Boarding Passes for Valkyries
Boarding Passes for Valkyries
Singing is a great profession if you like to travel. I love planning trips, getting to the airport, meeting new people, and reconnecting with existing connections. It’s my favorite spice of life. I’ve even applied to programs and audition opportunities just for the trip — it's a major win if I know someone in that city.
In 2018, I did Così fan tutte in Henfenfeld, Germany. After the production finished, I stayed a few extra days to vacation in Salzburg. One day, while having a coffee, I was scrolling Facebook and saw a friend of mine — who was traveling with his dad — posting from Hamburg. After messaging him, we realized our paths were about to cross! We ended up going to Esco Bar in Salzburg. What were the odds, right?
I learned this the hard way — lugging a heavy suitcase around Europe years ago and not even using half the stuff I brought. Also, I hate waiting at baggage claim. I usually enjoy people-watching, but the novelty wears off quickly after a long travel day. It’s just nice to be able to go.
I use a carry-on whenever I travel within North America. I won’t say which brand, but my carry-on has a built-in closet divider that I LOVE. It doesn't have a zipper — it uses some sort of locking system I can’t describe — but it makes everything super accessible once I arrive. If anyone’s interested in which suitcase I use, feel free to reach out!
What’s annoying lately is how airlines are cracking down on carry-ons. To much protest, almost every airline in North America now charges for them. The most comical is WestJet’s Ultra Basic fare, which includes nothing. No carry-on, and constant debates with ground staff over what qualifies as a “personal item.” The amount you save is laughable — this kind of fare only really works for a letter courier or someone living between two places. It’s just the classic lowball sales technique: lure you in with a cheap fare, then tack on fees. Honestly, I don’t get why they don’t just raise the price of basic fares and include a carry-on. “Ultra Basic” fares are just insulting. You figure out pretty quickly you’re not saving any money.
I use Expedia because you can collect points and get discounts on future trips. I like that you can search for a flight, hotel, and rental car all at once — usually at a discount. That said, it has its downsides. Many airlines and hotels have opinions about third-party sites like Expedia or Booking.com. Issues for me have been rare, but when they happen, hotels and airlines are often very unhelpful if something goes wrong.
In 2022, I went to Australia and booked my flights through Expedia. We got a better deal by booking a flight with two layovers: Toronto to L.A., then to Fiji, and finally Sydney. We had an 11-hour layover in L.A., followed by another 16 hours of travel. So we tired ourselves out — hit the beach, then went rock climbing. We were so exhausted that we slept soundly over the Pacific and landed to a stunning Fijian sunrise. Six hours later, we arrived in a rudely cold Sydney — it was early spring, after all.
The problem came with our return. WestJet cancelled our L.A.–Toronto flight, and we got stuck in a runaround between them and Expedia. Eventually, Expedia saved the day after hours on hold. That wait brought out some serious inner-Karen energy — not rude, just very determined — and the rep ended up crediting me $100 toward a hotel for the extra 23 hours I had to wait in L.A. for a new flight. Not ideal, but we survived.
Like all things in life, travel deals are a gamble. Some people swear by booking early; others live for last-minute deals. I’ve done both. It’s not a science, but here’s what works for me:
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For long-haul trips (like Australia or Asia), book early — about 3 months in advance. Google says 52 days before departure is ideal, but honestly, the market’s unpredictable.
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For places like the Caribbean, last-minute can work. I once scored a flight + hotel deal to Mexico for $649 just two weeks out. My whole family ended up coming!
I also check Kayak.com to compare deals between airlines. It’s a handy extra tool.
My tip: use local grocery stores, and limit restaurant/café meals to once a day. Every region has its strengths and weaknesses, but I usually avoid going out for breakfast. I grab fruit, croissants, and tea from a grocery store, or sometimes bring instant oatmeal (great for Europe or NYC audition trips).
I do need coffee — that’s non-negotiable — but I alternate eating out for lunch or dinner. Google is decent for food recs, but reviews are essential thanks to SEO.
Besides the views, activities, and food — who you go with makes all the difference.
For U.S. audition trips, I usually travel solo. I’ve grown to appreciate it, but having company at your destination can turn a “meh” trip into a great one. I’m really lucky to have made friendly connections all over the world — it makes solo travel less lonely.
My recent trip to Winnipeg was amazing thanks to my dear friend Meagan. She’s a fantastic singer and a great conversationist. When I told people I was going to “The Peg,” the reactions were... memorable.
“I went to Winnipeg for a weekend... that was the longest two weeks of my life.”
Or my favourite:
“Enjoy the mosquitoes!”
Meagan and I had a blast — local food, delicious wines, and excellent conversation. Winnipeg felt like the most Canadian place I’ve ever visited. The weather changed from 25°C to snow within three days, but the people were warm and kind. I was also struck by how multicultural the city is. I’ll write more about “feeling Canadian” as a singer in a future post.
This week has been pretty much the same as last: still working on La Bohème, preparing for a G&S performance on Saturday, and singing some Mozart in Markham on Sunday. I’ll be sharing about my travels to Australia starting in late August, but until then, I’ll post more about my work and life at home.
Please comment if there’s a topic you’d like me to write about!
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