Wednesday 18 December 2013

American wheels

I'd had a plan when I set out on this trip to spend a few days driving around Florida. I thought it would be a good way to see different places, and it would give me a little more freedom than my Greyhound-heavy schedule had previously afforded me.

But as my journey south continued, the doubts began to creep in.

I'd heard nothing but negative comments about renting a car in the USA. No website I researched would give me a clear price for the rental, or made it so confusing that I wasn't sure what I'd be signing up for.

Even then, if I made it through the rental process, I'd then be left to fend for myself amongst the crazy drivers, often taking no notice of the rules, on these giant, reversed roads.

I ummed and I ahhhhed as I tend to do; considered the alternatives, and in the end threw caution to the wind. I managed to find a good pricing system on the STA website and just went for it. After all, how many times will I get to cruise the open highway heading up the Atlantic coast in the Sunshine State?

In actuality the car didn't quite fit the free spirit image.

It was a Ford Focus.

But a bloody good one! Just over 500 miles on the clock, new car smell, very lovely to drive.


And drive it I did! When I first got to the garage and the employee of the year waved his hand at three cars, said "One of them." and walked off, I was about to call the whole thing off! But I persevered, found a nicer attendant to show me the buttons and such, and then I was on the road. 

My initial experience wasn't so fun; the roads and roadworks around Fort Lauderdale were just messy, for a lack of a better adjective. The closure of the main road I'd planned to take threw another spanner in the works. But every cloud has a silver lining; it gave me the chance to visit Denny's for sustenance and to re-work my route. 

After my eggs and pancakes I hit the road and never looked back. The automatic aspect proved a doddle (after a few phantom gear stick grabbing). And to be honest, it provided some of my most enjoyable times cruising along listening to classic rocks stations, watching the changing lagoon landscape of Florida accompany me on my journey. Admittedly it also provided me with one of the most stressful experiences too; never try to follow a GPS to Hollywood Beach hostel. Roundabouts do NOT work in America! 

Yet all of it made up a great chapter in my trip, and have given me skills, experiences and memories I never had before. I can't wait to get back on the road! 

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Good ol' Southern hospitality


It was with a warm glow I stepped off the plane in Myrtle Beach. In both ways. It was a bit of a shock to feel the comforting, enveloping warm air of South Carolina, even at ten in the evening. 

I'd had a lovely conversation during the flight with a local lady from Myrtle Beach who spent her time flying to different schools across the USA, advising schools on improving literacy, so we tried to set the world to rights (see Cantell folks, I'm still on the case over here!). 

My warm physical feelings were accompanied by warm anticipation of the South Carolina coast. After a few weeks in cities I was really looking forward to some time by the beach. And the few people I met arriving in Myrtle Beach confirmed the Southern stereotype. They were friendly, helpful and almost made me suspicious! 

Friday morning I woke up to the sunshine and walked one minute to the beach. The warm sun on my face was just what I needed. When I headed back to the motel I met the owner and the handyman. Both were lovely and couldn't help me enough. Dan, the handyman, even practically begged me to borrow his bike to go for a cycle. 

By heck I'm glad I took him up on his offer. I spent possibly my favourite afternoon so far cycling up through the hotel area, along the boardwalk and past the sights. Everyone I passed smiled or said hello. I stopped to take photos, watch the sea, browse in tat shops, look at the fairground and generally people watch. I treated myself to a late lunch then went for the return leg. 

I cannot explain how pleasant this was. I must've been smiling to myself the whole few hours I was cycling. Maybe that's why people kept smiling at me; maybe I was spreading smiles (or looking like a simpleton!). 

As I got to the Southern end, the sun began to set and that quieter area could possibly have been even more beautiful. What a day. My sweet Carolina! I definitely will return to you somewhen. 


Saturday 14 December 2013

Washington D.C ...with the big guys!

It was quite exciting to leave the bright lights of NYC and arrive in Washington D.C. This was for a number of reasons...

1) I was meeting up with Emma who I'd met in Boston (yes, I made a friend!), which was nice as it meant seeing a familiar face.
2) I was getting to a quality hostel with laundry facilities (Woohoo! Clean clothes!)
3) Emma had booked me on a night time tour of the major Washington monuments.

This meant that I would save time, and I would have a knowledgeable brain to pick over questions that I have found inevitably arise for me around US political areas. My curiosity and interest has constantly been piqued by their legal / political system that continues to both baffle and amaze me.

The tour was pretty good. It started off worryingly with many more people than who had signed up (there's a process people!). This proved a problem logistically getting the whole group to cross the roads at once. (As a side note, the countdown on pedestrian crossings is starting to stress me out.... QUICK! I only have 55 seconds to cross the street!)

Fortuitously, we lost people along the way. Don't worry, they're not still wandering; dinner reservations took priority. So we could ask our lovely guide lots of questions as we walked the Mall, saw the Washington monument, the war memorials, The White House and countless other white, pillared buildings.

The best part was coming face-to-toe with the big guy. Good 'ol Abe. It was very cool to see him and the guides were full of interesting stories such as the two sides of Lincoln. My only qualm was that he didn't have any great wisdom to bestow upon me.


The next day I met some other big guys who were more animated (only slightly). We visited D.C zoo, which, because it's part of the Smithsonian was free to visit! It was a great collection of animals, gorillas, otters, elephants and I even saw a panda!

The best guys though were the giant tortoises and a weird, prehistoric looking, giant turtle thing. Nature is weird, but totally amazing. At the risk of turning this blog into a shell-athon, check out these big fellas!



Friday 13 December 2013

Night at the Museum

During my time in New York, I probably didn´t do nearly as much cultural / artistic / worthwhile activities as I should've done. I left the MOMA unvisited, the MET was not high enough on my hitlist and the Guggenheim didn´t get me too interested. I almost made it to the David Zwirner Gallery (based on a recommendation by a charming art student on the bus into New York), but the queue was all the way round the block, and I´ve made a promise to myself to limit my time in lines as I´m getting older (life is too short to spend it queing).

Museum wise, I did get to the Museum of Native American History, only because I stumbled across it by Battery Park. It was a worthwhile visit though as it has an abundance of information and exhibits about the whole variety of indigenous people, from both North and South America.

Later that day I made my way up to Central Park to visit the Museum of Natural History. I had planned to get there later in the day as I´d heard that it was free for the last hour. Now I´m not a cheapskate (well, maybe sometimes), but as a sense of British pride, I begrudge paying to visit a museum where its counterpart in London is always free. So ten minutes before the witching hour of 4.45 I arrived at the mighty building. I was excited before I even got in as they had dinosaur shaped Christmas trees outside (what would Ross make of those?). And then as the clock ticked to the free time, I was let loose!

It really gives you a sense of urgency with a strict time frame. I think there´s a gap in the market for speed-museuming. You bypass all the bits you´re not really interested in and get to the good stuff!

And what some good stuff they have. My personal favourite was the car-sized skeleton of a giant tortoise. If Doug ends up like this, we´re all in trouble!



The museum also gave me a chance to see some of the wildlife I´d missed out on in Canada. Finally saw a Moose, Buffalo and a few varieties of Bear. The North American displays were possibly the most interesting as they gave an insight into the wildlife habitats that I hadn´t really learnt much about previously. I shall be on the look out for cougars and such like as we cross the desert in the New Year.

Although I only had a limited time, I thoroughly enjoyed my night at the museum. The limited time made me concentrate my plan of action on the areas that really interested me. Also, I didn´t leave with the usual museum-leg fatigue. As the security guards ushered me out (I really used every minute) I left smiling, especially as night had fallen and on exiting I was gifted with the most glorious view of the Manhattan skyline across Central Park.

I headed down towards the bright lights, but a little part of me wondered what was about to happen behind the locked doors of the museum.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Dizzy Brooklyn Heights

During my time in New York City I most enjoyed my time in Brooklyn. A young man on the bus in had recommended a few sights to see in that borough. I spent a very lovely afternoon browsing antique shops, book stores and the new Rough Trade music store (with free instore performances and ping-pong...heaven).

I think the magic started on the first morning I was there. It was a bitterly cold, eye-stinging, gloriously sunny Thanksgiving morning. I took the subway to Brooklyn in order to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

All the times you've seen this bridge, or heard about it in movies or TV, it's just a bridge with a name. Then you step onto it, make your way under the looming, industrial beams and wires, and it takes on a life of its own.

It may sound strange, but I was overwhelmed walking over this bridge. It is such a classic icon of New York, and to be part of the life that surrounds it was a great moment. The glorious view of Manhattan changes ever so slightly with each step you take. The skyline that is so ingrained in our pop-culture looked absolutely beautiful that morning against the perfect rich, blue of the sky. The weather-beaten, rusted pillars provide a heavy duty frame for the changing pictures. 

There are no bad photos to be taken from The Brooklyn Bridge. 

I think I enjoyed being part of the community taking in the wonder of the surroundings that day. Yes, there were swarms of us tourists gaping at this new sight, but we weren't alone. There were families, older couples, young kids, cyclists out training, daily joggers... Each person had their own story to be on the bridge that day. Being Thanksgiving I could spot the extended families spending a few hours together in the fresh air before the turkey would be done. 

I don't think the smile left my face the whole time I was on the bridge. Or maybe that was just because it had been frozen into place by the bone-chilling wind. 



Sunday 8 December 2013

The Christmas spirit

Just a side note to my adventures in New York. Although it was Thanksgiving whilst I was there, Christmas was on its way in. The gigantic tree was up at Rockefeller Centre (although it wasn't being lit until after I left), the ice-skating was in full flow both there and in Central Park and Macy's were revelling in their Christmas decor as if they invented it.

I entered the big store as a cynical, non-shopper just wanting to get a taste of what everyone bangs on about. Being the retail novice I am I got lost (twice), and almost gave up before I reached Santa Land.

But I made it.

I caught a glimpse of the huge, colourful steam train engine that sits in front of the grotto and rolled my eyes at the overblown ridiculousness of it all. My English reserve took hold and I watched the action from afar. Then I tried to move closer only to be ambushed by the most enthusiastic elves in the world. Will Ferrell had nothing on these guys.

"Merry Christmas!" They chorused to everyone and anyone. I was caught like a deer in the headlights. I must've politely mumbled something back because they latched onto me. "Would you like to see Santa?" One offered.
I politely declined, pffted and self-consciously hiding my eyes, tried to escape.

Then this happened.


I think they could sense a chink in the armour, or they saw the tourist holding the camera, but they got me. On second asking if I wanted to see Santa I broke into a smile and gave in.

Why not eh? When in Macy's...

So, with a juvenile wonder I worked my way round the grotto, following the little train round the animatronic scenes of joy and stereotypical cute cuddlies. I sniggered at the cheesiness of it, but still the Christmas spirit can't be dampened.

Eventually I found myself meeting the big guy (although I think he may have franchised this gig out, I have serious concerns over the authenticity of the beard... Really Macy's?!)

I had a little chat to him, but I couldn't possibly tell you what about. That would ruin the spirit of Christmas wouldn't it?

How'd ya like them apples?

Well, I made it to Boston. Or 'Borston' as I'm trying to perfect my accent. My trip to Boston was well and truly made within two minutes of arriving at the hostel when the lady on the desk informed me that the movie they were showing that night was 'Good Will Hunting'! Now, my inner film geek stirred and I knew my activity for that evening. And it was as brilliant as it usually is, but it really took on an extra meaning to watch it in a cinema (kinda) setting with others, including a girl I met who'd never seen it before. Lucky girl to discover this gem in its cultural home.


Anyway, onto the real culture. Sort of. The first morning was a bright, crisp day and I took a walking tour to get my bearings. Boston was the beauty, history and stories I'd expected and more. The statue of Washington in the Common had apparently had a celebration of his own to celebrate the recent Red Sox victory.


It really is a beautiful city, and the people, both Bostonians and fellow travellers, were so friendly. The hostel had one of the most inclusive, welcoming and active 'environments' I've visited. (James, imagine the accent!)

I've been able to tick off a few must-dos here.
1) Visited the real 'Cheers' bar
2) Spent an evening in a 'real' Cheers style bar. $1 beers were wasted on me, but I almost exploded when The Dropkick Murphys came on the sound system
3) Went to Harvard (if anyone asks I just won't say for how long)
4) Walked the Freedom Trail
5) Visited the iconic gold-domed State House.

Which, incidentally, was the best guided tour I've been on so far. The lady was so knowledgeable and friendly, and told us interesting, funny stories. It also gave me a chance to better understand the US government system.

Which bodes well to give me a base knowledge to take to Washington DC on my next stop...

Friday 6 December 2013

Water, water everywhere... (Part 2)

So, I couldn't go to Buffalo without visiting Niagara Falls.

Turns out there's a lot of water there too.

The forecast was for snow on the Saturday afternoon, so I decided to get up early and get there and back before the blizzard hit. Back to the bus station, $2 paid for a 50 minute bus ride (very reasonable  bus services I've found), and I was in the National Park.

I could write a long, descriptive account of the Falls and my experience of them. To be honest though, they didn't blow me away.

Yes they were vast in height, width and sheer volume of water and spray, but it's what you expect. Maybe I've been spoilt by seeing them on television and films, but it's exactly what you expect to see.  It was nowhere near as beautiful as some of the falls I'd seen in The Rockies.

Maybe it was because it was a freezing, damp day.
Maybe it was because I was surrounded on all sides by tourists.
But I was definitely underwhelmed.

There may be a heck of a lot of water, and it may be a wonder of the world, but it wasn't top of my wonder list. It was so cold I had to break open the handwarmers I'd had since Vancouver. But I've been there and can store my own memories of it.

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Buffalo Broadway

Most people I spoke to about Buffalo were confused as to why I would go there. I thought it looked interesting, and I had to stop somewhere en route to Boston. This way I could get to see Niagara Falls as well. And when I realised I could time it to go to the Frank Turner show, I was sold on Buffalo.

I see why people have a negative impression of the city. A lot of the businesses have closed, and it's pretty deserted in the evening. But I thought it had a certain charm. Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for an underdog and everyone I spoke to had been running it down, but I could really see the treasure shining through the dirt.

The staff at the hostel were especially friendly. I have a feeling it was verging on a commune. One fella was going to install a fair trade co op supermarket in the back. Another guy invited me to a Ukrainian dance festival.

Buffalo is an old theatre town. The Town Ballroom still retains the old show time splendour in patches. I enjoyed talking to a couple in the queue for the gig whose parents had both met ballroom dancing there many moons ago.

The shining beacon on the deserted high street was Shea's theatre. It literally guides you to a warm glow of entertainment of years gone by.

It was a beautiful looking theatre, and by peeping into the foyer, it looked like they had returned the decor to the glory days of music hall. It was these little gems that endeared an otherwise dying, industrial town to me. 

My only disappointment was that I was unable to have a tour of the theatre as they had a Bryan Adams show that evening. Definitely next time I'm in Buffalo....

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Water, water everywhere... (Part 1)

For a few days last week, I saw a heck of a lot of water.

I arrived in Toronto in the pouring rain. As I was only there a day, I had to assume the British stiff upper lip, don the waterproofs and get out to see the sights.

I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of my journey from the hotel to the city centre. The pessimistic gentleman on the hotel reception tried to warn me it would take over two hours to get to the town centre by public transport; a different story from the information gleaned from the night porter the previous evening. The negative receptionist tried to convince me to take a taxi, get the shuttle back to the airport...anything to avoid the bus from the stop outside. Having been stung by a fixed-rate taxi fare the night before, I ignored his 'advice' and plumped for the bus.

Within five minutes I was on the bus. My $2.50 fare carried me 45 minutes to the metro station and then a further short ride on the train (I hope for the same ticket; no one stopped me, there was nowhere else to buy a ticket and I was a confused foreigner in a strange land!). So I arrived in Toronto city centre ready for exploration.

Toronto is a big city. There's not much more I can personally say. I had a walk round in the rain, saw some impressive buildings including the CN Tower and indulged myself in a Tim Horton's.


I'm sure there's a lot more to see in Toronto than just the many tall buildings in the rain that I experienced, but I'll have to return another time to see the rest. I don't think my impression of it was helped by the fact that the persistent rain had caused major traffic issues in the city centre. This meant my bus journey was extended by an hour and a half on our departure route.

Bloody rain.

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Close calls, thumping hearts and the power of positive thinking

Whenever I usually start a journey anywhere, I do so with an uneasy feeling. I don't know if it's my cynicism or my unwavering pessimism, but I always fear the worst. Until I am on the bus, plane or at my final destination I always think something will go wrong. In my mind I run through the worst case  scenarios; they won't honour my ticket, i'll lose my passport, a wheel will fall off... 

As a consequence, I try to minimise the drama. I try to get to the point of departure as early as possible and eliminate as many disasters as I can. 

This trip has loosened my pessimism. 

I'm starting to feel more relaxed about travelling. I don't feel the need to arrive super early anymore. 

And at two points in my trip, timing has completely gone to pot! 

The first was before my flight from Edmonton to Toronto. Pat and I had left her house in Edmonton with what we had thought would be plenty of time to spare. The brutal Alberta weather had other ideas. The incoming snow storm was brewing; people were driving normally and so we were seeing spun out cars littering the edges of the highway. The traffic was slowing. Pat and I kept willing the traffic to keep moving. 

Eventually, we made it to the airport with 45 minutes until my flight. A quick hug then I dashed into the terminal. The Air Canada lady said I'd just missed check in and had to go to the ticketing queue to see if they'd allow me to check in. 
An elderly gentleman joined me in the queue and I quickly found out he was in the same predicament as I was. Well, not quite the same. He was highly doubtful that they'd let us on, but he wasn't that worried as he had a changeable ticket. I did not. Non-refundable. 

I was hopping back and forth and telling him to think positively. He gave me a raised eyebrow. The lady begrudgingly let us check in. I declared my love for her and we raced to security. 

Another long queue. The man gave me the raised eyebrow again. I countered by telling him to keep thinking positively. 

The queue moved steadily and eventually I was through. I raced to the gate just as the lady on the desk was issuing the last call for our flight. I powered through the gate...and then had to queue at the aeroplane door. My friend from the check in soon joined me and I raised an eyebrow to him. "You've restored my faith in the power of positive thinking." he conceded. 

My job that day was done. 

Less than a week later in Boston I almost reverted to my pessimism. I was sure my bus to New York was at 2.30pm. I was we'll prepared and got to the station just after 2.00pm. 

As I ascended the escalator I scanned the departure screens. I could only see a 2.00pm departure listed. 

A sick feeling swiftly rose in my stomach. 
Did I read the ticket wrong?
Can I make it still?
How can I change my ticket? 

I ran to the gate, found a queue and asked the lady which line it was. 
I could've declared my love for another young lady when she said it was the 2.30 to New York! 

Disaster averted again! This travelling malarkey is definitely keeping me on my toes. 

Sunday 24 November 2013

Let's go to the mall...


It has been a real struggle not to break into song whilst I've been in Canada every time someone mentions the mall. Yes, television has had such an influence on me that I want to recreate the Robin Sparkles song from How I Met Your Mother at the mere hint of a large undercover shopping arena.

And yes, I use the word 'arena' deliberately. Shopping seems to be viewed as, and engineered around a combat sport in North America.

I have seen blocks and blocks that stretch on for miles of retail outlets of some kind or another. When you think one has finished, fear not, another starts the next street down. What can they all possibly be selling, and selling enough of to keep them all in business?

Last week Pat took me on a visit to West Edmonton Mall. The largest Mall in North America. It was pretty big. It has its own water park, amusement park, pirate galleon, ice rink, sealife park with sea lions,  two crazy golf courses, and then all the shops to boot! The photo is me with the friendly alien character adopted by the amusement park. Pat and I honed our skills on the skee ball games. I think I'd just edge it in a UK v Canada tournament.

It was great to have a look round the Mall, the shops were good, we got some good food in the array of restaurants on offer, and most significantly it gave us a chance to stay warm. Trust me to arrive as the temperatures dipped sharply to their lowest so far this winter (noteably, the temperatures are rising now I've departed Alberta!). One day it was -27! I like to think I have experienced the real taste of the brutal Alberta winter. No pansying around for me... Extreme or nothing I say!

Having said that, I have said I would like to go back to visit Edmonton in the summer. It does look beautiful, and although there was a certain charm to the city cased in snow, it'd be nice to venture out to see the sights properly.

And by going in the summer, I should escape Pat giving me the snow shovelling chores I had this week! I don't know how they do it!


Monday 18 November 2013

Geology Rocks!


Well, my adventure through the Canadian Rockies had ended. I cannot believe that it has been and gone. I was so looking forward to that part of my trip, and the anticipation was so high that I was almost worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations.

I needn't have worried.

Every description of this wonder of nature lets it down. There are no words to describe some of the places I have visited in the last week. Nature, I have concluded, is pretty damn awesome. Not awesome in the sense of "Dude, that song is awesome!", but awesome as in I was in awe of every vista my eyes were lucky enough to take in.
It was a complete assault on the senses. Yes it was cold, but that added to the thrill of being at these places. The air was so fresh and crisp that it took your breath away.

I lost count the number of times we piled off the bus, our guide John, not telling us where we were going, and then leading us up a steep trek, cursing as we watched our step. Yet then as a reached a clearing or a brow of a hill I'd look up and see the beauty laid before me. The picture above at Peyto Lake was one of those times. Without being too dramatic, there were times the sheer size and magnitude of the landscape, or the intricate beauty of a cascading, half-frozen waterfall, was overwhelming.

Then John would say "You like it?", in a slightly bragging lilt as he knew that he had these wondrous tricks up his sleeve. I don't think that these are sights that would ever grow old. They are places that have developed over millions of years, and I feel honoured to have seen them for myself.


 

This is the view I had as I walked up to the Athabasca Glacier. It was an incredibly humbling place. It was like trekking across another planet. There were signs to say how far down the hill the glacier used to stretch, so you could visibly see how much had melted over the past century or so.

There were also rings on the sides of the surrounding mountains showing the retreat of the frozen water. But you could still see the sharp blue water running under the surface of the ice on the sides and under foot. That was the scariest thing. As you got closer to the ice, you could hear the gushing ice water literally below your feet. I may have stood on a glacier, but I didn't want to test my luck with mother nature, so it wasn't for long!

The biggest noise that I appreciated was the silence. In that bowl of the glacier, away from the thin ice, you could hear nothing. No wind, no birds, no traffic. Nothing. It was this that added to the other-worldly-ness of the place.

I have always enjoyed seeing the beauty that nature creates, but this was one of the most awe-inspiring, achingly dramatic places I have yet visited.

If you get the chance to go, go. And take some woolies.

Saturday 16 November 2013

My old friend technology

As those of you who know me well are aware, I don't tend to work well with anything too technology based. It will come as no surprise then that over the past few days I have had a few choice words with my iPod and various other computers.
For reasons I am still not sure of, my previous blog had removed integral buttons (log in being one), and then found it fun to toy with me by displaying invisible pages, choosing when to work and not letting me post my pictures.
So I have cut my losses, abandoned my first blogging partner and moved on to pastures new. So welcome to my new platform. Same ramblings, just a different address. I will email and Facebook to let people know, but please let anyone else know.
Thank you for reading, please comment to keep in touch; I really appreciate hearing from familiar faces!
...proper blog update coming soon!

Wherever I lay my hat...

I thought I’d update on my accommodation so far. Beginning my journey as a hostel virgin, I was slightly concerned as to what awaited me after hearing at least one bad story from everyone I spoke to with hostelling experience.
Most of you know that I have a certain affinity with shelled creatures, so when I saw ‘Green Tortoise Hostel’ in Seattle, I knew where my first port of call would be. The location of Green Tortoise was perfect; a short walk from the station and right opposite Pike Place Market, the hub of Downtown Seattle. I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the room and the private bathrooms. And the curtain around the bed afforded a valuable sense of privacy. My roommates were a few lovely ladies from different parts of the globe. They weren’t rowdy, they didn’t snore and one even took me for my first trip to Target!
This hostel experience definitely took it easy on me.
The next one however was even better. Double bed, Frosties for breakfast and cuddles with the cutest baby ever in the morning. Nope, wait, that wasn’t a hostel; my eternal thanks to Sam and Sye for letting me stay with them in Ladner.
So, off on my Rocky Mountain tour. First hostel was Samesun Kelowna. Walked in the dorm room to be hit by a wall of boy smell. Probably didn’t help that the room was the size of a broom cupboard. Ah well, the beds must be comfortable then? Yes, to an extent. Once you rolled into the indent you weren’t getting out again easily. But for $24 and free pancakes for breakfast I’m not complaining!
And so to the latest. Just arrived in Banff Alpine Lodge. Looks amazing! Wood panelling, stone fires, the whole ski shebang! On the top bunk tonight so we’ll see how that pans out. But definitely smells better than yesterday!

Seattle-on-sea


Seattle-on-sea

The next post will show a view of the Seattle skyline from the Bainbridge ferry. I spent the best $7 Sunday morning on a cruise across the Puget Sound. The ferry took you across to Bainbridge, a traditional, artsy American town where I walked around and got lunch. Yet, the cost was worth the views from the ferry alone. Sat on the top deck on a beautiful, crisp morning to watch the skyline take form was breathtaking.
The Isle of Wight ferry has a contender to the throne.

The start of the journey

Friday morning was the first step in the journey of many miles. It was a strange feeling as I got to the airport; mostly due to my unrelenting pessimism as I was constantly worried that something was going to go wrong.
Fortunately nothing did and I made it to Seattle Friday evening in one piece. Although I did get stopped ‘randomly’ twice for ‘special’ security checks; once in Keflavik Airport and once for a thorough bag search in Seattle. The Isham name continues to mark me out I feel!
Anyway, got to Seattle and found my own way onto the Light Rail link, into the Downtown area and to my hostel. The hostel is nice and I have met a few nice people so far. I have been chatting a lot to a Vietnam war vet called Don who is travelling the country on his train pass to relive his youth. Great guy with lots of stories.
Saturday morning when I woke up it was raining. Can’t say I was disappointed. I think it was the first time I’ve been satisfied to see the rain. You can’t come to the Pacific North-West without a little rain. Fortunately it cleared up and I got to see some sights. The wind however was something else; I think the gales have followed me from the UK. Anyway the forecast is for more rain later so I shall be getting use of my waterproofs.
Yesterday visited the EMP museum… pop culture museum; sci-fi, horror, fantasy, rock music exhibits. Great visit, geeked out slightly. I have some great photos James! CITP I missed you guys…there was an interactive thing where you could pretend play instruments to make your own music video! We would have nailed that! Next time eh?!
So, that shall do for now. Hope all is well in the UK.
Be good everyone!

Seattle


Preparation, preparation, preparation...

So, the time is nearly here to start the adventure. I’m not sure where the past few months have gone. It seems not that long ago that I started allowing my daydreams to find their own shape, and now they are fully fledged plans about to take on their own reality.
The panic is starting to set in that I haven’t got everything I need ready, or I won’t be able to find my toothbrush, or any other last minute emergency. I think that my mind has raced through every single worst case scenario ever imagined. Even my dreams are getting in on the action… Dad and I in the airport collectively losing passport, wallet and phone. Maybe if I get the bad things out of the way in my sleep they won’t happen in reality.
The preparation seems neverending at present. I have half a mind to just take my toothbrush, ipod, passport and coat and just get on the plane to see what happens! My backpack is looking at me from the corner of the room daring me to start shoving stuff inside it. I have mental lists of what to take, but haven’t mustered the strength to see how much of that I can actually fit in.
Hmm, maybe tomorrow will be the practice run. Let’s do this!