It's been a while since I've been skiing... I didn't do any skiing last winter due to a knee injury playing indoor soccer. The year before that, I went skiing once and only once because I was super broke. And before THAT, I went snowboarding.... in Korea. And this is how that went down. Why did I snowboard in the first place? Oh, because I didn't want my dear friend Abbey to be alone on the slopes all day. In case any of you are wondering... NO. I will not be snowboarding again. In my life. EVER.

And then really... I don't know why I hadn't skiied the year before. Probably because I had JUST moved to Korea, and I had more important things to focus my attention on. (You know, like learning how to teach, and live in a city with roughly 10 million folks). 

And then prior to THAT, who knows? Too busy with life, I guess. 

I actually own my own skis (do I dare admit that? They are super bruised up, old and a little on the short side)... used to have all my own gear, but don't know where that has all disappeared to. Literally the only thing that really remains is a good pair of mittens! Regardless, I'm getting ready to go on a fantastic trip with some fun people I like to call friends. 

I'm lucky that the aforementioned 'good life chatter' is kind of a big deal when it comes to knowledge about great ski gear. He bought me a really great ski coat last winter (that I sadly didn't use). I ended up finding a great deal on some great pants that match wonderfully with my coat (they were 50% off), bought myself a great brand new pair of goggles off eBay for under $40 (retail $110) and ended up finding a nice new cute beanie at Urban Outfitters today (of all places!) for a lovely $9.99! 
The only thing left for me really to buy is well.... skis. Hah. I think that will be the goal for next season. For this trip, a demo ski rental seems right up my alley. 

So. Very. Excited. 
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T-Minus 22 Days! 01/12/2012
 
For me, there's a certain amount of excitement that surrounds any sort of travel. This upcoming trip I'm taking is especially exciting because it's definitely more like the travel and backpacking i've done in the past and am used to. I'm not exactly the all-inclusive- resort-type-vacation-kind-of-girl. 

It's especially fun from the standpoint of all it takes to execute a trip internationally. I get it, I'm just slightly going across the border, but still. 

There's always so much to do when it comes to prepping to travel abroad. Like....
  • Packing. Packing light, making sure you have a great pack to accommodate the stuff you're bringing. I always enjoy realizing how little I really need to bring. It's humbling. 
  • Hostels. Always fun to stay at a great hostel. It's actually probably one of my favorite parts of traveling. Meeting new people, learning about them and have a diverse group of people that you typically share the passion of travel with. Love it. 
  • Passport. Always hanging tight to that sucker just in case... not to mention it is a great feeling getting a new stamp to grace the pages. 
  • Money exchange. Playing the game right and exchanging your money at the best possible place to get the best rate. It's totally all a game to me. 
  • Planes, trains and automobiles. Love the diversity of transportation that's often times necessary. Again, it's like putting together a puzzle and figuring out where you need to get to, and how to make it happen.
So, about this upcoming trip:

Where: Vancouver. Viva Vancouver baby!! Can't believe I'm excited to say I'm heading to the land of Canucks... but, alas, I am. 
Why: To see WILCO!!! Absolutely can. not. wait!
Our seats (OMG, I know... they're fabulous)
Hostel: Really excited about this place. The Cambie in Gastown. It really does look like a pretty great hostel. 

And whom am I going with? None other than my adventurous gal pal Sarah. I'm very excited. We plan to rest up a few weeks in advance because it will be non stop for 4 solid days. We fly into Seattle on a Friday night, wake up early Saturday morning to head to Vancouver. Sunday night is the show and we head back to Seattle EARLY Monday morning and fly back to Boise that afternoon. 

But. It will so be worth it :)
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