How my travel adventures began!
How it all began...
I am going to share the story of how my travel adventures began and why I became a travel blogger!
Hello! My name is Lorraine Black. I am an Indigenous Canadian travel blogger and English teacher. 🇨🇦
So, I have decided to start a travel blog.
Why? Well, many reasons…
My husband and I love road trips, adventuring, vacations, living in different places, and so much more!
We are always looking for our next weekend getaway, road trip, or vacation destination. When we go on road trips we like to be prepared for anything that’s why we pack well so we are ready for almost anything!
I thrive upon and get inspired from travel and the experiences that it brings!
I even love the feeling of going to the airport. It always leads to something exciting or returning to loved ones.
Right now, we are living in Ontario, Canada and enjoying road trips and travelling other places. My husband and I will often pack a bag and just go. 🎒 No destination in mind… We say “let’s see where we will end up!”
It’s especially beautiful to take a road trip in the fall! If you have never seen a Canadian fall, check out Fall Colours in Southern Ontario, Canada! It’s very beautiful!
Here, in these blogs, I will share some of our adventures, past experiences, reviews, travel tips, and much, much more!
Why I started
So, back to why I started a travel blog, when I was finishing up high school, my Aunt offered me a summer job in British Columbia, Canada.
I nervously took the job at the age of 18. I almost passed up the experience because I would miss the summer with my friends…😮
It was the best thing that I could have done! It opened up my eyes 👀 to the world outside of my small hometown.
After the experience of living in British Columbia, I had my heart set on travelling, seeing new places, and having new experiences regularly!
I remember 1 very specific day, after my trip, like it was yesterday. I was in my early 20’s with my family and we were eating dinner.
I declared that I had an announcement to make.
I told my family that I am changing my lifestyle, and I will be working towards that change starting now. I said that my 1st plan is to work on a cruise ship, then go from there with my travelling lifestyle.
So, I started googling ‘how to get hired on a cruise ship’, ‘the best way to get a job on a cruise ship’, and more.
I found some cruise ship hiring agencies and began looking for cruise ship job postings.
It’s interesting because at that time the Sars virus was holding my back from getting the job. Now, I also have the perspective of looking at the effect that Covid has had on society. Very different…
Anyways, I got my boat licence and my VHF radio licence because I thought that it would help my chances of getting a cruise ship job. I created a cover letter and resume for cruise ship employment.
I began searching for job posting to work on a cruise ship.
I finally found a posting for the position that I wanted- Youth Counsellor on Carnival Cruise Lines! That basically means running the children and family programs.
Breaking down obstacles!
Before this I had not travelled to much outside of Canada. Of course, I had been out west and many times to Niagara Falls. In fact, I wrote about Niagara Falls- Clifton Hill Attractions and about 16 Epic Things To Do in Niagara Falls that you can check out here!
Anyways, I found the job posting, but because of the Sars virus happening in the Toronto area, the hiring company cancelled all their interview dates in Toronto.
They had several others stops across Canada.
I was determined to get THAT job. So, I called the agency to talk to the hiring person.
So, he picked up the phone and I confidently said...
“Hi, my name is Lorraine Black, I am the person for the youth counsellor job! I know you won’t come to Toronto now, so I will come to you. You tell me when and where, and I will be there!”
I said that I could come to Montreal and that I have everything ready for the interview already. I told him I am ready to hop on a train tomorrow or whenever, so which day words for him???
He stammered a bit, then gave me an interview date and time!! I booked my train ticket and hostel, and I was on my way a week after that.
Interview time...
I was in the waiting room with a large group of eager people waiting for good news!
I filled out a package of paperwork, then waited more…
I had an interview with 9 other people hoping for the youth counsellor jobs.
There was a panel of about 8 people interviewing us. The interviewers asked a question, then each one of us would have to give our answers to the panel.
I did my best to ignore the other interviewees and pretend that I was the only one being interviewed.
After, we waited to hear who was shortlisted.
The results are in...
I got approved for the next step towards being hired.
I had to complete more paper work. This included a security check and a medical.
Then finally, I was officially HIRED!
Woohoo!! 😃
What about you?
This is how my life and love of travel began with Carnival Cruise Lines.
I would love to hear about how your travel experiences began in the comment section below.
I would also love to hear about your cruise ship experiences in the comment section below.
Thank you for reading! I am looking forwards to your comments with any questions or comments.
By the way, my first cruise ship took me to ports in Mexico! This is how I first fell in love with Mexico!
I have continued to learn and write about Mexico. Here are a few examples!
Interesting Facts About Mexico
Guide to Pueblos Magicos in Mexico
Best Mexico Travel Tips! (Read Before You Go)
Everything you need to know about being a vegetarian in Mexico
Here you can check out my other travel blogs, English Courses, and Shop.
The Comments
Seth
Such helpful information! This helped me so much
Lorraine
> SethThank you Seth! I hope you your cruise ship adventures are wonderful!
Jaime
Wow I like you history I looking forward to hearing to next blog!!
Lorraine
> JaimeThank you Jaime. The next blog has recently just came out! Please feel free to comment again, and to share about you! Thanks! 🙂
Wendy
Cruise ship life sounds so great! I am looking forward to hearing more!
Lorraine
> WendyThanks Wendy! It was definitely an adventure! I am looking forward to sharing more, and if you like hearing about your stories!
Sally
Looking forward to the next one!
Lorraine
> SallyThank you Sally! I am looking forward to sharing it with you! Feel free to share and tell me about your travels!
Lorraine
Hello, I hope you enjoyed my 1st blog. I am looking forward to reading your comments and questions!
Thank you.