Sorry about the late update everybody! The week has been crazy hectic, and the sporadic internet connections don't help too much either. Nonetheless, I will be giving a day-to-day update on my time here at Newcastle.
Saturday -
After leaving Noah's on the Beach, I had a very fasinating converstion with my cab driver about US politics. Afterwards, I was able to check in to International House without any issues, and met my first housemate Natalie, Natta for short. The rest of the day was spent getting my room together and wishing I had internet in my room.
Sunday -
Spent this day looking into meeting people and again getting my room together. I meet a ton of interesting people this day, like Vegas (because she's from Vegas), Lauren from Canada, Jono (short for Jonathan), Liam from Coff's Harbor, so many more that I have trouble keeping track of all of them. They had ice-breaker games during the evening, and we all had a pretty good time playing dodgeball and the like together. Another one of my housemates, Jae Yeon from South Korea, moved in as well.
Monday -
Monday was mostly spent checking out the university campus, as well as checking out some of the activity groups that they have here. I signed up with a group called the Goonies, which seemed like an interesting social club, and also signed up on the Ultimate Frisbee team mailing list. After that, I went with a group of people to Jesmond Mall (Jezzo for short) to get a few supplies for the room and to also get costume clothes for the Back to School Party that night. The Back to School Party is a yearly tradtion for every monday of O Week, where people dress up in childrens' school clothes and go out to a bar in downtown Newcastle. The party went over great, though there was a slight hiccup dealing with the trains on the way back, meaning that me and group of people had to take a taxi back to IH. Oh, and Michael Boom, my third housemate moved in.
Tuesday -
Today I had to get up early for the University Commencement Ceremony and student orientation. The Ceremony itself was pretty cool, as I got to see the heads of the University give a couple of speeches. The orientation was, however, not as interesting. History isn't as much of a major topic as it is back at Iowa, so I initially had a hard time finding out where to go for some info on my classes. As it turns out, History is a subsection of Education here, which is a subsection of Art. Huh. Later that night, the IH hosted speed dating in the Green Room. It went pretty well, and I was able to meet a lot of cool international girls.
Wednesday -
Wednesday I decided to forego the usual uni orientation stuff, and went to Westfield Kotara, a nearby shopping mall, instead. Besides this, I wasn't really up to all that much more this day. There were plans to go to a lawn bowling club at some point during the evening, but that was cancelled due to weather.
Thursday -
On this day I went with Vegas and Lauren to Newcastle. The original idea was to check out the beaches and to take a quick tour of Fort Scratchley, but we decided that it was nice enough out to take a walk around town, just the three of us. We ended up going to Hunter Mall, then going down Darby St. to have dinner. We took the train back into town, then did Trivia Night back at the Green Room.
Friday -
Not much happened this day, except for me going back to Jezzo to get some groceries, and then going with (Michael) Boom to the Bar on the Hill, one of the university pubs.
Saturday -
Today I slept in, recovering mostly from the long week. At night the entire first-year international house population took an absolutely fabulous dinner cruise up at Nelson Bay. I had a great time having dinner with some people from Singapore, trying out some Korean drinking games (like "Game of Death" and "Baskin Robbins - 31 Flavors"), and watching dolphins off of the front of the ship while a storm was brewing several miles in front of us. Incredibly beautiful night.
That's my week in a very quick nutshell. I will try and upload photos at some point, but for some reason Picasa is incompatable with the internet here. Look for updates hopefully more offen. Peace out!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Newcastle
I'm writing now from what might be the sketchiest internet cafe I've ever been in. Normally, I would be able to update from the hotel that I'm staying at, Noah's on the Beach, but the wireless that I am getting there is incredibly finnicky, so now I'm here, in a computer lab in the basement of some building.
Yesterday was spent driving south from Nelson Bay, which took about an hour, checking into the hotel, and checking out the University of Newcastle campus. The campus is, in a word, perfect. The entire university is build in and around a forest, so the entire school has a really great, natural feel to it. I was able to meet up with a residential advisor (RA) over at International House, so I was allowed to check out the rooms and living areas before moving in. Speaking of which, I was also able to talk to a administrator at the International House, and he said that I would be able to move in on Saturday. Which I will be doing.
Seriously, I wish my wireless was working properly so I could show you some of the pictures I took of the campus. It really is something else.
Yesterday was spent driving south from Nelson Bay, which took about an hour, checking into the hotel, and checking out the University of Newcastle campus. The campus is, in a word, perfect. The entire university is build in and around a forest, so the entire school has a really great, natural feel to it. I was able to meet up with a residential advisor (RA) over at International House, so I was allowed to check out the rooms and living areas before moving in. Speaking of which, I was also able to talk to a administrator at the International House, and he said that I would be able to move in on Saturday. Which I will be doing.
Seriously, I wish my wireless was working properly so I could show you some of the pictures I took of the campus. It really is something else.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Nelson Bay - Day 3
I'm back at the same internet cafe as yesterday, posting before we hit the road down to Newcastle. We just finished with a quick, 2-hour boat tour of the bay, and I'm still trying to keep myself from swaying back and forth as if I were still on the water.
Yesterday was spent mostly seeing the sights of the area. The interesting thing about here is just how much it seems to resemble Door County. The way Dad and I have kind of been thinking about it is that Newcastle is Green Bay, and Nelson Bay is Little Sister. It's kind of a complex and incomplete analogy, but it helps to conceptualize the area, I feel, for those who have only seen pictures of the area. That is, after I get internet on my laptop and can post pictures again.
The plan afterwards is to take the rental car down to Newcastle, and to check into the beach hotel sometime tonight. I will update tonight if we can find a reliable internet connection.
Laters!
Yesterday was spent mostly seeing the sights of the area. The interesting thing about here is just how much it seems to resemble Door County. The way Dad and I have kind of been thinking about it is that Newcastle is Green Bay, and Nelson Bay is Little Sister. It's kind of a complex and incomplete analogy, but it helps to conceptualize the area, I feel, for those who have only seen pictures of the area. That is, after I get internet on my laptop and can post pictures again.
The plan afterwards is to take the rental car down to Newcastle, and to check into the beach hotel sometime tonight. I will update tonight if we can find a reliable internet connection.
Laters!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Nelson Bay - Day 2
Greetings from Australia! I'm posting right now from a computer in an internet cafe in the town nearby our resort. My time is short, which is okay, because I don't have too much to talk about.
Nothing much has happened since last I posted, except for Dad and I renting a car and then having to help Dad learn how to drive on the left side of the road. Our plan today depends mostly on the weather, which is interesting, because it has been raining almost nonstop since we've gotten into the Sydney area. It would almost seem as if the rain were following us around, since it almost started raining in Broken Hill while we were there, and that's in the middle of the freaking desert.
I'm still a bit wary about starting school, at least orientation, next week. There always seems to be some nagging thought at the back of my mind that says that I left out one little piece of information, or I forgot to fill out a form somewhere, and I somehow won't be able to study here at Newcastle. It's mostly nerves I guess, but it's still something that's been bothing me. Probably nothing, anyway.
So anyway, back to today's plan. If the weather stays nice, then Dad and I will most likely try to rent some kayaks to take out into the bay. We will also try to make it out to one of the nature reserves that they have out here, but again, it depends mostly on it not raining today.
Talk to you tomorrow, hopefully!
Nothing much has happened since last I posted, except for Dad and I renting a car and then having to help Dad learn how to drive on the left side of the road. Our plan today depends mostly on the weather, which is interesting, because it has been raining almost nonstop since we've gotten into the Sydney area. It would almost seem as if the rain were following us around, since it almost started raining in Broken Hill while we were there, and that's in the middle of the freaking desert.
I'm still a bit wary about starting school, at least orientation, next week. There always seems to be some nagging thought at the back of my mind that says that I left out one little piece of information, or I forgot to fill out a form somewhere, and I somehow won't be able to study here at Newcastle. It's mostly nerves I guess, but it's still something that's been bothing me. Probably nothing, anyway.
So anyway, back to today's plan. If the weather stays nice, then Dad and I will most likely try to rent some kayaks to take out into the bay. We will also try to make it out to one of the nature reserves that they have out here, but again, it depends mostly on it not raining today.
Talk to you tomorrow, hopefully!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Nelson Bay
I'm writing this post from Newcastle Airport right now. I'm technically staying up at Nelson Bay, closer to the ocean, but we are down here now because Dad wants to pick up his Kindle and rent a car as well. Internet coverage had become a rare thing up here, and I'm seriously surprised that they had a free wifi network here at the airport. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
After my last post in Broken Hill, I had said that there wasn't much to do up there, that it resembles a post-zombie apocalypse town, etc. etc.. After spending another day up there, I maintain my opinions on the city in general, with the addendum that it really does have incredible views there. The night of our arrival, really the only day we were there, were managed to catch a tour bus up to Statuary Hill, a tourist spot a few kilometers out of town in the bushland. We managed to get there right before sunset, and we were able to take a couple really magnificent photos of the sun setting over the distant hills while fending off the flies.
There's not much to speak of about the day after that. We caught a cab to the airport in the afternoon, and took a flight from Broken Hill to Dubbo, then another to Sydney. It speaks volumes on the generally laid-back nature of the Australia people that, even though I technically didn't have a boarding pass in Dubbo (I had left it on accidentally, since we were taking the same plane that we had landed in), I was still allowed back on the plane. No worries.
I would also like to include a picture of the plane that we took from Broken Hill to Sydney. Please note that it is a propeller plane, something I thought that they didn't use, like rotary phones, simply because they didn't have to anymore. I would also like the add that I would like to never, ever, fly on a prop-plane again, if possible.
After my last post in Broken Hill, I had said that there wasn't much to do up there, that it resembles a post-zombie apocalypse town, etc. etc.. After spending another day up there, I maintain my opinions on the city in general, with the addendum that it really does have incredible views there. The night of our arrival, really the only day we were there, were managed to catch a tour bus up to Statuary Hill, a tourist spot a few kilometers out of town in the bushland. We managed to get there right before sunset, and we were able to take a couple really magnificent photos of the sun setting over the distant hills while fending off the flies.
There's not much to speak of about the day after that. We caught a cab to the airport in the afternoon, and took a flight from Broken Hill to Dubbo, then another to Sydney. It speaks volumes on the generally laid-back nature of the Australia people that, even though I technically didn't have a boarding pass in Dubbo (I had left it on accidentally, since we were taking the same plane that we had landed in), I was still allowed back on the plane. No worries.
I would also like to include a picture of the plane that we took from Broken Hill to Sydney. Please note that it is a propeller plane, something I thought that they didn't use, like rotary phones, simply because they didn't have to anymore. I would also like the add that I would like to never, ever, fly on a prop-plane again, if possible.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Broken Hill
I'm writing this post from our motel room in Broken Hill. Normally I would be outside because it is such a beautiful day out, but the flies here are just relentless. The city itself is pretty nice, though. It is, however, almost completely empty due to the fact that it's a Sunday. Combine the empty streets, the constant crying from the birds around here, and the flies, and it all starts to feel like the city's part of some post-apocalyptic world. Not entirely surprisingly, the movie Mad Max 2 was filmed nearby in the Outback.
The trip here was for the most part enjoyable. We found the train alright, but we soon realized that we'd be sharing what is known as a berth, a sleeper room with dimensions of about 4 by 7 sq. ft. of space to share. It was a little too close-quarters for me, but we settled in just fine, and we were able to set up the bunks just fine. We arrived at Broken Hill at about 8 in the morning, and we are still trying to figure out what to do today.
The trip here was for the most part enjoyable. We found the train alright, but we soon realized that we'd be sharing what is known as a berth, a sleeper room with dimensions of about 4 by 7 sq. ft. of space to share. It was a little too close-quarters for me, but we settled in just fine, and we were able to set up the bunks just fine. We arrived at Broken Hill at about 8 in the morning, and we are still trying to figure out what to do today.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sydney - Day 3 - Bondi to Bronte
Today I am sitting in the usual pizza bar at the QVB in downtown Sydney. Dad and I are killing time mostly, waiting to head back to Westin and on to the train station. But more on that later.
Yesterday was a little different from my other days spent here in Sydney. We had been recommended (by Derrin, of course) to make the famous beach walk between two equally famous beaches, known as Bondi and Bronte. We caught a taxi around noon to Bondi, which was all but deserted due to the bad, stormy weather and the shark attacks that had occurred the day before. The city around it was essentially a suburb of Sydney, mosty touristy type stuff for the beach goers.
The walk itself to the other beach was phenomenal. The distance between the two beaches are little more than a mile in distance, but the scenic walkway is riddled with switchbacks and stairways, all while walking into what felt like a wall of wind. In all, we were walking for about an hour along the cliff side, until we reached the little town around Bronte Beach. We had a quick lunch there at a little juice bar, then took the next available bus to an area known as Bondi Junction. The Junction was little more than a mall with a few store-covered avenues, so we were quickly done exploring there. We decided to forego taking the taxi back into the main financial district, the region where our hotel was, and to take the train back instead.
Though we had hoped to have dinner with Derrin that night, the increasingly terrible weather essentially stopped all travelling outside of the city, and Derrin was unfortunately unable to meet us. We ended up having dinner at Kingsley's, a little steak and seafood restaurant in Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo.
The plan as it stands now is to meet a train at 3 o'clock, ride for about fifteen hours to Broken Hill, take a plane back monday night, then take a cab from the airport up to Nelson Bay.
Yesterday was a little different from my other days spent here in Sydney. We had been recommended (by Derrin, of course) to make the famous beach walk between two equally famous beaches, known as Bondi and Bronte. We caught a taxi around noon to Bondi, which was all but deserted due to the bad, stormy weather and the shark attacks that had occurred the day before. The city around it was essentially a suburb of Sydney, mosty touristy type stuff for the beach goers.
The walk itself to the other beach was phenomenal. The distance between the two beaches are little more than a mile in distance, but the scenic walkway is riddled with switchbacks and stairways, all while walking into what felt like a wall of wind. In all, we were walking for about an hour along the cliff side, until we reached the little town around Bronte Beach. We had a quick lunch there at a little juice bar, then took the next available bus to an area known as Bondi Junction. The Junction was little more than a mall with a few store-covered avenues, so we were quickly done exploring there. We decided to forego taking the taxi back into the main financial district, the region where our hotel was, and to take the train back instead.
Though we had hoped to have dinner with Derrin that night, the increasingly terrible weather essentially stopped all travelling outside of the city, and Derrin was unfortunately unable to meet us. We ended up having dinner at Kingsley's, a little steak and seafood restaurant in Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo.
The plan as it stands now is to meet a train at 3 o'clock, ride for about fifteen hours to Broken Hill, take a plane back monday night, then take a cab from the airport up to Nelson Bay.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Let me know you're out there!
Please sign up on the followers bar on the left side of the of my blog. It doesn't sign you up for anything beyond my site, as far as I know, and I really just want to see who's reading my posts.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sydney - Day 2
Another warm, rainy day in Sydney today. I'm writing from Modena Pizza Bar at Queen Victoria Building in downtown Sydney, same as yesterday. The plan for today is to take a bus down to one of the beaches on the east side of the city, and do one of the cliff walks around there. I heard in the news that at one of the beaches that were planning to visit, Bondi, I think, a couple of surfers got mauled by sharks, and now the beach is closed. Sounds like fun.
Yesterday was pretty fantastic. After posting, we traveled via ferry to Taronga Zoo on the other side of Sydney Harbor. The weather, while pretty much like today's, was still warm and not too sunny, so it was absolutely perfect for walking around, seeing the exhibits. Those familiar with the Zoo in relation to the rest of the city will know the picture of the view from Taronga. The zoo is built into a hill on the opposite side of downtown Sydney, so from almost every clear spot you can see breath-taking views of the skyline with the Opera House and the bridge.
We had to cut the zoo tour a little short in order to meet our man in Sydney, Derrin. We met Derrin at the town centre, then made our way to a nearby hotel bar. Simply put, we couldn't have asked for a better city guide than Derrin. Our meeting was cut short as Derrin had to get back to work, but not without giving us the challenge of eating at Young Alfred, a pizza place by Circular Quay believed to sell the best pizza in the world.
We made our way to Young Alfred after stopping at Kinokuniya, one of the largest bookstores I've ever seen. We ordered our pizza there, and, while Dad and I are in agreement that the pizza there is very, very good, it might not necessarily be the best in the world. Certainly better than most deep-dish that I've had (that's right, I went there). To finish up, here's a picture of some koalas at Taronga Zoo.
Also, here's a picture of a place called Luna Park that we saw from the ferry. These pictures are as close you're going to see of the park, because I'm not getting anywhere near that big damn face.
Yesterday was pretty fantastic. After posting, we traveled via ferry to Taronga Zoo on the other side of Sydney Harbor. The weather, while pretty much like today's, was still warm and not too sunny, so it was absolutely perfect for walking around, seeing the exhibits. Those familiar with the Zoo in relation to the rest of the city will know the picture of the view from Taronga. The zoo is built into a hill on the opposite side of downtown Sydney, so from almost every clear spot you can see breath-taking views of the skyline with the Opera House and the bridge.
We had to cut the zoo tour a little short in order to meet our man in Sydney, Derrin. We met Derrin at the town centre, then made our way to a nearby hotel bar. Simply put, we couldn't have asked for a better city guide than Derrin. Our meeting was cut short as Derrin had to get back to work, but not without giving us the challenge of eating at Young Alfred, a pizza place by Circular Quay believed to sell the best pizza in the world.
We made our way to Young Alfred after stopping at Kinokuniya, one of the largest bookstores I've ever seen. We ordered our pizza there, and, while Dad and I are in agreement that the pizza there is very, very good, it might not necessarily be the best in the world. Certainly better than most deep-dish that I've had (that's right, I went there). To finish up, here's a picture of some koalas at Taronga Zoo.
Also, here's a picture of a place called Luna Park that we saw from the ferry. These pictures are as close you're going to see of the park, because I'm not getting anywhere near that big damn face.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sydney Day 1
The day went by in a kind of jetlagged haze. We were able to check into the hotel despite it being about nine in the morning, and the room at we were given is, in a word, amazing. Here's a pic of the bedroom area.
We knew we had to fight to get ourselves onto Sydney time, so we headed out into the city as soon as possible. First was a coffee bar at an indoor mall called The Strand. The Strand is a pretty good example of the Sydney shopping mall, things that appear pretty reliably every block or so, and contain dozens of interesting little boutique shops. And they all look amazing.
Afterward, we took a quick trip around the city on the public monorail system. Its a bit like the Loop back at Chicago, but only its a monorail, and therefore cooler. We then went on to Hyde Park, the main central park in downtown Sydney. Its mostly filled with memorials and monuments, and has a pretty cool central walkway. My favorite, as with most places, was the giant outdoor chess set.
Soon after that we headed back towards the hotel to rest up for a little while. After a quick rest we headed towards the Royal Botanical Garden. This park was pretty interesting as well, as it was a relatively quiet and peaceful park despite it being literally right next to the city. At the north end of the park we were able to find a pathway to the famous Sydney Opera House. We hung out at the cafe there for a while, took a few photos of the buildings, then headed back towards the park.
Perhaps the most amazing thing we saw on our walk back that afternoon was the hundreds upon hundreds of flying foxes that we found roosting in the trees by the park entrance. For the unaware, flying foxes are sizable, bat-like creatures that eat only fruit, and are found almost exclusively in Australia. As I was unable to photograph these foxes close-up, here's a picture from the internet of one of them flying.
We both decided afterwards that we were too hungry and too tired to press on much more, so we started making our way back to the hotel. We ended up, after much futile searching, eating at a small Japanese sushi boat restaurant. We then went back to the hotel, almost falling down from the shear lack of energy we had left, and we were both asleep by 8.
We knew we had to fight to get ourselves onto Sydney time, so we headed out into the city as soon as possible. First was a coffee bar at an indoor mall called The Strand. The Strand is a pretty good example of the Sydney shopping mall, things that appear pretty reliably every block or so, and contain dozens of interesting little boutique shops. And they all look amazing.
Afterward, we took a quick trip around the city on the public monorail system. Its a bit like the Loop back at Chicago, but only its a monorail, and therefore cooler. We then went on to Hyde Park, the main central park in downtown Sydney. Its mostly filled with memorials and monuments, and has a pretty cool central walkway. My favorite, as with most places, was the giant outdoor chess set.
Soon after that we headed back towards the hotel to rest up for a little while. After a quick rest we headed towards the Royal Botanical Garden. This park was pretty interesting as well, as it was a relatively quiet and peaceful park despite it being literally right next to the city. At the north end of the park we were able to find a pathway to the famous Sydney Opera House. We hung out at the cafe there for a while, took a few photos of the buildings, then headed back towards the park.
Perhaps the most amazing thing we saw on our walk back that afternoon was the hundreds upon hundreds of flying foxes that we found roosting in the trees by the park entrance. For the unaware, flying foxes are sizable, bat-like creatures that eat only fruit, and are found almost exclusively in Australia. As I was unable to photograph these foxes close-up, here's a picture from the internet of one of them flying.
We both decided afterwards that we were too hungry and too tired to press on much more, so we started making our way back to the hotel. We ended up, after much futile searching, eating at a small Japanese sushi boat restaurant. We then went back to the hotel, almost falling down from the shear lack of energy we had left, and we were both asleep by 8.
Sydney - The Flight
Since Blogspot is being annoying and deleting my posts before I finish them, I'm going to do this in segments.First, my flight into Sydney. The flight into Australia had a grand total of about thirteen hours or so, but it felt like longer. Much longer. The seats were uncomfortable, the food was lousy, and the landing was during a slight storm, yet it was all worth it to finally get into Sydney. Dad had a slight hiccup getting through Customs and Immigration, but that was sorted out quickly enough. After we got some money from the currency exchange, we were on our way to our hotel in downtown Sydney!
Monday, February 9, 2009
San Fransisco Part 2
Today I'm in Corte Madera, due north of San Fransisco, sitting here freezing in a open air mall called Town Center. dow
First, a little about yesterday. After yesterday's post, Dad and I travelled down Market Street via the 71 bus to the Haight-Ashbury district in the southwest corner of the city. We got brunch after a 30 minute wait at this incredible place called Zazie's, a French bistro-styled restaurant on Cole Street. The food was enitrely worth the wait, and afterward, we ambled along towards Golden Gate Park. We were surprised at the sheer amount of people and museums there, and we were able to get some fantastic shots of the city from the observation tower of the Art Museum in the middle of the Park.
Afterwards, we went to Amoeba Music on Haight St. (yet another great recommendation from my cousin Rebecca), and explored a few of the other shops along the strip. The area itself was, well, interesting. There were a mutlitude of crazy-cool stores and such, but there was also a surprisingly high amount of homeless looking for everything from handouts to drugs. Definately a place to visit, but just something to keep in mind.
We got back into town around 3-ish, spent a few minutes recooperating at the hotel, then went on to Chinatown. This part of town was incredibly interesting, with countless tiny thriftstores and apothecaries, and were it not late and rainy, and my Dad and I very hungry, we definately would have stayed to check out a few of the stores. For dinner, we ate at a place called Nanking Palace (yet another recommendation. That's 3 for 3, Rebecca.), had a meal that couldn't be beat, then we made our way through a sudden rainstorm back to the hotel.
I've been up about two hours now, getting up early to check out of the Westin and to beat the morning traffic. The plan so far is for me to get some breakfast while Dad checks out the construction project here, then to head around the bay to Berkeley after noon, and then kill some time in town until the flight at 10:30.
Talk to ya later!
First, a little about yesterday. After yesterday's post, Dad and I travelled down Market Street via the 71 bus to the Haight-Ashbury district in the southwest corner of the city. We got brunch after a 30 minute wait at this incredible place called Zazie's, a French bistro-styled restaurant on Cole Street. The food was enitrely worth the wait, and afterward, we ambled along towards Golden Gate Park. We were surprised at the sheer amount of people and museums there, and we were able to get some fantastic shots of the city from the observation tower of the Art Museum in the middle of the Park.
Afterwards, we went to Amoeba Music on Haight St. (yet another great recommendation from my cousin Rebecca), and explored a few of the other shops along the strip. The area itself was, well, interesting. There were a mutlitude of crazy-cool stores and such, but there was also a surprisingly high amount of homeless looking for everything from handouts to drugs. Definately a place to visit, but just something to keep in mind.
We got back into town around 3-ish, spent a few minutes recooperating at the hotel, then went on to Chinatown. This part of town was incredibly interesting, with countless tiny thriftstores and apothecaries, and were it not late and rainy, and my Dad and I very hungry, we definately would have stayed to check out a few of the stores. For dinner, we ate at a place called Nanking Palace (yet another recommendation. That's 3 for 3, Rebecca.), had a meal that couldn't be beat, then we made our way through a sudden rainstorm back to the hotel.
I've been up about two hours now, getting up early to check out of the Westin and to beat the morning traffic. The plan so far is for me to get some breakfast while Dad checks out the construction project here, then to head around the bay to Berkeley after noon, and then kill some time in town until the flight at 10:30.
Talk to ya later!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
San Francisco
I am typing this now from a Starbucks across from The Westin, the hotel that I'm staying at, on Market Street. The trip so far has been, well, interesting. The flight went perfectly, with a slight delay taking off at O'Hare, but besides that it was possibly the smoothest ride I've ever had. San Fransisco, for the most part, has been a mixed bag of experiences.
For one, the city looks amazing at night, with all the streetlights on the hills everywhere you go. Also, we were lucky enough to come into town during the Chinese New Year parade, though this did slow the traffic around our hotel down to a level commonly known as "New York-esque". After checking into the hotel, we explored the what was left of the parade, then after mixing up a few directions, started heading down to a part of town called Tenderloin. This, unfortunately, was quickly recognized as the bad part of town. After realizing we were lost after pasing by the same masage parlor twice, we beat a hasty retreat towards Union Square. We found a place to eat called The Grand Cafe, and after an incredible meal of lamb shank and cassoulet, we headed back to The Westin for a night's rest.
What today holds is still up in the air. We will hopefully be headed for a breakfast place called Zazie's, and eventually going to Golden Gate Park at some point, but that's all we know for now. I will be posting pictures as soon as someone tells me how to post pictures.
Later days!
Also, I'd like to wish Braxton a happy birthday!
For one, the city looks amazing at night, with all the streetlights on the hills everywhere you go. Also, we were lucky enough to come into town during the Chinese New Year parade, though this did slow the traffic around our hotel down to a level commonly known as "New York-esque". After checking into the hotel, we explored the what was left of the parade, then after mixing up a few directions, started heading down to a part of town called Tenderloin. This, unfortunately, was quickly recognized as the bad part of town. After realizing we were lost after pasing by the same masage parlor twice, we beat a hasty retreat towards Union Square. We found a place to eat called The Grand Cafe, and after an incredible meal of lamb shank and cassoulet, we headed back to The Westin for a night's rest.
What today holds is still up in the air. We will hopefully be headed for a breakfast place called Zazie's, and eventually going to Golden Gate Park at some point, but that's all we know for now. I will be posting pictures as soon as someone tells me how to post pictures.
Later days!
Also, I'd like to wish Braxton a happy birthday!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Still in Chicago
This is my first post for the blog, so I thought I'd start out with a little backstory.
When I first applied for college, I basically knew that I would be spending some time studying abroad at some point. Australia didn't seem like the natural option, yet it was so later when I realized a) that everyone there spoke English, and b) it could continue studying everything I wanted there, even journalism. I did have some moments of doubt, thinking that if I took this semester off it would irrevocably mess up my planning, but, with some support from my brother, who went through a similar study abroad phase, I convinced myself that this was the best thing to do.
So, after meeting with Lori, my study abroad adviser, and filling out what seems to be an endless amount of paperwork, I am going to be studying abroad at the University of Newcastle, in Newcastle, Australia. Well, after a couple weeks of traveling there with my Dad. And after a couple days in San Fransisco. And a couple days here at home. Eventually.
When I first applied for college, I basically knew that I would be spending some time studying abroad at some point. Australia didn't seem like the natural option, yet it was so later when I realized a) that everyone there spoke English, and b) it could continue studying everything I wanted there, even journalism. I did have some moments of doubt, thinking that if I took this semester off it would irrevocably mess up my planning, but, with some support from my brother, who went through a similar study abroad phase, I convinced myself that this was the best thing to do.
So, after meeting with Lori, my study abroad adviser, and filling out what seems to be an endless amount of paperwork, I am going to be studying abroad at the University of Newcastle, in Newcastle, Australia. Well, after a couple weeks of traveling there with my Dad. And after a couple days in San Fransisco. And a couple days here at home. Eventually.
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