Day: Friday 28th January
WARM
Woke up with hardly a hangover as I didnt drink and basically started packing my bags. Said goodbye to my aussie mate & added him to facebook - maybe we'll go boarding somewhere someday you never know (<3 Facebook).
I caught the buses to Glenwood springs as it was the only place the greyhounds went through & then just waited for my greyhound. It was over an hour late and was absolutely packed and I swear it had 90% smokers and low socioeconomic groups lol. Not a pleasant bus drive back to denver.
Checked in back at the same hostel - I had the 8 bed dorm to myself which was nice.
I chatted to a few friends and booked my flights & shuttles for tomorrow. The company I flew with were giving away free promo cards at the X-Games so I got a full-featured ticket (i.e fully refundable, free baggage, extra leg room, free seat selection, free food) for only $200 compared to the non discounted 280.
The plan is to catch an afternoon flight from denver direct to LAX where I can just go across to the international terminal for my flight back to brisbane at midnight rather than staying a night in LAX.
I rang up Arya again to let her know I was no longer coming & she got a new job working for Apple Computer which was really cool. Ryan would be stoked. She's definitely coming to stay with us in Australia!
I cleaned up and got a pizza for dinner before going to the clubs near by and getting the entry stamps & ID checked so I could get back in later & sussed out who was playing. None of them really seemed that great until I went back to the first place. It was about 11:30 now, and it still wasnt that busy, but they were playing the music that me & ryan had just been fully into during my stay there. Basically it's Electro dance music, but everynow and then it will build up and drop into a really heavy dirty crazy sounding electro dance. It sounds very cool. Anyways, me & ry thought we'd just stumbled upon a fairly obscure kind of genera and yet here in Denver it's actually one of the citys with one of the biggest scenes of it. So here I was at this club playing some of my most favourite music that I'd been into. I wasnt drinking on account of the flight(s) the next day but I didnt need to. I had such a blast. The crowd was insane & got right into it. Such another stroke of amazing luck, I really cant convey how amazing it was.
So yeah, last night in the USA turned out to be epic. It seems luck has followed me every step of this trip.
I've had warm weather follow me everywhere, only to have the place get a cold snap & blizzards as soon as i leave haha. I've met awesome people. The fact the X-games were on when I went was just phenomenal. The aussie guy at the hostel had literally planned about 6 months in advance to go to it, and there I was by fluke and just had to extend my stay by a day haha. There was powder dumping all week before I arrived, and fresh dustings overnight and clear sunny days for me. I've been given free luggage on the greyhounds both times. I got to rent a pro board for free. I won $6 on a scratchie while waiting for the greyhound. This night in denver with my fave music. Like. Seriously. I can't believe it.
I'm soo thankful but at the same time theres a part of me that is getting worried. I'm about to go back to australia with no house, no job, I havent even registered yet, that will take 6-8 weeks itself!, no uni, no internet, hot & humid temps. It doesn't sound appealing at all! Im not even sure I enjoy the oral health field and I'd quite honestly much rather go back to uni and study something else but I dont know what.
I hope that some of the luck i've had so far on this trip continues on & helps guide me as it has.
If not, no biggie though. I've decided if by mid-year I dont have a job, then i'll probably do a working holiday. I won't be able to work the therapy side of my degree here, but i will be able to do hygiene which would actually make it easier in terms of a part time travelling job. They get treated well here too with all the cosmetic influence & positive media around dentistry.
We shall see.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Day 59: ESPN Winter X Games!
Day: Thursday 27th January 2011
Temps: WARM!
After sorting out my board & handing back the pro rental for my real board & returning the rental boots I went pretty much all day to the Winter X games.
It was fully decked out with stadiums/podiums/stages. Heaps of media. Huuuuuge half pipe & jumps & snow mobile jump courses & promo stalls giving away lots of free stuff. Was soo cool!
Basically kept walking around entering any competitions I could & getting as many freebies as I could.
Watched a bit of the snow mobiling. Wow. Those guys are crazy. When you see it in real life you get a sense for just how crazy the tricks are. They get sooooo much air and goo soo fast and literally jump right off the snow mobile then have to try and grab it again before they land. Very cool to watch.
There was some skiiers doing jumps in the halfpipe too which was fun to watch.
I went back to the hostel for a bit of lunch & relax & ended up meeting an aussie who just arrived who was my age. Had a goood chat to him & we got along quite well very similar in tastes. Anyways we went back out to the X-games for the night time events. The finals of the snowmobiling were even more epic than the practices that i saw this morning. And we managed to watch the Mens Halfpipe snowboarding. There were the 16 worlds best snowboarders there doing as bigas tricks as they could to try and win. We managed to get access to go right next to the half pipe up the stairs so when a boarder came up he did his entire spins & sommersaults & tricks right in front of you it was soo amazing. Shaun White is probably the biggest name and he was there & he won (unsurprisingly). It's just a celebrity but we were literally 3m away from him and hes such a big name that thats gotta count for something lol.
We then navigated the huuuge crowds (apparently there were nearly 80K people there, and it was the biggest Thursday of the event Ever) and got the free shuttle back into town. We found a pub whose kitchen was still open & had dinner & a few beers & chatted to a few promo girls which was fun. After dinner we basically bar hopped & just had a good night in general. Still strange though, after sun down the younger crowd seems hard to find here. I guess they're all staying in condos or something with all their mates maybe & so don't end up going out.
Temps: WARM!
After sorting out my board & handing back the pro rental for my real board & returning the rental boots I went pretty much all day to the Winter X games.
It was fully decked out with stadiums/podiums/stages. Heaps of media. Huuuuuge half pipe & jumps & snow mobile jump courses & promo stalls giving away lots of free stuff. Was soo cool!
Basically kept walking around entering any competitions I could & getting as many freebies as I could.
Watched a bit of the snow mobiling. Wow. Those guys are crazy. When you see it in real life you get a sense for just how crazy the tricks are. They get sooooo much air and goo soo fast and literally jump right off the snow mobile then have to try and grab it again before they land. Very cool to watch.
There was some skiiers doing jumps in the halfpipe too which was fun to watch.
I went back to the hostel for a bit of lunch & relax & ended up meeting an aussie who just arrived who was my age. Had a goood chat to him & we got along quite well very similar in tastes. Anyways we went back out to the X-games for the night time events. The finals of the snowmobiling were even more epic than the practices that i saw this morning. And we managed to watch the Mens Halfpipe snowboarding. There were the 16 worlds best snowboarders there doing as bigas tricks as they could to try and win. We managed to get access to go right next to the half pipe up the stairs so when a boarder came up he did his entire spins & sommersaults & tricks right in front of you it was soo amazing. Shaun White is probably the biggest name and he was there & he won (unsurprisingly). It's just a celebrity but we were literally 3m away from him and hes such a big name that thats gotta count for something lol.
We then navigated the huuuge crowds (apparently there were nearly 80K people there, and it was the biggest Thursday of the event Ever) and got the free shuttle back into town. We found a pub whose kitchen was still open & had dinner & a few beers & chatted to a few promo girls which was fun. After dinner we basically bar hopped & just had a good night in general. Still strange though, after sun down the younger crowd seems hard to find here. I guess they're all staying in condos or something with all their mates maybe & so don't end up going out.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Day 58: Last Day Snowboarding :( :)
Day: Wednesday 26th (AUSTRALIA DAY)
Happy australia day.
I started slow..10 am. Understandably
Went to the ski shop & they still didnt have my board so they gave me another day with the pro-board. I didnt complain.
Went back to snowmass. It was too good of a mountain to pass up trying the others in the area.
Great day boarding. Was warm, clear and sunny and there was still about another 3cm of snow last night so still fresh.
I was hungover so didn't do too many of the crazy cliff drops but still found some aweosme tree runs & steeps to entertain me.
I was gonna go out as there seemed to be more of a young crowd around given the games start tomorrow but i was far too tired & didn't make it out lol
Happy australia day.
I started slow..10 am. Understandably
Went to the ski shop & they still didnt have my board so they gave me another day with the pro-board. I didnt complain.
Went back to snowmass. It was too good of a mountain to pass up trying the others in the area.
Great day boarding. Was warm, clear and sunny and there was still about another 3cm of snow last night so still fresh.
I was hungover so didn't do too many of the crazy cliff drops but still found some aweosme tree runs & steeps to entertain me.
I was gonna go out as there seemed to be more of a young crowd around given the games start tomorrow but i was far too tired & didn't make it out lol
Day 57: It's a wonderful place
Day: Tuesday 25th
Went to the ski shop where i'd given my board for a wax & edge sharpen last night and they'd apparently "lost" it. They'd left it at the shop. Instead they gave me some awesome premium snowboard rental free of charge. This board was made in denver colorado by a custom hand made company. You could feel the quality was soo good! Haha awesome start to the day.
I started at Aspen. Just outside my hostel.
It was okay, pretty icy. It's definiltey more of a skiier haven since there were lots and lots of moguls and groomed runs. Wasn't that great.
So after about 4 runs i decided today would be my sight seeing day & took myself to the other mountain that my lift pass gave me access to: Buttermilk
Buttermilk was awesome. It's got all the massive infrastructure and stages and stuff set up to host the Winter X Games. Very cool.
The main chairlift up went past all the half pipes with all the professional snowboarders and skiiers from around the world practicing. They are soo good at what they do, you really dont understand until you see it in real life.
Buttermilk boarding was great. The mountain was soo empty. In fact all the mountains have been empty...i guess everyone saved coming up to the mountains until the weekend & the X Games. Anwayys that meant heaps of fresh powder for me to find.
There was lots of freestyle parks & stuff which I tried a couple of jumps & rails with some success, but my fave part was the tree runs. They werent very steep but just lots of trees to quickly dart in & out of and fast turning and lots of powder. So much fun and yeah, i should really get a helmet doing this kind of stuff :P
Stayed right until the lifts closed it was that good.
After coming home I went to one of the millions of resteraunt/pub combos and had some mediocre garlic chicken pasta thing and just chatted to one of the old locals next to me. He ended up shouting me a shot of Jaager so that he could do one before going without doing it on his own and the bar tender said "YEah! Youre in America Now! This is how we do it!" when he saw me trying to pay him for it lol.
I then went to the town gas fireplace & just chatted to a few guys chillin around it. Fun atmosphere. Then started walking trying to find a happening place that had a few more younger people..theres alot of older people here & rich ladies with fur coats and celebrities. I ran into a couple of lads around mikes age and asked them where the party was at and they were looking for the same thing so hung out with them for the rest of the night. Cool lads, dont remember their names. Just remember they knew how to drink.
Went to the ski shop where i'd given my board for a wax & edge sharpen last night and they'd apparently "lost" it. They'd left it at the shop. Instead they gave me some awesome premium snowboard rental free of charge. This board was made in denver colorado by a custom hand made company. You could feel the quality was soo good! Haha awesome start to the day.
I started at Aspen. Just outside my hostel.
It was okay, pretty icy. It's definiltey more of a skiier haven since there were lots and lots of moguls and groomed runs. Wasn't that great.
So after about 4 runs i decided today would be my sight seeing day & took myself to the other mountain that my lift pass gave me access to: Buttermilk
Buttermilk was awesome. It's got all the massive infrastructure and stages and stuff set up to host the Winter X Games. Very cool.
The main chairlift up went past all the half pipes with all the professional snowboarders and skiiers from around the world practicing. They are soo good at what they do, you really dont understand until you see it in real life.
Buttermilk boarding was great. The mountain was soo empty. In fact all the mountains have been empty...i guess everyone saved coming up to the mountains until the weekend & the X Games. Anwayys that meant heaps of fresh powder for me to find.
There was lots of freestyle parks & stuff which I tried a couple of jumps & rails with some success, but my fave part was the tree runs. They werent very steep but just lots of trees to quickly dart in & out of and fast turning and lots of powder. So much fun and yeah, i should really get a helmet doing this kind of stuff :P
Stayed right until the lifts closed it was that good.
After coming home I went to one of the millions of resteraunt/pub combos and had some mediocre garlic chicken pasta thing and just chatted to one of the old locals next to me. He ended up shouting me a shot of Jaager so that he could do one before going without doing it on his own and the bar tender said "YEah! Youre in America Now! This is how we do it!" when he saw me trying to pay him for it lol.
I then went to the town gas fireplace & just chatted to a few guys chillin around it. Fun atmosphere. Then started walking trying to find a happening place that had a few more younger people..theres alot of older people here & rich ladies with fur coats and celebrities. I ran into a couple of lads around mikes age and asked them where the party was at and they were looking for the same thing so hung out with them for the rest of the night. Cool lads, dont remember their names. Just remember they knew how to drink.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Day 56: Most Epic Day Ever.
Day: Monday 24th
Woke up early (for me!)
Had the free brekkie from the hostel. They had alot like yoghurts & fruits & pastries...quite surprising.
Went to a rental place in town & got boots since i still dont have any.
Following the lads advice from last night, i caught the free shuttle to the nearby mountain of Snowmass. Figured out the right location for meeting point but realised i was still in boston time so i'd missed them.
Started the morning off boarding was alright, my boots were giving me grief though so i had to change them at lunch time.
This area of the country always gets champagne powder. All times of the year. Some places like near the ocean or lakes would get snow but it may be very wet and damp snow so it depends on the season how good it actually is. This snow here is always good. Tehy'd also had about 3" every night the last week so there was plenty of powder & awesome conditions.
After lunch i headed out to some of the harder runs. Met a dude on the ski lifts & after the standard chatting i asked where his favourite run was on the mountain.
He ended up taking me waay to the back side...where there is all double black runs.
The run was called "AMF" which stands for "adios mother fucker".
Suitable title.
I stood at the top of this ridge after traversing about 5 minutes. Massive view of the entire bowl but this cliff ridge omg was soo steep.
Like any run that looks hard, you just have to start & see how you go. I didnt do too bad. The steepest part at the top was like 3 degrees for about 5 m and then it flattened out a little. I got some good photos. Then it went into a bunch of moguls some of which were literally cliffs which you had to board around.
After that epic bit the bowl turned into tree glades. We darted through all the trees on tiny little tracks and heaps of powder everywhere...like literally untouched. This stuff is what you see on TV.
Seriously the most amazing snow experience, and one of the best experiences ive ever had in my life. Was soo amazing. Hard. But soo worth it.
The dude had to go back to work so I just continued doing those runs & exploring the back country. Met up with another couple of boarders who went traversing into some of the glades. I was able to keep up with them but my fitness wasn't used to the different type of skiing so I had to let them go ahead they were too good. Still went my own way through the rest of the trees though..soo much fun.
Didn't board much after that, i was positively knackered and it was a day well spent already to be honest.
Caught the free shuttle back to aspen & checked in my board for a tune up with some wax & sharpened edges. Figured I'd return the board to Richard in better nick and also it would come in handy on the bigger runs i was hitting.
Back at the hostel I asked to change rooms, he shuffled a few things around for me but I'm now with a friendly old Czechs republic guy who had all his stuff back home get lost (i think he said fire) so now he was just living & working here haha. Much friendlier than the other dude but he's so old 'd be surprised if he doesnt snore too.
Jumped online and played some chess with ryan before heading out into town to sus out some food & drinks!
Sublime
Woke up early (for me!)
Had the free brekkie from the hostel. They had alot like yoghurts & fruits & pastries...quite surprising.
Went to a rental place in town & got boots since i still dont have any.
Following the lads advice from last night, i caught the free shuttle to the nearby mountain of Snowmass. Figured out the right location for meeting point but realised i was still in boston time so i'd missed them.
Started the morning off boarding was alright, my boots were giving me grief though so i had to change them at lunch time.
This area of the country always gets champagne powder. All times of the year. Some places like near the ocean or lakes would get snow but it may be very wet and damp snow so it depends on the season how good it actually is. This snow here is always good. Tehy'd also had about 3" every night the last week so there was plenty of powder & awesome conditions.
After lunch i headed out to some of the harder runs. Met a dude on the ski lifts & after the standard chatting i asked where his favourite run was on the mountain.
He ended up taking me waay to the back side...where there is all double black runs.
The run was called "AMF" which stands for "adios mother fucker".
Suitable title.
I stood at the top of this ridge after traversing about 5 minutes. Massive view of the entire bowl but this cliff ridge omg was soo steep.
Like any run that looks hard, you just have to start & see how you go. I didnt do too bad. The steepest part at the top was like 3 degrees for about 5 m and then it flattened out a little. I got some good photos. Then it went into a bunch of moguls some of which were literally cliffs which you had to board around.
After that epic bit the bowl turned into tree glades. We darted through all the trees on tiny little tracks and heaps of powder everywhere...like literally untouched. This stuff is what you see on TV.
Seriously the most amazing snow experience, and one of the best experiences ive ever had in my life. Was soo amazing. Hard. But soo worth it.
The dude had to go back to work so I just continued doing those runs & exploring the back country. Met up with another couple of boarders who went traversing into some of the glades. I was able to keep up with them but my fitness wasn't used to the different type of skiing so I had to let them go ahead they were too good. Still went my own way through the rest of the trees though..soo much fun.
Didn't board much after that, i was positively knackered and it was a day well spent already to be honest.
Caught the free shuttle back to aspen & checked in my board for a tune up with some wax & sharpened edges. Figured I'd return the board to Richard in better nick and also it would come in handy on the bigger runs i was hitting.
Back at the hostel I asked to change rooms, he shuffled a few things around for me but I'm now with a friendly old Czechs republic guy who had all his stuff back home get lost (i think he said fire) so now he was just living & working here haha. Much friendlier than the other dude but he's so old 'd be surprised if he doesnt snore too.
Jumped online and played some chess with ryan before heading out into town to sus out some food & drinks!
Sublime
Day 55: Decisions again? More coins flipped!
Day: Sunday 23rd January
I flipped a coin and decided to go to Aspen over Vail. Mainly cos it had cheaper accom & sounded a little friendlier. Booked a greyhound bus for 4pm and the closest thing to a hostel i'd seen.
Went to the bus station at around 12. luckily the superbowl playoffs were on TV.
My team the green bay packers (wisconsin) vs chicago bears. Wisconsin won!!! Was a good game & ate up the time before my bus.
Drive was good, scenic when it was light.
Got off at a place called Glenwood hot springs. It was still about an hour or two bus rides to aspen but i just caught public busses as the greyhounds didnt do that loop. Ended up talking to the bus drivers & sussing out more about the area. Very friendly people. The bus driver dropped me off practically at my accomodation since i didnt know where it was.
Hostel is nice, 3 beds per room. 1st night with a snorer though, thank god for noise cancelling headphones but even then i could still hear him.
Went to one of the only pubs still open with food & got some dinner & a guinness and talked to a few local guys around mikes age (25-26ish).
They gave me good low down on where the best boarding was in the area & gave me their number & a meeting point for tomorrow morning.
Shaping up for some epic boarding yeeeaaah!!!
I flipped a coin and decided to go to Aspen over Vail. Mainly cos it had cheaper accom & sounded a little friendlier. Booked a greyhound bus for 4pm and the closest thing to a hostel i'd seen.
Went to the bus station at around 12. luckily the superbowl playoffs were on TV.
My team the green bay packers (wisconsin) vs chicago bears. Wisconsin won!!! Was a good game & ate up the time before my bus.
Drive was good, scenic when it was light.
Got off at a place called Glenwood hot springs. It was still about an hour or two bus rides to aspen but i just caught public busses as the greyhounds didnt do that loop. Ended up talking to the bus drivers & sussing out more about the area. Very friendly people. The bus driver dropped me off practically at my accomodation since i didnt know where it was.
Hostel is nice, 3 beds per room. 1st night with a snorer though, thank god for noise cancelling headphones but even then i could still hear him.
Went to one of the only pubs still open with food & got some dinner & a guinness and talked to a few local guys around mikes age (25-26ish).
They gave me good low down on where the best boarding was in the area & gave me their number & a meeting point for tomorrow morning.
Shaping up for some epic boarding yeeeaaah!!!
Day 54: Decisions Decision. Fuck that flip a coin
Day: Saturday 22nd January
So I stayed up last night til about 2am looking into all my options.
At around 4pm yesterday it became apparent to me that I only had 1 week left.
I had to decide where, and for how long i was going to spend the rest of my trip.
By about 1am I decided to go to colorado/denver.
I very almost got a flight for 6am. But luckily i asked the reception about what trains to catch & found that they didnt run.
Instead i caught a mid afternoon flight to Denver. Sat next to the ugliest most retarded lady ive ever seen. She wouldnt shut up.
Landed in denver & got to the hostel. Right in the CBD. Good location, mediocre accom.
Was about 11 so I went straight to one of the near by bars that played some electro music & just chilled out. Too noisy to talk/meet people and i wasnt drinking so just enjoyed the DJs.
So I stayed up last night til about 2am looking into all my options.
At around 4pm yesterday it became apparent to me that I only had 1 week left.
I had to decide where, and for how long i was going to spend the rest of my trip.
By about 1am I decided to go to colorado/denver.
I very almost got a flight for 6am. But luckily i asked the reception about what trains to catch & found that they didnt run.
Instead i caught a mid afternoon flight to Denver. Sat next to the ugliest most retarded lady ive ever seen. She wouldnt shut up.
Landed in denver & got to the hostel. Right in the CBD. Good location, mediocre accom.
Was about 11 so I went straight to one of the near by bars that played some electro music & just chilled out. Too noisy to talk/meet people and i wasnt drinking so just enjoyed the DJs.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Day 49-53: Boston Whirlwind Tour & Stage III
Days:
Monday 17th January
Tuesday 18th
Wednesday 19th
Thursday 20th
Friday 21st
So quite a few days & quite a bit of stuff to update you all on.
Monday Tuesday were both very chill days. Ryan @ work & me sleeping in & organizing itunes folders & doing a bit of cleaning.
Wednesday we piled up into his car with all my luggage. I said goodbye to his mum and we drove to Boston.
Parked in the suburbs & trained it into downtown where we checked into a hostel called "40 Berkley".
It seems that american cities do have hostels, but they are trying to move away from the "Backpacker" mentality. There are common rooms, but no one uses them. Theres no kitchenette. The place is more just for really cheap accommodation to use while sight-seeing rather than 'backpacking' and meeting people.
Anyways we started to walk around our accomodation. We were in a pretty good location. But man, did we walk. We walked pretty much 3/4 of the city haha.
It was amazing. The city has soo much old stuff. The streets are soo european like little alley ways and doors underneath staircases. But at the same time there is soo much modern big american architechture like huge hotel lobbies that seem like they could store an airplane and have more shiny stuff than you can take in.
You follow one cool looking street and then the next one is a little lane way through to china town which then leads you to a crazy little bunch of irish pubs all squished into a one way street. Hence all the walking.
Somehow we stumbled across all the bars & this one club/bar type thing called good life which by a stroke of good fortune was playing the kind of music we'd both been heavily into the past week. We stayed there the night & got adquately intoxicated. Such an amazing city & an amazing chance that we found exactly what we were looking for - very cool.
The next day (So, thursday) we caught up with priya and emily. They came to boston for the day to do some shopping & say goodbye. So we saw the shopping district & the italian district and ate more foods and said goodbye to them in the afternoon. Great people and ive definitely got another couple of friends to keep in touch with there.
We ambled our way home again & took it easy. Both very exhausted.
Tried to go back to the same bar again as last night but they were playing compeltely different music. It seems to be a bar which showcases a little more underground performers, rather than a select genera of music. So we just did more walking around & didnt drink anything before coming home & getting a comparatively early sleep.
Friday Ryan had to be home for work at about 4:pm so we were limited in what we could do. We were gonna do a sight-seeing bus tour but they didnt run since we got dumped with another 5 or so inches of snow overnight so it was unsafe for them to run it.
Instead we caught the trains to Harvard university and Harvard square and walked around the campus & checked out a few buildings. Simply epic looking. Soo old, so regal and prestegious and very cool to check out.
It wasn't in season but there were still plenty of students all bustling around probably doing winter semesters. College life & student life in america feels so different, i cant quite describe how but it just feels more like a students lifestyle is soo distinct from not being a student.
Took some trains to the central station where I said goodbye and thankyou to ryan as he caught a different train back to his car & headed home. Another friend who can put up with me for that length of time demonstrating just how good a friend he is.
Came home & figured out finally how to connect to this hostel's wireless..It's absoultely shithouse but if you wait long enough it connects.
I'm at Stage III of my journey now. I have only got about 6 days left before my flight leaves from L.A. I have the very attractive possibility of catching up with Mike in florida but on late notice. I could go to washington dc & do the (admittedly unappealing) touristy shit. There are heaps of snow resorts in Colorado which I really wanted to check out but time is soo limiting and I need to be back in L.A. I could very easily extend my trip and enjoy myself. But at the same time i feel i shouldn't.
Gonna Trryyyyyyy and get the internet to last me until I can figure some stuff out...but man is it being a bitch.
Anyways, must go. Food is priority.
Monday 17th January
Tuesday 18th
Wednesday 19th
Thursday 20th
Friday 21st
So quite a few days & quite a bit of stuff to update you all on.
Monday Tuesday were both very chill days. Ryan @ work & me sleeping in & organizing itunes folders & doing a bit of cleaning.
Wednesday we piled up into his car with all my luggage. I said goodbye to his mum and we drove to Boston.
Parked in the suburbs & trained it into downtown where we checked into a hostel called "40 Berkley".
It seems that american cities do have hostels, but they are trying to move away from the "Backpacker" mentality. There are common rooms, but no one uses them. Theres no kitchenette. The place is more just for really cheap accommodation to use while sight-seeing rather than 'backpacking' and meeting people.
Anyways we started to walk around our accomodation. We were in a pretty good location. But man, did we walk. We walked pretty much 3/4 of the city haha.
It was amazing. The city has soo much old stuff. The streets are soo european like little alley ways and doors underneath staircases. But at the same time there is soo much modern big american architechture like huge hotel lobbies that seem like they could store an airplane and have more shiny stuff than you can take in.
You follow one cool looking street and then the next one is a little lane way through to china town which then leads you to a crazy little bunch of irish pubs all squished into a one way street. Hence all the walking.
Somehow we stumbled across all the bars & this one club/bar type thing called good life which by a stroke of good fortune was playing the kind of music we'd both been heavily into the past week. We stayed there the night & got adquately intoxicated. Such an amazing city & an amazing chance that we found exactly what we were looking for - very cool.
The next day (So, thursday) we caught up with priya and emily. They came to boston for the day to do some shopping & say goodbye. So we saw the shopping district & the italian district and ate more foods and said goodbye to them in the afternoon. Great people and ive definitely got another couple of friends to keep in touch with there.
We ambled our way home again & took it easy. Both very exhausted.
Tried to go back to the same bar again as last night but they were playing compeltely different music. It seems to be a bar which showcases a little more underground performers, rather than a select genera of music. So we just did more walking around & didnt drink anything before coming home & getting a comparatively early sleep.
Friday Ryan had to be home for work at about 4:pm so we were limited in what we could do. We were gonna do a sight-seeing bus tour but they didnt run since we got dumped with another 5 or so inches of snow overnight so it was unsafe for them to run it.
Instead we caught the trains to Harvard university and Harvard square and walked around the campus & checked out a few buildings. Simply epic looking. Soo old, so regal and prestegious and very cool to check out.
It wasn't in season but there were still plenty of students all bustling around probably doing winter semesters. College life & student life in america feels so different, i cant quite describe how but it just feels more like a students lifestyle is soo distinct from not being a student.
Took some trains to the central station where I said goodbye and thankyou to ryan as he caught a different train back to his car & headed home. Another friend who can put up with me for that length of time demonstrating just how good a friend he is.
Came home & figured out finally how to connect to this hostel's wireless..It's absoultely shithouse but if you wait long enough it connects.
I'm at Stage III of my journey now. I have only got about 6 days left before my flight leaves from L.A. I have the very attractive possibility of catching up with Mike in florida but on late notice. I could go to washington dc & do the (admittedly unappealing) touristy shit. There are heaps of snow resorts in Colorado which I really wanted to check out but time is soo limiting and I need to be back in L.A. I could very easily extend my trip and enjoy myself. But at the same time i feel i shouldn't.
Gonna Trryyyyyyy and get the internet to last me until I can figure some stuff out...but man is it being a bitch.
Anyways, must go. Food is priority.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 48: Go Patriots!!!
Day: Sunday 16th January
Kathleen (Ryans Mum) slept in so I just chilled at home till around 1 when she came picked me up.
She took us on a scenic drive along the ocean to a beachside park. Lots of expensive houses & awesome view..apparently the lead singer of Aerosmith is there.
Obviously it's all snowy so we cross country skiid along the coast line - amazingly pretty scenery for sure.
After about 30 mins of cross country skiing we went into Portsmouth for a coffee and grabbed a dessert for the game at emilys.
Priya picked me up then from her house & we went to emily's house where the game was on.
New England Patriots verse New York Jets.
Their quarterback tom brady wasn't playing his norm at all so it costed them the game meaning they're now out of the running for the superbowl. Greenbay packers (wisconsin) are still in the running as a wild card which is good news though i suppose. Fingers crossed and GO PACKERS!!!
Had fish tacos during half time & played a few board games before coming home & exploring new music.
Having the spare time and a new found affinity to different generas of music has been awesome. The internet has soo many neat websites which help you find new music & share it with your friends. Its becomming so much more integrated rather than just visiting a bunch of different www. addresses. You can now visit one site and get so much more & do so much more with it. Ryan's just as much of a computer guru as i am so we are both showing eachother new cool things about computers which is cool especially as it's all focused around awesome new music.
Kathleen (Ryans Mum) slept in so I just chilled at home till around 1 when she came picked me up.
She took us on a scenic drive along the ocean to a beachside park. Lots of expensive houses & awesome view..apparently the lead singer of Aerosmith is there.
Obviously it's all snowy so we cross country skiid along the coast line - amazingly pretty scenery for sure.
After about 30 mins of cross country skiing we went into Portsmouth for a coffee and grabbed a dessert for the game at emilys.
Priya picked me up then from her house & we went to emily's house where the game was on.
New England Patriots verse New York Jets.
Their quarterback tom brady wasn't playing his norm at all so it costed them the game meaning they're now out of the running for the superbowl. Greenbay packers (wisconsin) are still in the running as a wild card which is good news though i suppose. Fingers crossed and GO PACKERS!!!
Had fish tacos during half time & played a few board games before coming home & exploring new music.
Having the spare time and a new found affinity to different generas of music has been awesome. The internet has soo many neat websites which help you find new music & share it with your friends. Its becomming so much more integrated rather than just visiting a bunch of different www. addresses. You can now visit one site and get so much more & do so much more with it. Ryan's just as much of a computer guru as i am so we are both showing eachother new cool things about computers which is cool especially as it's all focused around awesome new music.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Day 47: Shopping With "Mommy"
Day: Saturday 15th January
Temps: -5C
Ryan went to work & his mum. sorry... "MOM". came home from her boyfriends place to do a few errands around the house. I basically helped her shovel some snow & clean up the house.
We then went, for the first time in my life, cross country skiing! She loves winter sports like cross country & snow shoeing so decided to take me for a ski around the golf course next to the river inlet. Beautiful place to do it, heaps of people in little huts fishing out on the ice. CCskiing was fun too - i could see myself as an old person retiring in a place with snow.
Afterwards we went to a big factory outlet place. She wanted a couple of homeware thingies & clothes and I got myself a couple of new long sleeved shirts to replace the ones i've had since i was 15. There was soo much cheap stuff there I could have gotten more but I keep telling myself I don't need it. Very hard to do when it's so cheap.
So yeah, today was hanging out with ryans mommy :)
Nice lady, she works for a newspaper company. Unfortunately it's not going so well with all the switch to digital media like ipads and iphones and smartphones and e-readers etc.
Came home after a bit of shopping & made pizza with ryan and priya and emily and watched a few eps of arrested development.
Temps: -5C
Ryan went to work & his mum. sorry... "MOM". came home from her boyfriends place to do a few errands around the house. I basically helped her shovel some snow & clean up the house.
We then went, for the first time in my life, cross country skiing! She loves winter sports like cross country & snow shoeing so decided to take me for a ski around the golf course next to the river inlet. Beautiful place to do it, heaps of people in little huts fishing out on the ice. CCskiing was fun too - i could see myself as an old person retiring in a place with snow.
Afterwards we went to a big factory outlet place. She wanted a couple of homeware thingies & clothes and I got myself a couple of new long sleeved shirts to replace the ones i've had since i was 15. There was soo much cheap stuff there I could have gotten more but I keep telling myself I don't need it. Very hard to do when it's so cheap.
So yeah, today was hanging out with ryans mommy :)
Nice lady, she works for a newspaper company. Unfortunately it's not going so well with all the switch to digital media like ipads and iphones and smartphones and e-readers etc.
Came home after a bit of shopping & made pizza with ryan and priya and emily and watched a few eps of arrested development.
Day 45: Walk along the beach
Day: Thursday 13th January
Ryan had work again so I had the house to myself again.
I went for a walk to the nearby beach. There is soo much snow everywhere its rediculous.
The beach was beautiful..lots of pebbles - the kind you see on computer wallpaper desktop pictures.
The weirdest thing though, there were surfers! surfing! in the ice cold water! with snow on the beach! Crazy.
I got some more photos too.
Ryan came home & we caught up with emily & priya before ordering pizza in from Dominoes. Dominos pizza here is waaay more fancy. Their pizzas are actually good and are made properly with proper ingredients rather than the fast food greasy things you get in aus. Strange how it's the same company but the product is soo different.
Ryan had work again so I had the house to myself again.
I went for a walk to the nearby beach. There is soo much snow everywhere its rediculous.
The beach was beautiful..lots of pebbles - the kind you see on computer wallpaper desktop pictures.
The weirdest thing though, there were surfers! surfing! in the ice cold water! with snow on the beach! Crazy.
I got some more photos too.
Ryan came home & we caught up with emily & priya before ordering pizza in from Dominoes. Dominos pizza here is waaay more fancy. Their pizzas are actually good and are made properly with proper ingredients rather than the fast food greasy things you get in aus. Strange how it's the same company but the product is soo different.
Day 46: Boston? Naah.
Day: Friday 14th January
Well, we were going to go to Boston today...but it didn't happen. I woke up feeling like I had a hangover so called it off. I think i'll do it later on my own so it's not such a rush to drive all the way down there and back.
Instead we went to the gym, did some grocery shopping & chilled at home with some more music & TV shows. We're watching the series of Arrested Development which is absolutely hilarious.
Well, we were going to go to Boston today...but it didn't happen. I woke up feeling like I had a hangover so called it off. I think i'll do it later on my own so it's not such a rush to drive all the way down there and back.
Instead we went to the gym, did some grocery shopping & chilled at home with some more music & TV shows. We're watching the series of Arrested Development which is absolutely hilarious.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Day 44: Blizzards & Snow Storms
Day: Wednesday 12th January 2011
Temps: -1C
A massive snowstorm hit last night. Blanketed all of the states in this region. We got about 50 cm of snow OVERNIGHT.
It was one of those days where schools get cancelled, and everyone takes the day off. Cars couldn't move cos they were buried. AWESOME.
Ryan's work got cancelled so he was happy. We then got the shovels and began to unbury his car & driveway. Shoveling snow yaaay!! The stuff is heavier than you'd think - its like shoveling water really.
Kids were out playing in their driveways. Soo much snow, it was halfway up ryan's car.
Snowplough's were out in force clearing the roads and lots of people were out shovelling or snowblowing their driveways clear. A wintry hive of activity!
Once ryan confirmed his work was cancelled we decided on nightime snowboarding. Drove (carefully since all the roads were covered) about 2 hrs to Gunstock mountain.
$28 for night skiing til 9:00pm, with free equipment hire.
Was soooo epic. There was soo much untouched powder and it was soo deep. Heaven. Such an amazing day.
Wen't to a pub in Ryans town that he went to uni in for dinner and a glass of guinness before heading home & crashing understandably early.
Temps: -1C
A massive snowstorm hit last night. Blanketed all of the states in this region. We got about 50 cm of snow OVERNIGHT.
It was one of those days where schools get cancelled, and everyone takes the day off. Cars couldn't move cos they were buried. AWESOME.
Ryan's work got cancelled so he was happy. We then got the shovels and began to unbury his car & driveway. Shoveling snow yaaay!! The stuff is heavier than you'd think - its like shoveling water really.
Kids were out playing in their driveways. Soo much snow, it was halfway up ryan's car.
Snowplough's were out in force clearing the roads and lots of people were out shovelling or snowblowing their driveways clear. A wintry hive of activity!
Once ryan confirmed his work was cancelled we decided on nightime snowboarding. Drove (carefully since all the roads were covered) about 2 hrs to Gunstock mountain.
$28 for night skiing til 9:00pm, with free equipment hire.
Was soooo epic. There was soo much untouched powder and it was soo deep. Heaven. Such an amazing day.
Wen't to a pub in Ryans town that he went to uni in for dinner and a glass of guinness before heading home & crashing understandably early.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Day 41,42,43: Chillin In New Hampshire
Days: Sunday 9th, Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th January
Temps: Around -5C
So a few days into one blog as im getting lazy & too comfortable.
Sunday Ryan worked again but I hung out with Priya all day & we went window shopping at the mall which was fun.
Monday ryan worked again but only in arvo so I took a ride with him to the mall & did some of my own shopping. I got a new pair of Levi jeans for $30 and a jumper for QLD weather & a pair of shorts for $20. Cheap shopping here cos they don't have sales tax.
Tuesday ryan had the entire day off & we were going to go to Boston & do some sight seeing but we both slept in and instead we went to his sister's place and chilled with her. She had an xbox & playstation & nintendo at her house. Met up with priya & emily for dinner & ate at this old church which had been converted into a pub. A little sacreligeous but good food nonetheless.
There. 3 days updated :)
Lots of snow forecasted for the next couple days - we might go boarding again if it doesnt clog up the roads
Temps: Around -5C
So a few days into one blog as im getting lazy & too comfortable.
Sunday Ryan worked again but I hung out with Priya all day & we went window shopping at the mall which was fun.
Monday ryan worked again but only in arvo so I took a ride with him to the mall & did some of my own shopping. I got a new pair of Levi jeans for $30 and a jumper for QLD weather & a pair of shorts for $20. Cheap shopping here cos they don't have sales tax.
Tuesday ryan had the entire day off & we were going to go to Boston & do some sight seeing but we both slept in and instead we went to his sister's place and chilled with her. She had an xbox & playstation & nintendo at her house. Met up with priya & emily for dinner & ate at this old church which had been converted into a pub. A little sacreligeous but good food nonetheless.
There. 3 days updated :)
Lots of snow forecasted for the next couple days - we might go boarding again if it doesnt clog up the roads
Monday, January 10, 2011
Photos Updated
Hi all,
Since I had a day off I made a new album of photos.
Think of it as the 'Best Of' selection rather than everything I take.
It's also got pics and vids from other people's cameras too now so yeah, check it out!
http://picasaweb.google.com/j.ovenshenig/CanadaAndAmerica?feat=directlink#
Since I had a day off I made a new album of photos.
Think of it as the 'Best Of' selection rather than everything I take.
It's also got pics and vids from other people's cameras too now so yeah, check it out!
http://picasaweb.google.com/j.ovenshenig/CanadaAndAmerica?feat=directlink#
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Day 40: Rest Day
Day: Saturday, 8th January
Temp: -1C
Ryan went to work early & I got to sleep in. I woke up at about 12:30 and had the house to myself.
Did absolutely nothing.
It was great.
Haha, it was the first day where I didn't do anything at all all day since the trip started (40 days!) so it was very enjoyable.
I got some washing done, cleaned up a few of my photos & music playlists, played with the kitty cat, and watched a bit of TV
Ryan got home at like 5ish and we went to priya's house again. Got excellent chinese food for dinner and watched a dvd.
Glorious day of nothingness :)
Temp: -1C
Ryan went to work early & I got to sleep in. I woke up at about 12:30 and had the house to myself.
Did absolutely nothing.
It was great.
Haha, it was the first day where I didn't do anything at all all day since the trip started (40 days!) so it was very enjoyable.
I got some washing done, cleaned up a few of my photos & music playlists, played with the kitty cat, and watched a bit of TV
Ryan got home at like 5ish and we went to priya's house again. Got excellent chinese food for dinner and watched a dvd.
Glorious day of nothingness :)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Day 39: Back to Hampton
Day: Friday 7th January
Temps: -15C
Relatively early wake up call from a TimeShare advocate. Since we were staying here, they wanted to basically give us a presentation as to what TimeShare is, and the deets on it, and in exchange they'd give us something like $80 and a bunch of pamphlets and a gift pack. Since we're both strapped for cash we signed up. Shame they needed min age of 25 so it ended up just wasting our time.
Checked out & drove back to Ryans house in hampton. Brief stop to shit/shower/shave before heading over to his girlfriends house who she was house sitting. Grocery shopping & dinner at an italian restaurant with one of her friends preceded a couple of DVD's and ice cream back at her house.
Got home & just chilled out to tunes & net. Ryan has work tomorrow, i will probs just use his bicycle into town. Might get a haircut we'll see. Since ryan has work quite often from now on, i guess it's time i start thinking of what my next stage of my journey should be. So hard to decide - I've enjoyed the comfort of friends up to this point.
Temps: -15C
Relatively early wake up call from a TimeShare advocate. Since we were staying here, they wanted to basically give us a presentation as to what TimeShare is, and the deets on it, and in exchange they'd give us something like $80 and a bunch of pamphlets and a gift pack. Since we're both strapped for cash we signed up. Shame they needed min age of 25 so it ended up just wasting our time.
Checked out & drove back to Ryans house in hampton. Brief stop to shit/shower/shave before heading over to his girlfriends house who she was house sitting. Grocery shopping & dinner at an italian restaurant with one of her friends preceded a couple of DVD's and ice cream back at her house.
Got home & just chilled out to tunes & net. Ryan has work tomorrow, i will probs just use his bicycle into town. Might get a haircut we'll see. Since ryan has work quite often from now on, i guess it's time i start thinking of what my next stage of my journey should be. So hard to decide - I've enjoyed the comfort of friends up to this point.
Day 38: Free snowboarding
Day: Thursday 6th January
Temps: -10C
We had to check out by 11 but we'd arranged to stay an extra night yesterday. Moved our stuff to the new pad, lots smaller & simpler but still comfy.
Went cruising around town & checked out some factory outlets, didnt buy anything just looked. Lots of sales - such a poor winter with soo little snow this year is bad news for the shops evidently.
About 3:30 we drove out to some ski slopes in Maine (another state further east). Barely any natural snow - all man made & relatively icy. But since the sun sets at 4pm here it was the place to be cos of the night skiing.
We tried our luck going up the lifts without a ski pass.
Wasn't worth paying for it so it was good. Snow was terrible. Still good fun snowboarding at night though.
Hit several runs before an epic bail signaled the early retirement in front of the village fireplace.
After a small stop at home we walked straight to our fave venues down the road. Delaneys pub and Molly's Cottage or something. A couple games of chess, some guiness and a few more drinks made it yet another great evening to the tally.
Once you stay in a place as small as a ski village long enough, you begin to remember people and they you. The bar tenders knew us and the bouncers and the owner of the molly's cottage too. Soo cool being able to walk into a place and get that kind of recognition. Helps with the pour of your drink too.
Temps: -10C
We had to check out by 11 but we'd arranged to stay an extra night yesterday. Moved our stuff to the new pad, lots smaller & simpler but still comfy.
Went cruising around town & checked out some factory outlets, didnt buy anything just looked. Lots of sales - such a poor winter with soo little snow this year is bad news for the shops evidently.
About 3:30 we drove out to some ski slopes in Maine (another state further east). Barely any natural snow - all man made & relatively icy. But since the sun sets at 4pm here it was the place to be cos of the night skiing.
We tried our luck going up the lifts without a ski pass.
Wasn't worth paying for it so it was good. Snow was terrible. Still good fun snowboarding at night though.
Hit several runs before an epic bail signaled the early retirement in front of the village fireplace.
After a small stop at home we walked straight to our fave venues down the road. Delaneys pub and Molly's Cottage or something. A couple games of chess, some guiness and a few more drinks made it yet another great evening to the tally.
Once you stay in a place as small as a ski village long enough, you begin to remember people and they you. The bar tenders knew us and the bouncers and the owner of the molly's cottage too. Soo cool being able to walk into a place and get that kind of recognition. Helps with the pour of your drink too.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Day 37: Bretton Woods Snowboarding
Day: Wednesday 5th January, 2011
Temp: -10C
Got up at 8 and were on the road at about 8:30 for the 30 min drive to Bretton Woods ski field.
We were lucky, they had a two-for-one lift pass special on Wednesdays so we picked up a days ski pass for about $35ea.
Over New Years day, the entire area around the east coast had a heat wave and we got those 17 degree celcius days and it melted nearly everything. The few places with enough snow not to completely melt, turned into icy white bricks.
The last two days however it was snowing just lightly enough for there to be a couple of inches of softer snow on all the slopes so the conditions weren't too bad in terms of snow quality. It wasnt windy and it cleared up everynow and then to see the valley too which was cool. Good day & great to be on the board again.
Came home & went straight to the heated spas where it was snowing quite heavily.
Drove to some further away pubs and checked them out.
Had a huge pub meal at one place - cant remember what it was called. Massive burger was soo good. Up there with furgburger in Queenstown NZ.
Drove back & walked to our fave lil irish place where they had a pub chess set and had a guinness.
Wen't back to Delaneys where they had some live music & just watched the rest of the Boston Celtics game (basketball). The guys playing music were busy watching the game too so were pretty funny being so distracted.
Caught a cab to a "club 550" which was supposed to be more of a late-night hangout. They have heaps of pool tables and darts and stuff. The obese bastard bouncer didn't accept my ID though..stupid QLD licence. The fat guy didn't wanna budge so we then started walking and thumbed a ride home.
First time i've thumbed a ride - we got picked up by a local couple maybe in their 40's, very friendly & entertaining.
Got home and chilled out and played some music, tv and a bath in my hot tub before falling asleep - great night.
Temp: -10C
Got up at 8 and were on the road at about 8:30 for the 30 min drive to Bretton Woods ski field.
We were lucky, they had a two-for-one lift pass special on Wednesdays so we picked up a days ski pass for about $35ea.
Over New Years day, the entire area around the east coast had a heat wave and we got those 17 degree celcius days and it melted nearly everything. The few places with enough snow not to completely melt, turned into icy white bricks.
The last two days however it was snowing just lightly enough for there to be a couple of inches of softer snow on all the slopes so the conditions weren't too bad in terms of snow quality. It wasnt windy and it cleared up everynow and then to see the valley too which was cool. Good day & great to be on the board again.
Came home & went straight to the heated spas where it was snowing quite heavily.
Drove to some further away pubs and checked them out.
Had a huge pub meal at one place - cant remember what it was called. Massive burger was soo good. Up there with furgburger in Queenstown NZ.
Drove back & walked to our fave lil irish place where they had a pub chess set and had a guinness.
Wen't back to Delaneys where they had some live music & just watched the rest of the Boston Celtics game (basketball). The guys playing music were busy watching the game too so were pretty funny being so distracted.
Caught a cab to a "club 550" which was supposed to be more of a late-night hangout. They have heaps of pool tables and darts and stuff. The obese bastard bouncer didn't accept my ID though..stupid QLD licence. The fat guy didn't wanna budge so we then started walking and thumbed a ride home.
First time i've thumbed a ride - we got picked up by a local couple maybe in their 40's, very friendly & entertaining.
Got home and chilled out and played some music, tv and a bath in my hot tub before falling asleep - great night.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Day 36: North Conway
Day: Tuesday 4th January, 2011
Temp: -5
Woke up comparatively early and got on the road. We drove about 2 hrs to North Conway.
Basically its a tiny road - similar in size-feeling to tennant creek NT, but way more sophisticated and ski-village feel.
We checked into our hotel. Ryan's mum is a member of Disney Time-share too, similar to how Jason's parents got us acommodation in Canmore over in canada.
Ultimately we ended up with the luxury suite condos. Two rooms adjacent to eachother. Fireplaces, kitchenettes, a full on spa bath, two king sized beds and couches and its just insanely luxurious. Unbelievable ay. I uploaded a little tour video - go check my pics out it should be there somewhere.
We went to the heated pool and started talking to a local lady who just swims there. She gave us the lowdown on the places with the best snow to snowboard on, and gave us a good idea of where to hang out for the evening.
Came back & had a jacuzzi in our private spas before heading out to the town. Basically just pub hopped & tried a few local beers, pretty tame night. The town has a ski-village feel and is relatively quiet but still good fun. Stumbled upon some amazing out-of the way places with very authentic decor which had been collected for centuries. Also got a small pizza which was THE best pizza ive had since italy on the side of the roads. Great night overall, very chilled out and enjoyable.
Temp: -5
Woke up comparatively early and got on the road. We drove about 2 hrs to North Conway.
Basically its a tiny road - similar in size-feeling to tennant creek NT, but way more sophisticated and ski-village feel.
We checked into our hotel. Ryan's mum is a member of Disney Time-share too, similar to how Jason's parents got us acommodation in Canmore over in canada.
Ultimately we ended up with the luxury suite condos. Two rooms adjacent to eachother. Fireplaces, kitchenettes, a full on spa bath, two king sized beds and couches and its just insanely luxurious. Unbelievable ay. I uploaded a little tour video - go check my pics out it should be there somewhere.
We went to the heated pool and started talking to a local lady who just swims there. She gave us the lowdown on the places with the best snow to snowboard on, and gave us a good idea of where to hang out for the evening.
Came back & had a jacuzzi in our private spas before heading out to the town. Basically just pub hopped & tried a few local beers, pretty tame night. The town has a ski-village feel and is relatively quiet but still good fun. Stumbled upon some amazing out-of the way places with very authentic decor which had been collected for centuries. Also got a small pizza which was THE best pizza ive had since italy on the side of the roads. Great night overall, very chilled out and enjoyable.
Day 35: Hampton & Gym
Day: Monday 3rd January, 2011
Temps: Cold again (-7)
Did some grocery shopping to save us eating out all the time.
Went to the gym - free 7 day trial membership so took advantage of that. Big gym.
Turns out ive gained about 3 kilo's since starting the trip (1 month)...That's an extra
36kilos a year lol.
Got mexican food on the way home undid all our hard work.
Bludged the rest of the day.
Chilled at home with music & a couple of drinks before walking to a nearby pub to see if they had any pool but it was closed. Beach looks nice at night though, very clear starry skys cos he is soo far out of the urban lights.
Just played some more chess and music back at home - pretty enjoyable just chillin out.
Temps: Cold again (-7)
Did some grocery shopping to save us eating out all the time.
Went to the gym - free 7 day trial membership so took advantage of that. Big gym.
Turns out ive gained about 3 kilo's since starting the trip (1 month)...That's an extra
36kilos a year lol.
Got mexican food on the way home undid all our hard work.
Bludged the rest of the day.
Chilled at home with music & a couple of drinks before walking to a nearby pub to see if they had any pool but it was closed. Beach looks nice at night though, very clear starry skys cos he is soo far out of the urban lights.
Just played some more chess and music back at home - pretty enjoyable just chillin out.
Day 34: Hampton & Portsmouth
Day: Sunday 2nd January, 2011
Temp: Still warm 17 degrees
Took it very easy today.
Ate some mexican food at a little restaurant that makes it in front of you and it was incredibly fresh & tasty.
Went more grocery shopping and picked up ryan's snowboard from being waxed & tuned.
Chilled out to music & played chess before we drove to Portsmouth nearby to meet Ryan's mum and her boyfriend for dinner.
We got pizzas - all italian style around here with all the european influence - nice change from the crust-heavy cheese laden pizzas everywhere else.
Had a couple of local brews before going back home via Ryan's mum's boyfriend's house to pick up some gift cards which will get us cheap accomodation at the slopes.
Came back & met up with more of Priya's friends and just played cards/music/chess
Temp: Still warm 17 degrees
Took it very easy today.
Ate some mexican food at a little restaurant that makes it in front of you and it was incredibly fresh & tasty.
Went more grocery shopping and picked up ryan's snowboard from being waxed & tuned.
Chilled out to music & played chess before we drove to Portsmouth nearby to meet Ryan's mum and her boyfriend for dinner.
We got pizzas - all italian style around here with all the european influence - nice change from the crust-heavy cheese laden pizzas everywhere else.
Had a couple of local brews before going back home via Ryan's mum's boyfriend's house to pick up some gift cards which will get us cheap accomodation at the slopes.
Came back & met up with more of Priya's friends and just played cards/music/chess
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Day 33: Hampton
Day: Saturday 01, January, 2011
Temp: 7C (Seriously feels like a gold coast winter)
Mid morning we went to a breakfast restaurant and got a very english-influence eggs benedict. The entire menu felt new england.
Felt rather full so wen't back and chilled for a bit- watched Die Hard lol.
Ryan's mum is out of town for the holiday staying at her boyfriend's house so we have the house to ourselves. Ryan's sister lives at college or something i think he said.
Emily came back over early afternoon and we wen't to a bowling place. They call it "CandleStick Bowling". It's like a 10 pin bowling place...but the ball's are about the size of the english bouwles and round., and the pins are very skinny and light. The rules are slightly different too like 3 bowls per turn. Apparently it's a very New English thing to do which was pretty cool & good fun time killer.
Wen't to a little mexican place for dinner on the way home. Ryan and Priya are little restaurant buffs and love to find great places to eat and this is one of their faves.
Feeling full we went home for another brief chill session before driving about a half hour to go see some live band that the lead singer is a friend of ryans. Unfortuantely they were having too much fun just drinking rather than playing so they were too late and we ended up only seeing the cover band before leaving but live music was still good. Heavier sort of genera but still fun, they did some good covers of other bands too.
Came home & played some cards & music before retiring. Ryan's new years resolution is to drink again lol. Last year he got done with a DUI and the penalties here are way harsher than they are in aus. Since then he basically didnt drink at all. I guess now that i'm here he realises he can't escape the inevitable and so is resolving to return to drinking - responsibly lol. Hence he busted out some old cocktail liquors & made a margerita for everyone lol. We'll see where this goes - I don't want him to drink on my behalf but at the same time i dunno, its pretty entertaining :D
Temp: 7C (Seriously feels like a gold coast winter)
Mid morning we went to a breakfast restaurant and got a very english-influence eggs benedict. The entire menu felt new england.
Felt rather full so wen't back and chilled for a bit- watched Die Hard lol.
Ryan's mum is out of town for the holiday staying at her boyfriend's house so we have the house to ourselves. Ryan's sister lives at college or something i think he said.
Emily came back over early afternoon and we wen't to a bowling place. They call it "CandleStick Bowling". It's like a 10 pin bowling place...but the ball's are about the size of the english bouwles and round., and the pins are very skinny and light. The rules are slightly different too like 3 bowls per turn. Apparently it's a very New English thing to do which was pretty cool & good fun time killer.
Wen't to a little mexican place for dinner on the way home. Ryan and Priya are little restaurant buffs and love to find great places to eat and this is one of their faves.
Feeling full we went home for another brief chill session before driving about a half hour to go see some live band that the lead singer is a friend of ryans. Unfortuantely they were having too much fun just drinking rather than playing so they were too late and we ended up only seeing the cover band before leaving but live music was still good. Heavier sort of genera but still fun, they did some good covers of other bands too.
Came home & played some cards & music before retiring. Ryan's new years resolution is to drink again lol. Last year he got done with a DUI and the penalties here are way harsher than they are in aus. Since then he basically didnt drink at all. I guess now that i'm here he realises he can't escape the inevitable and so is resolving to return to drinking - responsibly lol. Hence he busted out some old cocktail liquors & made a margerita for everyone lol. We'll see where this goes - I don't want him to drink on my behalf but at the same time i dunno, its pretty entertaining :D
Day 32: Happy New Years In Boston!
Day: Friday 31st December (2010 NYE!)
Temp: -7C in Wisconsin, +7C in Boston!!!!(Abnormally warm, it was on the news even)
Since I'm travelling with a snowboard I was unable to check in early so it meant i was one of the last to check in at the airport. This meant that I was placed in the holding numbers of people who would be forced to forego their seat because the plane was overbooked. Basically she told me three people needed to volunteer to fly on a different day, in order for me to keep my seat. Majorly gay.
Luckily there was an old couple that volunteered and another guy who volunteered so I was alright. Flight's were delayed a bit, packed full and a very tight connection which i almost missed, but other than that they were nice enough flights. The leg from Minneapolis to Boston even had free wireless internet on the flight which is a first. Was pretty fast internet too I wasn't expecting it.
Coordinated with Ryan the night before so he drove into boston and picked us up from the airport in pretty good timing.
It was him, Priya his girlfriend and their friend Emily.
We drove & parked our car at a carpark near a trainstation and caught a couple of trains into Boston.
Priya and Emily are both 19 so can't drink, so the night's event's were organized around seeing a few sights and functions rather than the usual pub/club scene.
The first stop was near Fenway Park, which is a famous baseball stadium. Some glitzy streets which we just walked down looking for a place to eat. Ended up down at some tiny little resteraunt which was hidden away down some stairs which had amazing food. Pasta primavera - was the best pasta ive had in years. Had like artichokes, chicken peices, olives, tomatoes, lots of stuff..just an amazing pasta.
Continued onto the Convention center which was hosting a bunch of various comedy acts as part of the "FirstNight" charity association which runs events all over boston for new years.
Trained our way to another section of town near downtown which is very italian in character. Went to this little bakery which is phenomenally famous for it's Calenoli's. I'm talking about a place which just reaches cult status for them. There was literally a line up for these pastries. Basically they were a tube of pastry, kinda like crust of a sweet pie, around a really different blend of cream/custard/icecream kinda. They were defintely good.
We then made our way to Copley Square outside the Boston library. AKA Time's Square for boston. Bunch of lazers & ice sculptures and a mosh pit of party-goers were dancing to a very very talented DJ. Got right in the middle of it & listened/danced to this DJ & psyched up with the crowd for the countdown. Happy new year!
Made our way back to the car shortly after and started the 45 min drive back to Ryan's. He lives in New Hampshire state, in Hampton, quite close to the beach. Boston is just south of the border in Massetussets (however you spell it). Crashed pretty much soon as we got home.
Different way of celebrating New Years this year. No drinking, going to comedy performances and eating food more so than any partying. The food was amazing, the comedy was good, and the DJ was one of the best ive seen in ages. Boston is a nice city too - can't wait to check it out properly. Theres lots of english/european influence/architecture and seafoods are heaps popular too given that it's on the coast.
Anyways, this is getting to be a long post so will cut it short. Happy New Year everyone! 2010 was an awesome year for me, 2011 has lot's in store and many changes about to come so i'm looking forward to seeing where it all takes me. Hope you all have a great year!
Temp: -7C in Wisconsin, +7C in Boston!!!!(Abnormally warm, it was on the news even)
Since I'm travelling with a snowboard I was unable to check in early so it meant i was one of the last to check in at the airport. This meant that I was placed in the holding numbers of people who would be forced to forego their seat because the plane was overbooked. Basically she told me three people needed to volunteer to fly on a different day, in order for me to keep my seat. Majorly gay.
Luckily there was an old couple that volunteered and another guy who volunteered so I was alright. Flight's were delayed a bit, packed full and a very tight connection which i almost missed, but other than that they were nice enough flights. The leg from Minneapolis to Boston even had free wireless internet on the flight which is a first. Was pretty fast internet too I wasn't expecting it.
Coordinated with Ryan the night before so he drove into boston and picked us up from the airport in pretty good timing.
It was him, Priya his girlfriend and their friend Emily.
We drove & parked our car at a carpark near a trainstation and caught a couple of trains into Boston.
Priya and Emily are both 19 so can't drink, so the night's event's were organized around seeing a few sights and functions rather than the usual pub/club scene.
The first stop was near Fenway Park, which is a famous baseball stadium. Some glitzy streets which we just walked down looking for a place to eat. Ended up down at some tiny little resteraunt which was hidden away down some stairs which had amazing food. Pasta primavera - was the best pasta ive had in years. Had like artichokes, chicken peices, olives, tomatoes, lots of stuff..just an amazing pasta.
Continued onto the Convention center which was hosting a bunch of various comedy acts as part of the "FirstNight" charity association which runs events all over boston for new years.
Trained our way to another section of town near downtown which is very italian in character. Went to this little bakery which is phenomenally famous for it's Calenoli's. I'm talking about a place which just reaches cult status for them. There was literally a line up for these pastries. Basically they were a tube of pastry, kinda like crust of a sweet pie, around a really different blend of cream/custard/icecream kinda. They were defintely good.
We then made our way to Copley Square outside the Boston library. AKA Time's Square for boston. Bunch of lazers & ice sculptures and a mosh pit of party-goers were dancing to a very very talented DJ. Got right in the middle of it & listened/danced to this DJ & psyched up with the crowd for the countdown. Happy new year!
Made our way back to the car shortly after and started the 45 min drive back to Ryan's. He lives in New Hampshire state, in Hampton, quite close to the beach. Boston is just south of the border in Massetussets (however you spell it). Crashed pretty much soon as we got home.
Different way of celebrating New Years this year. No drinking, going to comedy performances and eating food more so than any partying. The food was amazing, the comedy was good, and the DJ was one of the best ive seen in ages. Boston is a nice city too - can't wait to check it out properly. Theres lots of english/european influence/architecture and seafoods are heaps popular too given that it's on the coast.
Anyways, this is getting to be a long post so will cut it short. Happy New Year everyone! 2010 was an awesome year for me, 2011 has lot's in store and many changes about to come so i'm looking forward to seeing where it all takes me. Hope you all have a great year!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)