I've always wanted to travel to different parts of the world.. and over time I've managed to make it to SOME of my 'bucket list' locations.. but not as many as I would have hoped for at this stage of the game..

anywho.. I thought I'd start this thread for 2 purposes actually..
1) to get a better feel of what takes places in the lives of those already living there (special notes of interest, nightlife, the cultures, the do's and don'ts etc..) and
2) make new friends in places you'd like to visit, and see if maybe they can hook you up with inexpensive accommodations, great places to see.. out of the way eatery's.. AND perhaps even play tour guide..
I guess you could call it a type of exchange program..?


example.. I would love to visit "Australia" at some point.. obviously I'd like to chat with a few native Australians and would hope when I do go, I'll have a 'friend' I can hook up with there and get to see what life is REALLY like, without the touristic trappings... I would hope, if that person wished it, to reciprocate when they in turn, came to visit my Province/Country!

NOTE: no one is forced to assume tourist duties.. you could simply be offering information that could be insightful to another traveler heading your way, but if you do, the 2 parties must come to an agreement/decision that's affable for both parties.. in short.. this is a meeting place for like minded explorers to discover other possibilities than going the typical tourist route..

so I'll start....

I'm from Montreal, which is in Quebec.. which is a province of CANADA..
this is our national flag..

and this is our provincial flag


our temperatures range from very hot to very cold, depending on the time of year.. we have 4 seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall..

winter months(December, January & February) are cold and sometimes bitterly cold with temps dropping (on the odd occasion) to -40 (which is where F & C meet) it is currently at -28C (-19F) and typically have many snowfalls.. but pretty awesome hockey teams and many ski-dooers!

spring months(March, April & May) offer more temperate climate's of anywhere between 10 to 20C (50 to 60F) and typically is a rainy time.. although the lush green emerging countryside offers a splendor unlikened by much.. the rebirth of life after winters cold grip..

summer months(June, July & August) are the hotter months.. temps range from 20 to 35C(68 to 95F) and sometimes up to 42C(108) dependent on the humidex.. but it's the BEST time for Montreal's night life.. not that any other season stops it.. it's just more vibrant in the summer.. plus we have the Jazz Fest and the Just for Laughs fest.. live outdoor concerts, both from local and international stars.. we also are a very active crowd.. we boat, fish, hike and explore our back yards..

fall months(Sept, Oct & Nov) can be almost like an extended summer at times.. warm days, cooler evenings.. and the best time if you don't like HOT 'n Sticky weather.. temps range from 15 to 25C(58 to 77F).. it's the perfect time for hiking in the woods or one of the many parks.. the trees are changing color and the green world fades to shades of red, orange and yellow.. you can almost sense the hush of winter coming..

Montreal offers a variety of different taste sensations too.. as our many differing cultures will attest.. we pride ourselves on being diverse in many ways.. Montreal is a hub of multiculturalism..

well.. that's all I have time for now.. if anyone ELSE want's to chime in.. I know I'd be interested to hear what it's like where you are!

sorry.. one of my temps was wrong

okay.. so there's NO one else out there that'd like to travel to far off places and get some practical info about their destination beFORE they go? really?

I really DO want to hear about where you live.. HOW you live and what life's like in your 'hood'.. especially some priorities that are on my bucket list.. places like:
Alaska
Scotland
Ireland
England
France
Hawaii
South America
Australia/New Zealand
Africa
Asia (Eastern)

these are locations I'd LOVE to visit(amongst others)..

I've already been to Barcelona/Spain, Cairo & Alexandria/Egypt, Izmir/Turkey, Athens/Greece, Rome/Italy and Valetta/Malta and done extensive exploring.. plus the Caribbean and Cuba(aside from many US states and Canada) so if anyone's going to any of them.. I may have a few tidbits of info to offer...

come on people.. where's yer wonderlust??

seriously?? come ON people.. don't MAKE me talk to myself


we have cookies!

'n coffee

Well, if you ever come to Milwaukee, I'll buy you an ice cream.
We have some very good ice cream here.

really? I thought you guys were good at brewing beer?

I'll have to add that to my bucket list.. I love ice cream

I wanna and am gunna do Europe in 2015. The Rugby World Cup is being held in England that year, so it's a good enough excuse for me to get my behind over there and check Europe out. Seriously...i'm fascinated with all that history they got going on over there.

And hey...i'll be happy to show you around down under if and when you decide to make the trip across. I think you might like the diversity of Melbourne...tis one big melting pot of different cultures. Truly...tis like venturing into mini countries as you pass through various suburbs.

But if a true blue outback experience is what tickles your fancy...then you can't go past the Northern Territory and its vastness. I particularly like the laid back tropical city of Darwin and its colourful people (hippies...although they call them 'alternative lifestylers' these days...*ahem*) which looks out over the East Timor Sea and the contrast of the outback as its back yard, where you can experience such wonderlands as Kakadu and its aboriginal rock art which has been dated back thousands of years...believe me when i say that it is truly a privilege Z, if not an experience, as you walk through that land where they walked thousands of years before. Then there is Litchfield National Park which has some of the most beautiful rockpools and waterfalls in the middle of nowhere that will simply take your breath away. Most of the rockpools are safe to swim in, although there are freshwater crocs swimming in these pools, but they're so timid that you never see them. The salt water crocs or 'salties' as they're referred to, are the buggars you just don't want to mess with. But apart from all that...i consider the Territory as my winter escape. I'll post a few pics...when i can find what i've done with them :-)

I'm going to do Canada by 2015 I would think. I'm interested in the train ride across the country. Been to Europe (lived there three years), would like to also go to Australia/NZ.

I'm from the USA, Texas, and no, we don't all ride horses. Dallas is a modern multicultural city with populations from around the globe. We have two seasons, blazingly hot and not so cold. Hot runs from, say March, to October where 110 degrees F is normal. When not so cold, sometimes we get down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

Dallas has a vibrant night life, if you are into clubs, but also plenty of parks and zoos and ice skating rinks. Not so awesome football team right now, and basketball and hockey teams as well. Plenty of things to do as well as the touristy thingys.

Tell me Hipster....

How does Texas hold em?? :-)

In the hot season very loosely...in the cold season very closely.

I worked on a work contract with a company in Dallas for almost 2 years straight and on 'n off over an 8 year span.. I was often told they'd fly me down.. although it never happened.. it is however a state I wouldn't mind visiting ONE day.. but I'm savin that for the RV life once all the OTHER countries are done

WOW it ALL sounds amazing K.. how long do you think it would take to see it ALL?? not talkin racing thru things either.. I'm gettin old ya know

2015 Europe? where? as mentioned above I've been to some.. however I'd be up for the UK.. but yer on yer own for the sport thang

let me know if and when you head to Montreal.. if the timings right.. I may be able to be a type of 'home gurl' guide! I'm sure Via Rail has SOME kind of package that does coast to coast with layovers in different major cities
http://www.viarail.ca/en

I LOVE history.. Rome and Athens were just aMAZing for theirs.. you can cut it with a knife it's soo soupy thick! yet another reason I want to go to Eng, Ire & Scot..



thanks K.. that'd be a spectacular plan!! I'm SURE we'd have a blast and IF all goes as planned.. I would hope to get there sometime next year.. IF that is Life doesn't keep gettin in the way..

as they say though.. where there's a WILL.. there IS a way

We have a very rich soft ice cream, some call it frozen custard, it has a lot more butter fat in it than regular ice cream.

Wisconsin was once the dairy state. Still have lots of farm land.

Most of the old time Milwaukee brewerys left long ago. Miller/Coors
is the only one left. There are a few micro brewerys sprouting up, and a few brew pubs. In some areas it seems there is one or two bars on every corner.

Wisconsin also has some very nice vacation spots with plenty of lakes for fishing and woods for hunting.

Not me ..I never get to go anywhere..but you should hook up with metaling...he's been EVERYWHERE..he could tell you a lot of what you want to know.

thanks Viv.. good to know..

if it's not too personal.. why don't you get to go anywhere?
I know I couldn't for a very long time cuz I was a single mom and well.. let's just say it was all on me to take care of my kids.. and of course a few health hurdles as topping.. so I didn't get to start again for almost 20 years.. but I never lost the wanderlust *sighs*

AWEsome!! thanks for sharing mowtown.. this is quality stuff to know.. you can always add more if you think of anything else

was there any places you'd like to visit?