January Review Part II

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 7, 8, 9
THE RESOLUTION: Write a letter

Dearest Family
I created this particular letter writing resolution with the full recognition that I am unbelievably blessed to have crossed paths with so many extraordinary people throughout my life. Moreover, I recognize that I am hopelessly terrible at staying in touch with most of these individuals. The absolute goal here is to let you know how much you mean to me, always, even though I may have never told you before. Needless to say that this is the type of resolution I would consider personal. So I will hold my accountability to ThirteenSquared for certain, but the details will not be shared publicly.

The first 3 letters, as illustrated by the tell tale title, were for 3 different member of my family. Perhaps the only people whom you do not get to choose to be in your life from the start, as well as ones who almost undoubtedly get to witness the very worst of you at some point. The blood ties are not enough, tell them how much you love them... I did. 

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 10
THE RESOLUTION: Meaningful Hangs

An Indonesian Reunion (January 8th)

One of the hardest bonds to explain to those who have never experienced it is the magical bond of travellers. I guess first you would have to imagine yourself spending weeks/months/years traversing the globe, living out of a backpack, parting ways with ALL expectations, specially those concerning health, safety and nutrition. Then add to that the cultural immersion and language barriers. Imagine being unable to communicate your needs or desires. Imagine being in a land where your way of thinking, your beliefs, how you dress and what you think you know make you not just an outsider, but a completely un-relatable alien! (It is  a fantastic feeling in case you are getting the wrong idea :P) Only now can you even start to consider what it would feel like to feel understood again.
I met Sarah in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. I was looking for independent, freedom seeking adventurers to go cave tubing with me. Yes, in a tube, in a cave. Thanks to local couchsurfing hosts and the internet, I actually put together a team of 6: 3 new Indonesian friends and 3 female solo backpackers (including me). That adventure was a story worthy on its own but this entry lands the first 'meaningful hangout' resolution as Sarah and I came together again many month later and on a whole other continent, as if we had been friends all our lives.
There are many people I've met throughout my travels, people that I have know for only days, hours even.  People I have never seen since, and maybe never will again, but nonetheless, will always be regarded as one of my best friends. Like with Sarah, our world connection will never again let us feel like strangers.

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 11
THE RESOLUTION: Meaningful Hangs

A Stand Up Guy (January 10th)

You could say that I've moved around... a lot! But somehow Hamilton has managed to not let me go for more than the years it took for me to complete my Neuroscience degree at McMaster University. For the first time since I was a little kid in Guatemala, I have started developing long-term relationships/friendships.

Jose (or Joe as I took to calling him) is one of the few people who has been a good presence in my life for more than 5 years now. That's quite unprecedented in my books. While off travelling the globe for a year I found out that my good friend would be shipping off to Nova Scotia to continue his service in the Canadian navy. Thankfully our schedules overlapped just enough, that I got to see him one last time; a feat that involved him coming to pick me up at the airport and a meaningful Hello/Goodbye dinner at Kelsey's before he got shipped away.

I'm going to miss you Joe. Come visit real soon please!

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 12
THE RESOLUTION: Food from 13 Different Countries

Vietnamese @ Pho Dau Bo (January 12th)
One of my favourite meals in the world is also a definite win in terms of price and nutrition. A huge bowl of noodles and beef (or tendon) with bean sprouts, mint leaves and a hot tea will never break the bank and guaranteed to fill you up. (I struggle with accepting anything soup-like as a meal so this is the real deal actually :)

Interesting fact:
I was beyond psyched to sample the real thing when I arrived in Vietnam, the home country for hot, steamy bowls of pho. As a backpacker on a dime I spent a month in this country eating street food. Not like picking up scraps... like vendors. The most popular way to do so is to find the tiniest plastic tables and stools on the sidewalk somewhere and sit there. Undoubtedly a motherly looking Vietnamese woman will appear behind the large tub containing all the rations of home-made pho that will supply her business for the day. The experience always ends up being better than the actual meal. I still love the pho IN Vietnam, but it simply will never compare to the quality ingredients and flavour in Canadian pho!
(Not to mention the peace of mind that comes with not having to wonder what animal your 'beef' just came from :{ )

Vietnam has thousands of other food specialties not to mention the unbelievable history and versatile nature of the attractions here. Don't miss it.

The beautiful hand-made lanterns of Hoi An

Hanging with my new friend in the Northernmost mountains of Sapa, Vietnam. 

This is my pho of choice: http://www.pho-daubo.ca



CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 13
THE RESOLUTION: Challenges by YOU

*No pants in Toronto (January 13th)
(Challenger: My mom)
http://thirteensquared13.blogspot.ca/2013/02/no-pants-in-toronto.html


CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 14
THE RESOLUTION: Cook/Bake Something New

*Turkey dinner (January 13/14th)
http://thirteensquared13.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-boulder-ripples.html

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 15
THE RESOLUTION: Meaningful Hangs

*Games night (January 14th)
For full story please refer to above challenge (#14)


*January Review Part III coming soon (#16-21)