Coulda Woulda Shoulda

In many of the countries we've just recently travelled, there have been varying entry and exit requirements. When we travelled Europe, we didn't have any issues because we were on European passports. But obviously throughout Asia, we needed special permissions etc to enter certain countries. Some visas are simple to acquire. Our Australian visa was done online, without us having to send out passports anywhere or get a photo of us looking very deer-in-headlights. It was a multi-entry as well, which made it very simple for us to come back after two weeks in New Zealand. Vietnam wasn't that bad. We were able to leave our passports with a travel agency and they came back with the visas the next day. No hassel really. And we didn't have to waste anytime heading to an embassy and filling out forms. China wasn't as stringent as we thought it would be. We were able to get the visa when we were in Australia and it only took 4 days. The more time consuming part of the Chinese...

I suppose there is a lot I have yet to write about our current adventure. Right now, I'm just enjoying the televison in Moscow. As it is Christmas tomorrow, it's only fitting that I wish all of you a very merry and happy holiday, wherever you may be, whatever time it may be. The snow and the lights and the flu have made me feel like I'm right at home. Christmas in Canada is only really different by language. And well, family. Which of course I am missing. But I know I will see you all soon. That includes the little one that my baby sister H is still waiting to arrive (PEOPLE! HAVE YOU BEEN CROSSING YOUR FINGERS???) In a weeks time, it will be a new year and I suppose I'll be able to reflect more over what the last year has brung. Right now, popcorn calls. What better way to spend Christmas Eve if you can't be with family and friends? Food and tv are a good enough 2nd best. Happy Holidays.

People, I am here. I am in the last new country on our list of places to be during this epic journey. And we're looking at 10 days to Christmas, 9 days to Moscow. Do you know how LONG we've been talking about Moscow? And now, it's only 9 DAYS AWAY! I'm loving Russia. The people are so friendly, the weather is mildly cold and the food is so hearty. I'm definitley digging the cold lifestyle. Never realised just how Canadian I was. Russia has added a bit of a twist to the internet, though. You not only pay for minutes you use but you also pay for MEGS you use. And there really is not way to tell HOW many megs you've used until you're finished. D and I were on the same computer for 8 minutes yesterday and used 5mgs. Who knows how. So, a couple of things. If you know me, I will not be checking my canada.com email address as it seems to be adding megs. You can reach me at the yahoo.ca address which has the beginning part the same as canada.com except take out a ...

There is something quite romantic when you think of riding the rails. You do conjur up all these visions of being on the train, glancing out at stunning landscape, laughing and joking with your travel companions. It's bascially like this. Except maybe companions bit. Because if you can't really communicate, laughing just makes you check to see that you don't have anything on your face and the jokes, well, lost in translation. I was pleasantly surprised by our journey from Beijing to Ulaanbataar. So many times when you set your expectations for things you are let down, either because you have been imagining it too long in your head or because other people's imaginations and descriptions have not been exactly justified. But this was exactly what was written on the box. They could have guaranteed it. There we were, in this berth all to ourselves, snacking away on sunflower seeds and potato chips, watching the Chinese landscape go by. And it is breathtaking. We saw parts of...

We arrived in chilly Mongolia yesterday and I have to say, the best part about it is the fact that we are in an apartment. Do you know I watched tv last night in my LIVING ROOM and then retired to my BEDROOM. A WHOLE NOTHER ROOM. That's not even including the fact the fact that I also made dinner in my KITCHEN. Count that people. It's THREE ROOMS. Oh! And I also had a nice hot shower in my BATHROOM. That's four. Are you following me here? I guess I'm enjoying the comforts of home away from home. It's cold enough to feel like home. And so for now, it will be home. Tomorrow we're doing a day trip out into the Mongolian wilderness, which we've been told is beautiful and magical and scenic and breathtaking and...you get the picture. If it was anything compared to the train ride from Beijing, I imagine it will be all it's cracked up to be. On a more personal note, if you could all cross your fingers for my sister H that her wee one will hurry up and just arri...