The Liebster Blog Award

May 15, 2013

Okay so I got an award, the Liebster Blog award. I had never heard of it before so I spent some time on google and what I can gather is that it is an award from your blogging peers. It’s recognition and a virtual high five that is given to support, promote and encourage up and coming bloggers or blogs you like that you might have just discovered. I got this award from Eartha back in March while I was on a trip to British Columbia, Canada. So thanks Eartha, I appreciate the recognition and the high five!

How it works is you post 11 random facts about yourself, you answer 11 questions from the blogger that gave you the award, you nominate 11 other bloggers and you ask 11 random questions of those nominated bloggers. Wow, that’s a lot of elevens.

So here goes…

Random Facts about ME:

In grade 6 I was allowed to skip afternoon classes on one day a week to take a photography class the school offered.
The first flight I ever remember taking was when I was 5. My grandmother took me to Los Angeles for a few weeks to visit her friends. I still can see the city of L.A. all lit up as we arrived at night.
When I was 11 and 12 years old I did a 25km walkathon and when I was 12 and 13 years old, I did a 32km bikeathon.
I once travelled somewhere every month for a year.
I love the Toronto Film Festival and went to 14 movies last year including 6 Foreign films. Love, love, love them.
My father and grandmother are from Burma (Myanmar). My mother is from Germany. I am a first generation Canadian.
When I was in grade 6 I was nominated to compete for the James Houston illustration award. It was a shock because I really have don’t have any illustration skills whatsoever, I can draw a mean stick person though.
When I was 12 years old I was asked to play on adult’s co-ed softball team and they nicknamed me “the kid with the golden glove”.
My baseball throw has been clocked at 63mph.

10 I learned how to eat with chopsticks when I was 10.

11 My first flight on my own was when I 16 years old and went to summer camp in Minnesota.

Questions from my nominator:

1. What’s your favorite travel memory?

Have to say it was going on safari in South Africa. I just love wildlife and couldn’t get enough of it.

2. Where is your favorite destination so far?

Africa. Loved South Africa and loved Senegal! Wait, that’s 2 destinations?! 😉

3. What is your favorite thing to photograph while abroad?

Trees. So many trees, so little time.

4. Who is your travel hero?

My Gran. She was a traveller and did a round the world
trip when she retired for 3 months and took me on my first trip.

5. Are you more practical or luxurious?

I think more practical, but can splurge from time to time especially for experiences, not so much for accommodations.

6. What are your best travel purchases?

My Djembe, a drum that originated in West Africa. I bought it in South Africa, but took lessons in Senegal just before my trip to South Africa.

7. When did you first get bitten by the travel bug?

Probably as a child, because of the many trips I did with my Gran and road trips I did with my family. As soon as I could afford to travel on my own, I did.

8. Share your most favorite travel photo ever!

I used to watch Wild Kingdom on Sunday nights and leafed through many a National Geographic magazines as a child so my ultimate dream was to see animals in the wild in Africa. In December 2012, that long time dream came true. I dreamed of photographing a giraffe against a sunset for a long time so when this giraffe appeared it was somewhat surreal. You can read about it here.

9 Have you ever met someone while traveling that you really connected with?

I’m not sure if it really counts as traveling although it was on my travels to British Columbia for summer camp. I met my best friend at that summer camp in British Columbia when I was a teenager, more than 20 years ago.

10. Are you still friends? Absolutely!

11 Would you rather fly, sail, drive or walk? Definitely fly though I have a love for sailing, driving and walking too.

My 11 nominated:

Vanessa @turnipseeds
Melissa Shearer @mellyboo
Christine Maxfield @compassmag
Penny Sadler @pennysadler
Merushka @mzansigirl
Susan @vibrantireland
Andrea @andreamueller10
Aleah @aleahphils
Debbie @travelingwellfl
Kasio Martin @kasixote
Sabina @sabinalohr

Questions for my 11:

Name 3 places on your travel list
What’s the 1 thing you cannot travel without?
Who is your travel hero?
What is your favourite travel book? Can be anything from a Lonely Planet Guide to a book like Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway or On The Road by Jack Kerouac
If you could time travel back in time, where would you go and why?
What is your favourite travel movie?
What camera do you use for your travel photos?
What’s the most adventurous or dangerous thing you’ve done on your travels.
What is your least favourite destination and why?

10. Do you try to speak the language of the country you’re visiting?

11. Do you prefer to travel solo or with family or friends?

Let me know when you have done your own list by commenting below with the link and/or tweeting me. I’ll link and retweet. Pass it on!

Until next time,

Andrea… and my wandering iPhone

Why This Mother and Wife Travels Solo

February 24, 2013

If you knew me you would know that I absolutely love my husband, sons, friends and family. If you knew me you would know that connections are important to me. So why does this mother of 2 and wife leave behind my family to travel solo?

WHY THIS MOTHER AND WIFE TRAVELS SOLO

I travel solo because sometimes there are places I want to go that others don’t.
I travel solo because it is such a feeling of accomplishment. I research the places I want to see. I choose the accommodations, the activities, my transportation and my meals. I go from one end of the city to the other, from one city to the next and from one country to another.
I travel solo because I get to meet like-minded individuals from all over the world who are also travelling. It is amazing to learn of where they have just come from and where they are going next. It makes the world feel smaller and more connected.
I travel solo because it gives you space. Space to reflect, breathe and appreciate.
I travel solo because there are places all over the world that I want to experience for myself.
I travel solo because there are people all over the world that I have yet to meet.
I travel solo because it gives you time for yourself and to come back home more renewed than ever. Often when you travel with others, it’s a series of compromises. Sometimes I just want to take a while longer while photographing something or to really be present.
I travel solo to take care of myself. Some people shop, I travel. Travelling is so much a part of me that when I don’t travel I am itching to get back out there. It is much more than just a destination, it is all the experiences that come with it. It is living life.

Solo travel gives you as much or as little time as you want, to see, to listen, to touch, to smell and to taste. It’s only up to you to decide how much. All your senses truly come alive.

SOLO TRAVEL QUOTES

The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. — Henry David Thoreau

Solo travel not only pushes you out of your comfort zone. It also pushes you out of the zone of other’s expectations. – Suzy Strutner

Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time – Hannah Arendt

Traveling alone doesn’t mean living lonely. It is when you travel alone you are most open to others. – Salil Jha

LONE TRAVELLER EXPERIENCES

Sometimes I just want to sit a while longer with my vin chaud (mulled wine) and people watch at the café in Paris.

Vin Chaud in Montmartre district in Paris, France — sipping vin chaud and people watching in Montmartre – Paris, France

Sometimes I want to enjoy the views a little longer.

Neuschwanstein, the fairy tale castle in Bavaria — Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle in Bavaria

Sometimes I want to take more time to photograph what I see or wait for a shot I envision while listening to the calls of the wild in the Kruger National Park.

Sometimes I want to enjoy the culture of the city I am visiting and go to a ballet in Vienna or opera in Prague at the historic theatres.

Yes, you are physically alone when you travel solo and sometimes I feel lonely for a spell, especially missing my family, but I never feel truly alone. As a solo traveller, it is easy to meet people, mostly without even trying. I feel that the connections you make with yourself, the people of the world and nature can only be genuinely experienced while travelling solo.

If I didn’t travel solo I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to travel to and spend time in a village in the Eastern Cape to witness a Sangoma (traditional healer) graduation ceremony in South Africa.

An amaXhosa elder in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

If I didn’t travel solo I wouldn’t have taken Djembe (African drum) lessons with a Master djembefola at a neighbourhood cultural centre in Dakar, Senegal and be invited to watch his group practice for a performance after. I was the only foreigner amongst 30 drummers, dancers and local children. We also chatted about life over mint tea after the lesson.

djembe lessons in Dakar, Senegal, solo traveller experiences — still photo of me drumming in Senegal (from a video).

Watching a local Djembe group practice in Senegal, solo traveller experiences — watching a local Djembe & Dance group practice in Senegal

If I didn’t travel solo I wouldn’t have been invited to sing Christmas carols with 5000 locals against the backdrop of Table Mountain under starry skies and the shimmering lights of Cape Town in the background.

Carols by Candlelight - Cape Town, South Africa — Carols by Candlelight – Cape Town, South Africa

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVELLING SOLO AS A MOTHER

One of the biggest reasons I travel solo as a mother is for my boys. I want to show them that I am not just a mother, but that I am a woman that has dreams and that dreams do come true.

I want them to know what living life to the fullest is all about. They can’t always come with me, but with technology, I can share my travels in real time (FaceTime or photos) or when I get home.

I want them to learn that there is more out there than just our neighbourhood or country and that the world is not a big bad scary place as some make it out to be.

I want to inspire them to find things they love, to follow their hearts and go after their dreams.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly as I am raising men, I want to raise them to respect, encourage and support women in their dreams. The best way to do this is by example and what better way to learn what it takes to be a man than witness their father support my dreams and travels around the world.

I am grateful for my dear husband, but I know that is not the reality for many. I hope for a near future where “let” and “allow” are replaced with “encourage” and “support” when it comes to mothers, wives, girlfriends and daughters in following their dreams of travels around the world.

All these reasons are why this mother and wife travels solo.

SOLO TRAVEL RESOURCES

BreatheDreamGo – http://breathedreamgo.com/2013/02/ode-to-the-lady-traveller-wegosolo/

Mariellen Ward has travelled solo to India for a total of 17 months of the last 7 years. Find out about why she started the WeGoSolo movement. Mariellen is a great resource for solo travel in India. As well, you will find countless posts, tips and resources by other woman solo travellers.

Journeywoman – http://www.journeywoman.com/

Evelyn Hannon of Journeywoman has been travelling solo for more than 30 years and has inspired women from around the world to do the same. Her site is a fantastic resource for woman travellers.

Solo Traveler – http://solotravelerblog.com

Janice Waugh began travelling solo after a loss and hasn’t looked back. Her site is another great resource for solo travellers.

A Taxi Ride in Dakar, Senegal

February 14, 2013

“Bonjour, ça va?” I ask as I open the creaking door to his black and yellow taxi.

“Ça va”

I sit down on the gray, once fluffy blanket that covers the seat; it is worn and melds into the seat cushion. His taxi is a little worse for wear; dents and black duct tape everywhere. A missing side view mirror here, a cracked windshield there, but it smells okay. An air freshener hangs from the rear view mirror. I recall a brief conversation the night before.

“Don’t worry about the condition of the taxi, it’s battered, but it will get you where you need to go”.

That statement echoed in my mind as I look around. As we enter the main road, I notice a sea of black and yellow taxis in the same battered condition. The ocean is directly ahead and there is a large mosque on the beach of the Atlantic.

We turn right and make our way on to the main road. Fifteen minutes later, we come to a roundabout. Cars, trucks, mopeds, taxis and buses bottleneck into the middle, horns blasting every other second. I look right, a horse-drawn cart is beside me, even it competes for space on the road and shows no fear. It is slow moving, but intense, as there is much traffic.

A woman dressed in bright coloured traditional clothes appears at my window on the right; she is selling bananas. A man puts a long, clear plastic rung of orange and black business sized cards to my window. I smile and shake my head “no”. They remain. I shake my head again.

We exit the roundabout and continue our drive. Flashes of colour fly by my window. Beautifully
dressed women line the street, some carrying loads on their heads and children on their backs, others wait for a bus or shop the market stalls. I marvel at how the women dressed in white boubous stay so clean amidst the red earth, dust and garbage.

Vendors line the road selling watermelon. Fresh meat hangs in clear view at the butcher stands as flies buzz about. A mother and her young children sell clothes, produce and canned goods on the sidewalks.

Cows are being herded and goats roam the streets.

Children play soccer, dust, dirt and garbage among them.

Crumbling sidewalks, unfinished construction, vacant and neglected shops abound.

Packed blue and yellow buses with men hanging off the back.

White buses are loaded down with luggage and goats on top of the roof; the bus looks like it could topple over at any minute.

It’s unlike anything I have seen before, chaotic yet beautifully choreographed, as the movement fits together like a dance. A feeling of gratefulness washes over me. I smile and think to myself, I am in Africa.

Captured photos from the video I took on this drive to my Djembe lesson at a local community centre.

Inside a Dakar Taxi — Inside a Dakar, Senegal taxi

Rummaging for Clothes in Dakar — Rummaging for clothes in Dakar

iPhone captured photos of Dakar, Senegal Street Life

A Vendor in Dakar — One of the many vendors that work a roundabout in Dakar

I Dreamed of Africa

January 9, 2013

My stomach began to flutter as I walked to the jeep. The feeling grew as I climbed into the open game drive vehicle for the first time. I was both excited and nervous going for a 3-hour drive in the Greater Kruger National Park. The times in front of the TV watching Wild Kingdom with my dad and Gran and the hours spent leafing through National Geographic magazines as a child came to mind at that moment.

Was this real?

I wondered what animals we’d see on our drive. Though I would be happy to see any animal that was allowed to roam free, I secretly wished for a giraffe sighting. Suddenly we came upon a lone giraffe walking gracefully in front of us; I was ecstatic. It was too far away to get a decent photo, and we were moving slowly behind it.

It turned left and disappeared into the bush. We caught up to where it was, but the thick bush separated us. We watched for a moment and continued driving. Unexpectedly our jeep turned left; I smiled as I knew our guide would get us closer. The giraffe was eating off to the side of the dirt road, but the area had a lot of trees and thick bush. You’d be surprised at how quickly giraffes and even a herd of elephants can hide in it.

The giraffe moved, and the bush gave way a little, but still, I waited.

I soon noticed that the sun was beginning to set and the scene unfolding before me. The beauty of the sky and the road in front would add to the photo I thought. The light was disappearing, but I continued to wait. I enjoyed watching the slow manner in which it ate and moved, but I wondered if I would lose my chance.

Before I travelled to South Africa, I envisioned scenes I wanted to capture. This view was one of them. I wondered if the giraffe would ever come out of the bush so I could see it silhouetted against the sky, just as I had imagined. Someone asked why I wasn’t taking any photos, as she knew that I was a photographer.

“I’m waiting for the giraffe to walk out in front of us so I can take a photo of it against the sun and sky.”

“Spoken like a true photographer”.

Little did she know that I had been waiting my whole life for this, what was another minute or two? The giraffe stopped eating and moved away from the bush. It appeared in front of us.

I dreamed of Africa, and I dreamed of being able to capture this very scene… a giraffe photographed against a sunset sky. Dreams do come true.

Preparing for Africa, gathering inspiration and courage

October 31, 2012

In less than a month I will be leaving for Africa. It will be my first visit to the continent. I am super excited and the more I research the more excited I get. Admittedly, I am also nervous as I have never been anywhere like it. I will be visiting friends in Dakar, Senegal who are currently working there. I’ll then be travelling to Cape Town, South Africa!

I’m going to South Africa alone and will be there for 9 days and will then be going back to Dakar for a final few days to break up the long trip home to Toronto.

Did I have some apprehension going to Europe solo? I sure did, especially thinking of Prague as I had heard stories and was warned while in Austria. I took Prague on and off my itinerary several times. Why did I go? I think it was simply because my passion for travel, new things, cultures, people and adventure far outweighed my fear. As for South Africa and Africa in general, I’ve read and heard about it and yes, have been warned about it. It doesn’t help to hear how potentially unsafe South Africa can be everywhere I look in my research. However, with the appropriate precautions, the same ones I practice at home, I feel confident that I will be fine. After 18 days of travelling solo in Europe, I’m happy to report I did not have one single incident. I think it also helps to walk with confidence.

On Preparing For a Trip:

When I prepare for a trip, I engross myself on the internet. I visit sites like Journeywoman that help prepare and inspire me for solo travel. I read and ask questions in travel forums on lonely planet, trip advisor and virtual tourist, tweet and message people on facebook that have gone before me and read reviews on Trip Advisor. It’s almost like a full time job as I like to research and know where I’m going or figure out where I should go in the first place. I follow a lot of travel related people and sites on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest so I am inundated with it on a daily basis and I love that. I am inspired every single day.

Here are a few of my favourite pins and quotes that I have read a few times since booking my plane ticket to Africa.

Inspiration:

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph
over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear — Nelson Mandela

“Passion is what drives us crazy, what makes us do extraordinary things, to discover, to challenge ourselves. Passion is and should always be the heart of courage.” ? Midori Komatsu

When we are afraid we ought not to occupy ourselves with endeavoring to prove that there is no danger, but in strengthening ourselves to go on in spite of the danger. — Mark Rutherford

From caring comes courage. — Lao Tzu

My Inspiration:

Finally, I’ll share my biggest source of inspiration – my beloved grandmother affectionately called Gran. Gran inspires me with her incredible strength, courage, independence, love, zest for adventure, love of travel and faith. She left her home in Rangoon, Burma (Yangon, Myanmar) in 1965 as a divorced woman with 2 children, my father and my uncle, with only $88 on her person and without a visa to Canada. She went without knowing what the future held, most certainly with fear, but with her overwhelming courage. She stopped in northern India to work and apply for a visa to Canada, and after much perseverance, determination and hard work, 10 months later she got her visa to Canada.

Every time I’m about to embark on a new adventure and especially when stepping out of my comfort zone, I think of her. My gran had dementia for about 10 years and the last 3-4 years she didn’t know me and couldn’t really talk, but she could always giggle. We have always shared a love of travel together and if you read back to my first post, you’ll learn of the very first flight I recall, it was with my Gran on a trip to California at age 5.

I took the photo below of my Gran in May 2003. She already had dementia, but could still have conversations, was mobile, lived on her own, but was forgetting.

Before my trip to Europe this past March, I visited my Gran and told her of my trip to Europe and my plans. For the first time in a long time, I received eye contact and what felt like some lucidity.

Do you want to go on a trip with me?”

Gran nodded and very clearly said “where?”.

I lost my Gran this past May 2012 and though we can no longer laugh and chat, I know she is with me and giving me all the courage I need.

Who or what is Wandering iPhone?

June 27, 2012

HELLO AND WELCOME

So who and what is wandering iPhone? It’s a place on the Internet for iPhone photographer and traveller Andrea Rees. Here I’ll be sharing my iPhone photography as I wander about locally and around the world.

I capture whatever catches my eye. I am drawn to people, architecture, details, moments and life. I capture it all in the best light possible with my iPhone.

What I know for sure is that time flies and moments pass all too quickly. It’s important to capture the ‘ordinary days’ and I encourage you all to do so as I develop the content for this blog. I will share my photography knowledge and tell you about the apps, accessories and gear I use. I’ll also share my solo and family travel adventures and include tips to help you travel.

Whether you’re at home with your family, travelling solo or with loved ones, sights and moments deserve to be captured and shared.