If your plans this weekend include participating in Earth Hour, then you will be in good company. According to the English-language Facebook page, more than 490,876 people have already RSVPed their attendance. What does this mean exactly?
From 8 to 9 on Saturday night, they will turn off their lights. This tradition started last year in Sydney, Australia, where 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses flicked off the switch — in their homes, offices and public buildings — out of a shared concern for the environment.
“The Earth Hour campaign will send a powerful message to the world that it’s possible to work together to make a massive contribution to reducing the effects of global warming,” explains Greg Bourne, CEO, WWF-Australia. The World Wildlife Fund is the organization behind this global initiative, which now encompasses 60 Canadian cities, including Toronto and Montréal.
So, I know the Leafs are taking on the Habs that same night. But something tells me that saving the world might be more important. Besides, it’ll feel grounding, like that moment when the lights dim on a train about to leave the station and everyone goes silent, as though in appreciation of the awesomeness of the journey before them.
Here’s a YouTube offering that explains it better than I can here:
As anyone who is my friend on Facebook will already know, the VIA Rail Win with Vivian contest has drawn to its exciting close, with gung-ho traveller, David Campbell taking the grand prize. When the London, Ontario resident learned that he had won two round-trip train tickets worth $500, he asked himself, not “Where do I go?” but “Where do I go back to?” He has a yearly tradition of taking a big train trip and has covered most of the territory that VIA Rail travels, with the exception of Churchill, Manitoba, where the polar bears might see the likes of him sometime soon. I certainly hope so. Congratulations to a deserving winner, and thanks to all those who participated. I am so happy to have made your acquaintance.
Tous mes ami(e)s de Facebook le savent déjà, c’est le grand voyageur David Campbell qui a remporté le premier prix du concours « Gagnez avec Vivian et VIA Rail! ». Lorsque ce résidant de London, Ontario, a appris qu’il avait gagné deux billets aller-retour en train d’une valeur de 500 $, il ne s’est pas posé la question « Où vais-je aller? », mais plutôt « d’où vais-je revenir? ». David, qui effectue un grand voyage en train chaque année, a parcouru presque tout le territoire desservi par VIA Rail, à l’exception de Churchill, Manitoba. Les ours polaires doivent donc s’attendre à recevoir sa visite très prochainement. Je le lui souhaite aussi. Félicitations au gagnant, et merci à tous ceux qui ont participé. Je suis si heureuse d’avoir fait votre connaissance.
I’ve met a lot of people in the line of my work who really inspire me, not the least of which was this couple I met on Valentine’s Day last year. He had a cane, and a hip that had apparently just been replaced, not that you could tell, he was so spry. She had long silver hair and a laugh that was infectious. I met them on the first leg of their journey, which was in honour of their upcoming 41st wedding anniversary. Can you guess where they were going? From Toronto, to Montréal, to Québec City for a stay in the nearby Ice Hotel. I’d heard about the hotel of course (I think that I’d even read about it first in a VIA Destinations Guide, scroll down to page 25 for the mention), but I’d never been there myself.
Anyway, according to the hotel website, the 2008 season runs, weather permitting, until April 1. I wonder if they still have rooms available. I wonder if I have the time.
What about you? Have any of you adventurers already ventured there? And, while you’re at it, why not tell me how you plan to spend the first day of spring, March 20th?
Well, after my cultural outing to the brewery, I woke myself up in the gentlest way possible with a restorative latte from the Trident Café, a Hollis St. coffeehouse and used bookstore that’s not far from where I’m staying, by the train station. Then I walked along the Halifax boardwalk. I made a delicious discovery on Bishop’s Landing: Sugah!, a gourmet candy store that makes an eye-opening Chili Nut Brittle. Wowsa!
Today, I’m headed for the Citadel and then the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic for the Theodore Tugboat exhibit. A little boy I met onboard the Ocean train made me promise not to miss Theodore, and I’m a woman of my word. Cheers, Mateo!
Guess where I am, boys and girls? Halifax! It might not be sunny,
but, my goodness, the vibe here is so friendly that I feel refreshed and ready for spring.
Everyone I’ve met so far has been so helpful. I’ve had no trouble
finding ways to spend my time. I went to a Mooseheads game one night
with a first-year student from Saint Mary’s I met on board the Ocean on my way into town. We had such a good time that we
decided to keep going, heading over to the famed Liquor Dome for a
night of dancing. They sure know how to party here! Our night ended
at Pizza Corner, where my friend indulged in a gooey donair. I
abstained, but definitely felt as though I had participated in a
cultural experience.
This evening I visited the Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery.
It’s the oldest working brewery in North America, which means that
the tour guides get to dress up in 19th century costumes. I’m such a
sucker for that kind of thing.
I hope that you’re having as much fun as I am, wherever the day takes
you.
One of the questions I get asked the most by my Facebook friends is how do I, as a confimed vegetarian, with a penchant for vegan and raw food cafés, provide my travellers with knowledgeable answers to all of their food questions. (If you’ve ever had occasion to travel by VIA Rail train, then you will already know that it is the role of the service attendants to field, when possible, any questions passengers might have about their destinations, including: Where to eat?)
As an attendant, I make a point of keeping up with what’s going on in the major towns and cities along my route. This is a big job, but it’s also a lot of fun. I spend a lot of time on the blogosphere, reading restaurant reviews, festival sites, etc. I also like to read the VIA Rail Events Calendar. It’s always full of good ideas!
So, when last month, a group of Montreal business travellers asked me where they could find a decent smoked meat sandwich in Toronto, I was ready with an answer, courtesy of Taste T.O., a newish Toronto foodie blog, which I’d only recently discovered. Contributor Melissa Bell’s post, “A Quest for the Reubenesque” was still fresh in my mind, and I was able to give my passengers an overview of their options.
I will definitely continue to keep abreast of Taste T.O. and similar sites, such as Hungry in Hogtown. In fact, I’m off to peruse some food blogs right now. Come join me, why don’t you?
Je pars à Halifax pour quelques jours. C’est la première fois que j’y mets les pieds et j’ai très hâte de découvrir cette région. Je prends le train Océan ce soir.
Vous avez envie de m’accompagner? Je prendrai des tonnes de photos. Vous n’aurez qu’à parcourir mon profil Flickr pour les admirer! Bien sûr, je vous ferai part de mes impressions sur mon blogue et sur Facebook.
J’ai pris le temps de me renseigner sur la ville. Boutiques, galeries d’art, promenades dans le port et le quartier historique : mes vacances s’annoncent divertissantes! En plus, j’ai découvert que la tournée de Sum 41 s’arrête au Arts Centre samedi soir. Le groupe punk y présente son dernier album « Underclass Hero »… J’espère qu’il reste des billets!
Mon ami Alexandre a habité là lorsqu’il était enfant… Et lui, il est parfaitement bilingue. Je me demande si j’aurai l’occasion de parler français?
J’y étais le week-end dernier, notamment à la Nuit blanche. C’est une façon originale pour les Montréalais et les visiteurs — comme moi — de prendre un bain de culture nocturne.
Expositions, spectacles, films, concerts… j’ai eu de quoi m’amuser et m’émerveiller toute la nuit!
J’ai particulière aimé le concert de chants Gospel donné par l’Ensemble vocal Prochant. L’ambiance était… divine!
Puis, je suis allé prendre une leçon de tango, donnée par les professeurs du Studio tango Montréal. S’il y a une chose que j’ai apprise ce soir-là, c’est que pour bien danser le tango, il faut laisser son cerveau au vestiaire avec ses bottes et écouter son corps — ou plutôt le corps de son partenaire! Le seul problème, c’est que je n’avais rien pour remplacer mes bottes et que j’ai dû m’exécuter pieds nus!
Après une nuit bien remplie, on est allé déjeuner au café El Dorado sur l’avenue Mont-Royal, histoire de refaire le plein d’énergie. D’accord, les oeufs bénédictins sont un peu moins gouteux que ceux de L’Avenue située juste en face, mais l’ambiance était relax et on n’a pas eu à attendre pour avoir une table.
Puis, à 10 heures du matin, c’était enfin l’heure du dodo : des amis, Éric et Mélanie, m’ont hébergé chez eux sur le Plateau afin que je puisse dormir un peu.
Je suis Vivian, le nouveau guide touristique virtuel de VIA Rail. Afin que vous puissiez faire ma connaissance, mes supérieurs ont pensé qu’il pourrait être amusant de lancer un concours.
Je suis flattée!
Pour participer, vous n’avez qu’à devenir mon ami sur Facebook entre le 3 et le 20 mars 2008. Vous pourriez gagner une paire de billets VIA Rail d’une valeur de 500 $ CA, valable pour un voyage au Canada!
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