PEC has a different vibe in the winter, more isolated, spread out, and quiet. You can see the stars, hike the trails, and listen to ice chips crush against the shore, almost singing in the wind. It’s a wonderful feeling, even though admittedly I got a little cranky during the cold walk.

 Sandbanks Provincial Park (above) has quite a few hiking routes, and different distances and most are quite easy. Some inland hikes are return, some are loops through the woods with lovely observation points on the water. The shoreside is a long walk along the beach. This walk can be incredibly windy and cold on a winter day – a great way to meet the elements face-to-face. In the peak season, this is an incredibly busy area. The cars are typically tightly parked on the pavement, umbrellas and beer coolers line the beach. But on a day like today, the park was eerily empty.

I’ve visited the Sandbanks once a long time ago but I’ve never been to Dunes Beach. This short hike and the sandy hills brought out a kind of a childish feeling in me. If left behind, I would’ve contently frolicked up and down the dunes and chased otters along the icy shore for hours. Something I am very much looking forward to doing again soon. 

The Dunes Beach (below) is a bit out of the provincial park area. This park has a smaller parking lot and a range of nice, easy hikes. A short trail will take you to the beach. The water edge is guarded by the sandy hills, weaving along the shore with picnic tables spread out between high points. The naked trees appear very tall, as if reaching for the sun. I can only imagine the lovely shade they must cast on a sunny summer day.

Millennium Trail (below), on the other hand, spans nearly the entire county and can be entered through multiple points. Some parts of the trail pass between farms, others on the side of the road, and along various water sources. Rumor has it, the trail is also a route for a local pub/brewery crawl. But that’s an adventure for another time. We chose an hour or so walk to one of the lakes divided by a short bridge from which you get a lovely view of a swan bevy. I couldn’t help but wonder if one could swim out there on a boat in the summer. It would be wonderful to float, be one with the swans, have a glass of lemonade, and take in the sun.

The post When you can’t go anywhere, go see nature. A winter weekend in Sandbanks, PEC appeared first on Paths to Travel.

This hasn’t been my first prolonged period of time working from home, but this time things were different. Unlike the ‘before’ times when we were still able to go out, have people over, and travel this was the year where the line between work and home blurred to no recognition. 

On many occasions working from home turned into sleeping at the office with little opportunity, or time, to get outside. There were no vacations, weekdays and weekends lost definition, and social activities and hobbies were all taking place on the same digital devices that I was already spending my days and nights working on. As a freelancer, I was afraid to say no to work or take time off to rest because the uncertainty of the future – the financial uncertainty of the unknown future – is frightening, a feeling I am certain many of us have been experiencing.

Research shows that on average “remote workers actually work longer hours than their in-office counterparts, even without supervision or incentive”. This, of course, can lead to higher burnout rates which “can lead to long-term health and career regression”(Forbes). The main reasons for this burnout, according to Forbes (and many other articles) are:

• Inability to disconnect
• Lack of workplace inspiration
• Lack of a supportive environment.

Now, all that is paired with loneliness and the non-existence of social life. We are all left to our own devices, especially those who live alone.

According to CAMH burnout is “a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress”. This type of burnout can make a person feel “emotionally drained and unable to function in the context of work and other aspects of life.” It can also reduce productivity and lower motivation making one feel “helpless, hopeless and resentful” (CAMH). Personally, I thought I was doing quite well: it’s fine, I have work, I have a good bubble (however tiny), and I’m generally good at being alone, keeping myself busy. Reading this definition, however, really put things in perspective. This train of thought explained my general feelings of apathy, exhaustion, and waves of uncontrollable anger living rent-free in my head… No doubt also fueled by the historic events happening one after another around the world. 

Soon enough I began to feel claustrophobic in my home. I was annoyed with my plants, my cat, and bits of my home universe that used to give me joy. I needed to spend some time in a place that was safe and was not the walls I have been looking at all these months. So my partner and I booked a last-minute AirBNB Christmas getaway a few hours out of the city. To minimize exposure to other people we stocked up on groceries from a local city supermarket, packed the car, and drove directly to the rental (house tour video here). 

This wonderful Chapel AirBNB is located in Plympton-Wyoming, a small town about 3 hours outside of Toronto. The nearby area welcomes you with broad farmlands and a lovely conservation area. Christmas Eve weather was a magical snowfall. The next day was naturally a windy and a very cold day, making it challenging to explore the park and beach. But seeing new nature and scenery was worth the freezing stroll. 

I can’t say that this small trip solved my issues completely or released the burnout. But the change of scenery certainly eased the ‘holiday break’ and added a little colour to the otherwise dull routine. 

This time has been about finding ways to give new dimensions to my regular environment and finding joy in having drinks at the dining table under candlelight. It has been about dressing up for dinner, or listening to the sound of a crackling fire (streaming on Netflix). In this new space, we cooked together, ran around in the snow, and spent hours sipping cocktails by the fire. A kind of self-serve cozy bar that has nothing to do with my daily digital routine. In time, some distress and apathy melted away. 

Dealing with stress and apathy

Our options to add colour back into our lives are still limited and it’s hard to tell how long we’ll be living through history. But there are a handful of (band-aid) solutions that can help make this experience a little bit easier. I really like this Medium article that encourages self-care through a well-managed work routine. Click through for the complete read but the main points are:

• Set consistent work hours
• Sleep more
• Adopt slow mornings 
• Prioritize
• Get outside
• Move more 
• Stay hydrated and eat well
• Set aside time for exercise and self-care
• Take a vacation (as in time off work)

It is especially important to consider self-care now that we are going through the second wave of COVID-19 lockdown and in the winter months. According to CTV News, “many experts are concerned that seasonal affective disorder could make pandemic mental health even worse”. This means we need to start embracing the cold for the sake of mental and physical benefits. I will be first to admit I’m not stoked to spend prolonged periods of time in the cold winter weather. But I do notice that even short walks make a difference in my mood and motivation.

This year, I promise to take better care of myself and to work less (especially on the weekends). I will also try to explore this beautiful province, even if it takes wearing half of my winter wardrobe at once. 

What will you do for yourself this year?

The post Finding ways to release the pandemic-related apathy in small strides appeared first on Paths to Travel.

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Eating Europe is a passion project of Philadelphia-born Kenny Dunn. The company hosts walking food tours across Europe with a focus on unique neighbourhoods and cuisine. For this particular tour of Jordaan, our local guide has an unmatched passion for Amsterdam, a great deal of knowledge about the city, and the uniquely Dutch delicacies we are about to taste.

As we patiently wait for our hot beverages in the back of Café Papeneiland, Marjolein de Cleen, our guide, flips over to the map of Amsterdam, pointing out how Jordaan’s structure is significantly different from the rest of the city. Jordaan (pronounced “Yordan”) was built in the early 17th century as a neighbourhood for the poor working class and immigrants. Years later, in the late 20th century, a flock of artists, students, and young professionals moved in. The new residents reinforced Jordaan’s community bonds deeply rooted in historic events and the struggles of those who were here first.

Today Jordaan is one of the most famous neighbourhoods in the Netherlands, home to many new and historic cafes, cosy pubs, and boutique shops. Our meeting point, Café Papeneiland, is one of those historic spots. Located between two notable canals (Browersgracht and Prinsengracht), the sheer architecture of which attracts tourists and painters alike. “It’s a kind of place we call browned” Marjolein shares pointing out the old wood frame, traditional decor, and nicotine-stained ceilings. This is the kind of place where in the old days locals sat for hours sipping Jenever or cold beer from a nearby brewery.

Hot coffee and fresh mint tea in glass cups are being passed around the table promptly followed by apple pie. “We have a few stops ahead of us” Marjolein comments, “so these are smaller pieces” I can’t help but gasp looking at the generous portion with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on it. A Dutch apple pie has a thicker, more cake-like crust, filled with fresh apples seasoned with cinnamon. The apple stuffing is not as sweet as American pies so my objections to the rather large piece of it become promptly irrelevant as I scoop the last piece of the tasty goodness on the spoon before we head out.

As we walk along the canal turning into the narrow inner streets Marjolein fills the time with stories about Amsterdam, pointing out her favourite shops and the unique aspects of Dutch architecture. Due to the history of Jordaan some of the original buildings have been torn down and replaced with newer, more blocky structures merely pretending to match the history and resilience built into this neighborhood over the years. The conversation naturally pivots to food as we approach our next stop. JWO Lekkernijen is a traditional deli owned by Ongkie and Jan-Willem. Our group zipped up to the noses, perches up on the bench by the entrance waiting for our host to bring out the goods: young cheese made from raw milk (about 4 months old), old cheese (8 months or more), a flavoured cheese with anise, candied ginger, and fig almond bread – something sweet to eat with particularly dry old farmer cheeses. To properly taste the cheeses our guide advises we put the candied ginger on the cheese and eat them together, just like the Dutch.

Having fulfilled our cheese curiosities we are back on the street, minding the bikers. “Bike!” Marjolein shouts and we all scatter against the wall giving way to a speeding cyclist yet another time. Over the bridge the street opens on another corner shop, a fish-shaped logo spelling out “Catch” can be seen on the window and the hanging sign. “Is that where we’re going next?” I inquire in excitement. Marjolein nods with a smile.

As we enter the shop a display of fresh fish and mixed seafood greets us just before we walk up a few steps to the seating area. As usual, our host touches base with the staff arranging our tasting while we try to warm up our hands after walking in the cool rain. To speed up the process the shopkeeper brings us all a sampling of Jenever, a traditional juniper liqueur, to go with our first tasting course: fermented haring (herring) served with fresh-cut onions and pickles. A dish like this one is typically Dutch and has an acquired taste. The look of the fish immediately reminds me of the Ukrainian version of the dish, called “seledka,” also pickled and a bit saltier. “Not for me” a woman sitting across the table pushes away her napkin, but her disdain for the fish is to my advantage – it’s one of my favourite things to eat! The next dish is much more palatable for the whole group: kibbling, lightly battered, crispy golden chunks of white fish served with tartar sauce.

The next few streets take us into a local deli, Slagerij Louman-Jordaan, a tiny butcher shop serving “the taste of the Jordaan for over a hundred years,” their napkin proclaims, two blue-crowned blue pigs holding up the sign. Standing in a circle over a round wooden board we proceed to taste the freshly prepared meats: grilled sausage, grilled beef and pork with spices, ham, and dried sausage with fennel. The oddest and newest flavour, however, is the cold-smoked Ossenworst. Traditionally this is an ox sausage but here it is made from pure beef with spices imported from the East Indies, at first glance, it looks raw and on bite has a tartare-like texture but a very light, battery taste that you could spread on crispy bread.

Running a little behind we make our way over to Tom’s Bread & More for fresh stroopwafels, wafer-thin cookies sandwiched with caramel syrup. Here at Tom’s the stroopwafels are made in-house and served in a homey atmosphere along with sandwiches and warm paninis. I promptly stuff a box of cookies to take home into a bag and follow out on the street towards our last stop, Cafe ‘t Smalle. Formerly a liqueur store by the same name this is a charming small bar on Egelantiersgracht.

Taking a narrow winding staircase to the second-floor sitting area we spread out around the room on wooden chairs overlooking the bar. At ease with my jacket off and hands warm once again I sit back leaving room for the bar staff to set down a plate of tiny puffed pancakes called poffertjes. Generously dusted with powdered sugar these pancakes are a Dutch favourite, soft and chewy on the inside, perfectly shaped little saucers of sweet goodness. For a beverage pairing our hosts ask to choose a small beer or a glass of Jenever. One of our companions reaches out and pulls the small tulip glass towards him and we all gasp in shame as the top layer spills out of the glass on the table, but I make sure to drink mine properly, just like the Dutch.

How to get here

Jordaan is located in the heart of Amsterdam. You can walk there from Central Station, about 20 minutes, or take public transit. A variety of international airlines have frequent direct flights to Amsterdam. You can also easily take a train from a neighbouring country. See RailEurope for train options. In the past, I’ve been able to have printed tickets delivered to my home in Canada.

Where to stay

We stayed at The Hendrick’s Hotel, located a few canals over from Jordaan. Hendrick’s is a lovely modern boutique hotel with an incredibly accommodating staff.

Booking the tour

Eating Europe hosts tours in multiple cities across Europe. This tour, in particular, Jordaan Food Tour, can be booked online here.

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