TravelStream™ news feed for member gse9790 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/gse9790 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:31:05 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1209334800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1209334800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1209334800/tpod.html Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:31:05 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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Chino, California, United States

Friday began with another helping hand at the Kings' Castle, with most of the team helping out 350-400 people coming through the gates for church service and seupplies. We are still trying to work out what it is all about - maybe in a months time we might be able to rationalise what's happening.....ask Pete more when he returns and he will explain more.We were picked up by Mike and driven to the District Conference at Irvine, Orange Country (actually out of the District). It was (felt like) 110 degrees, no air conditioning in the bus, but we made it and a quick dip in the pool was what happened.Narelle, being the character she is, decided to try and bomb Luce - turned out she jumped in to the 3 foot end, when she thought it was 5 foot, and felt a ping in her leg. From that time on she was transferred in a wheelchair, causing much attention!!The rest of the weekend was spent catching up with old hosts, drivers and other mates made along our journey. We presented on Saturday afternoon, a mix of trip photos and a speech along the theme of the Rotary "4 way test". We were met with a standing ovation (but we are thinking that it might have been because it was time to finish up!!)The fires are raging in the mountains outside LA, we passed them on the way to South Pasadena, to rejoin with Conrad and Pat. We headed to their son's for a BBQ with past GSE teams and other friends we've made, had a swim and enjoyed Fosselmans' famous ice creams before heading home to relax tonight (Sunday). The boys are departing Monday night, Narelle left us this morning to pick up her daughter and spend the week at Disneyland, heading straight to the front of the line on her crutches!! Rhonda will be staying for another 2 weeks!!I guess this might be the end of the entries in the blog, and the exchange. We are so sad to be departing our new friends and this wonderful country. However, our memories will come home with us and we will know that we have made friends for life......Until then (we will be home so you can catch us then), stay safe! Rhonda, Tim, Luce and Peter!! PS. If you want to write to Rhonda while she's still travelling, please do so....Peter
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1209141360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1209141360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1209141360/tpod.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:27:18 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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Chino, California, United States

We would like to thank District 5300 for the experience that we as a team have been provided during our last four weeks.Rotarians are great people - Service above self and Rotary Shares have dominated the scene during our exchange.The following are a list who have touched us dearly during our journey. If a name has been missed we apologise as so many people have crossed our paths and added something special to our exchange.DG Charlie,DGE Gene,GSE Chairperson Pam, DGN Tom, John and Amy, Tom and Jane, Brook, Joe and Kay, Mike and Linda, Barbara and Ted, Wenlee and Peter, Matt, Andy, Tim, Dennis, Mark and Debbie, Darryl, Steve, Paul and Pia, Julia and Bobby, Chuck and Chris, Raghada, Bill and Linda, Greg and Inger, Russ and Darlene, Conrad, Heelio and Olivia, Joanne and Valintine, Dr David, Jose, Michael and Jamie, David and Charlene, Sue and Terry, Kevin and Phylis, and Jim Enter as a Stranger. Stay as a Friend. Leave as FamilyUntil next time Peter
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208881260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208881260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208881260/tpod.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:36:51 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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Chino, California, United States

Day 26 - The end is near.We have now moved on and are all in our last homes.We met in Michale Rodriguez's local bar Happy's Grille. Michael is our leader for the next part of the journey. We played some shuffle board, had a few drinks and then headed off to our new homes. Peter and Tim were waiting in anticipation to find out what we were headed for. Our host, David King had told us to wait and see as we were heading into an "interesting environment". Peter and Tim are staying in a community in dowtown Chino, which has been set up by David and Charlene King. These guys feed and minister to hundreds of people each week. It's a mind blowing set up, but very refreshing. There are lots of people coming and going all day and sometimes during the night. But more on that later.On Monday the 21st April - We started at 1000am, a nice slow start. Headed to Chino Planes of Fame Museum. Shown around by Wilfred, a WWII vet who flew as a gunman in over 30 missions. He was fascinating to listen to. Lots of old fighter planes. Off to a great lunch!!! Interesting place, lots of nice photos, Peter will comment later.Sheriff's Academy Visit - Shotting some big gun, m16, shotguns, beanbag guns, taser and pitols. We are improving on our shooting. Tim and Narelle still the most accurate and most professional. Rhonda all shot out, no more guns.Off to the shops at Victoria Gardens. Some shopping for Peter and Tim while the others rested in a nice bar, named the Yard Bar. Home to our respective homes. Another big dinner and sing a long for Peter and Tim. Bye for now. Team (Tim and Peter)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208643120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208643120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208643120/tpod.html Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:19:14 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

A sleep in this morning!!! Yay!! The team met around lunchtime to head to Melrose Avenue to stand in line at Pinks, a famous hot dog shop. The line was almost around the block, anticipated 1 hour long. Gorgeous Greg knew the owner, so he pulled some strings and after meeting Tom the owner, we skipped the line and enjoyed a mixture of hot dogs - titled Martha Stewarts and Today Show, with onion rings and fries.Off to Venice Beach, with promises of muscled men, but instead we had to watch the man with the rug dip himself in the ocean. Medical marijuana available on the streets, some cheap tacky t-shirts purchased, and some very public displays of democratic views in the Western States. Enjoyed some buskers, some of whom yelled at the people who walked away without tipping!!! Luce went swimming, trying to get home via the Pacific, but that didnt work for us....oh well, there's only a week to go.Peter obviously missing home (he hasnt forgotten anything in a couple of days!!).Last night at host families, so home to pack for relocation to Chino, which we've heard a bit about........cows, country, smell (just like home says Rhonda).The Team
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208642700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208642700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208642700/tpod.html Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:12:49 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

Arrived at this exclusive school for breakfast - skipped the rice and enchildas but enjoyed some pastries and fruit instead!! Chatted with the headmaster, who was knowledgable and quite humorous about Australia.Presented to the school assembly, then to the Year 12 Economics class. Half of the school are international students, so had a few blank looks during our fast (we thought we'd slowed down!!) talking.Off ot Tri Star Vending, where Kevin gave us a wonderful tour of their family factory, and free reign on the vending products - it was like children in a candy store, picture Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.....Back to South Western for lunch - bbq burgers, then off to Huntington Library and gardens. Narelle took a very interesting tour of the 200 acre property, whilst the remainder of the team enjoyed wandering around the Japanese and Chinese gardens followed by a lie under a couple of large gum trees. How's the serenity!?Luce went on a never-ending search for beer, unable to find it in these public gardens!!Homeward bound, for dinners and then Luce, Tim and Rhonda met up with Elisa, a member of the outgoing team, and her boyfriend Brian, for drinks in a hip Pasadena wine bar. Felt like being in Chappel Street.The Team
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208642400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208642400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208642400/tpod.html Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:06:05 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

Thursday we all got up after not much sleep, feeling extremely tired but ready to get in to another day. Mornings involved vocational activity - Rhonda to Metropolitan Water, Tim and Narelle to Sierra Madre Police Dept (1st female police chief in the Los Angeles county and only 18 members, with a beautiful tour of a very lovely suburb), Luce to Beverly Hospital.Tim and Narelle late to Rotary meeting at San Marino, where the old money still lives. Nice part of town. Caught up with a fella who was host to an Aussie team 41 years ago, pretty fascinating and good to hear their stories. Good presentation again, we're getting better the more we do!The 4th Street School was next, with Kideract and Interact members attending. Narelle took over and entertained the students with some exciting facts and stories of Oz. Some lovely and smart kids, we gave them all a quarter of a piece of bread with vegemite, with most saying they liked it! Good to get them young.Luce had a massage, Tim with some chiropractic treatment...they should be all good for the rest of the trip!! 100 uniform points deducted for Luce because he left his jacket at the massage!!! No more hanging it on the rest of us for uniform mistakes!!!Went home and slept......well deserved. The Team
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208645400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208645400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208645400/tpod.html Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:57:51 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

Our day began by meeting with our wonderful host, Dr David, and travelling to Anaheim, to the happiest place on earth!!! This year's theme, "year of a million dreams", welcomed us to Disneyland and California Adventure.We began with California soaring, a lovely easy ride over the Californian landscape, ducking and weaving over ocean waves, mountains, paddocks and other Californian sites. Next to the Tower of Terror, which Narelle sat out, but that was good cos she would've had a heart attack had she experienced the falling lift!!Davids' experiences taking GSE teams around the parks was wonderful, knowing how the fast passes work and shortcuts to the best rides. Lunch (and a well earned break off the feet!!) was had at a lovely restaurant, with sandwiches, pasta and beverages enjoyed by all. (This means Luciene had yet another beer!!)The day flew, but we enjoyed nearly all the rides - including Pirates of Carribean, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Bugs Life, Golden Dreams, California Screamer, Thunder Mountain, Bobsled ride, Indiana Jones, Disney Railway, Star tours and the Monorail. We shopped for hats and other souvenirs and managed to get out of the park by 11.30pm!!! What a day!!! Only way to finish the day is with an "In and Out Burger", and finally in bed by 1.30am, exhausted of course!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208308140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208308140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208308140/tpod.html Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:16:27 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

Friday saw a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce (Apple Valley0 and then a Double Double In and Out Burger and fries (why they dont have this in Australia is beyond us!!?)A 6000 feet climb in to Arrowhead revealed a forest wonderland - a beautiful "cabin" (thankyou so much to the Custer family!!!), local shopping (my goodness the beer is cheap!) and we settled in for a night in front of the open fire....All conversation from Arrowhead remains secret property of the GSE team.Some beautiful walks, a tour of the local town, several drinks, constant grazing and some quiet team time made for a perfect weekend.What happens in Arrowhead stays in Arrowhead......Off the mountain to busy LA - we're not in Barstow anymore Toto...!!What a transition. Met with our beautiful new host families, discussed the action packed week ahead, and home for dinner.Monday saw a busy vocational morning for Rhonda and Luce, Tim and Narelle having the chance to sleep in - typical of police officers who have 9 weeks' holiday per year. Lunch at Phillipe (french dipped beef sandwiches, that's a newey), plus some apple pie.After lunch (thanks Jose for everything!!), a beautiful tour of downtown LA, Hollywood (saw the sign, yay!!), Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Malibu Beach. Narelle and Tim had to leave from Hollywood to catch some bad guys for the night, and sadly missed out on calamari, prawns, beers, sunset, the Pacific Ocean, the romance, tranquility.....how's the serenity!!!?After a splash in the Pacific, we headed home singing about Pina Coladas with Garth Brooks. A busy day and an early night. The journey continues tomorrow, with another full on day and anticipation of tomorrow night at the magic castle.Stay tuned, bye for now, GSE TEAM (Luce and Rhonda) XO
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208220900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208220900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208220900/tpod.html Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:07:13 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

Following the adventures of our day at the gun club and other activities in and around Victorville and Apple Valley, we had another day of exciting vocational visits. Luce went to St Mary's medical centre, Rhonda to Mitsibishi cement, and Narelle and Tim for a helicopter ride with the local police (they might let you know more about that and the exciting chase they did shortly!!!)We trialled some Newcastle Lager at a local Rotarians house, before a cosy night with our respective families.Thursday 10th we had an early start at Hesperia, one of the smallest clubs we've visited. Without powerpoint presentation we pulled it off well and sang Duncan AND more Beer, much to the amusement of the audience (who even joined in on the latter)!!! Luce embarrased himself with confusion between two sisters by calling them mother and daughter!!! He apologised, flashed his dimples, and all was forgiven!Lunchtime meeting saw us at a much larger club, Apple Valley, AKA "the best Rotary club in the world" - who happened to have a lot to say, questions to ask, and they even laughed at our jokes AND knew what a dunny and an esky was!!On to Mojave Narrows Park for a very relaxing trail ride on some draught and quarter horses. Luce was in pain, but that was funny. Jiggy, Ethel, Zipbo and a horse we've forgotten the name of were all shown what it's like to be mastered by an Australian!!Tim came in 1st position and Luce was sadly at the rear with Jiggy, constantly nagging at our tour guide to come up with a Knock Knock joke......she did come through with the goods without knocking. What did the duck say when it walked in to a bar? Ouch.......3/10, our Australian jokes are much better.Off to a refreshing microbrewery, Oggis for some delicious snacks, amber and pale ale. Daryl and Hakuna (Raghada) were a laugh and Peter was certainly in full swing.Whilst on the subject of Peter, we have "forgotten" (pardon the pun) to mention Peter (our esteemed leader's) case of forgetfullness throughout our journey........sunglasses, camera case, box from Tom, uniform guidelines, pin code (ATM) and we're sure theres' others that he hasnt mentioned......he misses you Di.A beautiful farewell dinner and drinks at the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce with many Rotarians there from our visit to the Valleys. Very nice night, heaps to chat about. Luce went home to cook up some sticky date pudding (as if they and us need any more!!) Rhonda went to a spanish restaurant to try even more Margharita flavours with her hosts......)More to come.GSE TEAM (Luce and Rhonda)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208132340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208132340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gse9790/1/1208132340/tpod.html Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:27:06 -0400 GSE 9790 - Southern California and Nevada here we come!

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East LA, California, United States

We are about half way through our GSE experience and maybe it is time for me to make some type of comment. What a marvellous experience we are having. We were told of what to expect but I supsect not one of us really thought for a moment it would actually happen. Well it has, and with all things in the USA, in a BIG way.The vocational, cultural, social and presentation experiences are running at a rapid rate and a rest at Arrowhead was just what was required....It is not for me to assess the development and performances of the team - that is for others - however I am in a position to make some comment. I can say that the Australian humour is in full force which is fantastic as this differs from other nations. At times some cultural differences have existed within the team. Handguns and pistols have been drawn only to see them quietly slip back into their undercover locations.The first night at Arrowhead gave the team an opportunity for vigorous debate on many topics and it certainly didnt disappoint.Rhonda - who loses weight when she travelsNarelle - the enforcer of wayward cell phonesTim - the silent assassin who is killing us with his shopping habitsLucien - the clown prince (or Louie the lip) who is often heard saying "when in Rome..."We have develped in to a caring group with great camoraderie skills. (lets not get too complimentary as we are only halfway through our program). However the real stories may never be revealed as what they say - what has happened in Vegas, Barstow, Victorville and Arrowhead stays in that town....Until next time, see you, Pete
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