Quiet Water Bed and Breakfast Monticello

This is my first entry: I just created my travel blog and felt I should write something. I'm still at Purdue University trying to finish up the semester and get everything in order for this summer and Egypt. I have done a lot on this front but there is still much still to do. So I guess I better get to it, ttyl.

... we busied ourselves writing thank-you notes, setting up our finances for our trip, making last-minute preparations, and eating everything in sight. We didn't get a lot of sleep, but we did get a lot accomplished. However, we really have no solid plans, despite embarking on a "worldwide tour" we're just going to GO, and then figure it out on the way. Hopefully things work out. We'll see. Anyway, just one day left to go before we depart...

... I was not sure if I was cut out for such a thing. I know little of tools and mechanics. My father never taught me about tools or showed me how to work on a car, or change a tire, or even shave! I am a self-taught man and learned everything else from friends (particularly Bob, DJ and Bubba) and from life and my extravagent, sometimes even foolish, travels...

... her work at a video store. And after sending lots of naughty messages to a boy Amanda liked, she finally put me to work and I got to play working at the video store. Twas great fun....especially playing with the scanning 'beep beep' thing! Such delight! Then after not enough sleep and plenty of laughs, it was time for me to leave....and WAYYYYY to soon! But with promises that I might come back soon, we hugged and dashed off before we had the chance for horrible goodbyes!

Firstly, -25 degrees, need I say any more. I was so cold that when I tried to take a picture of the Giant Bean (will come to that one later) literally 20 seconds with out gloves, I was literally in physical pain for about half an hour, I have a very high pain threshold but I was a little worried after 20 minutes. It is a stunning modern city, the best hostel I have stayed in. Lake Michigan was frozen and for anyone who has seen Ferris ...

... a night out at Blue Chicago listening to Linsey Alexander. A typical Blues band in a smokey pub with the locals on a Tuesday night. Very cool. So out onto Route 66, out on I-55 then winding our way through towns and stopping off at Dixies diner for some trucking lunching. Travelling all the way on the Historical Route would take weeks, so back onto the highway down to St Louis in time for bed.

Purdue University, West Lafayette campus- the place where I pursue my Materials Science Engineering Degree. The place that I spend most of my time in the US. A small town with mostly students, we don't have much entertainment. Therefore, everyone tend to escape from this place whenever there is a break.Still, I love this place, the spirit we have, go go Boilermakers!!

There is NOTHING to look at in Illinois. These are some pictures to prove that. Eating it Joe's is an incredibly mediocre experience, i would only recommend it for the pictoral value. Because the pork chops are kind of tough. Hope you like the pics of nothings.

Julia and I packed the night before we left on our fight. I am working all morning in church. After all three morning services, I rush to my office tear off my clergy robe and tie and race to the car with Julia and Robin. Robin is going to "dog sit" for Abbey while we are gone. What a blessing for Robin to make this available to us. Bags are packed and re-packed and we check in at the airport. Whew! Now the adrenaline is settling now in my body ...

... trip to Tanzania where he will start his own bike project, in the process of which he is applying for a Fulbright in order to fund his bike work. In Ghana, Danny ("Poppa Danger") had a very interesting time roughing it in the bush, eating giant bush rats, and assisting in an emergency brain surgery without. His trip is a little different than mine; I am spending a majority of time in the city in a University. Danny spent little time in Accra, but he did tell me that a) it is the rainy ...