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# Correr Es Mi Destino

Curiosity makes for good stories

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://correresmidestino.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [I Splurged on a eBook Reader and I Love It](https://correresmidestino.com/kindle/) - Friends have tried to get me to switch to an eBook reader but I reacted like a granny. “It’s gonna hurt my eyes! It’s not the same as paper!” I protested.
- [Three Hours of Bryan Adams Live in Toronto (Loved It!)](https://correresmidestino.com/bryan-adams/) - I like Bryan Adams. I don’t care how corny some songs can be, he is classic. The decision to make the trip to the concert in Toronto was a last minute one.
- [Sale Pitches and Hidden Fees – Canadian Phone Plans Suck](https://correresmidestino.com/the-phone-quest/) - This year, I knew what I wanted—a BlackBerry. I figured that a smartphone would actually be useful. But cellphone plans here are a notorious rip-off in Canada.
- [Deep in the Woods at Le Bourget](https://correresmidestino.com/in-the-woods/) - I packed a small bag, left my computer and my city life behind, and headed to Bourget, a small town in Eastern Ontario. Up there, the silence was deafening.
- [Back to So-Called "Civilization" in Playa Del Carmen](https://correresmidestino.com/playa-del-carmen/) - Playa Del Carmen is a circus. Walk in the main street and dodge restaurants, tours and hotels offers. Decline to hold the baby tiger. It's exhausting.
- [The Trip is Over, and It's Still Winter in Canada (Damn!)](https://correresmidestino.com/welcome-winter/) - We are heading home. The trip is over. Winter is starting… for us. Am I sad to leave? Always. A little bit. But to be honest, I don’t mind it that much.
- [Backpacking in Central America, Ten Years After our Memorable Trip](https://correresmidestino.com/welcome-jungle/) - On December 14, Feng and I will land in Cancún, Mexico, for 7 weeks of travel. As usual, we have no travel plans. We will go wherever the chicken buses will take us.
- [What's "Couponing" and Why is it so Popular in Canada?](https://correresmidestino.com/couponing/) - This is “recession 101”—scoring deals is the right move, and paying full price is so 2008.
- [This is How My Scotiabank Account Was Compromised](https://correresmidestino.com/bank-account-compromised/) - After receiving a message from Scotiabank, I logged into my account to make sure everything was okay. It wasn’t. My checking account had been emptied.
- [Immigrants Don't Always Stay in Canada, And It's Taboo](https://correresmidestino.com/canadian-immigration-taboo/) - Every year, an undisclosed number of permanent residents decide to go home. Talking about it is almost taboo but it shouldn't be.
- [The Canadian Job Market, This Endless Challenge for Immigrants](https://correresmidestino.com/first-job-in-canada-the-challenge-never-ends/) - The transition from employee to freelancer reminded me that for immigrants, the job market is an ongoing challenge despite my relevant Canadian experience.
- [Capturing Firefighters at Work During a Big Fire in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/fire-in-nantes/) - I don’t read local news so I had no idea what was going on. Turned out a fire started in a restaurant on Sunday and was still going strong.
- [Nantes Under Siege During a Major Protest](https://correresmidestino.com/city-under-siege/) - The issue? Nantes' new airport plan. The mayor wants to build a brand new airport, and some constituents argue that they are being expropriated.
- [The Spring Funfair is in Full Swing in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/funfair-in-nantes/) - Two several-week-long funfairs keep Nantes entertained for several weeks in the spring and in the fall.
- [10 Things I Had Forgotten About France](https://correresmidestino.com/ten-things-i-had-forgotten-about-france/) - Everybody speaks French! In Ottawa, I rarely hear “Parisian French”. Also, French are a bit grumpy and always seem to be reluctant to serve you.
- [Merde, the French Are Addicted to Junk Food Now](https://correresmidestino.com/is-the-french-diet-still-a-good-diet/) - Just a decade ago, José Bové was fighting against junk food and the French would rather have a baguette with stinky cheese than a hamburger.
- [In Nantes, Facing Terrible Chapters of History Ain't Easy](https://correresmidestino.com/the-weight-of-history/) - Nantes, the former slave trade capital of France, inaugurated a brand new memorial to the abolition of slavery. Facing the past isn't easy.
- [10 Weird Reverse Culture Shock Moments I Had in France](https://correresmidestino.com/10-random-observations-france/) - Shoe tossing is apparently now a thing in Nantes. Do they say “le shoe tossing” or “la shoe tossing?” Gosh, it's weird to see France as a Canadian...
- [Packing and Flying Again – Unexpected, Stressful Trip to France](https://correresmidestino.com/packing-and-flying-again/) - I can be there if needed. At least, I can try to. From Ottawa, I took the Greyhound to Montreal’s Trudeau Airport and then flew to Amsterdam.
- [Flying the Cool Airbus A380 to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/a-day-in-airports/) - I arrived in Ottawa last night, after three weeks in France. I think it’s my ninth or tenth trip but this time I got to fly the beautiful Airbus A380.
- [My New Challenge, the Long "Madrugada" Bus Ride to Natal](https://correresmidestino.com/my-new-challenge-the-long-madrugada-bus-ride-to-natal/) - Feng and I both checked—no last-minute cheap flight from Fortaleza to Natal. The long bus ride was suddenly very real, and so was the early departure.
- [Picture of the Week – BlackBerry](https://correresmidestino.com/blackberry/) - I become a CrackBerry when I was working on Parliament Hill. I ditched the job but I stayed with BlackBerry.
- [Picture of the Week – The Classic Ottawa Shot](https://correresmidestino.com/classic-ottawa-shot/) - From the bridge, you can easily capture three of Ottawa’s landmarks—the Rideau Canal, the Parliament, and Château Laurier.
- [Picture of the Week – Hungry Pigeon](https://correresmidestino.com/hungry-pigeon/) - The Ottawa Public Library recently put a new sign close to the front door: “Do not feed the wildlife”. The pigeon close to the sign seemed offended.
- [Picture of the Week – War](https://correresmidestino.com/picture-of-the-week-war/) - Canada is a peaceful nation, which is probably why next to the “war – this way” sign, there is a “wong way” sign.
- [Picture of the Week – Ottawa's Little Italy](https://correresmidestino.com/little-italy/) - In Ottawa, the heart of Little Italy lies along Preston Street, in the area known as “Corso Italia”.
- [Picture of the Week – Let's Kidnap a Girl!](https://correresmidestino.com/kidnapped-girl/) - I always keep an eye out for the funniest or strangest ones signs, at home or abroad. I found this gem when exploring the Experimental Farm a few days ago.
- [Picture of the Week – Maple Toffee](https://correresmidestino.com/picture-of-the-week-maple-toffee/) - If you spend time outdoors and the temperature is below zero, you deserve a treat. This is probably why Canada came up with delicious maple toffee.
- [Picture of the Week – On The Rink](https://correresmidestino.com/on-the-rink/) - I snapped this picture when walking back from the supermarket, as a teen was lacing up his skates before hitting the ice. This is just... so Canadian.
- [Picture of the Week – Occupy Ottawa, a Month Later](https://correresmidestino.com/occupy-ottawa-november/) - Another world is still possible. We just have to figure out how. Meanwhile, Occupy Ottawa was evicted Wednesday morning.
- [Is Ottawa Really as Boring as People Say?](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-does-not-suck/) - It’s funny how popular capital-bashing is in the new world: Australians with Canberra, Americans with Washington DC etc. To me, Ottawa does not suck.
- [Foodie Review – Dick's Drive-in & Dairy Dip on Merivale in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/dicks-drive-in-dairy-dip/) - Dick's on Merivale is a friendly family-owned place offers all the traditional North American fares: fries, onion rings, burgers, milk-shakes, hot dogs etc.
- [Let's Celebrate Winter at Winterlude 2012 in Ottawa!](https://correresmidestino.com/winterlude-2012-ottawa/) - On the opening day and despite the very chilly wind, Confederation Park always has a nice collection of ice sculptures—small ones around the fountain and bigger ones around the park.
- [Capturing a Beautiful Fall Sky at Parliament Hill](https://correresmidestino.com/fall-sky/) - Between adjusting the clock backward and the short late fall days, the sun now sets around 4:30 p.m. On the plus side, we get to see wonderful sunsets.
- [Picture of the Week – Snow Melting](https://correresmidestino.com/snow-melting/) - So far, we have had two snowfalls. Nothing dramatic for December, really. And both times, the snow melted almost right away.
- [Picture of the Week – Canadian "I Love You"](https://correresmidestino.com/canadian-i-love-you/) - I was shopping at Herbs & Spice and fell face to face with this sign from the shop next door, Wilde’s—"Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a dildo”.
- [Why is it So Difficult to Renew Important ID Documents?](https://correresmidestino.com/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-renew-important-id-documents/) - I spent the past six weeks dealing with an unexpected identity crisis. This spring most of my document-issued IDs were about to expire or had already expired.
- [Foodie Review — Taste Ramen+Fusion on Bank Street (Ottawa)](https://correresmidestino.com/taste-ramenfusion/) - The restaurant looked very cute and intimate. A round window looking out on Bank Street allowed us to peek inside and gauge the plate of the customers.
- [Foodie Review – Sushi 88 on Somerset (Ottawa)](https://correresmidestino.com/sushi-88/) - Recently, I found a good compromise between the to-go bento box and the “stuff-yourself-silly” buffets— Sushi 88 on Somerset, in Ottawa.
- [The French Love Using English Language Rather Creatively](https://correresmidestino.com/english-language-in-france/) - Quick, the national fast food chain, launched an online game called “le goût de la win”. Why is “win” a feminine noun? No idea.
- [I Need International Flavours on my Plate](https://correresmidestino.com/how-i-got-sick-of-french-food/) - The grass is always greener on the other side, croissants are always more buttery in France and ethnic food is always tastier in Canada.
- [Picture of the Week – Slush](https://correresmidestino.com/slush/) - The weather has been very strange lately. We had snow, blizzard, strong winds, warmer temperatures, hail... The result? Dirty snow banks and some slush.
- [It's Winter and Ottawa is Enjoying the Famous Rideau Canal](https://correresmidestino.com/on-the-rideau-canal/) - The “world’s longest skating rink” is one of Ottawa’s most famous landmarks, and with a cleared length of 7.8 km, it’s a huge frozen playground for skating enthusiasts.
- [Picture of the Week – Snow Shoveling](https://correresmidestino.com/shoveling-snow/) - Most Canadians keep a shovel in the garage, and it’s not to build sandcastles, but to shovel snow. This is the top most-hated winter chore around here.
- [Picture of the Week – April Snow](https://correresmidestino.com/snow-in-april/) - I was publishing a photo article on “Early Spring in the Farm”, and I was joking about jinxing the nice weather. Well, looks like I did (sorry Ottawa!).
- [Foodie Review – New Pho Bo Ga La](https://correresmidestino.com/new-pho-bo-ga-la/) - Ottawa is addicted to Phở, the Vietnamese soup. Now phở places can be found from Chinatown to the far suburbs of Kanata but my favourite remains Pho Bo Ga La.
- [Picture of the Week – Red Mittens](https://correresmidestino.com/red-gloves/) - My favourite pair is this $10 classic I bought right before the Vancouver Olympic Games.
- [Time to Apply for My Third Canadian Passport!](https://correresmidestino.com/time-to-apply-for-my-third-canadian-passport/) - My Canadian passport was only expiring in March 2024 but I decided to start the renewal process when I came back from France since there were only a couple of blank pages left.
- [Jet-Lagged in London, Check In and First Day](https://correresmidestino.com/jet-lagged-in-london/) - After landing in Heathrow and convincing the immigration officer we were dutifully employed, we headed straight to the Norfolk Plaza Hotel.
- [Checking Out Camden Markets for Fun and Funky London Fashion](https://correresmidestino.com/camden-markets/) - The weather was nice, so we decided to head to Camden Town to shop at the famous Camden Markets.
- [London's Skyline is Fascinating along Queen's Walk](https://correresmidestino.com/tower-bridge/) - We got off the Tube at London Bridge and took the Queen’s Walk along the River Thames. The skyline is nice there, with the Tower Bridge in the foreground.
- [Don't Care About the Royals, Still Checking Out Buckingham](https://correresmidestino.com/green-park-buckingham/) - In London you pretty much have to walk by Buckingham Palace—the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch—at least once.
- [Never Take the British Weather with You](https://correresmidestino.com/british-weather/) - We went out wearing our usual summer outfit, i.e. shorts and t-shirts. We took the Tube to Victoria Station, and were greeted by a downpour.
- [Money Issues in The City? – London's Business and Financial Districts](https://correresmidestino.com/the-city-and-canary-wharf/) - Skyscrapers such as 30 St Mary Axe (“the Gherkin”) or The Heron Tower pop up from otherwise old-looking streets with historical buildings.
- [Best Scenic Walk Ever – The London Millennium Footbridge](https://correresmidestino.com/millennium-bridge/) - If Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic symbols of London, the Millennium Bridge offers one of the best scenic walks across the River Thames.
- [Unique Tour of Château Laurier, Ottawa's Famous Hotel and Landmark](https://correresmidestino.com/inside-chateau-laurier/) - Château Laurier has an interesting atmosphere. The hotel manages to feel classy but not stuffy.
- [Picture of the Week – Rain and More Rain](https://correresmidestino.com/picture-of-the-week-rain-and-more-rain/) - When it rains in Ottawa, it pours. And it has been pouring for almost a week non-stop now—blah weather, trust me.
- [Riding the London Underground is an Interesting Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/london-underground/) - The Tube is an international icon for London and its graphic elements, such as the station logo, have become easy-to-recognize pop culture symbols.
- [Soaking up the London 2012 Olympics Fever (Free Chocolate!)](https://correresmidestino.com/olympics-fever/) - Even though we quickly realized that we wouldn’t be able to attend any Olympics events, we still soaked up the London 2012 Olympics Games atmosphere.
- [Hitting the Main Tourist Spots in London is Easy](https://correresmidestino.com/london-tourist-spots/) - In London, we spent quite a lot of time in a few tourist spots, including Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Victoria Embankment and Piccadilly Circus.
- [Capturing Dusk and Nightime in London – Magical Moments, Right?](https://correresmidestino.com/night-time-in-london/) - In London, we took the time to check out a few main places after dark, including the Jubilee Gardens, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly Circus and Westminster.
- [The Story I Didn’t Know I Was Writing](https://correresmidestino.com/the-story-i-didnt-know-i-was-writing/) - Ottawa—you know, that place I fly to but never fly back to—is my gas station.
- [5 best worldwide places to see for New Zealanders in 2026](https://correresmidestino.com/5-best-worldwide-places-to-see-for-new-zealanders-in-2026/) - Travel culture develops around the world every year without stopping. New Zealanders are ready to stay at home and save up money for a while, rather than periodically going out to restaurants or clubs. But all this is more than compensated for by a long trip to breathtaking places later. New Zealanders carefully choose their
- [Travelling Around Belize – Chicken Buses And Passengers](https://correresmidestino.com/in-the-chicken-bus/) - Take a chicken bus, one of these old U.S. school buses painted blue, purple, red or any bright colour.
- [Parks, the Perfect Place to Unleash my Dragon](https://correresmidestino.com/unleashing-the-dragon/) - Now, parks are where I unleash the “dragon,” aka baby Mark (or the future sumo wrestler, as some dumb lady would say…).
- [My Personal Stalker](https://correresmidestino.com/my-personal-stalker/) - I have been receiving unwanted phone calls from 905 297 4280 for a month now. How to get rid of them?
- [I Can't Help Worrying All The Time (and It Worries Me)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-professional-worrier/) - Feng calls me a “professional worrier”. I do worry a lot. I worry about the past, the present and the future. Don't you?
- [How I Got Addicted to Pedicures](https://correresmidestino.com/my-feet/) - My feet aren’t molded to fit in stilettos. Honestly, I have no idea how other women manage to slide their feet into these pointy shoes.
- [The New Camera Saga – No, I Don't Want the Pink Model](https://correresmidestino.com/the-new-camera-saga/) - When Future Shop, Best Buy and Henry's refuse to sell me a camera. What's a girl gotta do to get a Nikon D3200? I don't want a pink model...
- [I Love My Kid and My Job, But I Need Some Breathing Space](https://correresmidestino.com/breathing-space/) - “Life is busy,” everybody says. Everybody is right. And this is not a competition, we are all busy, kid or no kid, work or no work.
- [My New Overpriced Status Symbol (aka Bag to Put Stuff in)](https://correresmidestino.com/coach-bag/) - Maybe I'm getting old or terribly bourgeoise but I'm starting to appreciate a bit of luxury in my life.
- [Worries, Big and Small, Silly or Real](https://correresmidestino.com/worries-big-and-small/) - This is the way I was wired. I don't have the relentless optimism North Americans find in their breakfast cereals.
- [The Good People of This World (Or Two Feel-Good Stories)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-good-people-of-this-world-or-two-feel-good-stories/) - Two feel-good stories featuring British author Cath Staincliffe and chocolate. Read on. It will make sense!
- [5 Things I Learned Working Out at the Gym This Fall](https://correresmidestino.com/5-things-i-learned-working-out/) - I decided to join a gym again. Not the YMCA, not my former yoga studio, but a brand-new facility, a 20 walk from home. This is what I learned in 4 months.
- [I’m the Person All Gyms Hate](https://correresmidestino.com/im-the-person-all-gyms-hate-but-i-discover-8-surprising-side-effects-of-working-out/) - I’m the person all gyms hate: I bought a membership and work out five days a week. Why? It makes me feel good, plus I discovered interesting facts...
- [Anything Can Be Learned – I’m Cracking Zumba, And I Love It](https://correresmidestino.com/anything-can-be-learned-im-cracking-zumba-and-i-love-it/) - I couldn't dance until I decided to learn. Anything can be learned, even at the most basic level, and it's deeply satisfying.
- [Two Months of Effort for a (Hopefully) Unique Summer](https://correresmidestino.com/two-months-of-efforts-for-a-hopefully-unique-summer/) - My main obsession in life is to go somewhere, figuratively and literally.
- [The Bizarre Winnipeg Greyhound Murder](https://correresmidestino.com/a-bizarre-story/) - A very bizarre and tragic event took place in Canada last week. A Greyhound passenger, traveling from Edmonton to Winnipeg, was brutally murdered and beheaded by another passenger. This random murder have left the country in shock.
- [Front Row at The Rolling Stones in Live Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/the-rolling-stones/) - The Rolling Stones are still on the road with their 50 & Counting Tour and we couldn’t resist going to see them, again. We ended up at the front row by chance!
- [Traveling Back in Time in Colonia del Sacramento](https://correresmidestino.com/colonia-del-sacramento/) - Our first stop in Uruguay was Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- [What to See in Montevideo Centro](https://correresmidestino.com/montevideo-centro/) - After sedate Colonia, Uruguay’s capital is a bit of a shock. It’s loud, mostly because of the traffic. Don’t cars have mufflers here?
- [Exploring Ciudad Vieja, Murals and History in Montevideo](https://correresmidestino.com/ciudad-vieja/) - Most tourists in Montevideo head straight to Ciudad Vieja, a cute historical barrio that also has a number of restaurants and attractions
- [Glamorous Punta Del Este, Uruguay's Most Famous Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/punta-este/) - Going from urban and gritty Montevideo to a hip and glamorous beach resort takes some adjustement.
- [Three Crosses and a Crossroad in Montevideo, Uruguay](https://correresmidestino.com/tres-cruces/) - We walked to Tres Cruces to buy the tickets. Mission accomplished. Decision made, tickets purchased.
- [It's Hard to Get to Uruguay, But It's Worth It](https://correresmidestino.com/28164-2/) - And here we are, in Uruguay. Check the map, it’s right there, bordering Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east.
- [Salto, Uruguay – Hot Water in Gaucho Country](https://correresmidestino.com/salto-hot-water-in-gaucho-country/) - The biggest attraction around Salto is the hot springs, the nearest ones being the Termas de Daymán.
- [Montevideo, Uruguay – Graffiti, Beach and Urban Fun](https://correresmidestino.com/montevideo-graffiti-beach-and-urban-fun/) - Montevideo looks seedy. But beneath the seeming chaos and urban grim is a lovely city with relaxed, welcoming people.
- [La Paloma, Uruguay – Beach, Booze and Buñuelos](https://correresmidestino.com/la-paloma-beach-booze-and-bunuelos/) - I should have gotten the clue. When the local gas station has a 1.5 liter of Coke and 1 liter bottle of Whisky on special, you can gather that the town doesn’t run on mate alone.
- [Punta del Diablo, Uruguay – Bohemian Chinese New Year Under the Stars](https://correresmidestino.com/punta-del-diablo/) - “So, we are talking dirt roads, cabañas and bonfires here.” "Yep."
- [This is Why Montevideo Would Scare Suburban Americans](https://correresmidestino.com/montevideo-the-anti-north-american-suburb/) - Uruguay’s capital is the anti-North American suburb with cookie-cutter housing and suburban strip malls—no street, no building, no shop, no door, no pavement tile looks alike.
- [Salto to Montevideo – Crossing Uruguay From North to South on Ruta 3](https://correresmidestino.com/salto-to-montevideo-ruta-3/) - We knew it was going to be a long bus ride. Salto-Montevideo, 500 km. This is South America. You’re a bus passenger and roads aren’t always that great.
- [10 Funny and Unique Uruguayan Quirks I Noticed in Montevideo](https://correresmidestino.com/10-uruguayan-quirks-i-noticed-people-of-montevideo/) - Maybe this is because it’s a country with fewer than 4 million citizen or maybe it’s because weed is legal, but I found Uruguayans very mellow
- [Roadblock in “Hotel California” Montevideo – Where to go Now?](https://correresmidestino.com/roadblock-montevideo/) - It’s 3 a.m. right now. We have no bus tickets, no plane tickets, and no hotel room.
- [Jumping into The Known Unknown – Montevideo To…](https://correresmidestino.com/jumping-into-the-known-unknown-montevideo-to/) - “That’s a new low when Chuy is plan A.”
- [Finally Rediscovering Lima... and It's Totally Worth It](https://correresmidestino.com/rediscovering-lima-empty-streets-crowded-markets-huge-fountains-and-colonial-extravagance/) - Exploring Lima Centro, barrio China and the amazing Circuito Mágico del Agua in Lima, Peru.
- [Miraflores, Lima's Fascinating Cliff-Top Neighbourhood](https://correresmidestino.com/miraflores-cliff-top-above-the-pacific-ocean/) - We stayed in Miraflores because we were pretty sure it wouldn’t shut down after dark, plus it was cool to be closer to the Pacific Ocean.
- [When You Land at 5 a.m. in Lima, Peru...](https://correresmidestino.com/5-a-m-in-lima-peru/) - The trip with Air Canada Rouge from Ottawa to Montreal, then from Montreal to Lima.
- [The 2015 Bastille Day Fireworks in Nantes, a New Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/bastille-day-fireworks/) - “Just so you know: the fireworks may be cancelled at the last minute, it will rain at one point, and there is no way we will be done eating diner before."
- ["Bonjour" is The Most Important Word in France](https://correresmidestino.com/bonjour-just-bonjour/) - I “bonjour” people. “Bonjour, une baguette”, “bonjour, juste le journal”, “bonjour, un ticket de bus”.
- [Street Harassment is a Thing in France](https://correresmidestino.com/walking-while-female/) - Is he talking about my ass? Probably. The street is empty, it’s past 8 p.m. and it’s a quiet Monday night. There are no other asses around.
- [Travelling is Also The Chance to Conquer Small fears](https://correresmidestino.com/conquer-your-fears/) - Fear is a healthy feeling. It prevents us from doing stupid stuff and it helps us learn about ourselves, our strengths and our weaknesses.
- [Europe in our Eyes](https://correresmidestino.com/europe-eye/) - Pictures of major landmarks in France and in the U.K reflecting in eyes.
- [My Dad, The Artist (Sounds Like a French Cliché, Right?)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-artist/) - I hadn’t had the chance to teach Mark how to hold a pencil or draw shapes—I figured my dad would help. He is an artist and yes, this is his job.
- [This is The End of Our French Christmas](https://correresmidestino.com/bye-nantes/) - After countless chaussons aux pommes and pains aux raisins, after catching up with family gossip, after enjoying a snow-free Christmas, off we go again!
- [10 Foods and Drinks the French are Weird About](https://correresmidestino.com/wtf-french-foods/) - Is French food always amazing? Maybe not. Foreigners may find a few beloved French specialties strange, gross or simply “meh”.
- [Cultural Snapshot – 4 Things Found in Nantes [4]](https://correresmidestino.com/cultural-snapshot-4-things-found-in-nantes-4/) - Here is another install­ment of the “things found in Nantes” series, with the lat­est pictures! Today, broken glass, Bécassine, souvenirs and a funny street name.
- [Low Tide, High Tide on the Atlantic Side of France](https://correresmidestino.com/low-tide-high-tide/) - When it’s marée basse, it’s time to look for small crabs, mussels and other seashells on the rocks. And then the tide creeps up, faster than expected.
- [When The French Express Themselves on The Walls](https://correresmidestino.com/written-on-walls/) - The walls aren’t on holidays. Sometime graffiti and political stickers make sense… and sometime, they don’t!
- [Never Heard of Nantes? This is My Hometown](https://correresmidestino.com/postcards-of-nantes/) - A look at the touristic highlights of Nantes, France.
- [Fest Noz Breton Party at the Castle in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/fest-noz-at-the-castle/) - Breton culture is taken seriously in Nantes , and so are festoù-noz "(Breton for "night festival"), a fun way to celebrate the regional identity.
- [Maybe They Are Called "French" Fries for a Reason…](https://correresmidestino.com/maybe-they-are-called-french-fries-for-a-reason/) - When I was a kid, eating French fries—commonly known as the adjective-free noun “frites”—was a special treat.
- [When a Spider is Almost as Big as an Elephant](https://correresmidestino.com/kumo-spider/) - I'm not that enthusiastic about the elephant anymore because I've seen it way too many times, but I did want to check out the spider.
- [Discovering Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie And Vendée Beaches](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-gilles-croix-de-vie/) - Travelling with Mark is undeniably easier now: no more milk bottles, no more diapers, fewer tantrums—he eats whatever is available, uses les toilettes (when we can find them!) and sulks for a few minutes when he is offended instead of crying. I would go as far as claiming he behaves pretty well for a 3.5-year-old
- [Discovering Angers and Its Medieval Castle](https://correresmidestino.com/angers-and-the-medieval-castle/) - Spoiler alert: there was no monster in the 13th-century Château d'Angers built by Louis IX of France.
- [Love It or Hate It, 2016 Voyage à Nantes Modern Art Exhibitions](https://correresmidestino.com/art-and-artists-in-nantes/) - For open, empty spaces, nothing beats Canada. However, for art and history, Europe is the place to be.
- [Capturing a Quiet Streets and a Moment in France](https://correresmidestino.com/this-quiet-hour/) - All the stores were closed, only bars and restaurants were waiting for customers who were presumably still hiding from the rain somewhere. Small puddles had formed here and there and the pavement was shining wet.
- [Urban Art and Fascinating Pieces of the French Urban Landscape](https://correresmidestino.com/urban-art-and-curiosities/) - It's amazing how much these urban objects can tell about a culture. So today, no people... just ubiquitous and unsung pieces of the French urban landscape.
- [Honestly, French People Are Pretty Predictable](https://correresmidestino.com/these-predictable-french/) - Long after they left school and university, many French still refer to the two summer months as “les grandes vacances”, i.e. “the long holidays”, as if they could once again live worry-free from the end of June to late August.
- [Low Tide and Amazing Finds](https://correresmidestino.com/low-tide-and-amazing-finds/) - When I was in school, we often made of fun city kids who thought that fishes in the sea looked like the breaded Findus fish sticks they were being served at dinner.
- [Bridges and Water – My Happy Place along the Loire River in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/bridges-and-water/) - I grew up by the water—the Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean. This is my happy place.
- [Focus on China at L'Atelier and Le Temple du Goût in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/musee-nomade/) - "I don't get it." "What don't you get?" "I... I don't know. Is the artist making fun of China? Of the Western world?"
- [The Lovely Coast and Coves of Préfailles](https://correresmidestino.com/prefailles/) - "Here is the deal: we are going to Préfailles and we will leave at 11:00 a.m. Disclaimer: I haven't traveled with my parents since I was a kid, we've never been to Préfailles and we will most likely NOT leave at 11:00 a.m."
- [Exploring Parc des Oblates in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/the-parc-des-oblates/) - Spotting Mark at the playground is easy: he is the only kid who shouts "Oh, my GOD!" when he is annoyed, and "Oh, my GOODNESS!" when he is amazed.
- [Playing with Water, Mirrors and Reflections in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/water-mirrors-and-reflections/) - I find that one of life’s greatest pleasures is the juxtaposition of contrasts that makes little things more precious: working hard before allowing yourself a day off, sipping an iced drink when the weather is hot, taking a cold shower after a day at the beach, walking in a crowded place before going home, mixing
- [Visiting Domaine de la Garenne Lemot (and French Being Illogical)](https://correresmidestino.com/domaine-de-la-garenne-lemot/) - French people are very illogical human beings. I know what I'm saying—I'm one of them.
- [It's Late August and "La Rentrée" Is in The Air in France](https://correresmidestino.com/la-rentree-is-in-the-air/) - In tonight's news, Rio's highlights were a two-minute story. Once again, social issues and political campaigns are in the spotlight.
- [Grafikama Exhibition in Nantes – Modern Graphic Art from Africa](https://correresmidestino.com/grafikama-exhibition-modern-graphic-art-from-africa-rules/) - In the spotlight: African artists and stunning visual creations.
- [You Know You're in France When...](https://correresmidestino.com/you-know-youre-in-france-when/) - Good cheese, exotic meats, strange political parties... oui, you're in France!
- [Exploring a French Wine Cellar and Wine Country around Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/french-wine-cellar/) - Sometimes, I wonder if, eventually, I would have developed a taste for wine and alcohol if I had stayed in France.
- [Jazz Music + Boat Culture – Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre 2016 in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/rendez-vous-de-lerdre-2016/) - Last weekend of August, last weekend of hot weather, last weekend of freedom for most people... in pure French fashion, we decided to run away from responsibilities.
- [A Strange Meteorological Phenomenon at Saint-Brevin l'Océan](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-brevin-ocean/) - The tide was low and I knew there was water somewhere, in front of us, but it was lost somewhere in the heavy mist. It was so hot the seawater was evaporating in front of us.
- [Anger is a Dish Best Served in the Street](https://correresmidestino.com/broken-windows/) - The Socialist Party fell out of favour with most left-wing taxpayers with the controversial labour code reform tabled in the spring.
- [Back to Work, Back to School, Back....](https://correresmidestino.com/back-to-work-back-to-school-back/) - We are leaving the "people of Nantes" for our regular "people of Ottawa".
- [Sun, Rain and Reflections on a Wet Day in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/sun-rain-and-reflections/) - I had too much faith in French summer weather. Somehow, I had forgotten Nantes is close to Brittany, where the local joke is “oh oui, we had a nice, dry summer—I remember, it was on July 29.”
- [2017 Journey to Nantes – From Quirky Playgrounds to Pretentious Projects](https://correresmidestino.com/2017-journey-to-nantes/) - The 50+-stop itinerary takes visitors on a “journey to Nantes” from art installations to exhibitions, from quirky playgrounds to obscure art projects.
- [The Quiet Charm of the French Atlantic Coast](https://correresmidestino.com/the-quiet-charm-of-the-french-atlantic-coast/) - The good part of a stay in Saint-Michel—the village we’re in—is that you have to be resourceful and flexible to make do with what you have.
- [These Timeless French Sundays](https://correresmidestino.com/these-timeless-french-sundays/) - I walked along the waterfront. It was definitely 2017 but it could have been 2007, 1997, 1987…
- [Inside A Former Detention Centre in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/inside-detention-centre/) - We were almost done visiting Nantes’ historical prison, a former detention centre turned into an ephemeral art project.
- [That “Unique Place”](https://correresmidestino.com/lieu-unique/) - This summer, the main exhibition, “Seul avec la nuit,” features the work of Hans Ruedi Giger who created the Alien monster.
- [The Migrants in Nantes – The New Summer Saga](https://correresmidestino.com/the-migrants/) - It didn’t take me long to see one major difference in Nantes compared to last year.
- [Nantes's Newly Reopened Art Museum](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-art-museum26762-2/) - At 6:45 p.m., the five of us walked to the Musée d’art, Nantes’ art museum that had just reopened after a five-year renovation and expansion project.
- [Along The Loire River](https://correresmidestino.com/along-the-loire-river/) - The one- or two-hour walk feels like an accelerated history lesson or a sociological snapshot of Nantes
- [Exploring One of The World’s Largest Shipyards in Penhoët](https://correresmidestino.com/penhoet/) - We got off at Penhoët, a destination so unusual that the train barely stopped and we had to ask the driver to keep the doors open a bit longer.
- [A Medieval Day in Angers](https://correresmidestino.com/a-medieval-day-in-angers/) - The Château d’Angers is one of the masterpieces of the city and it looks incredibly massive compared to Nantes’ Château des ducs de Bretagne.
- [A Pachydermatous Sunday](https://correresmidestino.com/a-pachydermatous-sunday/) - On a sunny evening like this, the touristic, hipster atmosphere didn’t annoy me. I didn’t care. I wanted to have fun as well.
- [Along the Erdre River in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/along-the-erdre-river/) - Even when I had both free time and freedom—basically between 12 and 18 years old—I rarely ventured outside the city centre.
- [Written on the Walls (But Not in Stone)](https://correresmidestino.com/written-on-the-walls-but-not-in-stone/) - France is sobering up after two months where the country was unofficially on pause.
- [Late August Mood and Atmosphere in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/late-august-in-nantes/) - Mood? Confused, as it usually is before a transition. It's time for us to go back to Canada.
- [7 Days After France Won the 2018 FIFA World Cup](https://correresmidestino.com/france-after-winning-world-cup/) - Last Sunday, just seven days ago, France was winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.
- [The Migrant Camp Saga Continues – And Now, Police Raid](https://correresmidestino.com/the-migrant-camp-saga-continues/) - On Monday morning, at 9 a.m., the infamous French CRS (“Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité”), the French national police force specializing in crowd and riot control, swarmed into square Daviais.
- [A Few Roadblocks, Then Finally, The Beach!](https://correresmidestino.com/a-few-roadblocks-but-finally-the-beach/) - After getting lost ten times, we finally go back to Saint-Michel with sardines and everything we need for the next couple of days.
- [How Good is the 2018 “Journey to Nantes” Art Festival?](https://correresmidestino.com/2018-journey-to-nantes/) - Since 2012, every time I go to Nantes in the summer, the first thing I notice is the Journey to Nantes installations scattered throughout the city.
- [The Migrants Saga – Third Chapter](https://correresmidestino.com/30533-2/) - Cours des 50 otages, a handful of migrants as well as local supporters were protesting against yet another eviction.
- [Art Is Best Enjoyed on a Hot Day, and It's Free After 7 P.M.](https://correresmidestino.com/musee-arts-nantes/) - A visit to Nantes' art museum with pictures.
- [Exploring Saint-Brevin-l'Océan and a Gorgeous Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-brevin-locean-the-beach/) - We spend ten minutes trying to figure out whether we want to go to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins or Saint-Brevin-l’Océan. Which part of the town has the best beach?
- [10 Sure Signs of a True Brittany Beach Town](https://correresmidestino.com/10-undeniable-signs-you-found-a-true-beach-town-in-brittany/) - Quirky roundabout, Fêtes de la moule, Breton bowls and chichis... you found a true French holiday spot.
- [When It's Hot, Go Along the Loire River](https://correresmidestino.com/along-the-loire-river-to-escape-the-heat/) - We drink water, splash water on us whenever we get the chance, sweat like crazy, try to hang out or walk by the river or the seaside to cool off.
- [Nantes? Now Rainy with A Chance of Gloomy](https://correresmidestino.com/rainy-with-a-chance-of-gloomy/) - It’s fascinating how the weather can change the mood of a scene in a matter of hours or minutes.
- [The Assalam Mosque in Nantes, an Amazing Cultural Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/assalam-mosque/) - Mosques and other places of worship, even Nantes’ many churches, aren’t usually part of the itinerary. After all, we’re a bunch of atheists.
- [Five (or More) Signs You’ve Landed in Paris (Yay!)](https://correresmidestino.com/five-signs-you-are-in-paris/) - Paris started off with a “warm” welcome by the French border control police at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.
- [A Walk on The Fortified Ramparts of Nantes' Castle](https://correresmidestino.com/a-walk-on-the-fortified-ramparts-of-the-chateau-des-ducs-de-bretagne/) - One of the best “playgrounds” in Nantes is free—it’s the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the former Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
- [A New, Fun Way to Cross the Loire River](https://correresmidestino.com/another-way-to-cross-the-loire-river/) - The water boat operates as part of the Tan urban transit network that also includes buses and trams so the ride is cheap and convenient.
- [Nantes’ Most Unusual Buildings and Architectural Details](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-most-unusual-buildings/) - Se loger (“to find a place to live”) is a real issue for many French people.
- [The Migrants Saga – Late-Night Brawl and a Concert](https://correresmidestino.com/the-migrants-saga-late-night-brawl-and-a-concert/) - It was close to 11 p.m. I grabbed my keys and rushed downstairs. I counted eight police cars, plus firefighters and a few unmarked cars.
- [Dark Clouds, Wind and Rain... for an Unusual Beach Day](https://correresmidestino.com/sea-the-rain/) - I’m pretty sure that the optimum beach weather doesn’t include dark clouds, wind and rain.
- [Angers – Massive Castle, Old Cathedral and Medieval Atmosphere](https://correresmidestino.com/angers-2018/) - Note to self, an Anger mystery to solve—why are they so many statues of naked women scattered around the city? I just can't unsee them.
- [Appreciating Visual Arts is a Learning Curve](https://correresmidestino.com/art-that-moves-you/) - What kind of art moves you the most? What’s the creative discipline you enjoy best? Literature, performing arts, visual arts?
- [Surprise, This is the Eiffel Tower... and a Lunar Eclipse!](https://correresmidestino.com/eiffel-tower-lunar-eclipse/) - I hadn’t realized how excited Mark was to see the Eiffel Tower until a few days before the trip to Paris.
- [This is Why You Should Cross Paris on Foot](https://correresmidestino.com/crossing-paris/) - The hotel was Rue de Vaugirard, on the south side of the Seine River. Montmartre is “Rive droite,” six kilometres further—I had to cross the city on foot.
- [Paris Looks Amazing from the Top of a Ferris Wheel](https://correresmidestino.com/grande-roue-paris/) - In some cities, sights are concentrated around a specific area but there are historical landmarks in almost every Parisian arrondissement.
- [The Craziness of Taking a Family Trip to the Seaside](https://correresmidestino.com/at-the-seaside-between-buttery-cookies-and-the-beach-with-a-touch-of-family-drama/) - Three days after arriving in Nantes, the idea of spending a few days at the beach started to float around, but I was adamant I wasn’t going anywhere yet.
- [A Map and No Plan – How to Enjoy Paris on a Hot Day in August](https://correresmidestino.com/things-you-can-do-in-paris-on-a-hot-saturday-in-august-when-you-have-a-map-and-no-plan/) - Getting lost on purpose and finding your way around a big city is a fun exercise, especially in a very walkable and absolutely fascinating place like Paris.
- [How to Enjoy a Typical Parisian Sunday](https://correresmidestino.com/a-true-parisian-sunday-markets-museum-seine-river-and-sparkling-eiffel-tower/) - Formula for a perfect day? No plans, just hope for the best.
- [The Tour de Bretagne's "Bird Nest" and Observation Deck](https://correresmidestino.com/tour-de-bretagne-32nd-floor/) - Feng left today. At 10 a.m., I walked him to the bus station. He was in travel mode and I was half-asleep—we didn’t speak much.
- [These Bittersweet End-of-Summer Chilly and Rainy Days in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/chillier-rainy-days-in-western-france/) - Half of France is complaining about the weather but it’s still business as usual when it rains in France.
- [Fascinating Apocalyptic Sky Over Nantes, the Loire River and Trentemoult](https://correresmidestino.com/apocalyptic-sky-over-nantes/) - August 15 (Assumption of Mary into Heaven) is a statutory holiday in France and in Nantes, over the long weekend, there were a lot of people wandering aimlessly, looking for entertainment.
- [The Test Put to the Test – Getting Tested for COVID-19 in France](https://correresmidestino.com/the-test-put-to-the-test-getting-tested-for-covid-19-in-france/) - This year, I added a COVID-19 test to my "French chores" list. Hey, it’s a unique Pandemic YearTM opportunity after all!
- [An Entertaining 1950s Summer Holiday Feel at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie](https://correresmidestino.com/waterfront-boardwalk-wooden-beach-huts-and-a-1950s-summer-holiday-feel-at-saint-gilles-croix-de-vie/) - I rediscovered Saint Gilles with Feng and Mark a few years ago and I loved it. It’s big enough, walkable, picturesque, affordable and locals are lovely.
- [Just Your Typical 2020 Pandemic Summer Weekend in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/just-another-weekend-on-earth/) - Are we selfish, ignorant, arrogant, dumb or just realistic, practical and hedonistic human beings trying to handle the situation the best we can?
- [French Atlantic Coast vs. 2020 Heat (and COVID) Wave](https://correresmidestino.com/atlantic-coast-vs-heat-wave/) - I’m not sure how to handle a second COVID-19 wave, but I had a suggestion for the latest heat wave—another day trip to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
- [Rings and Bananas (There Are No Easy Answers)](https://correresmidestino.com/rings-and-bananas-there-are-no-easy-answers/) - France is a minefield this summer—there are no easy answers to Mark’s hundreds of not-so-innocuous questions.
- [Night at the Art Museum in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/night-at-the-art-museum/) - Art does matter and speaks to us in mysterious ways. I have no explanation for the nude butt cheeks footage, though.
- [Exploring a Massive Medieval Castle and Cute Bakeries in Angers](https://correresmidestino.com/angers-massive-medieval-castle-and-cute-bakeries/) - Sure, we’ve been to Angers before but it’s an enjoyable destination with plenty of sights, starting with the massive medieval castle.
- [Clisson's Unique Heavy Metal-Themed Park](https://correresmidestino.com/an-old-friend-and-a-heavy-metal-themed-park/) - Clisson hosts one of Europe’s biggest metal festivals. The Hellfest site is open year-rond so you can take a stroll around the… ahem, metal-themed structures.
- [Nantes by Night – Lights, Moon, Art, People and Mirror-Like River](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-by-night-lights-moon-art-people-and-mirror-like-river/) - The Île de Nantes is popular at nighttime. This is where you’ll find the Elephant sleeping, the Rings, warehouses, bars and stunning views over the Loire River.
- [Deep Into the French Countryside, Between Apple Trees and Vineyards](https://correresmidestino.com/berries-apples-vineyards-deep-into-the-french-countryside/) - We followed la Sèvre nantaise, and stumbled upon a hamlet called Ville Bachelier—just a few houses in the middle of nowhere. It felts like being in the 1930s.
- [Saint-Nazaire, Unique Shipyard on the French Atlantic Coast](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-nazaire-the-shipyard-and-the-french-atlantic-coast/) - Saint-Nazaire could have been my kind of place. The harbour on the French Atlantic coast is a working-class city with a tradition of fishing and shipbuilding.
- [Pictures of Nantes Under Curfew](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-after-curfew-the-empty-streets-and-delivery-drivers-version/) - The first time I broke curfew—basically the day I landed in France—I made a mental note to take my camera with me the next day to document the strange atmosphere I was discovering in Nantes.The first time I broke curfew—basically the day I landed in France—I made a mental note to take my camera with me the next day to document the strange atmosphere I was discovering in Nantes. Both curfew and empty streets were somewhat new to me. I wasn’t in France during the spring 2020 stay-at-home order and
- [Nantes – May Day](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-may-day/) - Crowded streets, cordons of riots control cops blocking exits, eye-stinging gas and burning tires, broken glass and revolutionary songs— perfect May Day recipe.
- [Paris – The “Not a Scam!” Moment](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-the-not-a-scam-moment/) - It’s basically your typical “chambre de bonne” top-floor Parisian apartment, i.e. a tiny liveable space under the roofs intended for domestics.
- [Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie – Freedom (for a Day)](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-gilles-croix-de-vie-freedom-for-a-day/) - Forget about warm breeze, calm waters, palm trees and half-naked Brazilians—enter strong winds, big waves, deep grey waters and fully dress French beachgoers.
- [Nantes – “Let’s Party All Night” Reopening Stage 3](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-lets-party-all-night-reopening-stage-3/) - Just as planned, France entered stage 3 of reopening on June 9.
- [Le Croisic – Cliffs, Blue See, It’s Almost Brittany Already](https://correresmidestino.com/le-croisic-cliffs-blue-see-its-almost-brittany-already/) - One of the geographic perks of Nantes is the fact you’re never far from the ocean. There are dozens of easily accessible seaside towns to explore for a day or more.
- [Paris – Left Bank and Right Bank Friday Night Parties](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-left-bank-and-right-bank-friday-night-parties/) - Loud and rowdy street parties on the left bank of the Seine, luxury hotels and haute couture on the right bank. It's Friday night, Paris is partying.
- [Paris – Is This Real Life Is This Just Fantasy…](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-is-this-real-life-is-this-just-fantasy/) - I’ve been to Paris hundreds of times but it still feels somewhat unreal to cross the Louvre, walk along the Seine and bump into history every few metres.
- [Wandering around Paris' Very Posh “Rive Droite”](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-posh-rive-droite/) - Apparently, I have a taste for luxury—and not a clue where to find fun t-shirts.
- [Bastille Day in Paris](https://correresmidestino.com/bastille-day-in-paris/) - Mark and I accidentally landed in Paris on July 13, the day before Bastille Day. “How about exploring Paris for a few days just the two of us?”
- [Nantes – Anatomy of a Protest (Tear Gas Included)](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-anatomy-of-a-protest-tear-gas-included/) - There are days when you just know some kind of major shit is going to come down. Now, the key is to figure out when, where and how.
- [Paris – Top Sights for An Eight-Year-Old First-Timer](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-top-sights-for-an-eight-year-old-first-timer/) - I started questioning my sanity in front of the baggage carousel at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
- [A Beach Day in Posh La Baule](https://correresmidestino.com/a-beach-day-in-posh-la-baule/) - I was curious to see if the century-old seaside resort had changed or if it was still posh.
- [Beach Day in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie](https://correresmidestino.com/beach-day-in-saint-gilles-croix-de-vie/) - Two days after posh La Baule, Mark and I took another train for a beach trip to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Funny enough, even though Saint-Gilles is a place I “discovered” fairly recently and where I have no childhood memories, it’s becoming my favourite easy day-trip destination from Nantes. Saint-Gilles is picturesque, big enough for long walks and
- [Three More Days in Paris (and Straight to Notre-dame)](https://correresmidestino.com/three-more-days-in-paris-and-straight-to-notre-dame/) - I booked another trip to Paris for Mark and I. I had this urge to whatever we can while we still can, plus I got a good deal on train tickets and hotel.
- [“Surprise! We’re Going to the Top of the Eiffel Tower!”](https://correresmidestino.com/surprise-were-going-to-the-top-of-the-eiffel-tower/) - I had a surprise for Mark—two tickets to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower at 9:30 p.m.
- [Day 2 in Paris – The “French Taj Mahal”](https://correresmidestino.com/day-2-in-paris-the-french-taj-mahal/) - It’s hard to top the top of the Eiffel Tower. Fortunately, Mark has a goal in mind for our second day in Paris—the “French Taj Mahal,” i.e. the Sacré-Coeur.
- [Apocalyptic Weather in Angers](https://correresmidestino.com/apocalyptic-weather-in-angers/) - Apparently, this year, either everything is burning around you, either you’re reaching for a sweater instead of a swimsuit.
- [The €31,800 Ring, Social Distancing According to Louis Vuitton and a Fun, Free Attraction in Paris](https://correresmidestino.com/the-e31800-ring-social-distancing-according-to-louis-vuitton-and-a-fun-free-attraction-in-paris/) - Third day in Paris. I decided to show Mark the city’s posh side.
- [Low Tide and Hot, Sunny Beach Days in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie](https://correresmidestino.com/low-tide-and-hot-sunny-beach-days-in-saint-gilles-croix-de-vie/) - I checked the weather forecast a million times. I reviewed options, train routes and schedules. I kept my fingers crossed.
- [Tiffauges – The Alternate Life](https://correresmidestino.com/tiffauges-the-alternate-life/) - I started picturing an alternate life as soon as I got off the car in Tiffauges. Cute town, lovely streets—so quiet, so quaint!
- [Exploring Les Sables-d’Olonne for a New Beach Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/exploring-les-sables-dolonne-for-a-new-beach-experience/) - I had no idea where we were supposed to go but since how to get there is half the fun—especially when the “there” has yet to be defined—it was just fine.
- [Knights, Trebuchets, and Swords in Tiffauges](https://correresmidestino.com/knights-trebuchets-swords-and-armours-at-the-medieval-chateau-de-tiffauges/) - Ever heard of Gilles de Rais, the 15th-century convicted Breton serial killer? Well, we visited his castle.
- [Last Beach Day in Les Sables-d’Olonne](https://correresmidestino.com/last-beach-day-in-les-sables-dolonne/) - My expectations weren’t very high, it’s been two months that summer should start any day now.
- [A Wonderful Bastille Day in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie](https://correresmidestino.com/a-wonderful-bastille-day-saint-gilles-croix-de-vie/) - Mark and I landedg in France on July 12, right on time for “le 14 juillet,” aka “Bastille Day” in English-speaking countries.
- [Watch this Spectacular Bastille Day Fireworks Display in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/watch-this-spectacular-bastille-day-fireworks-display-in-nantes/) - I don’t think I've ever seen such perfect abstract patterns in the sky before—they looked like a Pink Floyd album cover!
- [Unusual Day at La Baule With Record-High Temperatures](https://correresmidestino.com/unusual-day-at-la-baule-with-record-high-temperatures/) - The latest heat wave in France started just when we arrived, and last Monday was supposed to be the hottest day with a high of 42⁰C in Nantes.
- [Meet Charon, Ferryman Of The Dead, Crossing The Styx](https://correresmidestino.com/meet-charon-ferryman-of-the-dead-crossing-the-styx/) - "Charon", created by artist Peter Hudson, is the largest and tallest stroboscopic zoetrope and I found it particularly clever and impressive.
- ["Yes, It's a Genuine Picasso"](https://correresmidestino.com/yes-its-a-genuine-picasso/) - Why this one over all the others in the collection? No one knows, not even the visitor most of the time.
- [Periwinkle Foraging and Happy Beach Adventures in Les Sables](https://correresmidestino.com/periwinkle-foraging-and-happy-beach-adventures-in-les-sables/) - Les Sables d’Olonne takes sailing seriously—this is where the Vendée Globe, a single-handed non-stop round-the-world sailing race, starts and ends.
- [Far Out at Sea, on a Stand-Up Paddle Board](https://correresmidestino.com/far-out-at-sea-on-a-stand-up-paddle-board/) - I’ll never be one of these girls who can do the splits but I have good balance and the ocean is my friend.
- [Another Day at “Wow, Check Out This Car!”](https://correresmidestino.com/another-day-at-wow-check-out-this-car/) - Most sociological subtleties are lost on Mark—to him, La Baule is a “rich people’s place.” But to me, the “what planet am I on?” feeling starts on the train.
- [The Latest Summer 2022 Weather Oddities in France](https://correresmidestino.com/the-latest-summer-2022-weather-oddities-in-france/) - It was only when we got off the train that we realized it was fog, and the entire city was being swallowed by it in front of our eyes.
- [An Unexpected Change of Scenery in Nantes' Wine Country](https://correresmidestino.com/an-unexpected-change-of-scenery-in-nantes-wine-country/) - The temperature, the atmosphere, the colours, the mood—all of a sudden, everything has changed.
- [Half-Timbered Houses, Sweets and Quiet Streets in Angers](https://correresmidestino.com/half-timbered-houses-sweets-and-quiet-streets-in-angers/) - A day in Angers is a quick and easy change of scenery for a rainy day after a few weeks in Nantes and many trips to several seaside towns on the Atlantic coast.
- [Begging All The Weather Gods For Another Sailing Adventure](https://correresmidestino.com/begging-all-the-weather-gods-for-another-sailing-adventure/) - People who are into water sports are really into water sports. And Les Sables d’Olonne is really into sailing.
- [Wind And Waves Make For An Incredible Sailing Trip](https://correresmidestino.com/wind-and-waves-make-for-an-incredible-sailing-trip/) - We were greeted by strong wind gusts and rough sea as soon as we left the sheltered harbour.
- [Is the Nantes Elephant Worth It? My Honest Review](https://correresmidestino.com/is-the-grand-elephant-ride-in-nantes-really-worth-it/) - The Grand Elephant is Nantes’ most bizarre attraction. But is it worth your time and money? Here’s my full experience and tips for your visit.
- [Fascinating Shipyards in Gritty Saint-Nazaire](https://correresmidestino.com/fascinating-shipyards-in-gritty-saint-nazaire/) - In Saint-Nazaire, workers are paid too little money to build giant ships in one of the world's largest shipyards, the “Chantiers de l’Atlantique”.
- [A Last Carefree, Sunny Weekend at the Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/a-last-carefree-sunny-weekend-at-the-beach/) - The last tourists and locals in Les Sables d’Olonne did a great job pretending that it was the beginning of the season, not the last weekend of August.
- [Suddenly, the “Mind The Gap” Warning Makes Sense](https://correresmidestino.com/suddenly-the-mind-the-gap-warning-makes-sense/) - Some passengers sigh when they hear the “mind the gap” warning for the fourth or fifth time. I do too.
- [How to Survive (and Possibly Enjoy) a French Protest](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-survive-and-possibly-enjoy-a-french-protest/) - Here are a few tips if you want to join a French protest… or if you want to avoid one coming your way. Don't be scared, protetsing is a right
- [Read the Walls to Read the Crowd, People are Angry](https://correresmidestino.com/read-the-walls-to-read-the-crowd-people-are-angry/) - The new normal is an ongoing war, inflation, general chaos, and geopolitical tensions. Anger may be appropriate at this stage.
- [This is What a French Protest and Urban Guerilla Look Like](https://correresmidestino.com/this-is-what-a-french-protest-and-urban-guerilla-look-like/) - Since the garbage collectors are on strike, bottles quickly became projectiles and garbage cans were set on fire both to block streets and to warm up people.
- [Taking the "French Beach in April" Gamble](https://correresmidestino.com/taking-the-french-beach-in-april-gamble/) - In April, some French seaside towns like La Baule are still deep asleep, but a few are awake people live there year-round.
- [Why Are Some French Salespeople So Unfriendly?](https://correresmidestino.com/at-least-the-ocean-is-polite/) - It takes my eyes a second or two to get used to the darkness. Inside the bakery, the blinds are closed and I’ve just walked the two-kilometre-long road along the beach under the midday sun.
- [Awful Things Can Happen Amidst General Indifference](https://correresmidestino.com/amidst-general-indifference/) - If someone doesn’t look okay or something doesn’t look right, you should say something. Indifference is rarely the best option.
- [It's 5 a.m., Time To Go Back to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/leaving-flying-arriving/) - There is no way to ease these early-morning departures; I didn’t even try to get a full night’s sleep. What do I need to be rested and alert for, anyway?
- [Major Terrorist Attack in Paris – What Just Happened?](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-attacks/) - It’s almost 1 a.m. in Canada. Seven in the morning in France. It suddenly occurs to me how unsettlingly easy it is to kill people if you want to. Just grab a weapon and shot. That's it.
- [Landing in France (is Less Glamorous Than You'd Think)](https://correresmidestino.com/landing-in-france/) - Bienvenue en France. The destination may be considered “glamorous” but my first stop after landing isn’t—I need to go to the restroom.
- [Flying Across the Atlantic With a Four Year Old (Do You Need to Pee?)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-flight-across-the-atlantic/) - No one witnessed that perfect mother-and-son moment but I don't care. It's already stored into my forever-cool-moments-with-Mark database.
- [The "Brought You That From Canada" Gift-Giving Ceremony](https://correresmidestino.com/gifts-and-smashed-windows/) - I'm not sure when exactly I started to feel like one of those East India Company trading ships when traveling to France.
- [What's The Atmosphere in France in Summer 2016 After Several Terrorist Attacks?](https://correresmidestino.com/attacks-france/) - The state of emergency was declared in the wake of the November 2015 attacks. I was scared of these three little words—what does it mean, exactly, to live under this state of emergency?
- [This is French Bureaucracy – Passport Renewal in France](https://correresmidestino.com/french-passport/) - This year, I decided to try to renew my passport in France.
- [Overheard in Nantes, Summer 2016](https://correresmidestino.com/overheard-in-nantes/) - With so many people out and about, you tend to overhear funny or weird snippets of conversation...
- [Inside French Shops with French Customers](https://correresmidestino.com/french-shops/) - On August 15, Catholics will celebrate the Assumption of Mary, and the rest of us will roam around the city, looking for that one opened bakery to buy a baguette.
- [Broken Camera – Ever Wondered What Cat Meat Taste Like?](https://correresmidestino.com/ever-wondered-what-cat-meat-taste-like/) - We are a bunch of atheists, I don't believe in miracles. The camera wasn't working.
- [Courthouse Exhibition in Nantes – Hanging Paintings With The Artist](https://correresmidestino.com/exhibition-bossard/) - When I'm not visiting art exhibitions, my services are required to take pictures of an upcoming event and figure out the art of hanging 52 large paintings in one of Nantes' most famous buidings—merci papa!
- ["16 Kilos of What, Exactly?" (What a French Brings Back from France)](https://correresmidestino.com/french-shopping-2016/) - The joke is on me now—I have just flown with literally two kilos of salt in my luggage.
- [The Final Countdown to the 2017 Trip to France](https://correresmidestino.com/the-final-countdown/) - From Ottawa, we usually have two departure scenarios depending on the destination.
- [7 Random French Moments – Street Photography in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/7-random-french-moments/) - Seven French moments, with candid pictures taken around Nantes.
- [Wipers? Optional (With the Right Attitude)](https://correresmidestino.com/wipers-optional-with-the-right-attitude/) - We’ll make it. It’s a short 45-minute drive, which is just as well because I’m stuck between Feng and Mark on the back seat, and my sister’s cat.
- [Dentist Duty Done – Smile!](https://correresmidestino.com/duty-done-smile/) - “The problem is, people are scared of us. They fear pain. And of course, they think we’re expensive.” “Huh-huh.”
- [How to Handle a Terrifying Splinter Situation](https://correresmidestino.com/a-splinter-situation/) - Mark sobs all the way from the living room to the bedroom. You’d think I just told him the candy manufacture is on strike.
- [Saint-Michel X 11](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-michel-x-11/) - Last week, it was just my parents, my brother and the three of us in the family house by the seaside. This long weekend, there are 11 of us.
- [Street Urinals in France – gross or Practical?](https://correresmidestino.com/uritrottoir/) - The City of Nantes set up eco-friendly composting urinals to curb public urination and save surfaces splattered by urine.
- [Overheard in Nantes – Reflections and Reflections](https://correresmidestino.com/reflections-and-reflections/) - When you walk around the city a lot, you overhear conversations… including these puzzling, awkward and cringe-worthy moments!
- [French Stuff a French Brings Back from France – 2017 Edition](https://correresmidestino.com/2017-french-stuff/) - So, what did I buy in France this year?
- [Moments from Trudeau International Airport, on the Way to France](https://correresmidestino.com/trudeau-international-airport-montreal-830-p-m/) - “Are we in France, already?” We walk by a couple kissing passionately outside the departure hall, in front of gate 12.
- [... And This is Why There Are Fountains in France](https://correresmidestino.com/good-thing-we-have-fountains/) - Not all fountains are clean and I don’t recommend taking a dip with your swimsuit on, especially if you’re older than ten (you will draw strange looks from locals).
- [No More Stroller, Time for a Trottinette!](https://correresmidestino.com/trottinett-ing-around-nantes/) - I freaked out when 24 hours before flying to France, Feng suggested—apparently, it was just a suggestion—we should travel without Mark’s Chicco stroller.
- [Possibly the Most Cliché French Day Ever](https://correresmidestino.com/possibly-the-most-cliche-french-day-ever/) - At 9:30 p.m., watching a Celtic circle dancing the An Dro in front of Saint-Michel’s lighthouse, I realized I had the most cliché French day ever.
- [5 Funny and Interesting Expressions to Describe Rain in French](https://correresmidestino.com/5-ways-french-describe-rain/) - It doesn’t rain in Nantes—or rather, few locals just say “il pleut” when they see water falling from the sky.
- [A Contestant for the 2018 Trottinette World Cup](https://correresmidestino.com/a-contestant-for-the-2018-trottinette-world-cup/) - Mark speeds through the city on his beloved trottinette, apparently committed to winning the 2018 Trottinette World Cup.
- [Cultural Mystery – Why French Sellers Don't Want to Sell](https://correresmidestino.com/just-take-my-money-please/) - His terse reply caught me off guard. It was too early in the day to explain a fish seller that his job description literally involved selling.
- [Teaching a Tablet-Addicted Kid How to Climb a Tree](https://correresmidestino.com/the-forest-by-the-beach/) - Wherever you are in the world, whatever your background is, I’m sure you are familiar with the hard-to-define but easy-to-understand concept of family dynamics.
- [There's a Weird New Scammer in Nantes...](https://correresmidestino.com/the-mysterious-scammer/) - Maybe that’s why I noticed her. She was standing alone in the street and she didn’t seem like the kind of person who would stand alone in an empty street.
- [Pretty Sure The French Turn into Werewolves at Night...](https://correresmidestino.com/the-werewolves-theory/) - For once it’s not the noise level that grabs my attention but red and blue lights flashing into the living room, and by extension, into the bedroom where I’m falling asleep on my book.
- [Dentist Checkup and Opening a Bank Account in France](https://correresmidestino.com/french-chores/) - I still go to the dentist like a lamb to the slaughter.
- [The Migrants Saga – And Now, Riot Control (But No Riot)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-migrants-saga-riot-control-but-no-riot/) - Suddenly, there were riot police officers walking behind me, in front of me and blocking side streets.
- [Nantes to Montreal – Being Pleasantly Numb is the Key](https://correresmidestino.com/are-we-there-yet/) - I feel pleasantly numb and it makes me smile. My evil plan worked—a four-hour night’s sleep to disconnect from reality. Take that, stupid brain!
- [Ottawa-Montreal-Paris – We Made it, Let the Fun Begin!](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-montreal-and-paris/) - Paris doesn’t change but Paris must have changed.
- [“Are Parisians Rude?” and Other Legit Paris Questions](https://correresmidestino.com/are-parisians-really-that-rude-is-paris-expensive-and-other-legitimate-questions-about-paris/) - My French friends in Ottawa were as clueless as me. “It may have changed…” was the motto. So, this is what I discovered after a few days in Paris.
- [Nantes is Asking “Where is Steve?” and Wnats to Know What Happened That Night](https://correresmidestino.com/where-is-steve/) - When we arrived in Nantes, thousands of posters asking “Où est Steve?” were plastered all around the city.
- [The French and Their Weird, Outdated Parking Lot Rules](https://correresmidestino.com/pornic-and-a-french-parking-lot-mystery/) - Thank you, Pornic, for this deliciously vintage moment, especially considering these days, you apparently need an app for everything.
- [An Awkward French Family Visit That Made Me Cry](https://correresmidestino.com/an-awkward-visit/) - Just two weeks after leaving Ottawa, Feng, Mark, I, my sister and her boyfriend piled up into his car to go see my paternal grandparents.
- [The New Trottinette and a Crazy Idea](https://correresmidestino.com/new-trottinette-and-a-crazy-idea/) - The city hasn’t changed but everything else did. Like my mom puts it, “it was a shitty year.” There’s so much family drama going on I don’t know where to start.
- [Our Second Unexpected and Unplanned Last-Minute Trip To Paris](https://correresmidestino.com/the-second-unexpected-trip-to-paris/) - I wonder if five or ten years from now, we will refer to summer 2019 as “you know, this fucked up summer when we visited Paris twice just because.”
- [Typical French Night Out of Drinking and Fighting](https://correresmidestino.com/a-typical-french-night-drinking-and-fighting-fighting-and-drinking/) - I always forget how common it is to see French people engage in verbal and physical fights .
- [(Failed) French Mission #2 – Using My New French Bank Account](https://correresmidestino.com/french-mission-2-using-my-new-french-bank-account-complete-failure/) - I’m often bemused by everyday problems my French family face and apparently can’t solve. Now it's my turn.
- [I'm so Happy, Mark's French Language Pack is Finally Downloading!](https://correresmidestino.com/the-french-language-pack-is-downloading/) - “One parent, one language,” she started lecturing me. “My husband only speaks English to our son and I only speak my mother tongue to him."
- [This Strange Summer](https://correresmidestino.com/this-strange-summer/) - I had plans for the summer. I was going to solve all the issues my family is facing, then relax, write a manuscript or two, and spend quality time with Mark.
- [Weird and Funny Moments From the 10-Hour Transatlantic Trip Back to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/ts607-nantes-montreal/) - Moments from the Air Transat flight 607 between Nantes and Montreal.
- [18 Kilos of Must-Have French Products – This is My Special Stash!](https://correresmidestino.com/18-kilos-of-french-products/) - Wondering what to bring back from France? Peek into the backpack of a French immigrant in Canada. Skip the Eiffel Tower keychain, grab useful products!
- [Flying to France in Summer 2020 During COVID – Ottawa-Montreal-Paris-Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-montreal-paris-nantes-12-hours-later/) - “Why are you so stressed out? It’s just France!” “And it’s just a pandemic, remember?” “So what?” So, this trip is complicated, Mark.
- [Strange Things French Say: “Oh Shit, Forgot The Bread!”](https://correresmidestino.com/oh-shit-the-bread/) - Yes, all that for bread, "and you buy it every day and every city has it!" like Mark says. Welcome to France, where bread matters.
- [Nantes After Sunset and Night Walk Magic](https://correresmidestino.com/night-walk-magic/) - Every night, Nantes puts on an amazing and unexpected show. Lights reflect on water, the moon shines, everything looks magically and disconcertingly different.
- [Air Transat Flight TS601 – Pandemic Travel from Nantes to Montreal](https://correresmidestino.com/air-transat-flight-ts601-nantes-to-montreal-pandemic-style/) - Procedures, snacks, masks and more. This is what you should know if you're travelling between France and Canada with Air Transat during the pandemic.
- [Unpacking 18.5 Kilos of my Favourite Oh-So-French Products](https://correresmidestino.com/unpacking-18-5-kilos-of-oh-so-french-products/) - This is what a French brings back from a trip to France. Yes, detergent and instant soup, why?
- [That Time, This Summer, When I Got into Trouble (2/2)](https://correresmidestino.com/that-time-this-summer-when-i-got-into-trouble-2-2/) - This is how easily you can be accused of something you didn’t do. This is how easily you can end up making decisions uncharacteristic of you.
- [That Time, This Summer, When I Got into Trouble (1/2)](https://correresmidestino.com/that-time-this-summer-when-i-got-into-trouble-1-2/) - Being accused of something I didn’t do is one of my worst nightmares—and it’s exactly what happened that day.
- [38](https://correresmidestino.com/38-2/) - A year older. Not necessarily wiser.A year older. Not necessarily wiser. Still obsessed with writing stories, traveling the world and observing people around me.
- [This Unexpected French Life](https://correresmidestino.com/this-unexpected-french-life/) - I wasn’t supposed to end up in France. In December 2020, I packed for a three-month trip in Brazil, so I didn’t take my French bank card, the keys to my mom’s apartment or warm clothing.I wasn’t supposed to end up in France. In December 2020, I packed for a three-month trip in Brazil, so I didn’t take my French bank card, the keys to my mom’s apartment, my French SIM card or warm clothing. Good thing I did take my French passport—since Air Canada suspended the São Paulo-Toronto route and
- [Nantes – Skype Easter Egg Hunt](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-skype-easter-egg-hunt/) - I had never thought I would participate in a Skype Easter egg hunt but hey, it’s 2021 and any sense of normalcy went out of the window in March 2020.I had never thought I would participate in a Skype Easter egg hunt but hey, it’s 2021 and any sense of normalcy went out of the window in March 2020. Fortunately, the Easter Bunny got the memo. He is up to date with bordure closures and other restrictions. Believe it or not, he dropped a letter addressed to Mark
- [Nantes (and Ottawa) – Apparently, Things Can Still Get Worse](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-and-ottawa-apparently-things-can-still-get-worse/) - I’m almost surprised I’m still in France four weeks after Air France kindly let me board AF457 in São Paulo and dropped me off Paris.
- [People of Nantes – Lockdown v. 3.0, Week 3](https://correresmidestino.com/people-of-nantes-lockdown-v-3-0-week-3/) - I went out with my camera around 5 p.m. today to take pictures of people in Nantes at the beginning of lockdown v 3.0, week 3.
- [Nantes – The Doctor](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-the-doctor/) - An appointment was made with the family doctor to discuss COVID vaccination and I tagged along for the French doctor cultural experience.
- [Nantes – Running Out of Fear](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-running-out-of-fear/) - I ran out of fear. The pandemic won’t be over until governments decide it is. There’s always going to be a new variant, a new risk, a new crisis.
- [Nantes – The Meltdown](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-the-meltdown/) - I thought I was handling COVID and restrictions okay until I spent an entire evening shouting, screaming and sobbing (in this particular order).
- [Nantes – Got My Pfizer Shot](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-got-my-pfizer-shot/) - The woman who stuck the needle in my arm was young and friendly. It only took a minute or so but I was almost emotional—this is it, the key to fight COVID!
- [Nantes – “Let’s All Get Drunk” Reopening Stage 2](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-lets-all-get-drunk-reopening-stage-2/) - French news media were reporting on bars reopening as if it was the most important event in history since the 1969 moon landing.
- [Nantes –Fully Vaccinated, Yay! But Meh…](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-fully-vaccinated-yay-but-meh/) - I'm now fully vaccinated (thank you, France) but it doesn't actually solve anything for us.
- [Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie – The Blue-Sky-No-Lockdown Version](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-gilles-croix-de-vie-the-blue-sky-no-lockdown-version/) - Unlike last time in May, the weather was gorgeous, stores were open and streets were packed. Back to normal, I'm telling you.
- [Nantes-Paris-Montreal-Ottawa – Made It! (Part I)](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-paris-montreal-ottawa-made-it-part-i/) - It’s Sunday night. I finally arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday around 9 p.m., and I’m flying to France again tomorrow, this time with Mark.
- [Nantes-Paris-Montreal-Ottawa – Made It! (Part II)](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-paris-montreal-ottawa-made-it-part-ii/) - The perspective of travelling again may sound exciting to you, but I don't recommend a quick five-day transatlantic trip if you value your sleep and sanity.
- [Ottawa-Montreal-Paris – Taking Mark to France](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-montreal-paris-taking-mark-to-france/) - On Sunday night, only four days after unpacking, I packed again and got ready for yet another transatlantic flight.
- [Paris Explained to Mark and an Unexplainable Paris Moment](https://correresmidestino.com/paris-explained-to-mark-and-an-unexplainable-paris-moment/) - I had nightmares that night. I know what I saw and the gut feeling I had signalled fear.
- [4 Interesting Things I Learned During my 5-Month French “Exile” (Part II)](https://correresmidestino.com/4-things-i-learned-during-my-five-month-french-exile-part-ii/) - Here are a four more things I learned this year when I was “stuck” in France—wow, look at that, the vaccine made me so smart!
- [4 Things I Learned During my Five-Month French “Exile” (Part I)](https://correresmidestino.com/4-things-i-learned-during-my-five-month-french-exile-part-i/) - I had never thought I’d end up staying in France for five months during the pandemic, but I learned a thing or two from this experience.
- [The 2021 Bag of Essential French Products I Brought Back](https://correresmidestino.com/the-2021-bag-of-essential-french-products-i-brought-back/) - Boxes are a bit crushed and the tape I used on bottles to prevent leaks is still there—but everything made it to Canada just fine.
- [My French Life Feels Easier Than My Canadian Life](https://correresmidestino.com/my-french-life-feels-easier-than-my-canadian-life/) - “Sorry, I know it feels like I’m writing a press release for the French tourism industry. But honestly, I like it here. Life is just… easier.”
- [Ever Heard of This Weird French Calendar Tradition?](https://correresmidestino.com/ever-heard-of-this-weird-french-calendar-tradition/) - The French calendar is based on the Catholic Saints, so and a saint’s name is assigned to each day. Enter a weird French tradition...
- [How to Eat a Crêpe au Chocolat on a Hot, Sunny Day](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-eat-a-crepe-au-chocolat-on-a-hot-sunny-day/) - It didn’t feel like the end of summer—the market was there, as usual, the streets were lively, and the beach was completely packed.
- [How to Trade an Ice Storm for Molotov Cocktails](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-trade-an-ice-storm-for-molotov-cocktails/) - On Tuesday night, I took my pair of jeans out of my backpack and tried them on for the first time in three months.
- [The Summer My Son Became the Best Travel Partner Ever](https://correresmidestino.com/the-summer-my-son-became-the-best-travel-partner-ever/) - Just a few years ago, the mere thought of entertaining Mark alone for a few hours was exhausting. Now, it's fun. Mark, 10 years old, is a great travel partner.
- [It's Hard to Come Down from the China High](https://correresmidestino.com/its-hard-to-come-down-from-the-china-high/) - Something is missing. Shit, Feng.
- [My 2013 French Shopping – What I Brought Back to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/my-french-shopping/) - Canadian Border Agency officers hardly believe me when I claim my backpack isn’t full of French food—yet it’s true. But I have plenty of other items.
- [A Day in Tours – Exploring a New French City](https://correresmidestino.com/a-day-in-tours/) - On a whim, we decided to go to Tours to catch the Tour de France (more on that later!).
- [France's Biggest Summer Sport Event – The 2013 Tour in Tours](https://correresmidestino.com/the-tour-in-tours/) - Once we arrived close to the finish line, we spotted different kinds of people. I am not sure what the most interesting part of the Tour de France was—the crowd or the sprinters.
- [Favourite Quaint French Town – Saint Michel Chef Chef](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-michel-chef-chef/) - Saint Michel Chef Chef—no, the second “Chef” is not a typo, this is the actual name of the small village where I spent my summers as a kid.
- [Helping Tourists is a Weird, Random Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/helping-tourists-or-not/) - I tend to stop and offer help. I’ve been there—lost in a new city, unable to read the damn map properly. But tourists can be really weird.
- [Baby Mark First Time at the Beach!](https://correresmidestino.com/first-time-at-the-seaside/) - I grew up by the seaside and spent all my holidays at the family house close to the Atlantic Coast, a short one-hour drive from Nantes.
- [The Amazing 2013 Bastille Day Fireworks Show in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/bastille-day-in-nantes/) - Bastille Day, the French National Day, is celebrated on the 14 of July, usually with fireworks.
- [Nantes' Massive Courthouse at Dawn](https://correresmidestino.com/the-loire-river/) - It has been unusually hot these past few weeks and everyone is trying to cool off. Weather is usually temperate in Europe and Nantes is not built for the heat.
- [Baby Mark at the Île de Nantes Carousel](https://correresmidestino.com/mark-at-the-isle-of-nantes/) - France has carousels to keep kids entertained... and Mark likes them, especially the fancy one on the Île de Nantes.
- [Ever Spotted Gargoyles and Mascarons in France?](https://correresmidestino.com/gargoyles-and-mascarons/) - There are plenty of mascarons and gargoyles in Nantes, especially in historical neighborhoods like Bouffay, Quai de la Fosse, the Château des Ducs, etc.
- [This What a Giant Penis Looks Like (surprisingly SFW!)](https://correresmidestino.com/giant-penis/) - the rare event made headlines around the world and giant botanical penises are apparently popular. Maybe French women don’t get to see these too often.
- [Exploring the Île de Nantes with Toddler Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/the-isle-of-nantes/) - The home of the giant mechanical elephant and other Jules Verne-inspired art projects is a fun place to hang out and it’s still fairly new to me.
- [2014 World Cup Fever in Nantes – France is Out](https://correresmidestino.com/world-cup-fever-in-nantes/) - France won a few games and people really caught on soccer fever. French flags flew proudly and I heard mentions of the 1998 World Cup.
- [Nantes' Famous Castle of the Dukes of Brittany](https://correresmidestino.com/castle-of-the-dukes-of-brittany/) - We took Mark for the grand tour—the rampart walk. We followed the sentry walk linking the seven towers, with great views of the inner courtyard and the city.
- [Nantes' Fascinating Natural History Museum](https://correresmidestino.com/exotic-snakes-in-nantes/) - Museums are free on the first Sunday of the month in Nantes, and my dad used to take us to the Natural History Museum regularly when I was a kid.
- [Trentemoult is Hip Now, Somehow](https://correresmidestino.com/across-the-river/) - In a way, Trentemoult reminds me a bit of the colourful barrio of La Boca in Buenos Aires. It definitely has a “bobo” (bourgeois bohême) feel.
- [Experience of the Sublime – When Art Moves You](https://correresmidestino.com/experience-of-the-sublime/) - Huang Yong Ping, a Chinese Avant-garde artist, currently has works on display at the HAB Gallery on the Isle of Nantes. His artwork spoke to me.
- [Why I Love Following The Loire River in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/the-loire-river-2/) - Except around the Isle of Nantes and the Quai de la Fosse, the banks of the River are still wild and quiet—it feels like being on another planet.
- [Industrial History, Factories and Urban Decay in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/factories/) - Factories started to close down almost overnight. Entire production lines were moved to countries where labour laws were more flexible—or better, non-existent.
- [Black-and-White Pics of These Gloomy French Sundays](https://correresmidestino.com/these-gloomy-french-sundays/) - Nothing works properly on Sunday. And if it rains, as it often does in Nantes, the empty streets can be downright depressing.
- [Urban Fun in Nantes with a Toddler](https://correresmidestino.com/urban-fun/) - At the top of Mark’s if-you-don’t-take-me-there-once-a-day-I’ll-whine list is the Jardin des plantes. It's free and it's relaxing for parents too.
- [A French Holiday in the French Holidays](https://correresmidestino.com/a-french-holiday-in-the-french-holidays/) - Since my parents no longer have a car, going to the family house in Saint Michel, a quiet beach town on the Atlantic Coast, is more difficult than before.
- [Mark's Top Beach Activities? Eating Sand and Falling Down](https://correresmidestino.com/at-the-beach/) - The first thing he did in Saint-Michel was to run down the dirt stairs. He ran too fast, tripped and fell down.
- [One of My Favourite Walks in Nantes – Along the Loire River](https://correresmidestino.com/again-the-river/) - It's been hot and stormy in Nantes, and staying indoors is not an option. One of my favourite walks in Nantes is along the Loire River.
- [Funny, Spontaneous and Artsy Snapshots of Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/snapshots-of-nantes/) - There is always something going on in the streets. Nantes is a lively city and it's full of tourists in the summer.
- [You'd Be Surprised, The French Take Summer Holidays Seriously](https://correresmidestino.com/french-kick-off-summer-holidays/) - The holidays serve as an all-purpose excuse. Spending too much money? Bof, c’est la vacances! Drinking too much? Les vacances! Eating out? Mais oui, c’est la vacances!
- [Cultural Snapshot – 5 Things Found in Nantes [2]](https://correresmidestino.com/cultural-snapshot-5-things-found-in-nantes-2/) - Here is another installment of the “things found in Nantes” series, with the latest pictures! Today, Breizh Cola, shutters, spelling errors and street art.
- [Cultural Snapshot – 4 Things Found in Nantes [3]](https://correresmidestino.com/cultural-snapshot-4-things-found-in-nantes-3/) - Here is another install­ment of the “things found in Nantes” series, with the lat­est pictures! Today, toilet paper, macarons, bowls and grocery receipts.
- [Mark is Addicted to Churches (And It's Awkward, We're Atheists!)](https://correresmidestino.com/choirboy/) - Like last year, Mark wants to visit every single church we pass. We're atheists. How did he get addicted to churches, and why?
- [The Majestic Three-Masted Belem is Moored in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/three-masted-belem/) - The ship hasn’t changed but Mark did—last time, he was barely crawling, this time, he explored it by himself and marveled at the Loire River flowing fast below.
- [Pictures of Artsy Urban Decay in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/urban-decay-in-nantes/) - When I'm sick and tired of this polished side, I escape where no one goes anymore, along the Loire River.
- [A Glimpse Into a Fascinating Underwater World at Le Croisic](https://correresmidestino.com/le-croisic-ocearium/) - As a kid, I found sharks fascinating—especially considering I was spending my summer months at the beach and that there were always reruns on Jaws on TV.
- [Vineyards in the French Countryside](https://correresmidestino.com/vineyards-in-the-countryside/) - It’s another world over there. It’s rural, in the middle of the wine country. It’s pretty though, with forests and vineyards.
- [I'm An Atheist But I Appreciate Friendly Churches](https://correresmidestino.com/right-place-right-time/) - At the end of the evening, I gave in and decided to “treat” Mark to a church visit. It was that or candies and yes, this kid is weird.
- [Exploring Industrial Wasteland on a Rainy Day](https://correresmidestino.com/industrial-wasteland-on-a-rainy-day/) - In Canada, people don’t even go out when rain is forecast. In Nantes, it’s business as usual, most of us don’t even bother with umbrellas or raincoats.
- [Stepping Inside Nantes' Weird Courthouse](https://correresmidestino.com/not-really-guilty/) - We were in front of the massive courthouse, a new controversial architectural project. Just picture a giant black cube.
- [10 Axioms of Going to the Beach in France](https://correresmidestino.com/10-axioms-of-beach/) - The concept of tides can be very disturbing for a kid. No, a giant wave won’t come when the tide is low; yes, your sand castle will be destroyed when the tide creeps up.
- [Why Do The French Look Down Upon Tourists?](https://correresmidestino.com/the-invaders/) - “I… I spent most of my holidays here as a kid,” I say because the two seventy-something obviously expect me to explain my presence here, in their supermarket.
- [Family Holidays Are a Fun, Messy Affair in France](https://correresmidestino.com/the-more-the-merrier/) - Nine humans from 2.5 years old to 86, two cats and a beach house. The more the merrier… right?
- [Made it to France, After so Many Delays!](https://correresmidestino.com/france-2015/) - I’m really annoyed with Air Canada. All the flights we had the past few years had issues—mysterious delays, cancellation, overbooked flights, etc.
- [Tears, Greenland and an Old Friend](https://correresmidestino.com/tears-greenland-and-an-old-friend/) - Years of airport goodbyes allowed me to master the art of holding back tears. I never let anyone, especially not my family, take me to the airport.
- [Explaining the Puzzling "Fingers in the Nose" French Idiom](https://correresmidestino.com/fingerz-in-ze-noseuh/) - “Fingers in the nose!” I laughed. “Les doigts dans le nez—it’s a French idiom, it’s used to describe something that’s super easy.
- [Saint Mark, The Toddler Addicted to Churches](https://correresmidestino.com/saint-mark/) - There are many churches in Nantes and Mark’s goal is apparently to visit them all. He sees the church towers from afar and doesn’t stop whining until we go.
- [The French Christmas Réveillon Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/a-reveillon-later/) - In my family, “réveillonner” (yes, the French have a verb to describe the action of eating their Christmas dinner) involves a family gathering.
- [… From the Other Side of the Pond](https://correresmidestino.com/from-the-other-side-of-the-pond/) - We packed and packed some more. We made sure Mark was tagging along (I don’t trust him in a remake of “Home Alone”) and we left Ottawa.
- [It’s Time To… Fly Away!](https://correresmidestino.com/going-to-france/) - The Canada Day stage is almost set up in front of the Parliament, but this year again, we will miss the festivities. We are heading to France!
- [I Let Google Rule My Life For a Day](https://correresmidestino.com/my-day-with-google/) - “Why do toddlers cry?” yields 8,000 results and the first one is encouraging “Why do toddlers cry and how to deal with it.”
- [10 Random and Possibly Wise Observations About the French](https://correresmidestino.com/10-random-observations-french/) - Dog poop in France—it is not a myth, there is dog poop everywhere. It stinks, it's messy and it's gross. I have yet to see a French person picking after a dog.
- [My Non-Scary, Non-Gory Labour and Birth Story – Part III](https://correresmidestino.com/labour-and-birth-story-part-3/) - We only stayed a day and a half at the hospital. Since I had given birth at 11 a.m. on the Friday, we had to stay until 11 a.m., Saturday.
- [Daycare Sudden Bankrupcy – And Once Again, It is the “Merde”…](https://correresmidestino.com/bankrupt-daycare/) - I was floored. We had no idea Mark’s “school” was experiencing financial troubles, and it's a big daycare centre with 37 kids, licensed by the City of Ottawa.
- [Report from Daycare-Hunting in Ottawa – I'm Going Crazy](https://correresmidestino.com/daycare-hunting-hell/) - We called more daycare centres—all with interchangeable cutesy names involving “love”, “children”, “wee” or “bear” —booking tours if they didn’t hang up on us.
- [School in Canada, The Late Culture Shock I Didn't See Coming](https://correresmidestino.com/the-late-culture-shock-i-didnt-see-coming/) - I've been living in Canada for so long that any true culture shock I faced is now a distant memory. Or so I thought, until last month.
- [This is Why The Canadian Education System Remains a Mystery](https://correresmidestino.com/end-jk/) - This first school year left me feeling somewhat frustrated. Back in September, I had many questions, practical and cultural, and I never got answers.
- [Canadian Schools are a Weird Canadian Cultural Mystery](https://correresmidestino.com/that-baffling-cultural-mystery-i-cant-crack/) - To me, Mark's school is some kind of mismanaged charity with inconsistent guidelines where the presence of kids is an inconvenience and volunteers are always needed urgently because made-up reasons.
- [This Puzzling Place Canadians Call “School” and "Grade 1"](https://correresmidestino.com/that-puzzling-place-called-school/) - Parent-teacher meetings are this week. We have the 9:00-9:10 slot. Should be a fun 10 minutes.
- [My Top Canadian Grocery Shopping Pet Peeves](https://correresmidestino.com/too-much-food/) - Every time I go grocery shopping, I face a problem that challenges two of my “rules”: the size of packages. Everything is bigger in North America.
- [First Day at Daycare for Mark (We're Both Crying)](https://correresmidestino.com/mark-first-day-school/) - Filling out daycare application forms is a tough exercise. You’d think you’re applying for Harvard. I suspect paying the fees is the most important factor.
- [The Yellow School Bus, Just Like in Movies!](https://correresmidestino.com/the-just-like-in-a-hollywood-movie-experience/) - Hollywood movies resort to so many stereotypes and overuse so many clichés that I had half suspected school buses didn't actually exist or were anecdotal.
- [And Mark is Starting Grade 1!](https://correresmidestino.com/wanted-an-education/) - I almost missed the French éducation nationale. Sure, like millions of students, I regularly protested various education reforms over the years, but at least the ministry’s communication efforts were consistent and on a national basis.
- [First Day of School for Mark – The 8:30 A.M. Test and The 3 P.M. Verdict](https://correresmidestino.com/jk-first-day/) - I'm standing in the middle of the schoolyard and Mark is holding my hand very tightly. He probably thinks that like a balloon, I’m going to fly away the moment he lets it go.
- [How Do You Get To Be a Cool 1 Grader? You Tell Me, I Wasn't One](https://correresmidestino.com/the-cool-kids-and-the-rest-of-us/) - Phew. Who are those people who look back at their school years with nostalgia?
- [Weird and Creepy Winter Night Incident in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/a-creepy-winter-night/) - Snow doesn’t just change the landscape, it also affects the overall atmosphere and mood. When the police gets involved on a cold night, things turn creepy.
- [Ottawa Commuters and the Busy Rideau Bus Stop](https://correresmidestino.com/the-rideau-bus-stop/) - I have a love and hate relationship with Ottawa’s transit system. I take the bus but the bus hates me.
- [The Invisibles – Homeless in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/the-invisibles/) - When I exited The Bay, he was standing here, playing the harmonica. I stood here for a minute, looking at him. I grabbed the camera which was slung over my shoulder and our eyes met briefly. He nodded, still playing. He first slowly turned on his side to show me his cat, perched on his shoulder, safe from my camera’s peering eye. I smiled and waited. Eventually, he looked straight into my eyes. I snapped two pictures quickly, gave him a couple of bucks and walked away.
- [Dialling 911 or Not, A Tough Call](https://correresmidestino.com/dialing-911-or-not-a-tough-call/) - At what point are you supposed to call the police or call for help?
- [I Don't Like Most Fruits (and My In-Laws Take It Personally)](https://correresmidestino.com/to-each-his-own/) - I’ve known my in-laws for 12 years now. It’s not a secret that I don’t like fruits. It’s not a big deal, really. And yet, they offer me fruits. Every. Time.
- [What Happens When Tornado (Or Two) Hit Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/the-day-a-tornado-or-two-hit-ottawa/) - On September 21, 2018, two tornadoes hot Ottawa. This is what happened when it started...
- [Life Without Power After SIX (!) Tornadoes in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/after-tornadoes-1/) - I reached over to grab my phone, plugged to the charger because surely, the power must have been restored at one point during the night.
- [After the Tornadoes – Power to the People](https://correresmidestino.com/after-the-tornadoes-power-to-the-people/) - Turned out we weren’t hit by two tornadoes but six.
- [An Early Flight and a Brazilian Bed Mystery](https://correresmidestino.com/curitiba-to-rio/) - Good thing there is a thermos of hot, black coffee in the hotel lobby. I pour myself a cup, then another one. It’s early, way too early.
- [Rio to Florianó–… Wait, Where the Hell Did We Land??](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-to-floriano-wait-where-the-hell-did-we-land/) - Florianópolis has a brand-new airport, it opened last October. Obviously, we had no idea. I mean, would you Google “is the usual airport still here?”
- [Floripa and the Unexpected Rain-Soaked Carnival Rehearsal Party](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-praia-da-armacao-praia-matadeiro-and-the-rain-soaked-carnival-rehearsal-party/) - Carnival is still a month away but it’s a serious affair around here and I’ve been seeing (and hearing) schools rehearsing late at night in Floripa Centro.
- [The Challenge? Climbing Sand Dunes on a Windy Day](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-praia-dos-ingleses-the-sand-dunes/) - Praia dos Ingleses has several massive sand dunes on the southern edge.
- [This Is All I Need to Be a Fun Parent](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-praia-do-campeche-the-bodyboard/) - For 40 reais ($9.50), the bodyboard was a good deal, even though I suspected that like riding the trottinette, it would be a steep learning curve.
- [Praia Do Pântano Do Sul And The Perfect Wave](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-praia-do-pantano-do-sul-and-the-perfect-wave/) - Praia do Pântano do Sul on Ilha de Santa Catarina is one of the best surf spot and a quiet beach far from the action.
- [Boa Viagem and a Long, Long Unique Shark-Infested Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/recife-boa-viagem-and-the-shark-infested-beach/) - The Recife adventure didn’t really start in Recife but in Boa Viagem.
- [Olinda, The Town With More Churches Than God Asked For](https://correresmidestino.com/olinda-colonial-town-colourful-houses-tree-covered-hills-more-churches-than-god-asked-for/) - Tourists love OLinda because it’s artsy and peaceful compared to Recife, locals respect it because the little town hosts a great street party for Carnival.
- [I'm in Love With Maceió and Its Gorgeous Palm-Lined, White-Sand Beaches](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-tropical-coastline-palm-lined-white-sand-beaches/) - Maceió was on my way and Google promised me nice beaches, so I left Recife and a five-hour bus ride later, I arrived in the state of Alagoas’ capital city.
- [Salvador, the City With an Elevator Worth Getting Excited About](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-it-all-starts-at-the-elevator/) - After Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe, here is Bahia and Salvador, the state capital.
- [Itaparica, The Island Without a Beach (No, Seriously)](https://correresmidestino.com/itaparica/) - Since being stuck on a boat (or on a bus) for a day-long tour is my idea of hell, I decided to pick an island in the Todos os Santos Bay and explore it alone.
- [Welcome to "Barra", Salvador's Number One Stop for Tourists](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-barra-the-lighthouse-and-the-beaches/) - The neighbourhood of Barra smells of brine, salt, seaweed, dendê and beer.
- [Salvador – The Streets of the Pelourinho](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-the-streets-of-the-pelourinho/) - The "Pelô” isn’t “just” an empty shell for tourists, it’s packed with people who are the heart and soul of Salvador.
- [I Don't "Get" Santos, But I'll Unlock It!](https://correresmidestino.com/unlocking-santos/) - seaport in Latin America is a popular weekend getaway for Paulistas—it would be mine too.
- [Unexpected Saturday Night Clown Party in Salvador](https://correresmidestino.com/just-another-saturday-night-in-salvador/) - E“bloco de rua” (neighbourhood gathering) has a theme and this one was the “Palhaços do Rio Vermelho,” the “clowns of Rio Vermelho.”
- [I Went on an Awesome Pirate Cruise in Santos](https://correresmidestino.com/santos-the-pirate-cruise/) - I checked my watch. The boat was leaving in five minutes. Should I take the pirate cruise?
- [Exploring Centro and the Coffee Lords of Santos](https://correresmidestino.com/santos-centro-and-the-coffee-lords/) - Santos made its wealth from coffee. The museum is housed in the old Bolsa Oficial de Café, which was one of the world’s main centres for coffee trading.
- [Guarujá – It’s Not the Destination, It’s the Journey](https://correresmidestino.com/guaruja-its-not-the-destination-its-the-journey/) - I found my spot in Santos just outside of Santos—Praia das Pitangueiras, in Guarujá.
- [A Strange Last Night in Santos](https://correresmidestino.com/a-strange-last-night-in-santos/) - It had been a strange day altogether. Suddenly, it got very hot in Santo, temperature reached 42⁰C.
- [Carnival 2020 in São Paulo – Let's Get This Party Started!](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-2020-in-sao-paulo-day-0/) - Salvador and Rio de Janeiro were too expensive for Carnival, São Paulo was my best option—it's so big that finding an affordable Airbnb isn’t too difficult.
- [Carnival 2020 in São Paulo – Day 1 of Partying...](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-2020-in-sao-paulo-day-1/) - It’s Carnival. If you see pirates, half-naked people, guys wearing pink tutu and bodies covered in glitter, don’t panic—for a week, this is the new normal.
- [Carnival 2020 in São Paulo – Day 2 of Crazy Partying...](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-2020-in-sao-paulo-day-2/) - On Saturday, it felt too cold to wear my fantasia. But today would be the day to walk around the city half-naked like everybody else.
- [Carnival 2020 in São Paulo – Day 3 of Partying...](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-2020-in-sao-paulo-day-3/) - I headed to Rua Augusta for the bloco Sai, Hétero! Like most Rua Augusta blocos, it was crowded, rowdy, boozy, and featuring the LGBT scene.
- [Carnival 2020 in São Paulo Carnival – Day 4 of Partying...](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-2020-in-sao-paulo-day-4/) - The smell of beer permeates the city and sobriety was last seen five days ago.
- [2020 Rio Carnival – It's Never Over in Centro and Copacabana](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-2020-in-rio-de-janeiro-bloco-ing-around-the-aqueduct-bloco-ing-in-copacabana/) - Carnival ain’t over in Rio. There are plenty of blocos this weekend.
- [An Unusual Version of Rio de Janeiro's Famous Beaches](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-de-janeiros-beaches-as-rarely-seen-before/) - I left behind São Paulo’s cooler temperatures but I didn’t go far enough to escape southern Brazil’s unusually wet summer. It’s raining in Rio as well.
- [Rio de Janeiro Ain't No Easy City... This is How I Feel After a Week of Rain](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-de-janeiro-a-week-of-rain-later/) - I like Rio but I’m not in love with it. It’s unique, it’s pretty, it’s fascinating and it doesn’t take long to discover it comes with fine print—lots of it.
- [10 Tested and Approved Tips for Santos, Paulistas' Favourite Beach Getaway](https://correresmidestino.com/10-tips-for-santos/) - It was hard to find relevant info about Santos, so I wrote my own little travel guide while walking on the beach.
- [Salvador to São Paulo – Time Warp and Alternate Reality](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-to-sao-paulo-time-warp-and-alternate-reality/) - Nothing made sense. I had travelled from north to south but “south” was colder than “north,” which goes against logic (i.e. Northern hemisphere logic…). It felt like winter in Brazil. And was I still in Brazil?
- [The Many “WTF” Moments of a Weekend in Aracaju (Part 2)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-many-wtf-moments-of-a-weekend-in-aracaju-part-2/) - I had a plan for my Sunday in Aracaju, the same most Brazilians on the coast have every weekend—the beach. But first, I had to find it.
- [The Many “WTF” Moments of a Weekend in Aracaju (Part 1)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-many-wtf-moments-of-a-weekend-in-aracaju-part-1/) - Rural Brazil meets Pigalle and hopes for tourists... Aracaju is a weird place.
- [... And I Got an Airbnb From Hell in Aracaju](https://correresmidestino.com/aracaju-the-airbnb-from-hell/) - I’ll survive. But the house is weird. I haven’t seen my Airbnb contact yet, I have no idea who is living here and I feel I’m intruding. Plus bugs.
- [Another Brazilian Mystery – The Challenge of Doing Laundry in Recife](https://correresmidestino.com/recife-to-maceio-a-laundry-dilemma-and-a-four-hour-bus-trip/) - I double-checked date and time on my bus ticket, put it in my passport, set up my alarm clock and found out where the nearest ponto de táxi was.
- [A Few New Brazilian Mysteries to Solve in Recife](https://correresmidestino.com/recife-bridges-churches-docks-and-a-few-new-brazilian-mysteries-to-solve/) - “So, what are you doing in Recife?” “I… mostly sweat. Like, all the time."
- [São Paulo to Recife – Alone for a New Adventure](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-to-recife-alone-for-a-new-adventure/) - The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. I must have looked like a strange passenger, going to the domestic airport, leaving a man and a child behind.
- [Let Me Explain Why I End up in Recife's Weird Jungle...](https://correresmidestino.com/recife-how-and-why-did-i-end-up-in-the-jungle-already/) - Lessons of the day—Recife is huge, Recife is green, and few people get the chance to live in a modern apartment tower.
- [Leaving Paradise, Mysterious Fever, and Downpours in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/the-highs-and-lows-of-travelling-back-to-sao-paulo-fever-and-downpours/) - The past three days have been weird, almost out of character for Brazil—cool, rainy, us being tired, sick and anxious.
- [The Scariest Thing You Kid Can Say When You're Driving](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-the-car-incident-and-the-bridge/) - Ponte Hercílio Luz links the Island of Santa Catarina to the mainland. Closed in 1982, it has just partially reopened on December 30, 2019.
- [In the Car to Praia do Moçambique](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-praia-do-mocambique-in-the-car/) - We know what to expect from Praia do Moçambique—a 14-km-long mostly empty beach with plenty of birds… and traffic jams.
- [Argentinian Tourist Lost in Translation on Ilha de Santa Catarina](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-moments-praia-do-campeche-chicken-vs-chicken/) - There are tons of Argentinian tourists on Ilha de Santa Catarina. They are easy to spot—they drink mate, drive cars with Argentinian plates, speak Spanish…
- [Feliz Ano Novo, Welcoming 2016 in São Paulo!](https://correresmidestino.com/year-2016-brazil/) - The place to celebrate New Year in São Paulo is Avenida Paulista, a 2.8 kilometre thoroughfare packed with small businesses, government buildings, museums, mansions and offices.
- [Artsy Sunday in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/artsy-sunday-in-sao-paulo/) - We went to explore the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, another original architectural creation, a concrete and glass structure designed by Lina Bo Bardi.
- [Boa Viagem and our First Brazilian Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/boa-viagem/) - Okay. So Mark believes I actually understand what dogs “say” (I pretend to translate barking) but he doesn’t think coconuts are real. Something went wrong with my parenting skills.
- [Trying to Decipher Portuguese Downtown Recife](https://correresmidestino.com/gritty-recife-antigo/) - Bye bye cosmopolitan city. The northeast is a different beast. It's not as safe or as easy for foreign travelers. We have to learn to do things the Brazilian way.
- [In the Steep Streets of Colourful Olinda](https://correresmidestino.com/olinda/) - With its steep streets and colourful colonial buildings, Olinda reminded me of a smaller version of Antigua in Guatemala.
- [Praia de Ponta Negra, Natal](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-de-ponta-negra/) - We settled in Ponta Negra, one of the beach close to Natal. And like everything in Brazil, it took some time to figure things out.
- [(Accidently) Exploring Not-So-Safe Parts of Natal](https://correresmidestino.com/natal/) - Locals tend to think Recife is this super dangerous place but I didn't get that "must get out of here now' vibe over there. Deserted Natal scared me more.
- [BR-101 to Laid-Back Praia Da Pipa, The Hippie Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-da-pipa/) - You know the story. It all started as a small fishermen village, a roadless place... and it became "the place". As in "the beach".
- [Exploring Curitiba, From Futuristic Bus Stops to the Oi Tower](https://correresmidestino.com/curitiba/) - The funny bus stops are still here, I love them. They give the city a futuristic feel: step into the magical tube and be transported somewhere else! Okay, "somewhere else" may not be the dreamland that it part of my fantasy but still, cooler bus stops ever.
- [Florianópolis, Brazil – The Party is Over](https://correresmidestino.com/florianopolis-the-party-is-over/) - Again, we stepped onto a new movie set. Brazil, this time.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brazil – Praia Mole](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-mole/) - Praia Mole, a fairly small stretch of sand of about one kilometer long. Blue sky, waves, yellow Cerveja Skol plastic tables and chairs.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brazil – Praia do Moçambique](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-mocambique/) - I couldn't resist. I bought the Brazilian beach uniform: a new bikini, the Brazilian kind with a true thong back. It doesn't get any tinier.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brazil – Praia de Canasvieiras](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-de-canasvieiras/) - The beach was packed. Every centimeter of the narrow strip of sand was occupied. It could have been awful, but it felt awesome because of the great atmosphere.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brazil – Praia do Campeche and Praia da Armação](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-campeche-and-praia-da-armacao/) - After crowded Praia de Canasvieiras, we went into the wild.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brazil – Praia dos Ingleses](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-dos-ingleses/) - “So after the beach we go more beach?” Yes, Mark. That’s the concept. Hey, we are on an island, after all. For our last day in Ilha de Santa Catarina, we picked Praia dos Ingleses, in the North of the island. I had understood by then that beaches around the island come in two kinds:
- [Keeping the Best for Last – Rio de Janeiro, Here We Come!](https://correresmidestino.com/going-to-rio/) - The taxi drove us downtown and we passed favelas and the sambodromo.
- [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Exploring The Pão de Açúcar](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-de-janeiro-the-pao-de-acucar/) - Rio de Janeiro is a picturesque city. And this is an understatement.
- [Rio de Janeiro – Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches](https://correresmidestino.com/copacabana-and-ipanema-beach/) - If you want to go to Copacabana beach, don't follow the Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana. Brazilian logic.
- [Yesterday and Tomorrow in Rio Centro](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-centro/) - The brand new Museu do Amanhã, the "Museum of Tomorrow", is a neofuturistic science museum inaugurated in December 2015.
- [Jesus, This Ain't Easy – Visiting the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/cristo-redentor/) - Christ, this was harder than it should have been! Guess what: Jesus is a popular dude. Ah. Who would have known.
- [Pelotas – First Sweet Brazilian City](https://correresmidestino.com/pelotas/) - We didn’t have any info, good or bad, about Pelotas. At this stage, after rural Uruguay and Chuí, we were hoping for a small city with a few conveniences.
- [Porto Alegre – Uphill, Downhill and Repeat in Rio Grande do Sul's Capital](https://correresmidestino.com/porto-alegre/) - “We probably aren’t supposed to be here,” I thought. “I can’t die now. My mom would kill me.”
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina – 5 Kilometres of Praia do Campeche](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-campeche/) - I made a Brazilian man laugh, yesterday night. It was completely unintentional.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina – Surfers and Fishermen in Praia de Moçambique](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-de-mocambique/) - Praia de Moçambique had it all: beach bums, some fun, then a long, deserted stretch of sand.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina – Sand Dunes and a Bikini Mountain in Praia dos Ingleses](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-ingleses/) - I’m pretty convinced that 75% of the Brazilian textile and fashion industry is dedicated to bikinis.
- [Ilha de Santa Catarina – Paradise Found in Sunny Praia Moçambique](https://correresmidestino.com/sunny-praia-mocambique/) - It was a lucky day. Perfect beach, perfect weather.
- [Sounds Like Samba, Looks Like Carnival in Florianópolis Centro](https://correresmidestino.com/pre-carnival-florianopolis-centro/) - It was loud, colourful and fun. And Carnival hasn’t even started yet.
- [Florianópolis Centro – 0% Beach, 100% Brazilian City](https://correresmidestino.com/florianopolis-centro/) - At street level, Florianópolis Centro doesn’t look so spread out. But the skyline from the top of any building proves you wrong.
- [Balneário Camboriú – Avenida Brasil and Atlântica Between Towers and Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/balneario-camboriu/) - Someone, somewhere, really got addicted to SimCity and decided to play the game in real life. Click, add building. Click, add tower.
- [Curitiba – It’s an Eye! It’s a Museum! It’s the Eye Museum!](https://correresmidestino.com/museum-oscar-niemeyer/) - Brazilians are fairly litteral: when they nickname a museum the “Museu do Olho”—the “Eye Museum”—it actually looks like a giant eye.
- [Reaching a Plateau in Curitiba](https://correresmidestino.com/curitiba-plateau/) - We reached a geographical and metaphorical plateau, far from the beach, for once.
- [500,000 Revelers + 3 – Rio’s Crazy Centro Street Party](https://correresmidestino.com/bloco-da-preta/) - An image comes to mind: a black couple kissing in the middle of the street, completely lost to the pounding drums.
- [Copacabana and Ipanema – Picture-Postcard View of an Alluring Hot Mess](https://correresmidestino.com/copacabana-ipanema/) - This is the miscellaneous FYI info that won’t be on the postcard’s caption and this is what travel guides won’t tell you.
- [Rio de Janeiro’s Magic from The Pão de Açúcar](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-de-janeiros-magic-from-the-pao-de-acucar/) - From the top of the Pão de Açúcar, you can really appreciate how crowded Copacabana is, how tall the Corcovado Hill, how long the beaches are.
- [Rio Carnival 2017 – From Boozy Blocos to the Backstage of the Sambódromo](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-2017-bloco-sambodromo/) - Anticipation built up all week. The atmosphere was electric, like before a storm. It finally exploded Friday evening.
- [Rio Carnival 2017 – The Biggest Street Party in the World](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-2017-saturday/) - Carnival and the crowd of revellers had taken over the city centre—or rather, the city centre had been handed over to the people, taken over by craziness of the event.
- [The Bus Ride from Pelotas to Porto Alegre](https://correresmidestino.com/busing-to-porto-alegre/) - “Good night Mark, you gotta sleep now.” “Why?” “… Because it’s way past midnight and we have to get up early for the bus.” “Again?” Montevideo to Chuy was a five-hour ride, followed by the Chuí to Pelotas four-hour trip. This is our third long-distance bus trip in three days. “Yes, again.” “To where?” “Porto
- [Street Carnival in Grungy São Paulo – Come as You Are…](https://correresmidestino.com/street-carnival-in-grungy-sao-paulo-come-as-you-are/) - There were people everywhere, spilling onto neighbouring side streets, marching downhill and I just couldn’t see the end of it.
- [24 Hours of Sugar High in Pelotas, Brazil's Sweetest City](https://correresmidestino.com/24-sugar-powered-hours-in-pelotas/) - Pelotas’s got a sweet tooth. The city is famous for the doces de Pelotas, dozens of different bite-size pastries
- [There are Fascinating Cities Within the City of Porto Alegre](https://correresmidestino.com/porto-alegre-cities-within-the-city/) - There are cities within this city, lives lived so differently that it’s hard to believe there are only blocks apart.
- [Taking the Pulse of Salvador de Bahia, a Culture Shock](https://correresmidestino.com/taking-the-pulse-of-salvador-de-bahia-celebrating-dia-de-iemanja-and-spying-on-rich-people/) - “Wait, let me get that straight… you’re buying me roses for the first time in twelve years and I have to offer them to a mermaid by tossing them into the sea?”
- [Guess Why Salvador is Being Boarded Up](https://correresmidestino.com/when-salvador-is-being-boarded-up/) - Banco do Brasil was boarded up first. We were walking back from the supermarket late at night on our first day in Salvador when we noticed the building was being covered with wooden boards. “Uh. Good thing we withdrew money this morning.” “Capitalism. Assets must be protected,” I mocked. “Paranoid pigs!” Then came the portable
- [Two Days of Insane “Pré-Carnaval” Party in Salvador](https://correresmidestino.com/two-crazy-days-of-pre-carnaval-party-in-salvador/) - For the first day de pré-carnaval, Avenida Oceânica was swept away by a tidal wave of people. Suddenly, the endless beer supply made sense.
- [More Pré-Carnaval Craziness in Salvador de Bahia](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-de-bahia-from-the-lighthouse-to-the-beach-with-more-pre-carnaval-craziness/) - Suddenly, there were tons of things we wanted to do even though an hour earlier, we didn't have plans for that last day in Salvador.
- [Finding the Golden Church in Bairro Pêlo Ain't Easy](https://correresmidestino.com/the-quest-for-the-golden-church-in-bairro-pelo/) - If you’re ever going to set a meeting place in the area, don’t say, “by the old church.” Pelourinho is 40% historical monuments, 10% souvenir shops and 50% old churches.
- [Rio Carnival 2018, Day 1 – Schools Parade at the Sambódromo](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-2018-day-1-samba-schools-parade-at-the-sambodromo/) - On Friday, at 9:30 p.m., we were probably three of the many, many, many Cariocas and Brazilians getting ready for Carnival. For us, it was starting at the Sambódromo.
- [Rio Carnival Day 2018, Day 2 – Crazy Parties all Over Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-day-2018-day-2-bloco-ing-from-centro-to-ipanema/) - On day 2 of Carnival, there were no less than 75 blocos scheduled all over the city.
- [Rio Carnival 2018, Day 3 – Merrier and Drunkier in Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-2018-day-3-the-picturesque-bloco-the-beach-bloco-and-the-unexpected-bloco/) - This Sunday, more than 80 blocos were scheduled all over Rio de Janeiro, many starting as early as 8 a.m. I understand why the top combo sold at the Sambódromo was the “2 Red Bull + caipirinha.”
- [Rio Carnival 2018, Day 4 – Like Tripping on LSD](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-2018-day-4-from-bloco-ing-with-the-beatles-to-bloco-ing-in-the-subway/) - It’s like I’m tripping on LSD. Snow White is having beans and rice in a restaurant, Harry Potter is buying water, three unicorns are riding the subway and a guy is taking off his blond wig and his bra before going for a swim.
- [Rio Carnival 2018, Day 5 – Millions in Centro and Ipanema](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-carnival-2018-day-5-massive-crowds-storming-centro-and-ipanema/) - This is what usually happens when several thousands of people gather in the empty and boarded up downtown of a giant city with an endless supply of beer
- [Wanted: A Dark Park – Not Wanted: The Brazilian Police](https://correresmidestino.com/chinese-new-year-floripa/) - We’re now in Florianópolis, a safe place to play with firecrackers because like Trump wisely noted, it’s "an island surrounded by water.”
- [Neighbourhoods Your Rio Guidebook Told You To Avoid](https://correresmidestino.com/centro-lapa-santa-teresa-gloria-catete-and-other-places-your-rio-guidebook-told-you-to-avoid-in-pictures/) - No wonder Advil is sponsoring the Rio Carnival. After five days of party, plus pré-Carnaval, we woke up cranky and with a headache or various other ailments.
- [Finally, A Dose of Normal in Florianópolis](https://correresmidestino.com/a-welcome-dose-of-normal-in-florianopolis/) - Florianópolis is exactly the place we needed after Rio and we only realized it after we landed.
- [The 5 Must-Go Beaches on Santa Catarina's Island](https://correresmidestino.com/the-amazing-beaches-of-santa-catarina-campeche-mocambique-ingleses-jurere-and-canasvieras/) - Brazilians can run, drive, fish, swim and possibly have sex with flip-flop—gosh, right now I’m picturing a Brazilian wedding with the bride and groom wearing Havaianas.
- [The Fascinating Beach Life of Brazilians (And Argentinian Tourists)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-fascinating-life-of-brazilians-and-possibly-argentinian-tourists-at-the-beach/) - How many people bring an inflatable bed to the beach? See what I mean? Brazilians are entirely dedicated to their beach experience.
- [Christ, Balneário Camboriú! This is a Weird City...](https://correresmidestino.com/christ-balneario-camboriu/) - Balneário Camboriú seems to have been designed for those who want to experience the main famous Brazilian attractions conveniently in one place without travelling all over the country.
- [Chilling Out in Curitiba's, Brazil "Coldest" City](https://correresmidestino.com/chilling-out-in-curitiba/) - I like Curitiba. It’s a good place to deal with Carnival withdrawal, beach withdrawal and you can even take a break from Brazil’s humid and hot weather.
- [Amazing Waterfalls and Butterflies at the Cataratas do Iguaçu](https://correresmidestino.com/from-dry-to-soaked-and-covered-with-butterflies-at-the-cataratas-do-iguacu/) - The Iguazu Falls is a three-kilometre chain of waterfalls. You don’t just get one waterfall—although the Devil’s Throat is probably the most impressive—but 275 of them.
- [Four Days in Foz do Iguaçu, Next to Paraguay and Argentina](https://correresmidestino.com/go-straight-for-paraguay-turn-right-for-argentina-four-days-in-foz-do-iguacu/) - For a border city, Foz isn’t too seedy, an exception probably due to the fact it's just a few kilometres from one of the new natural seven wonders of the world.
- [The Barragem de Itaipu – Dam, It's Big!](https://correresmidestino.com/itaipu-dam/) - The Barragem de Itaipu ain’t no beaver dam. The binational undertaking produced the most energy of any in the world as of 2016.
- [Two Million on Paulista for a Massive 2019 New Year's Eve Party in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/new-years-eve-in-sao-paulo-two-million-people-on-avenida-paulista-for-a-giant-party/) - On December 31, 2019, we got ready for a new decade and a massive party on Avenida Paulista, in São Paulo. Two million people turned up as well.
- [It's Raining in Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/its-raining-in-rio/) - Our apps were right. Several days of rain were forecast and indeed, it’s raining in Rio de Janeiro.
- [Sunset and a Thunderstorm on Top of the Pão de Açúcar](https://correresmidestino.com/sunset-and-a-thunderstorm-on-top-of-the-pao-de-acucar/) - The top of the Pão de Açúcar is probably not where you want to be stuck during a downpour but hey, that’s where we were.
- [New Brazilian Mystery – Why We Can't Have a Phone in Brazil](https://correresmidestino.com/brazilian-mystery-series-cellphones-and-the-cpf/) - So this is my new Brazilian mystery. Why do you need a CPF to buy cellphone cards with minutes?
- [10 Things You Learn Beach Bumming in Copacabana and Ipanema](https://correresmidestino.com/10-things-you-learn-beach-bumming-in-copacabana-and-ipanema/) - Never seen garbage bins overflowing with discarded green coconuts before? Now you have.
- [A Strange Last Night Where I Lost Sleep Over Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/santiago-to-sao-paulo-sleepless-night-early-flight-the-jungle-of-trees-and-skyscrapers-behind-the-andes/) - Flying from Santiago, Chile, to Sao Paulo, Brazil with Sky Airlines.
- [CWB to IGU – Welcome to the Jungle, Baby!](https://correresmidestino.com/cwb-to-igu-welcome-to-the-jungle-baby/) - Looks like the pilot is trying to find a place… ahem, without trees. This is going to be one of these airports where you get off the plane and walk on the tarmac to the terminal, I can feel it.
- [Unexpected Change of Travel Plans... For The Better](https://correresmidestino.com/29358-2/) - We should be in São Paulo by now, getting ready to fly back to Canada. But we're not even close.
- [An Unexpected French Moment in Florianópolis](https://correresmidestino.com/a-french-moment-in-florianopolis/) - Gosh, here’s my colonial moment, a French spreading French culture around the world. Enlightening ignorant locals, a beloved European tradition…
- [The Weird "Tunnel of Death" in Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-and-the-tunnel-of-death/) - We’ll be okay, I thought, crossing the tunnel of death once again on the way back. Rio gets a lot easier once you just embrace it.
- [You Know You’re in Brazil When…](https://correresmidestino.com/you-know-youre-in-brazil-when/) - You “oi” people to greet them. I don’t know, it sounds cool, right? You also eat at the comida por kilo, enjoy cake and cheese bread, and more.
- [A Night in “Fucking Chuí” Between Uruguay and Brazil](https://correresmidestino.com/a-night-in-fucking-chui-between-uruguay-and-brazil/) - “What made someone stop in Chuy and declare ’this is it, this is where I want to spend the rest of my life?’”
- [São Paulo – Don’t Cry... Time to Leave](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-dont-cry/) - Rio de Janeiro is the bimbo, the cheerleader and São Paulo is the not-so-pretty grunge kid with a quirky, artsy and rebellious soul, moody like the unreliable weather.
- [Catete, Glória and Centro – Neighbourhoods of Rio You Were Told to Avoid](https://correresmidestino.com/catete-gloria-and-centro/) - Rio de Janeiro isn’t an easy city. Safety is a real issue and if one street is fine, the other around the corner may not be.
- [Learning All About Carnival Street Parties in Rio – Wake Me Up Before You Bloco](https://correresmidestino.com/wake-me-up-before-you-bloco-learning-the-art-of-carnival-street-party-in-rio/) - Drink, dance, sing. Repeat. Anything goes, really.
- [Natal-Brasília-Curitiba – Bye Nordeste, Hello Curitiba!](https://correresmidestino.com/flight-to-curitiba/) - The nordeste region is hard to get to and obviously, it's hard to get out of it as well.
- [The Grand Overview of the Cataratas do Iguaçu](https://correresmidestino.com/overview-of-the-cataratas-do-iguacu/) - The Argentinian side of the falls offers amazing close-ups, but the Brazilian side delivers the grand overview.
- [Hunting Down Batman in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/hunting-down-batman-in-sao-paulo/) - I had heard about a fun outdoors graffiti gallery in Vila Madalena, a district of São Paulo I didn’t know. The first mural was a drawing of Batman.
- [São Paulo is Awake, Alive, and Completely Fascinating](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-is-awake-alive-and-completely-fascinating/) - I dropped off my backpack, washed my face and tried to write a to-do list. I had some work to do to reconnect with Brazil.
- [Sunday in São Paulo is Actually a Fun Day](https://correresmidestino.com/sunday-in-sao-paulo-is-actually-a-fun-day/) - I was actually excited about spending a Sunday in São Paulo, with Paulista closed to traffic and fun spots all over the city.
- [How to Explore Fortaleza as a Naive, Enthusiastic Gringa](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-explore-fortaleza-as-a-naive-enthusiastic-gringa/) - I started with the fish market, where the bestsellers are shrimps and langoustine, then I walked to Meireles, Fortaleza’s most famous beach.
- [I Found my Happy Place in Fortaleza](https://correresmidestino.com/i-found-my-happy-place-in-fortaleza/) - Fortaleza was bigger than I thought, more city-like as well. I couldn’t figure it out. Then I found my happy place. It didn't have to be complicated, after all.
- [And This is Why Nuns Act Weirdly in Fortaleza...](https://correresmidestino.com/and-this-is-why-nuns-act-weirdly-in-fortaleza/) - The entire Beira Mar avenue was closed to traffic, and three separate blocos with revellers took over the streets.
- [Gigantic Cashew Tree, White-Sand Lagoons, and Magical Dunes](https://correresmidestino.com/gigantic-cashew-tree-white-sand-lagoons-and-magical-dunes/) - When nothing makes much sense and when I feel powerless about solving big issues, I try to connect with fellow human beings and find beauty in the world.
- [Pipa is a Pipe Dream, but the Love Beach is Lovely](https://correresmidestino.com/pipa-is-a-pipe-dream-but-the-love-beach-is-lovely/) - It’s always the same story—a fishing village, a surfer’s paradise, a backpacker stop, then it ends up on Instagram and the town becomes gimmicky and crowded.
- [Weird Building and Fun Bloco – Stories from Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/weird-building-and-fun-bloco-stories-from-rio-de-janeiro/) - We headed to Barra da Tijuca for our first bloco, the Banda da Barra. Carnival hasn’t even started, yet, 50,000 showed up.
- [Brazilian Happiness Advice – "Soak Your Feet in Salt Water"](https://correresmidestino.com/brazilian-happiness-advice-soak-your-feet-in-salt-water/) - I find Brazilians suspiciously happy.
- [A Coincidental Valentine’s Day on Top of Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/a-coincidental-valentines-day-on-top-of-rio-de-janeiro/) - The scenery is gorgeous, the cable car rides are fun, and both the Morro da Urca and the Pão de Açúcar offer opportunities to step out of the crowds.
- [The Latest Brazilian Mystery And A Fun Week In João Pessoa](https://correresmidestino.com/the-latest-brazilian-mystery-and-a-fun-week-in-joao-pessoa/) - João Pessoa is a lovely city with busy beaches and a long promenade along the waterfront. It’s also a great base to explore the tropical coastline of Paraíba.
- [Waiting for Rio Carnival 2023 on Copacabana and Ipanema](https://correresmidestino.com/waiting-for-rio-carnival-2023-on-copacabana-and-ipanema/) - These are the last two quiet days in Rio de Janeiro before Carnival. I’m both excited and scared because it does get really crazy.
- [My New Brazilian Beach Experience at Praia Bela](https://correresmidestino.com/my-new-brazilian-beach-experience-at-praia-bela/) - I had planned a relaxing day, just swimming and reading. I ended up on sand dunes and my phone is full of “Brazilian poses” pics.
- [Unique Party Opportunity in Santa Teresa [Rio Carnival 2023]](https://correresmidestino.com/unique-party-opportunity-in-santa-teresa-rio-carnival-2023/) - One of the great thing about Carnival is that normal rules don’t really apply. This was a unique chance to explore Santa Teresa and party uphill.
- [The Most Interesting yet Less Glamorous Neighbourhoods of Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/the-most-interesting-yet-less-glamorous-neighbourhoods-of-rio/) - Centro Rio de Janeiro is a world apart from Avenida Atlântica. It’s gritty, messy, old, occasionally unsafe and surprisingly colourful.
- [Stunning Samba Parades at the Sambodromo [Rio Carnival 2023]](https://correresmidestino.com/stunning-samba-parades-at-the-sambodromo-rio-carnival-2023/) - Going to the sambodromo to watch the world-famous samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro isn’t as difficult as it seems. And it's not just a colourful show.
- [Curious About Blocos? Check This Out! [Rio Carnival 2023]](https://correresmidestino.com/curious-about-blocos-check-this-out-rio-carnival-2023/) - If my husband is going to wear a polka-dot skirt, I'm going full Carnival mode as well.
- [Sunday Blocos from Botafogo to Ipanema [Rio Carnival 2023]](https://correresmidestino.com/sunday-blocos-from-botafogo-to-ipanema-rio-carnival-2023/) - We got up, put on our freshly washed Carnival clothes, applied glitter, and went out to party. Yes, at 11 a.m.—and we were latecomers.
- [So Much Glitter and So Little Sleep [Rio Carnival 2023]](https://correresmidestino.com/so-much-glitter-and-so-little-sleep-rio-carnival-2023/) - I can’t remember what it’s like to wear normal clothes and glitter is my new nightmare. Rio has been awake for 72 hours or possibly more.
- [Slightly Confused, Alone Again, Totally Back in the Nordeste](https://correresmidestino.com/slightly-confused-alone-again-totally-back-in-the-nordeste/) - I felt sorry for Mark—I can’t imagine celebrating Carnival in Rio for two weeks, then flying back to Canada and just resuming school the day after.
- [Batman, Banksy and Goodbyes in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/batman-banksy-and-goodbyes-in-sao-paulo/) - We spent our last full day together exploring Batman's Alley and the neighbourhoods around, admiring the many murals and unique features of São Paulo.
- [Apparently, Coconut Trees and Fishes are Best Appreciated Early](https://correresmidestino.com/apparently-coconut-trees-and-fishes-are-best-appreciated-early/) - Occasionally setting up my alarm at 6 a.m. to go to the beach is a masochistic move I had to get used to in Brazil.
- [A Last Epic Night of Fun Frenzy in Centro [Rio Carnival 2023]](https://correresmidestino.com/a-last-epic-night-of-fun-frenzy-in-centro-rio-carnival-2023/) - The vibe in Centro is “you really shouldn’t be there”—except during Carnival. We started looking for the bloco and I started questioning our sanity.
- [A Strange, Uneventful Week in Limbo in Maceió](https://correresmidestino.com/a-strange-uneventful-week-in-limbo-in-maceio/) - Maceió was love at first sight when I first explored it in 2020. The state capital of Alagoas is gorgeous with many urban beaches, warm waters and palm trees.
- [Five Days of Extreme Nordeste Adventures in Aracaju](https://correresmidestino.com/five-days-of-extreme-nordeste-adventures-in-aracaju/) - Welcome to Aracaju, the capital state of Sergipe, a city 70% sand, 25% crab, 5% cockroach and 100% Nordeste culture.
- [From Aracaju's Giant Crab to Salvador's Famous Lighthouse](https://correresmidestino.com/from-aracajus-giant-crab-to-salvadors-famous-lighthouse/) - As usual, I’m scared, packing takes forever, it seems that the laundry will never be dry and will I find a taxi or a ride in the morning?
- [Salvador, Where a Unique Elevator is Worth Your Time](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-where-a-unique-elevator-is-worth-your-time/) - It took me a few minutes to relax and look around me. This is when I started to feel the pulse of Salvador—and suddenly, the city took my breath away.
- [Barra, Home to Salvador's Stunning Sunsets and Lighthouse](https://correresmidestino.com/barra-home-to-salvadors-stunning-sunsets-and-lighthouse/) - South America’s oldest lighthouse within the walls of Bahia’s oldest fort is the local landmark, standing here in a deliciously chaotic atmosphere.
- [Finding My Way Along the Coastline of Salvador](https://correresmidestino.com/finding-my-way-along-the-coastline-of-salvador-and-life/) - Travelling is a practical step-by-step problem-solving exercise—find shelter, find food, find your way around, plan the next step, kill a mosquito.
- [Well, I'm Happy I Went to Salvador, After All](https://correresmidestino.com/well-im-happy-i-went-to-salvador-after-all/) - I tried picturing three weeks in Salvador, which was a terrible mistake. Not the three weeks, the whole picturing exercise. Instead, I jumped into the unknown.
- [Salvador Has Faith (and is Giving Me Faith!)](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-has-faith-and-is-giving-me-faith/) - Initially, I only stepped into a church because I had a pressing need. Not the religious kind of pressing need, like a five-minute confession or a buy-one-get-one-free salvation, mind you. I… well, I just needed to pee. It’s hard to find public bathrooms in the Pelourinho, a picturesque maze of narrow cobblestone-paved streets, historic buildings,
- [This is Why Salvador is the Centre of Afro-Brazilian Culture](https://correresmidestino.com/this-is-why-salvador-is-the-centre-of-afro-brazilian-culture/) - Here are pictures that illustrate Salvador’s amazing “cultura negra,” originally brought by African slaves and today part of Brazil’s identity.
- [Among Salvador's Gems is This Unique Modern Art Museum](https://correresmidestino.com/among-salvadors-gems-is-this-unique-modern-art-museum/) - My latest exploration took me to the Museum of Modern Art, a unique place in Salvador. I mean, this is probably the only museum with a beach
- [It's Pretty, Up There, in Salvador's Historic Neighbourhoods](https://correresmidestino.com/its-pretty-up-there-in-salvadors-historic-neighbourhoods/) - The cobblestones streets have seen the darkest pages in human history—this was the location of the first slave market in the Americas
- [How to Turn 40 in Salvador](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-turn-40-in-salvador/) - I turned 40 in Salvador. To make the most of it, I signed up for a unique tour of unusual markets and Libertade, the epicentre of Afro-Brazilian culture.
- [How to Go from Samba in Rio to Rock in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-go-from-samba-in-rio-to-rock-in-sao-paulo/) - We needed the six- or seven-hour bus trip and a day off to recover from Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Plus, Brazilian long-distance buses are very comfortable.
- [It's 6:30 a.m., and I’m Flying Across Brazil to Meet a Guy](https://correresmidestino.com/its-630-a-m-and-im-flying-across-brazil-to-meet-a-guy/) - Up to now, my trip made geographical sense. So why am I flying 2,500 kilometres south to Rio de Janeiro to meet a guy? Because it's Carnival, what else
- [Tired of my Glamorous Brazilian Trip? Read About Recife...](https://correresmidestino.com/tired-of-my-glamorous-brazilian-trip-read-about-recife/) - I find Recife stressful. Traffic is bumper to bumper, with sidewalks full of people waiting for a bus because it’s a city where getting around is tricky.
- [Natal to João Pessoa, and an Interesting Vulture Mystery](https://correresmidestino.com/natal-to-joao-pessoa-and-an-interesting-vulture-mystery/) - As far as I know, Brazilian bus terminals all look the same, and none looked like they’ve been designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
- [From São Paulo to Fortaleza, this Isolated Nordeste City](https://correresmidestino.com/from-sao-paulo-to-fortaleza-this-isolated-nordeste-city/) - I knew I was going to spend the first evening and possibly the entire night regretting picking yet another random Brazilian city to explore.
- [How I got from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere](https://correresmidestino.com/how-i-got-from-the-northern-to-the-southern-hemisphere/) - I queued in Cancún at noon, spent the evening sitting around in Bogotá, and I was walking around in São Paulo by the next morning.
- [Exploring Museums and Churches in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/santiagos-pulse-art-and-churches/) - This is my third church today. There are many churches in Santiago, and this is a quirk Mark doesn’t seem to outgrow.
- [Exploring Santiago from the Top of the Hill to the Bottom](https://correresmidestino.com/up-and-down-santiago/) - The trip starts with a lineup to the funicular, a national monument and a great way to get to the top of San Cristóbal hill quickly.
- [First Steps in Valparaiso – Fruits, Veggies, Colours!](https://correresmidestino.com/valparaiso-market/) - We wanted to go somewhere in Chile, but we were not sure where exactlyin this long and narrow strip of land stretching from Arica to Patagonia.
- [Valparaíso and a Boat Trip in the Deep Water of the Pacific Ocean](https://correresmidestino.com/vina-del-mar/) - Is it a good idea to take a two-year-old on a spontaneous boat trip in the deep water of the Pacific Ocean?
- [Santiago – Still in Love With the City or Not?](https://correresmidestino.com/santiago-otra-vez-el-amor/) - Dry air. The Andes. Dust. Hills. Heart-attack inducing prices in the thousands until you realize 5,000 Chilean Pesos are US$10.
- [Santiago – Need Something? A Market Has It](https://correresmidestino.com/santiago-markets/) - Santiago is a giant open-air market. Everywhere you go, there is someone selling something. Watermelons. Fruit salad in a cup, plastic fork included. Lottery tickets. Shoeshine services. Fortune-telling or tarot reading.
- [Santiago – Getting Blessed and Getting Smart](https://correresmidestino.com/santiago-museum-churches/) - We step inside La Merced. It's dark inside and there are people praying, or at least that's what I assume they are doing with their heads bowed. Maybe they are eating a hot dog after all, who knows?
- [The Split Personality of Valparaíso, Chile](https://correresmidestino.com/split-personality-valparaiso/) - Valparaíso has a split personality, it's a place of contrasts. The gritty puerto versus the artsy hills.
- [Viña del Mar – The Chilly Chilean Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/vina-del-mar-the-chilly-chilean-beach/) - How do you know you are on a Chilean beach? It's easy: most people keep their clothes on.
- [The Walls of Santiago and 10 Random Thoughts](https://correresmidestino.com/the-walls-of-santiago-and-10-random-thoughts/) - Here are my random thoughts on Santiago. No, I didn't write them on the walls.
- [Santiago – From Cerro San Cristóbal to the City's Tallest Building](https://correresmidestino.com/cerro-san-cristobal-to-the-tallest-building/) - We dropped off a giant bag of dirty laundry at the lavandería and headed to the Santiago Metropolitan Park to climb the cerro San Cristóbal, the second highest hill in the city.
- [Chile's National Zoo in Santiago (Dragons Not Included)](https://correresmidestino.com/santiago-zoo/) - The tiger yawned and turned his head before going back to sleep, dreaming of the great comida por kilo buffet he could have if only the kids weren't outside the cage.
- [Late Night in Santiago, Chile](https://correresmidestino.com/late-night-in-santiago/) - The Plaza is packed, as usual. Kids bath in the fountain (no Mark, you can't, sorry), run around, climb on the Statue of Pedro de Valdivia. Adult play chess or listen to the very loud preachers.
- [Yellow Underwear, Fake Snow, Fireworks and a New Year Party in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/new-year-eve-santiago/) - This is how December 31 started for us in Santiago. We wandered around the stalls of the busy street markets around Estación Central and watched Santiaguinos buying yellow undies and party supplies for the evening.
- [January 1 in Santiago – Everything is Closed, "Todo Cerrado"](https://correresmidestino.com/january-1-in-santiago-todo-cerrado/) - January 1 was spent adjusting and doing nothing. We had expected the city to be dead and it was.
- [Valparaíso, a Giant Fire and Full Buses](https://correresmidestino.com/valparaiso-fire/) - “Uh… I think I know why we heard a siren."
- [Veggies, Fruits, Cats and Food in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/vega-central/) - After the holiday break, I figured the market would be packed with fresh veggies and fruits, so we walked to La Vega Central to enjoy what the Chilean Central Valley grows.
- [Up and Down in Santiago – Two Hills and a Cable Car](https://correresmidestino.com/up-and-down-in-santiago-two-hills-and-a-cable-car/) - “Mark, I’d rather you touch the cactus than take a picture with my Nikon.” Quick look around. Nope, no English speaker around. Hopefully no one understood what I said and witnessed this great parenting moment of mine.
- ["They Were Tortured Here" – Chile's Dark Past](https://correresmidestino.com/chiles-dark-past/) - It’s hard to believe that forty years ago, a military dictatorship ruled the country.
- [Getting Ready for 2018 and New Year's Eve in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/getting-ready-for-2018/) - Yes, Santiago. Yes, again. Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with Latin America.
- [New Year's Eve 2017 in Santiago in Pictures](https://correresmidestino.com/new-years-eve-in-santiago/) - At 10:30 p.m., we joined the crowd on Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins armed with three cans of spray and a can of Coke
- [This is How 2018 Started in Santiago, Chile](https://correresmidestino.com/and-so-2018-started-in-santiago/) - A city on New Year’s Day is a treat for those who like to explore various neighbours and just wander around.
- [Penguins Can’t Tap Dance (I checked at the Zoo)](https://correresmidestino.com/chilean-national-zoo/) - I wanted Mark to realize that 1) pandas don’t master kung fu 2) penguins can’t tap dance 3) turtles aren’t particularly wise.
- [First Impressions of Antofagasta and the Pacific Ocean](https://correresmidestino.com/antofagasta-the-pacific-ocean/) - Sidewalks were paved, I wasn’t walking in the sand. I found water. There was no procession of miners marching in full gear covered with freshly mined copper.
- [Antofagasta, the Atacama Desert Spirit](https://correresmidestino.com/antofagasta-the-atacama-desert/) - There were cultural clues I couldn’t ignore—we were in a mining city.
- [Exploring Steep Valparaíso and Puzzling Viña del Mar](https://correresmidestino.com/between-valparaiso-vina-del-mar/) - For our first big walk in Valparaíso, we went downhill. We’re not masochist. Well, I am, but Feng isn’t.
- [Cloud of Marijuana Smoke and “Alligators” in Valparaíso](https://correresmidestino.com/27896-2/) - I can clearly see the cloud of marijuana smoke floating over the city, and I think I smell like alcohol even though I don’t drink.
- [Thank You, Chile, for the Positive Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/thank-you-chile/) - Chileans are just decent people. I know, I haven’t been there long and I’m an outsider—maybe I’m just naïve. But I spent time observing people.
- [This is What You See on Top of Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/on-top-of-santiago/) - we had promised Mark a Teleférico de Santiago ride, the cable cart that goes all the way to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal.
- [Wandering Around Santiago, This City I Love](https://correresmidestino.com/wondering-and-wandering-around-santiago/) - I’m happiest when I travel, but if I have to settle somewhere for a little while, I like that somewhere to be Santiago.
- [Santiago is a Very International City Now](https://correresmidestino.com/where-haiti-colombia-venezuela-peru-and-bolivia-meet-in-santiago/) - I hear the familiar sound of French in the street but I don’t understand a thing—it’s Haitian créole. I buy bread at the Colombian bakery and empanadas with traditional Peruvian fillings.
- [This is How Santiago Celebrates International Women’s Day](https://correresmidestino.com/dia-internacional-de-la-mujer-in-santiago-flowers-boobs-and-a-presidential-speech/) - As we discovered, the “Día Internacional de la Mujer” is widely observed in Chile even though it’s not a public holiday.
- [Giant Corn and Fascinating Produce at the Mercado de la Vega](https://correresmidestino.com/giant-corn-of-peru-and-other-produce-at-the-mercado-de-la-vega/) - Have you ever seen choclo, aka Peruvian corn? A kernel is the size of a garlic clove. . Every vegetable and every fruit at the Mercado de la Vega looks huge.
- [A Tiring Weekend of Transition in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/a-weekend-of-transition-in-santiago/) - I’ve never been good at that “living the moment and no worrying about the future” thing. But it’s not just me—the smell of transition is in the air in Santiago too.
- [Valparaíso in One Day – Hills, Murals, and the Pacific Coast](https://correresmidestino.com/valparaiso-in-one-day-2025/) - Valparaíso day trip from Santiago: explore hills, murals, historic elevators, and life beyond the postcard image in this personal travel story.
- [The Eye Doctor Experience in Santiago ("A... E... Z...")](https://correresmidestino.com/a-e-z-the-eye-doctor-experience-in-santiago/) - “I’ll get you new glasses in Santiago!” I promised, half because I knew exactly where to go, and half because I really didn’t want to see a Brazilian optometrist with my limited proficiency in Portuguese.
- [New Destination, 1090 Kilometres North of Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/flying-to-antofagasta/) - We’re taking a little detour by the Atacama Desert, the world’s driest desert.
- [You Will Find Us 9,000 km Further South...](https://correresmidestino.com/9000-km-further-south/) - Flying should feel efficient and indulgent. Except it’s neither.
- [Where, Now? The Chilean Dilemma](https://correresmidestino.com/where-now-the-chilean-dilemma/) - In Chile, the question isn’t “East or West?” but “North or South?” Our trip doesn’t end in Santiago, it starts in the Chilean capital. So, where next?
- [Santiago and The Hot Dog Mystery](https://correresmidestino.com/hot-dog-santiago/) - Chile's fast food choice is the perrito caliente with a mound of different condiments.
- [How I Lost My Brazilian Wax Virginity... in Chile](https://correresmidestino.com/the-other-landing-strip/) - “Take a look!” the esthetician encouraged me. I did, careful to strike the right balance between “appreciative of the work” and “porn-star-in-training”.
- [The Fun Art of "Ascensor-ing" in Valparaíso](https://correresmidestino.com/hills-valparaiso/) - Whenever I arrived in a new city, I’m thirsty. Not literally (although I can be), but I want to explore, see and absorb as much as I can. Even if it means going up and down steep streets. Much of Valparaíso is built on several hills. There are tricks to get around easily: you can take
- [Next Stop After Uruguay? Chile, Because Why Not?](https://correresmidestino.com/going-to-chile/) - On Monday, we bought the tickets online for the Wednesday flight. We didn’t need visas and Chile eliminated the reciprocity fee.
- [São Paulo Ain’t No Gotham City (It's a Million Times Better)](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-aint-no-gotham-city/) - I’m no longer scared of São Paulo. Oh sure, there are places where I wouldn’t go—Centro at night is probably a bad idea—but I don’t feel unsafe at all.
- [Three Days in São Paulo, South America’s Largest City](https://correresmidestino.com/three-days-in-sao-paulo-south-americas-largest-city/) - The first thing you’ll notice during the 40-minute taxi ride from the airport is that you won’t get to explore all of São Paulo—it’s huge.
- [Celebrating Christmas in Rio – Rain and Cheap Champagne](https://correresmidestino.com/christmas-eve-in-rio-downpours-mall-santa-panettone-and-cheap-champagne/) - We spent Christmas Eve walking along the beach, getting soaked and drying between downpours.
- [Christmas Day is More Fun on Ipanema Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/christmas-day-on-ipanema-beach/) - Of all the dangers I’m supposedly facing in Rio, it’s the old ladies walking their dogs I fear the most–they make me feel like a cockroach ruining their walk.
- [This is Centro, The Other Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/the-other-rio-de-janeiro-centro/) - The 15-minute subway trip from Cardeal Arcoverde to Cinêlandia is barely long enough to realize that you're stepping into a different world.
- [Going to São Paulo for the New Year](https://correresmidestino.com/and-back-to-sao-paulo/) - It’s only minutes before landing in São Paulo for the second time in nine days that I realized I could barely remember the first three days we spent there when we came from Canada.
- [New Year's Eve 2019 and What Happens at 00:00 in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/new-year-even-2018/) - “Well, I hope you can wait because we don’t have the choice. It’s a bit of a tradition that the new year starts at midnight and we’re stuck in a crowd of 1.7 million.”
- [How to Find Food on January 1 in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/january-1-2019-in-sao-paulo/) - The sun was shining, the city sounded dead quiet and we didn’t need hangover remedies since we only had half a glass of a mini bottle of cheap champagne.
- [This is Why Ilha de Santa Catarina is (Almost) Paradise](https://correresmidestino.com/ilha-de-santa-catarina-is-almost-paradise/) - Tropical paradise with all the conveniences of a big city and without the usual island price tag. This message was not sponsored by the state of Santa Catarina (but I can write more taglines for room and board!)
- [Long, Empty and Gorgeous Praia Moçambique (My Favourite!)](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-mocambique-the-longest-beach-on-ilha-de-santa-catarina/) - I don't need beer, food or a new swimsuit. I'm going to explore this five- or six-kilometre-long deserted stretch of sand.
- [The Hidden Beaches of Ilha de Santa Catarina](https://correresmidestino.com/the-hidden-beaches-of-ilha-de-santa-catarina/) - The hardest it is to get to a spot, the more likely you’ll enjoy it. It feels like a precious, unique experience, you’re mentally set to appreciate it.
- [Praia Da Joaquim's Amazing Sand Dunes and Massive Rocks](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-da-joaquim/) - The stunning woman standing on the rock with her friends isn’t me—I was below, capturing this Brazilian moment. Dear stranger, I wish I had your butt and your agility.
- [Swimsuit Off on Brazil's Most Famous Nude Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-mole-praia-da-galheta/) - Come to the beach in Brazil. You’ll see every weight, every body shape, you’ll see cellulite, surgery scars, stretch marks...—and yet, everyone is wearing a swimsuit and having fun.
- [When Santa Catarina Island Turns Into a Slow Traffic Mess](https://correresmidestino.com/traffic-jams-ilha-de-santa-catarina/) - You know you’ve been stuck in a traffic jam for too long when you started with Alanis Morissette to end up only a few kilometres further with Bono.
- [Huge, Scary, and Fascinating Sharks (At AquaRio…)](https://correresmidestino.com/aquario/) - The Aquário Marinho do Rio de Janeiro, or “AquaRio,” is the largest marine aquarium in South America and the newest attraction in Rio—it just opened in 2016.
- [Right on Time for the Start of Montevideo's World-Longest Carnival](https://correresmidestino.com/carnival-already-in-montevideo/) - Montevideo has the world’s longest Carnival, starting January through early March. I was accidentally at the right place at the right time.
- [How to Spend a Few Days of Urban Fun in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/urban-fun-in-sao-paulo/) - São Paulo is quickly becoming one of my favourite cities in Latin America, along with Santiago and Montevideo.
- [Punta del Este, Where a Giant Hand is Emerging from the Sand](https://correresmidestino.com/punta-del-estes-famous-hand-and-beaches/) - The first thing you see when you step outside the bus terminal is a giant hand, five human fingers made of iron and cement and partially emerging from sand.
- [Montevideo is a Unique, Friendly, Grungy City](https://correresmidestino.com/friendly-grungy-montevideo/) - Montevideo is Buenos Aires' grungy little sister with messy hair, a slogan tee, jeans with holes and not a care in the world.
- [What to See in Coquimbo? Start With the Fish Market](https://correresmidestino.com/coquimbo/) - At the other end of the 11-kilometre-long beach, on top of a hill, there’s another city with another giant structure—Coquimbo and the Cruz del Tercer Milenio.
- [La Serena is My New Favourite Chilean City](https://correresmidestino.com/la-serena-its-giant-lighthouse-and-the-pacific-ocean/) - I’m glad I took a chance on La Serena—it paid off.
- [La Serena, Where Everybody (Somehow) Knows Your Name](https://correresmidestino.com/la-serena-where-everybody-knows-your-name-how/) - La Serena isn’t some pueblito in the Atacama Desert—it's the capital of the Coquimbo Region and it has a population of 200,000. Yet, it feels like a small town.
- [“Turn Right, Third Cactus on the Left” in the Región de Coquimbo](https://correresmidestino.com/totorallilo/) - Dude, what have I done to you? Do you want me to end up impaled on a giant Chilean cactus, then killed while hitchhiking on the Panamericana?
- [The Coup, The Struggle for Democracy and a New Beginning](https://correresmidestino.com/museo-memoria-derechos-humanos/) - In Argentina, I visited the ESMA, in Santiago, I went to the Museum of Memory and Human Rights.
- [Visit Santiago's Creepiest House, It's Hiding in Plain Sight](https://correresmidestino.com/londres-38/) - Santiago’s creepiest house is a mansion located in an otherwise tiny, lovely neighbourhood, barrio París-Londres.
- [Chile's Cutest Cats Hang Out in Santiago's La Vega Central](https://correresmidestino.com/cats-vega-central/) - If you like cats, giant fruits and veggies and chatting with locals, spend some time in La Vega Central.
- [Love Murals? Go to Barrio Brasil in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/the-colourful-murals-of-barrio-brasil/) - Explore Barrio Brasil, Santiago's fascinating and colourful barrio with stunning murals. Perfect for photography projects
- [Taking the Milky Way to Sea Lions in Talcahuano](https://correresmidestino.com/talcahuano/) - Concepción really welcomes tourists. At the bus terminal, I was overloaded with brochures and recommendations. Yet, I didn't stay. Why?
- [The Valparaíso Option (When You're Tired of Santiago)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-valparaiso-option/) - Valparaíso is backpacker central. Chile’s most colourful city is also a magnet for rich tourists, artists and pretty much anyone who lands in Santiago—it’s next door to the capital, only two hours by bus.
- [… And This is What Concepción Looked Like](https://correresmidestino.com/concepcion/) - Concepción is worth a stop but you probably can’t appreciate it until you truly immerse yourself in campus life or academia.
- [To the Virgin and Back in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/to-the-virgin-and-back/) - There are two main entrances to the park, Pío Nono, in Barrio Bellavista, and Pedro de Valdivia, in Providencia.
- [Avenida Vitacura, Where Rich People Live and Shop in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/avenida-vitacura-santiagos-beverly-hills/) - “Let’s see… how much money do I need today?”I laughed at my own question. Considering the plans for the afternoon, whatever I have in my wallet never be enough.
- [The Fascinating Murals of Barrio Bellavista in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/barrio-bellavista/) - Santiago packed most of the pubs and nightclubs in one neighbourhood, Barrio Bellavista.
- [The Surprisingly International Side of Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/found-in-santiago-china-korea-peru-colombia-and-venezuela/) - My Santiagoneighbourhood, around Universidad de Chile, is basically Little Caracas. If the food isn’t from Venezuela, the vendors are.
- [And This is Why You Should Go to Valparaíso](https://correresmidestino.com/and-this-is-why-you-should-go-to-valparaiso/) - Valparaíso is that place where you do exactly what you shouldn’t be doing in Brazil—getting lost in a maze of colourful neighbourhoods built on steep hills.
- [The Other Valparaíso You Won’t See on Postcards](https://correresmidestino.com/the-other-valparaiso-you-wont-see-on-postcards/) - Despite the apparent lack of human logic behind city planning, life uphill is actually pretty normal. Around the coastal strip … well, it’s another story.
- [Viña del Mar, A Soulless Version of Valparaíso](https://correresmidestino.com/soulless-vina-del-mar/) - There are only eight kilometres between Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, seven metro stations from Puerto to Miramar, but the two cities are a world apart.
- [Four Days in Santiago – This is What I Like to Do](https://correresmidestino.com/four-days-in-santiago/) - Taking a leap of faith out of whatever comfort zone you created into the unknown is scary but addictive.
- [Valparaíso, Between Hippy-Chic Cerros and a Former Jail](https://correresmidestino.com/artilleria/) - I could do Valparaíso even better than last time, I thought. I would find a good map, brainstorm an efficient and scenic way to get from point A to point B and see everything I wanted to see.
- [A Rare Glimpse of La Moneda, Chile’s Presidential Palace](https://correresmidestino.com/palacio-de-la-moneda/) - Guided tour inside the Moneda Palace in Santiago: how to book it, what to expect and what you will see.
- [My Solo Adventure Wasn’t a Waste of Time](https://correresmidestino.com/it-wasnt-a-waste-of-time/) - Travelling solo is a back-to-basics experience, but definitely not a waste of time.
- [These Strange Latino Mysteries That Still Keep Me Awake at Night](https://correresmidestino.com/latino-mysteries-that-still-keep-me-awake-at-night/) - There are Latino mysteries that still keep me awake at night—things I noticed in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile that don’t make much sense to me.
- [My Latest Santiago Shopping Carts Mystery Story](https://correresmidestino.com/the-shopping-carts-mystery/) - When I moved into the studio I’m renting in Santiago, I noticed several shopping carts parked by the elevator, in the lobby of the residential high-rise building. Every night, the shopping carts were gone for a few hours, and they would reappear the next morning.
- [The First Time I Found Myself Waiting Half-Naked For...](https://correresmidestino.com/33880-2/) - Latin America rules for all your body hair removal needs.
- [How I Got Lost on My First Night in Valparaíso](https://correresmidestino.com/first-night-in-valparaiso-lost-stairways-gustavos-phone-alejandros-car-and-a-crazy-football-game/) - At first, everyone went according to plan. And then… well, not so much.
- [I Decided to Explore Concepción... And This Is Why I Left](https://correresmidestino.com/and-this-is-why-i-left-concepcion/) - How some money went missing from my apartment rented from Neuromanagement Apartment Castellón in Concepción, Chile.
- [A Week of Very Fun and Weird Santiago Moments](https://correresmidestino.com/a-week-of-very-santiago-moments/) - “You’re such a good husband, always volunteering to pick up my prescriptions at the pharmacy!” a few Chilean women must have said. I think I found out why.
- [My Latest Major Facepalm Moment in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/facepalm-moment-in-santiago/) - The fleeting thought bugged me for a few seconds, then the light turned green and I crossed La Alameda. Wait. Could there be… another way to cross the avenue?
- [Me in Chile, Them in Canada, in a Parallel Universe](https://correresmidestino.com/in-a-parallel-universe/) - Don’t tell me about the winter storm that swept across America and Canada. Trust me, I know.
- [How to End Up in a Spare Bedroom 500 Km North of Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-end-up-in-someones-spare-bedroom-500-kilometres-north-of-santiago/) - I hope I’ll find the right bus—apparently, mine says “Iquique” (even though I’m going to La Serena) and it should arrive at platform 35 (or 41, or 36).
- [People Go Crazy for “Churrascas” in La Serena](https://correresmidestino.com/people-go-crazy-for-churrascas-in-la-serena/) - If you see people waiting in line in La Serena, join the queue—chances are you’ll be soon eating the best churrascas you’ve ever had.
- [My Weird Rollercoaster of Emotions in Santiago](https://correresmidestino.com/a-rollercoaster-of-emotions-in-santiago/) - It’s 40⁰C, the taxi driver is talking way too fast and once again, I realize that even though I know the city very well, it’s going to take me a bit of time to adjust to Chile.
- [新年快乐 – It’s the Year of the Pig! (Yes, I Have my Illegal Fireworks)](https://correresmidestino.com/新年快乐-its-the-year-of-the-pig/) - “It’s your year, Juliette!” Yep, I’m a 🐖.
- [Across The Chocolate River to Argentina with Colonia Express](https://correresmidestino.com/colonia-express-crossing/) - At 6:30 a.m., Montevideo was quiet, hot, and foggy. I walked to the bus terminal, which is, as always in Uruguay, inside a shopping mall—or maybe shopping malls are inside bus terminals, who knows.
- [The Easy Trip from Buenos Aires to Montevideo](https://correresmidestino.com/boat-bus-to-montevideo-uruguay/) - Going to Montevideo from Buenos Aires is fairly simple. There are two main companies—Buquebus and Colonia Express, both leaving from opposite ends of Puerto Madero.
- [I'm on a Mission to Find Missions in Buenos Aires](https://correresmidestino.com/on-a-mission-to-find-missions-in-buenos-aires/) - Missions? I have plenty, come to think of it. Travelling is a bit like a real-life egg hunt.
- [This is What I’m Leaving Brazil With](https://correresmidestino.com/im-leaving-brazil-with/) - Things to buy in Brazil: Havaianas, panties, good-luck charms, makeup and more.
- [How to Climb the Social Ladder During a Walk Across Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/climb-the-social-ladder-walking-though-rio/) - For me, a perfect illustration of Rio will always be the bunch of teens drunkenly—and somewhat ironically—singing Cidade Maravilhosa on their way to a party .
- [One of These Nights in Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/one-of-these-nights-in-rio/) - Rio de Janeiro stresses me out. I feel bad just mentioning it. Complaining about Rio de Janeiro makes me sound like a snotty, ungrateful traveller.
- [Late-Night Craving – This is Brazil in a (Coco)Nutshell](https://correresmidestino.com/this-is-brazil-in-a-coconutshell/) - At 1:30 a.m., I had a sudden craving for a pão de queijo. Hotel to gas station in the middle of the night. Easy. I grabbed some changeand headed out.
- [Just a Conversation on the Way to Sand Dunes...](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-dos-ingleses-and-the-sand-dunes/) - “I think we’re going to walk for at least an hour.” “More like thirty minutes. And it’s a sand dune, sand dunes are cool, right?”
- [Here is The Full Brazilian Beach Experience, in Pictures](https://correresmidestino.com/the-brazilian-beach-experience-acai-caipirinhas-corn-grilled-meat-pirate-ships-and-more/) - I’ve never considered eating an entire roasted chicken, drinking cocktails, blasting music on loudspeakers or buying a new bikini right on the beach. Clearly, I’m not Brazilian.
- [São Paulo to Florianópolis – From the City to the Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-to-florianopolis/) - It’s the kind of day when you know you won’t accomplish much except going from point A to B and hopefully make it to your destination, which is admittedly a goal in itself.
- [10 Weird Details Guidebooks Don't Say About Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/10-things-about-rio-your-guidebook-didnt-mention/) - This is one of the things I like best about travelling—first-hand experience. You can read all the books you want, chat with people and browse pictures, you won’t truly understand a place until you’ve been here.
- [It Only Takes Ten Hours to Get From Darkness to Light](https://correresmidestino.com/from-darkness-to-light/) - Mark is possibly the only kid who was picked up from school early on an otherwise perfectly ordinary dayto take a ten-hour flight to the Southern hemisphere.
- [Santa Came on December 16—And This Is Why](https://correresmidestino.com/santa-came-on-december-16-and-this-is-why/) - This year, Christmas started with a lie. I went off script. I staged Mark’s Christmas on December 16. And this is why...
- [Surprisingly, Stairs and Doors Offer Fascinating Cultural Insights in Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/stairs-and-doors-in-rio-de-janeiro/) - Stairs and doors are a way of life in Rio de Janeiro. But they’re not just your regular stairs and doors, they say a lot about the city.
- [Rio de Janeiro for Christmas 2020 (Eh, Why Not?)](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-to-rio-de-janeiro/) - I wasn’t being ironic when we posed in front of the corny “eu amo Congonhas” sign in the airport’s central hall, minutes before the flight. I do like Congonhas.
- [Thoughts From Ipanema on Christmas Eve 2020](https://correresmidestino.com/christmas-eve-in-rio-de-janeiro/) - This is Rio—buildings and mountains all around, an impossible number of people packed on a tiny piece of land with mesmerizing topographical features.
- [Rainy Christmas Day 2020 in Another Version of Rio](https://correresmidestino.com/christmas-day-in-rio-de-janeiro/) - We walked along Copacabana beach in the afternoon but it was raining, then I walked along Ipanema beach in the evening but a thunderstorm broke out.
- [Blue Sky, Beach, and Coconuts, This is Barra da Tijuca](https://correresmidestino.com/barra-da-tijuca-blue-sky-beach-and-coconuts/) - Barra da Tijuca is where you’ll find condos (including Bolsonaro’s), golf courses, football player mansions, 2016 Summer Olympic venues, malls and zero favelas.
- [Exploring Rio From the Stairs to the "Tunnel of Death"](https://correresmidestino.com/from-the-stairs-to-the-tunnel-of-death-in-rio-de-janeiro/) - And these are a few sides of Rio, a complicated city in a complicated country.
- [How to Finally Delete 2020 (Brazilian Style, With White Clothes and Fireworks)](https://correresmidestino.com/deleting-2020-in-santa-catarina-island-white-clothes-bridge-tree-swing-and-unofficial-fireworks/) - The recipe to finally delete 2020 was simple according to Brazilians—wear white as a sign of peace, jump over seven waves and throw flowers into the sea.
- [Seven Waves, Wild Dolphins, and Middle-of-the-Jungle Mall for New Year's Day](https://correresmidestino.com/new-years-day-in-ilha-de-santa-catarina-jumping-over-seven-waves-wild-dolphin-and-middle-of-the-jungle-mall/) - I’m not superstitious or anything but I like to start the year on the right foot. Priority of the day—jumping over seven waves to get into Iemanjá’s good books.
- [I'll Go Sand-Dune Hiking for a Top Brazilian Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/ingleses-ilha-de-santa-catarina-hiking-across-sand-dunes-for-the-perfect-beach/) - We decided to hike across the sand dunes at the very end of Praia dos Ingleses to find another hidden beach, Praia do Santinho.
- [Losing Track of the Time on Praia do Moçambique](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-mocambique-ilha-de-santa-catarina-losing-track-of-the-time/) - We find a spot on Praia do Moçambique, on of my favourite beaches on Ilha de Santa Catarina because it’s very, very long, very, very wild and very, very empty.
- [Dunes, Wind and Giant Rocks on Praia da Joaquina](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-da-joaquina-ilha-de-santa-catarina-dunes-wind-and-giant-rocks/) - “How about Joaquina?” “Wait… where is that?” “The other end of Campeche.” “Easy to get to?” “Bumpy. And we have to drive through Barra da Lagoa.”
- [Hiding From a Spectacular Storm on Praia da Armação](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-da-armacao-ilha-de-santa-catarina-the-storm/) - Praia da Armação is the gateway to a better beach called Praia do Matadeiro hidden behind a hill and only accessible on foot.
- [Maceió – (Kind of) Speaking the Language](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-kind-of-speaking-the-language/) - I spent my first few years in Canada feeling like I was swimming underwater—sound did travel but speech was mostly unintelligible.
- [Two Amazing Skies in One Day on Praia do Campeche](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-campeche-ilha-de-santa-catarina-two-skies-in-one-day/) - It wasn’t just jellyfish washed up on the beach, there were hundreds of fishes as well—all kinds of species and all kinds of sizes.
- [Fishermen, Crabs, and Jungle Hike on Praia do Pântano do Sul](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-pantano-do-sul-ilha-de-santa-catarina-fishermen-crabs-and-hike-through-the-jungle/) - Praia do Pântano do Sul is one of these remote beaches in the southern, less developed part of Santa Catarina island.
- [Bodyboarding and Exploring Endless Praia do Moçambique](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-mocambique-ilha-de-santa-catarina-empty-beach-and-bodyboarding/) - I started the afternoon walking on Praia do Moçambique for a couple of hours. If it looks like I was alone on the beach, it’s because I was.
- [Fascinating “Altinha” Ball Skills and Thong Bikinis at Praia do Matadeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-do-matadeiro-ilha-de-santa-catarina-jungle-altinha-and-thong-bikinis/) - The default Brazilian swimsuit is a bikini and 99% of them are thong bikinis. Beaches are a festival of naked butts of all shapes and sizes..
- [Wild Waves and Posh People on Praia Brava](https://correresmidestino.com/praia-brava-ilha-de-santa-catarina-wild-waves-and-posh-beach/) - Feng—whose favourite pastime is to stare at maps—found two new beaches in the north, Praia Brava and Praia da Lagoinha.
- [The Fine Art of Going to the Beach in Ponta Negra, Natal](https://correresmidestino.com/the-fine-art-of-going-to-the-beach-in-ponta-negra-natal/) - Natal is more subtle than it seems. But forget about the traffic, beach chairs and crêpe vendors for a second. Look around. Ponta Negra is actually beautiful.
- [This is The Soundtrack of Natal](https://correresmidestino.com/waves-traffic-and-wind-soundtrack-of-natal/) - I don’t need music, Natal come with soundtracks playing in the background depending on the place and time of the day.
- [It's Lively After Sunset in Tambaú, João Pessoa](https://correresmidestino.com/after-sunset-in-tambau-joao-pessoa/) - I was in the neighbourhood of Tambaú, just a block from the UFO hotel, i.e. Tambaú Hotel, a beautifully weird 1970s architectural oddity—go ahead, Google it.
- [Found the Easternmost Point of South America in João Pessoa!](https://correresmidestino.com/joao-pessoa-and-the-easternmost-point-of-the-south-american-continent/) - The first time I reached it, I didn’t mean to—some explorer I’d been, stumbling onto the easternmost point of the South American continent without realizing it!
- [Beach, Fish for Dinner and Repeat, I Love My Life in João Pessoa!](https://correresmidestino.com/joao-pessoa-beach-fish-for-dinner-and-repeat/) - Every city is like a new country in Brazil, especially if you change state. I didn’t know anything about João Pessoa and the state Paraíba, I just took a chance. Sometimes you get lucky, right?“Gracias!” “Obrigada! … and by the way, I’m not from Argentina,” I laugh, grabbing my late-afternoon cup of coffee. “Argentinean” is like the default citizenship when you don’t speak fluent Portuguese here. “Você e da onde? Uruguay? Eu sei! Venezuela! … Colombia?” “Mais ao norte!” “Panamá?” “Norte!” “Oh, México!” “North! The North of the North!”
- [Lost in Boa Viagem and Old Recife](https://correresmidestino.com/lost-in-boa-viagem-and-old-recife/) - There’s no sea breeze in Recife, it’s hot and stuffy. The Atlantic Ocean is right there but all these tall buildings block the wind .
- [Olinda's Timelessness is What You Need in Time of Crisis](https://correresmidestino.com/timeless-olinda/) - Olinda is only about 20 kilometres from Recife but it’s another worldI spent my first two days in Recife freaking out about Canada’s latest $2000 hotel-quarantine requirement. I have no idea how I’m going to come back to Canada—despite having a return ticket with Air Canada, no less. I’m getting panic attacks at the thought of being locked up in a room. I can’t even imagine
- [I'm Still in Love With Maceió (This is Why)](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-is-still-nice/) - And so I arrived in Maceió with a stranger's sweater, no idea how to fish and a cryptic Airbnb address.“And you should go to something-something praia!” The bus driver is the friendly and enthusiastic kind. I’m listening carefully because local tips are precious. However, I don’t make him repeat the name of the beach I didn’t catch. Brazilians name-drop beaches except the melhor praia do mundo is invariably very far and very remote. There’s
- [Jangada Boat Ride in Maceió to An Amazing Natural Pool](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-jangada-boat-ride-natural-pool-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean-and-plenty-of-fishes/) - Maceió is protected by an offshore coral reef, which is why waters are so calm and the deep emerald colour reminds me of the Caribbean. And so we sailed away. “Hey, wanna come?” Usually, when a complete stranger stops me and asks me if I “want to come,” I decline. I mean, that’s kind of how you stay alive, right? But if you’re walking on the beach and the stranger is a fisherman on a boat, does the rule still apply? I glanced at the
- [The Best Food Truck Parks Ever are in Maceió](https://correresmidestino.com/maceios-awesome-food-truck-parks/) - These permanent food truck centres typically open around 6 p.m. and offer tables, restrooms and maybe live music if you’re lucky.Temperature drops dramatically in Maceió at nighttime and people rush home. Just kidding. Temperature does drop but from 33⁰C to 27⁰C. And everybody stays outside because it does feel slightly cooler and breezy. Right now, if you’re in Europe—apparently colder than usual this year—or in Canada—just regular “fucking cold” winter—you probably hate me. Just remember
- [Aracaju, The City Where Time Stands Still](https://correresmidestino.com/aracaju-where-time-stands-still/) - I’m pretty sure it’s 2021 because there are a few food delivery drivers but there are people riding horses to go places as well, so who knows.I have a complicated relationship with time. I’m often busy, rushing to complete what I feel I have to in whatever time I’m given—a regular workday or a lifetime. My world is full of deadlines, some of them arbitrary and self-imposed, some because, well, life, and some set by clients who want their translated message
- [Aracaju's Amazing Beach is 90% Sand, 10% Water](https://correresmidestino.com/aracaju-and-praia-de-atalaia-the-hidden-gem-90-sand-10-water/) - “Are you sure you want to go to Aracaju?” “I don’t really have a choice. It’s the only stop on the way to Salvador. "
- [Looking for the Goddess of the Sea Along Salvador’s Coastline](https://correresmidestino.com/looking-for-the-goddess-of-the-sea-along-salvadors-coastline/) - I walked past beaches, favelas, the mysterious Piedra da Sereia, and I finally arrived in the somewhat hip neighbourhood of Rio Vermelho.
- [Faith and Stormy Weather in Salvador](https://correresmidestino.com/faith-and-stormy-weather-in-salvador/) - I’ve been feeling a bit lonely and lost in Salvador. It’s a lively, colourful and picturesque city but it’s not an easy place where people have easy lives.Has the pandemic made more people turn to faith or abandon religion? I don’t believe in any kind of higher power—it’s not really the idea of a god I dislike, it’s the fan club I can’t stand—but I still find purpose and meaning in life. And the last few thousands of years have pretty much shown
- [Salvador, Muted – The Year When Pandemic Cancelled Carnival](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-muted/) - Salvador is unusually quiet. It’s like being in a silent film. And this is not what Salvador is about, it’s a city full of colours and music, impromptu drumming sessions and loud social interactions.I’m… not sure where to start with Salvador. Maybe I should start with what didn’t start—Carnival. It should have been last week but, of course, it was cancelled, which is a wise decision everybody can understand. But Carnival isn’t just “some party” in Salvador. The city lives for these few weeks of madness, not only
- [After Salvador, I'm Breathing in Aracaju](https://correresmidestino.com/breathing-in-aracaju/) - Ah, ah, yes, I’m going back to Aracaju, the place I made fun of last year because I just didn’t get it. I get it now. “Que bom que vai voltar !” my Airbnb host wrote me when I booked the same place again. Ah, ah, yes, I’m going back to Aracaju, the place I made fun of last year because I just didn’t get it. I get it now. Yes, it’s a bit rough around the edges but the beach
- [Maceió – Sunday is Beach Day](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-sunday-is-beach-day/) - Streets are invariably empty every Sunday. Everybody is at the beach—where else would you go on your day off?
- [Maceió – The “Swimming Pool” Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-the-swimming-pool-beach/) - Praia de Pajuçara looks like a swimming pool to me—shallow turquoise water, no waves, and dozens of jangadas, typical Nordeste fishing boats.
- [8 Brazilian Things I’ll Miss (and 3 Things I Won’t)](https://correresmidestino.com/8-brazilian-things-ill-miss-and-3-things-i-wont/) - I'm going to miss suicide showers, maracujá, delicious fish and more. Scorpions and cockroaches, not so much.
- [São Paulo to… Paris – When the Past Catches Up With You](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-to-paris-when-the-past-catches-up-with-you/) - I took the plane I should have taken exactly 19 years ago. The past always catches up to you.Going back to Canada wasn’t an option—no plane plus new tough (and expensive) quarantine requirements. Of course, I had considered flying to France but inconveniently, the country had also closed its borders on January 31, including to French citizens living outside the EU unless they had a “motif impérieux,” i.e. a compelling reason to travel. I
- [Maceió to São Paulo – Leaving Brazil Step 1, COVID Test and Full Lockdown](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-to-sao-paulo-leaving-brazil-step-1-covid-test-and-full-lockdown/) - Wrapping up this three-month trip and leaving Brazil is a multistep process… and I’m not even going to end up in Canada yet.
- [Maceió – I Gotta Go](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-i-gotta-go/) - It was “pandemic as usual” during this Brazilian winter. Many common-sense public health measures have been implemented, it’s not like anyone forgot about COVID, but I could breathe.
- [Maceió – “One Day, My Plane Will Come…”](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-one-day-my-plane-will-come/) - I did manage to have my Brazilian visa extended until mid-June but don’t count on me to report from Amazonas or a potential hitchhiking trip back to Canada.
- [Maceió – Two Days with the Federal Military Police](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-two-days-with-the-federal-military-police/) - How do you dress to go to the police station? And not just your local police station, but Brazil’s federal “Polícia Militar” military police headquarters? I’m guessing wearing my vaguely anarchist and sarcastic t-shirts are not a good idea. Unfortunately, this is most of my travel wardrobe. I didn’t pack a classy little black dress Extending your 90-stay in Brazil in Maceió, Alagoas. Tips and personal successful experience.
- [Salvador to Aracaju](https://correresmidestino.com/salvador-to-aracaju/) - I’m going back to Aracaju. The small state of Sergipe is another world, but the last pictures I will have from Salvador and the state of Bahia are the favelas I see from the bus.Favelas are part of the cityscape around Brazil. They are occasionally very close to your typical modern environment, right behind a shopping mall or a five-star hotel. They look colourful, intriguing and picturesque. You can’t miss them in Salvador. There’s one right behind Barra Shopping, actually and many others in distant suburbs or along the
- [It's Official, I'm Stuck in Brazil (Thanks, COVID!)](https://correresmidestino.com/officially-stuck-in-brazil/) - I had a ticket back home. But now, I don't have a plane, so...It’s late but I’m wide awake, staring at the building right across the street. I feel like an idiot and I hate myself for feeling so anxious again. I’ve been ruminating for a week now, unable to move to problem-solving or planning mode. Do you also feel it’s impossible to make decisions these days because
- [Maceió to Aracaju](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-to-aracaju/) - Taking a long-distance bus to go from point A to point B is actually more physically taxing than it seems.Taking a long-distance bus to go from point A to point B is actually more physically taxing than it seems. Sure, I’m not driving the bus—but it’s not just about sitting in a bus for a few hours either. The trip starts the night before with packing, a tedious yet eventually satisfying task because I’m
- [Never Do Laundry The Night Before a Bus Trip](https://correresmidestino.com/recife-to-maceio-a-washing-machine-story-a-sweater-story-and-a-bus-trip/) - I’m committed to try almost anything when I travel. Most of the time, I don’t actually decide to try something new, it’s just that everything is new and different and well, I have to go with the flow. Travelling is about trying new stuff. To put it more poetically, “viajar é mudar a roupa da alma”—“travelling is changing the clothes of your soul,” a quote from Mario Quintana I saw on a magnet tonight. I’m committed to try almost anything when I travel. Most of the time, I don’t actually decide to try something new,
- [Pandemic Quarantine Hotels in Canada and Freaking Out in Recife](https://correresmidestino.com/freaked-out-in-recife/) - I was expecting Recife to be less relaxing than Natal or João Pessoa because it’s a much bigger city, but I didn’t know the stress would come from international news.
- [Nerve-Wrecking Plot Twist in São Paulo and Quick decision](https://correresmidestino.com/last-day-in-sao-paulo-rain-tears-plot-twist-and-short-night/) - Flying back to Canada is harder than it seems, even with a valid COVID test.
- [Driving Around Ilha De Santa Catarina… And Changing A Tire](https://correresmidestino.com/driving-around-ilha-de-santa-catarina-and-changing-a-tire/) - Changing a tire on Santa Catarina Island is easy... if you know what you're doing. Plot twist, we didn't,
- [Pre-Departure COVID Test in São Paulo (Gotta Love Brazilian Pharmacies!)](https://correresmidestino.com/back-to-sao-paulo-the-quest-for-covid-testing/) - COVID-19 testing is now required for people flying into Canada, so we had to get this done in São Paulo.
- [8 Sure Signs You’ve Landed in São Paulo](https://correresmidestino.com/8-signs-youve-landed-in-sao-paulo/) - There are trees growing on trees, trees that look almost as tall as buildings around and trees growing underneath concrete with roots protruding through cracked pavement.
- [Pandemic Travel 2020 – Ottawa-Toronto-São Paulo (Made It!)](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-to-sao-paulo/) - So much was changing and so much could still change before the departure date that the list of reasons we may not be able to leave was long but not exhaustive.
- [Four Day in São Paulo – Strange Trees, Markets, and Rock Music](https://correresmidestino.com/four-day-in-sao-paulo-strange-trees-markets-and-rock-music/) - I was fully aware we were going to São Paulo, yet it was still weird to actually wake up in São Paulo. It's summer! Streets are busy!
- [Unchristmasy But Lovely Christmas 2021 on Ilha de Santa Catarina](https://correresmidestino.com/unchristmasy-but-lovely-christmas-2021-on-ilha-de-santa-catarina/) - Feng and I accidentally adopted a very unchristmasy version of Christmas, the kind that wouldn’t get the Vatican’s blessing.
- [Exploring a New Corner of Brazil in Bombinhas – Hidden Beaches, Hills… And a Banana Boat](https://correresmidestino.com/exploring-a-new-corner-of-brazil-in-bombinhas-hidden-beaches-hills-and-a-banana-boat/) - I don't know what’s going on in other parts of the world right now, but in Bombinhas, people are mostly drinking, going to the beach, and eating pizza.
- [Three Monkeys on The Monkey Trail for This Insanely Beautiful View of Bombinhas](https://correresmidestino.com/three-monkeys-on-the-monkey-trail-for-this-insanely-beautiful-view-of-bombinhas/) - You just can’t trust Brazilians when it comes to hill trails. I’ve seen entire families taking steep trails through the jungle just to reach a viewpoint.
- [The Two Unique and Completely Different Beaches of Canto Grande, Bombinhas](https://correresmidestino.com/the-two-unique-and-completely-different-beaches-of-canto-grande-bombinhas/) - Picture a narrow strip of land bordered by beaches on either side—this is the first view of Canto Grande we got, the bird’s-eye view on the Monkey Trail.
- [New Year’s Eve 2021 in Florianópolis – Beach Party, Fireworks, White Outfits, and Roses Tossed Into the Ocean](https://correresmidestino.com/new-years-eve-2021-in-florianopolis-beach-party-fireworks-white-outfits-and-roses-tossed-into-the-ocean/) - We hesitated until the last minute—where and how should we celebrate New Year’s Eve 2021?
- [Catching Waves to Feel Alive at Praia dos Açores](https://correresmidestino.com/catching-waves-to-feel-alive-at-praia-dos-acores-florianopolis/) - We were driving to the south of Ilha de Santa Catarina when WhatsApp notifications started popping up on my phone.
- [Starting 2022 In Florianópolis On Packed Beaches And Rare Worriless Weekend](https://correresmidestino.com/starting-2022-in-florianopolis-packed-beaches-and-rare-worriless-weekend/) - We started 2022 at the beach, and several hours later, we were back… well, at the beach. I felt free and mostly worriless. Such moments are precious.
- [Windy Hike Across Fascinating Sand Dunes on Santa Catarina Island](https://correresmidestino.com/windy-hike-across-fascinating-sand-dunes-on-santa-catarina-island/) - Each sadn dune felt different under our feet—hot sand, cold sand, white or beige sand, coarse or fine sand, and mysterious sculptures found along the way.
- [People Watching on Santa Catarina Island - Ingleses and Canasvieiras Beaches](https://correresmidestino.com/people-watching-on-santa-catarina-island-ingleses-and-canasvieiras-beaches/) - Just accept that Spiderman sells boiled corn, Batman sells churros and you’re buying caipirinha cocktails from the Little Mermaid.
- [Perfect Waves and Jungle Trail at Praia Do Santinho](https://correresmidestino.com/perfect-waves-and-jungle-trail-at-praia-do-santinho/) - This is the perfect beach. Not too crowded, great waves, warm water and yes, picturesque and probably painful Bluebottle jellyfish washed up on the sand
- [Revenge on Water and Goodbyes to Santa Catarina Island](https://correresmidestino.com/revenge-on-water-and-goodbyes-to-santa-catarina-island/) - Watching waves, catching the perfect one with the perfect timing, feeling the push, the water rushing along your body and the power of the ocean.
- [I’m Still in Brazil, Right? – Ponta Negra, Natal](https://correresmidestino.com/im-still-in-brazil-right-ponta-negra-natal/) - The Nordeste is a unique place in Brazil—to me, it’s puzzling and exotic. I love it.
- [Wild Beach, Love Beach, Nude Beach and Gorgeous Beach – Exploring João Pessoa’s Southern Coast](https://correresmidestino.com/wild-beach-love-beach-nude-beach-and-gorgeous-beach-exploring-joao-pessoas-southern-coast/) - I signed up for a day trip to João Pessoa’s southern coast—three short stops and an afternoon on one of the region's most beautiful beaches.
- [Unlocking a New Way to Beach Bum, Brazilian Style – Looking for Pipa Beach and Finding So Much More](https://correresmidestino.com/unlocking-a-new-way-to-beach-bum-brazilian-style-looking-for-pipa-beach-and-finding-so-much-more/) - I signed up for a “passeio para Pipa,” basically a full-day trip to Pipa, a very popular surf spot and laid-back town close to Natal.
- [Figuring Things Out at the Easternmost Point of South America](https://correresmidestino.com/figuring-things-out-in-joao-pessoa-at-the-easternmost-point-of-south-america/) - Last year, I ended up in João Pessoa because it was a convenient stop between Natal and Recife. This year, I came back because I actually liked the city.
- [Thrilling “I’ll Try Everything” Day Along Natal's Southern Coast](https://correresmidestino.com/thrilling-ill-try-everything-day-along-natals-southern-coast/) - The day trip along Natal's southern coast turned out to be unique— it was all about experiences.
- [Looking for Time (And Ending Up at the Beach)](https://correresmidestino.com/looking-for-time-and-ending-up-at-the-beach/) - You may be wondering what the hell I’m doing all day long considering I’m not supervising a kid and I don’t seem to be working.
- [Accidental Insights on Favela Life, Sharks and Old Buildings in Recife](https://correresmidestino.com/accidental-insights-on-favela-life-sharks-and-old-buildings-in-recife/) - It’s an interesting contrast to say the least—Shopping Recife nd the “Entra a Pulso” favela just in front of it.
- [São Miguel dos Milagres, The Brazilian Caribbean](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-miguel-dos-milagres-the-brazilian-caribbean/) - Yes, it did look like a picture-perfect Caribbean beach—white sand, turquoise water, colourful fishing boats and palm trees.
- [Colourful Streets, Jungle-Covered Churches and Cats in Peaceful Olinda](https://correresmidestino.com/colourful-streets-jungle-covered-churches-and-cats-in-peaceful-olinda/) - Olinda feels “easy” compared to Recife. It’s small, walkable, colourful, peaceful. No modern skyscrapers, but convents, churches and monasteries.
- [First Impressions of Vila Velha — Slightly Confused, Kind of Excited](https://correresmidestino.com/first-impressions-of-vila-velha-slightly-confused-kind-of-excited/) - I woke up in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, a city I didn’t even suspect existed a couple of weeks ago. Exploring a new place is a treat for travellers.
- [Why Are Coconuts Cheap? Found The Answer at Praia Do Gunga!](https://correresmidestino.com/why-are-coconuts-cheap-found-the-answer-at-praia-do-gunga/) - “Look, coconuts are super cheap here!” one of my new Brazilian friends noticed when we arrived at Praia do Gunga, 50 kilometres south of Maceió.
- [Covento da Penha, Vila Velha’s Top of the Hill Convent with a Stunning View](https://correresmidestino.com/covento-da-penha-vila-velhas-top-of-the-hill-convent-with-a-stunning-view/) - What this?” I asked the taxi driver, pointing to the lit building on top of a tall hill as we were crossing the Terceira Ponte between Vitória and Vila Velha.
- [Maceió, The (Much Better) 2022 Version](https://correresmidestino.com/maceio-the-much-better-2022-version/) - I was such a drama queen… Turns out that coming back to Maceió after last year’s experience doesn’t feel that weird.
- [Don’t Come to Vitória for the Beach (But Stay for an Island of Super Rich, Unexpected Fauna and an “Onion”)](https://correresmidestino.com/dont-come-to-vitoria-for-the-beach-but-stay-for-an-island-of-super-rich-unexpected-fauna-and-an-onion/) - I spent the ten-minute ride with my eyes glued to the window, enjoying the scenic drive across Brazil’s second-tallest bridge.
- [What to Do in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo? The Full Report, Part I](https://correresmidestino.com/what-to-do-in-vila-velha-espirito-santo-the-full-report-part-i/) - It would be an understatement to say that few tourists venture in Espírito Santo. But there are hidden gems, Praia da Costa and Morro do Moreno for a start.
- [What to Do in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo? The Full Report, Part II](https://correresmidestino.com/what-to-do-in-vila-velha-espirito-santo-the-full-report-part-ii/) - Vila Velha is that place where you can visit an island and a chocolate factory the same day if you feel like it.
- [Three Days of the Perfect Version of Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/three-days-of-the-perfect-version-of-rio-de-janeiro/) - Rio de Janeiro can be the most beautiful place on earth or a real shithole. It's both fascinating and exhausting, as pretty as a picture and downright dirty.
- [This is Just the Calm Before the Storm in Cabo Frio...](https://correresmidestino.com/this-is-just-the-calm-before-the-storm-in-cabo-frio/) - I didn’t know anything about Cabo Frio and I can’t even remember how we picked it. It's not a hidden gem mind you, it’s a popular holiday spot in Brazil.
- [Turning 39 – How to Celebrate a Birthday Alone in Ubatuba](https://correresmidestino.com/turning-39-how-to-celebrate-a-birthday-alone-in-ubatuba/) - Turning 39 in Ubatuba wasn’t on my bucket list but I suppose I had to turn 39 somewhere and I knew it wouldn’t be in Canada when I changed my return date.
- [Búzios – Found Brigitte Bardot, But Not (Really) The Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/buzios-found-brigitte-bardot-but-not-really-the-beach/) - Búzios is posh—blame the French for that, or rather a French actress you’ve probably heard about, Brigitte Bardot.
- [Cabo Frio Carnival 2022 – Celebrating Life (is Better Than Creating Chaos)](https://correresmidestino.com/cabo-frio-carnival-2022-celebrating-life-is-better-than-creating-chaos/) - Last week, a war started in Europe. Last week, Carnival started in Brazil.
- [At the End of the Day, We’re All Just Silhouettes](https://correresmidestino.com/at-the-end-of-the-day-were-all-just-silhouettes/) - At the end of the day, we’re all just silhouettes against whatever light is left.
- [Arraial do Cabo, The Chaotic Town With Unique Paradise Beaches](https://correresmidestino.com/arraial-do-cabo-the-chaotic-town-with-unique-paradise-beaches/) - Praia Grande offers white sand, clear water and a single powerful wave hitting the beach every few minutes.
- [Window to Paradise – Urban Exploration in Arraial do Cabo](https://correresmidestino.com/window-to-paradise-urban-exploration-in-arraial-do-cabo/) - This is how I ended up on top of a hill, inside an abandoned factory, just after admiring sea turtles and wandering between fishermen shacks.
- [A Lovely, Normal Week in Cabo Frio Later – New Plans and Decision Made](https://correresmidestino.com/a-lovely-normal-week-in-cabo-frio-later-new-plans-and-decision-made/) - I should be rushing to São Paulo to take yet another mandatory COVID test and catch my flight back to Canada. I guess I’m not, not yet at least.
- [Time Travelling to Paraty – What Year is This, Already?](https://correresmidestino.com/time-travelling-to-paraty-what-year-is-this-already/) - I’m not sure what year is this… but I’m pretty sure I’m in Paraty.
- [Hippie Trinidade, Jungle Trails and Camera Suicide](https://correresmidestino.com/hippie-trinidade-jungle-trails-and-camera-suicide/) - Trinidade is where you’ll find decent beaches. It’s not even a dot on the map, a village in the jungle, a small hippie community just 25 kilometres from Paraty.
- [How to Spend 36 Hours in Rio de Janeiro (When You Have To)](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-spend-36-hours-in-rio-de-janeiro-when-you-have-to/) - What can you do in 36 hours in Rio de Janeiro? Don’t bother Google “one day in Rio, what to do.” I did. Itineraries are ridiculous.
- [The “Ubachuva” Experience in Ubatuba – Two Cities in One Stay!](https://correresmidestino.com/the-ubachuva-experience-in-ubatuba-two-cities-in-one-stay/) - I knew this last part of the trip would be challenging, but the sun was shining when I arrived in Ubatuba, aka “Uba-chuva” (“chuva” means “rain”).
- [Paraty, The Only Town With Crabs Hiding Under Cobblestones](https://correresmidestino.com/paraty-the-only-town-with-crabs-hiding-under-cobblestones/) - I took way too many pictures, ate the best brownie I’ve ever had, walked everywhere and got soaked a few times.
- [A Week in Wild, Surprising and Mildly Confusing Ubatuba](https://correresmidestino.com/a-week-in-wild-surprising-and-mildly-confusing-ubatuba/) - Ubatuba wasn’t what I expected, and for that, it was worth it.
- [Beaches (Good!) and Blackout (Bad!) in São Sebastião](https://correresmidestino.com/beaches-good-and-blackout-bad-in-sao-sebastiao/) - São Sebastião felt less wild than Ubatuba, a subjective statement considering I lived with ants and lizards and there were giant sea turtles swimming around.
- [Island Life, Secluded Beaches and Black Fly Repellent in Ilhabela](https://correresmidestino.com/island-life-secluded-beaches-and-black-fly-repellent-in-ilhabela/) - I signed up for Ilhabela after reading all the fine print. I don’t mind getting out of my comfort zone, especially at the end of a trip, when it’s on the way.
- [How to Survive the Night From Hell in Ilhabela and a Chaotic Bus Trip to Santos](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-survive-the-night-from-hell-in-ilhabela-and-a-chaotic-bus-trip-to-santos/) - Is it the calm before the storm or after the storm? I never know. Well, now I’ll remember thanks to Ilhabela.
- [Back to Santos, Where the World Started Falling Apart](https://correresmidestino.com/back-to-santos-where-the-world-started-falling-apart/) - The world started falling apart during my one-and-only stay in Santos two years ago. I can assure you both events are, however, completely unrelated.
- [This is Why I love São Paulo (Tchau, Brasil!)](https://correresmidestino.com/this-is-why-i-love-sao-paulo-tchau-brasil/) - São Paulo has to be the best city on earth for urban exploration. It’s endless, it’s bustling with energy, it never really sleeps, it’s surprising and heartwarming.
- [Paraty To Ubatuba – 75 Km, *Five* Hours, and a Weird Movie Moment Later…](https://correresmidestino.com/paraty-to-ubatuba-75-km-five-hours-and-a-weird-movie-moment-later/) - I should have been boarding my flight back to Canada at São Paulo’s GRU Airport today. Instead, I’m in Paraty’s bus terminal waiting for my bus to Ubatuba.
- [Rio De Janeiro To Cabo Frio – Somewhere New, Something Different](https://correresmidestino.com/rio-de-janeiro-to-cabo-frio-somewhere-new-something-different/) - I was flexible about everything except from February 25 to March 2—I had to pick a place and book ahead.
- [Amazing View from Above Between Vitória and Rio de Janeiro](https://correresmidestino.com/amazing-view-from-above-between-vitoria-and-rio-de-janeiro/) - I’m starting to wonder if I’m going to be the only passenger on the 2:10 p.m. flight from Vitória to Rio de Janeiro.
- [Three Airports and 1,600 Kilometres Later in a New Corner of Brazil](https://correresmidestino.com/three-airports-and-1600-kilometres-later-in-a-new-corner-of-brazil/) - Ever heard of the state of Espírito Santo? I know, me neither—which is why I decided to go. Well, that and a cheap GOL ticket bought at Shopping Recife.
- [“Should I Go to Maceió?” And Other Travel Dilemmas](https://correresmidestino.com/should-i-go-to-maceio-and-other-travel-dilemmas/) - I discovered Maceió in 2020 and I loved it, so I came back in 2021. But I accidentally spent a lot of time in Maceió last year when I was stuck in Brazil.
- [Timing is Everything When Flying to the Nordeste](https://correresmidestino.com/flying-to-brazils-nordeste-and-landing-in-natal-timing-is-everything/) - I flew to Natal, it’s not like I hiked across the country, but the entire travel day was a bit stressful because it was all about timing.
- [We're All Going North… Just Not The Same “North”](https://correresmidestino.com/sao-paulo-all-going-north-and-just-not-the-same-north/) - “I’m sniffing because I’m kind of crying,” I inform Feng with as much dignity as I can muster.
- [These Rarely Mentioned and Much Less Glamorous Travel Moments](https://correresmidestino.com/these-rarely-mentioned-and-much-less-glamorous-travel-moments/) - I get it, I’m annoying. I’m posting pictures of amazing beaches, I seem to be living in my bikini, and I sound pretty relaxed. this is the “edited” version of life.
- [Ottawa-Montreal-São Paulo – Stopping at the Deicing Station Before Summer](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-montreal-sao-paulo-stopping-at-the-deicing-station-before-summer/) - It’s going to be a miracle if we make it—just us, I mean, I’m sure the world is going to be fine, it’s been around for a while.
- [Going, Going... Gone (Feels Like a Déjà Vu, Right?)](https://correresmidestino.com/going-going-gone-feels-like-a-deja-vu-doesnt-it/) - Yes, I’ve heard about the pandemic. No, I don’t just decide to leave Canada every time a new variant shows up.
- [The "Instant Economy" of 2026: How PayPal Sets the Standard for Fast Payouts](https://correresmidestino.com/the-instant-economy-of-2026-how-paypal-sets-the-standard-for-fast-payouts/) - We live in the age of the "Instant Economy." In 2026, the tolerance for waiting has effectively vanished. Whether it is same-hour delivery of groceries or real-time streaming of 8K content, consumers expect immediate gratification. This shift in expectations has disrupted the financial sector more than any other, particularly in the world of online entertainment.
- [Zoom Airlines Failed us... and Ceased All Operations](https://correresmidestino.com/getting-there-is-only-half-the-fun/) - We walked to the Zoom Airlines counter where a bunch of angry French women were already yelling at the employee.
- [How We Lost Everything in Panama](https://correresmidestino.com/of-laundry-and-losing-everything/) - We didn't do anything. Just tried to do some laundry. And yet, we ended up at the police station... and in a big mess.
- [Travelling Pregnant Was an Interesting Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/pregnancy-and-travel/) - I had an easy pregnancy and that I was able to stay active right until the very end. Yes, I traveled when I was pregnant. Why not?
- [Major Fail, Left My Laptop Behind at Toronto Pearson Airport](https://correresmidestino.com/et-merde/) - Et merde. Pretty much everything that could go wrong went wrong—not in a major way (we did make it to France) but in a series of small annoying ways.
- [Best and Worst Hotel Experiences Around the World](https://correresmidestino.com/best-and-worst-hotels/) - Staying in a hotel is often one of the perks of traveling. You don’t have to do anything but check in (and pay). But sometimes, it just doesn’t go as planned…
- [Packing, Going (The Future is Happening)](https://correresmidestino.com/packing-going-the-future-is-happening/) - The date on the plane tickets we booked a little while ago is tomorrow. Christmas presents were unwrapped and now we are packing—packing for travelling. My favourite kind of packing, ever.
- [Unpacking and Rediscovering Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/unpacking/) - I pause at the doorstep. It’s a bit overwhelming, really. Do we really live here? Do we really have a shower, a microwave, a TV, Internet access?
- [Take Chances. Lots of Them.](https://correresmidestino.com/take-chances-lots-of-them/) - This is when, at the ripe old age of almost 19, that I realized that life is like the blank page of a book waiting to be written.
- [How to Change your Identity](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-change-your-identity/) - Like millions of people all over the globe, I have multiple identities and I (probably) don’t need to seek professional help.
- [10 Weird Moments Hours Before a Backpacking Trip](https://correresmidestino.com/10-weird-moments-hours-before-a-backpacking-trip/) - Are we careless hedonists or masochists? I can't even tell. Both, possibly.
- [We're Going Travelling... And Yes, Actually Going is Scary](https://correresmidestino.com/scared/) - Even experienced backpackers are scared of travelling. It's normal, I suppose.
- [Roger Waters and The Wall, Live in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/the-wall-live/) - Roger Waters came on stage at 8 pm sharp. Fireworks lit up the place and he began singing. “So ya Thought ya/ Might like to go to the show..."
- [I Finally Got to See The Tragically Hip Live!](https://correresmidestino.com/the-hip/) - I survived many winters, I took my driving license in the snow, went to hockey games… but I had never seen The Tragically Hip live until last week.
- [Seeing Billy Talent Live Was Just Awesome](https://correresmidestino.com/billy-talent/) - A few days earlier, after seeing The Tragically Hip, I was at the Billy Talent concert. They rocked it!
- [Yay, Tickets to WWE and to the Pearl Jam Concert!](https://correresmidestino.com/wwe-and-pearl-jam/) - Last week was entertainment week for us—we had tickets for two shows in Ottawa, Monday Night RAW and Pearl Jam.
- [All the Canadian Clichés All Conveniently in One Place – An Afternoon at the NHL Centennial Fan Arena](https://correresmidestino.com/nhl-centennial-fan-arena-ottawa/) - Last weekend, we went to Lansdowne Park to check out the NHL Centennial Fan Arena, “a touring tribute to a century of hockey”—no, it doesn’t get more Canadian than that.
- [Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the 2017 Ottawa Bluesfest](https://correresmidestino.com/tom-petty-concert/) - And fourteen years later, here we were, at the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ concert, the last show of Ottawa’s annual Bluesfest.
- [Secret, Forbidden Rendez-Vous Among Tulips in Pandemic Times](https://correresmidestino.com/a-secret-rendez-vous-in-pandemic-times-tulips-somehow-included/) - Like all events, the Canadian Tulip Festival was cancelled. But tulips were still planted and they bloomed because they don’t give a damn about COVID-19.
- [Flower Power, Tulips Make People Happy in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/flower-power-tulips-make-people-happy-in-ottawa/) - I do understand why it’s exciting to go see tulips in bloom. I run away from winter but most Canadians don’t, so spring is something to celebrate.
- [You Know What Draws Crowds in Ottawa? Tulips!](https://correresmidestino.com/you-know-what-draws-crowds-in-ottawa-tulips/) - I still don’t understand how the fragile bulbs can survive months of freezing temperatures but they reliably show up every May around Dow’s Lake in Ottawa.
- [Making Awesome Memories with Crowded House in Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/making-awesome-memories-with-crowded-house-in-toronto/) - Music is meant to be shared, so Feng introduced me to Crowded House and in turn, we introduced Mark to the band. This is why we went to see them in Toronto.
- [Neil Young Live in Toronto – The Woodstock-Vibe Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/neil-young-live-in-toronto-the-woodstock-vibe-experience/) - Lying on the grass, gazing at the sky, and listening to Neil Young sing the world the way he sees it was a trippy experience.
- [The Hilarious "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" Movie and Canadian Humour](https://correresmidestino.com/bon-cop-bad-cop-and-canadian-humour/) - If you want to catch a glimpse of Canadian culture, watch Bon Cop, Bad Cop II. It’s a really good movie.
- [Going to a Toronto Blue Jays MLB Game is Actually Fun](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-blue-jays/) - We drove to Toronto with tickets to see the Blue Jays vs. the Oakland Athletics. I don't like baseball but it was actually a fun experience.
- [How To Get Your Kid Hooked to Hockey](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-sens-practice/) - Easy. Step one, make sure the baby doesn’t sleep in the morning (ah ah, easy with Mark!). Step two, head to the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata for the open Ottawa Senators practice.
- [I'm Applying for Canadian Citizenship... But NO SMILING!](https://correresmidestino.com/please-no-smiling/) - I love Canadians, but they are weird with pictures. See, in France, we still have old-fashioned automatic photo booths, €4 for a sheet of four pictures.
- [How To Survive Your First Year In Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-survive-your-first-year-in-canada/) - Your first 12 months in Canada will most likely be one of the most interesting years of your life. Adapting to a new culture and a new environment takes time.
- [How Much Does Immigrating To Canada Really Cost?](https://correresmidestino.com/how-much-does-immigrating-to-canada-cost/) - A summary of the processing fees and all the fees associated with immigrating to Canada.
- [How Long Does the Immigration Process Take for Canada?](https://correresmidestino.com/length-of-immigration-process/) - Tips to make sure your application for permanent residence inCanada is processed as fast as it can be and mistakes that could slow it down.
- [What Happens When You Land in Canada as a Permanent Resident](https://correresmidestino.com/arriving-with-the-permanent-residence/) - Congrats on your permanent residency status in Canada! What happens next? What should you do before coming to Canada? How does the landing process work?
- [10 Common Immigration Questions](https://correresmidestino.com/10-common-immigration-questions/) - Here are the answers to the ten most common immigration questions.
- [3 Very Important Cards All Permanent Residents Must Get When Landing](https://correresmidestino.com/first-step-as-a-permanent-resident/) - Applying for a Permanent Resident card, a SIN card and a Health Card.
- [Citizenship Exam Day In Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/citizenship-exam-day-in-ottawa/) - Taking the Canadian citizenship day in Ottawa.
- [I'm About to Become Canadian!](https://correresmidestino.com/i-made-it/) - Receiving the notice to appear to take the oath of citizenship.
- [Citizenship Ceremony In Ottawa – I'm Officially Canadian!](https://correresmidestino.com/citizenship-ceremony-in-ottawa/) - The judge’s speech was very moving. She welcomed us all in Canada and stressed on our new rights and responsibilities.
- [My Brand New Canadian Passport!](https://correresmidestino.com/my-brand-new-canadian-passport/) - Applying for a Canadian passport after being granted citizenship.
- [I Voted in Canada For The First Time!](https://correresmidestino.com/i-can-vote/) - On March 4, I accomplished my duty as a new Canadian citizen—I voted for the first time in Canada, in the provincial by-election in Ottawa West-Nepean.
- [Uncovering an Immigration Job Scam](https://correresmidestino.com/immigration-job-scam/) - I will show you how to not be tricked by scammers based on a recent example.
- [Should You Apply for Canadian Citizenship? The Pros and Cons](https://correresmidestino.com/the-pros-and-cons-to-canadian-citizenship/) - A summary of the practical advantages and main drawbacks to Canadian citizenship. A must-read before applying for Canadian citizenship!
- [Immigrating to Canada – 6 Years Later, What Changed?](https://correresmidestino.com/immigration-6-years-later/) - I immigrated to Canada in 2005. Six years later, what changed immigration-wise? Is immigrating to Canada easier? Faster?
- [Which Kind of (Prospective) Immigrants Are You? Find Out!](https://correresmidestino.com/five-types-of-immigrants/) - I receive a fair share of questions on this blog. I actually enjoy answering them—it’s rewarding to share your experience and to help. But some questions get on my nerves.
- [How To NOT Ask For Help – Tips to be This Infuriating Person](https://correresmidestino.com/how-to-not-ask-for-help/) - This is how to NOT ask for help for help when contacting a blogger.
- [5 Reality Checks on Your Canada Immigration Project](https://correresmidestino.com/reality-checks-on-immigration/) - I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a reality check on your immigration project is often needed. Start with that, it will make your journey easier.
- [I Get Tons of Weird "Help Me" Emails... And I Can't Help](https://correresmidestino.com/blogger-burden/) - There is “one of these” again in my inbox today. The “object” line reads “help me”. I can guess the content of the email, the suspense factor is minimal.
- [It’s a Small World… Or Is It?](https://correresmidestino.com/its-a-small-world-or-is-it/) - I still don’t consider Ottawa my “hometown” even though use of this word is appropriate since it is my fixed residence.
- [Leaving Isn’t Such a Trivial Thing, After All](https://correresmidestino.com/leaving-isnt-such-a-trivial-act-after-all/) - Leaving, travelling, immigrating to Canada—these were all my choices. They affected those around me, and I have to live with this.
- [The Art of Asking (The Right Person, The Right Way)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-art-of-asking-the-right-person-the-right-way/) - Not only it’s not my goddamn job to help you, but I can’t—I’m not qualified to. It’s as simple as that. You’re asking the wrong person.
- [The Working Holiday Visa Option to "Test" Canada Easily](https://correresmidestino.com/get-a-working-holiday-visa/) - The question isn't why I came to Canada but why I stayed. The answer is simple—because I could and I have to thank the Working Holiday Visa program for that.
- [4 Reasons Why I Live In Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/5-reasons-why-i-live-in-canada/) - Living in Canada was difficult at first for all the reasons I just mentioned. But little by little, things got easier. Looking back, I think five reasons made me stay in Canada.
- [How to Shop for Clothes in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/guide-clothes-shopping-canada/) - There are some tips and tricks to clothes shopping in Canada. So I wrote a little "guide to clothes shopping in Canada" for newcomers.
- [Splitting Hair on Haircuts – It's Expensive in Canada!](https://correresmidestino.com/haircuts-canada/) - Who would have known haircuts were such a complicated matter in Canada! From tipping to booking a stylist, nothing is straightfoward. And it's expensive too.
- [How to Prepare Your Body as Winter Arrives](https://correresmidestino.com/cocooning/) - To survive the dreaded Canadian winter, I’m picky about my beauty products because I want them to be: 1) affordable; 2) easy to use; 3) effective.
- [Getting Around by Bike in Ottawa, Easy or Hard?](https://correresmidestino.com/cmon-let-me-ride/) - The first step was to buy a bike—yes, our Chinese household didn’t own one. I also bought a lock, a bell (required by law in Ottawa) and a helmet.
- [10 Neologisms You Didn’t Know You Needed as a Parent](https://correresmidestino.com/10-neologisms/) - I’m not sure how many words there are in English, but after a quick meeting with myself, we decided that whatever the magic number was, it wasn't enough.
- [Renewing My Expired G2 Driver's Licence Turned Out... Interesting](https://correresmidestino.com/g2-exam/) - When I received the “your G2 licence is about to expire, take the test NOW!” notice in the mail in December, I hid it behind my Chinese dictionary.
- [Life Gets Complicated If You Don't Speak English in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/the-language-connection/) - If you immigrate with other family members or if you are considering sponsoring relatives, make sure they are up to the linguistic challenge.
- [“They Eat What?!” – Products You'll Find in Canadian Supermarkets](https://correresmidestino.com/canadian-supermarket-food-1/) - What do Canadian eat? What can you find in Canadian supermarkets? I took pictures of common products most Canadians buy.
- [More Popular Canadian Grocery Items... With Pictures!](https://correresmidestino.com/canadian-supermarket-food-2/) - Food is a fascinating topic from a cultural perspective. Come and check out popular North American products, like Pizza Pops, Kraft Dinner, Goldfish Crackers and Cheestring!
- [3 Easy Steps to Save Money on Groceries (Tested and Approved!)](https://correresmidestino.com/save-money-on-groceries/) - Occasionally, when I'm done feeling inadequate as a mother and when I'm tired to worry about the state of the world, I decide to freak out about money.
- ["The Doctor Will (Hopefully) See You Now" – A Canadian Walk-In Clinic How-To Guide](https://correresmidestino.com/walk-in-clinic-how-to/) - Not feeling well? Don't have a fancy medical degree? Don't worry, Canada has your back. Here is a quick how-to guide on what to do if you need to see a doctor.
- [10 Realistic Tips to Americans Interested in Moving to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/10-immigration-tips-to-americans/) - Since Trump was elected the leader of the free world—gosh, just typing this was heartbreaking...—Canada became a place of interest to Americans who want out. Here are my tips to Americans considering crossing the northern border for good.
- [How to Buy a Winter Jacket in Canada (With Canadian Wisdom)](https://correresmidestino.com/the-winter-jacket-saga/) - Buying a winter jacket is more difficult than it seems. First, good winter coats are expensive.
- [Finally Found the Confidence to Take my G Road Test](https://correresmidestino.com/tackling-unfinished-business-the-challenge-part-i/) - We all have unfinished business to deal with. I had unfinished business too. I tiptoed around it for… ahem, ten years. I finally tackled it.
- [G Road Test at Walkley – I Got My Full License!](https://correresmidestino.com/tackling-unfinished-business-the-test-part-ii/) - Taking and passing the G road test at Walkley, Ottawa, on November 4, 2019.
- [Ace Your G Road Test in Ottawa with this Full Guide + Walkley Route Map!](https://correresmidestino.com/taking-the-g-road-test-at-walkley-ottawa-step-by-step-guide-test-route-map-and-tips/) - I took and passed my G road test at the Walkley DriveTest Centre on November 4, 2019. Here are a few tips as well as the usual test route map.
- [20 Puzzling Aspects of Life in the USA](https://correresmidestino.com/20-puzzling-aspects-life-in-usa/) - One of the side perks of moving to Canada was to discover America and observe our Southern neighbours up close.
- [Fall in New York State for Thanksgiving](https://correresmidestino.com/fall-in-new-york-state-1/) - We took a drive to the U.S.A. to celebrate Thanksgiving (the Canadian one!). We crossed the border and drove North, following State Highway 37.
- [Fall in New York State – Back to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/fall-in-new-york-state-2/) - After Waddington and the shores of the St. Lawrence River, we headed to the town of Massena in St. Lawrence County.
- [The Epic Journey Back to Canada from Australia](https://correresmidestino.com/the-epic-journey-back-home/) - We left Singapore on Tuesday evening and arrived in Sydney early morning on Wednesday. Next step, LA and then Canada, a long flight away.
- [Watertown, NY State](https://correresmidestino.com/watertown/) - Last weekend, we took a drive to the U.S. and headed to Watertown, a small town in New York State.
- [Alexandria Bay, NY State](https://correresmidestino.com/alexandria-bay/) - Pictures of Alexandria Bay, in New York's Thousand Islands region.
- [Americans and their Weird, Classic or Surprising Rides](https://correresmidestino.com/classic-americana-ogdensburg/) - Polished Ford or Chevrolet radiator caps, funny vanity plates and quirky dashboard—and sometimes, Betty Boop or the Pink Panther behind the wheel.
- [Ever Heard of Lake Placid, NY State? It's Lovely!](https://correresmidestino.com/lake-placid/) - Lake Placid was a random pick so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We thought the weather would be cooler by the lake—it wasn’t.
- [Please, Explain the "No Kill Area" in Whiteface, NY State](https://correresmidestino.com/whiteface/) - We were the only car on the road. The silence was deafening. And then I spotted a sign, on the side of the road. “No Kill Area”.
- [Why I Find Small Towns, U.S.A, Absolutely Fascinating](https://correresmidestino.com/small-towns/) - Every time we go to the U.S, we drive through dozens of small towns. Some have a main street (aptly named Main Street), others are just a cluster of houses.
- [Amazing Indian Summer Weather to Explore Ogdensburg, NY State](https://correresmidestino.com/ogdensburg/) - Thanksgiving long weekend brought amazingly hot weather and we decided to spend the day in Ogdensburg, NY State.
- [Waddington, Massena and the Great Bug Attack](https://correresmidestino.com/waddington-and-massena/) - Waddington was lovely—a small sleepy town with many churches and friendly people. We drove all the way to Massena, a much bigger place but with a small town feel as well.
- [Albany, NY State](https://correresmidestino.com/albany/) - The nearby Empire State Plaza, Albany’s landmark, reminded me of Canberra: very modern, very clean and wide and open if somewhat cold and impersonal.
- [Arriving in New York City](https://correresmidestino.com/arriving-in-new-york-city/) - Over the years, books and songs from famous NYC artists helped me draw a mental picture of the place. But of course, seeing it turned out to be quite different.
- [NYC – Wall Street and the Site of the World Trade Center](https://correresmidestino.com/wall-street-wtc/) - From Wall Street, we walked to the site of the World Trade Centre, where the Twin Towers stood until 9/11.
- [The Empire State Building – On Top of NYC](https://correresmidestino.com/empire-state-building/) - Our first choice was the mythic Empire State Building, the 102-story skyscraper located on Fifth Avenue (Plan B was the Rockefeller Centre).
- [Along Fifth Avenue, New York City](https://correresmidestino.com/fifth-avenue/) - We decided to walk along the Fifth Avenue, the famous thoroughfare often ranked among the most expensive shopping streets in the world.
- [NYC's MoMA](https://correresmidestino.com/moma/) - The MoMA was high on my to-do list because I was hoping to see some modern Western masterpieces such as The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.
- [New York City – Central Park](https://correresmidestino.com/central-park/) - I wasn’t sure what to expect from Central Park: some parks can be poorly maintained and downright seedy, and in American thrillers, body parts and lurking serial killers can often be found there.
- [Brooklyn Bridge and NYC Skyline](https://correresmidestino.com/brooklyn-bridge/) - If New York City’s skyline doesn’t impress you in the heart of Manhattan, it will from Brooklyn Bridge!
- [New York City – Greenwich Village](https://correresmidestino.com/greenwich-village/) - “The Village”, an upper class residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan.
- [NYC 2012 Gay Pride](https://correresmidestino.com/nyc-2012-gay-pride/) - Our stay in New York City fell during the annual Gay Pride, and we thought it would be fun to check out the event.
- [New York City – Little Italy and Chinatown](https://correresmidestino.com/nyc-little-italy-chinatown/) - Chinatown in Manhattan is huge. It sprawls from Grand Street to Allen Street, and from Worth Street to Lafayette Street.
- [In New York City's Subway System](https://correresmidestino.com/nyc-subway/) - Since we were staying in Long Island, where hotels are cheaper and where we could park for free, we had to rely on the subway system to get to and around Manhattan.
- [NYC Skyline By Night](https://correresmidestino.com/nyc-skyline-night/) - On our last day in New York City, we found some energy left to head to Brooklyn Bridge Park and Times Square to capture NYC by night.
- [Syracuse, New York State, and the Drive Back to Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/syracuse/) - The morning we left New York City, the temperature had dropped and it was pouring rain. We took it as a sign: time to head home! I
- ["Welcome to the United States of America, Honey!”](https://correresmidestino.com/mark-ogdensburg/) - We are in Ogdensburg, New York State. Mark’s first international trip. Oh, I’m so proud of him—so far, he behaves.
- [Easy Daytrip to the US From Ottawa – Good Old Alexandria Bay](https://correresmidestino.com/good-old-alexandria-bay/) - Good old Alexandria Bay, the cutest and nearest US town for a day trip from Ottawa! We took advantage of the Civic Holiday to take Mark there.
- [A Quick Check on the Southern Neighbours – Ogdensburg, NY](https://correresmidestino.com/a-quick-check-on-the-southern-neighbours-ogdensburg-ny/) - We didn’t go far into NY state —we stopped in Ogdensburg, population 10,000, home to the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and two correctional facilities.
- [10 Things That Surprised Me in New York City](https://correresmidestino.com/10-things-surprised-me-nyc/) - The best things about traveling is being able to challenge stereotypes and see a place with your own eyes! Here are ten things that surprised me in NYC.
- [Historic Building and Great Wine in Niagara-on-the-Lake](https://correresmidestino.com/niagara-on-the-lake/) - Niagara-on-the-Lake is much quieter than Niagara Falls. Tourists come to enjoy historic buildings and good wine, not haunted houses and family entertainment.
- [Celebrating New Year's Eve in Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/new-year-2010/) - In Toronto, the New Year’s Eve party is downtown, in Nathan Phillips Square, at the corner of Queen and Bay.
- [Tacky, Pretty and Entertaining — This is Niagara Falls](https://correresmidestino.com/niagara-falls-on/) - The contrast between the tacky main strip and the beauty of the falls always amazes me.
- [Playing Tourists in Toronto and Going to the Top of the CN Tower](https://correresmidestino.com/tourists-in-toronto/) - The best part of the experience is always the glass floor, with a view of 1,122' straight down. It ain't going to break but it feels impossible to step on it.
- [Fun Labour Day Long Weekend Festivals in Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-here-we-are-again/) - Labour Day in North America always takes me by surprise because its months after the rest of the world celebrates International Workers’ Day on May 1st.
- [Barrie and Balm Beach, a World Apart From the GTA](https://correresmidestino.com/barrie-and-balm-beach/) - Balm Beach, our first stop, seemed to be stuck somewhere in the 1980s
- [Summer Feels and Looks Over in the Georgian Bay](https://correresmidestino.com/summer-is-over/) - It was just strange to walk on the beach where all the summer fun had been abandoned, symbolized by still lifes left behind.
- [Ever Wanted to Visit a Working Gristmill? Go to Manotick!](https://correresmidestino.com/watsons-mill/) - Watson’s Mill is located in Manotick, on the banks of the Rideau River. It is one of the few remaining operating gristmills in Ontario and is open to the public.
- [A Quick Trip To Toronto (Long Enough to Hit All Our Favourites!)](https://correresmidestino.com/a-quick-trip-to-toronto/) - Toronto is one of my favourite cities in Canada, and we’ve gotten to know it pretty well through multiple visits.
- [A Perfect Stop – Gananoque, Ontario](https://correresmidestino.com/gananoque/) - We walked around Joel Stone Park and the marina, and enjoyed what probably is the calm before the storm for Gananoque, a touristic site.
- [First Interprovincial Trip For Mark, Three Weeks Old](https://correresmidestino.com/fall-pink-lake/) - Mark took his first interprovincial trip when Feng and I decided to check out the fall colours in Gatineau Park, in Quebec.
- [First Road Trip to Montreal With Baby Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/montreal-a-road-trip/) - We loaded the car and left to Montreal. A spontaneous Victoria Day weekend trip—we had only booked the hotel the night before.
- [Why I'm Not A Huge Fan of "Old Montreal"](https://correresmidestino.com/the-vieux-montreal/) - Between us, I’m not a huge fan of Montreal. And I can’t really explain why—I have never fallen in love with the city the way many French do, that’s for sure.
- [Exploring the "Big O" and Ste Catherine St. in Montreal](https://correresmidestino.com/hochelaga/) - That Sunday, we decided to check out the Olympic Park—I had seen it from afar but I had never been up close.
- [24 Hours in Toronto – First Trip As A New Mom, Without Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/24-hours-in-toronto/) - Early in the afternoon, Feng and I made our way to YOW, the Ottawa Airport, to catch The Rolling Stones concert in Toronto, later in the day.
- [A Scenic Drive Along the St. Lawrence Seaway](https://correresmidestino.com/along-the-st-lawrence-seaway/) - After a stop in Alexandria Bay, we decided to cross the border at the Thousand Islands Bridge and to follow the parkway along the St. Lawrence Seaway.
- [A Long Weekend in Toronto, Mark's First Time](https://correresmidestino.com/a-long-weekend-in-toronto/) - Every year (except when I’m eight-month pregnant like last year…), we take a short trip during the Labour Day long weekend. This year, we decided it was time for Mark to visit Toronto.
- [Good Value – The $7.50 Ferry Trip To Toronto Island](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-island/) - Just the ferry rid can wow even the most blasé tourist—the views of Toronto’s skyline is amazing. That alone is worth the $7.50 ride!
- [A Misty Visit to Niagara Falls](https://correresmidestino.com/niagara-mist/) - Niagara Falls is on the bucket list of most travelers. But how many people come back for a second, a third or a fourth visit? Well, more than you’d think.
- [Sandbanks Provincial Park and a Weird Storm](https://correresmidestino.com/sandbanks/) - Two seconds later, my hair—and Mark’s—stuck straight up. We were literally charged with electricity.
- [Exploring Small Towns – Gananoque, Clouds and a Piano](https://correresmidestino.com/gananoque-clouds-and-a-piano/) - On our way back from Belleville, we stopped in Gananoque, a charming small town with an outdoor piano for kids to practice.
- [Chalet du Mont Royal and Montreal’s Skyline](https://correresmidestino.com/chalet-du-mont-royal/) - We headed to Mont Royal, the hill west of downtown Montreal, to which it gave its name.
- [An Artsy Sunday in Montreal With Baby Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/artsy-sunday-in-montreal/) - After that artsy morning, we headed to the Marché Jean Talon where we had great Mexican food—real Mexican food, not some Tex-Mex crap smothered in yellow cheese.
- [Checking Out the 2014 Edition of Doors Open Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/doors-open-toronto/) - The annual “Doors Open” event is a city-wide celebration offering free, rare access to more than 155 landmarks.
- [Exploring Toronto with Toddler Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/exploring-toronto/) - Of all the Canadian cities, Toronto is probably the one I know best. I have a soft spot for the place where I first landed in Canada in 2002.
- [Fort Wellington, Prescott – Once, There Was a War...](https://correresmidestino.com/fort-wellington/) - From the outside, Fort Wellington, built to defend Canada during the War of 1812, didn’t look like a military fortification but a cute viewpoint.
- [Three Fun and Relaxing Days in Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-may-2018/) - We went to Toronto for the Victoria Day long weekend for the best reason of all—none.
- [Middle of the Woods, Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/38173-2/) - Gatineau Park, just four kilometres from downtown Ottawa, is huge—it covers 361 square kilometres with 183 kilometres of hiking trails.
- [Small Town, Ontario – A Few Days In Deep River](https://correresmidestino.com/deep-river/) - Pictures of Deep River, a small community located on Highway 17, between Pembroke and Matawa, opposite the Laurentian Mountains.
- [Exploring Deux-Rivières and Matawa, Ontario](https://correresmidestino.com/deux-rivieres-and-matawa/) - Pictures of Deux-Rivières and Matawa, small communities along Highway 17 in Ontario, Canada.
- [Rapides-des-Joachims, Québec](https://correresmidestino.com/rapides-des-joachims/) - Pictures of Rapides-des-Joachims, Québec.
- [Townships of Head, Clara and Maria](https://correresmidestino.com/townships-of-head-clara-and-maria/) - Pictures of Stonecliffe, part of the Townships of Head, Clara and Maria, in Ontario.
- [Pembroke, Ontario](https://correresmidestino.com/pembroke-ontario/) - We hit the road on Saturday morning and followed the bumpy Trans-Canada highway. Our first stop was in Pembroke, Ontario, 150 km from Ottawa.
- [Niagara Falls in Winter](https://correresmidestino.com/niagara-falls-in-the-winter/) - After a few days in Toronto, we had decided to drive to Niagara Falls on January 1st. I was curious to see the falls in the winter. Because the weather had been relatively mild in Toronto, we had forgotten how cold it really was in the rest of Canada. An hour away from Toronto, it started to snow. In Niagara Falls, it was cold and windy and there were huge chunks if ice here and there in the water.
- [How to Complain to a Hotel – What Would You Have Done?](https://correresmidestino.com/art-of-complaining/) - Best Western, Radisson… these brands are all the same to me. They provide a clean room with all the basic amenities. Except when something goes wrong.
- [Bed Bug at the Montreal Airport Travelodge Hotel!](https://correresmidestino.com/travelodge-hell/) - I wasn’t expecting a place like a Travellodge Hotel (not fancy but decent) to have bed bugs. They did. And they were apparently okay with it.
- [Bad Luck Day in Montreal](https://correresmidestino.com/bad-luck-day-in-montreal/) - For some reasons, we always have a hard time “mastering” Montreal. It should be easy: it’s a first-world city, a blend of North American and French influences, it’s close to Ottawa… and yet, we always seem to run into minor annoyances—which doesn’t happen to us when we travel to, let’s say, Toronto.
- [Dear Stranger... Just Shut Up, Would You?](https://correresmidestino.com/shut-up-shut-up-shut-up/) - I often complain that, as Gail put it, people in Ottawa have no filter. Well, people in Toronto as the same—maybe even worse.
- [Living the Fancy Condo Life Downtown Toronto (Part 1)](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-condo-1/) - The driving distance from Toronto to Ottawa is 450 kilometres, which is “basically next door” in Canadian English and “kind of far for a weekend trip” in any European language. The five-hour drive on the wide 401, one of the world’s busiest highways, is pretty unremarkable—and frustrating when you get stuck in traffic—but it becomes
- [Living the Fancy Condo Life Downtown Toronto (Part 2)](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-condo-2/) - Five lessons learned staying at the ICE condo tower at 14 York Street in Toronto. Damn, it's windy up there...
- [Accidentally and Literally Disconnecting in Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/disconnecting-in-toronto/) - Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you can’t rely on your phone in Canada—our service providers suck.
- [A Unique Niagara Falls Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/a-unique-niagara-falls-experience/) - Visiting NIagara Falls during the COVID-19 pandemic is quite a unique experience, in a positive way. Imagine... you're almost alone.
- [Six Days All Over a Strange Version of Locked Down Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/six-days-all-over-toronto/) - This trip was a chance to see of Toronto was weathering the pandemic storm. I found the city looked tired, and locals weary.
- [This is How France is Getting Ready for Christmas](https://correresmidestino.com/france-is-getting-ready-for-le-pere-noel/) - Many people are getting ready for Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic. And yes... there are cultural differences!
- [Christmas Lights in France and a Fascinated Baby](https://correresmidestino.com/christmas-lights/) - I must admit I was like a kid when I saw th Christmas decorations in Nantes—eyes wide open, mesmerized.
- [France in December – No Snow, But Plenty of Rain](https://correresmidestino.com/pluie-and-rain/) - I was so busy marveling at the absence of snow in France that I forgot it was December and that the weather is rather gloomy in France at this time of the year.
- [A Very Last–Minute Decision – Christmas in France!](https://correresmidestino.com/last-minute-french-christmas/) - As everybody knows, when you have a kid, you lose neurons, time and common sense. That is my excuse for booking a last-minute trip to France.
- [Everything is... Fuck, NOTHING is Under Control](https://correresmidestino.com/packing-craziness/) - Beaming with the confidence of a seasoned traveler , I swore that “everything was under control”. I’m taking this back.
- [(Re) Bonjour France, Feels Good to be Here Again!](https://correresmidestino.com/re-bonjour-france/) - It feels good to be in France. It feels good to be traveling. This last-minute trip is a breath of fresh air.
- [How We Ended the Year in the ER in France](https://correresmidestino.com/wolverine-and-a-french-er-story/) - We showed up at “les admissions” where I explained my husband had been attacked by a fourteen-month-old who didn’t feel like sleeping.
- [Flying Back With an Injured Husband and a Feral Baby](https://correresmidestino.com/the-20-hour-long-journey-home/) - The flight to Toronto was packed and it was a long one too, 8 hours and 55 minutes. That’s when it went downhill.
- [Cancún? Niagara Falls with Sand and Saltwater](https://correresmidestino.com/a-la-playa/) - We woke up this morning dazed and confused. Why am I not cold? Who are these people singing drunkenly in Spanish? Why is this lady knocking at the door asking if we want la limpieza?
- [Cancún, Mexico – A Fair and The Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/a-fair-and-the-beach/) - We always stumbled upon cool stuff when we travel. Yesterday night, it was a fair in the centro. The rides and attractions were really cheap by both French and Canadian standards, although they did look a bit worn-out. “Wow, free entrance!” said Feng. “Course it is!” I retorted. “It’s a parking lot! Only in Canada
- [Getting Closer to Belize in Chetumal, Mexico](https://correresmidestino.com/chetumal/) - We are 16 km from the frontiera with Belize. Sixteen pequeños kilometros, but we decided to stay in Chetumal for the night—no point in rushing to Belize City.
- [Sleeping on Amazing Tulum Beach, Hot Water and Power Optional](https://correresmidestino.com/tulum-and-ruins/) - This morning, we were still in Cancún. Boringly beautiful Cancún. We are now in Tulum. I’m typing this article lying on the bed, under a mosquito net.
- [Tulum, Mexico – The Town and This Amazing Beach](https://correresmidestino.com/tulum-playa-y-pueblo/) - Waking up in this amazing setting was worth the cold shower and the chilly night wind. Tulum beach is beautiful.
- [Mexico-Belize Border Crossing – Chetumal to Orange Walk](https://correresmidestino.com/orange-walk/) - As soon as we exited the zona libre, the bus sped up. All the windows were wide open, it was like riding a convertible for two hours.
- [Guess How Long It Takes to Cross Belize!](https://correresmidestino.com/san-ignacio/) - The bus was going way too fast for an old school bus turned long-distance bus. I focused on the reggae music blaring through the loudspeakers.
- [Exploring the Fascinating Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Archeological Sites](https://correresmidestino.com/xunantunich-cahal-pech/) - Riding chicken buses never gets old. This morning, a cow escaped from God knows where and stopped traffic.
- [La Ceiba, Honduras – Suicide Showers and New Food Addictions](https://correresmidestino.com/la-ceiba/) - Taking a shower in Central America is often a small adventure. Some have good water pressure and some don’t, some have hot water and some only have one tap.
- [How to Celebrate Christmas in Guatemala (Grab Fireworks!)](https://correresmidestino.com/christmas-guatemalan-style/) - Bang! Most kids had gathered in the streets and were playing with firecrackers. It didn’t take long for the entire town to be all smoky and smell of gunpowder.
- [Tikal and the Lost World of the Mayas](https://correresmidestino.com/tikal-and-the-lost-world-of-the-mayas/) - Tikal is probably the most famous Mayan archeological site, both because of the number of temples and because of its location. It's really unique.
- [Isla Cozumel, Mexico – The Reverse Culture Shock](https://correresmidestino.com/reverse-culture-shock-in-isla-cozumel/) - For our last few days, we had the chance to book a nice hotel in Isla Cozumel, Mexico biggest island. We knew it was going to be a touristic place: the Cancún-Playa Del Carmen-Cozumel is a hot spot for North Americans, especially during the winter.
- [Guatemala – Market Day in Chichicastenango](https://correresmidestino.com/chichi/) - Thursday was market day in Chichicastenango, aka Chichi for travelers and locals alike.
- [Happy New Year From Antigua, Guatemala!](https://correresmidestino.com/new-year-2012/) - Happy New Year, aka “let’s blow shit up” day in Guatemala! Antigua is well-known for its New Year parties and it didn’t disappoint.
- [Guatemala – Antigua to Lago de Atitlán](https://correresmidestino.com/el-lago-de-atitlan/) - From Antigua, the ride to Panajachel took a couple of hours. It started raining mid-way and the van’s windows fogged up.
- [The Many Towns Around Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala](https://correresmidestino.com/villages-lago-de-atitlan/) - By the Panajachel dock, the water looked calm, but as soon as we reached the centre of the lake, the lancha was jerked around.
- [San Pedro, Guatemala – Coffee, Jesús and the Lake](https://correresmidestino.com/coffee-jesus-and-the-lake/) - Close to the Santiago dock, hundreds of coffee beans were been laid to dry on plastic sheet. On the other side of the lake, close to the Panajachel dock, we saw the actual beans, still on the trees.
- [San Pedro to Panajachel, Guatemala – Strange Day, Strange Place](https://correresmidestino.com/panajachel/) - Ten years ago, Panajachel was a chaotic village. The doorway to the Lago de Atitlan, it’s an obligatory stop. It was touristy, borderline tacky and slightly stressful. Well, it hasn’t changed for the better.
- [Copán, Honduras – New Country, New World](https://correresmidestino.com/copan/) - We are surrounded by fincas (plantations) of coffee and fruits. It’s green all around and the pace of life is notably slower than in Guatemala, if that’s possible.
- [Copán, Honduras – Exploring The Famous Maya Archeological Site](https://correresmidestino.com/copan-ruinas/) - The biggest attraction in Copán is the Maya archeological site nearby.
- [Sedate Puerto Cortes, Honduras](https://correresmidestino.com/puerto-cortes/) - Puerto Cortes, despite its evocative name, is a fairly uninspiring place for travelers. Not much to do, not much to see.
- [Belize – Quiet and Friendly Placencia](https://correresmidestino.com/placencia/) - Our first stop in Belize is Placencia, a small town somewhat popular with British, Canadian and American tourists.
- [Dangriga, Southern Belize](https://correresmidestino.com/dangriga/) - From Placencia, we took a colourful blue and purple chicken bus to Dangriga, the largest city in Southerm Belize—by largest, I mean 11,500 people.
- [Cruise Ships Changed Belize City (And Not For The Better)](https://correresmidestino.com/belize-city/) - Belize City, like a lot of cities in Central America, doesn’t have a good reputation. It is much less laid-back than the rest of the country and few find it charming. Yet it changed.
- [Caye Calker, Belize – I Swear It Was Better Before!](https://correresmidestino.com/caye-calker/) - Caye Calker was backpacker’s heaven, a cheap and laid back island where you could walk around bare feet and enjoy some good snorkeling close to the barrier reef. But Caye Calker changed.
- [Ambergris Caye and San Pedro, Belize – Paradise Found!](https://correresmidestino.com/ambergris-caye/) - Originally, Caye Calker was the backpacker hangout while Ambergris Caye, more developed and bigger, catered to richer people. We shrugged the stereotype off and hopped on the boat.
- [Chichén Itzá, Mexico – Back to the Maya World](https://correresmidestino.com/chichen-itza/) - Chichen Itza is probably the most famous and most visited Maya archeological site. The main temple is one of the icons of Mexico and it never fails to impress.
- [Valladolid, Mexico – Cenote and More Maya Archeological Sites](https://correresmidestino.com/valladolid/) - In a way, Valladolid reminded me of Arequipa. A city stuck between tradition and modernity, a noble and proud place with a rich history.
- [Tulum, Mexico – Beach Bumming, What Else!](https://correresmidestino.com/beach-bumming-in-tulum/) - For our last few days in Mexico, we decided to be beach-bum. An easy decision to make considering how great the coastline is in Quintana Roo, and how cold it will be when we go back to Canada.
- [Isla Cozumel, Mexico – The (Ghost) Town](https://correresmidestino.com/isla-cozumel-town/) - Cozumel mostly caters to the “all inclusive” crowd and people tend to stay in their hotels where they lounge by the pool, drink and sleep.
- [From Mexico to Canada, Then Post-Travelling Limbo](https://correresmidestino.com/of-a-flight-back-home/) - The trip back home was tiring. It always is. I sometimes dream of flying door-to-door but it’s not going to happen as long as we live in Ottawa.
- [Honduras – Disconcerted in Utila and the Bay of Islands](https://correresmidestino.com/utila/) - Some places are disconcerting, and it’s hard to pinpoint why. I guess Utila is one of them.
- [San Pedro Sula, Honduras – Most Dangerous City in The World?](https://correresmidestino.com/san-pedro-sula/) - The truth is, I didn’t know what to expect from San Pedro. It is the financial centre of the country, so it’s a big city. It is also located in a valley, far from the sea, so it’s extremely hot.
- [Antigua, Guatemala – Street Photography](https://correresmidestino.com/faces-of-antigua/) - Antigua is a photographer’s dream for street photography. The city in itself is very picturesque with its small streets, colourful façades and the volcanoes in the background.
- [Crossing from Belize to Guatemala at Melchor de Mencos](https://correresmidestino.com/crossing-to-guatemala/) - Borders invariably feature a lot of police and military, chaotic crowds, more or less zealous passport checks and a lot of walking.
- [Antigua to Copán – Crossing Between Guatemala and Honduras](https://correresmidestino.com/hola-honduras/) - For the past few days, we’ve been discussing the best way to get to Honduras from Guatemala. It turned out to be quite an adventure.
- [Nantes-Paris-Montreal-Ottawa – Yet Another Weird Pandemic Flight (part I)](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-paris-montreal-ottawa-yet-another-pandemic-flight-part-i/) - Nothing says “welcome home” like another PCR test.
- [Will We Survive a Pandemic Summer Trip to Toronto?](https://correresmidestino.com/should-we-go-to-toronto/) - Yes, it’s a pandemic, it’s not like we can run away from it, but we can still do stuff, right?
- [Unusual Trip to Toronto – Ghost Town, Pandemic Edition](https://correresmidestino.com/toronto-the-ghost-town/) - As Toronto is slowly emerging from phase 1 of the reopening plan, the city reminds me of São Paulo on New Year’s Day. It's eerily empty.
- [Nantes-Paris-Montreal-Ottawa – Yet Another Weird Pandemic Flight (part II)](https://correresmidestino.com/nantes-paris-montreal-ottawa-yet-another-pandemic-flight-part-ii/) - I wasn’t sure what to expect upon arrival in Canada—but certainly not a 2.5-hour-long queue.
- [Money is a Very French Taboo](https://correresmidestino.com/a-very-french-taboo/) - French like to pretend money and everything around it just doesn’t exist.
- [Cultural Snapshot – 5 Things Found in Nantes](https://correresmidestino.com/5-things-found-in-nantes/) - Cultural snapshots of smart vending machines, a funny moment in an art gallery and French-size coffee and more!
- [It's Not THAT Personal, Ask Away!](https://correresmidestino.com/its-not-that-personal/) - If you ask me a question, I'll answer it. I've been trained that way, it's the result of navigating a multicultural relationship and being an immigrant.
- [Surprisingly, I Don't Always Feel Safe in Peaceful Suburbia](https://correresmidestino.com/unsafe-in-peaceful-suburbia/) - I foudn Ottawapretty sedate compared to Rio, Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa or even Paris. But do you know where I felt uneasy? Suburbia.
- [Are the French Rude or is it a Big Misunderstanding?](https://correresmidestino.com/are-french-rude/) - I wass a woman with a mission. I was going to find out if French were rude. Who else could better find out the dirty truth about French than a former French?
- [I Started Doing Yoga and I Love it](https://correresmidestino.com/the-upward-dog/) - You can find me trying to stretch my downward-facing dog and desperately attempting to breathe during sun salutations.
- [The German Nipple Story and Cultural Sensitivity](https://correresmidestino.com/topless-german/) - I had never been in a position where I had to warn someone of a faux pas being committed.
- [Ottawa, Washington... and Cancún!](https://correresmidestino.com/hello-cancun/) - Our day started early, another departure before sunset. We always seem to get the first flight of the morning in Ottawa. I don’t think I have ever seen the airport in daylight.
- [Accidental Thrill Seekers in Guatemala City – Walking Through Zona 1, By Night](https://correresmidestino.com/thrillseekers-in-guate-city/) - Everybody makes mistake. We did. Like the time we got robbed by guys with machetes in Volcán Agua, Guatemala. We like to think we are wiser now. But sometimes, things are simply out of our control.
- [Stealthy Street Photography in Santa Elena, Guatemala](https://correresmidestino.com/santa-elena/) - Even though we’ve been there twice, Guatemala is always a bit of a culture shock. This is probably why it's perfect for street photography.
- [Sink Or Swim – Going Travelling... And Going Alone](https://correresmidestino.com/sink-or-swim/) - I was that close to win the imaginary “Mother of the Year” award.
- [5 Things That Get You In Financial Trouble](https://correresmidestino.com/5-things-that-get-you-in-financial-trouble/) - Here are five things that may end up straining your finances more than you would have thought.
- [Free Stuff in Ottawa... and in Canada!](https://correresmidestino.com/free-stuffs-ottawa-and-canada/) - A list of free activities, free services, free goodies... available in Ottawa, Canada.
- [Are You Getting Your Money's Worth With Group Coupons?](https://correresmidestino.com/group-coupons-a-bitter-or-sweet-deal/) - Groupon, LivingSocial, Koopon, DealFind and many others are probably already serving your city. Are these special deals worth it?
- [8 Things More Expensive in Canada than in France](https://correresmidestino.com/more-expensive-in-canada/) - Comparing cost of living between two countries is a national sport among immigrants. It’s a touchy debate because it’s hard to make an accurate comparison.
- [10 Ways to Not Become Poor in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/10-ways-to-not-become-poor/) - How to not become poor in Canada? How to manage your money smartly? Here are ten useful tips.
- [Money Matters – Personal Finance, the North American Way](https://correresmidestino.com/learning-personal-finance/) - North Americans aren’t afraid to talk about money. I find the way people publicly explain how they got rich or tell the story of their bankruptcy fascinating.
- [10 Reasons Why I Stopped Buying Groupon-Style "Deals"](https://correresmidestino.com/stopped-buying-group-deals/) - In 2011, I was wondering whether group coupons were a bitter or sweet deal. And now, I completely stopped buying group deals. They are no longer good deals.
- [Baby Money and Social Benefits for Parents in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/baby-money-and-social-benefits/) - I know what’s inside the envelop—a cheque for $300, three instalments of the new Universal Child Care Benefit. Or, as well call it, diaper and formula money.
- [So, is Having a Baby That Expensive in Canada?](https://correresmidestino.com/are-babies-expensive/) - When I first learned I was pregnant, my first thought was “I’m going to have to sell my body on Ottawa’s coldest streets to pay for Winnie the Pooh toys!”
- [Allegory of the Shopping Mall, a Love/Hate Relationship](https://correresmidestino.com/allegory-of-the-shopping-mall/) - Malls open early and close late. They are well lit, well heated and provide clean restrooms. I'm not homeless but I have a toddler in tow—same needs, really.
- [4 Infuriating Canadian Business Practices You Will Hate Too](https://correresmidestino.com/4-very-annoying-canadian-business-practices/) - Armed with a credit or debit card, some cash and a giant cart with greasy handles, you can buy whatever you need, whenever you need it.
- [4 Mistakes I Made When I Came to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/4-mistakes-i-made-in-canada/) - I made many mistakes over the years, especially when I first came to Canada. Maybe these “lessons learn” can help you?
- [International Money Transfers Are Tricky When You’re Not the 1%](https://correresmidestino.com/international-money-transfers-are-tricky-when-youre-not-the-1/) - In 2018, I re-opened a bank account in France. Problem is, sending money to myself from Canada didn't go exactly as planned.
- [The CERB, AKA “Sorry, Eh” Canadian Pandemic Money](https://correresmidestino.com/the-cerb-aka-sorry-eh-canadian-pandemic-money/) - I’m one of the 11.38 millions of Canadians who are receiving the CERB, a monthly payment of $2,000 for workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.
- [Canada is No Longer Affordable, What's a Good Inflation Strategy?](https://correresmidestino.com/canada-is-no-longer-affordable-and-im-looking-for-an-inflation-strategy/) - Inflation is brutal in Canada and I'm scared. How are you supposed to cut back on spending when you don’t spend much in the first place?
- [Cellphone Plans are Still a Complete Rip-Off in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/cellphone-plans-are-still-a-complete-rip-off-in-canada/) - It’s 2025. Cell phone plans have been a complete rip-off in Canada for decades. Why are we still paying way, way more than in Europe, Asia or Latin America?
- [Splurges Vs. Steals – What I Don't Mind Spending Money On](https://correresmidestino.com/splurges-vs-steals/) - I stopped splurging on sandals a long time ago. I do splurge on coffee, travelling, winter gear but there's no point in wasting money on clothing, for instance.
- [Why Are So Many Big Retailers Closing in Ottawa?](https://correresmidestino.com/retail-tales/) - Just in the last month, MEXX, Smart Set and Futureshop have folded abruptly. I guess the pair of red cargo pants I bought at MEXX in 2005 are now a collector's item.
- [Cash, Debit or Credit – This How Canadians Really Pay](https://correresmidestino.com/cash-debit-credit/) - There are three main ways to pay for goods and services in Canada—cash, debit, or credit. But which one is the best payment method? I investigated.
- [How to Behave Like a Canadian Customer](https://correresmidestino.com/being-a-canadian-consumer/) - The way companies do business and treat customers vary widely across industries—and cultures. In Canada, customers complain and sometimes, they are compensated.
- [10 Random Observations About Toronto from a Tourist](https://correresmidestino.com/10-random-observations-about-toronto/) - The trip started with me cursing Videotron and us parking a few blocks from a 7/11 where the condo key was supposed to be waiting for us in a lockbox.
- [5 Important Things to Do When You Land in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/5-things-to-do-when-you-land/) - It’s the end of the process and you finally received the letter saying your visa is ready to be issued. Here are 5 Things to do when you land in Canada!
- [8 People Every Immigrant Should Have on Speed Dial](https://correresmidestino.com/8-people-immigrant-should-have-on-speed-dial/) - You’re leaving your family and your friends behind to start a new life in a huge country where you don’t know anyone. It is scary.
- [Is It a Smart Move to Immigrate to Canada When You Hate Winter?](https://correresmidestino.com/candid-canadian-question-i-dont-like-winter-should-i-even-consider-moving-to-canada/) - Canada epitomizes winter wonderland, which is why many prospective immigrants question their project—“I don’t like winter, should I even consider Canada?”
- [Newcomers to Canada Have Dreams - Like This Guy](https://correresmidestino.com/an-immigrants-dream/) - He was walking fast, hands in pockets, hood on and head down to shield his face from a strong Northern wind that was brining the day’s frigid temperatures to the minus twenties.
- [My friends, The Tim Hortons Parking Lot Outlaws](https://correresmidestino.com/my-friends-the-outlaws/) - While employee turnover rate seems high in the donut world, there is a large group of regular customers for whom I’m pretty sure the “no loitering” sign was invented.
- [Best City in the NCR – Ottawa or Gatineau?](https://correresmidestino.com/ottawa-or-gatineau/) - Prospective immigrants interested in moving in the National Capital Region often ask whether they should settle in Ottawa or in Gatineau. Here are my tips.
- [Funny How We All Crave Different Foods!](https://correresmidestino.com/food-cravings/) - I've come to realize that I'm not a huge fan of North American food—or rather, this is not the food I crave.
- [Trip to France Status? “It’s Complicated”](https://correresmidestino.com/trip-status-its-complicated/) - I wasn’t mentally ready yet to tackle this summer trip to France. If I could give it a status, like on Facebook, it would be “it’s complicated.”
- [The Lonely Neighbour from Halfway Across the World](https://correresmidestino.com/the-lonely-neighbour/) - “Please, don’t call the police!” This is the first thing she ever said to me when, one evening, I passed her on the pathway leading up to Madison Park, one of the neighbourhood’s playgrounds.
- [The Greatest Thing About Blogging – We're Not Strangers, After All](https://correresmidestino.com/were-not-strangers-after-all/) - The couple, a man and a woman, were sidewalk experts. That alone was noteworthy. But then, something strange happened.
- [Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/top-ten-reasons-i-love-canada/) - I wanted to end 2007 on a positive note. So here are the top ten reasons I love Canada.
- [The University of Ottawa is a Red-Tape Nightmare](https://correresmidestino.com/nightmarish-bureaucracy/) - I showed up at the university to register for the summer session and everything went fine... until the woman realized I was French.
- [5 Reasons Why Your Canadian Visa Officer Hates You](https://correresmidestino.com/5-reasons-your-visa-officer-hates-you/) - Applying for a visa or permanent residence is stressful but some immigrants are really not helping their case. Are you one of these offenders?
- [I Want Out… But How and Why?](https://correresmidestino.com/i-want-out/) - A lot of people want to immigrate for political or economic reasons. I get emails that say: "I'm desperate to leave, how I can move to Canada easily?"
- [3 Unexpected Things That Happen When You're an Immigrant](https://correresmidestino.com/3-unexpected-consequences-of-immigration/) - Were you prepared for these three unexpected side effects of being an immigrant? I know I wasn't.
- [My Biggest Challenge as a Newcomer? Loneliness](https://correresmidestino.com/lonely-immigrant/) - Immigrants often mention how challenging it is to make new friends in their adoptive country. Meeting new people in real life can be tricky at first.
- [When Do You Stop Being An Immigrant?](https://correresmidestino.com/when-do-you-stop-being-an-immigrant/) - For the first two years I was in Canada, it was fairly obvious I was new to the country. And now I realize I haven’t been asked where I’m from in a long time.
- [How to Avoid Three Major Faux Pas in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/faux-pas-part-one/) - I’m usually a polite and considerate person. But I was also very French when I settled in Canada, and it led to me to commit many involuntarily social “oops”.
- [Three More Faux Pas I Committed in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/three-more-faux-pas/) - I hadn’t studied Canadian etiquette, and I naively thought traditional European etiquette would apply. I was wrong. Here are three more faux pas I committed.
- [Can You Opt Out of The Canadian Car Culture?](https://correresmidestino.com/can-you-opt-out-of-car-culture/) - One of the most common questions prospective immigrants ask is: “Will I need a car in Canada?” Short answer is, yes.
- [10 Signs You Are Still New to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/10-signs-you-are-new-canada/) - One day, you will look back and realize how “Canadian” you have become.Meanwhile, here are ten signs that you are still new to Canada!

## Pages

- [Home](https://correresmidestino.com/) - Cultural adventures of a new-ish Canadian in Canada and elsewhere in the world.
- [Hero + Latest Posts + Bio](https://correresmidestino.com/hero-latest-posts-bio/) - The latest trip Chile to Paraguay to Brazil—because going straight was never really the plan. See where it took me The Story I Didn’t Know I Was Writing Check Out My Tee — I’m Officially a Happy Brazil Addict! Two passports, five languages, and over twenty years of crossing borders. This is where the stories
- [My World in Three Chapters](https://correresmidestino.com/my-world-in-three-chapters/) - A French Perspective Nantes-Paris-Ottawa – Why One Word Made It Bearable Read stories about the place where it all started. Twenty Years in Canada I’m so Freaking Tired of Living in These “Interesting Times” Read stories about this accidental long-term experiment. (Often) Elsewhere Check Out My Tee — I’m Officially a Happy Brazil Addict! Read
- [Featured Series](https://correresmidestino.com/featured-series/) - Making a living 5 Details Worth Explaining About my Exciting Freelance Translator Life Travel tips 8 Easy Tips to Make Your Flight Comfortable Chinese Culture I Found the One Holiday Gift Worth Buying
- [Stories Beyond Borders](https://correresmidestino.com/stories-beyond-borders/) - Decoding Places For all the times I thought: wait… why is this like this? Read stories People I Noticed Strangers who stopped being strangers, one photo at a time. Read stories Life, Unscripted The stories that happen between trips—because life rarely follows the itinerary. Read stories On The Move Boats, planes, trains and border crossings—because
- [Why I Started Writing (and Never Stopped)](https://correresmidestino.com/about-this-blog/) - How it all started in 2006 This blog started back in 2006, inspired by a Manu Chao's Clan­des­tino song and by the fact that I was trying to figure out life in Canada—or life, period—as a brand-new permanent resident. I wrote my first article in French. Then I switched to English—not because I was fluent,
- [This is How my Backpacker Life Started...](https://correresmidestino.com/life-on-the-road/) - I am one of these people who drag a battered backpack all over the world. Yes, there is a Canadian flag on it—why do you even ask?
- [I'm Juliette, Nice to Meet You!](https://correresmidestino.com/who-am-i/) - I was born in Nantes, France, in 1983—go ahead, do the math. At 16, I travelled solo to China and caught a bad case of wanderlust.
- [A Canadian Adventure I Really Didn’t Plan](https://correresmidestino.com/home/my-immigration-story/) - I first came to Canada in February 2002, at the end of a three-month-long backpacking trip from Mexico to Brazil (yes, by bus). Why Canada? A stop in Canada was not part of my original travel plan, it was a last-minute decision because I found a cheap Rio-Toronto ticket. So instead of flying back to
- [How to Advertise on Correr Es Mi Destino](https://correresmidestino.com/advertising-opportunities/) - Advertising opportunities (links, sponsored articles) available on Correr Es Mi Destino, a website focusing on international travel and immigration to Canada.
- [Correr es Mi Destino Archives](https://correresmidestino.com/archives/) - Archives of the blog Correr Es Mi Destino, from 2006 to 2021... and more.
- [Useful Resources for Newcomers to Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/useful-resources/) - Looking for Canadian immigration info? If you are looking for info on how to immigrate to Canada, start with the Immigration category for first-hand tips on how to settle in Canada, how to deal with immigration issues, etc. The permanent residence in Canada category is dedicated to the immigration process. To know more about Canada in general,
- [Site Map of Correr es mi Destino](https://correresmidestino.com/site-map/) - Site map of the website Correr Es Mi Destino.
- [How to Contact Me](https://correresmidestino.com/contact-juliette-giannesini/) - Full contact information for Juliette Giannesini, author of the blog Correr Es Mi Destino–email address, Whatsapp contact, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles.
- [Privacy Policy for Correr es mi Destino](https://correresmidestino.com/privacy-policy/) - Privacy policy disclaimer of the website Correr Es MI Destino.
- ["Second-Hand Dreams", a Short Story (free download)](https://correresmidestino.com/author-seeks-publisher-project/second-hand-dreams-a-short-story-free-download/) - Download Second-Hand Dreams, a free short story from Juliette Giannesini. Two girls, two guys, a damn phoenix bird and four life about to start.
- ["Filial Piety", The Manuscript (currently querying)](https://correresmidestino.com/author-seeks-publisher-project/filial-piety-the-manuscript-currently-querying/) - Filial Piety is a Chinese-flavoured mystery featuring a cynical Canadian photojournalist, his naïve neighbour, a missing American and pragmatic Asian criminals.
- [The Author-Seeks-Publisher Project](https://correresmidestino.com/author-seeks-publisher-project/) - Based on my experience, it’s a terrible idea to: Say that you’re “freelancing” and “working from home” (with a hint of a French accent, people naturally assume you operate a BDSM dungeon in your basement) Out yourself as a blogger (this is so 2005, can’t you just be on Facebook like everybody else?) Admit you
- [Goodbye stranger!](https://correresmidestino.com/goodbye-stranger/) - No worries, I get it—sometime you need to unsubscribe. I hope you enjoyed a few stories!
- [Thank you for subscribing!](https://correresmidestino.com/thank-you-for-subscribing/) - No, seriously, thank you. It's more fun to write stories when you know someone is looking forward to reading them! You can expect to receive a weekly roundup of articles sent directly to your mailbox. Zero spam (... I don't have the time to write spammy stuff!), zero sales pitch—just stories and pictures. Feel free
- [Manage your subscription](https://correresmidestino.com/manage-your-subscription/) - Edit your profile info as needed. Thank you for being a subscriber!

## MailPoet Page

- [MailPoet Page](https://correresmidestino.com/?mailpoet_page=captcha) - [mailpoet_page]
- [MailPoet Page](https://correresmidestino.com/?mailpoet_page=subscriptions) - [mailpoet_page]

## Categories

- [Twenty Years in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/category/canadian-life/) - Twenty Years in Canada
- [Around the Globe](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/) - Around the Globe
- [The Blogging Experience](https://correresmidestino.com/category/just-bloggin/) - The Blogging Experience
- [Making a Living](https://correresmidestino.com/category/canadian-life/working-in-canada/) - Making a Living
- [France and UK - Summer 2010](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer/) - France and UK – Summer 2010
- [Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras - Winter 2012](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/central-america/la-ruta-maya/) - Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras – Winter 2012
- [France - Spring 2012](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-spring/) - France – Spring 2012
- [London 2012](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/london-2012/) - London 2012
- [Nine months](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/nine-months-mark/) - Nine months
- [France - Summer 2013](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2013/) - France – Summer 2013
- [France - Christmas 2013](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-christmas-2013/) - France – Christmas 2013
- [Mexico - Winter 2014](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/north-america/estacion-mexico/) - Mexico – Winter 2014
- [Costa Rica and Nicaragua - Winter 2014](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/central-america/costa-rica-2014/) - Costa Rica and Nicaragua – Winter 2014
- [Blog](https://correresmidestino.com/category/blog/) - Blog
- [France - Summer 2014](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2014/) - France – Summer 2014
- [China - Summer and Fall 2014](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/asia/tiger-pig-dragon-china/) - China – Summer and Fall 2014
- [Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil - Winter 2015](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/maradona-y-mate-in-south-america/) - Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil – Winter 2015
- [France - Summer 2015](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/bonjour-the-france/) - France – Summer 2015
- [Brazil, Argentina and Chile - Winter 2016](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/nas-ruas-de-america-do-sul/) - Brazil, Argentina and Chile – Winter 2016
- [France - Summer 2016](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2016/) - France – Summer 2016
- [Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil - Winter 2017](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/del-pacifico-al-atlantico/) - Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil – Winter 2017
- [Author Seeks Publisher](https://correresmidestino.com/category/author-seeks-publisher/) - Author Seeks Publisher
- [France - Summer 2017](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2017/) - France – Summer 2017
- [Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil - Winter 2018](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/looking-for-the-summer/) - Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil – Winter 2018
- [France - Summer 2018](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2018/) - France – Summer 2018
- [Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile - Winter 2019](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/south-america-2018-2019/) - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile – Winter 2019
- [Kindergarten](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/kindergarten/) - Kindergarten
- [Preschool](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/preschool/) - Preschool
- [Toddler Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/toddler-mark/) - Toddler Mark
- [Baby Mark](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/baby-mark/) - Baby Mark
- [Exploring Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/north-america/exploring-canada/) - Exploring Canada
- [Winter (and Extreme Weather) in Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/category/canadian-life/winter-in-canada/) - Winter (and Extreme Weather) in Canada
- [Exploring the US](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/north-america/exploring-the-us/) - Exploring the US
- [Ottawa Explained](https://correresmidestino.com/category/canadian-life/life-in-ottawa/) - Ottawa Explained
- [Traditions, Events and Holidays](https://correresmidestino.com/category/canadian-life/traditions-events-holidays/) - Traditions, Events and Holidays
- [Canadian Survival Guide](https://correresmidestino.com/category/canadian-life/practical-advice/) - Canadian Survival Guide
- [France - Summer 2019](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2019/) - France – Summer 2019
- [Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile - Winter 2020](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/south-america-2019-2020/) - Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile – Winter 2020
- [France - Summer 2020](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2020/) - France – Summer 2020
- [Brazil - Winter 2021](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/brazil-2020-2021/) - Brazil – Winter 2021
- [France - Spring 2021](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-spring-2021/) - France – Spring 2021
- [France - Summer 2021](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/french-summer-2021/) - France – Summer 2021
- [Brazil – Winter 2022](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/brazil-winter-2022/) - Brazil – Winter 2022
- [France - Summer 2022](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-summer-2022/) - France – Summer 2022
- [Mexico - Winter 2023](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/north-america/mexico-winter-2023/) - Mexico – Winter 2023
- [Brazil – Winter 2023](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/brazil-winter-2023/) - Brazil – Winter 2023
- [France - Spring 2023](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-spring-2023/) - France – Spring 2023
- [France - Summer 2023](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-summer-2023/) - France – Summer 2023
- [France - Fall 2023](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-fall-2023/) - France – Fall 2023
- [Brazil and Argentina – Winter 2024](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/brazil-argentina-winter-2024/) - Brazil and Argentina – Winter 2024
- [France - Spring 2024](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-spring-2024/) - France – Spring 2024
- [France - Summer 2024](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-summer-2024/) - France – Summer 2024
- [China - Summer 2024](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/asia/china-summer-2024/) - China – Summer 2024
- [France - Fall 2024](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-fall-2024/) - France – Fall 2024
- [Elementary School](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/elementary-school/) - Elementary School
- [Mexico, Argentina and Brazil - Winter 2025](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/mexico-winter-2025/) - Mexico, Argentina and Brazil – Winter 2025
- [France - Spring 2025](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-spring-2025/) - France – Spring 2025
- [France - Summer 2025](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-summer-2025/) - France – Summer 2025
- [China - Summer 2025](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/asia/china-2025/) - China – Summer 2025
- [Life Unscripted](https://correresmidestino.com/category/life/) - Life Unscripted
- [France - Fall 2025](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-fall-2025/) - France – Fall 2025
- [Chile, Paraguay and Brazil – Winter 2026](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/chile-and-brazil-winter-2026/) - Chile, Paraguay and Brazil – Winter 2026
- [France - Spring 2026](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/france-spring-2026/) - France – Spring 2026
- [South America](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/south-america/) - South America
- [Central America](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/central-america/) - Central America
- [Europe](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/europe/) - Europe
- [Asia](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/asia/) - Asia
- [North America](https://correresmidestino.com/category/travel/north-america/) - North America
- [Clueless Parenting](https://correresmidestino.com/category/clueless-parenting/) - Clueless Parenting

## Tags

- [France](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/france/) - Born there, left after high school, and have been going back and forth ever since—not so French anymore, but still kind of French.
- [Eating the World](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/food/) - I don’t travel for food, but food always ends up telling part of the story. Whether it’s a family dinner in China, a questionable bus-station snack in Latin America or a surprisingly revealing new food experience, these stories explore culture one meal at a time.
- [Costa Rica](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/costa-rica/) - Costa Rica is often sold as a tropical paradise of beaches, wildlife and pura vida. I found all of that—but also crowded buses, endless rain, unexpected cultural quirks and plenty of moments that didn’t make it into the brochures. These stories explore Costa Rica beyond the postcard version, one observation at a time.
- [Peru](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/peru/) - Peru is so much more than its postcard highlights—and Lima alone kept me busy for days. The cliff-top neighbourhood of Miraflores above the Pacific, the colonial extravagance of the centro histórico, and the particular state of mind that comes with landing at 5 a.m. after 18 hours in transit.
- [Chile](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/chile/) - From protests and panic flights to five-years-later returns, Chile somehow became the backdrop for some of my strangest timing, unexpected detours, and biggest what-on-earth-is-happening moments.
- [Argentina](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/argentina/) - From Buenos Aires to pretty much everywhere, more than two decades of strange economics, everyday observations, and trying to figure Argentina out. Still can’t dance the tango, but I know where to exchange dollars.
- [Uruguay](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/uruguay/) - Montevideo is Buenos Aires’s grungy little sister—messier, friendlier, and completely unbothered. Add the world’s longest Carnival, a giant hand sticking out of the sand in Punta del Este, and a ferry crossing a chocolate-coloured river, and Uruguay turns out to be one of South America’s best surprises.
- [Brazil](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/brazil/) - I spend months on the road in Brazil, travelling from south to north through dozens of places I had barely heard of beforehand—and after all these years, I still haven’t gotten tired of exploring this huge country full of surprises, secrets, stories, and stunning scenery.
- [Meanwhile... in Ottawa](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/ottawa/) - I’m still not sure how I ended up in Ottawa in 2002, but the city taught me Canada, launched several chapters of my life, showed me how much I hate cold weather, and remains excellent motivation to… ahem, pack up and go.
- [United Kingdom](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/united-kingdom/) - London during the 2012 Olympics — chaotic, electric, and completely unlike any other version of the city. The Tube, the tourist spots, the dusk light over the Thames, and a very pregnant train ride to France at the end of it all.
- [USA](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/usa/) - Stories from highways, border towns, and the country next door.
- [Mexico](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/mexico/) - Mexico keeps showing up — as a destination, a layover, a starting point, and a place I keep coming back to. From La Ruta Maya in 2012 to three weeks on the Yucatán Peninsula in 2023, via a string of early-morning Cancún connections that somehow always turn into their own story.
- [Belize](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/belize/) - Caribbean beaches, reggae-filled bus rides, Garifuna communities and islands caught between backpacker culture and mass tourism.
- [Guatemala](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/guatemala/) - The colonial streets of Antigua, the impossible blue of Lago de Atitlán, the chaos and charm of crossing borders by chicken bus—this is where Central America felt most itself. Stories from La Ruta Maya, winter 2012.
- [Honduras](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/honduras/) - Honduras surprised me — and not always gently. Mayan ruins at Copán, hammocks and sunsets in Utila, a boat accident I’d rather not repeat, and a breakfast in San Pedro Sula reading about the weekend’s murder count. La Ruta Maya, winter 2012.
- [Nicaragua](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/nicaragua/) - Nicaragua runs on chicken buses, cordobas, and the kind of strangers who sit next to you and change your day. An island with two volcanoes, a Pacific coast that didn’t quite live up to the hype, and a border crossing that involved every mode of transport imaginable.
- [China](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/china/) - China isn’t just a destination on this blog—it’s part of my story. From my first Mandarin classes to family life, repeated journeys across the country and decades of cultural decoding, these posts explore China beyond the stereotypes, one conversation, train ride and unexpected discovery at a time.
- [Making a Living](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/work/) - Freelancing, work culture, and all the things nobody tells you about people who make a living writing sentences.
- [Making Sense of Canada](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/canadian-culture/) - Twenty years later, I’m still figuring Canada out.
- [A French Perspective](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/french-culture/) - I was born in France but left shortly after high school. Decades later, I still return regularly, caught somewhere between familiarity and culture shock. From daily habits and social norms to family life, bureaucracy and regional identities, these stories explore what happens when you look at your own country with fresh eyes.
- [The Blog Behind the Blog](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/blogging/) - Behind the scenes of a blog that somehow survived redesigns, spam attacks, and all of my questionable ideas… since 2005.
- [Clueless Parenting](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/clueless-parenting/) - A French mother, a Chinese father, a Canadian upbringing—and absolutely no instruction manual. These stories follow Mark’s journey through daycare drama, school adventures, cultural differences and all the unexpected conversations that come with growing up in a multicultural family. Mostly, they’re a reminder that none of us really know what we’re doing—we’re all just figuring it out as we go.
- [Chinese Culture](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/chinese-culture/) - A university degree in Mandarin, a Chinese husband, multicultural family life, and more than three decades of trying to figure Chinese culture out.
- [Montreal](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/montreal/) - Montreal and I have a complicated relationship. It’s close enough to feel familiar, French enough to feel like home, and somehow always finds a way to keep us on our toes — bedbugs, bad luck days, wrong turns.  
- [Toronto](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/toronto/) - Not quite home, not really a destination—just many years of Toronto stories.
- [The Pandemic](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/the-pandemic/) - What did you do during the pandemic? For me, it started in Chile—then came loss, getting stuck in Brazil, France… and much more.
- [Travel Tips](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/travel-tips/) - Twenty years on the road and I’m still figuring things out — and sharing what actually works. No magic formulas, just the stuff I’ve learned the hard way, from red-eye flights to booking mistakes I won’t make twice.
- [Life Unscripted](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/life-unscripted/) - The stories that happen between trips—because life rarely follows the itinerary.
- [People Around the World](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/people-around-the-world/) - Strangers who stopped being strangers, one photo at a time.
- [Paraguay](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/paraguay/) - Crossing borders, meeting people, and discovering this landlocked country I knew almost nothing about.
- [On the Move](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/on-the-move/) - Boats, planes, trains and border crossings—because getting there is part of the story.
- [Photo Essays](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/photo-essays/) - I carry my Nikon DSLR almost everywhere to capture the people, places, lifestyles, and moments that make life here, or thousands of kilometres away, absolutely fascinating—because pictures tell stories too.
- [Decoding Places](https://correresmidestino.com/tag/decoding-places/) - For all the times I thought: wait… why is this like this?