very roomy...which is fine I guess.
It's 271$ + 19$ for the footprint (+?$ for the vestibule under tarps) + 3.50$ for a gear loft + repair kit, which would be wise to bring.
I don't think there is another option - as the next best one weighs a full kilogram more (ugh!).
It's stressful to think you have to fit everything into 23kg on your back. How do you distribute that properly without forgetting anything???
Overwhelmed.
What do I need to remember?
There is the prepping for the country - and then there is the prepping for the actual backpacking. It's a full time thought job.
I have to compile all my lists and see what we need.
Maybe next week, we'll visit Tilley Endurables.
I love MEC. I would vouch for that store and their products forever. That store is like a little piece of Heaven on Earth to me. And it's because I'm interested in everything they sell. They cater to the outdoor adventure person -- from backpacking to camping to biking to kayaking to rock climbing and so on.
I get overwhelmed in the store though, so trips to MEC can be discouraging. I have too much on my mind and can't focus on what I need. A sense that I'm not prepared for this trip - or that I won't go with the right things.
Then I stop and think - it's a luxury to be able to afford items that will help with my trip - and that I shouldn't get overwhelmed. But to cut down on my costs once I'm in New Zealand, I need to make sure I have everything ahead of time.
Anyway.
The Spectre jacket was on clearance from 350$ to 220$!!! BUT...they were sold out and there wasn't any left at their distribution centre. MAJOR BUMMER. That's a huge savings on a coat that has now been replaced by 410$ and 435$ versions. OUCH.
That was a hiccup.
Looking at light dayhiking shoes as a third shoe option. One - backpacking boot; Two - backpacking sandal (with boot treads on the bottom); Three - possibly a lighter boot for day hikes sans back pack. Keen had a pair on clearance...but I wasn't sold on the idea. So, I'll probably miss the clearance for those as I ponder the need of a third pair of shoes.
The Gemini. We saw the tent. So...I don't know. A MEC rep was setting up another tent when we asked him if we could trouble him later to help us with the Gemini. About 20mins later, when we returned to the tent section, he had already set up the Gemini for this other couple, so all the work was already done.
So the pros and cons of the Gemini.
PROS: It's pretty lightweight. It packs small - which is good. It has two doors and two vestibules. It is larger than the Tarn 2, because it doesn't tapper at the feet.
CONS: It has two perma windows on the fly, that you can't cover - which is strange. You can't hook a gear loft properly. You can string one across the top, but not necessarily the most ideal way. The vestibules have no footprint. It's still pretty small - like 100% cozy, not very roomy...which is fine I guess.
It's 271$ + 19$ for the footprint (+?$ for the vestibule under tarps) + 3.50$ for a gear loft + repair kit, which would be wise to bring.
I don't think there is another option - as the next best one weighs a full kilogram more (ugh!).
It's stressful to think you have to fit everything into 23kg on your back. How do you distribute that properly without forgetting anything???
Overwhelmed.
What do I need to remember?
There is the prepping for the country - and then there is the prepping for the actual backpacking. It's a full time thought job.
I have to compile all my lists and see what we need.
Maybe next week, we'll visit Tilley Endurables.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Gemini
At a packed weight of 2.3kg, and sitting .4m wider; this tent may have trumped the Tarn 2.
I checked out the Tarn 2 last night at MEC - and was not as impressed by the size as I wanted to be. This tent is like a mummy sleeping bag, it narrows at the feet. Not so good if there is more than one person in the tent. Sleeping pads will be overlapping, and the comfort just won't be there. And, it wasn't as easy to ventilate...which could be problematic for condensation among other things.
A MEC rep talked to me about the other tents in the same category as the Tarn 2, and Mr. Gemini came up. Unfortunately, more costly than the Tarn 2 by almost a hundred dollars. It does save 400g on packed weight and is a lot more spacious than the Tarn 2...simply by illiminating the narrowing at the foot of the tent. An added bonus is that it has two doors, so if there is more than one person in the tent, you aren't climbing over one another. And - two vestibules.
A bummer - the footprint on this tent doesn't cover either of the vestibules. The Wanderer 2, another tent, does have a footprint that extends through one of the two vestibules, but it weighs 3.7kg (no thank you!).
It's a trade off I guess.
Anyway - I'm going to MEC on Sunday to set up the tent with a rep (yay!). After that, I'll know if it's the one for me. :)
On another MEC note - I saw the new Kokanee 2 Gaiters and was very happy to see the change in the strap. The original Kokanee Gaiters were flawed in their under boot strap design...which held me back from purchasing them earlier. Also - they have replacement strap kits - which is an added bonus to bring a spare set in case anything does happen.
Amazing.
Yeah - so the next few blogs on this page will probably be either about my readings or MEC purchasing/shopping.
Probably not the most entertaining part for some readers - but it's like candy for me. :)
I checked out the Tarn 2 last night at MEC - and was not as impressed by the size as I wanted to be. This tent is like a mummy sleeping bag, it narrows at the feet. Not so good if there is more than one person in the tent. Sleeping pads will be overlapping, and the comfort just won't be there. And, it wasn't as easy to ventilate...which could be problematic for condensation among other things.
A MEC rep talked to me about the other tents in the same category as the Tarn 2, and Mr. Gemini came up. Unfortunately, more costly than the Tarn 2 by almost a hundred dollars. It does save 400g on packed weight and is a lot more spacious than the Tarn 2...simply by illiminating the narrowing at the foot of the tent. An added bonus is that it has two doors, so if there is more than one person in the tent, you aren't climbing over one another. And - two vestibules.
A bummer - the footprint on this tent doesn't cover either of the vestibules. The Wanderer 2, another tent, does have a footprint that extends through one of the two vestibules, but it weighs 3.7kg (no thank you!).
It's a trade off I guess.
Anyway - I'm going to MEC on Sunday to set up the tent with a rep (yay!). After that, I'll know if it's the one for me. :)
On another MEC note - I saw the new Kokanee 2 Gaiters and was very happy to see the change in the strap. The original Kokanee Gaiters were flawed in their under boot strap design...which held me back from purchasing them earlier. Also - they have replacement strap kits - which is an added bonus to bring a spare set in case anything does happen.
Amazing.
Yeah - so the next few blogs on this page will probably be either about my readings or MEC purchasing/shopping.
Probably not the most entertaining part for some readers - but it's like candy for me. :)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Step three: complete
So, the passport application is now in.
Sitting in the passport office - it's like you're playing the lottery. You sit with your ticket, mine being A005, and you watch the screen that displays the last three numbers called and you just wait. One by one, the new numbers flash at the agent's desk, and on the main board for all to see...D656, D657, G901, B303, D658, D659....it starts to look like having an A# isn't where it's at. Then finally, A004. So close.
I got a glimpse at the lettering system this morning. A means simple. So, that's a good thing. I think C said complex. I didn't see B. D was renewal - for the fast track people. The G one, threw us off, cause there was no G button on the machine that gave out tickets. But man, did it ever pay off to be a D. They were called up the most.
I think B was internet application...maybe.
It was just kind of a funny game to play. A lottery. We're only a number.
At the front of the line, we saw this one gentleman get rejected for some reason. He slumped away from the pre-screening counter and grumbled to himself in discontent. My heart went out to him. I was there just yesterday - living with the sting of rejection over something so stupid. I really hope that he solves his problem.
One major score of the day - was amazing and pleasant people. I was so afraid I would have to speak to the guy from yesterday. I really didn't enjoy him. But we were in luck, and got this stellar gentleman who was really fast and excited.
Anyway. Life at the passport office.
At 7.20am, there was already a long line up - and by 7.50am, when they begin the pre-screening, there was a very impressive line up. Apparently there were radio reports that aired yesterday that alerted the passport seeking public, that there is a delay with the mail-in passport system right now...so this might explain the added bodies in the line up this morning.
We're all eager to get out of the country it would seem.
So next on the list, after November 14th, when I should see a registered package from Passport Canada, I tackle the NZ VISA. Oh, yeah, and survival and first aid training...although, I'm finding them to be a tad pricey. We'll see...
PS - new purchase last night. Went to MEC with Goose, cause she's trying to find a backpack for her Argentina/Chile trip. I bought a Blurr Docket - on clearance last night. Not the most exciting purchase, but a baby step none the less.
Also, very exciting news, for me at least. The MEC Kokanee Gaiters are on clearance right now; to make way for the NEW Kokanee Gaiters. The new ones apparently feature changes to the buckle under the boot - which has always been the reason I did NOT want to buy the current gaiters. I'm going to check them out on Thursday night. Hooray!
Sitting in the passport office - it's like you're playing the lottery. You sit with your ticket, mine being A005, and you watch the screen that displays the last three numbers called and you just wait. One by one, the new numbers flash at the agent's desk, and on the main board for all to see...D656, D657, G901, B303, D658, D659....it starts to look like having an A# isn't where it's at. Then finally, A004. So close.
I got a glimpse at the lettering system this morning. A means simple. So, that's a good thing. I think C said complex. I didn't see B. D was renewal - for the fast track people. The G one, threw us off, cause there was no G button on the machine that gave out tickets. But man, did it ever pay off to be a D. They were called up the most.
I think B was internet application...maybe.
It was just kind of a funny game to play. A lottery. We're only a number.
At the front of the line, we saw this one gentleman get rejected for some reason. He slumped away from the pre-screening counter and grumbled to himself in discontent. My heart went out to him. I was there just yesterday - living with the sting of rejection over something so stupid. I really hope that he solves his problem.
One major score of the day - was amazing and pleasant people. I was so afraid I would have to speak to the guy from yesterday. I really didn't enjoy him. But we were in luck, and got this stellar gentleman who was really fast and excited.
Anyway. Life at the passport office.
At 7.20am, there was already a long line up - and by 7.50am, when they begin the pre-screening, there was a very impressive line up. Apparently there were radio reports that aired yesterday that alerted the passport seeking public, that there is a delay with the mail-in passport system right now...so this might explain the added bodies in the line up this morning.
We're all eager to get out of the country it would seem.
So next on the list, after November 14th, when I should see a registered package from Passport Canada, I tackle the NZ VISA. Oh, yeah, and survival and first aid training...although, I'm finding them to be a tad pricey. We'll see...
I leave in 8 months and 28 days.
Or 272 days. :)
PS - new purchase last night. Went to MEC with Goose, cause she's trying to find a backpack for her Argentina/Chile trip. I bought a Blurr Docket - on clearance last night. Not the most exciting purchase, but a baby step none the less.
Also, very exciting news, for me at least. The MEC Kokanee Gaiters are on clearance right now; to make way for the NEW Kokanee Gaiters. The new ones apparently feature changes to the buckle under the boot - which has always been the reason I did NOT want to buy the current gaiters. I'm going to check them out on Thursday night. Hooray!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Rejected
From the Passport Office this morning.
You know, I found it funny when I was standing in line with all my completed documents, yet I still felt nervous about being rejected. But there was no good reason for this seemingly irrational thought.
Until I stepped up to the person in charge of verifying my documents. "This person can't sign this form". Huh?, I thought as he pointed to my guarantor's information. "But the rules of the guarantor changed on October 1st, 2007". Verifier: "Yes, but this is the wrong form." Me: "But I picked up this form from Canada Post (which is a government run office, might I remind all those readers out there) two weeks after the new rules were issued." Verifier: "Well, you picked up the wrong one...you need to sign it again."
I didn't enjoy that hiccup this morning.
I went to the woman issuing the tickets to wait in line (there is quite the process at this office), and looked at the three passport applications...adult, child and 'short cut' applications. And opened up an adult one - and sure enough, there is a new form...WHICH WAS NOT AVAILABLE at the Canada Post that I went to.
Don't you think that a new Government form should be replaced at ALL Government offices. Because I have a feeling, I'm not the only one who ran into this problem since the forms have changed.
If I had mailed this application in, I would not have known about this problem for 6 weeks.
Oh my goodness.
Tomorrow, I try again.
You know, I found it funny when I was standing in line with all my completed documents, yet I still felt nervous about being rejected. But there was no good reason for this seemingly irrational thought.
Until I stepped up to the person in charge of verifying my documents. "This person can't sign this form". Huh?, I thought as he pointed to my guarantor's information. "But the rules of the guarantor changed on October 1st, 2007". Verifier: "Yes, but this is the wrong form." Me: "But I picked up this form from Canada Post (which is a government run office, might I remind all those readers out there) two weeks after the new rules were issued." Verifier: "Well, you picked up the wrong one...you need to sign it again."
I didn't enjoy that hiccup this morning.
I went to the woman issuing the tickets to wait in line (there is quite the process at this office), and looked at the three passport applications...adult, child and 'short cut' applications. And opened up an adult one - and sure enough, there is a new form...WHICH WAS NOT AVAILABLE at the Canada Post that I went to.
Don't you think that a new Government form should be replaced at ALL Government offices. Because I have a feeling, I'm not the only one who ran into this problem since the forms have changed.
If I had mailed this application in, I would not have known about this problem for 6 weeks.
Oh my goodness.
Tomorrow, I try again.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
2.7kg
I have a 23kg limit to each bag I bring into the country of NZ. I only plan on bringing one bag.
This brings about a challenge.
When you plan on backpacking for an entire year (real backpacking, like 10-20+kms/day, every day), you are very aware of what things weigh.
Cost vs Weight is a big challenge for me at MEC sometimes when I'm shopping. Pay less money for something heavier, or more money to save on weight. And the weight might not look like a lot to many people; 400-800g here, 350g there. But eventually, it all adds up.
Well, spare me 2.7 more kilograms.
UGH.
I was on the DOC website yesterday (love the amount of information on this site), and printed out a list of ALL the huts that the DOC runs/operates through the North and South island (like a thousand of them).
What do I find out. There are some trails that don't have huts (3 day trecks with only campsites), some huts have been shut down/removed due to age and I guess lack of use (??), and others are considered 'problem huts' - like you have to find out what the condition of the hut is before you rely on your ability to sleep in it that night.
There aren't a WHOLE lot - but enough to put me out under the stars quite a bit with the trip I'm planning.
And another thing - on the great walks, you have to book way ahead of time - like I would have to book NOW for next year type thing. Cause when you tramp during their peak seasons, you're competing with everyone, and things are booked very far in advance (ugh).
The last thing I want to do is set time limits...cause that would ruin my trip. I don't like time constraints - and I'd always be worried.
So, instead, I am bitting the bullet, and buying a tent.
I know, I know. The first thing I axed off my purchasing list back in the day. It's a very unfortunate situation, but it might be for the best. I'll still have a backcountry hut pass - and when possible, we'll use the hut system. When all else fails, we pull out the portable home.
A night under the stars is great.
A night under the stars in pouring rain, not so much.
So, that's my story of the day.
And my new humble abode, I shall visit on Sunday. Might possibly be the MEC Tarn 2 Tent. I used to be really up to date with tent information (when I was originally looking into this 4 years ago...man, it's been a while). But this one stands out as the best choice for me right now.
At 182$ + footprint at 24$, it's not terrible. There was another one for about 120$ more, that was about 1.2kg lighter (a big bonus) - but it did not perform well in the rain. And NZ's weather is unpredictable. In the mountains, I could go to bed in mild weather, and wake up in a light snow cover.
At 2.7kgs, this sucker takes 1/10th of my weight limit.
Although I am disappointed with this need, I feel that it will open up more opportunities for tramping (where the huts are no more) and should there be an overwhelming amount of people in one hut, this could be my refuge.
Oh - and on the great walks (where the hut passes are a separate cost, and can get pricey), this will save on overnight costs. Might cost me 3 nights at 7$ tent pitching charge, versus 120$ for a hut pass.
:)
Monday is passport day. Yay.
Then November is Travel Doctor month and VISA question/answer time.
Maybe I should set a shopping goal for November. I would like to buy a tent by end of November...but there really isn't a rush on that one. I'll try to see when tents are going out of stock to try to hit up on clearance sales.
This brings about a challenge.
When you plan on backpacking for an entire year (real backpacking, like 10-20+kms/day, every day), you are very aware of what things weigh.
Cost vs Weight is a big challenge for me at MEC sometimes when I'm shopping. Pay less money for something heavier, or more money to save on weight. And the weight might not look like a lot to many people; 400-800g here, 350g there. But eventually, it all adds up.
Well, spare me 2.7 more kilograms.
UGH.
I was on the DOC website yesterday (love the amount of information on this site), and printed out a list of ALL the huts that the DOC runs/operates through the North and South island (like a thousand of them).
What do I find out. There are some trails that don't have huts (3 day trecks with only campsites), some huts have been shut down/removed due to age and I guess lack of use (??), and others are considered 'problem huts' - like you have to find out what the condition of the hut is before you rely on your ability to sleep in it that night.
There aren't a WHOLE lot - but enough to put me out under the stars quite a bit with the trip I'm planning.
And another thing - on the great walks, you have to book way ahead of time - like I would have to book NOW for next year type thing. Cause when you tramp during their peak seasons, you're competing with everyone, and things are booked very far in advance (ugh).
The last thing I want to do is set time limits...cause that would ruin my trip. I don't like time constraints - and I'd always be worried.
So, instead, I am bitting the bullet, and buying a tent.
I know, I know. The first thing I axed off my purchasing list back in the day. It's a very unfortunate situation, but it might be for the best. I'll still have a backcountry hut pass - and when possible, we'll use the hut system. When all else fails, we pull out the portable home.
A night under the stars is great.
A night under the stars in pouring rain, not so much.
So, that's my story of the day.
And my new humble abode, I shall visit on Sunday. Might possibly be the MEC Tarn 2 Tent. I used to be really up to date with tent information (when I was originally looking into this 4 years ago...man, it's been a while). But this one stands out as the best choice for me right now.
At 182$ + footprint at 24$, it's not terrible. There was another one for about 120$ more, that was about 1.2kg lighter (a big bonus) - but it did not perform well in the rain. And NZ's weather is unpredictable. In the mountains, I could go to bed in mild weather, and wake up in a light snow cover.
At 2.7kgs, this sucker takes 1/10th of my weight limit.
Although I am disappointed with this need, I feel that it will open up more opportunities for tramping (where the huts are no more) and should there be an overwhelming amount of people in one hut, this could be my refuge.
Oh - and on the great walks (where the hut passes are a separate cost, and can get pricey), this will save on overnight costs. Might cost me 3 nights at 7$ tent pitching charge, versus 120$ for a hut pass.
:)
Monday is passport day. Yay.
Then November is Travel Doctor month and VISA question/answer time.
Maybe I should set a shopping goal for November. I would like to buy a tent by end of November...but there really isn't a rush on that one. I'll try to see when tents are going out of stock to try to hit up on clearance sales.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Sweetest words on a Friday afternoon...
Thanks for booking online with Air New Zealand. Your Electronic Ticket, Itinerary & Receipt will be emailed to you shortly.
Sunday, July 27th, 2008. I leave everything I've known for a trip I've been planning on embarking for too many years.
For the next year, I'll be walking New Zealand's beautiful countryside, waking up in the mountains, trudging through swollen rivers, living out of a backpack, living the dream.
Step two: Complete. Ticket in hand.
*breathe sigh of relief*
I think it's starting to sink in for real. I'm getting that butterfly in my stomach feeling. It's really happening, and I couldn't be happier.
My poor father, I always call him before I make big purchases. Thank you for making sure I got the tickets that were right for me dad. :)
I can now officially start a countdown.
Sunday, July 27th, 2008. I leave everything I've known for a trip I've been planning on embarking for too many years.
For the next year, I'll be walking New Zealand's beautiful countryside, waking up in the mountains, trudging through swollen rivers, living out of a backpack, living the dream.
Step two: Complete. Ticket in hand.
*breathe sigh of relief*
I think it's starting to sink in for real. I'm getting that butterfly in my stomach feeling. It's really happening, and I couldn't be happier.
My poor father, I always call him before I make big purchases. Thank you for making sure I got the tickets that were right for me dad. :)
I can now officially start a countdown.
9 months 8 days
Thursday, October 18, 2007
tomorrow
is a big day for me.
and for my mastercard.
so good news on the knee front. I haven't heard back from the city yet about where they stand with my accident - but I did receive a letter from WSIB when I got home on Sunday night and it states that WSIB has allowed my claim for health benefits. Something completely unexpected.
When we're injured at work, we automatically fill out the WSIB form 6 - so that our company has an incident report. I didn't know that it would be filed and processed with WSIB as an official claim. And on top of that, I had NO idea that WSIB would even care should they receive my documents, as I wasn't out any work due to my injuries...i was just 'gimpy' (according to most co-workers) for two weeks. :p
So good news for me. I can be covered for 12 weeks of FULL physiotherapy. Isn't that incredible?
I feel so incredibly blessed - as I was never expecting this.
Thank you God!
and for my mastercard.
so good news on the knee front. I haven't heard back from the city yet about where they stand with my accident - but I did receive a letter from WSIB when I got home on Sunday night and it states that WSIB has allowed my claim for health benefits. Something completely unexpected.
When we're injured at work, we automatically fill out the WSIB form 6 - so that our company has an incident report. I didn't know that it would be filed and processed with WSIB as an official claim. And on top of that, I had NO idea that WSIB would even care should they receive my documents, as I wasn't out any work due to my injuries...i was just 'gimpy' (according to most co-workers) for two weeks. :p
So good news for me. I can be covered for 12 weeks of FULL physiotherapy. Isn't that incredible?
I feel so incredibly blessed - as I was never expecting this.
Thank you God!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
NZ: a country unlikely to make the world headlines
Except for lately.
I should technically be in NZ right now - about 1.5months into my backpacking adventure. If I had left at the beginning of September, as originally thought before the extension of my current work contract - I would have experienced the three following events (well, probably a lot more...but these have made headlines!)
1. September 26th, 2007. Mt. Ruapehu erupts without warning, luckily only injuring one person. (A Natioanl Geographic video of the event can be found here.)
2. October 15th, 2007. A large anti-terror raid is undertaken in different cities throughout New Zealand. This will be something that I will follow up with, as more information becomes available. Basically, at the moment, the information states that a multiple city police raid has taken place, and some arrests have been made under the arms act - but these arrests may be upgraded, and NZ police may use the Suppression of Terrorism Act for the first time.
Since I don't know much more than what has been published by different news casts, please click to some of the following links to read some initial information about this widespread raid.
- The Sydney Morning Herald
- BBC
- Stuff.co.nz
- SBS World News Australia
It's quite a scary situation - should the intention behing those arrested honestly be a full scale attack on various cities in NZ. Those targeted in the arrests are the Maori sovereignty and environmental activists. There is police surveilance footage of "military-style training exercise with live ammunition being fired in mountainous terrain."
I was half asleep on the couch when I saw the tail end of a news clip on BBC last night. But I woke up quick enough when I began to hear more about it.
I'm three days away from buying my ticket to NZ. And now I'm in a lull about the safety of what once was a very quiet country.
3. October 16th, 2007. A series of two 6.0 and greater earthquakes roll through the south island.
Bloomberg.com reports:
"New Zealand's South Island Struck by Two Earthquakes (Update3)
By Aaron Sheldrick and Bryan Lysaght
Oct. 16 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand's South Island was hit by two earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
A magnitude-6 quake struck 95 kilometers (59 miles) west- northwest of Queenstown at 10:28 a.m. local time today at a depth of 39 kilometers, the USGS said. Another quake, of magnitude 6.8, struck about nine hours earlier, 103 kilometers west-northwest of Queenstown. That quake was 25 kilometers deep.
There were no reports of casualties or damage, a Queenstown police sapokesman said by telephone after the first quake.
New Zealand lies in a zone where the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates meet. Quakes occur as the plates push together and tremors of magnitude 5 and higher can cause damage depending on their depth.
There was no tsunami threat to coastlines along the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. government's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on its Web site after the bigger tremor. It added that local tsunami were possible within a few hundred kilometers of the quake. There were no reports of any.
A magnitude-7.4 quake struck near New Zealand's Auckland Islands on Sept. 30. The country has as many as 15,000 earthquakes a year and the biggest since instrumental recording began was a magnitude-7.8 temblor in 1931 in Hawke's Bay, according to the USGS Web site. "
Yes - did you see that. NZ is hit with approx FIFTEEN THOUSAND earthquakes every year. And they don't seem to all be such baby tremors.
I'm praying for this country. More so for peace within the people of the land.
I should technically be in NZ right now - about 1.5months into my backpacking adventure. If I had left at the beginning of September, as originally thought before the extension of my current work contract - I would have experienced the three following events (well, probably a lot more...but these have made headlines!)
1. September 26th, 2007. Mt. Ruapehu erupts without warning, luckily only injuring one person. (A Natioanl Geographic video of the event can be found here.)
2. October 15th, 2007. A large anti-terror raid is undertaken in different cities throughout New Zealand. This will be something that I will follow up with, as more information becomes available. Basically, at the moment, the information states that a multiple city police raid has taken place, and some arrests have been made under the arms act - but these arrests may be upgraded, and NZ police may use the Suppression of Terrorism Act for the first time.
Since I don't know much more than what has been published by different news casts, please click to some of the following links to read some initial information about this widespread raid.
- The Sydney Morning Herald
- BBC
- Stuff.co.nz
- SBS World News Australia
It's quite a scary situation - should the intention behing those arrested honestly be a full scale attack on various cities in NZ. Those targeted in the arrests are the Maori sovereignty and environmental activists. There is police surveilance footage of "military-style training exercise with live ammunition being fired in mountainous terrain."
I was half asleep on the couch when I saw the tail end of a news clip on BBC last night. But I woke up quick enough when I began to hear more about it.
I'm three days away from buying my ticket to NZ. And now I'm in a lull about the safety of what once was a very quiet country.
3. October 16th, 2007. A series of two 6.0 and greater earthquakes roll through the south island.
Bloomberg.com reports:
"New Zealand's South Island Struck by Two Earthquakes (Update3)
By Aaron Sheldrick and Bryan Lysaght
Oct. 16 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand's South Island was hit by two earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
A magnitude-6 quake struck 95 kilometers (59 miles) west- northwest of Queenstown at 10:28 a.m. local time today at a depth of 39 kilometers, the USGS said. Another quake, of magnitude 6.8, struck about nine hours earlier, 103 kilometers west-northwest of Queenstown. That quake was 25 kilometers deep.
There were no reports of casualties or damage, a Queenstown police sapokesman said by telephone after the first quake.
New Zealand lies in a zone where the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates meet. Quakes occur as the plates push together and tremors of magnitude 5 and higher can cause damage depending on their depth.
There was no tsunami threat to coastlines along the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. government's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on its Web site after the bigger tremor. It added that local tsunami were possible within a few hundred kilometers of the quake. There were no reports of any.
A magnitude-7.4 quake struck near New Zealand's Auckland Islands on Sept. 30. The country has as many as 15,000 earthquakes a year and the biggest since instrumental recording began was a magnitude-7.8 temblor in 1931 in Hawke's Bay, according to the USGS Web site. "
Yes - did you see that. NZ is hit with approx FIFTEEN THOUSAND earthquakes every year. And they don't seem to all be such baby tremors.
I'm praying for this country. More so for peace within the people of the land.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Step two & three.
2. Buy ticket. Friday. Oct 19.
3. Passport application - hand in. Monday. Oct 22.
Found - boots that i might want. A possible clothing solution to my inability to fit into clothing found at the three outdoor adventure stores in the King/Spadina area.
Not found yet - good gore-tex pants. GPS system. My soon to be portable kitchen.
Upcoming...
I) Make appt with travel clinic - discuss/book vaccinations.
II) VISA application - email questions and hand it in come January 2008.
III) Trip planning...
IV) First Aid certification, CPR Training and Outdoor Survival weekend course. :)
3. Passport application - hand in. Monday. Oct 22.
Found - boots that i might want. A possible clothing solution to my inability to fit into clothing found at the three outdoor adventure stores in the King/Spadina area.
Not found yet - good gore-tex pants. GPS system. My soon to be portable kitchen.
Upcoming...
I) Make appt with travel clinic - discuss/book vaccinations.
II) VISA application - email questions and hand it in come January 2008.
III) Trip planning...
IV) First Aid certification, CPR Training and Outdoor Survival weekend course. :)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
step one: passport photo. Check.
So I got my horrible passport photo taken today. Which I kind of laugh about - cause I plan on chopping off my hair before my trip - and passport canada does advise sending a new picture in...but I don't know if i'm really going to abide by this suggestion. My face isn't changing.
Anyway. We (my mother, grandmother and myself) get to Walmart to get this lavish photo taken.
Our first obstacle. Rules.
What NOT to wear for picture. White shirt, hooded sweatshirt, tank top...and the list went on.
What did I have on? A hooded top (which I was going to take off) a white 3/4" sleeve shirt with a blue tank top underneath.
Where did these restrictions come from?
Anyway - we ended up leaving, shopping, and i found a shirt to make do and get this thing over with.
I do not particularly enjoy my ears. They stick out. I don't actually know why i want to cut my hair short considering my slight problem with my ears. Anyway - but you have to tuck your hair behind your ears and behind your shoulders - so as to expose the most of your face to the photograph. Yuck.
They took three pictures. The first was nixed because it made me look too pale apparently - but my mom said it looked nice. The second lost out because i cracked a stinkin' smile. And the third, the charmer, the convict looking photo was the winner.
Ew.
Seriously. I've had one friend with a really nice passport photo - Magali. She had this beautiful picture of her, I think it was on her France passport. Never will I pull off that kind of a look for a passport.
Yeah.
So - it's done. What can I do? Cry...or just not care. Despite the fact that all of New Zealand will be looking at this - as it will be the one document most used to identify myself abroad.
So - NZ. First step - get in the passport. We have to apply for the Work Holiday Visas as of January 1st - they only issue 2000 to Canadians a year - and I'm not waiting to be ousted come July.
Tickets for the flight...looking into a one way now from Toronto --> Vancouver --> Auckland (thanks to Air New Zealand opening up a non stop flight from Vancouver to Auckland recently). Best price - July 27th, 2008...964$ plus taxes. I think it's just over $1,100.00 CDN.
I think I'll be booking this ticket shortly.
You need the passport AND the ticket booked BEFORE you can apply for the Visa.
One step closer.
My parents (well, my mother - father dropped her off in front of the building) picked up new application forms and information at the New Zealand Consulate office in Ottawa before leaving last week. Wonderful.
NZ's been majorly on my mind this weekend. I'm excited. I'm also getting anxious.
I'm going to be honest here - I have realized recently that I really don't like time. It's more so time pressures. The moment a time frame is stamped on something I see it as a countdown - and it freaks me out. When we went to Wonderland in my youth, I remember going on a day where it was open for like 12 or more hours. I think at the 8hour mark I was already saying "oh man, we ONLY HAVE 8 hours left". EIGHT HOURS??? That's a lot of time.
But it's suffocating. Time pressures that is. And it's good to be honest about it with myself.
It can simply make me anxious. So for the most part, I try to avoid planning really strictly time events. I also avoid watches.
This might sound ridiculous considering I have almost a full year in New Zealand. But - the thing is that we are walking the entire country - so you have to take that into account when planning out travel times. The walking is a challenge to me, to my knees and also an economically sound option. It saves a great deal on travel costs - which can kill a budget very quickly.
So, to avoid having any anxiety about timing out this one year journey...I have to plan this trip with no worries...just loose plans with monthly goals of where I want to be when. And really - the only place I know I need to be at a certain time is the Southern Alps - which we NEED to do during the summer months of New Zealand - for safety reasons.
Other than that - we walk, we try the best we can to get where we need to be, roughly when we need to be there.
The end.
My knee is still sore and feeling a bit off. My grandfather mentioned that I should speak to an orthopedic surgeon about my knees to see if they suggest fluid injections for my knees - a procedure the sports medicine specialist told me was not an options. But then again, he wouldn't be authorized to do such a procedure. So - i will be talking to my family doctor about looking into this referal. This might be a positive step towards stronger knees.
Also - I think my parents are going to push towards getting me orthotics for Christmas. My dad recently purchased a pair to help with his step - and he has seen great improvements in pain relief (basically, he no longer feels pain!!). A good idea for me for NZ. I was already told twice i would need them by medical practitioners.
Some things that a medical practitioner tells you - is a mere suggestion. Yes, to improve a situation currently being experienced. But man - if you're not covered by some sort of insurance plan - these options fall out of possibility very quickly. Cost. I'd rather spend $400.00 on supplies - like good hiking boots, pots/kitchen stuff, pack lock, hydro sacks and gortex pants.
I'd rather.
My knees - probably couldn't care less if I get the hydro sacks. And I do have to listen to my knees while I'm on this journey.
Why does everything come down to a dollar amount. It's almost irritating.
9.5 months to go.
It will sound more official when I purchase the ticket and start counting down the days.
Oh - and this type of countdown doesn't stress me out. I'm rather excited about this adventure. It couldn't come fast enough.
:o)
Anyway. We (my mother, grandmother and myself) get to Walmart to get this lavish photo taken.
Our first obstacle. Rules.
What NOT to wear for picture. White shirt, hooded sweatshirt, tank top...and the list went on.
What did I have on? A hooded top (which I was going to take off) a white 3/4" sleeve shirt with a blue tank top underneath.
Where did these restrictions come from?
Anyway - we ended up leaving, shopping, and i found a shirt to make do and get this thing over with.
I do not particularly enjoy my ears. They stick out. I don't actually know why i want to cut my hair short considering my slight problem with my ears. Anyway - but you have to tuck your hair behind your ears and behind your shoulders - so as to expose the most of your face to the photograph. Yuck.
They took three pictures. The first was nixed because it made me look too pale apparently - but my mom said it looked nice. The second lost out because i cracked a stinkin' smile. And the third, the charmer, the convict looking photo was the winner.
Ew.
Seriously. I've had one friend with a really nice passport photo - Magali. She had this beautiful picture of her, I think it was on her France passport. Never will I pull off that kind of a look for a passport.
Yeah.
So - it's done. What can I do? Cry...or just not care. Despite the fact that all of New Zealand will be looking at this - as it will be the one document most used to identify myself abroad.
So - NZ. First step - get in the passport. We have to apply for the Work Holiday Visas as of January 1st - they only issue 2000 to Canadians a year - and I'm not waiting to be ousted come July.
Tickets for the flight...looking into a one way now from Toronto --> Vancouver --> Auckland (thanks to Air New Zealand opening up a non stop flight from Vancouver to Auckland recently). Best price - July 27th, 2008...964$ plus taxes. I think it's just over $1,100.00 CDN.
I think I'll be booking this ticket shortly.
You need the passport AND the ticket booked BEFORE you can apply for the Visa.
One step closer.
My parents (well, my mother - father dropped her off in front of the building) picked up new application forms and information at the New Zealand Consulate office in Ottawa before leaving last week. Wonderful.
NZ's been majorly on my mind this weekend. I'm excited. I'm also getting anxious.
I'm going to be honest here - I have realized recently that I really don't like time. It's more so time pressures. The moment a time frame is stamped on something I see it as a countdown - and it freaks me out. When we went to Wonderland in my youth, I remember going on a day where it was open for like 12 or more hours. I think at the 8hour mark I was already saying "oh man, we ONLY HAVE 8 hours left". EIGHT HOURS??? That's a lot of time.
But it's suffocating. Time pressures that is. And it's good to be honest about it with myself.
It can simply make me anxious. So for the most part, I try to avoid planning really strictly time events. I also avoid watches.
This might sound ridiculous considering I have almost a full year in New Zealand. But - the thing is that we are walking the entire country - so you have to take that into account when planning out travel times. The walking is a challenge to me, to my knees and also an economically sound option. It saves a great deal on travel costs - which can kill a budget very quickly.
So, to avoid having any anxiety about timing out this one year journey...I have to plan this trip with no worries...just loose plans with monthly goals of where I want to be when. And really - the only place I know I need to be at a certain time is the Southern Alps - which we NEED to do during the summer months of New Zealand - for safety reasons.
Other than that - we walk, we try the best we can to get where we need to be, roughly when we need to be there.
The end.
My knee is still sore and feeling a bit off. My grandfather mentioned that I should speak to an orthopedic surgeon about my knees to see if they suggest fluid injections for my knees - a procedure the sports medicine specialist told me was not an options. But then again, he wouldn't be authorized to do such a procedure. So - i will be talking to my family doctor about looking into this referal. This might be a positive step towards stronger knees.
Also - I think my parents are going to push towards getting me orthotics for Christmas. My dad recently purchased a pair to help with his step - and he has seen great improvements in pain relief (basically, he no longer feels pain!!). A good idea for me for NZ. I was already told twice i would need them by medical practitioners.
Some things that a medical practitioner tells you - is a mere suggestion. Yes, to improve a situation currently being experienced. But man - if you're not covered by some sort of insurance plan - these options fall out of possibility very quickly. Cost. I'd rather spend $400.00 on supplies - like good hiking boots, pots/kitchen stuff, pack lock, hydro sacks and gortex pants.
I'd rather.
My knees - probably couldn't care less if I get the hydro sacks. And I do have to listen to my knees while I'm on this journey.
Why does everything come down to a dollar amount. It's almost irritating.
9.5 months to go.
It will sound more official when I purchase the ticket and start counting down the days.
Oh - and this type of countdown doesn't stress me out. I'm rather excited about this adventure. It couldn't come fast enough.
:o)
Friday, October 5, 2007
do you think...
...someone would want to sponsor me (a travel buff? a travel magazine?) for writing about our journey in New Zealand? It's been suggested to me by a few people now. What if this would be a way to lock down extra finances - in exchange for daily writings.
I'm not an exceptional writer...in the least. But I do plan on blogging about this whole trip and journaling everything.
We're tramping the entire country. Taking a two week break in Vanuatu. Treking through China for another two weeks before a pit stop with the pandas and back home on a jet plane.
I'd read about that.
My knee specialist will scold me on Wednesday the 10th, when I meet with him to fix my new injury. I have yet to commit to physiotherapy - mainly due to lack of finances to support 75$/session 3-4 times a week. Uh...Excuse me?
Hopefully i'll be fit with good knee braces to help with the trip.
Hopefully, my knees will get stronger and better. :o)
I'm not an exceptional writer...in the least. But I do plan on blogging about this whole trip and journaling everything.
We're tramping the entire country. Taking a two week break in Vanuatu. Treking through China for another two weeks before a pit stop with the pandas and back home on a jet plane.
I'd read about that.
My knee specialist will scold me on Wednesday the 10th, when I meet with him to fix my new injury. I have yet to commit to physiotherapy - mainly due to lack of finances to support 75$/session 3-4 times a week. Uh...Excuse me?
Hopefully i'll be fit with good knee braces to help with the trip.
Hopefully, my knees will get stronger and better. :o)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Passports: the fast track way.
So - there's a new way to apply for your Canadian Passport. You can 'fast track' your application. This basically means you don't have to go through the whole process of getting documents signed by guarantors and such (which can be a pain in the butt sometimes).
Doesn't that sound wonderful?
Basically, as long as you have a passport that was issued after January 31st, 2002, you can apply with this fast track form.
Kicker?
My last passport was issued on January 27th, 2002.
Dag-nabbit.
I go for passport pictures this Saturday. :)
The VISA applications are to be submitted in January of 2008.
Plane ticket proof is required prior to VISA application - which means - the trip will be booked by end of year, 2007.
Amazing.
Looks like it's almost official.
On the down side. I busted my knee on Monday with a fall. There is inner swelling. It is sparking a whole new physiotherapy debate. Due to the lack of fluid and cartiledge in my knee joint (long story) - there is no protection for my knee. So after my fall, my joint swelled up internally. Not a fun feeling. :(
Let's pray that my knees are still good to go for the trip come the summer.
Doesn't that sound wonderful?
Basically, as long as you have a passport that was issued after January 31st, 2002, you can apply with this fast track form.
Kicker?
My last passport was issued on January 27th, 2002.
Dag-nabbit.
I go for passport pictures this Saturday. :)
The VISA applications are to be submitted in January of 2008.
Plane ticket proof is required prior to VISA application - which means - the trip will be booked by end of year, 2007.
Amazing.
Looks like it's almost official.
On the down side. I busted my knee on Monday with a fall. There is inner swelling. It is sparking a whole new physiotherapy debate. Due to the lack of fluid and cartiledge in my knee joint (long story) - there is no protection for my knee. So after my fall, my joint swelled up internally. Not a fun feeling. :(
Let's pray that my knees are still good to go for the trip come the summer.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Sometime in July...
...of next year. I'll ACTUALLY BE ON A PLANE HEADING FOR NEW ZEALAND.
My heart aches for the departure date.
My film contract was extended until end of December. Praise God for financial provision. THANK YOU.
Leaving in January isn't the best idea for me - as my plan does not really allow for safe travels during the winter months for NZ. Most trails are closed from May through July due to winter conditions that are dangerous for trampers.
So I will be tramping through the North Island for the end of their winter, and by the time I hit the south island, all will be well.
I have a year to map out the journey and start saving for the next two expensive purchases - a PLB and a GPS unit (maybe).
By December, I will have the finances set aside 100% for this trip. I hope to find a temp film contract to get me through January through the end of May. Then I will spend the next month and a half storing, visiting, prepping and leaving. :)
Also in this time, i plan to investigate the condition of my knees a little bit further. I do have a really great set of walking poles with shock absorption, but none the less, good knee braces and proper physio (if that can truly exist at a cheaper price than 80$/hr 3-4 times a week) will do me wonders.
On a side health care note - i'd like to say how appauled I am that OHIP has removed physio as a covered medical treatment unless you spend a night in the hospital. No offense - but I didn't ask for my knees to be without fluid and grinding themselves to oblivion with apparently no real solution until basically the bones destroy one another. To me - that's a condition that I didn't really ask for - and it probably should be covered by OHIP in some way.
Dang it.
Oh well - I'm still hoping that training will help develop more muscle protection/support for my knees. :(
My heart aches for the departure date.
My film contract was extended until end of December. Praise God for financial provision. THANK YOU.
Leaving in January isn't the best idea for me - as my plan does not really allow for safe travels during the winter months for NZ. Most trails are closed from May through July due to winter conditions that are dangerous for trampers.
So I will be tramping through the North Island for the end of their winter, and by the time I hit the south island, all will be well.
I have a year to map out the journey and start saving for the next two expensive purchases - a PLB and a GPS unit (maybe).
By December, I will have the finances set aside 100% for this trip. I hope to find a temp film contract to get me through January through the end of May. Then I will spend the next month and a half storing, visiting, prepping and leaving. :)
Also in this time, i plan to investigate the condition of my knees a little bit further. I do have a really great set of walking poles with shock absorption, but none the less, good knee braces and proper physio (if that can truly exist at a cheaper price than 80$/hr 3-4 times a week) will do me wonders.
On a side health care note - i'd like to say how appauled I am that OHIP has removed physio as a covered medical treatment unless you spend a night in the hospital. No offense - but I didn't ask for my knees to be without fluid and grinding themselves to oblivion with apparently no real solution until basically the bones destroy one another. To me - that's a condition that I didn't really ask for - and it probably should be covered by OHIP in some way.
Dang it.
Oh well - I'm still hoping that training will help develop more muscle protection/support for my knees. :(
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The fate of my travels...
So everything is up in the air...again.
First - we have yet to confirm what the fate of our show is. We are confirmed for 13 more episodes. They are trying for more. If there are only 13, I am done working at the end of August - and I am good to go. If there are more - who knows. If I am working straight until December, I am better off to wait until the end of the following July to leave for NZ (as backpacking is highly un-recommended in June/July due to snow/weather conditions).
Second - to make my heart a little happier (the travelling bug is frowning on the inside), I've decided to go on a trip for my work hiatus in June. Thinking San Francisco or Vancouver. Sad news is that we just had a very strange inquiry from our head office - and their request most likely will render my hiatus extinct due to post requirements that they will need adhered to.
Now I am back to square one. My heart is very somber today - and I don't know how to cheer it up. I have been immersing myself in travel websites for the west coast as I am so eager to begin an adventure.
Another sad note - i just did a check on my Cathay Pacific flight to Auckland for mid-September and the cost has jumped 1400$. :(
Maybe it won't be the same at Travel Cuts - but that hurt just a wee bit. Maybe i'll be blessed with a lottery win over the next few months and I won't have to worry about the finances.
I have been blessed with a wonderful job opportunity however - that has allowed me to save up once again for my travels. I am very grateful.
I am just so excited to go on that trip. The departure date keeps running away from me.
on a side - i need to post a collection of my travel gadgets. They're highly entertaining.
First - we have yet to confirm what the fate of our show is. We are confirmed for 13 more episodes. They are trying for more. If there are only 13, I am done working at the end of August - and I am good to go. If there are more - who knows. If I am working straight until December, I am better off to wait until the end of the following July to leave for NZ (as backpacking is highly un-recommended in June/July due to snow/weather conditions).
Second - to make my heart a little happier (the travelling bug is frowning on the inside), I've decided to go on a trip for my work hiatus in June. Thinking San Francisco or Vancouver. Sad news is that we just had a very strange inquiry from our head office - and their request most likely will render my hiatus extinct due to post requirements that they will need adhered to.
Now I am back to square one. My heart is very somber today - and I don't know how to cheer it up. I have been immersing myself in travel websites for the west coast as I am so eager to begin an adventure.
Another sad note - i just did a check on my Cathay Pacific flight to Auckland for mid-September and the cost has jumped 1400$. :(
Maybe it won't be the same at Travel Cuts - but that hurt just a wee bit. Maybe i'll be blessed with a lottery win over the next few months and I won't have to worry about the finances.
I have been blessed with a wonderful job opportunity however - that has allowed me to save up once again for my travels. I am very grateful.
I am just so excited to go on that trip. The departure date keeps running away from me.
on a side - i need to post a collection of my travel gadgets. They're highly entertaining.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Swimming Lesson #1
Brent and I finally made our way to the Eglinton Community Centre nearby.
Interesting first lesson.
So - i don't really know how to swim. I know how to enjoy water - I do love being in the water. I just have this phobia of drowning cause for some reason, I never really learned how to tread water. So patient Brent has agreed to teach me. :)
The first day (which was a few weeks ago now) was funny. I think we spent 50mins in the pool - but I would totally have stayed longer.
He patiently worked with me as I tried to get the motion of the egg beater just right. Not right enough, cause I was still drifting below the water's surface...but it was a valiant first attempt (if i do say so myself).
But the real kick in the face was when that four year old boy passed by with his father in tow cheering him on - as he demonstrated various swimming strokes. I think that's when i looked at brent and wanted to cry. Seriously? i'm excited cause i can almost coordinate my legs and arms at 26, and this kid is a swimming champion in the making at age 4?
Somewhere, 22 years ago, I missed the boat.
I failed yellow my first time in swimming lessons at age 8 because I didn't want to open my eyes under water in chlorine. Hmmmm. Why weren't goggles an option?
Oh - and Brent was a champion swimmer. I suggested we race back to the edge of the pool, because I'm so proud that i sort of know how to do a slew of swimming strokes, and because i totally forgot that he used to swim. He starts to break through the water - with like perfect form with his strokes.
Yeah - i tend to bite off more than i can chew...always. Needless to say, there was no way that I could win any swimming races with him.
Give me the summer - i'll be a pro by the end.
Interesting first lesson.
So - i don't really know how to swim. I know how to enjoy water - I do love being in the water. I just have this phobia of drowning cause for some reason, I never really learned how to tread water. So patient Brent has agreed to teach me. :)
The first day (which was a few weeks ago now) was funny. I think we spent 50mins in the pool - but I would totally have stayed longer.
He patiently worked with me as I tried to get the motion of the egg beater just right. Not right enough, cause I was still drifting below the water's surface...but it was a valiant first attempt (if i do say so myself).
But the real kick in the face was when that four year old boy passed by with his father in tow cheering him on - as he demonstrated various swimming strokes. I think that's when i looked at brent and wanted to cry. Seriously? i'm excited cause i can almost coordinate my legs and arms at 26, and this kid is a swimming champion in the making at age 4?
Somewhere, 22 years ago, I missed the boat.
I failed yellow my first time in swimming lessons at age 8 because I didn't want to open my eyes under water in chlorine. Hmmmm. Why weren't goggles an option?
Oh - and Brent was a champion swimmer. I suggested we race back to the edge of the pool, because I'm so proud that i sort of know how to do a slew of swimming strokes, and because i totally forgot that he used to swim. He starts to break through the water - with like perfect form with his strokes.
Yeah - i tend to bite off more than i can chew...always. Needless to say, there was no way that I could win any swimming races with him.
Give me the summer - i'll be a pro by the end.
Hike number 2 - inner city
Date: February 17th, 2007
Hiking Partners: Brent and Claude (he travelled in my waist belt the whole duration of the hike...he is seen in the picture giving you all the thumb's up -- he was comfortable)
Start time - can't remember - it was either 8.30am or sometime around 9.00am
End time - 3 hours 11mins and 31 seconds later
End time - 3 hours 11mins and 31 seconds later
Amount of hiking clocked - 3hours 11mins and 31secs
Distance - still unknown. Although, I bumped into Rob S on my way home from MEC (i was walking, and bumped into him 2/3rds of the way home) and he mentioned this website that might help me track down my distance for walks. I really have to check it out.
Timing method - cell phone stop watch. My real stop watch's battery died on me - oops. It's dumb though - cause you can't turn it off, so the moment the battery is connected, it doesn't stop until it's dead.
Shoes - nothing fancy. Just my thinsulate boots. I haven't bought my hiking boots yet. I will be testing out my KEEN sandals this summer though.
Pack contents - again, nothing impressive - just my fluffed up sleeping bag
Pack contents - again, nothing impressive - just my fluffed up sleeping bag
The Urban Hike
Not my favorite hike. Brent and I took Mt Pleasant from my house all the way down the Union Station (where he was meeting up with some friends to go to the auto show) and then I walked back home. On my way home, it was snowing a bit. Which was nice. Just fluffy snow - nothing challenging.
I don't recall having any knee problems from this hike...mind you it was over a month ago.
Hmmm - which makes this post far too outdated.
I really did put hiking on hold over the winter months. It's great to hike in the snow - as it is really challenging with trudging through snow drifts. I guess I just decided that since I won't be hiking in the winter months in NZ (due to safety concerns), i would just take it easy through to the spring. I think I'll start up after I get home from Easter. :)
I guess that's it.
PS - who's Claude?
I don't know if I ever mentioned him before - Claude is the beanie baby crab that belongs to my family. We have had him since the beginning of my mom's collection (i think i was in grade 10 or 11). He has become the travelling beanie baby. He goes on all the trips with whoever in the family. He's been to the arctic with my dad, Las Vegas with my parents, Montreal with me, all my road trips - he attends (sadly, he was even in my car accident when i ditched my car on the hwy driving home for Xmas), and he joined my father and I on our skydiving adventure last summer. He's been other places too - but i can't remember them. He lives with me most of the time - I think cause I've tried to claim him as my own. He will be going back to North Bay at Easter so that he can join my parents on their trip to Rome.
Friday, March 2, 2007
quite possibly six months and 4 days away...
update to come
- about alternate hikes through injuries and getting back on track.
- about my tramping* plans.
- about 'what's in my backpack'.
- about how i'm feeling about the trip.
- about the exact date - which depending on if our show runs another 13 episodes for this season, may have to be extended a few short weeks.
- about my hiking buddies.
- about my 'swimming lessons'.
- about vaccinations.
- about my financial goals.
- about my family and friends.
* tramping is the word used in NZ to describe 'backpacking/hiking' in the back country.
- about alternate hikes through injuries and getting back on track.
- about my tramping* plans.
- about 'what's in my backpack'.
- about how i'm feeling about the trip.
- about the exact date - which depending on if our show runs another 13 episodes for this season, may have to be extended a few short weeks.
- about my hiking buddies.
- about my 'swimming lessons'.
- about vaccinations.
- about my financial goals.
- about my family and friends.
* tramping is the word used in NZ to describe 'backpacking/hiking' in the back country.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Hobble, hobble
So, I have no idea what happened to my left heel?
The pain started yesterday early in the day, and got progressively worse throughout the day. Foiled hiking plans for earlier today - i'm hoping things clear up by tomorrow for an early morning stroll.
Last weekend, the cold snap and a warm bed deterred me from early morning hikes. Terrible. Even for me. I made up for it by walking home from work this week, amidst the cold. Good times.
To tomorrow.
The pain started yesterday early in the day, and got progressively worse throughout the day. Foiled hiking plans for earlier today - i'm hoping things clear up by tomorrow for an early morning stroll.
Last weekend, the cold snap and a warm bed deterred me from early morning hikes. Terrible. Even for me. I made up for it by walking home from work this week, amidst the cold. Good times.
To tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Hike number 1 - the test
Date: Sunday, January 28th, 2007
Hiking Partner: Brent
Pack contents - my fluffed up sleeping bag and a water bottle. :o) And if you want to count it - my rain cover on my bag (to shelter from winter elements). I was not interested so much in weight today, as I was with an engulfed backpack. Weight will come with time.
So, I have since decided to focus more on time, rather than distance. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to log the distance I walk on side trails, so I'm at a loss. If i follow streets on mapquest, I can log how many miles I might be up against.
So the initial plan was aborted near the beginning, and we decided to trail off onto some paths along the Don River instead. Quite frankly - this is a better option for me - as these are the types of trails that i will be tramping in NZ (at least the idea of 'off road' - not so much walking along pavement).
The Aftermath of my first hike.
Hiking Partner: Brent
Start time - just after 9.00am
End time - somewhere around 1.51pm
Amount of hiking clocked - 4hours 5mins and 22secs
Distance - unknown
Timing method - stop watch, controlled by Brent (and it was paused when we would stop to discuss route information - so the timing is pretty much in sync with our actual hiking)
End time - somewhere around 1.51pm
Amount of hiking clocked - 4hours 5mins and 22secs
Distance - unknown
Timing method - stop watch, controlled by Brent (and it was paused when we would stop to discuss route information - so the timing is pretty much in sync with our actual hiking)
Shoes - nothing fancy. Just my thinsulate boots.
Pack contents - my fluffed up sleeping bag and a water bottle. :o) And if you want to count it - my rain cover on my bag (to shelter from winter elements). I was not interested so much in weight today, as I was with an engulfed backpack. Weight will come with time.Welcome to test day one. I have dubbed it the "hike that did me in".
Although we started an hour later than expected, it was a lovely day. It was snowing (lightly-ish) off and on through the hike.
Obstacle number one was the whole idea of hiking Bayview Avenue. Just south of Moore Avenue, it doned on me - there really isn't a sidewalk on the Bayview Avenue extension. This is a street with a 70km/hr speed limit - and in all honesty, most drivers range between 85-95kms/hr on this stretch. In the summer, I would hike it - as there is a fair sized shoulder along the entire road. But in the winter, with another walking partner, it just isn't worth the risk. The shoulder has become a hilly pile of snow, sand, salt and ice.
So, I have since decided to focus more on time, rather than distance. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to log the distance I walk on side trails, so I'm at a loss. If i follow streets on mapquest, I can log how many miles I might be up against.
Anyway.
So the initial plan was aborted near the beginning, and we decided to trail off onto some paths along the Don River instead. Quite frankly - this is a better option for me - as these are the types of trails that i will be tramping in NZ (at least the idea of 'off road' - not so much walking along pavement). It was a nice day. Not too cold - cold enough to be winter - but i was layered for it. Which was probably the first thing i did not enjoy with my backpack. The bunching of a thick winter coat. I have to try hiking with my Gore-tex coat and layers from now on I think - to see how this coat will sit with the bag.
First thing I learned - is that it is almost impossible to carry more than your pack on your body while you are trecking. The idea of something else hanging from your neck or on your side, tends to interfere with the way the bag sits on you - or in my case, made it uncomfortable or simply annoying.
The beauty associated with the rain cover - it fits tight to your pack - so you can easily just slip something between your pack and cover and keep on trecking. I wouldn't advise it for long term tramps - but for easy output it works.
So - basically we hiked straight through and my first mistake was not removing my pack to rest my body at any one point. Maybe not the worst thing - but around hour 3 I started feeling pain in my back. By hour 3.5, my shoulders were restless. Holding the shoulder straps relieved any pain, but on an 8-9 hour treck, this type of restlessness is not good. I had random spurts of knee pains throughout the hike, as well as pain in my left hip joint.
Knee and hip problems are my biggest concern - as they are ongoing life problems. The way they are affected by hiking is something I want to discover with these hikes. Unfortunately, we went skating the day before (my first time since high school?) - so i don't know exactly what muscle pain was associated with something from the night before's rink adventures - and what was directly related to the hiking conditions.
Upon our return - we ate a hearty lunch of gardenay soup, and pizza style grilled cheese a la sandwhich maker, along with tall glasses of Tropicana Apple Juice (a staple in my fridge).
The Aftermath of my first hike.
I was feeling pretty good after the hike. I really enjoyed being on the trails. It kind of sucked when we hit the pavement again - because realizing you still have to walk through a cement city to get back home, when you just spent 3 hours in the forest is discouraging. When i go through NZ, every day's hiking has purpose to attain your destination - a new hut, a new location. There is not much back-tracking.
After lunch, I heated up a magic bag to relieve tension in my shoulders and my lower back. And then I fell asleep. I guess i was wiped. Maybe because I only had like a bite out of a banana before the hike. Don't ask me why I ate so little, cause I don't really know. And also cause, it was my first time tredging through trails for that long (walking for hours through the city is different then breaking through icy snow layers on trails).
When I woke up, I had the worst headache and vertigo attack that i've had in a long time. My body was very unappreciative of it's condition. I was nauseous. I barely made it from my bed to my dresser to grab an advil, before collapsing on my side. It took about an hour for my body to settle down enough to let me lie down once again to try and sleep it off. Which i did, until about midnight that night.
Why was it so bad this time? Well, my vertigo has been medically described as how my body reacts to a migraine. Severe migraines seem to run genetically in my family. Generally, I don't get migraines. I react with vertigo attacks instead - ranging for several minutes to several hours in length. This wonderful vertigo attack was accompanied by a severe headache. Generally, I get one or the other - never have I had both at the same time. It was very trippy and discouraging.
Yuck much?
So - I don't really know if this is directly related to the hike or something else going on in my life right now - but this first hike did not bode well for me physically. I won't know too much about how my knees and hips are reacting to the hiking until I get more time in. Also, I might purchase my trecking poles this coming weekend to try them out - in order to relieve any unnecessary pressure from my joints.
Backpack review after hike one.
Can't say for sure just yet. Sadly, finding a pack to fit my body turned out to be a bigger task than originally expected. I am petite to a fault it would seem. The women's belts and straps are made for more curvaceous people. And the smallest men's belt/straps i could try on - were also too large. They would shift the hip belt enough to make it very difficult for my body and quite possibly damaging in the long run.
The MEC Brio bag, which is the pack I am currently working with, sits well in the belt/hips (even with the thinnest cotton tshirt on). Unfortunately, I seem to be having a problem with the way the second shoulder brace is working. Basically, I'm at the maximum of every level of strap. To fit me properly, my hip belt, when i'm not wearing a coat, is at it's maximum provision of minimizing. The back and shoulder brace are at the lowest strap on the bag possible. And the upper shoulder straps at full extension do not help to bring my upper load to the proper level. I don't know if that makes much sense to many of you out there - but logging this will help me track to see if i find progress in the way the bag performs as weight continues to be added to the pack.
The MEC Brio bag, which is the pack I am currently working with, sits well in the belt/hips (even with the thinnest cotton tshirt on). Unfortunately, I seem to be having a problem with the way the second shoulder brace is working. Basically, I'm at the maximum of every level of strap. To fit me properly, my hip belt, when i'm not wearing a coat, is at it's maximum provision of minimizing. The back and shoulder brace are at the lowest strap on the bag possible. And the upper shoulder straps at full extension do not help to bring my upper load to the proper level. I don't know if that makes much sense to many of you out there - but logging this will help me track to see if i find progress in the way the bag performs as weight continues to be added to the pack.
So far, it's not bad. I really am curious about how the upper shoulder straps will assist me in the future. Also, I want to see how my body reacts to the pack if i were to remove it for minimum of 5 minutes, every hour.
We'll find out next Saturday I guess. :p
P.S. - if you look at my picture close enough, you can see my poor man's black eye over my right eye. I can't even bruise properly. There is no chance for war wounds on my body - I'm too tough and well healed. What a silly thing to be bothered by.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Timing is everything...
Today - from Yonge & Eglinton to the intersection of Bayview & Moore (the head of the Bayview hill).
Casual/leisurely pace - 4.32miles/6.95kms in 1hour and 10mins.
I'm disappointed. Although, I was distracted by this new cell phone that I was trying to figure out, and within city limits, this time was tainted by traffic lights and afternoon rush hour traffic.
My bad.
Saturday morning will be the real test.
As of today - date of scheduled departure: September 6th, 2007 - with Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) - a VERY LONG plane ride (i think i saw that it would be up to 44hours YUCK) - but in the end, it's cheaper, 'open ended' and it helps me get to Chengdu easier.
Itinerary: New Zealand - Tramping the north island through to december. December travel to the south island. Tramping through south island through to completion. Return to North Island. Fly out to Vanuatu for exploration (maybe 2-3 weeks?). Return to Auckland, fly out to Hong Kong. Connecting flight to Chengdu. Bus to Wolong. Two weeks at Wolong Giant Panda Reserve - volunteer time and adventure hikes. Return to Chengdu - maybe chill here for a night or two. Fly to Hong Kong...possibly travel through the city to all the old spots that i remember and loved. Fly home. Another very long flight back (although this one may be more painful - leaving behind this beautiful majestic world, the adventure of a lifetime - backpacking on my own!!).
Home in the arms of those I love.
The itinerary seems to change quite frequently. There is much of the South Pacific that I would love to see - it all really depends on money and the stability of the countries that I chose to visit (always keeping up to date with the Canadian Consular Affairs website).
Although, Australia has been marked on the map of the world that hangs in my room. So i have a feeling, I might just be back out to that part of the world in the future.
There is much that makes it hard to think about stepping onto that plane. I hope that the experience makes the separation easier.
I look forward to a dance underneath the stars on a deserted beach. Listening to Led Zeppelin.
Casual/leisurely pace - 4.32miles/6.95kms in 1hour and 10mins.
I'm disappointed. Although, I was distracted by this new cell phone that I was trying to figure out, and within city limits, this time was tainted by traffic lights and afternoon rush hour traffic.
My bad.
Saturday morning will be the real test.
As of today - date of scheduled departure: September 6th, 2007 - with Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) - a VERY LONG plane ride (i think i saw that it would be up to 44hours YUCK) - but in the end, it's cheaper, 'open ended' and it helps me get to Chengdu easier.
Itinerary: New Zealand - Tramping the north island through to december. December travel to the south island. Tramping through south island through to completion. Return to North Island. Fly out to Vanuatu for exploration (maybe 2-3 weeks?). Return to Auckland, fly out to Hong Kong. Connecting flight to Chengdu. Bus to Wolong. Two weeks at Wolong Giant Panda Reserve - volunteer time and adventure hikes. Return to Chengdu - maybe chill here for a night or two. Fly to Hong Kong...possibly travel through the city to all the old spots that i remember and loved. Fly home. Another very long flight back (although this one may be more painful - leaving behind this beautiful majestic world, the adventure of a lifetime - backpacking on my own!!).
Home in the arms of those I love.
The itinerary seems to change quite frequently. There is much of the South Pacific that I would love to see - it all really depends on money and the stability of the countries that I chose to visit (always keeping up to date with the Canadian Consular Affairs website).
Although, Australia has been marked on the map of the world that hangs in my room. So i have a feeling, I might just be back out to that part of the world in the future.
There is much that makes it hard to think about stepping onto that plane. I hope that the experience makes the separation easier.
I look forward to a dance underneath the stars on a deserted beach. Listening to Led Zeppelin.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Where my feet have been. The dawn of a new blog.
I have a fascination with feet. These two little masses carry us through our day to day lives. They see the best and worst of things. They carry us through the puddles and skip us through the fields.
I am about to embark on a demanding journey. My feet will take me tramping through NZ. I plan on doing all the great walks known in that part of the world. This is the blog that will document where my feet have taken me. From training through to my return. I can't wait to step onto that plane. And I know that I will be just as excited to come back home.
Training starts this weekend. The backpack has been purchased (finally) - *big sigh of relief from many I know*. I will embark on a Saturday morning hike every week until I leave. I will train in both my boots (have no purchased yet) and my sandals (cute little KEENs). Most importantly, I will be training with my backpack. Slowly, the weight in the pack will increase, to finally attain the level of weight that I will actually be carrying day in and day out on the trails in New Zealand.
The hike from my place will take me down Bayview Avenue where it meets River/Queen Street East. Its a hilly and windy road. Perfect. Sadly, the very bottom of the roadway is always full of wanderers from the train tracks. So not the safest route to take alone. So I won't. I'll be escorted every weekend by at least one person.
The trip is roughly 5.2 miles (8.37kms) one way - 10.4 miles (16.74kms) return.
In sad news, my right knee started showing signs of struggle last night on the way home from church. Shawna, Brent and myself walked back to my house from St. Andrews (roughly 6.15miles/9.897kms). Just south of St. Clair, sharp pains started in my right knee. Unable to afford a dedicated regiment at a physiotherapist, I've been postponing treatment. I haven't had any terrible problems with my knees for the last little while, up until Sunday evening. Praying that it doesn't return and that I'm able to avoid further complications as the training begins.
I am about to embark on a demanding journey. My feet will take me tramping through NZ. I plan on doing all the great walks known in that part of the world. This is the blog that will document where my feet have taken me. From training through to my return. I can't wait to step onto that plane. And I know that I will be just as excited to come back home.
Training starts this weekend. The backpack has been purchased (finally) - *big sigh of relief from many I know*. I will embark on a Saturday morning hike every week until I leave. I will train in both my boots (have no purchased yet) and my sandals (cute little KEENs). Most importantly, I will be training with my backpack. Slowly, the weight in the pack will increase, to finally attain the level of weight that I will actually be carrying day in and day out on the trails in New Zealand.
The hike from my place will take me down Bayview Avenue where it meets River/Queen Street East. Its a hilly and windy road. Perfect. Sadly, the very bottom of the roadway is always full of wanderers from the train tracks. So not the safest route to take alone. So I won't. I'll be escorted every weekend by at least one person.
The trip is roughly 5.2 miles (8.37kms) one way - 10.4 miles (16.74kms) return.
In sad news, my right knee started showing signs of struggle last night on the way home from church. Shawna, Brent and myself walked back to my house from St. Andrews (roughly 6.15miles/9.897kms). Just south of St. Clair, sharp pains started in my right knee. Unable to afford a dedicated regiment at a physiotherapist, I've been postponing treatment. I haven't had any terrible problems with my knees for the last little while, up until Sunday evening. Praying that it doesn't return and that I'm able to avoid further complications as the training begins.
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