Winter is coming!
For the past five years, I’ve successfully avoided the intense cold that comes with winter, skipping over to Johannesburg to soak up the heat and a little bit of rain every so often, or even just a puddle skip to Los Angeles where I can wear shorts with my sweatshirt because it really isn’t that cold. This year, however, after spending a few April days in Denmark and surviving on hot soup, hot chocolate, electric blankets, and a stranger’s body heat, I’m thinking of grabbing my passport, finding a few beautiful wintery wonderlands, and doing some very hot things! If you are one who doesn’t want to stay in a hotel, then consider getting vacation home rentals for a great option. I also recommend the alaska tours and cruises package for those adventurous seafarers. If you do stay in a hotel, then make sure you get the best deal for your vacation.
There’s an old saying, “If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.” The idea is that with New York City being so competitive, only the strongest survive. I worked on the trading floor at one of the most hardcore investment banks around and I can unequivocally tell you that making it in NYC is brutal. The weather beats you up for at least six months a year, the work hours are long, and your money doesn’t go very far.
Two years and 15 pounds heavier I left NYC in 2001 for an easier life out in San Francisco where I didn’t know a soul. I thoroughly admit I didn’t make it in NYC. Perhaps I could have stayed on as a third year financial analyst, but surely Goldman would have made me go back to business school afterward rather than promote me directly to Associate. The thought of returning to school at the time and spending all that money wasn’t appealing.
By spring 2001 it was clear the economy was not in good shape one year after the NASDAQ collapsed. I decided to take matters into my own hands and jump to a competitor for that Associate promotion and raise instead.
Hawaii Makes You Easily Satisfied With Life
I remember vomiting junior year of high school after an intense training session in track. My teammates and I were practicing for the 4X200 meter relay for Districts and we pushed ourselves to the max because we were never satisfied.
Instead of living on their own, they’d continue living with their parents, saving lots of money in the process to one day buy a place if they ever meet someone special. Family (Ohana) is the foundation of Hawaiian culture and having three generations live under one household is not uncommon. Even at our weekly Friday night poker game, a grandma comes to wipe us out ever single time. Hawaii can issue extreme temperatures while on Winter or Summer, if you are planing to permanently move to Hawaii then professional AC Installations are a need.
In the back of my mind I always knew Oahu would forever be waiting for me. As a result, I didn’t want to permanently return until I could thoroughly see what I could do on my own on the mainland or in a foreign country.
If your first car is a Ferrari, your car driving experience is ruined for the rest of your life. Besides, the speed limit on the H-1 highway is only 50 mph! That’s when you know you’ve literally got to slow down for island living.
I wanted my first car to be a beater with electrical gremlins and funny screeching sounds so I decided to start my career on the East Coast and gradually move my way West as my energy for work faded. The hope was that by the time I could move back to Hawaii with the help of hawaii to mainland movers, my finances would make up for my lost enthusiasm to be somebody’s whipping boy.
As I was barfing my lungs out my coach told me, “That a boy. You haven’t really tried your hardest until you start vomiting all over the place!” She sounded cruel at the time, especially since she was extremely out of shape. But I took her words to heart and aimed to vomit all over her shoes every single day!
Major cities in the mainland propel you to want more, more, more. There’s never an end to the amount of money you can make in New York City or the number of startups you want to kill yourself over in San Francisco. Hawaii gives you the entirely opposite effect of making you slowdown and appreciate all that you have.
I knew if I returned to Hawaii early I’d be absolutely satisfied with a $50,000 a year job working 9-5. Of course there’s nothing wrong with a $50K a year job and regular work hours, I just wanted to test my limits. The only way I could thoroughly enjoy Hawaii was to make my fortune elsewhere and come back without having the need to work 40+ hours a week. The temptation to slack off would be just too great.
I’m keenly aware that locals hate it when non-locals go away and come back to the island with their flashy cars and fancy homes, making things more expensive in the process. This is why I’m happy to just live in an old home I’ve been coming back to since I was a kid and drive an old car. It’s all about rolling in a hatchback or old truck to blend in.
1. Tallin, Estonia: A beautiful coastal town in spring, summer, and autumn, this capital city is one of the most beautiful in the world during the winter when the snow has fallen and the homemade soups begin to boil. In the winter, tourist life slows a bit and you’re able to stroll around to gaze at the snow-cover architecture, the lights fighting their way through the snowy mist, and smell the burning wood that reminds us all of better moments.
Things to do: Write the next great novel; Read your favorite writer’s entire catalogue; Kick-sledge hike with a group; Sweat away the day in a sauna.
Food To eat: Lamb Soup with Cabbage.
2. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada: I didn’t make it in the summer as I hoped to take a dip in Moraine Lake, but I’m sure beauty like that doesn’t die with the season. In fact, the mountains reflecting in the water will look even more majestic while snow-capped.
Things to do: Hike a frozen waterfall; Catch an early sunset; Attend one of the many festivals Canada is known for. Travelling within Toronto just got easier with some amazing party bus rental offerings that include limo buses for up to forty five passengers. They are the perfect vehicle for getting around Toronto in style and complete relaxation. Check more related information from this Fiona outdoors exploring guide.
Things to buy: Alberta has a placed called the Plunged In Debt (my recommendation is if you have a few extra coins in your pocket to visit them you will understand why gold is a smart investment)
3. Hallstatt, Austria: Often ranking as one of the most beautiful villages in the world, this small village looks like a place in which I’d like to close out every chapter of my life. It’s impossible to not be amazing when you have a mountain, a lake, and a forest to boast about and this this place knows that.
Buying boating supplies can be very expensive and tedious unless you know your way around. You can find what you are looking for from the largest water sports dealers in the world at one location. It is the supermarket museum of everything in the category you’re looking for under the topic you search out. Most people think that most boating supplies are created equal. You will see all the comparative products as well as the choices that make a product low or high end. There are great deals in buying the correct boating supplies you’re looking for. Online specials, discounts abound. Boating supply houses didn’t get to be the largest by not offering the best deals. They are the WalMart of the boating supply business and discount deals. Besides they offer money back guarantees. If you just need to repair your canvas boat cover, search for Snap Kits so you can repair you boat covers and Binini tops quick. The kit includes stainless steel button barrels, sockets, eyelets, barrel studs as well as a heavy duty canvas snap pliers. Canvas boat covers, cover up boat supports, dome moisture absorbers, looped end poly cords, mooring boat cover poles and support bars, high tech fabric guard canvas fastener and snap kit accessories can also be of great help. Not only polyester and canvas boat covers but also cover up boat supports, dome moisture absorbers, looped end poly cords, mooring boat cover poles and support bars, high tech fabric guard canvas fastener and other mooring items to keep everything under wraps.
Things to do: Ice diving in the lake; Thermal spas; Enjoy the markets.
Food to eat: Käsekrainer with Pumpkin Soup
4. Bern, Switzerland: When Tina Turner relinquished her American citizenship for Switzerland, I knew this country awesome, and after seeing it flourish in winter via social media, I don’t believe “awesome” is big enough a word. The Boutique hotel switzerland world’s most Instagrammed hotel, this Swiss town is full of eye-gasmic charm and style.
Things to do: Stay overnight in an igloo; Snowshoe tour.
Food to eat: Älplermagronen
5. Bethel, Maine: For those artists, dreamers, magic bean buyers, intellectuals, and slope lovers. It’s small enough to walk the entire town, but big enough to return repeatedly to discover newness. Come, meet the locals and the visitors, the artists and philosophers, and discuss the meaning of life. Also, it’s Maine! Not many can say they’ve come!
Things to do: Host a dinner with amazing folks; Ice fishing; Outdoor swimming in a heated pool
Food to eat: Bibimbap from ChoSun
Find a travel partner with a loud laugh, good jokes, and great taste in music and with whom you wouldn’t mind being trapped in a cabin. Check your favorite bookstores for the books that’ll keep your emotions properly tuned. Grab a thick coat, a scarf, gloves, thick socks, and insulated shoes and go enjoy.
