1. By Aisling!!

2. Canada!!
Canada is a first world country
Staying 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 million
Capital city: Ottawa
Currency: Canadian dollar
Language: English/ French
Religion: Christianity
Type of government: Constitutional monarchy

3. Interesting facts about Canada
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.

5. 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.

7. Transport
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

9. Places to visit
Niagara Falls
Niagara 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

10. Toronto Zoo
The 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.

11. CN Tower
The 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

12. Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’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.

13. Regions
Culture
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 businesslike 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.

14. 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.

15. Ice Hockey
Sports
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.
Basketball
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.
Lancrosse
Lacrosse 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).

16. Festivals
Winterlude 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.

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

20. Regions of Peru
The country is split into three regions…
The sierra (highlands),
a region of the Andes.
The selva (jungle),
a wide flat terrain
covered by the Amazon
rainforest.
The costa (coast),
to the west.

21. 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.
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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

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 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

26. 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

27. Lake Titicaca
Lake 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 years
They 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.

28. Tradition
This 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.