A FEW MOMENTS

I sat on a toilet in Tokyo, when all of a sudden a hand came up from underneath and washed my forbidden cash and prizes. It scared me so much my bowels evacuated, but that didn't even matter. It just kept cleaning. Speaking of, did you know there is a street called Takeshita street? In Tokyo?

The Frankfurt Christmas Markets were a bit of a blur. It must have been the hot wine. Wonderful. The children laughing on the merry go round, the shimmer of the lights, the caroling, even the perpetual chill in the air didn't bother me because well, it's Christmas!

And this is not intended to be any sexual innuendo whatsoever, but I mean it from the heart when I say I've never liked sausage from anywhere until I tried the German's. I will only eat German sausage, I just won't settle for anything else, it's the best I've ever had. I can't say it any different.

I had also forgotten what it's all aboot to be a Canadian until I finally went to a hockey game again recently. Even worse, I couldn't remember most of the rules when I tried explaining it to someone! How embarrassing! But the cheering and atmosphere almost had me missing home. (ALMOST, Mom. Not quite, don't get any ideas!)

I would recommend this little treat. Take (Canadian) Maple syrup, pour it on a bed of snow and roll it up with a stick like an ice cream cone. It's the freakin' best sugar high you've ever had and it tastes delectable!

Of course, the best is wandering around Old Montreal while endlessly eating double-patty-coronary-inducing burgers with your father in a literal winter wonderland. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Currently in Vietnam, doing, for a few short weeks, the usual backpacking experience: wandering around by myself where no one speaks english, no plan, no phone, credit card and everything I own on my back. Some people would call that a nightmare but others such as myself consider it a vacation!

Keeping you informed. If I get into trouble don't worry, I'll notify you via postcard.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!