Around the world on budget

New Friends

surfveza — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:38:00 GMT

I am sitting here on a beautiful saturday morning writing in here cause my mother is crazy! But thats ok, I dont mind.

So within the last week or so, all I have done for the most part is work watch the sunsets, and go out at night to Joes or Valentinos, Bora Bora, Senor Frogs, or Cherry. I have met some more pretty chill people, first off there is Brook she is from Texas but she lives here, well until Sunday when she leaves to go work on a cruise ship. Danny is a sweet guy who is part Mexican part American, he is opening a resaurant in a month and wants Jose to work for him. Manuel is my fav server at Joes, we hang out fridays when he has a day off. I have also met Louann and Wayne, they are an older couple from the states and are leaving on wednesday but they have treated Jose and I like one of there own children. Jose and I are thinking about moving downtown where there are not as man tourists around and most of our friends live.

American spring break kicks off on the 28th so its gonna get pretty crazy!!!:P

Mazatlan

surfveza — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:08:00 GMT

So we finally made it to Mazatlan, well a little while ago at least but I have been so busy and haven't been able to write. The trip once we got into Mexico was amazing! Beautiful mountains and so much to look at. We made it here just in time for the parade for Carnaval 2008, Carnaval is the third largest carnaval in the world so I will have to post all my pics of it. Because we got here in the midddle of it instead of the start it was very difficult to find a hotel or apartment, but we finally found one with the help of a very nice taxi driver. We stayed there for one night and the next day we stayed with a guy named Axel who helped us find an apartment. Our apartment is half a block from the beach with lots to look at, palm trees every where:D So far in Mazatlan I have been parasailing, jet skiing, ATVing, taken a boat taxi, watched the most amazing sunsets and met some amazing people. Isaac I met on my second night here and have seen him almost every day since, he has shown me so much of Maz and it is more amazing than I ever thought before!! As for work I am working with Sunparties, all I do is invite tourist to come party with us and every night we have open bar parties so they all wanna come down. I have also made many local friends just by walking around and using my spanish that isnt very good yet but it is improving by the day. Spring break starts friday here and last till April so the next couple of months are going to be loco!!!!

Finally on the road!

surfveza — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:23:00 GMT

We have finally left on the trip but now we have a small problem of a massive snow storm. I am currently sitting in the Greyhound station in Regina Saskatchewan because the roads have been closed to Winnipeg. So we are not going to make it to Winterpeg till tomorrow around noon or so missing our connecting bus to Dallas and the next bus to Dallas leaves on THURSDAY!!!!! Oh I also forgot to mention that it is -51 degres out right now and it was -48 degres when we left Calgary 19 hours ago. But one good thing came out of this bone chilling weather, I got to see my friend Sheri who lives in Regina. She came and picked Jose and I up and we went for a nice warm coffee, I also think I have convinced her to come visit me in Mazatlan sometime in March.

Almost time

surfveza — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:45:00 GMT

I cant believe that I am leaving in 10 days! I have our bus tickets, and every thing we need to start this trip. Now we just need to wait 10 days to hop on that bus and go!

We are now leaving on the 28th cause the bus times have changed a little, but that gives me one more day to spend with my mom and dad. Im going snowboarding on sunday for two days with my best friend Penny. I cant wait, I get to get out on the hill one last time, see the most amazing mountains, party it up with my friend and stay in a nice hotel for the last time for a couple years.

Well I write again when Im either there or leaving.

Butterflies

surfveza — Tue, 8 Jan 2008 21:06:00 GMT

19 days till I leave, and I have been a little emotional lately. It was a rough week with my parents, I know they they only worry because they love me, but that is making it really hard on me. My mom doesn't take these kind of things easily, by that I mean she doesn't like change in her life. Her best friend of 30 odd years just moved 7 hours away and she thinks that we both are abandoning her. I really need to find away to make her understand that I am not doing my trip to hurt her or to abandon her, but I am doing it simply to discover myself. Anyone got any ideas of how to do so????? I really need some help in that area.

Well besides all that stuff, things are going great. I am packing my bag when I have 2 weeks left here, so in like 5 days. Once the 13th comes there is no turning back for me, my ticket is none refundable and I need to get away from this place. I got my yellow fever shot the other day and I am going in for a full physical tomorrow morning, well actually in about 4 hours. Im freaking out to much to sleep right now, I know this trip is all I have wanted for the last pretty long while, well 5 years to say the truth. Its just the shock of leaving my comfort zone, my city, my friends, my family. Sorry guys Im not normally this blah but its just been one of those weeks! They can't all be good.

I have loaded myself up with little things from Canada that I can give away to anyone that I see fit, I got some really cute things. I just need one more, but its not to give out its for me to carry with me, its a soccer ball aka futball! The biggest played game in the world, Im hoping it will help get me in with the locals in some places and well keep me in shape. The only problem is I dont really know how to play soccer, never been much of a team player.

Well I should try to get a little bit of shut eye before Im examined in a couple hours.

Hasta manana

Gallery: Mazatlan

surfveza — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:51:00 GMT

27 Dias!!!

surfveza — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:00:00 GMT

27 days and counting till I get on what I think will be the longest bus ride of my life!! Calgary to Dallas 2 days 11 hours 55 minutes, Dallas to Mazatlan 1 day 5 hours 37 minutes, making a total of 3 days 17 hours 32 minutes plus stop over time. I really hope I have some interesting people on m buses, hopefully pass some time.

I hope every one had a good holiday, I know I did forsure! I got my backpack, sleeping bag, guide books, and so much more that will be so usefull on my trip. So all i need to get now is a money belt and my yellow fever shot.

I have been doing so much more research lately maybe a little over kill on it but Im just way to excited, and to be honest a little nervous. I have been thinking about saying good bye to all my family and friends, its gonna be hard. My mom is gonnabe the hardest she really doesn't want me to leave her, but she has been getting a little bit more supportive. She has picked up a couple guide books, first time around the world rough guide and first time latin america rough guide. They both have so much information in them, I found out that a guy made it around the world with out any money! Thats crazy awesome, I wish I had the guts to do that but I think working my way around will help me see more locals who can show me their culture.

Oh does anybody have any recommendations for cheap good travel insurance?? If so please let me know.

62 days!:D

surfveza — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:20:00 GMT

Oh wow has it been a very interesting week! I have made a lot of new connections and plans, it feels so great!

First off I went to Banff for 3 days with a friend from work, man did we have a great time. We stayed at the HI hostel by Tunnel Mountain, went we got into our room it was amazing! It had 2 levels, I guess it was just more than I would ever expect at any hostel.

I met so many more people from other countries and networked a lot with people, so now I have more places to stay and people to show me around!

I have also found a place to stay in Mazatlan Mexico for only $150 bucks, and its right on the beach! I also have my buses all set up. I leave January 24th for Vancouver, Ill stay there for the weekend then one night in Seattle, and finally 2 days and 12 hours till I arrive in Mazatlan. Oh man I can't wait.

I have also lined up a job, Teaching English as a second Language, which I also get free Spanish lessons. So exciting.

Anyone gonna be in Mazatlan around that time let me know, maybe we could share accomodations??

Change of plans

surfveza — Mon, 5 Nov 2007 18:38:00 GMT

Well the trip is still going to happen its just gonna be a little different. Carley is no longer coming with me, she is going to go to school instead and possibly coming to meet me in Thailand.

So as for my planning, I have had a couple job offers in Mexico so I might work there for a little while. I have gotten most of my equipment that I need for the trip, that was the most exciting shopping trip of my life! Backpack, sleeping bag, tent, leatherman, and a whole bunch of other cool things.

Now that I am going solo on this adventure Im getting a little bit nervous, so if anyone has any advise for me that would be really appriciated.

Well Im off to bed I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow.

The basics

surfveza — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:00:00 GMT

First off I should introduce us to you guys, I am Kayla and my travel mate is Carley, Carley just turned 21 this week and I am 19 as of March. This journal has been started so our families can track us on our world tour. We are both from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

OK now about the trip:D We are planning on leaving in December, we go across Canada from Calgary to Montreal, where we will then leave our Country and head south stopping in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego. Wow writing down we see a lot of the States, 16 of them to be precise. The USA isn't a very big part of our conquest, we just wanted to see South America with out fling there. Once we leave San Diego we are heading to Mexico!! Yeah Tequila Poppers:P Spending a night in Mexico City with my friend Tammy. Then off to the Chichen Itza. On threw Guatemala with a possible stop in Belize, then Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Take a trip donw the Canal then we are off to where every tells us not to go, Colombia! I really really want to see Medellin, I can't wait to go there, and of course Bogota. We can't go straight to Rio without flying, so we are going to Eucuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Once finished see all of Rio and Sao Paulo we fly over to London, where we will work for a couple months to replenish the funds. During this time we will travel around England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Once we aren't to poor anymore we head to Europe. Ill just tell you the order we are going cause the details are still being worked out. The netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and finishing our trip in Australia.

Now I have some questions for you guys, as fellow travellers.

1)If you are located in any of these countries and would be able to put up 2 backpackers for a night or two would you please let me know.

2)If you have gone to any of these places and know of some amazing spots that we should hit up for anything, views, hostels, bars please let me know.

3) If you know of cheap ground transportation or where is best to hitchhike in these places also could you please let me know.

Thanks guys!!

See ya round the world

Cheers

Kayla and Carley