Wahaka

My final stop in Mexico was the city of Oaxaca (pronounced WA-HA-KA).

I was only there a few days and spent the majority of my time in the company of a couple of different guys - Luis and Andre - both of whom I met online and who between them kindly showed me around the city. Both tried to get me to eat the local delicacy - Chapulines (fried grasshoppers) - but in no way was that ever going to happen. That said, whilst grasshoppers weren't to my taste, the local tomales (tamales oaxaqueños) certainly were and unbelievably delicious... definitely something I am going to want to try to recreate when I return back home in the future.

To break up my 5 night stay I on the 3rd day took a day long tour, the highlight of which was a trip to Hierve el Agua where breathtaking vistas are overlooked by calcified waterfalls and stunning clifftop pools. 

Making it Count

In the next instalment of the Stage 1 Review, Ben takes a closer look at the driving force behind his adventure

In preparing for this adventure I decided quite early on that I wanted to leave the UK with both purpose and direction. You see, I figured that if I am going to invest several years of my life in to this experience then I wanted to make sure I made it count...

24 Sussex Drive

Ben Collins reveals how he ended up meeting the Prime Minister and First Lady of Canada at their residence, 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa

In line behind 200 or so people I did everything I could not to draw attention to myself, though given that I was the only person in line wearing anything other than a suit, this I knew was always going to be an uphill struggle...

The Black Fly

Ben explains why he chose to leave Cornerstone Farm just ten days in to what should have been a six week work exchange

With the Sun baking me at 35C, black flies pulling chunks of flesh from my neck and mosquitoes doing what they do best I was somewhat unhappy with my situation.

Bear Sausage

Ben sets out his personal goals for the duration of his stay in Alexandria

Upon stepping off the train I was immediately greeted on the platform by Mitch who regular readers might remember me writing about in an earlier post As Fate Would Have It.

Apple & Pumpkin Curry Cream Soup

Ben shares his favourite dish from Tweed

This was perhaps my favourite meal whilst in Tweed and couldn't help but take the receipe. Try it, I dare you...

This soup calls for a lot of ingredients, but it's surprisingly simple to make. Apples give it much of its flavour and consistency, while the gentle heat of the curry is perfect on a cool autumn day.

Gratefulness

After two weeks on the blueberries, Ben looks back at his time in Tweed, Ontario

As the Sun set beneath the horizon this wonderful near-wilderness was transformed back to little more than a collection of silhouettes and as the beavers began making their way out on to the pond ready for a night of both felling and foraging, I too was being called for dinner...

The Adventist`s

Ben is invited to join host John and fellow work-awayers Sophie and Alena to a Health and Wellbeing classes run by 7th Day Adventist's 

If you had told me two weeks ago that I'd spend my evening tonight sat in a healthy lifestyle cooking class run by a bunch of 7th Day Aventist's I'd have probably died laughing.

And yet here I was, sat in front of Phyllis (pictured in the blue sweater) who running the show made what turned out to be a really good evening. Everyone present was just like every other Canadian I have met so far - just incredibly friendly and ever so welcoming.

AC Newman

Ben gets to experience a true Canadian delicacy whilst CouchSurfing in Toronto 

After saying goodbye to Joey and thanking him for having me I went in search of a small cafe that he had recommended so that I could try out these apparently wonderful crepes which until now I had never before actually eaten.

And stuffed full of banana, pineapple and a variety of berries this warm breakfast was made all the more sweeter being served with fresh ice cream and coffee which after my fifteen hour long power nap it was just what the Doctor had
ordered...

Day #000

For the first time in his life, Ben sets foot on foreign ground

After navigating the shuttle bus and subway into town I found my way to where I'd be staying for the first two nights in Toronto, but with 2hrs before my CouchSurfing host returned home from work I went to the nearest restaurant just around the corner, The Blake House...