Lauralee - Laura

I'm intrigued as to what the world has to offer. The bizarre, cheesy, breathtaking and absolutely tourist oriented sights are worth pursuing. I don't think I'll ever stop exploring... or travelling. The blog is a quirky take on what unfolds around me. Some entries are factually accurate and others are simply my impressions at the time. I do appreciate comments, corrections and feedback but please do not post a link to your web blog as a correct example of how I should interpret/understand a particular place along my travels.
Travelling next to: Guatemala. Europe. back to the great land of America. Mongolia.

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Joined on: December 19th 2004
Last Login: July 18th 2008

Blog Entries: 65
Photos: 357
Recommended by 2

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Blogs & Travel Journals

by Lauralee, order by Date newest first.

By Lauralee
March 4th 2008

Spiritually Inclined... sort of

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan

St. John the Divine

Spirituality It just so happened that the day I ventured into new areas of Manhattan for me (read: above 110St Upper West Side), I managed to document both a church (St. John the Divine Cathedral) and The Cloisters museum in the same day... hence the religious-themed pictures. The Cloisters was able to sort of satisfy my morbid curiosity by introducing me to reliquaries. Some are thoughtfully shaped to reflect what exactly it is they're holding and they were worth more than precious jewels and more "esteemed than gold". I would have touched one of them in the Cloisters to transfer [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
March 4th 2008

Morbid Medical Curiosities & Warrior Transition Units

North America » United States » District of Columbia » Washington

Showing the path to enlightenment
National Gallery of Art, DC

Thoughts on DC Truthfully, I knew nothing about American history or D.C. prior. I could very likely be put into the same category of Americans mistaking Bonhomme or Jean Poutine as the prime minister of Canada. Luckily, America seems to have a fascination with American politics and homeland security as my scant knowledge is derived from fiction romance books (Nora Roberts mind you - a great book about a Senator and a daughter of a former senator hooking up), Lonely Planet and television (CNN, various Hollywood tv shows). Armed with ignorance and the student approach to traveling - hitting up every [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
December 28th 2007

Too little time for sleeping

North America » United States » Nevada » Las Vegas

Planet Hollywood

For many Canadians, quick and easy vacation packages including airfare and hotel are popular. Top choices include Mexico, Dominican Republic and Las Vegas. Of the latter, I'm notified weekly on facebook of someone I know heading down to Sin City. I didn't understand the allure of Las Vegas, having had brief unenjoyable experiences with the city, but I was desperate to leave my textbooks behind and go anywhere. Yes, this does mean my blog will be about my adventures yet again as a tourist rather than a backpacker looking for profound experiences. I don't think I saw the real Las Vegas [View Full Entry]

making friendly with one of the Excalibur guards

By Lauralee
September 10th 2007

Vacationing Canadian-style

North America » Canada » British Columbia » Osoyoos

Water source near Whistler
I think its Shannon Falls..

For many Canadians living in landlocked areas and not wanting to fly to foreign destinations, the vacation options are usually narrowed down into these three catagories: A. Flocking to nearest water source. Usually this is a murky algae-infested lake or pebbled ocean beach with the tide a kilometre out while youngsters bring out their bright yellow sand shovels and buckets. Canadians definitely enjoy their time on the beach Canadian style. Forget the parasols and suntanning lawn chaises. Its fold up lawn chairs with built in beer can holders all the way. It is slightly odd to see a bunch of people [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
September 6th 2007

San Francisco and its crackerjacks

North America » United States » California » San Francisco

Great Legs at Haight and Ashbury

Crackerjacks can be defined as many things. My definition includes the following: The unstable; slightly unsound of mind; detached from reality; general wackies; just trying to make a living off of the street; crazy street evangelists speculating incoherently on the state of the world or its present demise. These crackerjacks of San Francisco wander freely, fearing none. If San Francisco doesn't embrace them, the city has certainly accepted them to a degree... perhaps holding up to its slogan of once being the focal point in the 'Summer of Love'. One of the place to observe these crackerjacks in their natural [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
August 30th 2007

Part Two of Mini guide in pretending to understand Japan

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Akasaka

Street art japanese style

Trouble with my tour to Japan began early on when I decided that I didnt want to visit shrines or temples. With that taken out of the equation, well, it didnt leave a lot left to do except shop. Having underestimated the extent of shopping (and the Japanese ability to pry money out of your hands by any means)... my credit card now has a serious dent and has gone into hiding. Its back to shrines and temples... but who really wants to read about that... Back to my Reading between the lines guide to Japan. Bicycle Mittens (As noted [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
August 28th 2007

A mini guide to reading between the lines in Japan

Asia » Japan » Hiroshima » Miyajima

Blessings

Although I do enjoy blogging with mini-history lessons or amusing anecdotes, I figure a mini guide is perhaps more entertaining to describe my time in Japan. Plus, I think the heat short circuited my short term memory erasing any random facts or dates in history I would have tried to remember and force feed you on this blog. 1. Feed deer in Nara or Miyajima at your peril. The trouble begins when you run out of deer cookies. Cost of ticket to Nara. 960 yen (from Osaka). Cost of Deer cookies. 150 yen. Watching a japanese boy flee from 15 hungry [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
August 24th 2007

Tang-erific Paradise

Asia » China » Shanghai

Frollicking in Tang-erific Paradise

now that I'm back in Japan, I can blog more thoroughly about my adventures in Xi'an and Shanghai. Xi'an was definitely a lot more laid back towards tourists than Beijing was despite being one of the top tourist attractions in the country for Western tourists. The heat made us lazy so we settled upon taking the hostel's tour to visit the Terracotta warriors and the tomb of the Emperor. Between taking pictures as the snap-happy tourist that I was, I did glean a few things from our tourist guide. The Emperor was one fierce dude. Terracotta artisans not up to par [View Full Entry]

Underpaid actors at Tang Paradise Theme park

By Lauralee
August 16th 2007

Return to the Motherland...

Asia » China » Shaanxi » Xi'an

Dumpling overload
Finally feasting on dumplings in Beijing and looking annoyed. I swear they multiplied on the plate.

So many of you might have wondered how I would fare returning to China (aka the Motherland) not speaking or being able to read the language. We've survived and emerged for the most part unscathed but let me tell you a story that is sure to amuse... My fear of getting snared in the grips of crippling traveller's sickness and Tyson's deathly allergy to peanuts has kept us from trying tasty (but sketchier) food that was sure to please. After a few days in Beijing we decided to test the waters by going to a local dumpling shop (despite the fears [View Full Entry]

By Lauralee
August 14th 2007

How to Survive 40 degree plus heat Beijing Style

Asia » China » Beijing

The Benevolent Chairman

The following is a compiled list not necessarily demonstrated by the author: 1. Wear arm covers with your tank top (resembling leg warmers but they do not extend all the way to armpits) while riding your bicycle. You will receive a stylish shoulder only tan. 2. Hiking up shirt and walk around with shirt rolled up above nipples. Note, this will expose your middle age saggy belly. 3. Wear pantyhose sockettes with sandals. Note that any slim leg will look like stuffed sausages. 4. Squat in any shade you can find no matter how small. 5. Fan your self furiously with [View Full Entry]

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