Day three ended on a great note with a very exciting rally at Queens University where we were thrilled to see the most attendance of any rally so far!

We're now in Ottawa, preparing for what should be the most exciting rally so far. We're joined by Dr. David Suzuki. I can't really add anything to that statement. David boarded the train to Ottawa and spoke with students who won the RBC FLICK OFF Campus Challenge, where he challenged them to become active (or more active) on the issues surrounding the environment.

Dr. Suzuki was intense, to say the least. His every word, quick to leave his mouth, with a certain sharp note that pierces through one's psyche and filled everyone with passion. And while his every enunciation was speedy and intense in delivery, I felt the passion, conviction, and years of experience that backed every sentence and word.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing David speak to a large audience here in Ottawa at 2:30pm on this wonderful sunny autumnal afternoon, because it will innevitably fill me with greater passion for the cause that is the environment.

Dr. Suzuki's message is much more about collective group action, much like FLICK OFF, and while he does advocate that individuals should give their all, he insists that the collective will create changes at all levels of leadership within our country.

The time to act is NOW, he insists, not in some distant future. Act now! FLICK OFF!

Join the rally today at Confederation park in Ottawa at 2:30pm!

Day 2 of the FLICK OFF Express tour was a great one! Jian Ghomeshi took the stage with power and passion and drew in a pretty significant crowd. The weather was cold and windy, but it did not dampen the spirits of anyone in attendance.

The RBC Blue Water Project street team exchanged another really significant amount of plastic water bottles for our fantastic aluminum ones, saving hundreds of thousands of probably plastic water bottles from every hitting their hands.

We're now on location at Queen's University getting ready for the Kingston Ontario version of the rally. On the train ride over to Kingston, we were joined by 6 students from York University who got the opportunity to be on the train because of their involvement in environmental and sustainability activities on their campus! They got involved, and it paid off, as does any involvement in environmental issues.

We'll be staying in Kingston tonight and hanging out with all of the band members from the Constantines and Spiral Beach, as well as our Emcee Gill Deacon, and a whole group of amazing people from the David Suzuki Foundation! Tomorrow morning, we'll be on our way to Ottawa for our final stop on the FLICK OFF Express at Confederation Park near the University of Ottawa.

The show starts at 2:30pm and runs for about an hour and a half! The shows have been amazing thus far, and you'd be crazy to miss all the action! Come out and see us, or join our Facebook event!

Here's the video from the first day of the FLICK OFF Express tour!!

We're on site at UWO getting ready for the big rally at 2pm in front of the University Community Centre (on the concrete beach!) I was just outside speaking to students about bottled water and participating in a bottle exchange where students trade in their plastic water bottles for some really sweet RBC Blue Water Project stainless steel bottles!

While we wait for the rally to begin, I've been hanging out with some of the awesome people who are on the tour with us... Gill Deacon, Sara Harmer, and most recently .

José is an expert in renewable energy and was extremely passionate in speaking to me about the importance of obtaining our leaders' support to implement a renewable energy solution NOW!

If you can make it out to the rally at any one of our four campuses, this is a great way to do just that! We'll be calling on our nation's leadership to make those changes now, while spreading the message that we can do our part too!

FLICK OFF!

It's shortly before 7am on this (hopefully) marvelous Wednesday morning, and I will be leaving soon to board the FLICK OFF Express to London, Ontario. I have my camera ready, and my laptop batteries fully charged and I'm ready to get out onto the train and join the tour!

I'll be posting videos of the trip, rallies, and various awesome campus activities as they take place so that you can see them here if you can't make it out to one of our four Ontario campus stops!

While you're waiting for the action to begin, be sure to check out this really sweet vid of David Suzuki telling you why you and your friends should FLICK OFF! as posted by Andrea, our FLICK OFF Express blogger!

Keep checking back often, and be sure to comment on all our blog entries! (We love the comment love!)

Alone, With Friend or On a Tour

Prior to this Contiki tour, I had never really been anywhere. I have friends who have traveled the world and seen some amazing things. I’ve wanted to travel, but the opportunity never really arose, until now. This entry is mostly for those among you who haven’t yet spread your wings, and are wondering how you should go about doing so. Essentially, I’ll look at three of the ways that most people tend to do it:

Traveling Alone

The clear advantage of this method is that you are your own boss and call the shots. If nobody else is with you, then you see the things you want, according to your own schedule. Some people will much prefer to be independent and not rely on someone else. Also, having a friend will decrease the likelihood of branching out as much, since there is an element of comfort at your side at all times. The flipside is that you are, of course, alone. Certain cities can be more dangerous when traveling alone, and it’s always nice to have the added security of a close friend or partner. So while traveling alone may seem like the option you want, it’s wise to consider all the potential pros and cons.

With Friend (Partner, Family Member)

For someone who has never traveled before, the whole experience can be quite daunting. Not everyone is capable of embarking on this journey by themselves, without someone to help them along. This is where a friend, partner or family member can come in handy. Whether they are also first-time travelers or experienced, the fact remains that sometimes we simply need someone by our side to make us feel more comfortable in challenging situations. And again, it’s much more secure having someone along for the ride rather than being alone in foreign locations. There are countless amazing places on earth and sometimes you want to share it with someone.

On a Tour
Seeing as how this is the way I ventured across Europe, I can definitely say that it was a great introduction to traveling. There is an element of structured activities mixed with the freedom to do your own thing. There are many people around if you wish to share experiences with someone, with the added bonus that you can always find someone who wants to do what you do. This may not be the case with a friend, leading to your missing some desired sights. Essentially, going on a tour (such as Contiki) allows you to explore by yourself or to enjoy the sights and scenes with good company.

When choosing a tour there is always the option to book it with a friend or to do it solo. Just like traveling without a tour, much of the same applies, but the big thing I have noticed is that many of those who came with a companion tend to stick with those people. Not always, of course, but much of the time the friends (partners) do the same activities and spend more time with each other. I can honestly say that one of the biggest attractions of my tour has been the awesome people I have met. Had I traveled with a friend, I may never have gotten to know these great people. These are just some of the things to consider when deciding to travel for the first time (or even the first time to a specific place). The ultimate goal is to maximize your enjoyment, and only YOU will truly know what that entails.

Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.

Here's a video about how you too can get scholarships, not just based on academic achievements!

Being an entrepreneur is all about inspiration. Or is it perspiration? I couldn't really remember which, so I had a chat with Morey Chaplick, the President of the Canadian Scooter Corp: I think it would be more appropriate if his title was the Canadian Grandfather of Vespa (even though he's not that old). If you own a new Vespa, are mesmerized by their beauty as one wisks by on a warm summer day or can one day see yourself navigating the open roads on one, then you have Morey to thank.

Morey says the rebirth of Vespa in Canada started pretty uneventfully. It all started on a trip to Italy in 2001. You almost have to let him tell the story; it was such an inspirational moment, that it's been forever ingrained in his memory, right down to the smallest of details. He was walking with his wife when a 55 year old gentleman in a beautiful, slim, grey suit and pressed linen shirt breezed past on, you guessed it, a Vespa (complete with Louis Vuitton saddle bags).

"That's so cool."

Canada needed Vespas, so, in the midst of selling a company he had recently taken public, Morey decided to begin shipping Vespas to Toronto; the thing is, due to some regulatory issues and the likes, Morey could only import old Vespas, refurbish them and then sell them. A couple of years after opening the store, Morey began thinking, "maybe this wasn't such a good idea..." People weren't that interested in buying used Vespas.

"It was labour of love, and definitely not about the money," recalls Morey, "I was having thoughts about closing." That's when he got a call from Piaggio about being the Canadian distributor of all things Vespa, something a lot easier said than done. Morey and his business partner had to make a strong case for Vespa coming back to the Canadian market. The lesson learned: when there's truth and passion to an argument, then things are going to change.

Thankfully, for us and Morey, after a long day of meetings in LA, he and his partner caught the red-eye back to Canada, with a Vespa deal in hand.

Vespa - the quintessential symbol romantic freedom. Morey Chaplick - the quintessential symbol of romantic entrepreneurialism. From Inspiration on a street corner in Italy to almost giving up hope, to seeing your dream come true in a way that is greater than you ever would have imagined.

"Every time I sell a scooter, I get really excited!" That's because one more person is falling in love with Vespa and one more person doesn't think he's crazy for bringing them to Canada. I'm going to venture to say that Morey feels as free running his business as he does cruising on a Vespa, "I have so much fun at work. When you have a great product and a great team, working is fun."

It was sweet talking to Morey, and his excitement is contagious; I'm going to go to his store on Laird and Eglington next week to look at some Vespas. Who knows, you may see me cruising the streets of Toronto on a Vespa, Louis Vuitton bags and all.

Recently I wrote a blog about scooter style and since then my mind has been racing (pun intended). I have had dreams about having a scooter and riding it around. Although my dream of having a scooter still hasn't been realized if I did have one these would be my top ten things to do when you own a scooter.

10. Take a spontaneous road trip. This was one of my favorite things to do when I had a car and is one of my favorite things to do on foot. Its an amazing feeling to just wake up and go somewhere you've never been before. My scooter would be perfect for short zippy random adventures.

9. Show off my new scooter wear. Scooters are slower and they are pretty unique and so what your wearing matters much more and I know I would love sporting my new scooter style.

8.Push my scooter to the limit. Whenever I get a new car I love taking it on the autobahn and going as fast as I can on it. I just think it would be awesome if I did that on my moto and struggled as all the ferraris, porsches and toyotas for that matter passed me.

7. Have a scooter photo shoot. Every time I rent a car or have a car I have a photo shoot with it and my friends. The scooter would make the perfect prop.

6. Become a scooter fanatic. If you have something new and cool like and iphone or a scooter the only thing to do is get immersed in its lifestyle and rave about it to all your friends.

5. Name my scooter. I don’t know what my scooters name would be but it surely would be a woman's name and something cute like Dolores or Phyllis. Talking to ones moto is definitely a must too.

4. See how many people I can fit on my scooter. Once I stuffed seven of my friends and myself in my mothers audi TT. I wonder how many I could fit on a Vespa?

3. Park. With how crazy parking is in Vancouver it would bring me so much joy just to go and park right in front of a bunch of SUV’s looking for a spot and dramatically get off my moto and walk away. It would feel so good.

2. Start a new reality show called “Pimp my Moto”. On German MTV instead of “pimp my ride” they have “Pimp my Fahrad (bicycle)” and I think that I should be Much Musics’ first guest on “Pimp my Moto”!

1.Play the “do you think I’m european” game. Now this is a game that I love to play on the airplane or in the airport but I think it would work even better with a moto. The way it works is when your out doing stuff you try and convince people that you are from europe without saying anything. A moto would definitely help make my act more believable.

That was so random I know but trust me once you've got the scooter syndrome you cant help dreaming about what your life will be like once you ride.

In Europe, when it comes to transportation, the smaller, the better. Unlike in North America, in Europe the houses came first and then they built the roads. In some ways, it’s the roads that give most European cities their quaintness. The tight winding cobblestone roads are so different from the massive boulevards of North American cities that it gives them a certain attraction. When you live in Europe, it’s easy for that attraction to fade away. Over-congested capitals have transformed the auto industry and in turn the style of transportation.

Small is in right now in Europe and the trend is beginning to spread to Canada too. The streets in Spain are packed with pricey but convenient Smart cars but even more than these mini vehicles are scooters. The identity of the scooter to me has always been encompassed by the Vespa, which in my mind was always the ultimate Italian motorized bicycle. Despite my admiration for these tools of transport I still always felt that they were girly and an unsuitable mode of transport for me. After a few months in Spain this summer all that has changed.

In Spain, boys and girls drive scooters without any obvious majority on either side. People as old as 70 ride “motos” here as do the teenagers. One of my main concerns about getting a scooter (now that my fear of the femininity of the scooter is gone) is scooter style. The main conflict between the scooter and style is that as a motorized vehicle it is particularly dangerous and therefore any scooter fashion will have safety first, fashion second and frankly that doesn't work for me.

A “moto” is not a motorcycle, it doesn't go as fast and it has an element of class to it as you are sitting up straight when you ride it. As a result how you look is much more visible to the public and so your scooter fashion is that much more important. In Spain, the way that most get around the safety-fashion conflict is that they just ignore the safety part and worry about the fashion aspect. That is something I can’t condone. Safety and fashion are not incompatible and the new scooter is style is testament to that.

Most of the scooter blogs discuss this issue of safety and style on some level. At CrashWear “safety and fashion collide” and they have some affordable and stylish reflective vests that will protect you when riding day or night. For other style tips relating to scooters check out Scooterswag.com for a bunch of current scooter news, fashion and events. Just like any style, scooter style has its own huge following with magazines, fashion and blogs.

Scoot! magazine has a blog that is pretty awesome. Recently it posted a blog about a NY special edition Vespa that I particularly enjoyed, especially the ad for it that they posted. The ad by Vespa commands in big letters “don’t be a gas-hole.” and encourages people to buy Vespas and save the environment.

Classic Vespa: European style and its minimalism works perfectly with the environmentally conscious. But if I’m seriously going to consider buying a Vespa I need some concerns cleared up, like how can I wear a helmet and not look like I just woke up every time I take it off and how can I deal with the constant rain in Vancouver once I have my scooter?

The key to dealing with the helmet concern is finding a helmet that you look better in then in your own hair, that way you won’t ever want to take it off and your noggin will always be safe. One look at the Vespa accessories and helmets site and you realize the potential hotness that lies in the world of Vespa safety. It is possible that by doing this you may begin to wear you helmet everywhere, indoors and out but who’s to say that’s such a bad idea in the world we live in.

The next issue was solved for me by a blog called “big guy, small scooter”. This guy Dave Dixon is from BC and so he knows what its like to ride in the rain and so I got some resolve from his blog. At least I wouldn't be the only crazy person riding in the rain.

Scooters are hot and that’s pretty much it. They get you around fast, are easy to park, are easy on gas, have a surprising first impression and best of all opens you up to a whole new niche of fashion and products to covet. For me, if I were to get a scooter it would be now, when I’m young so that I can live it up and flood my Facebook with photos of me and my ride.

Tell me what you think about the scoot?

Who knew being a miser had so many benefits?

Frugal [froo – guhl] adj.

1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful

In many ways, I would say I’m frugal. I tend not to like spending money if I don’t have to. Much of my wardrobe consists of pre-enjoyed clothing. My apartment is largely furnished with donated, found or inexpensive things. I’ll avoid cab rides at all costs. In essence, I go out of my way to make sure I get the best deal possible. If I could cut out those moments of splurging weakness I’d be all set. Wouldn’t we all. But being frugal doesn’t just save you money. I’ll show you how it is good for your body AND for the planet.

YOUR BODY

• Skateboarding, in-line skating, walking or busing all require more exercise than hopping in your car. And are cheaper.
• Buying less pre-packaged food (AKA the more expensive convenience food) will lead to healthier eating. It will give you a chance to get creative with cooking.
• Avoiding expensive fast food outings will also save you from these typically unhealthy treats. And again, you get to hone your culinary skills.
• Walking your groceries (less expensive than take-out) home – whether small trips frequently or larger trips infrequently – will develop your muscles and endurance. Especially if hills are involved.

Any of the options above can be considered better for the environment as well, reducing use of fossil fuels and unnecessary packaging. So they’re win-win (-win). In addition, the following frugal actions will help even more.

THE PLANET

• Not buying food and drink that is unnecessarily over-packaged. Things like 6 mini-cans of pop (1.42L for $3.29 is NOT a good deal), separate Pringles packs (just put them in reusable bags or containers) lead to packaging that often ends up (incorrectly) in our landfills. Also, the foods packaged this way tend to be less healthy.
• For products that come in tubes (hair styling products, lotions, toothpaste, etc) make sure you ACTUALLY empty them. If you can’t squeeze it out, cut it open and you’ll find there is often plenty left. Extending the life means less frequent buying and less garbage created.
• With shampoo, hand soap and dish soap make sure the bottles are actually empty. When you think there’s none left, you can put some water in them and get a few more uses. Again, less waste. BONUS: Buy the refills for hand soap pumps. For a dollar more you usually get twice as much.
• Create your own convenience foods by buying reusable bags and containers. These come in a multitude of shapes and sizes and can be rinsed out after use. It may be easier to buy the pre-portioned products but in the end it costs more, and for the most part can not be reused.

So there you have it. You may already do these, or think that they’re not particularly insightful. The point is that you can make simple changes to your lifestyle that benefit not only your pocketbook (who even has these anymore) but also your body and your planet, both of which you only have one. You may as well treat them right while you have them. If this helped you at all, share it with friends and everyone wins.

Don’t forget to comment with your own tips and tricks.

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