About Me
I am a Niagara-based writer with a passion for travel, popular culture and humour. I am keen on hidden gems, underrated locations and exploring small businesses within the travel industry.
My interest in popular culture and media studies began at a young age. I was an indoor kid who took his love of television out into the streets. Who else would turn a playground structure into the dorm rooms from Saved By the Bell: The College Years? I turned my interest into my studies and earned a degree in popular culture from Brock University in 2010. I also have a certificate in public relations from Niagara College.
My passion for travel started harkens back to the 90s and 2000s when I was strapped into the back of my parents' station wagon and watched the road disappear, enroute to a secret destination (just for me though. Everyone else knew where we were going because they were facing forward). I did not care where we were going, but like Mrs. Peacock in Clue, I was determined to enjoy myself. My first flight was in 1986 to Sault Ste. Marie then not again until 2008. I nearly broke my mother's hand while flying to Florida, but I was excited to get back into the sky again. In 2009, I met my now-husband, Phil, and over the last 16 years we have made it our mission to see the areas of the world we are interested in exploring.
An avid cruiser, train traveler or road tripper, I have the same mentality: I'll go anywhere. Travel is the opportunity to learn more about the world we live in, but also a chance to strengthen your connections. Connections to your loved ones, to your community and to yourself. I would not have learned how calm I am under pressure without having to spar with a train agent in Frankfurt, Germany, who told us we would have to find a hotel. No way, Fraulein! I also take my pop culture degree on the road, finding sites of popular filming locations, historic moments and odd facts. I give a great tour of the Queen Elizabeth Way's roadside spots.
"Where have you been?" you ask? Here you go:
Canada: British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario
USA, including Puerto Rico
Caribbean: Jamaica; Grand Cayman; Bahamas; Turks & Caicos; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Thomas, USVI; St. Maarten; Barbados; St. Lucia; Curacao; Aruba; Bonaire; Cozumel, MX
Europe: Austria; Germany; Slovakia; Hungary; Switzerland; The Netherlands; Belgium; England; Czechia.
“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”
Anais Nin