Fabulous Living Coach

New Wordpress Website

2011-05-04T10:15:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!

I just came back from an amazing trip to Paris!!! You have to travel there! FYI, I have a Wordpress Site now and all my blog posts will be there from now on!

www.fabulouslivingcoach.com

See you there!!!

Love, Elaine xoxoxo

Starbucks London, Two things I love in life: coffee & men with accents!

2011-04-21T15:28:00.002-04:00

March 26th, 2011 - At Starbucks, Wimbledon

If you are are coffee drinker, you know in the morning you don't feel rested until you have that morning Java! Sine I couldn't make a coffee at Penny's house, I decided before starting my day in London to stop at the Starbucks on the corner right across the train station of Wimbleton. I came in wanting a really strong coffee to wake me up after entire flight not sleeping an jet lag. Across the street was another coffee shop called " Coffee Republic" , which looked like an English version/chain of coffee. I know, I know, I should have perhaps tried it being my first morning in London over Starbucks. You know, be the traveler, get outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Tomorrow I will go!

I ordered a grande which is the medium sized coffee cup at Starbucks when he asked me if I wanted espresso or filter. Espresso or filter?? hmmmmm To a Canadian, that's an interesting question because we have a lot of percolated/filtered coffee being served. It's the Europeans who are accustomed to having americanos and espressos. You know the "real coffee" as my Italian friend Marco told me in Cuba in January. Ummm, filter please I told the Starbucks employee. He's really hot! A tall, blonde hair, blue eyes man with a British accent, but European I could tell from somewhere else. I need to ask! He is super hot! lol

I noticed this yesterday in Leicester Square when grabbing pizza, but I really noticed today here in England there are two prices when going to food places. One price is to stay in and one price is "take-away" which we say in North America " take-out". How is this possible? So I saw these two prices and thought what ?????? Then I stopped and thought, the rest of the word probably thinks North American tipping 15% or 20% is crazy itself!

Wow, this guy is super cute! I wonder where he is from? I need to ask! I need to take a picture! He came up to me before and asked if I was American. I proudly said I was Canadian! :P He has dreamy blue eyes! He told me he's opening a new Starbucks next week and he's a manager. Hmmmm There are two things that I love in life: coffee and men with accents! Heyyyyyy, holla!!!Where do you think this guy is really from with blonde hair and blue eyes??? I have to ask!!!!!!!!!!

Answer: He is from The Netherlands!!!!!!!!! He told me that I should go to Amsterdam and travel! I was starring and him and at that moment felt, you know that's an excellent idea! Throwing that out there to the Universe!

Couch Surfing Safe or Not? My experience with Penny in Wimbleton, London.

2011-04-21T12:34:00.003-04:00

March 26th, 2011

Saturday morning in London. I made it! Yup! Holla! heyyyyyy lol! I'm in Starbucks in Wilmbledon around the corner from Penny my couch surfing host's flat. I attempted to make coffee at her house, but it's one of those stoves that are with gas. I didn't see any matches & I forgot how the bloody ( British accent used here) thing operates! I just spilled coffee over the journal. Good times! :P

Penny was away for the night on a hot date with a man. Ouuuuuu spicy I know! She didn't want to be a rude host she said leaving me on my first night alone at her house, but she really wanted to go out on this date! Oh my goodness, don't be silly I told her! I don't think it's rude at all. I am just grateful to be in London and hosted surfing on a couch! She gave me keys to her house. She also gave me a mobile if I wanted to give any of my friends the number so they could contact me. How nice! I asked if I can go somewhere to buy credit to put on it and she said there should be 14 pounds on it which would be more than enough if I was sending text messages. What more could I ask for? Super nice! She even pulled out the couch into a bed and put fresh linens on for me! And then people ask you if Couch Surfing is safe or not. Well, it's at your own risk, but I have attracted all wonderful people. :)

I was happy for her going out having fun with men on dates. She just turned 58 years old yesterday. So, I was thinking just like the Aussie's say, " Good on ya mate!" LOL I think she goes out with more men than me which is AMAZING! It's also a sign perhaps that I should date more myself! I need to get out there..... Well it's not that there aren't men, it's just I am so busy I guess with projects and my goals. Or maybe because I haven't let go of a certain someone.... hmmmmm Don't analyze and over think Elaine. Just BE............. Deep breathe in........ exhale............ Some blockages, but we shall speak of that later!

Finally Up in the air to London!

2011-04-12T11:18:00.007-04:00

March 24th, 2011

I am up, up, up in the air on Thomas Cook Airlines flying from Toronto to Gatwick in London. Ahhhhhh, I'm going to LONDON! Our flight departed at 5:30 p.m. from Toronto which was a nice change from my 6:30 a.m. flights the last previous two months! The flight is 7 hours in length which means we will be arriving at 12:00 a.m. eastern standard time which in London it will be 5:00 a.m.! Ah!

I have always wanted to go to London you know. During my second year studying Hotel Management at Alpine Center in Athens, I wanted to transfer and study in England because the degree was connected with Bournemouth University. I applied through UCAS and was accepted into The University of Brighton and Surrey. I remember getting mail from the U.K and thinking it was so cool! I later decided to continue studying in Greece, which I am extremely glad I did because I had a wonderful third year of memories. ( Especially the summer of 2004 living in Greece with my room mate Daniela working at a bar and going to bed at 7:00 a.m. every night! Motorcycle rides on the back of hot Greek men. heyyyyyyyyy! Now that was a hot summer to remember. OPA! lol!)

I have seen movies like The Holiday & Bridget Jones Diaries which I just LOVED! The English countryside looks so pretty. A pretty backdrop for a magical LOVE STORY I'd say!

The last time I was in Europe was the summer of 2009. From the end of June until the beginning on October I was an Au-Pair for three months in Spain and also traveled to Greece for a quick week! That was an adventurous summer full of unexpected things happening like my crazy Au-Pair experience, Jeannie & Eleni coming for two weeks from Canada and traveling around and then unforgettable trip to Greece which went the exact opposite of what I intended. It ended up being lots of fun, but I would now call the experience an emotional roller coaster. Obviously man related. ....... But guys let's be positive, there is learning in everything! LOL yeah, learning my ass you think when you are in that situation! .... Long story...... Not even worth writing............

Even though I love Greece, I think if I lived in Europe, it would have to be London! I think I'd be most comfortable in a country speaking English, that is big offering lots to do, yet at the gateway of Europe! Imagine having so many cheap flights at your footsteps? I'd lose it! I'd definitely take advantage of that, no questions asked! Ok, so they say the weather is crappy being gloomy and rainy. But I've always said I liked the rain and thought of it to be relaxing. Hmmmm....After awhile, how much gloom can you possibly take I guess? I say life is what you make it! There must be sunshine you can create in your day, like your own personal sunshine that makes you all warm! Well worst comes to worst, you can always hop on an airplane and fly to Greece in 3 hours! Now, that's not a bad idea at all! Oh beautiful Greece! I love you Greece!

I remember trying to get a job at The Savoy in London which is apart of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts last year as a Coach in their food & beverage department. Lots of resistance and it just wasn't happening. Maybe I wasn't suppose to go there because that would be living on a permanent vacation this year then! See how it all happens for a reason? You want something and it doesn't work out because the Universe has another plan for you! The Universe has your back in more ways than you know!

It can be quite exhausting to tell you the truth in being a creative and coming up with ideas! Having a mind that produces and generates! I am a passionate person so when I think something is good, I really get excited about it! I think BIG, I think of all the POSSIBILITIES! I started coaching because I was living all of my travel dreams and wanted to inspire others to live out their dreams. How is it that so many of my dreams came true? Luck you say? Nah! It's not luck. It's an intention mixed with action! It's not an accident! The energy behind intentions is alive. It exists! ( Ok, I'm on the airplane in my seat and the man in front of me keeps pushing his chair back trying to recline further and further. Ok bud, it's gone as far back as it possibly can. LOL, What's your problem?!!!!!! lol)

The Pilot said we're arriving a bit early and it is 6 degrees C. We are 37,000 feet above and it should be a smooth ride. SWEEEEEET! I'm going to pass out after we eat. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. on purpose so I could sleep on the ride and wake up a bit refreshed! Enjoy the ride!

The London Pass - Highly Recommended

2011-04-07T09:41:00.002-04:00

Hey Hey Fabulous,

I had such a wonderful time in London last week on my 3rd trip in living on a permanent vacation. I would definitely go back! I bought a six day London Pass which included admission to 55 attractions for £94. If you want you can choose to buy a pass for 1,2,3 or 6 days. You also have the option of buying with or without travel. I chose to buy without travel and instead bought a weekly pass from the underground for £39 for zones 1 -4. Most of what you will want to do will be in zones 1 - 4. For places like the Windsor Castle & Eaton, you can ask to buy an extension on your ticket. :)

Kensignton Palace, London

During your stay in London of course, you will want to see as much as you can in attractions like myself, but keep in mind it is exhausting! I think you need one trip for attractions and another trip for vacationing in London. A place like London with so much fascinating history and unlimited amounts of things to do, you just can't see it all. I will be sharing with you on my blog posts the sites I visited!

The main reasons why I LOVED the London Pass is because it saves you money in entrance. They give you a guide book with the attractions, maps and descriptions of the places. Also, just the ease of paying one time for all the things you will see makes it easy so you don't have to keep on going into your wallet to get into attractions. It makes you know where your money has gone which is important when your are spending £££££££££££££££££££££££££ LOL!!!!

I saw the following:

Tower of London ( Including the Crown Jewels) ,Normal Adult Price: £17.00
Kensignton Palace, Normal Adult Price: £12.50
Buckingham Palace ( FREE, you can't go in, so it's not in the pass. I am just writing it so you know I went. LOL)
The Royal Mews, Normal Adult Price: £7.75
Wellington Arch, Normal Adult Price: £ 3.70
St. Paul's Cathedral, Normal Adult Price: £12.50
The London Bridge Experience & London Tombs (A scary experience with actors, more entertainment) Normal Adult Price: £21.95
Hampton Court Palace, Normal Adult Price: £14.00
Kew Gardens, Normal Adult Price: £13.50
Windsor Castle, Normal Adult Price: £16.00
Westminister Abbey, Normal Adult Price: £15.00

The total to visit all of these attraction would have been Normal Adult Price: £ 133.90. If I were to have done the London Pass again, I would have chosen the 3 day pass! The first day I had jet lag and only did the Tower of London. The second day I went hard and did the above from Kensignton Palace to The London Bridge Experience. The third day I did Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens. ( I did Kew Gardens only because I heard the stop being called out on the train and thought to myself since I am here, why not? It's beautiful though! A royal botanical garden!) The Fourth day I did The Windsor Castle which is the Queen's home. :) The fifth day I was dead and exhausted and didn't do anything! LOL and then the sixth day I went to Westminister Abbey. It's exhausting traveling all around. I would say to do the 3 day pass! Hope it helps!!

I will be blogging my London Pass travel adventures! To see my travels on video please visit my You Tube Channel: Fabulous Living Coach You Tube Channel

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
elaine@fabulouslivingcoach.com
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto based Life Coach. Thank you for following my travel journey of living on a permanent vacation with 3 weeks work, 1 week vacation. Next stop: Paris, France!

Being Emotional Can Be Mistaken For Craziness ..

2011-03-31T10:47:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I am this highly emotional person. It's true..... Wait!! I should add in that I am also highly sensitive & also very passionate about whatever it is I am passionate about. So this combination of being: emotional, sensitive and passionate can be a little bit much at times. (Especially when it's all added together!!!!) Kind of like a tornado of what seems like "craziness!" sweeping through. You see if I don't communicate and express what it is I am feeling, I won't feel settled until I express it. Some people supress and I am the exact oppositive where I express! When you are highly emotional, you can be mistaken for being crazy. (This is very true especially when it comes to expressing your feelings with men.ohhhh Elaine!!!!! )

Ok, I think everyone has what might seem like crazy thoughts. If you were to unload someones thoughts out and play them out loud, there would be a lot of people you would think were crazy. However, they don't so they look "normal". Where I just tell it like it is in my mind and don't screen it all. :P I know I am highly emotional so I have to learn some ways to best deal with this.It's like something happens and you get caught up in your head.

Things I need to Do To Balance My Energy

Sleep 8 hours
Workout, preferably cardio!
Eat well!
Journal My Thoughts

I know that when the above 4 are not in check, my emotions spin out. Will work on that since I am aware!

xoxoxo Much Love, Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto based Life Coach.

For a free 30 minute Coaching session up to 30 minutes please call me at 647-964-6001.

Missing The Cayman Islands

2011-03-21T10:49:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I really miss the Cayman Islands having lived and worked there for a year in 2005 - 2006! I was a beach girl/server barefoot serving pina coladas and Cayman lemonades on Seven Mile Beach for The Westin Casaurina Resort in Grand Cayman. Ahhhhhhh those tropical days!!! Having lived in the Caribbean, having a Jamaican boyfriend there and being rasied in Scarborough ( part of Toronto), I with no doubt have a love and appreciation for reggae! Reggae just RESONATES with my HEART & MY BOOTY! LOL!!!!!

I originally was looking to buy a bottle of water to take back to my hotel room, when I walked into a bar on Bourbon St.On Bourbon St. in New Orleans there are several bars that have 20 different kinds of frozen cocktails in styrofoam glasses for you to carry while you are walking.So, I walked in and heard reggae music which was enough for me to screw the water and order myself a yummy frozen lime margarita! LOL I enjoyed every bit of it with nostalgia, having it take me back in time!What a magical experience it was!

Found a Cheap Flight To Paris & Booked!

2011-03-21T10:08:00.001-04:00

Cheap flights are meant to be bought! I was online looking for flights on Flight Centre's website on Saturday night and was amazed when I saw a sweet ass cheap deal to Paris! It was $640 can return including taxes with Air Transat!!!!!!!!! Um, FABULOUS!!!!!!!! How could I not buy it? In cases like this, I need not only to follow my heart, but my head! I can't afford not to buy this flight! LOL I couldn't resist!

I have created 12 weeks vacation a year for my lifestyle, which can get pricey I know. That's why when you see a cheap deal, you must take action and book it! I was considering maybe Panama or Mexico for my April trip which actually seemed to be the same price from the steal of a deal I found for Paris! I'm not planning my trip to Paris yet because I'm flying to London on Thursday for a week and need to enjoy that! :P

I booked it in the store at Flight Centre, Promenade Mall location with my consultant Mark Wilson, mark.wilson@flightcentre.ca You have to book it before the price is still HOT! Get it while it's CHEAP!!!lol To get the cheapest deals try going when it's not high season!

I actually went to Paris 10 years ago in September it will be, in 2001 with my mother's sister for a week. I was in Greece and she was in France on vacation from Australia. She has sent me a postcard in the mail which took only 2 days to reach Greece. I told her that I wished I was a postcard in the mail and could come for two days, which is when she told me" well I will just give you my credit card, and you can book the flight to Paris and we will leave for the Chateau once you arrive!" Um, Law of attraction!!!!!!!!!! And that is exactly what I did!

Let's see what Paris brings!

Stay tuned to all my travel adventures. :P London on Thursday, here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reflexology With Antoinette to Clear Energy Fields

2011-03-20T15:05:00.002-04:00

Now lets clear those energy fields with reflexology! I had my first reflexology treatment with Antoinette Erodotou Christofi, Certified Reflexology Practitioner & Liscensed Wellness Coach. http://www.reflexandwellnessclinic.com/ I had "HAPPY FEET" I told her after the treatment feeling so good! As you know a clear energy field means a happy, healthier and lighter you! A reflexology treatment is one way to increase optimal health to get the vital energy flowing throughout the body!

As a practitioner in Reiki, I am open to different ways of holistic healing to balance the mind, body and spirit. All I knew was it involved feet and clear blocked energy. That's a good enough reason for me.

What is a treatment like?

A complete reflexology session will usually take 60 minutes. Clients’ first session includes a complete detailed and confidential health case history check. Then, with only your feet exposed, a short foot examination and cleansing are done. The feet are then worked systematically with the application of light pressure techniques to reflex areas. At the end of the session your feet are treated to a relaxing foot massage.

Reflexology is known to help alleviate high blood pressure, stress and depression which can all be directly linked to heart problems.

For a Reflexology treatment, Nutrition Counseling and weight loss contact Fabulous Antoinette Erodotou Christofi: www.reflexandwellnessclinic.com.

Thanks Antoinette for making my feet happy leading to a more energetically balanced me!

Riding a Mechanical Bull on Bourbon St. :P

2011-03-19T10:38:00.001-04:00

Bourbon St. looks like where the party is at! It was a Thursday night around 8:30 p.m. and Bourbon street was waking up. Well actually when is it really asleep? A street full of bars, restaurants and strip clubs! Oh yeahhhhh, showgirls! :P I decided to take a little walk to see what was going on when I took the video above! Check it out!

Walking back along the street I heard a lot of noise from a bar and peeped my head inside for my eyes to discover a mechanical bull! I was so excited!!!!!!!!! LOL I've always wanted to go on one of those! I watched a girl work it on the bull and then fall off. The bull is in a ring with soft cushiony landing luckily, otherwise there could be some serious damage. There was a guy on the side who was shifting the gears of the bull depending on how he wanted it to move. I never knew someone had the control of how it moved and could easily throw you off when they wanted! My eyes grew so BIG and WIDE, open like a kid in a candy store watching!

This American guy next to me told me he'd pay for me to go on and ride it! The way he told me was if he had to convince me and paying would make me get up on it. I would have paid myself I was thinking! But thank you Universe for him offering to pay! I was so tired and so full after finishing my slice of Pecan Pie I had at Arnaud's. I actually thought, imagine I was riding and threw up? Ahhhh, not a pretty picture. That's how full I was. Probably not a good thing to eat until you are that full, but you don't get to eat Creole everyday do you? Exactly! That's what I am talking about!

I got up on the bull! I actually had recorded a video of it, but thought it could be a little bit inappropriate. lol Maybe it would do some social media damage to my name. lol Or maybe I would attract clients for other services other than life coaching and healing? lol yeahhhhh, better not! LOL! Although it was a good watch I assure you! I went UP, DOWN, AROUND, and then he made me bounce really fast. OMG...... Then he swirled me to the left and then to the right! I had three chances of riding it without falling for my turn. I held on tight the last round until I fell down! ...........

So the guy who paid for me was with a group of friends from New Jersey for a bachelor party before the wedding. He asked if I wanted to go with them to eat. I passed the opportunity for three main reasons: 1) I'm not going with a group of guy who are having a bachelor party. lol . no no and no 2) I hadn't slept in over 24 hours. 3) I ate dinner! Mainly for number 1!

I gave my business card to one of the guys and told him to check out my You Tube videos and that I'd upload the bull one! The business card was actually an old one where I had a phone number which use to be my business line and is now a land line for my house. What am I getting to? Well, the guy called and left a message in how he wants my P*ssy all all this stuff, which I don't know. I didn't hear it! So, my family hears it! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol and for all they know I'm in New Orleans meeting random men! My sister messaged me the next morning to tell Tom to never call again. I don't even know Tom. I don't know which one was Tom. I didn't know there even was a Tom. LOL!!!!I didn't hang out with any of them! I just gave an old business card. NOTE TO SELF: throw away all old cards and chances are guys who see a girl ride a bull would not be interested in professional coaching services. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Dining in The French Quarter: Arnaud's Jazz Bistro

2011-03-17T15:54:00.001-04:00

Dining at Arnaud's Restaurant

What a day my first day in New Orleans was! It was 8:00 p.m. and I was exhausted from not sleeping, my flight, and walking around for the day. Those early flights are killers, but trick you in believing you'll have the entire day to travel and explore. It's true you get there early, but you may also experience your eyes feeling like they will pop out of your head! LOL All I wanted to do was have something to eat and pass out. My hotel St. Louis was on Beinville just off of Bourbon St. in the French Quarter in the heart of it all. There were tons of places to drink and eat all in this quarter! I wanted to eat somewhere really authentic to dine at. You always hear everyone talking about how yummy Creole cuisine is in New Orleans is. I chose Arnaud's Jazz Bistro. http://www.arnaudsrestaurant.com/

I walked inside to see 6 waiters standing right at the door in suits wearing bow ties greeting me at the same time. Wow, why thank you! I think they really were by the door looking at the reservations to see how busy it was going to be for the night. :) I told the hostess it was for just one to dine. She advised me there were two places to choose from being a dining room with live music with an extra charge of $4 or the other side which was more casual and had no music. I'm in New Orleans for New Orleans, pay the $4 and bring it on! I was so happy to experience being somewhere to dine and hear jazz music!

The restaurant wasn't full as it was still early which was fine by me! If I ordered a glass of wine, I would have just passed out so I opted for a cup of earl grey tea. I ordered the set menu which was Shrimp Arnaud ( Shrimps with a hot creole sauce), Gulf Fish Amandine ( fish with almonds) and a slice of pecan pie! mmm Heaven! I fell in love with the ambiance! The jazz music just brought you back in time to long ago. The lights were dim. The furniture was full of antiques which I love love! This bistro/restaurant was so romantic feeling/looking and here I was dining alone! lol I still enjoyed it! I'm just saying it's a romantic place! :P

You could feel the presence of the past! There have been several incidents of ghost sightings reported in the establishment. Dou dou dou dou dou , the twilight zone! AHHHHHHHHHHH! LOL Love it! Well, I mean I love how it adds to the ambiance is taking you back to the past. I'm a bit scared to see and speak to entities. Not there yet!

The food was all delicious. YUM New Orleans! mmmmmm There is a lot of seafood in this city! It's heaven for seafood lovers! If you aren't a seafood lover, maybe not so much! lol It's interesting how many people actually don't like seafood. That's ok, more seafood for the seafood lovers! :P There really wasn't any more room for dessert, but somehow I managed to make it work! lol And then I was stuffed and even more ready to pass out. Until I saw the bright lights on Bourbon St. and decided to go for a walk!

Try Pralines in New Orleans, Yummy! :P

2011-03-15T00:03:00.002-04:00

One thing you must do in New Orleans is try their pralines! They pronounce it with a southern accent and say it like this: Prahlines! lol Pralines is a a candy made from sugar, butter and pecans. Need I say anymore? mmmmm The candy has it's roots from the French, but grew into something else in the south. You will see many pralines stores in New Orleans as well as in the convenience stores right by the cash register screaming " Buy me, buy me." I walked into this store and had to try what the hype was all about. Let's just say it's delisshhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I didn't buy any because I'd eat the entire box. Like I've said before, I'm an all or nothing kinda girl...... When I'm passionate about something, I'm really passionate. Even with food, I will eat all the chips, or no chips...... Maybe I need to learn a thing of two about moderation. :P

Check Out My Video on eating "PRAHLINES"

Meeting My Friend At The Mississippi River & Going to St. Louis Cathedral

2011-03-11T22:23:00.003-05:00

I walked to the Mississippi River in New Orleans. I was expecting lots to see, but it didn't seem there was much. I think this is where the Jazz Cruise Boats take off. I needed a picture since I was there, and asked a man having a cigarette. Was I disturbing his cigarette? I felt bad! Oh well, I need pictures! lol He took it and I thanked him. We walked back to the main street together. He was leaving New Orleans to go back to Pensacola, Florida by car and was looking for a place to eat. I was looking for a place to grab coffee because my eyes felt as though they were going to pop out of my head from not sleeping. lol We parted ways and then so happened to have bumped right back into each other on the road, with neither one of us having found food or coffee. ha ha Then we started talking and walking when we reached outside of St. Louis Cathedral. Shall we go in? Lets!

St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans

We walked in St. Louis Cathedral and sat at one of the alters. He name is Luke by the way! :P We started talking about what people are not supposed to talk about: our beliefs in religion. DUH DUH DUHHHH ( That's supposed to sound like a piano :P ) For some reason it felt very natural to talk about religious beliefs in church. It wasn't to my surprise that he was brought up from a religious family because he is from the South. He was raised Baptist, and is not now as religious as he was being brought up. I told him that I have become more spiritual over the years than religious, even though I still consider myself Greek Orthodox. I once went through a phase where I was dating this Jehovah Witness guy ( long time ago now, back in 2006) which actually made me study my faith more. It was through him trying to show me his way, that I learned more about the Greek Orthodox faith. Over the last few years, I have felt God is larger than a religious group. I don't see how God who is LOVE would make all of us to destroy all of us. :)

We then found a place to go for coffee to chat. You think I travel a lot once a month? Well my friend Luke I met travels 40 weeks a year for his job! That's a lot! He likes it! I wonder if that's something I'd like to do? I know I liked traveling/living abroad for a certain amount of time and then liked returning home. Now I like the way I have a vacation once a month. I feel once a month traveling still gives me a balance to have my life at home and still play abroad living out my travel dreams. It's works! :P

We walked through the French Market......................

And spotted some Louisiana Hot Sauce! Woo hoo! Gotta Love hot sauce!

We were walking through The French Market as it was closing. It reminded me of the markets in Australia. :)

We walked into a really cool store where I found some beautiful crystals and things I call " Universe" stuff. :) I even saw Voodoo dolls for sale. Can't really say I'm into Voodoo! I found out Voodoo is actually a mixture of West African religion and Catholicism. I thought it was just sticking needles in a doll and hurting people? Didn't you? Go figure!!! I never knew there was this big Voodoo lady named Marie Laveau who was known as the Queen of Voodoo who was from New Orleans. She was loved by a lot and dreaded by a lot. I would have like to have gone to her cemetery, but I was running against time. People go and put there hands to her grave and make a wish. hmmmm, it all happens for a reason. I didn't get a chance to research it while down, but definitely will now that I am back.

We walked a bit more together and said our goodbyes. He had a long drive to Florida and I wanted to sleep and eat, or just sleep not having slept from my plane ride over. It was lovely spending some time with hima nd learning about his life. I didn't get the same vibe as the man in the suit rubbing turtles chocolate on my camera who asked me to walk to the river :P

Next stop: Dining at Arnaud's!!! :P

Getting a ticket for being too Serious, Good Looking, & Watching Guys in New Orleans

2011-03-10T12:13:00.000-05:00

I was walking along towards the Mississippi river when I heard an, " excuse me, excuse me Ms."
I got a Party Pooper Ticket for being:

Too Serious
Too Good Looking
Taking Illegal Pictures
Watching Guys
and not partying hard enough!!!

Check Out The Video!

LOL!!!!! It was actually for Meals on Wheels for donations and in return you get a New Orleans hat as a souvenir. I thought it was really clever in how they get your attention, build rapport and get you to donate. Or maybe it is that I'm just a sucker for when it comes to those types of things? LOL I gave her $10 and it was for a good cause. I got a gray baseball cap. There weren't any girlie hats. She told me I could give it to a guy. There aren't really any guys in my life I was thinking. lol..... She was a nice women from Venezuela who welcomed me to New Orleans in Spanish!

I noticed in New Orleans, you can give your money everywhere on the street!

Walking Down Bourbon St. & Finding Cafe Beignet, New Orleans

2011-03-10T11:38:00.001-05:00

I changed out of my winter clothes and started walking wherever the road took me in no specific direction. The man who took this picture told me that I shouldn't let people take pictures of me and I asked why? He said because then they'll ask me to go for a drink with them. LOL, So he asked me to go for a beer with him, which perhaps I would have agreed to if he didn't tell me before that, that he had a girlfriend. lol..... Note to guys because it's obviously not common sense to you: I wouldn't recommend telling a girl you have a girlfriend if you want to then ask her out for a drink. LOL I know this sounds like common sense, but as I learned it wasn't. lol

I was walking along when I encountered Oliver standing in front of La Bayou Restaurant promoting the menu items. I never knew what a " bayou" was before coming to Louisiana. A bayou is a body of water that is typically really low and slow moving. They are usually filled with yummy things like shrimp, catfish, shellfish, and then things that think you are yummy like crocodiles and alligators. LOL ahhhhh

Here is a video of Oliver at La Bayou Restaurant

Oliver was really nice and looked great on camera. I would have stayed, to eat and chat with him ,but I just arrived in New Orleans and wanted to explore. I was only spending one night in the French Quarter and didn't know if I would be back. Also, I really didn't know what I wanted having not slept. I wanted to do everything including: Sleeping, eating, drinking, and looking at sites my guide book said are must do's .I was exhausted, but was in New Orleans with a mission to see New Orleans. :P

I continued walking down Bourbon St. when I encountered a street performer singing, who looked a bit drunk and crazy. I gravitate towards wild people. lol This is him, check him out!

I continued walking along my journey of Bourbon St. when I heard jazz music!!!!! I heard some jazz music when in the airport, and although lovely to hear, it was from a cd and this was LIVE! The music actually pulled me to go and see what it was all about. That's a pretty good marketing strategy if you ask me! It works! You hear music from the street and are drawn in like a magnet. The law of attraction pulling you to sit down at Cafe Beignet to enjoy the ambiance while having something from their menu!

Check out my video from Cafe Beignet!

If you heard it wouldn't you go inside?

The band played a lovely song which I thought was very nice and positive! He says when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with youuuuuuuuuuuu!

I decided to eat something and listen to the Jazz. I ordered a lemonade and some Jambalaya. I wasn't 100% crazy over the Jambalaya, but was thinking maybe it was just the place or maybe I was just tired? lol It seemed to be a rice dish mixed with sausage and chicken. That's ok, "it's just an experience!"

Jambalaya at Cafe Beignet

I asked a man to take a picture of me and he did. See picture below. He mentioned to me that he ate turtles chocolate before and then I saw chocolate on my camera chocolate from his hands. grrrrrrrrr lol Who does that? :P He was in his 40's from Chicago wearing a a suit even though it was so warm! He had sunglasses and mardi gras beads on. He started chatting with me asking what I have seen in New Orleans. I haven't seen anything I told him. And then that's when he asked me if I wanted to walk around to the river together. I was not feeling it but the words, " Sure" came out of my mouth. LOL How does that happen? He went to the washroom or "bathroom" as they say in the States, while I decided how I was going to tell him I didn't want to go with him. I don't know. I wasn't vibing him. Was it the chocolate on my camera? Was it that he was in his 40's in a suit a sunglasses? I don't know.... I just know I didn't feel it. How awkward to tell a person, you aren't vibing them. Well of course, you don't say it in that way. lol That's rude!

So we started walking and then I just politely asked if I could walk alone because I wanted to write and blog. AWKWARD, but it was the truth! He was understanding. Sorry! Sometimes people think if you are traveling alone that you want a partner and are lonely. The thing is to travel alone means you are pretty independent in exploring alone. :) Wink wink!

My St. Louis Hotel room in the French Quarter, New Orleans is soo romantic! And I'm alone. LOL

2011-03-08T11:04:00.001-05:00

I booked with www.bookit.com my first hotel night at St. Louis Hotel in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Perfectly located just a street over from Bourbon street in the French Quarter. What what!!!! I took the airport shuttle bus from the airport which was $20 USD, which was a steal compared to $60 can I paid from my house at 3:30 a.m to Toronto's airport.( Maybe that should be an incentive to actually drive? lol)

It was so humid when I arrived, and it didn't help that I was wearing a hoodie and Ugg boots coming from Canada. I just wanted to run into the hotel room and change into a dress. But wait, I didn't bring a dress. lol I was so confused as to what to pack. When I was in Los Angeles the end of November it was 21 C and I froze wearing my sandals. You sometimes never know exactly what to pack. :)

I checked into the hotel which was a room that looked like it didn't belong because the check-in desk was just a table with a linen cloth on top! lol Whatever it works!( Oh my gosh, as I'm writing this, I hear an ad for Baton Rouge here in Toronto celebrating Mardi Gras and going to Louisiana. LOL funny!)

Theodore walked me to my hotel room. Oh my goshhhhhhhhhhh this was too beautiful! I just loved it! I loved everything about it! The colours, the courtyard, the plants, the fountain, the old feeling............ It was sooooooooo romantic! And here I was Elaine Sarantakos, living on a permanent vacation alone! lol It was too pretty. It was definitely a place I highly recommend a couple to go to! It was a place I'd want to share with a person who is just not that into me. lol............. Oh Elaine! lol hahahahaahhahaha

Hotel Room St. Louis, French Quarter, Louisiana

I changed out of my winter clothes. I turned of the air conditioner which was at 60 F. I don't know what it was in C, but it was freezing!!! Who has it that low? I was considering keeping my hoodie and Ugg boots on in the room! That's how cold it felt! lol I was dead tired having only slept 1.25 hours to Chicago the entire night, but I didn't want to stay in the hotel room. I came to New Orleans with the intention to explore and to see New Orleans. Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Holla!! xxx Thank you Universe. xx

February's Journey: Living on a Permanent Vacation, New Orleans

2011-03-07T14:30:00.000-05:00

Written from Elaine's Journal: February 25th, 2011
St. Louis Hotel, French Quarter, New Orleans

I'm sitting waiting for Benjamin my couch surfing friend to pick me up. I'm in the hotel's front lobby. Well it's more of a courtyard with a beautiful fountain, circular rod iron tables and green plants. The colour of the hotel is a pale peach. So nice! I stayed my first night at St. Louis Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It's morning and already humid here which makes a beautiful day a) coming from the Canadian climate and b) going sailing for the first time!

Benjamin picking me up with his Catamaran to go sailing!

Video Taken Waiting For Taxi To Airport YYZ

My Ride Coming To The Airport

Coming to New Orleans was a repeat of going to Cuba last month. I flew at the exact time in the morning, 6:30 a.m. I worked the night before leaving same as before. I had a taxi scheduled to pick up up at 3:30 a.m. just like Cuba. This time instead of an Indian taxi driver, I had a Pakistani driver for my ride to YYZ. The same questions were asked. Where are you going? Are you meeting people? Why are you traveling alone? What is couch surfing is the best question in trying to give a response and having them not think you are crazy! Explaining to an older generation. Well actually it could be for a generation now that is not as open-minded. How do you trust? Aren't you scared? They were all normal questions that people ask when discovering couch surfing.

I explained how on Couch Surfing there are just over 2.5 millions users. Everyone has their own profile just like on Facebook. You can have pictures, referrals given, people can write about their experience surfing with you. You can be a verified member meaning you have given a donation to the site and they verify your address. I have done it three times already and have had a positive experience with all of them in Madrid, Cambrils ( Outside of Barcelona) and Havana. Mind you, it's always good to be cautious. For example if someone has no pictures, profile picture,friends or references then I wouldn't suggest contacting them. The site has attracted 2.5 million open minded travelers. :) The driver said I had a nice soul and wished me a safe trip.

At the airport, I couldn't seem to see my flight with Air Canada on the departure list of of flights to Chicago. I asked a worker from Air Canada and he said it's with United and should be written on my ticket. NOPE! lol I waited in line and paid $25 Can to check in my small suitcase. If I didn't have liquids more than 100ml, I could have taken it on board. There was no way I was going to risk throwing about my Dr. Bauuman skincare. lol Screw it! pay the $25! Then I waited in line for US customs and man it was packed! It took foreverrrrrr!

The best part in US Customs is when I reached the officer and he started asking me questions. Where are you going? I replied New Orleans via Chicago. She he asked business or personal. I tell him personal. He asks why? LOL What a silly question I am thinking. To explore New Orleans. lol and then he asks me if I am meeting anyone and I tell him no. I don't want to go into the Couch Surfing story again. And then he asked me what I do for a living and I told him I am a Life Coach and I help people with their dreams. HA HA He probably thought I was a weirdo!

I was so happy to sleep 1.25 hours to Chicago. I slept the entire time. I'm making it sound like I was on the flight for such a long time. :P When I got off, I saw a poster of Oprah which was fitting as it's her home. The connection time was 2 hours for New Orleans. I grabbed a coffee from Starbucks and opened my phone. Yeah I got a data plan with Rogers. lol not like Cuba!

I wanted to sleep the entire flight to New Orleans, but I just couldn't! Something just wouldn't let me. Excitement? Anticipation? Over tired? lol As soon as I got to New Orleans, I could feel the humidity. Crazy how only a few hours away could be so cold! I was enjoying it .... mmmmm relish the warmth on my skin. I heard jazz in the airport. That was sooooo nice! It sounds like a romantic place! Love it! Many signs welcoming me to New Orleans. Why thank you Universe!!! xoxoxoxoxo

First Experience Of Living on a Permanent Vacation to Cuba Complete

2011-03-07T12:09:00.000-05:00

When I started the journey in Cuba of living on a permanent vacation with 3 weeks work, and 1 week vacation, I was just going with it. I didn't research Cuba before I left to know what it was all about. I never knew if you took US money there, you'd pay a fee of 10%. lol I didn't know all the must see places in Havana to go to. So, it helps to research a bit! :) That was a lesson I learned and could take with me for my next trip.

I didn't know how safe it was traveling there alone as a lady and it didn't help everyone was instilling fear into me. Telling me to watch Taken ( seen it) and to put my mobile on because it has gps and knock on wood if anything happens to me. ( I think it's the safest place ever! I took a taxi at 2:00 a.m. in Havana a few times which dropped me off on the main street a few streets away from Eva's house. I walked on a dark street with few light poles lit up and was perfectly fine. I asked people for directions and they were soooooo helpful!)

I had no issue in traveling alone to Cuba. I am so use to always being alone from living abroad in different countries. I'd spend days anywhere whether Grand Cayman, Barcelona, or Athens walking around alone the entire day, so that was fine.

The biggest lessons I learned were:

Fear is something the mind creates preventing you to live your dreams.
We can live any reality that is outside the box, just start the journey.
Cuban people have a good life and are happy people. Sometimes, I think they have it better than a lot of people!

My first experience of living a permanent vacation to Cuba was complete! I am so grateful for everything I saw, everyone I encountered and for all that I learned!

Next Stop: New Orleans, U.S.A

At The Airport In Varadero Waiting To Depart........

2011-03-07T01:07:00.001-05:00

From Elaine's Journal : January 14th, 2011, Varadero, Cuba

I am sitting in front of the airport on the curb. :) I have been at the airport since 6:30 p.m. My flight was supposed to be at 10:45 p.m. but something happened with the airplane and it has been delayed until 4:00 a.m. Sucks, but what can I do? The guy at the ticket counter said I needed to call 24 hours in advance to confirm. At first I was really upset because I thought he said I didn't confirm and the flight was full, so I thought how is it possible? On a positive note, I guess it gives me time to write in my journal. I can't wait to go home and take a shower. get into my pjs and go into my bed. I can't wait to relax and then do exercise! lol My body is craving it bad! Where is my Sammy wammy? ahhh, there is a cute dog here in Varadero named Usero. Aww I met him in front of a house that was 100 years old when I first arrived. When I said his name, he wagged his tail. :) Today when I saw him, his ear was red and I asked why. The man said something happened to his ear and I guess it was bleeding. The poor doggie. awwww :(

There are people from Ottawa near me. One girl asked me who Che was? I don't know much except, he was Fidel's homeboy from Argentina. He died. There are so many pictures of him all over Cuba and he died in Bolivia. That's all I know. Don't know much. Should google!

I had a great 8 days here in Cuba, in Varadero and Havana. Two very different places. One being playa, relaxed, just chillin and then La Havana, the big city! This morning I woke up at 9:00 a.m. at Eva's house. I sure had GREAT sleep at that house. :) Rodrigo, the 2 year old was crying in the middle of the night. He was sick with a Fever. Julian was sick as well. Last night I slept with my jeans and a sweater on. I think it was in the teen's but it was freezing! I had my breakfast which consisted of fresh bread, tomatoes and some cheese. The coffee in the home was really good, however it did make me wanna go to the washroom. lol I packed slowly slowly taking my time. My suitcases were a lot less full because I had given the presents to the family.

I took a taxi to Viazul bus stop. Then I took the bus at 12:00 p.m. to Varadero. I walked down the main street from calle 36 to 17 to where the hotel I stayed at the first two nights was. David, the hot 23 year old security guard wasn't there. I had to check! lol I called him, but he didn't pick up. That's ok. I left my suitcases at the hotel for 2 hours and paid 2 pesos.

I ate at the restaurant by the beach. A yummy plate of shrimp skewers, rice & beans and fries. mmmmmm Before that I walked on the beach trying to see if I could see Peter Bones or my other friends, but I didn't. IIt was so beautiful on the beach. I always cherish my last moments on any beach when leaving and saying goodbye. There is this strong connection I have to the Ocean I can't explain. Something about it re-energizes the soul. :)

took a taxi to the bus stop and then took the bus to the airport. I met the Polish guys who thought I was an escort when I first came to Varadero at the airport! lol They were really nice. We spoke about life in Canada compared to Cuba. They offered me some Havana Club Rum which I said no to initially, but then when I heard I was leaving at 4:00 a.m., I took a drink!!! hahahha FML ( fuck my life) I was thinking!!! On the bright side, I get to leave Cuba. Imagine living in a country where you can't leave? Imagine working at an airport that you can't leave? It's plain crazy if you ask me. I think I might fall asleep in the airport on a chair.

Telling A Stranger My Secrets in Cuba= Form of Therapy lol And free!

2011-03-05T00:34:00.002-05:00

I was walking on Calle Obispo after leaving the gansta Cubano guys, when I saw Francesca my Italian friend I met at the restaurant with the circus clowns two nights before. How neat to run into people in Havana.I was so happy to see her! Here I was a tourist of the city and was already bumping into people. What whatttttt! :P Francesa was in Cuba for two month from Italy traveling alone for the first month in Havana and then meeting up with friends who were coming soon from Italy. She learned so much Spanish in her one month in Cuba. Props! We were communicating in Spanish the entire time. :) We grabbed some pizza and walked along the street chatting.

She wanted to check out this restaurant to have a drink at that she heard about. We came to our destination and I realized hey that is La Marina restaurant where I met my waiter Alfredo a few days prior and had lunch!! That's so funny!

We had daiquiris together and then started shooting the shit. ( I like that expression shooting the shit, I wonder who made that up? lol ) Two girls together talking over daiquiris! Women from Venus communicating emotions and feelings! Gosh, I just love being a girl talking to a girl. It's so different than talking with guys. Oh how I love the land of communication. It's a fantastic world of expressing all of your emotions! lol And for women those can be roller coasters of emotions! I know I am definitely from Venus hands down!

I told her how I'd like to go to Italy and meet a hot Italian man to learn Italian with. She told me that they are all hot, but have no brains. LOL hahahahahhahahahahaha Wait maybe this is a Universal thought about men in general. Well not that they are all hot, but most have no brains. Oh dryyyyyy, SNAP, burn!!!! lol just joking...... So we started talking about guys and relationships. I told her there is this one special guy that I care about and I can't seem to forget. It's been a few years now, so I'd like to let go, but then the other part of me wants to hang on forever.

How amazing it feels to tell a complete stranger secrets that won't be shared!! It's so crazy how you can open up to someone you don't know and tell them all your thoughts and know they won't tell anyone because, hey chances are you won't even ever speak again. It must be a form of therapy in releasing. Hmmmmmm and it was free. :)

So you think Cubano because I am from Canada, I am rich?

2011-03-04T23:46:00.003-05:00

Canadians give Cuba a lot of money through travel. There is a statistic somewhere, but I'm just lazy to google it. lol :P If you are Canadian then you know this is true! Everyone goes to Cuba for a week to getaway from the cold. It's only 3.5 hours in flight time. There are beautiful beaches and it's one of the Caribbeans cheapest islands to travel to. What's not to love? ( Especially when it feels like - 30 C with the wind! Ahhhh)

So, I'm walking in Havana and I see my friends Alex and Eric that I met earlier that week in the street where it seemed they ran the town, or I should say street! Remember, I told you I met some gangsta type Cubanos? Well, the one of them asks me to send him a computer hard drive to them. He said it so nonchalantly. How much is that? A couple hundred at least right? Oh my gosh, they gave me a free chicken dinner and now I owed them part of a computer! LOL It was so interesting for him to ask me straight up like that.I was thinking in my head, if I want to do a nice gift honestly why not give it to my single parent Mom who has done everything for me? :PYou know what I mean? Well if you don't come from a single parent home then maybe you don't know what it means. I have been brought up in a household of helping to pay for so much. I'm not saying oh be the victim and cry me a river. I'm just saying that they think because I am from Canada, I have a lot of cash money. The lens they see is Canadians coming from Canada to travel Cuba with $$$$. We come here to Cuba and they see us spend money. They see a different lens. It's an interesting perspective they see of us. I told him to email me and I'll look into it. :) I think that if they came to Canada and saw people working, they'd be in shock. It's true we work here! Although, how nice would it be if I won Lotto Max tonight? lol

Walking Around Havana with Maddiel - So he is a Jinetero!

2011-03-04T23:21:00.000-05:00

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Maddiel and I were walking around Havana. He took me to Hotel Nacional de Cuba which is a pretty famous hotel he said. It was so pretty. He was telling me about his plans to move to France now that he married that lady. It is of course such a great opportunity to leave Cuba.

He believes in the Law of Attraction and The Secret. I asked him if he felt limitations living in Cuba and for the most part he didn't. Maybe it's his mind that wanted to leave which attracted the lady he married and got married to which is allowing him to create a life outside of Cuba? There are no coincidences! You attract what you think about! He dreams of one day having a clinic that offers different holistic services. He is not sure yet where he'd like to do that and that is perfectly fine. He is on the journey. :) It's nice to hear people dream out loud and set their intentions out to the Universe. To have belief and faith that they will happen. To feel as though their dreams are already manifested into existence but are waiting out there intangible to collect!

We both took pictures with our own cameras. He had an old digital camera that required batteries to use. It was nice of him capturing pictures of his city. I bet he will love them even more when he goes abroad to live. That's what happens when people leave their home. People complain about the way it is, and then they leave and might realize the grass isn't green on the other side. They might realize home is where the heart is! I know for myself, I appreciate Canada so much more because I have lived abroad for many years. I think every place has great qualities and we need to appreciate what they offer. We won't ever see that contrast unless you experience it first hand. That's the way life is as well, you have to experience it! Words can't teach you about life, you have to LIVE IT! I wish Maddiel all the best of luck!

We walked along Maleon which is a seapath that leads all the way to Havana. It was so beautiful! I loved the blue colour of the sea. I loved these huge waves that came up and crashed along the sidewalk. I love the little children playing with the water! It was something really pretty that I'll always remember you know.

Ok, ok, so Maddiel's phone rang. And as you know I have a good understanding of Spanish. So, I hear him tell his friend that he is working now! " Estoy trabajando." What? What are you talking about Maddiel I was thinking in my head. He and I spoke in Spanish with each other so I don't know why he would day that. Remember I told you in Cuba there are people called Jineteros which are tour guides and you pay them? Someone on my trip told me that sometimes Cubans are really nice to you, but it's because they want your BLING! It kinda made me feel sour for a second. I mean if you want me to pay you, then you tell me straight up from the beginning that you want that. Ask and it is given. That's why he was telling me before that he dedicated his entire day to me. He saw me as $$$$$$$. What a turn off it is people being nice to you just for money. YUK! I didn't say anything, I just played dumb as if I didn't hear.

He made our way through to Havana.We walked on the pathway trying to not get hit by the waves.We walked down Paseo del Prado which reminded me of Las Ramblas in Barcelona. It's a path to walk on in the centre of the road. On the pathway you can find musicians, artists selling their artwork, and people just hanging out. :) Ahhhhhh picturesque!

Paseo del Prado, Havana

Maddiel and I parted ways once we reached Capitolio. He was soooooo hard to tell him I wanted to part ways with him.He wanted to hang out more. He told me again that he dedicated his day to me. Yeah buddy, cause you want my $$$$. I spent maybe 5 hours with him.It's really nice and all, but sometimes it's nice to walk in a foreign city alone observing all that there is. To walk in silence and listen to the sound of the city. You miss things sometimes by distractions. You miss watching the little boy play with his ball, or hear the waiter saying something silly with his co-workers, or miss watching couples in love and kissing in the park. * well not that I wanna be a creeper and watch people make out now LOL). I love being the observer of life! I thanked Maddiel for his time. Did he want me to give him money? I think so. He didn't say it but I could feel it. I bought him lunch before that day. He didn't ask me for money. Maybe if he would have asked then I would have given. I didn't want to just take out money and say here you go. I felt it was like charity but at the same time I didn't feel bad not giving him money because I bought him lunch. Hmmm should I have? I'm confused. The general rule of thumb in life is this: Ask and it is given!!!!!!!!!! If you don't ask for what you want then the Universe doesn't know how to deliver!

I want Silence Mr. Jinetero! Or Some Coffee!

2011-03-04T01:50:00.004-05:00

When I was spending time with Maddiel, I was wondering if he was a Jinetero. Jinetero's in Cuba are basically tourist guides that show you around the city in exchange for something. Well money and or lunch. I thought it was weird that he was so eager to hang out with me. I mean he told me he dedicated his entire day to me. Entire day ladies and gentlemen is a very long time. And when they tell ya in Spanish, it seems even longer. And I'm the type of person where I can handle people in moderation. Maybe 4 hours and I'm ready to wish them a nice day. Not being rude, this could be anyone. After 4 hours, what more could we possible say? I don't know why I am like that. There is so many things that I like to do with my time. That even could mean staying home and reading a book. So here I was with Maddiel who wanted to dedicate his entire day with me, Elaine a person he just met off of Couch Surfing. Or is he a Jinetero looking to make money?

Do you ever have those mornings where you just don't want to not talk? Well it was past noon, but I felt like it was morning. Those mornings where you don't want to answer any questions? That was like this day! Well, the previous day was the Mojitos excursion with Los Mexicanos so I was sooooooo not in the mood to talk. I did talk, but I wasn't 100%. I had a hangover. I just want to chill out. If I was back in Toronto, this would have been a bumming around kind of day in my pj's all nice inside.

I decided what I needed was some good old java! Bestfriends!! xoxox So we went into this small bakery to sit and have coffee. Cool, I'm thinking. We order two sandwiches and ask for coffee. There is no coffee. Noooooooo, ok, no worries. I buy him lunch since why not, he's showing me around and I don't know if he is a Jinetero so I guess it's the polite thing to do. Cool. We're sitting there at this table in the front of the bakery. We're talking. Or he is talking. I am listening, or trying to listen. This dude is speaking on the lowest volume possible. I'm like what's that? I can't hear! He was speaking with a low voice in Spanish and about life. So it was a deep conversation, and I'm here trying to hear the soft spoken Spanish plus understand, plus try to have an intelligent response back. And I have a hangover. In my head, I just wanted to say: " I'm going to bed now, Bye bye" lol I don't mean to be rude, and all. I'm a highly sensitive person so that means I think to have a) Sleep b)food and c)alone time to recharge my batteries. Everyone is different and I know how I function. When I am tired, I am not a happy camper. My sister actually tells me that when I am like this, she's going to tell the world I am not a Fabulous Living Coach. And she'll expose me! lol ahhhhhhhhhh I swear, I swear I am a positive person!

After leaving the bakery, we spotted a cafe on the side of the road. I was sooooooooo happy. I thought I had just reached heaven! Allelujah!!!!!!!! Allelujah!!!!!!!!Allelujahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!Allelujahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

I was sooooooooooo happy! So I ordered a cafe con leche! And then Magic happened! I felt amazing! Woo hoo! There was an instant difference in my vibration. I went from Fabulous Living Bitch to Fabulous Living Coach! LOL From fml ( fuck my life) to Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long! I was good to go to walk around Havana!

I LOVE COFFEE!!! lol

Calle Jon De Hamel, Havana, Cuba

2011-03-04T01:12:00.002-05:00

So after my crazy mojitos incident con los Mexicanos, the following morning I received a phone call from Maddiel my friend I met on Couch Surfing. He had asked what my plans were and I told him I was going to Calle Hon de Hamel in Vedado which Eva told me about. It starts every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and there is Afro-Cubano music and dancing! It's very artsy! He said he could spend his day with me. ( He actually wanted to spend the entire day with me. I ended up parting ways after 6 hours. I'm sorry, no offense, but 6 hours is enough time to speak with anyone. Tell you later on as you read lol ) I told him I'd meet him in half an hour in Vedado. 30 minutes is really a short amount of time speaking from a girls perspective and getting ready. I made it in 45 and that was with a taxi. It was cool because he knew I'd be late being a girl. Why are we never on time?

Before entering our destination, Maddiel took a picture of me. While he was about to take a picture of me, when a little boy came and posed in it. Oh soooo cute! Little Cubano child! Precious! I love listening to children speak in foreign languages. SNAP the picture is taken! The little boy holds out his hand for me to pay him! LOL What a cute little boy ( eyes rolling! Yeah right! Here kid take a peso.......lol

We got to Called Hon De Hamel. Oh my gosh, what a vibrant place full of colour! It was so alive. Art work everywhere by a man named San Salvator.

" Fear is just a name. A bit of nothing in the chest. No one has ever seen it, but they all speak of this empire. Some say it does not exist. Others that it is true. " See your fear and helps others to overcome seeing it. ( The last part I don't know how to translate 100% in English! Opps! You get the gist no?

As you walk into the area, you can hear Afro-Cubano music. The Cuban drums! The beat! The soul! The rhythm! People gathering around feeling the energy this music was giving. It was amazing!

The artist San Salvator who did all of the art work seems like a pretty cool guy from all he writes on his art work. It's as though he is a philosopher and he expresses his messages in colour and writing. Cool dude! He rocks! He is like a Life Coach Artist I think!

If you look for a place, walk....... - Salvador

Exactly! That's what I'm saying Salvador! If you want something in life, go after it! Walk to it! It's yours! Everything you ever wanted in the Universe is there. It's waiting for you! It might not necessarily come to you on your door step. You need to walk! And maybe without Cuban mojitos, but with a clear mind! :P

I'm an all or nothing kind of girl!

2011-03-03T14:49:00.000-05:00

When I was in Cuba I drank a lot of mojitos with the crazy Mexicanos for a girl who doesn't want to drink a lot and wants to connect with Source Energy. I go through these periods where I can not have once single drink for 2 months and then it's in front of me like in Cuba and I have 10! It's all all or nothing. I eat all of the potato chips in a bag or nothing. Yeah you are right Mr. Lay chips, I know I can't have just one! :)What's up with that? Or I eat all of Chips Ahoy cookies in a row or none. It's like obsessive compulsive or what? I'm an all or nothing kinda girl! I know I am a passionate person, so when I do something I really do it! Opa!

Enjoying Mojitos in The Present Moment, and in CUBA! Ole!

2011-03-02T02:19:00.004-05:00

Let me tell you something, these Mexican people are party people! They are so, " let's party in the present moment" people! They do it so well, as though it's done effortlessly. In a way it put my friends and I to shame. LOL Sometimes we have a drink and then will have a tea, but never really smashed. Which of course it a good thing not to be smashed out of your mind, but sometimes it's nice to let loose and party it up!

We got to a restaurant and started ordering Mojitos. That's where it started to get messy!

One Mojito, Two Mojito, Three Mojito, ok so I ate as well....... Four Mojito, Five Mojito....... Weeeeee I'm feeling really good! lol

Dancing With The Cook

Frank Kissing Me :P

Frank the guy I met on La Guava Turistica, the tourist bus was really nice to me at the restaurant, well in general is was nice! He lives in Morelia in Mexico. There was some interesting connection I felt with him. :) I told him I might go to Mexico in February because I looked up a Spanish language school in Guadalajara. He said I should meet up with him and stay a week longer and go to San Miguel. I don't remember everything of what he said with the mojitos, but I remember some stuff. Like he told me that I was different and that I wasn't a snob. And he could tell I was a good person. He seemed a bit memorized by me, wow does that sound conceited? Well I mean I could tell he was into me. Ya know that feeling?

He started telling me that we were meant to meet and there are no coincidences. He was talking about the Law of Attraction. He knows about the Secret! It's really cool when you meet people who have the same consciousness as you. Who understand what you're saying in terms of energy. It's true you meet people for a reason. To learn something about them, or even more about yourself. It seemed so sweet to me. When he was telling me all these nice things, I felt like saying, I'm sorry I have emotional blockages based on my relationship with my Dad. Commitment issues it seems. Things I am working with right now to heal. Things that happened in my childhood which I never thought would have had an impact on me until I discovered most recently it has. It's a healing process we all go through with our emotions. Sending healing light........ Snap out of it! Get back to the present moment... Another mojito.......................( To be worked on, hey things take time to heal!)

Somehow we paid, or I should say Frank wouldn't let me pay and we went to another bar for more mojitos.

And it started to get messy. Somehow I got a cigar! I have never smoked a cigar. It's kinda gross. I don't like the taste, but I was in Cuba and Havana is known for their Cigars. I smoke a bit and gave it away. However, I did pose for a picture! :P

Elaine thinking she's soooo cool!

I was partying it up with Los Mexicanos. Met a lovely couple from Argentina. I basically was smashed. This never happens. Well, wait a minute it happened at the Christmas party. Remember my idea of not drinking and not clogging my chakras? Connecting to the Universe even more strongly this year? Yeah, out the freaking window. I swear I was serious about that! lol Oh well, I am on vacation and this rarely happens.

I have pictures that I don't remember taking from this night like I thought I was a model and had pictures taken of me on the ground posing! LOL Did I think I was Canada's next Top Model? Crazy Elaine! And that's where I end my story for the night! Wink wink!! :P

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

* Thank you for Following My Travels. I will be blogging my journey of Living on a Permanent Vacation this year with 3 weeks or work and one week on vacation. January Trip - Varadero & Havana, Cuba. February Trip - New Orleans, U.S.A, March - London, U.K - let's see where the Universe takes me!*

Meeting Fun & Crazy Mexicans Traveling On La Guava

2011-03-02T01:21:00.002-05:00

It started pouring on La Guava Touristica, so I went inside the bus. About 5 minutes later a group of Spanish speaking people came on the bus and sat next to and around me. Their accent was soooooo familiar. I get this thing when people are next to me, I just have to speak to them. I'm what they call a people person. I did study hotel management ladies and gents working in providing hospitality to people. I have worked in a call centre before too! That's when you know you love speaking to people, when you work in a call centre and are wearing a head set with a cord and can't leave the phone. You just hear beep, and then say like a robot, " Hello, Thank you for calling IND Direct, This is Elaine speaking, how may I help you?" lol,,,,,,,, yeah I did my time working the banking customer service department all right!

So I asked and they were Mexican! Knew it! I spent three months there when I was 16 years old on an exchange program so that accent does ring a bell. They had just arrived in Havana and were spending a week for a conference. Sweeeet! So, the guy next to me Frank I find out is his name, pulls out from his bad a bottle of Mexican Salsa. It was hilarious! These Mexican people don't mess around with their food! Ja ja :P

Mexicans don't leave home without your salsa! :P

They were so nice to me. Frank invited me to go and have lunch with them in Havana once we were to stop. It was nice of him to invite me. Naive Elaine Alert, Naive Elaine Alert, he wants you. LOL!! ( Long story :P)

We past Plaza De Revolucion but we didn't get out because of the rain!

We went upstairs as the rain died down a bit to capture some of Havana. It was so cool being on top and cruising along Malecon which is the sea pathway to Havana.

Elaine on La Guava Touristica, Havana, Cuba

My Mexican Amigo Frank :)

Next Stop: Mojitos!!!!!! And that's when things got messy! ja ja Stay tuned! :P

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Walking an Hour Looking for La Guava Touristca Sign. yeah it's stolen!

2011-03-02T00:05:00.002-05:00

There is something is Havana called La Guava Touristica, Havana Bus Tour which is basically a double decker bus to get you around Havana to all the sites. You pay 5 cuc and then you are able to get on and off around all the main sites. Sweeeeeet! I'm going!

Eva told me it's super easy to go from the house. I just walk out, walk to the main calle, make a right and keep walking down. You will see this big sign that says, " La Guava Touristica." Perfect! So, I'm walking and I'm walking. It must be further I am thinking, so I walk and I walk. I see the guava( that's the name for bus in Cuba!). How the hell do I get on it? It passes me. Fuck I'm thinking. So I walk some more. I have clearly missed the sign. Where is the sign that I just can't miss? So, like a girl ( not like a guy) I ask for help. To ask for help in a woman's eye is a strength. We communicate in what we want! LOL Unlike men who are from mars! :P So, I ask," Perdon, sabes donde esta el punto para la guava touristica?" They don't know. Ok, so I ask someone else. They don't know. Ok, ok....... I'm walking......I ask and am sent up the street. I ask again and then am sent the exact opposite direction. I look up, and I see la guava touristica pass me. Fuck! lol Ok, so I'm walking and I'm walking. I'm walking like Johnnie Walker, keep on walking. lol ...........I see it pass me again! How is this possible? I don't get it! So, I must have asked maybe 20 people, ok maybe 15 people. I started getting frustrated. Why ask someone else so then they can send me in the opposite direction? Each time someone didn't know, I thought to myself, of course you don't know!!!!! Why would you know, I mean you only live here!!!!! I saw the bus pass me 5 times in total. YUP, 5 times! I noticed I had been walking an hour! Once the bus had passed me the fifth time, I just started crying. I'm a suck. lol and I know it! And I don't care.All I wanted to do was go on La Guava Touristica. That's it! That's all. So I asked someone crying and he told me it's just down the street. I told him there was nooooooo sign! Nicely he walked me to the sign that he insisted was right there. So we get to the stop, and he tells me oh someone stole the sign! LOL WHAT??? LOL.............. Really? Someone stole the sign?

Bus Stop Where The Sign Was Supposed to be! LOL

I thanked him and waited for the guava. It came and I told them the story in the bus. Next time they told me I just had to wave it down! So, I go in to the top of the double decker bus and then as I sit there alone on top, it starts to rain..........Of course I thought, and that's when I decided why not light up a cigarette. LOL and I don't smoke. What a day until I met the Mexicans!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Meeting Up With Maddiel & Cuban Singer Waldo Mendoza

2011-03-01T23:28:00.003-05:00

I met up with my Couch Surfing friend Maddiel finalmente near the fountain at Plaza Vieja. He was there with his friend Ivan ( or Evan? lol) and two girls from Denmark. So basically two couples and Elaine. LOL, good times..... So, I was trying to ask him questions about his life, but it felt so awkward because his girl for the weekend looked at me as though I wanted him which wasn't the case. .... We briefly touched base on what he does in Cuba. He does Shiatsu massage and learned from someone. I don't think he necessarily took classes, but was shown. There are no schools to learn it from what I take. He offers massage services to tourists he said for 20 cuc. He doesn't have that many clients.So what he does during his off time which I gathered was being a Jinatero. That means he shows tourists around being a guide in the city. He didn't say this directly. But I could see it. He also told me that he will be leaving Cuba soon, perhaps the end of the year. He married this French lady from Paris to whom he is friends with. She married him to help him out in a friend way.

We walked to the center of Havana and took a taxi to Vedado, close to where I was staying. Well, not so close, but the same neighbourhood.

What we wanted to do was go into a club to dance! So we get there and there is this Cuban singer, Waldo mendoa who is singing these slow jam songs. Like these romantic songs! He's actually famous in Cuba! And there is an overheard projector in the background with his name being displayed in powerpoint. His name fading in and then fading outtttt. How lovely. :) No, don't get me wrong! It was really nice! It just wasn't what we were feeling. We wanted salsa! His music made me want to cuddle with a Latin lover and live happily ever after.LOL..... Or maybe not, but you get what I mean!

Waldo Mendoza

After Waldo sang, we watched people come up from the crowd and have a dance competition. It was jokes! It was so nice to see Cuban people joke around. As though I was in the real deal Cuba, uncensored, as real as real can be. You know? Loved it! The host was a riot! This made it worth coming!

I said goodbye to the gang. Maddiel told me if I wanted to hang out with him on Sunday. Cool! Sweeeet! Ok, talk to you then!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Running Like Cinderella or Forest Gump in Havana

2011-03-01T22:42:00.003-05:00

I was completely lost in time having fun with my friends I made at the restaurant to realize I had exactly a minute to reach the statue to meet Maddiel my friend I met on Couch Surfing. I paid, kissed everyone goodbye and then started running. Oh yes running! At first I felt like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight running out of the ballroom. And then I felt I changed the scene running like Forest Gump." Run Forest, run!!!!!!!" And then you know the scene where there is the little girl with him and she says in a southern accent: " Dear God, please make me a bird, so I can fly, fly far far away!" Exactly, I wanted to fly not run! That's the technique I had been using for losing weight from September to January, run Elaine runnnnnnnnnnnn! I ran and I ran as fast as I could. People were telling me to run in Spanish. Corre corre! Were they cheering for me to finish the race or what? It actually felt really good to run and squeeze in some cardio. I hadn't ran in almost a week! You get addicted I find from running everyday!

So, I ran down calle Obispo. Run, run, run, and then I made my destination to Plaza Vieja and went to the fountain to wait. Uh ohhhhhh, fuck Elaine! He said to meet him at Hotel Inglaterra!!! And he said statue, not fountain! That's near Capitolio! LOL That's when I wanted to start swearing in Patois, Blood clot! Chaaaaa, kissing my teeth. Rassssssss, bomba clot. LOL

I didn't have a phone to call him. So I ran trying to see if there was a phone I could use. The stores looked closed. So then, I ran into this beautiful hotel into a bar. I asked if I could use a phone and she directed me to a payphone in the hall. I needed a card! Fuck! beep beep! lol So, I asked if I could use the phone and I would pay something to someone. The guy was blabbing and blabbing. You know when you have no patience and someone is taking their sweet ass time as you wait? It seems like eternity! Senor, I need the phone. So, I walk away and he tells me to wait. I go back and he lets me use his card. I dial and I can barely hear Maddiel from the phone. This phone sucks! I can't hear and then there are people talking on high volume. fml ....... lol I tell him I am at Plaza Vieja and Maddiel told me to wait. Ok, cool I am thinking.

I hang up and the Cuban Senor tells me 2 pesos cuc. What? I give him 1 peso. and change.He asks me for a kiss. Not another guy to kiss! Remember, I kissed the taxi driver before when he ripped me off. I said No gracias and walked off with attitude. LOL I found out a calling card cost 40 pesos cup. I basically bought him a new phone card, so he should be happy. I'm not kissing any more men. lol

Waiting in Plaza Havana for Maddiel

I waited at the fountain, when finally Maddiel came with his friends. And guess what? I had seen him outside the restaurant! I remembered his scarf! Random. Oh wait there are no random events in the Universe!!!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Dining Alone Turned Into A Party in Havana

2011-02-21T01:14:00.004-05:00

My third night in Havana, I was meeting up with Maddiel a friend I met on couchsurfing.org at 10:00 p.m. near the fountain near Hotel Inglaterra. I decided to leave from Eva and Adel's house at 7:00 p.m. to have dinner in the centre before meeting up with him and his friends. Some people don't like dining alone. I understand their perspective and it could get lonely. However, I'm a girl on the other hand who LOVES food and I love traveling and meeting people, so there was no way I would ever not dine alone. I entered the above restaurant and was greeted by a friendly waiter. I just love being alone and a girl, you get treated so nicely. lol Who said traveling alone was lonely?

I sat and enjoyed the music being played while drinking my Cristal Cuban beer. :) I love Latin music so much. It's the most perfect music in my eyes to listen to while on vacation. Or maybe I'm just used to it and have placed a connection with it and being on vacation? I ordered the special which was: lobster, fish, shrimps, rice and salad. Yum!!!!!!!!

The Flower was given from my circus friend!

Yummy Food in La Havana

I met two guys from Venezuela who were in Havana studying to be in the Circus! They were cousins and one of them is already a clown! How interesting I thought! When do you ever meet someone that says they are in the circus? It seemed only real in tales I read as a little girl and here I was socializing with them. :)

My Circus Friends

Then we started talking to the French couple to our right! And the girl alone in the corner from Italia. And then a guy sitting alone from Spain joined the conversation! All of a sudden it was a party!!!! And I was far from being alone in Cuba. :)

And then a flask of rum started being passed around! lol

And then we ordered more drinks. We started to dance! We started to exchange emails!

All of this fun!!!!!!!!! What time is it? 9:59pm! I have to meet Maddiel at 10:00 p.m.!!!!!! I have to pay my bill! I have to leave! I felt like Cinderella rushing at the stroke of midnight. Hurry up Elaine!!!!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

My Salsa Dance Class in Havana

2011-02-21T00:17:00.002-05:00

So, before coming to Cuba I was really set on the idea of taking Salsa dance classes as Cuba is the home of Salsa! I was talking back and forth with Eva, and that's when I realized if I went to dance classes in Cuba, I would then be dancing with other foreigners. It would be fun, but that's not the kind of fun I was looking for. I like experiences with locals. I like them to be as authentic as possible. So, I opted for a dance class with Tomas the neighbour. It cost me $8 cuc for an hour. I could call him from Eva's window! It was a little awkward because Eva warned me his wife gets jealous. So when I was at his house dancing Salsa with him, his wife came in a few times. Then as soon as she left, we danced even closer. HA HA Well, not too close, but closer than when his wife was there. He was a nice dark Cuban man who did this on the side for extra money. As we started dancing, it started to pour outside. We danced in the living room to his salsa cd.We danced for just over an hour. I came to the conclusion the best way to really get into dancing Salsa, is to just practice. Luckily I am a girl, and I don't have to lead!!!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Meeting Ras Joe & Choosing Crystals

2011-02-21T00:05:00.003-05:00

Home sweet home! Or at least my home away from home in Havana. It was an amazing day walking in Havana! I walked and I walked and I walked! I met so many people. How nice is the feeling of taking off your shoes after 9 hours of walking? When walking into Eva and Adel's house I met one more friend called Ras Joe.

Is is a friend of Adel's and an artist. Eva told him I was into Reiki and Crystals and then that's when I found out he is into some of that stuff too. He has some crystals at home. I went into my room where I have 4 different necklaces with crystals and offered him one to have. He was so happy. He didn't know which one to have. So I held up each necklace to him and we noticed which one swung to him with a stronger vibration. When choosing crystals, you need to feel which one has more energy to you. Which one jumps out? What resonates? The blue soladite one did for him! He loved it! It was nothing. :) And then he drew the picture you see for me. :)

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Meeting Alex & Eric on the Orange Street

2011-02-20T23:39:00.002-05:00

After saying goodbye to Alfredo, I came across this side street. It caught my attention because of the giant orange! Yes, the orange! I use to call myself an orange girl and draw out orange flags. Oranges are a little symbolic to me just because my father's side of the family is from the area of Lakonia in Peloponese, Greece and it's just covered in orange orchards. It's absolutely beautiful there with oranges and olives. The contrast of bright orange oranges and the green rich leaves, I just love! My father's side actually sells oranges and olives, so it's only natural when you see a gigantic orange you get excited! lol Hence drawing orange flags as a young girl.

I met two guys named Eric & Alex in the street who are managers of the cafe/bar on the street. They seemed really cool and invited me to sit and have some orange juice. Well being an orange gal, it's my duty to have some orange juice. LOL

Alex, Elaine & Their Friend ( Opps Forgot name! lol)

Taste Test For Orange Juice, I approve on behalf of Lakonia lol

Eric & Elaine

These guys were really nice to me. I even had some dinner sitting with them. I got the feeling that they ran that street. They seemed cool guys to be with, but at the same token not any guys you want to mess around with. If you know what I mean. They invited me to go back on the Saturday and drink all day. Hmmmm drinking with gangsta type guys?? Ahhhhh lol

I met Eric's wife and she looked young, so I asked how old she is and she's 22 years old! What? That's a 20 year gap! So then I met Alex's ex wife and was confused because she looked young. It's because she got married to him when she was 12 years old. WHAT? Here's the story. I thought it was wack, but who am I to judge? "The Universe doesn't judge" YEAH! or It is what its is! lol Yeah I know, but I don't about that. So Alex told me that it's not what it seems. He went out with her at 12 years old. He didn't know her age because she looked like a full grown women. ( yeah okkkkkkkk dude) He was 26 years old. So after a week, her parents called the police of him and he went to jail. The 12 year old girl was crying and crying at the police station and she said please I love him. So Alex's dad came and they decided it was best they just got married. Mind you this was in a week time span of meeting him. They got married. He was responsible for her. Took her to school, bought her clothes, supported her etc. It's like she was his daughter! 6 years later they got a divorce and he even bought her a house. And now she is 22 years old. WHAT? And now they are great friends. Wow, what a story! :P

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Walking Around Havana with My Waiter Alfredo

2011-02-20T15:26:00.001-05:00

Havana Club Rum Museum

I felt bad dragging Alfredo my waiter from La Marina to places I wanted to see, but I am a tourist. I am here to explore Havana, so if he wants he can follow. :) Our first place to visit was Museo de Ron, The Havana Club Museum. It cost 7 pesos cuc for me and for Alredo being a Cuban it was free. There were different tours in different languages. I asked for the English one. Sorry Alfredo! Big smile! I could have done the Spanish one, but it's always easier when it's done in your language!

We went on a tour explaining the history and process of the rum. It was so sad to think how it was made with African slaves brought over in boats and then forced to work making it. And there was even tools they used to punish them which I felt was so barbaric and cruel! We saw the barrels! How it was fermented. Walked through the distillery. It was a really short tour now that I think of it! At the end we all took a shot of rum. YUK! I can't do rum shots! I cringed as it went down! It was a short nice tour.

We continued walking and found a tour group with an English speaking guide. This was amazing because it was free information on the city! LOL So, I thought why not listen in to what he was saying. He said the coral peachy building on the street was called Ambos Mundos Hotel and this is where Ernest Hemingway( Author) stayed in Havana. He paid $1 US a night and especially loved the view. That's two places I thought now that I have been as well as him. Havana and Pamplona, Spain when I went to see the running of the bulls. Hemingway spent the later years of his life living here.

Alfredo and I walked to the coral hotel Ambos Mundos. Inside the hotel was a man playing the piano. I love it when I hear someone playing the piano. It sounds so classy! The lobby was really elegant.

This area of Havana was really pretty. It reminded me of Plaka in Athens, Greece because of the flowers, the outdoors places to eat, the old stamps, money and books you could buy on the road. Loved it!

You could buy lots of old books. A lot of books were being sold of the revolution with Che & Fidel. A man selling them wanted me to buy. For starters, I don't really have any interest in war books, and secondly I don't think I can read war books in Spanish. :P

We later then went and had a beer at an out door bar. The Cuban beer here is called Cristal. I find something really refreshing about having a cold beer after walking so long.... Sitting there watching people walk by. Observing the rhythm of Havana. Oh and then observing Alfredo's wedding band on his fingers! lol Not that I really cared since I saw him only as a friend to pass my afternoon with. I just thought hmmmm that's interesting you have a wedding band on. I asked him of course. He said they have been separated now for a year, but he stills wears it. I don't know any separated person who does that. Do you? :P

Notice his wedding band ladies!! :P

Alfredo wanted to know if I wanted to go out with him at night to a club or something like that. I didn't know if he was married or what the deal was. Honestly speaking, I walked maybe 9 hours that day and wanted to relax at home. Also you know when you see someone just as a friend and maybe if you continue hanging out with them they might get mixed feelings? Wasn't feeling it. I told him I would pass by his work another time and say hello. :)

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Note to Cuban men: You shouldn't ask a girl out wearing a wedding band! LOL

2011-02-19T23:51:00.002-05:00

After I left Agios Nikolaos from Plaza Francisco, I walked two blocks or so and found a restaurant called La Marina. The entrance wall was completely open. Inside there were beautiful white steel circular tables with plants everywhere. I could hear music playing and birds chirping. How inviting! I sat at a table and was approached by a waiter named Alfredo. I told him his name was an Italian Pasta. LOl and he knew that! How I wished I had Italian pasta to eat after being in Cuba for 5 days. Yummy. I ordered a Limonada Cubana which is a Cuban Lemonade. Sweet, but tasty. I like water after everything usually so I ordered a sparkling water. I was eyeing the camarones, the shrimp but then chose to have a tuna sandwich. Boring hey? It was yum! I love Tuna! lol I actually went here another night for Daiquiris with an Italian friend Francesa I met. I recommend it because of the ambiance and it's relatively cheap! Ok, and nice servers that ask you out! LOL As I was paying, Alfredo told me he was finishing work and asked if I wanted to go out with him. I told him I wanted to explore Havana and he was welcome to come. He seemed nice. Well, don't all guys? LOL....................... So we went. And then I noticed, hey that's a wedding band on your hand!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Agios Nikolaos Greek Orthodox Church, Havana, Cuba

2011-02-19T23:10:00.006-05:00

Before coming to Cuba, I knew there was a Greek church in Havana. This is because all Greek -Canadian's are proud of Greek things and need to share with their other Greek -Canadians friends about all Greek things. Then they become even more proud than they already are of being Greek......It's this Greek Pride going on. :P I get it, but I'm more a citizen of the world.

Agios Nikolaos, Havana Cuba

The best way to find the church is to go to Plaza Francisco in central Havana. On the left hand side of the cathedral you will see a gate that leads you to the Greek church. It was a beautiful classic looking Greek Orthodox Church with lush green trees surrounding.

An older lady was outside of the entrance selling Greek icons, prayer bracelets and other religious items. I started speaking to her in Spanish and found out she was Cuban, Greek Orthodox and her name in Greek is Irene ( pronounced Ireni). She's becoming a monaxi, which means a nun in Greek. I was like oh that's soooo nice. In my head I was thinking ,oh my gosh I so am not a nun! Here she was looking at me like I was this sweet innocent religious Greek girl. If she only knew........

I didn't see the name of the church anywhere, so I asked. The name of the church is Agios Nikolaos. I thought to myself, of course it's named Agios Nikolaos. There are paintings of this saint everywhere! This is the name of someone I care/d about so I thought it was ironic it had to be this name out of all names. I found it quite humourous.

The lady Irene's son was also there. I forget his name, but he seemed very into me and even asked me if I had a boyfriend. Nooooo lol and I don't want one. :) If only they knew I was into Reiki, Crystals, and Love & Light from the Universe. Then they'd think I'm a witch! Mouahhhhhhhhhhh :P

Elaine, Agios Nikolaos Havana

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Free Art Galleries in Havana

2011-02-18T01:51:00.002-05:00

After walking around Plaza Vieja, I followed the street Obispo and found two free art galleries to visit! The word art and free when traveling are always good! You will see lots of beautiful art in Cuba! I found a British older couple that were in Havana on holidays and I swear I thought they were coming outside of an Indiana Jones movie with their clothes. All beige's, tans and khaki pants. They said it was their traveling clothes. I think it would be nice to have a partner and to wear adventure Indiana Jones clothes with in the future! To explore, discover and find adventure! That would be apart of my living happily ever after story. :) LOL, well I can send my intentions to the Universe ya know.

Paper Mache Ladies

Traveling Plaza Vieja, Havana

2011-02-17T15:13:00.003-05:00

I made it to Plaza Viejam the old town of Havana! This reminded me of the Plaza Major, in Madrid! A big Spanish style square with a fountain in the middle. In the 16th Century, Plaza Vieja was an important marketplace for locals of Havana. Now it serves more as a tourist attraction with restaurants, stores, and hotels surrounding the square with people gathering. A band was playing! It was so pretty.

Plaza Vieja

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Making My Way Through Havana

2011-02-17T14:59:00.003-05:00


Taxi Ride to La Havana

The above picture is of my first old fashion taxi ride going into La Havana. You will see the everywhere! Talk about bringing you back in time. I think they call them maquinas here. This taxi was shared with other people too, which reminded me of my years in Greece sharing taxis. I remember waiting in Greece for the driver to buy cigarettes and come back in while the meter kept running and running. Where else in the world would someone do that? Luckily this driver didn't stop for any.

It cost me 10 pesos nacional ( .40 cents can) from Vedado to Capitolio. I got off at Capitolio which looks like the White House. It's an old government building. You can't miss it! That's where all of the taxis stop off in the centre of La Havana.

Capitolio

Some of the roads and their balconies reminded me Spanish architecture I saw while I spent my three month summer in Spain as an Au-Pair. This makes complete sense since the Spaniards came here. I asked where Plaza Vieja was which is the old part of Havana. I began to walk down narrow streets, trying to find my way.

Going Back in Time

Getting off at Capitolio

I love the colour of terracotta. This is the colour of my bedroom!

So pretty!

Walking no idea where I am!


Thought this was really pretty on the side of the road!


Asking for directions to Plaza Vieja!

I asked this nice man if I was going in the right direction of Plaza Vieja. He said to go straight down the street and I'd see it. He asked me where I was from and I told him Canada and that my background was Greek. Then he started telling me about Olympiakos and Panathinanaikos which are two Greek soccer teams that everyone goes crazy for. I thought wow, how does this dude know about them all the way here in Cuba?

I finally made it to Plaza Vieja, the old part of Havana! From Capitolio it was only about 10 minutes of less walking!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Travel Havana - John Lennon Statue in Vedado

2011-02-16T16:33:00.002-05:00

You can find the John Lennon Statue when traveling Havana in the neighbourhood of Vedado on 17th and 6th street. This was a walking distance from my couch surfing house. There is a statue of him on a bench. Written below says in Spanish: "Diran que soy un soñador pero no soy el único" John Lennon In English this translates to " They say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one." I LOVED IT! Well that's because I am a dreamer too. And well let's face it, people like people who are like themselves! :P

There is a man that is paid by the Cuban government to stand in case tourists come to put John Lennon's glasses on the statue. Apparently in the past they were stolen many times. Crazy, I know! Imagine someone asks you want you do for a living? You reply, well I put John Lennon's glasses on! he he

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

My Cuban Couch Surfing Family

2011-02-16T15:47:00.004-05:00

Rodrigo & Julian

Brothers Kissing, So cute!

Eva, Adel, Rodrigo & Julian are such a beautiful family. I found them on the website www.couchsurfing.org They are all so sweet. They are all creatives full of expression. Adel, the father is an artist and paints. Eva is a theatre and dance teacher, and she's got legs to prove it! Julian plays the piano. And Rodrigo, well he is still 2 years old, but without a doubt, he will also do something creative as well. Cuban people I found to be educated. They read and they want to learn.

Adel, The Father

The picture of Adel has a painting behind him he painted of a person sitting at Malecon, Havana. Malecon is a long sea path that takes you to the centre of Havana. In this portrait the person sits on Malecon looking into the sea seeking communication from the rest of the world. Could you imagine living in Cuba and not being able to leave? I can't even imagine being in Canada my entire life. I love travel so much, and think if I was stuck in one country, I'd get antsy and get anxiety. SERIOUSLY! I don't even want to think of the idea of never getting on an airplane. Luckily, Eva was born in Madrid which gives her rights to leave as well as Adel. Although with the money they make, it's really takes a long time to save and go. They also have side jobs in addition to make things happens. She purposely gave birth to both children in Spain so that they could have their rights as Spanish citizens. Smart cookie! Watching the children play in Cuba, made me think that they are really playing. Playing playing like back in the good days when I was little. Now children play alone with video games, and online and in other forms of technology. Julian plays the piano everyday. It was nice to not see technology and electronics take over. Mind you, I never want to get rid of my smartphone! :)

Eva came over 15 years ago to Cuba. She first came with then intention of working and learning the dance and theatre of Cuba. She said in those days in Cuba things were a lot better and there were more opportunities, or perhaps even she was fresh to Cuba and wanted to make changes and had the energy to believe she could. She started working and time past to two years. She wouldn't have never imagined to have stayed longer. Then she met her first husband and was pregnant with Julian. He was Cuban but being married to Eva gave him rights to live in Spain. He didn't marry her for that reason, but sure as well took advantage of that and decided to live and work in Spain. One day he called her from Spain when she was in Cuba when Julian was a baby. He told her that he wouldn't return to Cuba. Eva said those were the two most difficult years of her life trying to work, support and raise Julian as a single Mom. It must have been. Imagine living somewhere and having no family to help baby sit or even emotionally support you?

She has now been with Adel for six years if memory serves me correctly. They are happy together. She is also about 10 years older then him. Cougar!! I love it!!!! They had Rodrigo who is a cutie pie!!! When Rodrigo was born, the entire family went to Spain.

Eva is really funny and a bit nuts and that's why I love her. She made me laugh soooooooooo much! She was very helpful with giving me directions, phone numbers of places to see if I could visit them, she arranged my salsa class. She called the taxi for me when I left. She made me coffee. She was great fun! Maybe I love crazy loud people because when I am around them, I can be my true authentic self. LOL I hope to see them all one day in the future!!! I am grateful for this couch surfing experience. xoxoxoxooxox

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Is taking pictures of locals when traveling disrespectful?

2011-02-16T14:31:00.001-05:00

From Elaine's Journal Written in Havana, Cuba. Friday, January 21st, 2011

Continuation of writing on the roof top.

I walked across the street to the Cadeca which is where you exchange money and exchange some of my money. Right next to it was a market place with fresh fruits and vegetables. I got excited because well hey, I always get excited for food. I bought tomatoes, cheese and a papaya. I think I could live off of bread, cheese, tomatoes and olive oil. Yum!

I wanted to take a video and started to but there wasn't enough room on my camera. The Canadian girl Chrissy bought a papaya for 30 pesos nacional which is $2 Can. Yeah, good luck in ever buying that for that price in Canada. I bought one later too. I was buying tomatoes and wanted her to take a picture of me in the market place. She was a little hesitant and I didn't understand why. Not a little, she was! She said she didn't like to take pictures and found it offensive to take pictures of the people. I just wanted a picture of me and the tomatoes. She said that once when she was working in Canada and people were taking pictures of her, that she was like fuck off. I was like okkkkk. She views it as disrespectful to Cubans and degrading to how they live. Which is not that case. I love to live life through experiences of actually living. I like to see how others live. To be taking pictures of places and people is art. Capturing the experience of life. I see myself as apart of the world, and all of us are connected with each other. I ask some people if I can take pictures of them, and some I don't if they are in the background.

I told her what she thinks is her perspective. ( was just interrupted by Tomas, the salsa dance teacher from across the apartment. You can call his name from Eva's Window and his balcony is right there! It's 8 cuc for a one hour dance class.) So I said that's a perspective. Those are thoughts that you believe and have repeated to yourself. Is it real? What is real? And what is true? You know what I mean?

I can't talk to someone who is unconscious and tell them about the programs that are places in ones mind. I am not saying I am right and she is wrong. It's all a matter of perspective and perception. It is what it is. I would no way want to intentionally disrespect the people I am taking pictures of. To me it's real. It's art. It's an expression of living.

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Loss of Time on Vacation - Sleeping Well & Loving Cuban Coffee

2011-02-16T14:04:00.003-05:00

From Elaine's Journal in Havana, Cuba Friday, January 21st, 2011

I am siting on top of the roof of the apartment in shorts and a tank top. It's warm and there's an overcast with a nice warm breeze. :) I love warm breezes. Three girls from France just came to couch surf and are leaving tomorrow. Today, I am taking it easy instead of walking the streets in Havana for 10 hours.

This morning, I woke up at 9:00 a.m.. I must have fallen asleep around 11:00 p.m. ( oh the sun just came through the clouds, a nice feeling!) I've been sleeping very well here with an average of 10 hours a night. LOL No cell phone ( until I decide to switch it on to check my blackberry and then quickly switch it off so I don't have to pay a huge bill for roaming) , no watch, no concept of what day it is. No alarm clock. No Appointments to wake up to. I'm going to RELISH this feeling. I woke up and Eva made me some delicious Cuban coffee. Very strong, but I could tell this was real coffee. This wasn't Tim Horton's and I love Tim Hotton's Coffee. Or maybe I'm just addicted to the process of going to Tim Horton's and ordering something and holding it in my hands. She made it in this steel pot/container that I have never seen before in my life. Apparently it's an Italian way. If I told that to Marco and Amadeo the two Italians I met in Varadero, I bet they would tell me, " Of course we made it, we are Italians!" LOL I had bread and butter to eat for breakfast. So far bread in my favourite meal in Cuba. A lot of the food is really bland. They don't use a lot of salt here. This isn't a place like in North America where you'd be having a bad day and splurge on eating some comfort food. I guess that can be a good thing for emotional eaters. No eating Ruffles All Dressed Chips! mmm YUMMY!!!! lol I wonder how they would feel being in other countries with so much flavour and spices? I guess it's how you've been brought up, what you are use to and what you know.

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

My Perception of Romantic Places

2011-02-16T13:08:00.005-05:00

From Elaine's Journal writen in Havana, Cuba. January 20th, 2011

One thing I have always loved is watching people hang up their clothes outside to dry. I remember seeing that a lot in Greece and in Spain. Something about clothes hanging to dry in Europe I find very pretty and relaxing. In Canada, we never hang clothes outside ( At least we don't) to dry for reasons such as having a dryer in the house ( they come out wrinkle free. YES!) and because of the weather. I remember when I lived in Kallithea, Athens and I had my own apartment( the second year I was studying Hotel Management, 2002 - 2003) and I'd hang my clothes out to dry. I'd enjoy it so much! Washing the clothes, hanging them to dry in sunshine, allowing them to dry, and taking your clothes pegs. Now ironing them?? hmmmmm well that was something else. Yuk! lol I don't enjoy ironing one bit.

Right now I can hear someone's radio from my wooden shutters of the window. They are playing old Spanish slow music. To me, this is what I call a romantic place. Romantic places are my most favourite places. To me a romantic place is a simple place. A place full of culture. It has music, art, love and history. Oh and I have to add yummy food. ( oh wait then it can't be Cuba lol!!) A place that takes you away in time. A place that isn't caught up in materials and technology. ( Sorry facebook and twitter :P) It is a humble place which has it's basis of life around love and family. It goes back to what life is suppose to be about. It's a place of soul and character. A place that has stories to share, like a family quilt that has different patches and each patch reveals something that you never knew. Maybe like a juicy love secret. That's why I love the book, Like Water For Chocolate.

This place is really resonating with my soul.When I was a little girl, I remember thinking wouldn't it be nice to live in a Latin country, being poor, but happy and in love. :) That you were so in love and that would just be enough. Aww I'm a sap and I can't watch emotional chick flicks. Pass me a kleenex box. ha ha Well I don't want to be poor, but I would like one day to be happy and in love. One day. :)

To me romantic places share a love story. A place with passionate love. I find in Latin America there is a lot of love. There is something about it, I can't explain that fills my heart with love. I didn't feel this connection at all in Spain, so I know it's with Latin America. Actually I didn't feel it one bit in Spain. I am wondering if this had to do with my crazy Au-Pair family I was supposed to be with all summer? Spain left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Well actually Spain left me with a taste in my mouth that I wanted to TASTE everything because the Au-Pair Mom wouldn't make enough food and I wasn't allowed to take food out of the fridge. I actually lost weight there. It was the Au-Pair experience no Au-Pair wanted to experience. The mom even asked me if I've ever been with a married man before? Who asks that? Mind you, this chick was the secretary of her current husband before he got divorced. MMMMMM HMMMMM! ( Say it like a Black girl! mmmm hmmmmm and snap your finger up in the air :P) Now, you get why she asked me. And then you wonder why your man doesn't come home! lol I'd trust my husband, well unless she looked like the picture below...... Imagine? I'd died! lol

I think romantic places are where you have a caring husband and look after your children. It's not a busy place. I remember when I was in Athens studying, our class did this survey about what we thought were the most important things in our life and to prioritize from a list. Out of thirty people myself and two others chose family as the top. The others mostly chose money, career. Mind you we were 18 years old at the time. It's interesting the girl who chose family to be number one is not married. LOL How ironic.

Maybe romantic places don't exist in the mind and are illusions. I have to tell ya, I really do enjoy love stories where people live happily ever after..................

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

The Sound of Havana, My First Morning :)

2011-02-15T11:12:00.002-05:00

From Elaine's Journal, January 20th, 2011

The Wooden Shutters From Where I heard The Magic of Life

Last night I fell asleep at probably 10:30 p.m. and woke up at 9:00 a.m this morning. Having no watch, I am clueless about time this entire trip. :) It's probably a good thing instead of constantly being on twitter and looking at my blackberry notifications. From the wooden shutters in my room, I fell asleep to magical sounds of life. I could hear people laughing, speaking really loud, kids playing and cars passing by on the street. From Eva and Adel's apartment to the next door apartment is less than a meter away. So you can hear everything! You can even smell what they are cooking. Even right now as I am writing, I can hear the chickens clucking away. I can hear children playing. It's so beautiful!

This morning, I even heard roosters ( a dog is barking now :). Sometime sounds and scents take you back in time to earlier memories and experiences. I remember hearing roosters when I lived in Kolymbia, on the island of Rhodes in Greece the summer of 2004. I lived there for a short period of time until I had to leave because I was dating the psycho guy Nektarios from Crete. That was messy. I was 21 years old. That's another story to journal in itself. Every time I met a Cretan guy after that, I'd just want to run.... lol Rhodes, 2004, now that's a summer to remember full of adventure!

My Room While Couch Surfing in Havana. :)

Eva made me coffee. :) She's a doll! From the kitchen, it leads to rusty spiral stairs that takes you to the top of the apartment to the roof! I love it!

Adel, Eva's husband showed me a bit of the city. To the sea which would lead me to Old Havana/Plaza Vieja. He showed me what street I'd have to take the taxi from. I'm so grateful for being here!!! I love love it!!!! I should have my coffee now that Eva made me. :)

Adel showing me how to get around Havana.

First Night In Havana

2011-02-15T00:54:00.001-05:00

Written From Elaine's Journal~ January 19th, 2011

I am sitting on my bed at Eva and Adel's home, the family I met through Coach Surfing. The son Julian is playing the piano in his father's painting room. I can hear the noise of the city through the wooden shutters of the window. It's so nice! I started to cry before in gratitude of being here. Not being in the resort, but being in the real and authentic Cuba. Having an authentic experience is priceless. It's something off the beaten track. It's not touristic. It's pure, real and raw.

So far from just being here for a few hours, I feel this place is full of culture. It has it's art, it's music and it's own flavour.It's what I always dreamed of as a little girl: being somewhere kinda poor, but happy. These people are happy. These people are humble. Havana is a city stuck in another time period. Frozen in time. What a beautiful experience to have! You are brought back in time. It's so picturesque here! I choose this over the hotel in Varadero anytime! I needed to go to Varadero for 1 to get some sun but to FEEL and SEE the contrast! I have only been in Havana for a few hours and I already don't want to leave. I already want to come back. Chrisy is staying in the room next door. She is another couch surfer who was going to study at the University of Havana, however her Spanish is amazing from having studied Spanish in Mexico for 14 months. So then she was going to take a cultural class at the university but not enough people signed up, so she came just as a vacation. I think she said it was 300 cuc for a month or 3 weeks to study. Oh my gosh, my mind is thinking always of traveling and living abroad. I could stay here. I could even stay at Eva's house. I told her already I might come back. I was so sure I would just plan my year living on a permanent vacation of 3 weeks work, 1 week vacation. There my mind is going off again as it creatively always does. I need to sleep. Buenas Noches

Doesn't everyone kiss their taxi driver goodbye in Havana? Only me...lol

2011-02-14T23:27:00.003-05:00

This is a continuation of my Post : Taking The Bus With Viazul From Varadero to Havana.

Ok, so as I was saying I was a bit disoriented because I was half asleep when I got off the bus in Havana. As soon as we were pulling up, I could see and feel the history.I felt like the time I went to Istanbul, because I could sense lots of things happened in this city. The bus stopped in Malecon which is the sea path that takes you all the way into the centre of Havana. I felt bombarded from taxi drivers charging at me saying, " taxi, taxi, taxi." Also offering me " Casa de particular" which is illegal rooms being rented out in homes ,which is another way many Cubans make money. I'm good, I already have my illegal couch surfing accommodation! I have my casa de particular!

Let me tell ya, there are two kinds of people I don't trust with money: Taxi drivers and dentists! I always feel as though they want to scam me one way or another and take as much money from me as possible. I don't know, it's just a vibe I get. What does Law of Attraction say? What you think about, you attract. So what do I get? Yeah that's right, you guessed correctly! LOL

I ask how much it costs and he tell me 10 cuc and it's usually 12 cuc. Well, that sounds about right to me. Sure... What can I say? NO! I am a tourist and I don't know where the hell I am. I am on the side of the sea that doesn't look like a bus station or anything like that to inquire. There are no people around me. I am half asleep, and I just want to get to the house. You think I would have clued in the bus that was three hours long from Varadero to Havana was 11 pesos? LOL

I go into the taxi which is really squishy and am sitting in the front seat. I don't know why, but I am more comfortable with taxi drivers when I sit in the back seat. It just seems too close. And remember the married taxi driver from Varadero Airport to the resort who kept checking me out when I was sitting next to him in the front seat? Yuk!

So as I am in the front seat, I notice that there is no taxi meter measuring the distance with money. So I ask him, and by the way this is fully in Spanish. Is this a taxi? Of course it's not! It's a taxi particular. Ok, please take me safely to my destination. He tells me that Vedado is sooooooooo far and I should be more in the centre of Havana. I don't know, so I'm like sure. Anyways, he was a very nice taxi driver who is Cuban born and Cuban proud. His parents are from Spain which gives me rights to leave Cuba and travel. He wouldn't leave Cuba for anywhere else because it's his home and it makes sense. I asked if there was anything to watch out for and he told me Cuba was safe. It's not like Mexico he said. Here no one will hurt you and you can feel safe he said. If someone in Cuba assaults you, you can get 25 years in prison. That's nuts. The crime isn't bad here because it's a communist country.

We pass through amazing homes that look so wild, old, Cuban and authentic and like McDonalds says: I'm lovin it! We reach to the Couch Surfing home. I pay him and give him a tip. We climb up 4 flights of stairs. The nice taxi drivers helps me carry my suitcases up. Eva, the Mom opens the door to greet me.I was soooooo excited to be in a Cuban home. I say goodbye to the taxi driver and this is when I have no idea why on earth, but I say goodbye and give him a kiss on the cheek. LOL LOL LOL LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later on Eva told me that that taxi ride is 3 cuc. She tells me I am buena ( good) I get ripped off, I tip the taxi driver and then I give him a kiss. I started dying of laughter. It was just so funny. I don't know why I kissed him on the cheek. It was like goodbye my taxi friend, thank you for bringing me safely to Vedado. Kisses, lot's of love. xoxoxoxoxoxxooxxooxoxoxoxIt's like he was a relative or good friend and I was saying goodbye. Ay Elaine..............

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Traveling To Cuba Using Two Currencies CUC & CUP

2011-02-14T00:42:00.005-05:00

Cuban Currency, On the right CUC and to the left CUP

In Cuba there are two currencies: cup and cuc.

Cup is the peso that is "nacional". Cuc is the Cuban convertible pesos. Now both of them are used in Cuba. In the touristic zones you will mostly see cuc. As a foreigner you won't be sold cup in touristic spots. In Varadero the lady wouldn't sell it to me, but in Havana there was no problema. You exchange money at "La Cadeca."

See this sign in Cuba and you can exchange you money!

As a tourist if you are exploring and spending time out of a resort, I'd recommend you buy both because let's face it, we have the word TOURISTA written straight across our forehead which translates to " Please take my money", no word of a lie! You might want to use the Nacional/cup in market places and in some areas to buy food or take a taxi for the purposes of not being ripped off. Well, I guess either way you'll be ripped off. lol It happened to me several times! That's why when I was in taxi's and had to go from Vedado to the centre of Havana, I'd just say the location "Capitolio" really fast and with a Spanish accent since I passed for a Cubana. LOL I thought it was the best way to not get ripped off. Say it fast, 1. 2. 3...... Capitolio! ja ja Now again but this time as you say it fast after wards you look away in the other direction so you don't engage in conversation! CAPITOLIO!

Taxi in Havana that you can share with others!

The picture of the taxi above is 10 pesos cup which is more or less .50 cents CAD from Vedado to the centre of Havana. This is in a shared taxi. If you go in a taxi alone, or if they want to rip you off because like I said you are a tourista, then you will be paying roughly 3 - 5 pesos cuc. This is roughly 3 - 5 cad. Ok, I'm not calculating exact figures in my head and am not a math whiz, however below are some of the exchange rates I found on http://www.xe.com. This is where you want to buy cup, pesos nacional and save!

1.00 CAD

0.939259 CUC

1.00 GBP

1.48746 CUC

1.00 EUR

1.25294 CUC

1.00 CAD

26.8838 CUP

1.00 GBP

42.5762 CUP

1.00 EUR

35.8619 CUP

Another great thing I bought with cup was papaya at the market. SPANISH WORD ALERT!!!!!!!I was told not to use the papaya word, as it also refers to a private part covering a ladies bikini bottom!! lol Ok, relax now everyone, the fruit is actually called papaya! I'm not ordering women to take home from the market place. Let's settle down!

I bought a big yummy "Papaya" :P for 30 pesos cup!

I don't recommend you convert a lot of money in nacional because you will be mostly using convertibles.I also don't recommend you eat a lot of papaya because it makes you go to the washroom!

One thing you DON'T DON'T do when going to Cuba is bring U.S money. I don't know what possessed me in exchanging my Canadian dollars to American currency before I left Canada. I do remember my friend Jeannie actually telling me to convert to U.S. You would think since I know U.S citizens can't enter the country that some light bulbs would go off and there would be a bright red ALERT ALERT. Nope, nothing happened like that. I was busy running around like a mad woman, especially the last 48 hours. I had $500 US to take on my trip. I was staying at an all inclusive for the first two days and knew I wouldn't have to spend any money there, so it would be for Havana. (I actually gave $100 of it to the Couch Surfing family. )

What happens when you bring USD to Cuba? They take away 10%!!! Ah, 10% is huge in taking away from you when you are exchanging. Learn from me, and don't take USD money with you!!!!

Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach

647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Manifesting Travel Into Reality - Living On A Permanent Vacation

2011-02-13T19:00:00.005-05:00

Fabulous, the power of sending out magical intentions! I did it, I did it! This year I have manifested my perfect work week schedule into reality! I am doing it! This year I choose to be selfish and live on a permanent vacation. I am meeting people, exploring destinations, eating new food and flirting with hot foreign men! :P It's going to be a year full of adventure each month as I set off and journey to new places that I have never been before!

All of this is happening because I designed it that way! A few days ago I was looking on my you tube channel Fabulous Living Coach and noticed the video above that I made in Hollywood, Florida in November of 2009. A smile came on my face because this year I have implemented exactly what I spoke of. To me, my most perfect schedule would be working 3 weeks and then having a week off on vacation. This year started in January to Varadero and Havana, Cuba. At the end of this month I will be going to New Orleans, U.S.A.

People have asked if I have won the lottery.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ LOL Ahhhh Sorry, although It would be nice! I guess for that to happen, I need to actually buy a lottery ticket! I am just creative in where and how I go. I use this fancy plethora of resources called: Google and allow things to come! Whether it be a hotel, motel or couch surfing, I go! ( Flight to New Orleans: $319, Accomodation: $0 Couch Surfing! Flight to Varadero Cuba: $300, Accomodation $150 Hotel, Couch Surfing: $100........... BE OPEN! Some vacations will be more, some will be less. The most important part for me is to GO!) People decide how they choose to spend their money and what they value spending money on. People actually accept jobs and sign a contract stating they are happy with two weeks vacation a year.

What would happen if we collectively stated we wanted to live on a permanent vacation and asked for more?

I think we need more play in our life. More vacations. More Sun. More flirting with hot foreign men! More connecting to Source Energy. More experiencing and living our fabulous life in JOY! More VACATION, and less work. Think about it!

Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach

647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Friends Made in Varadero

2011-02-12T23:43:00.002-05:00

Thinking of my short time I spent in Varadero, I made friends with a lot of people from all over!

I met Taila and Sarah from Newmarket, Ontario . I met Marco from Italy!

I met Peter Bones a Toronto Rapper and his sweet Mom. He even did a rap for me using some Greek words. I loved it!

I met Amadeo from Italy!

I met Seref from Austria, although he is Kurdish. Such a nice man!!!!!! We were on the same page on so many things spiritually.. He made me promise to visit him in Austria. I only spent a short amount of time with him, but I will always remember our talk. :)

And let's not forget "The Lovers" who I first met when I arrived in Varadero
.

I also met two nice Polish men from Toronto, but I didn't really meet them until the return to Canada so I will write about that later.

Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach

647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

The Culinary Experience in Cuba

2011-02-12T15:36:00.008-05:00

Hotel Buffet

Before going to Cuba I was warned about the food being terrible and to bring salt with me. Even a girlfriend insisted I buy crackers and a trail mix to snack on while away for a week. I was thinking to myself relax, how bad could it possibly be? When eating at the hotel, I immediately tasted there was no salt in the food. I have no idea why. Even when I was speaking with "The Escorts" they said there was no salt in the food and the food was bad. Now, it's not that all the food is bad, it's just that it's not amazing. I think Cuba's food outside the hotel is by far better than in the resort. Some of the things that were great at the hotel were: grilled turkey, seafood stirfry, breakfast omelette, papaya fruit and the fresh bread.

Omelet and Papaya for Breakfast at Resort

The food in Cuba is a lot better outside of the hotel because they use salt! Again, not 5 star but a lot better. I don't think people should be necessarily complaining when they paid for flight, hotel, drinks and food for a week $460 cdn. You know what I mean? However it's natural for us to complain, so we all do.

Restaurant in Havana

The plate you see in the picture above was from a night out in Havana and it was very yummy! There was rice, lobster tails, shrimp, fish and some salad. There was salt! This meal I don't think anyone would have complained about. If memory serves me correct I paid 11 cuc including a beer. Almost $12 cdn is pretty cheap I'd say!

The first night I was in Havana and was at the Couch Surfing home, the Mom of the house asked if I'd like to have dinner with them. I was so excited to try their food. It was a pasta salad with beets sliced thinly and something else. I couldn't tell. As soon as I put the fork in my mouth, my senses were just rejecting it. I couldn't even swallow. I felt so terrible because it was so nice of them to offer me there food. I got embarrassed because I had to spit it out. This is unlike me. For that to have happened, must have meant it was really off because I am a big fan of food. So I asked what it had inside and the mom responded turkey and jamon/ham. I didn't know how something to go so wrong. They said not to worry, but I still felt bad.


Shrimp, Fries, Rice & Beans with Salad in Varadero

This was a nice meal I had the day I was leaving Varadero to go back to Canada at a beach restaurant. The restaurant where I made the movie titles, " Cha Cha Cha" with the band playing. This was really yum! I could have had this everyday in Cuba! If memory serves me correct it was 7 cuc which is 8 dollars cdn or something which again isn't too bad.

Tamales in Havana

When I heard the word tamales in Cuba, I was really eager to eat them because it reminded me of when I was 16 in Mexico for three months taking part in an exchange program. Tamales are made from corn and in the centre there is a meat content. In Mexico Delish! In Cuba, again is there a napkin around here?????? I felt terrible. I was in Havana with some friends I met and it was offered by the owner of the place. The centre was jamon/ham.

At the couch surfing house, Eva the mom made a yummy tea that is made from a mixture of fruit. She boils it and then adds brown sugar. So yum!!!!!!!! I love love love tea!

I love loved the cute little cafes in Cuba where you can walk on up and get served while standing. Have your coffee and then carry on your way! Price: 2 cuc

Cafe Con Leche in Vedado, La Havana

Cuban Mojitos in La Havana

Without a doubt the Mojitos in Cuba were delicious! Just be careful because they are so yummy that you might not noticed how many you'll drink! :P

Pizza on Calle Obispo in La Havana

I bumped into my Italian friend Francesa who I had met in Havana at the restaurant where I ate the Lobster. Along the street/calle Obispo we found a place to have some pizza! It's not Italian pizza, don't get excited and it doesn't have that much cheese, however like I said before the soft bread there is delicious. Cost: 10 pesos cup. Cup in the national money and cuc is the convertible pesos. Will write about that in another blog. 10 pesos cup in Canadian is $0.40 Canadian. Nothing!

I read this quote on a travel site:

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home." -- James Michener

I was thinking of myself, I don't want to reject the food. I am open, but when I can't digest there's a problem!

What I do know is this: In order to go to a new country you should try their food. It's apart of the traveling experience in feeling the country. Hotel food in buffets in general I am not a big fan of. Before you give your opinion of the food of a nation, be open to try a lot and get off the resort!

I give Cuba a 4 out of 10 for food.

Please note upon returning home, you may be going to the washroom the first week. Don't ask me why, it just happens. It's not fun and it's not sexy! lol

Next destination is New Orleans! They are known for their food. Can't wait. mmmmmmmmmmm

Stay tuned!!

Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach

647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Jump Into Life

2011-02-12T13:34:00.002-05:00

The only way to do anything you want in life is to just JUMP! This video talks about jumping into life, your dreams and goals. Once you jump you, you will realize it's not as bad as you thought it would be!

Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach

647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Meeting The Italians in Varadero, Cuba

2011-02-12T11:50:00.006-05:00

Amadeo

Marco

If you have been following my blog and You Tube, you may have noticed I had some videos about me taking Italian classes in Toronto as well as wanting to go to Italy to meet a hot Italian man to learn Italian.

WANTED WANTED HOT ITALIAN MAN TO LEARN ITALIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To me it seems like the easiest and funnest way to learn Italian. Mama Mia! lol

So, then as I was in Cuba on my second day I ran into two Italian guys named Marco and Amadeo and it went something like this! Watch You Tube Video below!

I thought to myself instantly hmmmmm it's through my thoughts I manifested to meet them! Your thoughts do create your future! I don't believe in coincidences or random events. Whatever is meant to be will be! I was telling Marco how I wanted to go to Italy in the summer. Marco of course couldn't promise me anything in Italy, but he'd see around for jobs if I wanted to go this summer to Italy. Grazie Universe. Let's not make any set plans and see what will unfold in the present moment! Even if I went for a few weeks I'd be just as happy. :)

It was so fun making this video for starters because it wasn't planned to talk about this stuff. It was only until we started talking that I thought we need this on camera! It was really nice talking with both of them. They met at the resort and both came individually to Cuba. Marco was from close to Naples and is a lawyer. Amadeo if I understood correctly produces movies. Which is when I thought, oh this is perfect because you can film our You Tube Video!!

lol ahhhhhhhh Can't wait to go to Italy!

Admadeo & Elaine

Marco & Elaine, Hey he was in Cuba for a month so his tan makes me look bad! :P

Marco was touring all around for two months in Cuba and liked Cienfuego the most because it was the real Cuba. He found Varadero to be too touristy. He decided to actually only stayed 2 nights instead of 3 for this reason. It's interesting because there are many types of travelers and we felt we were the same kind. We like to travel abroad alone for many reasons including self-discovery, exploration and adventure! In Canada, so many people thought it was so odd to travel alone. In Cuba I met so many people doing the same thing! It's nice to know sometimes that you are not alone in your thoughts. :)

We had fun drinking cervezas and rum punch on the beach. We went for lunch at the buffet restaurant. I learned this song while eating bananas from Amadeo. Apparently it's a silly song in Italian about Bananas being the only fruit of love. Well read in between the lines, it also refers to a mans part. Now the reason why it was funny was because it was in another language, so it was interesting to know what these wild Italian sing for a joke and secondly it reminded me of some Greek humour while living there. Sometimes I would hear the stupidest things, but because I am from Canada it would be so funny. Like what are you saying? ha ha

After lunch we went to have a coffee. This is where the Italians come in and say this is not real coffee. Italians are pretty proud I'd say about their coffee. In Italy they consider coffees to be espresso, cappuccino, or machiato. Machiato sounds really fancy but it's just espresso with a splash of milk. :P In North America we are more use to filtered coffee or percolated coffee. Even when I spent three months as an Au-Pair in Spain the summer of 2009, I never would see North American style coffee. They would have cafe con leche, coffee with milk, but it would be a lot shorter. We had a coffee, or let's say I had a coffee and then went back to the beach.

When we were a the beach, I was thinking man I really need to go to Italy if I want to learn any Italian because I didn't pick it up by taking Italian classes in Toronto. Maybe if I had studied more I would have just a bit more. I honestly think the best way to learn any language is to immerse yourself in the country where they speak the language. I don't speak perfect Spanish, but I do know it helped me in feeling comfortable in expressing myself and allowing the words to naturally come to me.

It was nice meeting these guys in my experience. :) I wish them most the best of luck!

Elaine Sarantakos

Fabulous Living Coach

647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Main Street of Varadero

2011-02-12T08:14:00.003-05:00

From Elaine's Journal
January 19th, 2011

I am on the bus leaving Varadero to Havana. I'm really excited about the next part of my adventure. I'm excited to be able to write all of my experiences because the last two days. The bus is so bumpy as I am writing this. Back to my first day. Finally after checking into my room, I decided that I should walk into Varadero on the main street and not sleep until night time.

The main street is very pretty with palm trees, old homes with bright colours of turquoise, pink, yellow and purple. Most of the homes are 100 years old. They have these beautiful verandas with large rocking chairs. I just imagined people sitting on those chairs and sharing stories or being relaxed and reading a book while people past by. Those are nice things I thought of. It could also be like in many countries, people sitting and gossiping as people from your town walk by. LOL

I could see an old abandoned playground, restaurants, and cafes with outdoor patios to sit and have something to drink.

I found a purple and white house and thought OMG, this matches my website and logo, this is a Fabulous Living Coach house!! lol

I came across a beautiful house that was wooden and painted blue with some white. It had that looked where it belonged right by the sea. There was a man and his Mother who were sitting outside and selling souvenirs from the front garden of there home. They were both so nice to me. After making this video, I sat down in the rocking chair and was chatting with them. The man told me this home was 100 years old. Imagine having a house that old and passing it from generation to generation? I ended up buying 4 rings and a little toy for my future baby. lol

This morning I walked through this street with David going to the beach and then back to the hotel. We passed a school where there were children playing the playground. They were sooooooooo cute!

Stay tuned for my next post, Meeting the Italians!

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Taking The Bus Viazul from Varadero to Havana

2011-02-12T06:53:00.002-05:00

Taking the bus from Varadero to Havana is very easy and cheap. The first thing I learned was in Cuba the bus is called " La Guagua." ( It's pronounced la wowwah lol) I was so use to in Mexico it being called camion and in Spain autobus. There is only one bus company that runs from Varadero to Havana and it's called Viazul. The bus station is located on calle 36, (street 36) and you can't miss it. . Varadero has one main street that you can walk along to get there. I walked from called 17 to the station with the help of my friend I met at the resort named Peter Bones. :) It cost $11 cuc to go to Havana which is just under $12 cdn. I don't remember the scheduled times but there are quite a few during the day. If you go to the station 30 minutes in advanced, then you should be fine. The journey from Varadero to Havana is 3 hours in length.

I was in and out of sleep on the bus ride to Havana. I remember passing beautiful landscapes of lush green mountains with palm tress. It was a pretty bus ride, for the time I was awake that is.

You know when you are in a moving vehicle that is going fast and try to capture a picture and it doesn't do any justice? Yeah, that's what's happening here!

Taking the bus in Cuba reminded me of my days traveling in Greece with their bus company called Ktel. I lived in Greece from 2001 - 2004 and traveled many other times before that. How many times I took their buses I have no idea. I know that I have traveled with them a lot because all of the stops look familiar in Lamia and Larissa.

We stopped for a 10 minute break somewhere along the way to Havana. There were options of drinking or dining. You saw some people going to the washroom, others grabbing something to eat and other having a cigarette. Just like in Greece I thought. Or I guess this is typical at any bus stop in the world.

Cool Bar Playing Music - Bus Stop going to Havana

The one thing I have to say I was impressed with because I have been around the world, was the cleanliness of their washrooms! I know it's like who cares, but really being a girl, we don't stand! So I was happy! And of course, I took a picture! lol

Finally we arrived into Havana which is when I had fallen into that sleep state where you are so comfortable and just want relish in that feeling. I had this feeling before when I was stuck in Ibiza for a day without any flights to Barcelona. I remember on the airport so happy to sleep and then I realized the flight was only 20 minutes from Ibiza to Barcelona. LOL, oh how I wished that flight had been to Australia...... Ok time to wake up. Elaine, be alert, you are now in Havana! As I got off the bus, I was confused as to where I was. ( Later I discovered it was Malecon, the path along the sea to Havana) The taxi's came rushing to all of us saying taxi taxi taxi. I felt a bit overwhelmed as I was half asleep. That's when I had the word TOURIST written in capital letters across my face which translates to please rip me off and take all my money! Stay tuned for that story, how I was rip off and gave the taxi driver a kiss on the cheek when saying goodbye. Eva the Couch Surfing Mom of the house said I am very good. I get ripped off and then I give them a kiss on the cheek. ha ha

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

My Hotel Room at Hotetur Sunbeach Resort in Varadero, Cuba

2011-02-12T06:16:00.002-05:00

My Hotel Room at Hotetur Sunbeach Resort in Varadero, Cuba

This was my hotel room at Hotetur Sunbeach Resort in Varadero, Cuba. I remember after not sleeping from my flight to Toronto and checking into this room at 4:00 p.m. being so happy! It's not a fancy hotel room, but it is clean and comfortable.

Originally when organizing my trip to Cuba, I was only going to stay in Havana because I wanted a more authentic travel experience. Later on, it occurred to me that since I am from Canada, I might as well stay in Varadero for a a few days since I was flying there, there's a beach and it is in the minuses weather wise in Toronto. Booking everything is more expensive than booking an all inclusive.

For example because due to being January packages are typically lower than February and March because of he weather. I met tourists who spent $460 cdn including taxes for the week all inclusive. I paid for my flight with Sunwing vacations separately, and paid $300 for the flight. Then from the airport to the hotel I paid 25 CUC. I paid $75 cdn for each night and stayed two nights. Right there I spent the same money than if I would have booked an all inclusive even if I didn't want to stay in it. It would have been advantageous to have booked the one week because even on the way back, I would have had my transfer paid for to the hotel. Also, on the way back my flight was delayed, so I was at the airport from 7:00 p.m. waiting until 4:00 a.m. to board. I could have spent the day back from Havana at the beach, sleeping, etc etc.......... I just know now for next time!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Mistaken for an Escort while talking to a Canadian man because I look Cubana! lol

2011-02-10T00:12:00.005-05:00

On the second day in Varadero while I was at the bar talking to a Canadian man in his 40's, I was mistaken as an escort because I apparently look like a Cubana. LOL....I always get that I look like a Latina and all so I guess it made only sense. :P I said no I am not Cubana, I am from Canada, and I am not with this man here! lol I paid for my own hotel room which unfortunately I am sleeping alone in. lol That's all I need to be mistaken for an escort! :)

If you ever go to Cuba, you might notice older foreign men with Cuban ladies in resorts. At first I thought, wow that is so beautiful long distance love of men from abroad with Cubana ladies, however sweet naive Elaine, you were seeing something else. On my first day at the resort I met a young lady who was 21 from Havana who was at the resort for the week with her " husband" who was from Austria and was twice her age. She said they were married, but they didn't live together. At first it wasn't clicking in to me, and it didn't even click in my mind that she wasn't wearing a wedding band. I'm oblivious to this kind of stuff I guess......... So then later that night I went to the entertainment show, where I met her two friends who seemed really nice. They were two young girls who were here with their boyfriends from Paris. Again, wow long distance relationships from Europe to Cuba? I believed them because why did I have any reason to believe otherwise?

During the entertainment show, something so sad happened to me. My camera battery died!!!!!!! Nooooooooo, I was sooo sad! I need my camera. lol So I decided to go back to the hotel room and charge my battery. One of the girls said she would come with me and I thought ok cool. Note to all people reading this, never let someone come into your hotel room that you don't know because you just never know. We walked into my room and I charged my battery. She asked if she could call her cousin in Havana and I said yeah sure call from the phone. It was her cousin who she wanted to hook me up with. She said when I go to Havana I could meet him, and that he is so cute etc etc... I was thinking in my head, I am really going to Havana to go to Havana.

So then she noticed all the things I had in my room including the suitcase I was giving to my couch surfing family in Havana. She saw all of my clothes and saw this one shirt in particular which she thought was really beautiful. I know that's why I bought it I was thinking. :)She said she wanted me to give it to her. I was so exhausted from my flight in going to Cuba from Canada as I had only slept on the airplane, so I politely smiled and played stupid. Then on the phone with her cousin she told him all the things I brought with me for the family. I spoke to him for a minute or so..... and agreed yeah yeah we'll meet when I come to Havana.

Shortly after we left the room to go back to the other girls and a Canadian friend I met. She insisted I go to her room to see a picture of her cousin because he was so nice. I told her it's ok, I believe you that he's really nice but it's not necessary I see it because I believe you that he's nice. She was adamant that I went to see the picture. Ok, fine....... So, I went to her room where I met her "boyfriend" and as soon as I entered the room, I felt the energy was just off. You know when you just get that vibe that something isn't right?

As soon as we got back it had ended and I was happy to call it a night because I was exhausted. The following morning I saw them again while I was in the restaurant having breakfast. The two girls were there with their "boyfriends" and there were Quebecois girls speaking in French to the guys back and forth. Apparently the guys said they met them in Cuba in the spring when they came down, and that they are escorts and won't leave them alone etc etc etc.......... I don't know I was thinking. I am going to the beach, you guys can do what you want! Where is my Pina Colada?

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Hot Cuban Hotel Worker :P Part 2

2011-02-08T10:54:00.001-05:00

Continuation of Hot Cuban Hotel Worker :P ( Second Day in Varadero)

From my previous post you can see that I picked up this Cuban guy named David who was the security guard at the resort. I thought he was so hot, so I just had to speak to him. lol Found out that he was 23 years old and attempted to explain to him what a cougar is. Arouuuuu :P He asked if he could see me the following day, and I thought yeah why not? What could we do? I said anything I am easy, even if you just want to walk around and talk... He suggested going to the beach for a swim at 8:30 a.m. Straight to the bikini he is thinking I thought. :P

After the video I was talking to him for awhile and then went back to my room to shower after a day at the beach. He told me he finished at 7:00 p.m. and to come before he left work. Cool I was thinking. So then, after my shower and having gotten ready I went back to where he was, when I noticed him talking to this younger girl who looked 17 years old. LOL ( Well, I guess that would make sense if he is 23 years old) ha ha It was sooooooo funny, I thought it was like in a movie. So, I made my way to the bar which is right by where he was standing and met my friends who I met from Ontario and had a drink. I can't really see well since I wear glasses for far and wasn't wearing my contacts. So, I asked the girls are you sure he is with her? And it looked like he was! Not that he owed anything to me, but I have a personality where I found this funny, so this was a bit humorous for me. I thought, oh my gosh, I need to take a picture of this for my blog. Really at the end of the day I am a tourist from Canada and chances are I will never see him again. This is all holiday fun. :P

He saw me sitting at the table and came up to me and asked if we are still going swimming the following day. And I told him like any typical girl would say, " why don't you go with her to the beach?" HA HA Girls are full of drama that I even think sometimes we enjoy it! So, then he explained how she is just a tourist and a nice girl he met. Aren't we all nice girls on holidays? lol He said even the mother of the girl liked talking to him. Of course she would, another cougar on the resort property I was thinking. :) So, he complimented me of my dress and told me " Eres muy preciosa." Which means you are very precious. It was referring to I look precious in the dress. How I love men complimenting me in Spanish and in Greek. And how does it happen when a hot guy is talking shit, it sounds so good so you agree and say ok, I will meet you swimming tomorrow.???????? :P

So I asked for a wake up call to wake up and meet David in front of the hotel across the street where the hotel workers would not see him because he could get in trouble. Living on the edge, lol just joking.... We walked down the main street of Varadero further along the coast where we came to a quiet part of the beach in between resorts because you can't stay in front of resort properties. Don't get excited, it wasn't secluded, I could see families. lol It was so beautiful so early going to the beach in the morning. The water felt so calm, still, and refreshing. Well and that there was this Cuban hottie next to me. :P

So, we went in the water........ And we kissed............ and you're hot I was thinking.... And I was confused? Don't you want to hang out and talk with me? Get to know my personality and want to know about my life? LOL No, no, that wasn't on his agenda in full. We had fun ...........swimming! :P

Hot Cuban Hotel Worker :P

2011-02-07T09:51:00.001-05:00

Meet David, the hotel's security guard at the resort...... I thought he was so hot so of course knowing me, had to take a video of him. Enjoy! Oh and yes, the next day we went swimming together........ Want to hear more, than come back and visit my blog. xx

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

* Thank you for Following My Travels. I will be blogging my journey of Living on a Permanent Vacation this year with 3 weeks or work and one week on Travels. January Trip - Varadero & Havana, Cuba. February Trip - New Orleans, U.S.A, March - let's see where the Universe takes me!*

The Canadian Resort Style of Vacations

2011-02-05T10:52:00.006-05:00

Beach Bar at Hotetur Sunbeach, Varadero, Cuba

Written From Elaine's Journal - January 17th, 2011, Varadero, Cuba

There was this cute beach bar apart of the resort called " El Castero." Nothing fancy, but that's what made it just right on the beach. A simple beach bar to grab beer or a cocktail with rum. This was the favourite part of the beach for a lot of the tourist because it's where the hook ups with alcohol were. I somehow have a picture kissing the bartender on his cheek. Don't ask. ....

I had quite a few drinks of pina colada and rum punch which were a bit deceiving because they are in these tiny cups so you are not too sure in how much you drank. So they kept coming! A lot of the Canadians brought with them large water bottles and mugs so that they could drink even bigger amounts of alcohol and not have to run back and forth to the bar. I never knew this is what they do! A lot of the tourists caught onto this idea I saw. This kind of reminded me of when I lived in Greece and worked on the islands and would see intoxicated British people. The Caribbean to us Canadians is how the Mediterranean is to the British. It's like people get off the airplane ready with the intention of getting smashed the second they reach the resort. Which is fine because everyone comes on a vacation with a different intention and can do whatever they want. What do I really want from this trip? ( Always the GOLDEN QUESTION IN LIFE. What do you really want? ) What I want from this trip is to have an authentic local travel experience. I think this can only happen when I leave the resort. Although these drinks are really yummy. he he Somehow, I don't know how, they kept on coming. I want a different kind of trip. You know those ones that are more connected more to your soul . The ones where you get to see, explore, meet people, see a bit of the architecture and the personality of the country.I want to embrace the country.... And that will happen more in Havana, I just know it! In the meantime..... bring it on! :P

I wasn't there too long at the beach, but I felt exhausted from sleeping only 2 hours on my flight in coming to Cuba. My room wasn't ready, I was hungry, I didn't want anymore drinks and I had to go pee. lol So, I told "the lovers" I had to go to the washroom which was past the bar, past a beach restaurant, across the road, cross the pool and right near the pool beach bar. lol I was stopped half way by a Cuban Band at the beach restaurant. I could hear a flute, guitar, bass, voice, marakas and a neat Cuban instrument I have never seen in my life. It was really beautiful as they performed. Something about music is Spanish makes my heart really happy. They moved me to sit in the front so I could watch them perform. So I'm there smiling and in my head I am thinking I really need to go to the washroom. lol

"The Lovers" ended up coming to where the band was playing. Diana's partner put a lovely flower in my hair which was fake, but looked pretty. :) After it was done, we made our way to the pool. And I made my way to the washroom which by the way you should take toilet paper with you and keep it in your purse because for some reason they was hardly ever any. I'm not a guy, I can't just drip and dry. Thank goodness I just had to JUST go pee I was thinking. lol

Get Into Your Bikini & Have a Few Drinks! Ah, This is the Life!

2011-02-03T11:15:00.002-05:00

Written From Elaine's Journal, January 17th, 2011

I had time to kill since it was 11:00 a.m. and I wouldn't get my room until 4:00 p.m. at the resort, so I left my suitcases in a storage room by the front desk. I decided to change into my bikini in the washroom, but each actual stall with the toilet was so tiny that I couldn't change in it. So, I started getting naked in the washroom hoping no one would walk in. LOL All of a sudden a few hundred dollars came flying from my bra. I don't usually do that, but my friends suggested it would be a good idea to split up my money "just in case." Gosh, it's so safe here, the money served more as extra padding in my bra than anything else. Ain't that the truth! lol

Roberto The Bartender

I came to the beach bar which is located as you exit the lobby right next to the pool. There were a lot of Canadians already drinking at 11:00 a.m. I met a lady named Diana let's call her for legal purposes. ( Can I get sued writing about people? LOL ) She was here with her lover. Boyfriend? No, they are lovers I was told. She came up to me and asked me where is your drink? I just got here I told her 30 seconds ago. lol And that's when I had my first Pina Colada there out of the many to follow. January 17th and my first alcoholic beverage of the year. I really thought I was going to clear my chakras 100% being a Life Coach and not drink at all. Understanding energy, working with chakras and tapping into intuition happens when you take care of yourself, when you are clear and when all wheels of light are spinning in harmony. HA! HA! HA! Then I thought, if I don't drink now, when will I drink? It only seems appropriate right? Your life happens in the now. So I thought present moment I am going to enjoy you! :P

So then we walked to the beach, OMG the colour is absolutely gorgeous! Powdery white sand at my feet, walking through tropical bushes ( Like the ones in the Caymans and I forget the name!) and aqua water. So beautiful! It's in this moment where you say, " This is the life!"

The beach in Varadero, Cuba is one of those beaches where you can walk and walk and it's still really shallow. Those have to be my favourite kind of beaches. The water wasn't too warm, but that's because it's January. But let's look at the facts, I am from Canada and it was - 19 C yesterday and I went running. Cuba's water is delightful! If you pull one of those moves where you go 1.2.3 and jump then of course it gets warmer! I think that's life's best strategy! Jump in! Don't wait! Live it up! 1. 2. 3 go no thinking! JUST JUMP IN!

Flying To Varadero from Toronto

2011-02-02T17:02:00.008-05:00

Written from Elaine's journal - January 17th, 2011

My taxi came for 3:40 a.m. to take me to YYZ, Toronto Pearson International Airport. I was explaining to the Indian taxi driver the concept of what couch surfing was. He thought is was interesting alright! First me going to Cuba to travel alone and then to go to Havana and to couch surf on a couch where I met the people on the internet and knew nothing about them. LOL, a whole new generation! I was explaining how www.couchsurfing.org had over 2 million people on it and was for open minded travelers who wanted to embrace, share, learn and experience a destination on a whole new level and of course on a COUCH! He was probably thinking good luck girl! :P

As soon as I got to the airport, I felt something wonderful! A very familiar feeling came to me, which was a feeling of everything being just right. That feeling was being in an airport! Walking into YYZ and going to terminal one with my suitcases. Standing in line to check in! Filling out my name tags!And then my boarding pass in my hands. Ahhhh! How many times I have been on an airplane, I have no idea. All I do know is it feeeels right! I really feel I was born to travel and explore. I really feel I connect to The North Face's motto: Never Stop Exploring. :P It goes all the way back to when I was a little girl, I would stare at the world atlas. I remember when I was 12 years old, my Theo Kosta was telling me I needed to study and trying to be smart he asked me if I knew where Malta was. I replied yes, it's a small island underneath Sicily. :P

My flight from Toronto to Varadero was a 6:30 a.m., so I was ready to just passsssss out! I fell asleep either before or during take off and was out like a light. The flight was 3 hours and 26 minutes which is nothing if you think about Toronto to Calgary taking 4 hours. It's amazing how large Canada really is. Speaking of Malta, I sat next to a Maltese couple who were really nice to me. ( Even though I was sleeping for most of it!) I was still half asleep when we were asked to fill out the Visa card. The man explained to me not to make any mistakes or else you have to fill it out again and PAY again. Apparently this Visa card was in out ticket sold. So what did I do? I wrote the passport # once correctly and the other one I misspelled a letter! LOL, how did that happen?

While exiting the airplane, I thought it would be like in Grand Cayman Island ( Where I lived for a year during 2005 - 2006). I thought I would be exiting the airplane, walking done the steps of the stairs,while being greeted by tropical music of locals playing drums or something like that. Wrong island Elaine! The airplane was connected with a ramp to the airport. It looked old and outdated in colour the airport. (I took a video, but had to later delete it due to 8gb taken on my trip.) I arrived to customs and spoke in Spanish to the Cuban Customs Officer who seemed rather nice. The Cuban Visa paper where I made a mistake was ok in the end. I didn't have to pay luckily because I wrote the correct letter above the mistake and didn't have to cross it out.:)

Now off to baggage claim to collect my two suitcases. The reason why I had two small suitcases instead of one is because I bought the Cuban family in Havana a bunch of stuff that that might be expensive there because of the country being communist. So before I left I bought for the family toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, Advil & Tylenol medication, combs and brushes, q-tips, hair elastics, and I brought second hand clothes that were in good condition. Almost half of the stuff was for them. :) As I waited for my suitcases, I saw dogs on top of the conveyor belt sniffing through suitcases, trying to smell any illegal stuff I guess. The first time I saw dogs on conveyor belts, and I was thinking is that even safe for those dogs?

I didn't book an all inclusive package in going to Cuba ,so everything was separate. This meant I had to take a taxi from Varadero's Airport to Hotetur Sunbeach Hotel as I didn't have a transfer. First step, convert money from US Dollars to cuc. Cuban has two currencies cuc and cup, which I will explain later.

The taxi to the hotel was 25 cuc, which is about $27 Cdn. The taxi driver was really nice. Once we went to the toll booth for him to pay, he said to the lady in the booth,"Gracias mi amor" which means thank you my love. I told him I was going to tell his wife on him. lol I was sitting in the front seat of the car because I wanted to take a video of him. ( Which I did, but then later deleted it due to not enough memory in my camera!) I could see him starring at me and checking me out while he was talking to me. Talk about awkward. I wanted to tell him that he was quite obvious and I could totally see what he was doing. lol

The taxi ride was 25 minutes or so and then we finally reached Varadero! At last! I finally got into the hotel which was colourful with blues and corals. I was told my room wouldn't be ready until 4:00 p.m. and what time was it ? 11:00 a.m. AH! Lighten up, grab a Pina Colada girl because you are in CUBA!!!!!!!!! :P

- To Be Continued tomorrow! Stay Tuned!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
elaine@fabulouslivingcoach.com
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

My Journey Traveling To Cuba Alone

2011-02-01T23:44:00.007-05:00

January 17th, 2011

I'm sitting in the hotel lobby bar at Hotetur Sunbeach hotel in Varadero, Cuba. It's called, " El Pillar." There is a lovely bartender in his 40's perhaps named Ernesto who is making me a coffee. A cafe con leche, coffee with milk. Wink wink. I'm exhausted from the trip getting here. It started something like this....

For some reason whenever I go on a trip, I manage to do most things last minute. It's as though I never learn in organizing my trip in advanced which makes the last 48 hours seem like crunch time with everything happening altogether. A scheduled workshop ( which had to be canceled due to snow), a birthday party for one of my dearest friends, shopping for last minute things( including my new Canon camera), a run outside in - 19 degrees C like a trooper, some last minute work, and of course packing! Being a Life Coach, maybe I need to come up with a better strategy before I leave to go on trips. LOL

This man just told me he hopes I am not writing about him. ha ha uhhhh no! :) Hmm, someone else complimented me on my journal today at the resort. The secret journal of Elaine Sarantakos, Fabulous Living Coach! One traveler told me it's not a good thing to journal your trip because what happens one day if your husband reads your journal? Well that's simple you see, because I can exclude some parts in my journal. Sometimes, what happens in Cuba stays in Cuba! wink wink :P

I have to admit I became a little bit fearful in traveling to Cuba and didn't know what to expect. This was a result of listening collectively to people's concern of me traveling alone to Cuba as a girl and not doing the typical vacation of staying in a resort. Everyone was wishing me a safe trip, but it was with a lot of " Be careful Elaine, Stay safe Elaine, it's dangerous there Elaine , have you seen the movie Taken Elaine? etc etc" After awhile I just wanted everyone to shut up.lol The best one was from one of my closest friend, who told me to keep my phone on because knock on wood if anything happens to you, your phone has gps and we can find you." AHHHHH LOL WTF! LOL These are things that you don't want to hear before going on a trip alone. No thanks! I understand it's out of concern, but for me at least it placed some fear. I know, I know, I get it, everyone wants me to be safe. As I said collectively, it just doesn't make you feel positive. Makes you feel more than anything that a seed has been planted of fear to manifest into something bad. So I started to crying at home as the fear seeped into me. And then I remembered didn't Eleanor Roosevelt say something like, we can't allow anyone to hurt us unless we give our permission or something like that? Ah, AWARENESS coming in.......... hmmmmm........... Shift in perspective! I can't allow anyone to make me feel scared and fearful, unless I give them my permission! :)

I thought this is kinda weird because going to Cuba for a week alone should be one of my journeys least fearful. I know this might be ego, but I have lived all over the world alone. I have lived in the Cayman Islands, Spain, Greece ( Including Athens, Rhodes and Halkidiki) and Lake Louise, Alberta. ( Although the only thing scary there is being eaten by bears LOL, so safe!!) So I did what I thought seemed only appropriate and called in my travel angels by my side to protect me.

"I am calling on all of the Travel Angels to come and protect me and to guide me and to put this white light around me. Please surround your love and light around me for my entire trip to Cuba. Please allow white light to cover the airplane as we take off from Toronto until we fly back in. Thank you Travel Angels. I am in deep gratitude" xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxox Elaine

It's funny how we talk about Angels, but when they actually come to you like the time I was in my bedroom after learning Reiki level 1, you experience connecting with another dimension that only seems real only in fairy-tales. Believe, because they are truly right next to us even if we can't see them. Thank you Travel Angels. oxoxoxoxoxox

- To Be Continued tomorrow! Stay Tuned!

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
elaine@fabulouslivingcoach.com
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto Based Life Coach

Getting Ready To Travel Cuba

2011-02-01T22:36:00.001-05:00

This is a video I took while waiting for the taxi to pick me up and take me to the airport to spend a week in Cuba! The first trip of my "Living On a Permanent Vacation" series! This year I am designing my life with lots of travel! 3 weeks work and then a week on vacation. Thank you for following my journey! I hope you like my posts, tips and videos.

Stay Fabulous,

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
elaine@fabulouslivingcoach.com

Please contact me for a FREE up to 30 minutes Life Coaching session to see if Life Coaching is something that and benefit you. Connecting internationally via Skype and telephone.

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto based Life Coach!

Designing Your Life By Imagination

2011-01-31T11:29:00.001-05:00

Look into the ocean of possibilities! How do you want to design your life?

Going to Cuba was my first journey of the year, in my year long mission of living on a permanent vacation. 2 days in Varadero at a resort and 5 days in Havana couch surfing! This year I am living and designing my life completely from my imagination in a world of possibilities. In a world outside the box which allows me to live by creation of my imagination. Living in a reality that is not the norm of how society thinks I should live my life.

There is no right or wrong in how we want to live our life. Our fabulous life is for us to create. For us to define our own definition of what "Fabulous Living" means to us. The enjoyment of truly living our fabulous life, is when we align it with our values, passions, and integrity. That is when the magic fully comes into play. When we get out of our way!

The Universe says you can do, be and have anything you want.

This year I am implementing living on a permanent vacation. That means designing my life and business of working three weeks and then having a week off every month to go on Vacation! I started with Varadero & Havana in Cuba for January. February looks like New Orleans, U.S.A! I want to implement this lifestyle and write my first book of this journey! Life Coaching , Designing Your Life with a mix of travel. I know that's not everyone's ideal life, but it's what my imagination is telling me. That's what matters, listening to yourself! Going within!

How do you want to design your life? I mean how do youuuuuuuuuu really want to live it? Forget about what others think. What do you want to do? I am here to help you co-create anything you wish to achieve! Please contact me for a 30 minute session to see if coaching is for you! I tell ya your life is worth designing your way!

Stay Fabulous,
Elaine Sarantakos
elaine@fabulouslivingcoach.com

Traveling To Cuba Was Fun, Fabulous & Authentic!

2011-01-27T22:43:00.000-05:00

Hey Hey Fabulous,

I came back from 8 fabulous days in Cuba, January 17th - 25th!!! I had an amazing time both in Varadero at a resort and in Havana Couch Surfing! I will be spending next week blogging about my trip including what I did, travel advice and thoughts that came up while away. I also took videos while away to share on you tube. I bought a new Canon camera the day before I left, along with 8 GB of memory. 8 GB is a lot for some people, but for the way I video tape, the memory was full after day two! LOL Next trip, I will take at least 50! :P I had to delete videos. :( Learning for next time I suppose!

Traveling alone in Cuba with an open mind is honestly a FABULOUS way to travel! You meet so many interesting people from all over the world and see so much!!!!!!! I felt safe every moment there! I can't wait to share with you all of my stories! I wrote in a journal there!!!

Stay Tuned For The Following Stories and more!!:

Traveling Alone In Cuba
The 23 year old Cuban guy I picked up. ( arouuuuuuuu Cougar heyyyyyyyyyyy lol :P )
Hanging Out With Prostitutes ( I HAD NO IDEA, I was oblivious)
Meeting The Italians ( Hey I attracted them from my you tube video I created last month!)
Couch Surfing Experience # 3
How I Clogged My Chakras
Walking An Hour For A Bus Sign That Was Stolen ( Which is why I couldn't find it!)
The Air of Havana
Cost of Traveling In Cuba
Advice of Where To Go
Reality of Cubans
Meeting of Jinitaros
Crazy Fun Mexicans & Mojitos
And sooooooooooooooooo much more!!!!

Stay Fabulous,

Elaine Sarantakos
Fabulous Living Coach
647-964-6001

Fabulous Living Coach is a Toronto based Life Coach!