Trains, planes and...no, actually, just trains

Yeah. Trains. This is a post about trains. I am so totally losing it.

Personally, I love trains and they are my favourite way to travel. There is something so inherently romantic and emotional about train rides, almost as if you are slowly chugging your way into a more lyrical, bygone era - unless you are on the TGV in France, in which you would be hurtling at alarming speeds into a lyrical, bygone era. It works either way though.

We don't have many trains here in Canada. I know of one amazing journey though that leaves from Vancouver and takes you into the Rocky Mountains, but unfortunately, it is also like a million dollars to ride that thing (slight exageration) since we don't have many competing train companies and thus they can jack up the price.

The States is more properly serviced, train-wise, but there is something very un-romantic about Amtrak and the tendency for those trains to NOT stay ONtrack.

No, if you need experience the "real" train experience, you need to go to Europe. Just look at the movies it has inspired.... The Lady Vanishes, Murder on the Orient Express, The Great Train Robbery, etc etc.

Where else are train systems such a way of life? Where you can forgo a night at the hostel and spend it sleeping in a moving bunkhouse? Where you can sip wine while the Austrian scenery whips past you? And don't get me started on train stations! The wonderful sound the board makes when the times and trains flip. The hustle and bustle of thousands of travelers. The miniture cities that surround the train station. The sound and smell of the trains pulling away from the tracks. Stuffing heavy backpacks into the lockers. My heart is thumping just thinking about it.

Of course, I've had my share of HELL on trains, if you recall THIS STORY. But overall, I would rather train it than bus or fly any day.



Looking pretty for once on a train to Toulouse/Carcassonne


Patiently waiting in Lyon


The Gare de Lyon train station in Paris


Hurtling at supersonic speeds on France's TGV


Norwegian Train Tunnels


Pulling a Dr. Zhivago in Norway



My bed, from Austria to Italy


Breakfast on the train


The last heave ho of the backpack before bording, Cologne, Germany


Watching the night fall, Austria

What is your favourite way to travel? By air? By car? By boat? By train? By...horse? Speaking of riding things, I had a dream last night I was riding an Emu...very strange.

Venice in Color

Too lazy to post so I will leave you with some pictures of Venice...in color!!

Ciao!

How To Look Great While Flying

I was inspired by fellow blogger Karina(XOXO), to dig up an old article of mine which dealt with how to look good while flying. Though I was going to blog about the Top Ten Things to See and Do in New Zealand (thanks to Memphis Steve's request), I'll have to leave that till later.

For now, it's all about being beautiful. You can buy most of the products from Sephora or any beauty boutique.....

I've done a lot of long flights whether it is from LA to Korea to New Zealand, or from Vancouver to Helsinki. With all that time spent in the air, getting no sleep, having my skin dehydrated and make-up smudged, I've somehow managed to create a few tricks that keeps me looking fresh and rested when I land.

Be prepared! With security restrictions this is more difficult these days but as long as you keep the items small (under 3 oz) and in a ziplock bag, you should be all right. You will need the following to look your best:

1. Clarins Flash Beauty Balm

2. Evian, Avene or Caudalie mister

3. Make-up Removing Wipes

4. Caudalie or any light-reflecting moisturizer

5. Good lip balm

In order for these products to be safe, take the products and distribute some into 1 oz containers (you can find at any drug storm).

That's just the skincare, you need a tiny makeup bag with you as well (in a seperate ziplock bag):

1. Good undereye concealer

2. Lightweight, reflective foundation

3. Rosy Cream blush

4. Taupe/Brown eye pencil

5. Shu Umera eyelash curler

6. Smudge-proof mascara

7. Shimmery, golden eyeshadow such as Stila Kitten or Urban Decay Sin

Sounds like a lot but if you are anything like me and are used to lugging around a crap load of makeup, it's nothing. Besides, would you rather land in your country of choice looking pretty and awake or like you've been in cargo hold the whole time? However, if you mean to cut down on bulk, try a makeup palette that has several things in one sleek compartment.

Now, when you first get on the flight, try not to wear too much makeup. Get in your seat and make sure all your pampering items are in easy reach. Be sure to stay well hydrated by avoiding coffee, tea and alcohol and drinking plenty of water (hopefully you have an aisle seat and wont mind the frequent trips to the bathroom!). If you wanna try something different, try Borba waters, which fix skin problems from the inside and may be worth a shot (if anything it will make you feel extra glamorous). Keep spritzing your face with mist water and keep your lips moist with balm every 1/2 hour.

Hopefully you have figured out that, depending where you are flying, you can sleep or not without interfering with your sleep patterns. Regardless, midway during the flight, remove your makeup with the wipes provided and apply a thick, generous layer of Clarins Balm to your face, concentrating on the eye area (the Witch Hazel in the balm is great at de-puffing eyes).

Leave the mask on your face until an hour before landing. Tissue off the mask and apply the radiant moisturizer* Rub it in well and then follow with a light coat of reflective foundation*

Apply concealer under the eyes, only on the half moon shape of the undereye circles and on the arch below the brows and inside corner of the eye* Swipe on the shimmery shadow and then line eyes with brown pencil, then with same pencil, define your brows* Brow definition is the one thing that will give structure to your face and have you appear "done."* Follow up with the eyelash curler and two coats of mascara* Rub cream blush on the apples of your cheeks and over your balmed lips* Then after a quick toothbrushing and hair-fixing session in the bathroom, you should be ready to land looking better than when you got on!

Of course, to some this may seem like a lot of work. But when you look good, you feel good and isn't that the best way to start your trip?