TravelStream™ news feed for member germanfreek on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/germanfreek en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:32:20 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/4/1224818760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/4/1224818760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/4/1224818760/tpod.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:32:20 -0400 Chicago and Cincinnati

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Basically, I was able to go home and spend my last weekend with friends and family in Cincinnati, Ohio before my departure from Chicago enroute to Baghdad, Iraq. I was able to coordinate this and eventually was able to get about 4 days of quality time with friends and family while in Cincy. I have to say, it was pretty emotional to say goodbye to everyone, but on the other hand, not really knowing if all of the departures were going to be coordinated properly, it was somewhat unknown whether or not I would be back. The biggest problem about going home, is that one never has enough time to see everyone they need to, or want to. I could have spent 4 days just visiting with immediate family, but ultimately, I was able to make the rounds somewhat. I have posted all of my pictures on facebook one for friends and one for family.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/3/1220423100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/3/1220423100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/3/1220423100/tpod.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:26:18 -0400 Cincinnati, Ohio

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

I've become and old pro' at taking the megabus from Chicago Union Station to Cincinnati, Ohio. The best thing is that it's only a dollar (if you buy your tickets way in advance), which makes it the best deal in town. For a dollar, though you don't get, or can't expect to get much. The thing about megabus is that they do not have any stations or ticket brokers. You book your tickets online through their website and then on the day of departure stand at the designated pick up point by following the directions on the website. I get ecstatic when I find a good deal, so I don't really care how I get somewhere as long as it's safe and cheap. At $1.00, it comes out to a third of a cent a mile. Doesn't get much cheaper than that. For more information on why and how they can charge $1.00, see the wikipedia site for megabus. They'll tell you all about it.

Going home to see family and friends often has been one of my biggest joys about living in Chicago. It's so nice to be so close, compared to living in Montana, where every trip required large amounts of planning, and budgeting of time and resources. Now, it's just a bus ride, quick plane ride, or a car rental away. I don't really have to put much effort into going home.

Friday: Spent the early morning hours drinking on the deck, which is the normal friday morning routine at my house. Sat around with some coworkers, and couchsurfers of Clare's. The bus left Chicago right on time at 8 am and arrived early into Cincy. I was lucky enough to have one of the only seats on the bus to myself, and it was nice and cool. The bus drops off at 4th and Race in Cincy, and I have to walk about 4 blocks to the city bus stop to take the bus that drops me right off by my parent's house in Silverton. Getting picked up can be such an ordeal, that I have opted recently to just avoid that and depend on public transportation. It's less stressful for everyone involved. I met my mom at her work UDF and my sister picked us up there. Friday night we went out to dinner at Rusty's, in Deer Park, where my sister works. The food really isn't bad there, although the restaurant is really quiet at times. Then that was really about it. Mom and I hit up a bar before dinner, right around the corner, but just stayed for a couple of drinks and then left. By the time we got home, we were super tired.

Saturday: Saturday was fun. Mom made chicken and ribs for the family. It was good to see everyone and talk and have a good time with family. That night, I met up with my friend Dave and his sister Tracey, and met her kids and talked with them for a while. It was nice to catch up with them for a while. Ended up going to get Skyline with Dave, which is a must if you are ever in Cincinnati.

Sunday: Slept in a little bit, and then ran some errands. Compared to Chicago, Cincinnati is easy to navigate. It's nice to get around and get things done (like get a haircut) without having to fight lines and traffic around every corner. I went and picked my sister Sara up, because I had borrowed her car and then drove her to work. We ended up eating at Rusty's again, because Sara had to work and I wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. Then I came home and took a nap. I know it's bad, but that's what I wanted to do. When Sara was done with work, I went and picked her up and then we went to Friday's for dessert, especially to watch the Riverfest Fireworks on TV. We couldn't make it down to the riverfront in time, so we resorted to watching them in Friday's. It was ok on TV, but much better in person. The annual event in Cincy normally draws a crowd of over half a million people. The fireworks display symbolizes the cultural end to summer season in Cincinnati. It's one big party on both sides of the river. Mom and Dad's fron't porch is somewhat of a gathering place for the neighbors. They seem to have a following from about the 4 or five houses surrounding them that people come by and just hang out on the porch. Sunday night we stayed up late into the morning talking with neighbors. It was really nice I have to say, and makes me miss Cincinnati a little bit.

Monday: Slept in and then met Nickie for lunch. Nickie is one of my best friends. We worked together at American Airlines, and have known eachother since 99. We interviewed and started on the same day, and luckily have never lost contact. We went to the Cheesecake factory and just hang out, laughing like we always do! I realized that time was cut too short, and I had so much rushing around to do. Nickie dropped me off at home, and then I started making plans to see my aunt Mary and uncle Jerry for dinner at Jalepenos, a Mexican (shocker) restaurant not too far from the house. Mom, Sara, Mary & Jerry and I all talked and visited, and then Sara and I made one last drip to Grandma's house so I could say goodbye to her and Beany. By then it was pretty late and I was ready for bed again.

Tueday: Mom made a good Breakfast and then I Megabussed back to Chicago. The AC did not work right, so it was a long 6 hours in the bus. What do you expect for a buck?
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/1/1219909980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/1/1219909980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/germanfreek/1/1219909980/tpod.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:24:18 -0400 Bozeman, MT

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Bozeman, Montana, United States

So, for the past weekend, I was back visiting friends in Bozeman. It was great to see them all again. You know, there's a saying that "friends are our chosen family." I know that this is corny, but it means so much when you move somewhere far from home and have no family within a thousand miles. You end up needing this people to help you live and acclimate to a new culture.

I went to all of my old haunts, and jobs. I realized most of all how much I miss living there in Bozeman, and how much I would love to return some day. Only problem is- It's so far from everything. It takes forever to get there, but that's what makes it special: pristine and beautiful landscape. I always say that the pictures never do this place justice, and I think most that have been there would agree.

A quick break down of the weekend:
Thursday: Got to Gallatin Field at noon, met up with Danielle, Dean and (their new baby) Piper. We went to Manhattan to eat at the Oasis. Arguably the best restaurant in the valley. From there, we we drove back into town and went to the Farm Service Agency and MSU, so I could see all my coworkers. That night, I met up with Cory, Andy and Rob at the Cannery, where a night of binge drinking unfolded. I believe I had a good time, so I have been told.
Friday: Slept in after the night of drinking, wayyy too much, and Danielle and I went to the Gallatin County FSA office. We met another co-worker for lunch at Fiesta Mexicana. It was as good as I remember it, and they were impressed with my Spanish skills. From there, I needed a nap. Still not really up to par from the previous night. Danielle planned a dinner for the FSA crowd, and I invited Becky and Jami from MSU. We all met up for dinner at Old Chicago, for more feasting. Then we headed to the Gallatin International Speedway for a night at the races. It wsa cold, but fun! That night, Dean and I sat up drinking beer and burning documents in the back yard.
Saturday: Saturday morning we headed out to the Hilton for breakfast. One of the best deals in town. Ater that, we went home and did baby stuff for a while, and I realized how much slower we got around with the baby. We also did a bit of garage-saling, and I ran into Frank from the Police Station. He had forgotten that I moved away a year ago, but it was good to see him! Everything seems to take twice as long, with all of the gear required, etc. It's all worth it, because little Piper is super cute. I got to be there for her first hike, where we went up to Grotto Falls. This is in the Gallatin National Forest. Dean and I went to the Movies, with his free passes. Freeloading movies has always been a great pass-time of mine.
Sunday: Sunday was my last full day in Montana. Danielle and I got up and took the baby to church for the first time. Piper was really well-behaved. I was lucky to run into people from school at church, so I was able to talk with them for a while. It's great to go around and see someone you know all the time. Then we went and saw Dean at work, where I got a tour of Dairy Gold, the milk plant where he works. I got to see all of the milk going around and see the cartons and jugs being filled. Instantly, I was in an episode of Seasame Street. After that, we went to lunch at Famous Dave's with Danielle, Piper, Becky and Jami. Jami sold me a sweet Digital Camera, so that I can start to take some sweet pics! Becky, Jami and I hung out ever-so-briefly at Starbucks, which had been a ritual, a year ago. Then I got called away back to Dean and Danielle's where the FSA gals were waiting with dessert and drinks. Val, Sue, Edna and Nina were waiting with Booze and Cake. Two of my favorite things. After that little party, I headed over to James and Daisy's apartment for a suprise visit. They called Randy and Buffy and then we all talked for an ever-so-brief moment. I needed nap again, but instead headed for the trailer to pick up some belongings and say goodbye to Cory and Andy. I came back to Dean and Danielles and then we ate some chicken. Dean and I headed for the Bozeman Hot Springs, which was a great, relaxing way to end a long, successful weekend.
Monday: Back to the big city. I had an early afternoon flight, we stopped off at Perkins for breakfast, and then hoped to score free wings for a year at the Buffalo Wild Wings that just opened in Bozeman, but we were way too late for that. Then we went to the dollar store (another famous haunt of mine). I have to say, United was OK this time around, even though I didn't get a voucher. Plus I got a window seat both ways, which is all you can ask for these days with the airlines. I made it back in time for work Monday night. It was a great, long weekend, and so good to see everyone.


]]>