Samesun Nation Travel Blog http://www.samesun.com/blog Samesun Backpacker Lodges provides affordable and economical hostelling accommodation in British Columbia and Alberta! Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:25:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 St Paddy’s in the Beaver East http://www.samesun.com/blog/st-paddys-in-the-beaver-east/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=st-paddys-in-the-beaver-east http://www.samesun.com/blog/st-paddys-in-the-beaver-east/#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:25:56 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=115 St Paddy’s in the Beaver East
It’s all a little hazy, but from what I can recall, St Paddy’s Day in the Beaver East was epic. Everyone was in great spirits and in the mood to party hard and drink green beer and Agwa. I think ...]]> St Paddy’s in the Beaver East
It’s all a little hazy, but from what I can recall, St Paddy’s Day in the Beaver East was epic. Everyone was in great spirits and in the mood to party hard and drink green beer and Agwa. I think a lot of people showed up drunk to their various jobs around Banff. There was plenty of dancing after the Irish stew finished. Josh, the newest member of our maintenance team, got really into the spirit of the night when he allowed Em to paint his entire chest green. For some reason this inspired several other boys to take their shirts off and dance. I’m not sure anyone can explain that…Maybe it was in celebration, because it started shortly after Nick was named the winner of the coveted Big Rocksnowboard. Nick wasn’t the only winner for the night, RayRay was very pleased with the Sex in the Outdoors book she also won in the draw and hopes to try out some of its moves this summer – and Banff’s just the place to do it. Steve and James won drinks for their enthusiastic dance moves and after an intense limbo competition the “judges” called a three way tie between Em, Ralphie and Caroline. I’d relay more of the stories but someone gave me a Bacardi 151 bomb and everything gets pretty vague in after that.  ]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/st-paddys-in-the-beaver-east/feed/ 0 A Welcome Home and a Farewell http://www.samesun.com/blog/a-welcome-home-and-a-farewell/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-welcome-home-and-a-farewell http://www.samesun.com/blog/a-welcome-home-and-a-farewell/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 21:39:11 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=75 Elaine’s final Open Mic night in Vancouver, so needless to say, we were greeted by several happy drunk people when we arrived. Unfortunately, Luke and Clint didn’t do a romantic duet, but a couple of members from Elaine’s fan club did, singing a tribute version of her song “Missing You”. A few old faces turned up for the night too, and several local Vancouver musicians came to impress us with their song stylings, which is always a bonus in a the Beav. Elaine sang a few of her classics too, and got the crowd going. Her departure is going to leave, as she humbly says, “a gaping hole in Vancouver”. But don't despair, she’ll be keeping Beaver East crowds warm in Banff all winter, which I’m pretty stoked about since I’ll be moving there in a couple months. So, if you’re in Banff in the next few months, make sure you stop in to say hi to us and ask her to play you a song. Well, see if you can stop her!]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/a-welcome-home-and-a-farewell/feed/ 0 Watching and Yelling in the Beaver http://www.samesun.com/blog/watching-and-yelling-in-the-beaver/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=watching-and-yelling-in-the-beaver http://www.samesun.com/blog/watching-and-yelling-in-the-beaver/#comments Sat, 14 May 2011 20:53:46 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=73 http://www.samesun.com/blog/watching-and-yelling-in-the-beaver/feed/ 0 A Backpacker’s Adventure – First Stop Vancouver Samesun Hostel http://www.samesun.com/blog/samsun-backpackers-new-promo-video/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=samsun-backpackers-new-promo-video http://www.samesun.com/blog/samsun-backpackers-new-promo-video/#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 22:14:24 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=65 Join some fellow backpackers on their adventure in and around Vancouver, BC. Explore the great Samesun Hostel on Granville Street which offers affordable accommodations and see sights such as the Sea Wall, Grouse Mountain and more. Presented by your friends at Samesun Backpacker Lodges. This is the first in the series of promo videos as we work our way across BC and Alberta and introduce you to our Hostels first hand.]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/samsun-backpackers-new-promo-video/feed/ 0 420 Day- Cannabis Festival http://www.samesun.com/blog/420-day-cannabis-festival/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=420-day-cannabis-festival http://www.samesun.com/blog/420-day-cannabis-festival/#comments Sat, 16 Apr 2011 04:20:14 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=83 It is that time of year again.  Next week on Wednesday April 20th over 10,000 people will gather outside the steps of the VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery) to celebrate and smoke the lovely Mary Jane. Join Michy and Ross our resident Gangalogists for joint rolling 101, cannabis culture, jewelry making, card playing and chillazing on the art gallery lawn....we gotta go early to get a good spot! Just thought i'd post a little bit of information about the infamous 4:20 day to get ya'll ready for the celebration. April 20 observances April 20 (4/20 in U.S. date notation) has evolved into a counterculture holiday, where people gather to celebrate and consume cannabis.[1] Some events have a political nature to them, advocating for the decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada, New Zeland and the United States. Canadian observance Ottawa, Ontario Annually, on April 20, thousands of activists gather on Parliament Hill and Major's hill to look toward the peace tower as they join each other in smoking marijuana when the clock strikes 4:20. Police keep an eye on protesters to make sure the peace is kept within correlation to law.[13][14] Montréal, Québec Every year on April 20, thousands of people gather at the Mont-Royal monument to celebrate 4/20. Police don't make arrests, although they do make their presence known. London, Ontario Each year on 4/20 thousands gather at Victoria Park downtown to celebrate. Over 2000 people joined the festivities in 2010 that included live music. London police made a presence but announced they were not going to lay any marijuana related charges. London is also the hometown of Canadian cannabis policy reform advocate Marc Emery. Toronto, Ontario Every year on the first Saturday in May(in observance of 4/20), a march takes through the city streets in advocacy of legalizing marijuana. The march ends up at Queen's Park Circle just north of the Ontario Provincial Parliament to celebrate 4/20 where there are both vendors and entertainers. Though the event is police-patrolled, no tickets were issued in 2010 while over 30,000 people participated in the revelry. Vancouver, British Columbia On April 20, 2009, an estimated nearly 10,000 people gathered around the Vancouver Art Gallery to celebrate "420". The police did not attempt to make arrests. This event has taken place in Vancouver annually for many years, and the police are generally tolerant of all marijuana use on April 20, and most other days. New Zealand observance Auckland In Auckland, New Zealand a 420 group meets regularly at the Daktory.[16] Dunedin In Dunedin, New Zealand, members of Otago NORML and some students at University of Otago meet every Wednesday and Friday at 4:20 pm under a Walnut tree on the University's Union Lawn to smoke cannabis in defiance of New Zealand's cannabis law. There was considerable media and police interest in the '420' group in 2008, resulting in the arrest of a student and the issuance of trespass notices to members of the public at one of the 4:20 pm meetings. The group leader was arrested for cannabis possession at a university Market Day unrelated to the 4:20 meetings,[23] but was later discharged without conviction on all charges.[24] The group celebrated their 5th anniversary on 11 September 2009. American observance San Francisco, California Every year thousands of people flock from all over California to San Francisco's Hippie Hill, located in Golden Gate Park near the famousHaight-Ashbury district.[6] University of California, Santa Cruz A celebration on April 20 takes place every year in the Porter College meadow at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The event has grown during recent years after the city of Santa Cruz passed Measure K in 2006, making marijuana a low-priority crime. Participants in the event are often confronted by religious anti-drug activists, yet these protesters are largely ignored. Students and others gather to smokecannabis at a meadow near Porter Collegeon April 20, 2007—"420 Day". University of Colorado, Boulder A large celebration is held every year on the University of Colorado's Boulder campus, with attendance reaching more than 11,000 in 2008. It has been estimated that in 2009 the crowd surpassed the 10,000 attendee mark that was set in 2008. This would make CU Boulder's celebration of the hopeful legalization of marijuana one of the largest such celebrations in the United States.[7][8] University police have tried various methods to prevent the gathering, including photographing students participating in the event,[9] but the crowd has grown every year.[8] The university and police have taken a more hands-off approach since 2006, emphasizing event safety over possession citations. Recent growth of the medical marijuana industry in Colorado is expected to add momentum to future events.[10] On April 15, 2009, the Office of the Chancellor sent an e-mail to all CU students regarding the 2009 celebration of 4/20 stating that the event would debase "the reputation of your university and degree." The CU student newspaper disagreed with the Chancellor's analysis.[11] No possession tickets were issued at the 2009 event. Hope to see you all out on Wednesday. SIGN UP @ THE FRONT DESK!]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/420-day-cannabis-festival/feed/ 0 Travel Dogs : Battle Blogs ~ The Introductions http://www.samesun.com/blog/travel-dogs-battle-blogs-the-introductions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travel-dogs-battle-blogs-the-introductions http://www.samesun.com/blog/travel-dogs-battle-blogs-the-introductions/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:07:50 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=8 Travel Dogs : Battle Blogs ~ The Introductions
Hey backpackers, its my pleasure to introduce you to an all new feature that will be launching today on the Samesun Nation Blog, “the” Travel Dogs: Battle Blogs!....it will be a head-to-head best travel story battle between Joel from Samesun ...]]> Travel Dogs : Battle Blogs ~ The Introductions
Hey backpackers, its my pleasure to introduce you to an all new feature that will be launching today on the Samesun Nation Blog, “the” Travel Dogs: Battle Blogs!....it will be a head-to-head best travel story battle between Joel from Samesun Banff and Pete from Samesun Vancouver. These boys know their way around, having visited over 110 countries combined! From Mongolia to Ethiopia these boys have got'er done! They will square off monthly mano a mano hashing out their best travel stories for all to enjoy. It could get ugly as they have been given cart blanche in this no holds bard barred blogging clash. So grab your favorite beverage and an easy chair and enjoy the ride.....First up The Introductions!

In the Blue Corner...

  Name: Joel Mundie Profile: Tall handsome with a very long tongue (a.k.a. The lizard) Height: 6 foot 1 Weight: 185pds (84kg) Drink of Choice: Red wine (usually after 4 warm up beers and a jagger Shot) Weapon of choice: My fishing rod....a have never traveled to any of the 64 countries i have been to without my telescopic portable fishing gear. I have got some big ass fish with that thing....i'll send a photo from home And show you! Top 3 favorite backpacking countries:
  1. Mongolia
  2. Mozambique
  3. Fiji
Country Count: 64 Where do i want to travel next: Peru and Ecuador .....perhaps Bolivia for a Beer(with CK). I want to see every officially designated country by the U.N(and I have been to 6 continents)
DYING TO SEE THE ANTARCTIC...EVEN THOUGH ITS NOT A COUNTRY...

In the Red Corner.....

  Name: Pete Edwards Profile: Shaggy, handsome and can spell Height: 5'11 Weight: 170 pounds.. I think Drink of Choice: Beer (preferably Canadian, but the Belgians are good too) Weapon of choice: Hockey stick of course Top 3 favorite backpacking countries:
  1. Ethiopia
  2. Syria
  3. Myanmar
Country Count: 47 I think. What counts as a country? Quality not quantity! Where do i want to travel next: Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina
I just wanna keep traveling and givin' er! Preach the hockey song to the world.
]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/travel-dogs-battle-blogs-the-introductions/feed/ 0 Samesun Cause of the Week: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society http://www.samesun.com/blog/samesun-cause-of-the-week-sea-shepherd-conservation-society/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=samesun-cause-of-the-week-sea-shepherd-conservation-society http://www.samesun.com/blog/samesun-cause-of-the-week-sea-shepherd-conservation-society/#comments Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:02:12 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=58 You may have seen them in action on Animal Planet’s popular TV series “Whale Wars”. Their major campaigns include stopping the illegal Japanese whale hunt in the Antarctic whale sanctuary every year (for “scientific research” - ya right), blue fin Tuna poaching, and the obliteration of the shark species for their fins. Sea Shepherd's Mission Statement:
Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
We encourage you to check them out at www.seashepherd.org ...every little bit of cash donation and exposure helps, so if nothing else please do give them a plug on your Facebook. Peace. Samesun Nation ]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/samesun-cause-of-the-week-sea-shepherd-conservation-society/feed/ 0 National Hockey League!!! at da Beaver!! http://www.samesun.com/blog/national-hockey-league-at-da-beaver/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=national-hockey-league-at-da-beaver http://www.samesun.com/blog/national-hockey-league-at-da-beaver/#comments Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:54:31 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=51 http://www.samesun.com/blog/national-hockey-league-at-da-beaver/feed/ 0 Travel Dogs: Battle Blogs ~ Semana Santa Festival in Antigua, Guatemala http://www.samesun.com/blog/travel-dogs-battle-blogs-semana-santa-festival-in-antigua-guatemala/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travel-dogs-battle-blogs-semana-santa-festival-in-antigua-guatemala http://www.samesun.com/blog/travel-dogs-battle-blogs-semana-santa-festival-in-antigua-guatemala/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:45:31 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=89 Travel Dogs: Battle Blogs ~ Semana Santa Festival in Antigua, Guatemala
  The night before the grand processions of the Semana Santa festival in Antigua, Guatemala I found myself in the front pew of the Iglesias San Francisco. Now it’s not unusual to find myself in a Cathedral even though I ...]]> Travel Dogs: Battle Blogs ~ Semana Santa Festival in Antigua, Guatemala
  The night before the grand processions of the Semana Santa festival in Antigua, Guatemala I found myself in the front pew of the Iglesias San Francisco. Now it’s not unusual to find myself in a Cathedral even though I am a non secular person. I will often allow myself a few minutes to enjoy the history and architecture of beautiful churches and temples while travelling the world. I have long ago ceased to petition the Big Guy Upstairs with my insignificant concerns, but this evening I decided to throw in a few irreverent petitions… “…and so Jesus and or God and Saints or whoever is answering the phone this evening. It’s been a long lonely day of travelling so if you could manage to divert a fellow backpacker my way it would be greatly appreciated…a drinking comrade for the evening perhaps” “...thanks in advance, peace out, Joel” Antigua comes alive with its annual Semana Santa Holy Week. The entire city participates in the solemn activities during the week with a joyous celebration and party on the Easter weekend. On Palm Sunday, “andas” or floats with images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus are carried on the shoulders of purple-robed devotees. The floats weigh up to 7,000 pounds (3600 kgs) and it takes up to 100 carriers to hoist the enormous platforms. I left the Cathedral to hit the cobblestoned streets, lined with pastel covered homes, as I had planned to stay up all night to help build some Alfombras, the beautiful sawdust carpets that adorn the streets during the weekend. If your reading this, go google ‘Semana Santa Alfombras’…take a look at the intricate designs made up of coloured sand, sawdust, pine needles, chrysanthemums, carnations, and even roses.   Around one in the morning I noticed there were two beautiful blond Finnish sisters morosely perched upon their backpacks on the street corner. I perceived something was askew as my Spidey Senses were tingling. It turned out that their house stay had fallen through and they had no place to stay in the most booked-out town in Central America. Luckily I had two empty beds in my room as the two Yanks I had been travelling with never showed... ...Jesus had given me two Finnish girls...Jesus is so cool! Semana Santa was a truly spectacular experience. Jesus is really BIG down here...bigger than Wayne Gretzky in Canada or Steve Irwin in Australia. Take one hundred thousand or more people, ancient cobblestoned streets enveloped with beautiful art work, hundreds of hooded men in purple and black robes carrying eighty foot long platforms with iconic statues on them, followed by throngs of Roman Centurions on horseback. And of course throw in beer consumption on a massive scale... There you have Santa Semena. Side notes...I still haven’t figured out how the beer fits in with a religious festival and why Roman Centurions make me nervous...nothing but trouble those Romans…but the beer was .80 cents and delicious! After 4 days of incense and crosses it was time to say goodbye to Antigua...plus I am pretty sure I pissed of the head Purple Guy in town and that’s not a good thing. I packed up my backpack and Finnish girls and headed for the Pacific Ocean...it was time to get rid of my not-so-healthy looking hue of Canadian white. I know some travelers would prefer the beer soaked, tourist puking tents of Oktoberfest in Germany, or the surreal and blurry nights at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or the callous running of the bulls in Pamplona….but for me I will choose the more sublime beauty of Semana Sanata in Antigua. A festival seeped in culture, history and charm! Give it a try my fellow globe trotters…you won’t be disappointed. I don't know what festival Pete has chosen...probably the 'Barbie Doll Collectors Festival' in Des Moines. But I look foward to battling against his witty travel stories! Although being attacked by Pete is like being savaged by a dead marmot... ~ Joel Mundie]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/travel-dogs-battle-blogs-semana-santa-festival-in-antigua-guatemala/feed/ 0 The Samesun Nation Manifesto http://www.samesun.com/blog/the-samesun-nation-manifesto/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-samesun-nation-manifesto http://www.samesun.com/blog/the-samesun-nation-manifesto/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:00:45 +0000 samesunnation http://www.samesun.com/blog/?p=4 We do not believe that the planet was intended to be mined, stripped, and polluted. And we do not believe that the human race has the unilateral right to decide which species deserve to live and which we can eradicate at will. We believe elephant tusks belong on elephants, not on pianos. We believe rhino horns belong on rhinos, not on the mantles of the rich or ignorant. We believe that killing thousands of whales each year in the name of 'scientific research' is disgusting and wrong. We believe that shark fins belong on sharks, not in soup. We condemn trading blood for oil, blood for religion, blood for borders. We believe in peace. We are not asking for our planet back, we are taking it back. And finally, we believe that the greatest path towards understanding different people, places, and cultures comes from TRAVELING, and so that is what we yearn to do. We are one people, under one sun. We are SameSun Nation.]]> http://www.samesun.com/blog/the-samesun-nation-manifesto/feed/ 0