By Aisling!!

Canada!!Canada is a first world countryStaying for 4 months ( July 1st till 30th November)Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and northward into the Arctic Ocean.

Fact file:Population: 34,482,779/34.4 millionCapital city: OttawaCurrency: Canadian dollarLanguage: English/ French Religion: ChristianityType of government: Constitutional monarchy

Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia. The country is divided into 14 provinces. The state of Nunavut in Northern Canada was just built for the Inuit population.

The number plate for cars, motorbikes and snowmobiles in the Northern State of Nunavut is the shape of a polar bear.

Canada has got three islands in the top ten biggest islands in the world. They are: Baffin Islands which is more than double the size of Great Brittain and Victoria Island and Ellesmere Island which are roughly the size of England.

The country also has two of the biggest lakes in the world: Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake.

Canada's three biggest cities are Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Montreal, Canada's second biggest city after Toronto, is also the second biggest city in the world with a French speaking population after Paris.

Interesting facts about Canada

Exchange rate:

€1.00 = C$ 1.29

Flights:

Dublin - Toronto€1560.00

Accommodation:

I am renting a one bed apartment in Toronto for C$3700 for the four months. You would be able to contact me through the internet because the apartment has wifi.

Transport Canada oversees most aspects of transportation within Canada.Air Canada is Canada’s oldest airline, flying to more Canadian destinations than any other airline.Canada has an efficient national rail system called VIA Rail that links eight Canadian provinces. There is no rail service available in prince Edward Island,Newfoundland or the three northern territories.Driving in Canada or renting a car when visiting is a good option for exploring Canada. All major airports in Canada have at least one car rental company on-site. Canada's roads are generally well maintained and major highways link cities across the country.Canada has the most coastline in the world and the biggest lakes so ferry service is a important mode of transportation in certain regions. On the British Columbia coast and in the Maritimes, where there are lots of islands, ferries are necessary to getting around with and without cars.Most Canadian cities and major towns have a great public transport system. A large network of buses provides the main transport network for urban areas but other modes of transport are available. For example, Toronto has the Subway, Montreal has the Metro, Vancouver has its Sky Train and Ottawa the O-Train.

Transport

Places to visit

Niagara FallsNiagara Falls is the joined name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York.

They form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge.

http://youtu.be/ffnomkh0axw

Toronto ZooThe Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada.It is divided into seven zoogeographic sections; Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasian, Eurasia, and the Canadian Domain.It also has areas such as the Kids Zoo, Waterside Theatre, and Splash Island. The zoo is currently home to over 5,000 animals representing over 450 species.

CN TowerThe CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Standing 553.33 meters tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time.http://youtu.be/gam3qik82-8

Canada’s WonderlandCanada’s Wonderland is a theme park located in Ontario, Canada, north of Toronto. It was opened in 1981 and is the first major theme park in Canada and remains the country's largest.Canada's Wonderland is open from May to October.  The park has 16 roller coasters which is more than any other park outside of the United States.In 2012 Leviathan, opened, becoming the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada. The park also has a water park called Splash Works.

CultureRegions

Atlantic Provinces: The people are somewhat reserved and provincial, to the point that they are seen as old-fashioned.Ontario: This is the business hub and the people tend to be business-like and conservative.Western Canada: The people are open, friendly and relaxed.British Colombia: The people are less conventional. This province is often viewed as the Canada of the future.Quebec: The French region, has a distinct cultural identity. The people are extremely independent.North: The people have a strong pioneer spirit.

Cuisine Canadian food varies depending on the regions of the nation. Maple syrup was first collected and used by aboriginal people of Eastern Canada. Canada is the world's largest producer of maple syrup.Maple syrup is one of the most commonly consumed Canadian foods of Aboriginal origins. Common Canadian national food include: Poutine, Butter tarts, Nanaimo bars and peameal bacon.

Sports

Basketball is the second most popular sport in Canada. The love for this sport is growing so much, that in the bigger cities of Canada, basketball has become the sport of primary interest.

Known as the symbol of being a true Canadian. Sports enjoyed by many right from their childhood. Though it’s a winter sport, it is played in summer aswell, in indoor ice rinks.

Ice Hockey

Basketball

LancrosseLacrosse is the official sport of Canada but isn’t so popular among the general public. There is a National League established for Lacrosse with 9 teams participating (3 Canadian, 6 American).

FestivalsWinterlude is an annual festival in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec that celebrates winter. Winterlude is run by the National Capital Commission and was started in 1979. The event is one of Ottawa's most important tourist attractions, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The focal point of Winterlude is the Rideau Canal Skateway which is about 5 miles making it the largest skating rink in the world.The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario for 18 days.With about 1.3 million visitors each year, the CNE is Canada’s largest annual fair.The fair consists of pavilions, exhibits, shows, concerts, a working farm, horse show, casino and a large carnival midway with rides, games and food.A zip line ride was introduced during the 2013 CNE. The CNE zip line was the highest and longest temporary zip line in the world.

Background Research

Peru is located in western South America and has a coastline stretching along the Pacific Ocean.

Lima is the capital city and also the largest city of Peru.

Spanish and Quechua are predominantly spoken across the country but in less developed areas Amazonian languages are spoken. English is only spoken in tourist areas.

Before going on my trip to Peru I have done some background research into the basics of this country…

Regions of Peru The country is split into three regions…

The sierra (highlands), a region of the

Andes.

The costa (coast), to the west.

The selva (jungle), a wide flat terrain

covered by the Amazon rainforest.

The Peruvian government is closely linked with the Catholic Church. As a result Catholic religious symbols are found in all public places and on governmental buildings. Catholicism is the only religion taught in public schools. Cathedral of

Lima

Peru is a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system. This means the President is the head of state and government. Below him are the elected parties that run the governmental offices. Ollanta Humala is the current President who has been in presidency for 3 years an will complete his 5 year term in 2016.

Government building,

Lima.

Peru has one of the world's fastest-growing economies which is something to keep in mind when budgeting my expenses for the two months I will spend there.

The country has its own official currency called Nuevo sol but to the people it’s shortened to simply ‘sol’.

For every €1 you get S/.3.80 ….so that will give me a budget of S/. 15,200.

National flag

Transportation

How will I get there ?

The airline Air France provides a flight from Dublin airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France. From Paris another flight must be taken to Jorge Chávez International Airport l located in the port city of Callao in Lima.

On average the whole journey takes 13hours. A return flight costs €1,130 which is a lot more than I’d expected.

Buses are the normal form of transport for most Peruvians. Fares are relatively cheap. Services are frequent and of good standard.

Accommodation

How will I afford to live in Peru?

An organisation I came across was United Planet. Their aim is to encourage more people-to-people connections across cultures.

Within there program in Peru I can teach English. In return I will be immersed in the culture, language and daily life as I will be living with a Peruvian family for 6 weeks in Cusco.

Program costs €2566.62 typically include:

-Preparation and training before departure-Food and lodging from the family.-Airport transportation.-Medical insurance-4 hours of Spanish lessons weekly -Chance to experience cultural activities.

Town of Cusco

Machu Pichhu Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. It was built in the classical Inca style. It is referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas“.It is located in the Cusco Region in Peru. Most likely a retreat for Incan rulers.

Salkantay Trek: 4 days from peaks and glaciers, through forests and jungles, to the Machu Picchu.

This trek is physically demanding through a dozen of different terrains so I will try my best to prepare myself. I cannot wait to see one of the most amazing landscapes in South America.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1747373

Lake TiticacaLake Titicaca is a lake high in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is the largest lake in South America.It is often called the highest navigable lake in the world.On Lake Titicaca, one ancient people, the Uros. These people live on islands made of living reeds that float around the lake. The Uros people have been living on the lake for hundreds of yearsThey were forced to live on the floating islands

when the Incas expanded onto their land. There are 44 floating reed islands.

Tourists can take a boat out to the island where they can observe the Uros as they fish and make their handcrafts. They make their living by selling these and fishing aswell as charging people to visit their island. There is a rumour that the Uros travel to the main land when the tourists leave.

TraditionThis traditional dish is a guinea pig which tastes EXACTLY like

chicken or rabbit. It’s usually offered barbecued or baked and served with hot sauce. It’s traditionally served on special occasions

The traditional dress worn by Quechua women (traditional Peruvian) is a mixture of styles from Pre-Spanish days and Spanish Colonial peasant dress. Women from the communities of Huilloc & Patacancha still wear them today.

This is one of the most important religious celebrations to honour the Virgin of the Candelaria. Takes place on February 18th in the city on Puno. Various musical groups and dancers perform. It is a beautiful combination of colours, beauty and high spirit.