4 winter white Canadian's - 0, Equator Sun - 1

So this is my first blog post now that we have officially hit the road on our first stop of Peru and first off I must say how GREAT Peru is. So far we have experienced nothing but amazingly nice people (J.J even dropped a 50 soles on the ground and somebody stopped him to give it back), really clean streets and the mercury being above 0 degrees certainly doesn't hurt!

We arrived Monday night without incident and were able to find Kait and J.J at our designated meeting spot in the Lima airport. Unfortunately their arrival wasn't quite as smooth - they arrived safely but their bags didn't make it from Miami. Once we finally got sorted at the airport and took our our first round of Peruvian Soles from the ATM we grabbed at cab to our Hostel, The Condor House, in Miraflores (one of the safe neighbourhoods of Lima). Overall a pretty standard hostel, with a bit of the stench that you might expect from a $10 a night place to stay. Once we settled in (around 12am) we decided to explore a bit as we were still pretty wired and definitely hungry. Upon recommendation from the guy at our hostel reception we wandered westward for a bit until we stumbled upon the stretch bars and restaurants he highlighted for us on the map and reward ourselves for making it to Peru safe and sound with our first round of beers - Cristal, a local Peruvian Brew. We drank and chatted about how much it doesn't really feel like we are travellers yet, it kind just feels like vacation and then we all hypothesized about when it would really "feel real" ...... I will let you know when it does

Sharing our first round of Cristal

Follow the late night beers we were obviously hungry so we decided to hit the 24hr McDonalds we saw a few blocks back (very cultured I know) and headed back to the hostel to get some sleep.

After a little slow moving in the morning we decided to head down to the beach in Miraflores to take in some rays on the Pacific Ocean...it was a bit overcast, but still quite warm so worth the very short walk. And as so many travellers do on their first day in hot weather, especially those coming from the dead of winter in Canada we all headed out without our Sunscreen on......right at high noon to 3pm on the beach. Here is a news flash for you PERU IS NEAR THE EQUATOR.  So needless to say we all ended up with MASSIVE sunburns on day 1 (rookie mistake I know), even Bronze-asaures is suffering from the effects of the hot equator sun on his white Canadian body. Jonny would like everyone to know that this is just a freak incident due to the proximity to the equator and this won't happen again.

Prior our trip down to the beach we ran into a Peruvian security guard scooting around on his seqway who wanted to stop and chat with us (i think we was practising his English) and he recommended some really great REAL peru restaurants to us so after the beach we hit one up and the food was amazing!! The menu was all in Spanish and so was the waiter so we played a little game I like to call mystery lunch whereby we just pointed to random things on the menu and hoped for the best. After carefully having the boys taste test each dish to ensure there was no fish for me and Kait we all dined like kings for a mere 40 Soles (less than 20 bucks for all 4 of us including beer) at this point we started to realize the effects of our day without sunscreen so we headed back to the hostel to nurse our sore bodies

Our first view of the Pacific in Miraflores

Jonny taking on the Pacific

The Pacific Won

catching some rays......still sans sunscreen

Nursing the effects of the equator sun

After some rest and recovery we decided to head out for our last dinner in Miraflores where we grabbed some Empanada's which I had been craving and some more Cristal and then headed back to the hostel for some sleep before our 5am wake up call to get a plane to Cuzco - the jumping off spot for the Inka trail

Cristal and Empanadas

Upon arrival at the airport Kait and J.J were finally reunited with their bags and we hopped on our flight to Cusco. We have not landed in Cusco and settled into our hotel were we were welcomed with Coco Tea by the owner. We have few days here to get acclimatized to the high altitude before we actually take off on the trek to Machu Picchu. So far we have only experienced a few mild symptoms but nothing to crazy. We decided to take a quick team nap.....which actually lead to a 9 hour nap (I guess it was hitting us harder than we thought). We have our first taste of trekking tomorrow when we head out on a 1 day trip across the Sacred Valley...... Great time to break in those hiking shoes!! Looking forward to our week here in Cusco.... more to come!

OOO_Talia

Our first view of the Andes from the Flight

Some Coco Tea to Welcome us to Cuzco

Countdown is officially at ZERO!!

After a final weekend filled with coffees and calls, drinks and dinners with friends and family that we are going to miss so much over the next few months capped off with an absolutely epic final send off soiree hosted by the hostest with the mostest (shout-out Heather Clegg) the big day has finally arrived!!!  

IT IS DEPARTURE DAY!!

Just before our final goodbyes

 Jonny's parents drove us into the airport this morning at an un-godly hour to catch our first flight LIMA via NEWARK (well it was actually 7am, so not really so bad.....actually its the same time I would typically head to the airport to catch my Monday am Newark flight). We battled the dreaded GTA traffic to make it to the airport to say our final goodbyes, luckily with only a few tear. After the last hugs we headed for the customs line where we were surprised to see Kait and J.J coming in slightly behind us as they had a flight slightly BEFORE ours, but we all cleared customs and security with no incident and with just enough time to grab one last Timmy's coffee and bagel before Jonny and I saw Kait and J.J to their. After a quick photo-op Jonny and I retreated to the Air Canada lounge for a quick luxury travel moment before we start the rest of our journey....which from here on out will be much less luxurious! First stop LIMA, PERU!!!!


OOO_Talia

Talia and Kait..... Sponsored by Lululemon apparently

Seeing Kait and J.J off at thier gate

Cedric, our travel companion enjoying his last Timmy's Break

What would Indy do?

...... and then it came to us (with the help of Holiday classic movies and the ingenious opportunity spot from Clegger)…….

The majority of this trip, at least its influence and attitude going into it can be summed up in 5 words… WHAT WOULD INDIANA JONES DO??

 

Think about it… Indy is a college professor of Archaeology, scholarly and learned in a tweed suit, lecturing on ancient civilizations.

At any opportunity to recover important artifacts, Dr. Jones transforms into "Indiana," a "non-superhero superhero". Unlike other superheros, Indy gets hurt, and climbs out of his clumsy mistakes in miraculous, hardcore, well….. Indy ways…

Indy travels to exotic lands to uncover items and myths of major historical importance - always encountering the most evil vilains along the way. Like Indy, we too are looking for the same thing (kinda, with much less encounters with evil villains... like NONE).

Looking back, I think the Indy films are one of the most influential resources for not just our very own, indy-like adventure, but also life and history itself.

The proof is in the pudding…

(insert Wayne's World flashback sounds)....

It was Tuesday night. Tals and I spent the day frantically purchasing our last minute items and even more frantically cleaning up the mess they left behind in Clegger’s apartment…. An hour later, dinner is being prepared and we realize my wallet and phone are gone. Thank god for Find my iPhone, we deduced the phone was somewhere in the building…

• Not in the car
• Not on the ground
• Not under or in any apartment furniture…
• It must be… NO WAY… maybe… IT MUST… the garbage….

That’s when I opened the chute door, climbed in and dropped 10 stories slowing down the force of gravity by using my whip for support. I clumsily fell into the snake-infested garbage only to come out with my wallet and phone…. True Indy form.

Truthfully, Hunter went on his own into the garbage room, rummaged through poop-infested diapers (standard day for Jamsy – ask him what the 3 most common ER occurrences are… poop, puss or blood. But usually poop and puss) and found them. He then came back upstairs introducing his findings in a modest, yet heroic manner.

Hunter.. you saved the day… in true Indy form. Congrats. The silver fox would be proud.

Then comes the other side of Indiana Jones. The historic and geographic resource that he provided me for so many years…When my brain took me here, I found myself giggling about WHAT IF (Indy influenced) scenarios…. So, here they are:

Lima

When offered fresh Peruvian fruit in a Lima market, Jonny notices a parasite sitting on Talia’s tongue. He quickly grabs it with ninja-like accuracy saving Talia from multiple evenings of stomach problems and aggressive antibiotics

....Later on that day..... 

When offered a sample of ceviche, JJ notices the local sprinkling poison into the concoction. He uses his whip to propel himself above the crowded street, striking the evil local with a massive blow. Another incident avoided no thanks to Indiana Jones

Cuzco - The gateway to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

At times, the trek can be traitorous. Especially in wet season when we will be there.

On a steap segment of the journey between Pacaymayo Camp (3,660m) to Runquracay Pass (3,950m), our lovely porter finds himself in trouble. His 1980’s TEVA sandal (although uber retro cool lacks functional and performance needs) has been caught on a rock on the edge of a cliff, only to find himself dangling for his life. Tals and CKs intuition takes over in a very Indy way. They dash to the Porter, hauling him up to his feet. Thanks again Indy. You’re a true hero.

As you can see it really is crystal clear... when in doubt, ask yourself one thing.... WHAT WOULD INDY DO?

Man….. unemployment really does funny things to you.

outofoffice_JZ

Unemployment. The ultimate source for reflection

Now that most of the errands have been run, the bag is actually packed and looking tight and I have easily adapted to unemployment (as expected), I will be committing my time to get some last licks in for some of the things I will miss dearly while I am away this year.

Those that know me well know that I take breakfast very seriously. Where else is it socially respectable and in most cases preferred to dine solo, do paper crossword (at least try to), drink excessive amounts of coffee and cross your legs like an intellectual.

The way I look at it, there are 2 ways to smash breaky:

• A stand-up egg and bacon sandwich in an area with beauty people-watching opportunities and a the stink of fresh fish. Ladies and gents… The World Famous Pemeal Bacon on a bun @ the St. Lawrence Market. CHECK. Double check for finally making it to the market before 1pm
• OR:

• Sneaky Dees bacon and eggs. See you on Friday AM.
• In my humble opinion, the best standard Breaky in Toronto. It's amazing how many people can fuck up bacon and eggs.

One last PBR before my beer pallet is amplified by epic international pints. Got my first taste with a Tusker straight out of Kenya. CHECK and double check for getting cultured prior to my departure.

Other things that I may not be able to have but will be thinking about…

• Sushi Queen – You will be missed. I love you Spicy Tuna Dragon Roll (what an innovation) The Rex. I lived across the street from you for 2 years and loved every minute of. Note to self. Don’t go hung over. By noon they are right into the Jazz. Normally this would be fine. But with a beauty hang over.. NO GOOD.
• The  Friendly Korean owner of the variety store under my building. I DON’T WANT THE KIMCHEE. HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU. PS. Your sour keys rock.
• GMR. What a wild 3.5 years… see yah when I get back. When I say GMR, I really mean, “bubble hockey”. I really will miss you. Coolie – keep the title so when I get back I can reclaim it. Cheers to best of 3 series PPs with a sudden death dual jammies
• Gary. This is the man who owes me, main, Carly, Ron and Marin Schur his fingers… Thumbs up dude.

There will likely be a ton of others… but Im tired now. Unemployment is tough.

Peace-love-bronzing

outofoffice_JZ

Peace Out 2011, Bring it 2012!!!

So Jonny and I rung in 2012 last night by dancing the night away at a wedding of the youngest daughter of great family friends of mine. I must say the concept of a New Year's Eve wedding is just a fantastic idea - its got all the elements of want you in an outstanding New Years Eve. An excuse to put on your finest outfit - Check, Delicious food and drinks - Check, Family and Friends - Check, the perfect balance top forties and crowd pleasing oldies to keep you dancing all night- Check and the added bonus of all the love and celebration that goes with witnessing a young couple so in love taking the plunge - Overall an excellent way to ring in the new year. 


And like all great New Year's Eve revelry this celebration included a countdown to the main event. As the DJ started the 10 second countdown signaling the big moment approaching, the moment when we all close the books on the previous years trials and tribulations, the highs and lows, and begin to look forward to the promise that a fresh year brings, I found my stomach flip-flopping with excitement and anticipation much more than in New Year's past. Now the free flowing cocktails and champagne may have helped contribute to this feeling, however I suspect that the real contributor was the fact that when this countdown was over and the DJ announced the moment that we put 2011 to rest, after all the noise makers have silenced, and the passionate embraces at the stroke of midnight have ended, the holiday season is officially over and there are only a single digit number of days between me and the departure for our big trip (9 days to be exact :) ) 


10.....9.....8 "OMG When this clock strikes midnight we are just a handful of days until we leave everything behind!! I can't believe how much I still have to do over the next couple days!" ...... 7......6......5... "I can't believe we are going to have a whole year without winter!!! ... ugh I still have to pack" ...... 4....3..... "I can't believe I don't have to go back to work on Monday - YESSSSSSS" .....2...1..... " HAPPPPPY NEW YEAR - I can't believe it, we are really ready to do this. After all the prepping and planning all that's left is to check off the last couple of items on, what just a few weeks ago seemed like a never ending to-do list - 2012 B.R.I.N.G I.T!!!" 


If it is not already abundantly clear I am pretty giddy with excitement (both the happy and the nervous kind) for our upcoming adventure. Over the past few weeks, particularly the holiday season, we have been flooded from friends and family with offers to put us in contact with friends worldwide, well wishes, messages of support and just general positive thoughts for our trip which has meant so much to us. I thought I should pay it forward and put out into the universe my wishes for everyone for 2012. 


For everyone I am wishing for a 2012 that is filled with endless success, infinite possibilities,  health and happiness, prosperity, and lots of vacation time so you can all come visit us on the road!!

BRING ON 2012

outofoffice_Talia

O.O.O. Thank you for your note, please note its official we are doing it. We will be out of Office until ???

So after much daydreaming, discussing and eventually some (albeit not much) planning, Jonny and I have decided to put aside our current lives and leave everything behind to travel the world. I mean getting older is about trying to have less responsibility right?? 

People have asked us, how and why we decided we will go on this journey. There is not really a simple answer to either of those questions. 

FACT: There is no perfect time to leave your job, family, friends, etc and uproot yourself to travel around the world.....


... So the answer the question of how did we decide this was the right time to drop everything and travel we basically just set a date and said no matter what comes along from job opportunities, family, friends, events we are just driving towards that date. And once we did that they rest of was just working backwards to get everything done. Once we started talking about and planning for the trip one of my very best friends and her boyfriend, Kait and J.J. decided that this was also the right time for them to pursue this once-in-a-lifetime journey so we have joined forces and will be travelling all together for the next 8-10 months!

To answer the question of why the answer is simple - Wanderlust. For as long as I can remember I have had an infatuation with travelling and constantly get bit with that feeling of wanderlust. I am by no means a very well traveled person (...unless you call long distance communting as travel, but I will save that discussion for another time). I have travelled significantly around Canada and parts of the US and spend a decent amount of time in Central Europe that is about the extent of it.  So this blog will not be a “How To” on planning and executing a journey around the world. Instead this blog is mean to be a sharing of our experiences and feelings from 2 perspectives as we fumble our way around the world on a journey of a lifetime

I’d be lying if I said I never had second thoughts or cold feet as we planned for this. Anyone who knows me well knows that the list of things that the list of thing risky, spontaneous, super adventurous things I have done is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller that they list of things that I am afraid of. I had many internal moments, ummm actually full conversations with myself where I said this is crazy! I can’t do this! I’m too scared to leave! I am comfortable here!…….. but never once did I say to myself I don’t WANT to go, or this is a BAD IDEA, so instead I told my Talia Brain to shut the hell up – one step at a time, one foot in front of the other and go after your dream.

Since we are both taking a step out of the corporate world and stuffy offices we sit day after day to follow this dream we have called our blog Out.Of.Office……but in my case Out.Of.Element. will probably be a more appropriate title. 


outofoffice_Talia

And so it begins....

So we decided to drop it all and take off for a year to travel around the world to places we never thought we would have the chance to see – cultures we never thought we would experience – and a dive into the unknown – a feeling like we never thought we would feel.

Meet the Talia and Jonny show... this season.. a year abroad or as we like to call it - outofoffice.

We’ve planned as much as we can – which isn’t much. And now, its just a countdown until we take off.

I have to say, it was a pretty anxious feeling waiting for everyone to find out. But now it’s out there, and it feels great. I don’t know what I’m more excited for…. The probability of my most epic bronze ever or just this feeling of the unknown. Probably a combination of both.

As you can hopefully tell, this is an epic concept.... So epic, in fact, that another couple and great friends of ours decided to join in on the action! (perhaps with slightly less bronzing ambition). Enter JJ Sullivan and Kait "CK" Haynes.

Outside of the excitement, all the other feelings that should come with this adventure aren’t really there yet.

It’s the weirdest feeling ever. Ive been trying to figure out when its all going to hit me..

• Maybe when our apartment is empty – it is now… and it didn’t work.
• Or when we bunk up with friends for a week before we leave…. What-up Heather and Hunter - SLUMBER PARTYYY!!!
• Maybe when were at the airport or find ourselves on the top of Macho Picchu doing the stanky leg.

Who knows..But I think it's those feelings I am the most excited for.

I have been dreaming about what we’re going to see, feel, etc.. over the course of the next year. I start with the standard….

• Sun setting or rising over the either the most epic beach or mountain range you have ever seen
• A feeling of groundedness, centered and everything else people pretend to feel during Goodlife Fitness Yoga classes.

..........Then I loose focus and I find myself say – “how do you know?”

And I remember why (partly) I’m going on this trip.......... and yes, an epic bronze is one of the reasons.

Cheers to doin’ it. Whatever the IT is.

--outofoffice_Jonny

Meet us here: http://goo.gl/BHaok