JimInTheBeach

I remember seeing, as a child, a distinguished gentleman quietly smoking a pipe on a verandah and relating stories of his travels around the world. Through my life, there has always been something “more important” that had to be done, than travel. At this point in my life, however, I have learned many lessons, particularly the lesson of the pitfall of living for tomorrow.

A few months ago I sat on the couch lamenting the fact that I had never travelled the world. I sat bolt upright and said something along the lines of “Whats stopping you lard ass???”

The reply was… well… my ego started coming up with all sorts of excuses and reasons why I couldn’t afford to or wouldn’t want to. Humbug, bahhhhhhhh. My ego has been properly bitch-slapped and is somewhere in the bedroom sulking in a corner.

I started researching and reading and found out how CHEAPLY you can travel the world. Backpack, hostels, avoiding schmengy restaurants, etc. I started looking at the real costs of sell-off air fares, travelling costs in foreign lands and … well… I was hooked.

My first trip is coming up this October. I’m going to be spending a week in Istanbul, Turkey then off to Bucharest and Brasov in Romania (Brasov is in Transylvannia… woo hoo!). I’ve seen how cheap it can be done, have my backpack and everything ready to go. I’m just waiting to finish a moon lighting project for a client in I work for on the side and when it’s done, that will be my airfare. Woo Hoo!

If anyone wants to keep track of my travels, go to travelpod at:

http://www.travelpod.com/members/torontojim

Anyone who wants to be an International Jet Setter on a Dime, let me know!!!

That’s a quote by Janis herself…

Ahheemmm….. (clears throat).....

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsche’s, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from, my friends
So Lord, won’t you buy me, a Mercedes Benz…

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me, a colour T.V.?
Dialing for dollars, is trying to reach me!
I wait for delivery, each day until three.
So Lord, won’t you buy me, a colour T.V.?

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me, a night on the town?
Prove that you love me and buy the next round.
I’m counting on you Lord, so please don’t let me down!
So Lord, won’t you buy me, a night on the town…

All hail and praise Janis… (prostrated form, waiving hands and arms up and down in the air)....

I’ve been on a sorta part time quest to find the absolute best Pad Thai.

So far the winner is a little hole in the wall in NDG area of Montreal. Unfortunately, I probably couldn’t find it again if you paid me!

The best so far in Toronto is a restaurant up on the south side of St. Clair near the Allen XWay. Big blue sign out front. Here in the beach there is an acceptable version at Thai Cuisine House (amazing service too).

I find a lot of places put too much sweet & sour and not enough peanut sauce. Other places use the fiery Szechuan sauce instead of a really good home made peanut sauce.

sigh

I guess I’m going to have to find someone to teach me how to make peanut sauce at home so I can make this for MYSELF!