I am sure most have ready already Julianne's entries for the rest of our trip, so I will just write about my thoughts on the rest of the trip. I was slowed down by the unbearable heat and humidity of the South, especially since I couldn't sleep much in the weather, so I gave up trying to catch up on my blog entries.
The meal at Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken and Waffle restaurant was a meal to remember, ranking up there with the meal at the Rattlesnake (which was made by Julianne's cousin's girlfriend, who is the head chef at the restaurant).I am now tempted to drag myself and my mother to the one in PG county, MD to see if they measure up to the Atlanta one. I really enjoyed the CNN tour, but was disappointed to remember that Anderson Cooper is based in New York City (I know he's gay, but he is nice to look at, ha ha). It was still cool to see the studio and to see a live broadcast on TV while looking at the real thing on the tour. I now want to see if the DC studio offers tours. I wanted to go to Coca-Cola world, but we didn't have much time, so I will have to return to Atlanta to see that, among other things, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. historical site.
I loved Savannah, as I always do, especially since its such an old city. I appreciate anything that is old in the U.S., because this is such an new country, comparatively. It was interesting going from Prague, which has architecture going back to the 900's to Los Angeles, where nothing is much older than a couple decades. Savannah's houses have mostly been restored beautifully, and I could probably spend hours driving or walking around looking at them. It was fun to have listened to the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil audiobook before, during, and after being in Savannah. I now have to see the movie!
I was disappointed that we were not able to park anywhere in Charleston to at least look around the city, but at least we saw a bit of it while driving through. I enjoyed also seeing the Boone Hall Plantation, but the pouring rain really sullied my enjoyment of Charleston, and having to deal with wet clothes and a wet tent.
All three places are cities that I would like to go back to, even though I have already been to two of them.
I am glad to be home, at least for a few days, to recuperate so I can move on to my job as a counselor this upcoming week. I am sure once I slow down, I will be able to really appreciate all of these experiences I have had.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
More of the South and other ruminations
The morning we were in New Orleans (from now on I am calling it NOLA), we had our beignets and I had my chicory coffee at the famous Cafe du Monde. I would spend a lot of money there if I lived in NOLA. We then decided to splurge on a buggy ride that was nice and quite interesting. We passed by the oldest bar in the US, the first pharmacy (where the idea for the song Love Potion No. 9 came from) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's house, dozens of beautiful houses with wraparound balconies (a sign of wealth was whether your balconies could wrap around on all sides), the place where Napolean was supposed to go for the end of his life (where Julianne had more gumbo and I had my mufaletta), and various other places. It was good to get another "taste" of the place so know what to do (and what I have already done) if/when I go back (which I am hoping to do).
The people of NOLA are so interesting - a lot seem to be transplants, but all locals seem to be very proud of the city. I saw many stickers that said "New Orleans: Proud to Swim Home". Living so far away, I didn't really understand why some people would want to stay there after Katrina destroyed their homes (among other things), but now I have a better idea of why they love their city. NOLA's blend of cultures and influences make it a really unique place that is nothing like anywhere else.
We left NOLA for Crestview, FL, where Julianne's aunt lives to say hello and stay for the night. We even were treated to dinner at a Japanese grill restaurant where the chef entertains you at the table.
After Florida, we drove northeast for the first time to Atlanta (through Alabama). We ended up going to a place owned by Gladys Knight and Ron Winans which had the most amazing chicken and other southern food, worth the hour wait. Over dinner we discussed how much of a "taste" of the US we have gotten, both literally and figuratively. We have made a point to at least get the essence of the places we have visited, whether by touring or eating or both. It has given me a good idea of places I want to spend more time in to appreciate them fully (the Northwest, California, Chicago, National Parks, New Orleans, the South).
I have realized that at the end of the trip, I would have stayed in or at least driven through 27 states - I am still amazed. I feel like at this point I should make it my mission to visit all 50 states by the end of my lifetime. If I end up on a political campaign at some point, that goal would be very feasible.
Speaking of traveling, I also realized that I have unknowingly traveled back (more or less) to the roots of my parents this summer - Budapest, Cleveland and Ithaca for my dad, Texas, Chicago, and Florida for my mother. Even though I didn't spend much time in any location (especially my mother's Texas - next time!), I still feel a bit closer to those roots.
The people of NOLA are so interesting - a lot seem to be transplants, but all locals seem to be very proud of the city. I saw many stickers that said "New Orleans: Proud to Swim Home". Living so far away, I didn't really understand why some people would want to stay there after Katrina destroyed their homes (among other things), but now I have a better idea of why they love their city. NOLA's blend of cultures and influences make it a really unique place that is nothing like anywhere else.
We left NOLA for Crestview, FL, where Julianne's aunt lives to say hello and stay for the night. We even were treated to dinner at a Japanese grill restaurant where the chef entertains you at the table.
After Florida, we drove northeast for the first time to Atlanta (through Alabama). We ended up going to a place owned by Gladys Knight and Ron Winans which had the most amazing chicken and other southern food, worth the hour wait. Over dinner we discussed how much of a "taste" of the US we have gotten, both literally and figuratively. We have made a point to at least get the essence of the places we have visited, whether by touring or eating or both. It has given me a good idea of places I want to spend more time in to appreciate them fully (the Northwest, California, Chicago, National Parks, New Orleans, the South).
I have realized that at the end of the trip, I would have stayed in or at least driven through 27 states - I am still amazed. I feel like at this point I should make it my mission to visit all 50 states by the end of my lifetime. If I end up on a political campaign at some point, that goal would be very feasible.
Speaking of traveling, I also realized that I have unknowingly traveled back (more or less) to the roots of my parents this summer - Budapest, Cleveland and Ithaca for my dad, Texas, Chicago, and Florida for my mother. Even though I didn't spend much time in any location (especially my mother's Texas - next time!), I still feel a bit closer to those roots.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Louisiana and the South
As we traveled through California and the South, I couldn't’t help but notice towns with names in Spanish, and how comical some of them sounded when translated. There were towns called Manteca (butter) and Bandera (flag), which, of course, sound nice in Spanish, but can you imagine living in a town called Butter?
Now that we have reached Louisiana, I am amazed at how far we have driven these past few days. From Tuesday morning until this Thursday evening we have gone from south central California to Louisiana, going almost clear across three other states in the process. This hit me as we re-crossed the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, after crossing it the first time in Minnesota. I think the distance it is more of a reality now because we stopped more often before on our way West.
On our way from Austin, we hit what seemed like a monsoon and I feared that it would follow us all the way to N.O., but fortunately it didn’t. I can’t imagine being in the middle of a hurricane here, since I can see how easily the surrounding landscape could get flooded (and that is without the problems of human-built “protections”). I also cannot imagine what it was like to attempt to leave here before or during Katrina since every way in or out of the city is over a body of water.
The effects of Katrina are still evident here, from the boarded-up and empty buildings to the pictures of the flooded hostel we are staying in. I can't imagine what it was like two years ago, and wish I could remember N.O. when I was here before Katrina. However, it seems to be bouncing back fine, and people even joke about it (we saw t-shirts with slogans like "Make Levees Not War"). Bourbon St. is lively (we personally "investigated" by taking part in the revelry - next time I will go to the bars where the locals go). We also went to a local restaurant and had authentic seafood gumbo that was some of the best I have ever had (for anyone coming here, the place is called Coops on 1109 Decatur St.), complete with an Abita Purple Haze (the local brew). I am hoping to get my muffaleta and chicory coffee with a beignet before I leave.
I have posted a couple more pictures, since I finally have a strong enough internet connection at the hostel in new Orleans.
Now that we have reached Louisiana, I am amazed at how far we have driven these past few days. From Tuesday morning until this Thursday evening we have gone from south central California to Louisiana, going almost clear across three other states in the process. This hit me as we re-crossed the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, after crossing it the first time in Minnesota. I think the distance it is more of a reality now because we stopped more often before on our way West.
On our way from Austin, we hit what seemed like a monsoon and I feared that it would follow us all the way to N.O., but fortunately it didn’t. I can’t imagine being in the middle of a hurricane here, since I can see how easily the surrounding landscape could get flooded (and that is without the problems of human-built “protections”). I also cannot imagine what it was like to attempt to leave here before or during Katrina since every way in or out of the city is over a body of water.
The effects of Katrina are still evident here, from the boarded-up and empty buildings to the pictures of the flooded hostel we are staying in. I can't imagine what it was like two years ago, and wish I could remember N.O. when I was here before Katrina. However, it seems to be bouncing back fine, and people even joke about it (we saw t-shirts with slogans like "Make Levees Not War"). Bourbon St. is lively (we personally "investigated" by taking part in the revelry - next time I will go to the bars where the locals go). We also went to a local restaurant and had authentic seafood gumbo that was some of the best I have ever had (for anyone coming here, the place is called Coops on 1109 Decatur St.), complete with an Abita Purple Haze (the local brew). I am hoping to get my muffaleta and chicory coffee with a beignet before I leave.
I have posted a couple more pictures, since I finally have a strong enough internet connection at the hostel in new Orleans.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Texas
After leaving California (so sad to leave the Pacific!) we took off to get back on track with our scheduled stop in Austin, spending the night briefly in El Paso before heading to Austin (I hear the slogan here is "Keep Austin Weird"). Driving through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas was frankly not that interesting, especially the drive from El Paso to Austin, but not everywhere can be interesting. For most of that ride I caught up on reading the last Harry Potter.
It was weird being so close to the border of Mexico in El Paso....there were a number of cars with Mexican plates and everything was in both Spanish and English. On our way to Austin we had to go through a random border patrol, where the guy on patrol simply asked us if we were American citizens, and with a yes and a nod, we were on our way - is this a bit worrisome for anybody?
We have definitely entered Bible country, where mega churches populate the roadside every mile (or even less). Julianne even commented that for some, you can't really tell them apart from the gas stations and stores from the way they look from the highway. However, Austin seems quite liberal, especially around the U Texas campus. It would be nice to spend more time here, but again, it is somewhere that I can put on my list of places to return to someday.
It was weird being so close to the border of Mexico in El Paso....there were a number of cars with Mexican plates and everything was in both Spanish and English. On our way to Austin we had to go through a random border patrol, where the guy on patrol simply asked us if we were American citizens, and with a yes and a nod, we were on our way - is this a bit worrisome for anybody?
We have definitely entered Bible country, where mega churches populate the roadside every mile (or even less). Julianne even commented that for some, you can't really tell them apart from the gas stations and stores from the way they look from the highway. However, Austin seems quite liberal, especially around the U Texas campus. It would be nice to spend more time here, but again, it is somewhere that I can put on my list of places to return to someday.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Hollywood
This afternoon we trekked to Hollywood to see the tourist stuff of L.A. We drove up to town in the Mini and stopped at In and Out burger, the famous California burger chain which makes its food fresh (they actually peel the potatoes for the fries in the store on the day they serve them - what a concept!). It was quite tasty for fast food, actually, and quite an experience.
After parking we walked up Hollywood Ave., and decided to stop at the L. Ron Hubbard Scientology building to see if they had a tour. During this trip we have been experiencing a whole variety of religions and faiths, and thought that it would be interesting and amusing to see what the Scientologists had to say. This is the building that Tom Cruise and other famous Scientologists frequent, but we didn't see any of them, of course. The tour was essentially an overview of L. Ron Hubbard's life and Scientology teachings led by a perky tour guide who subscribed to the religion (and told us that she had sweated out red hair dye from 10 years ago during the detox program - weird and disgusting). Some parts of the religion are actually OK, and I especially liked one of the tenets about respecting other religions. Other parts, however, are quite strange, and the fact that Hubbard created this religion after writing science fiction is slightly unnerving.
After that experience, we headed up Hollywood Blvd, looking at the stars on the walk of fame as we went. The neighborhood is mostly run down and filled with tourist shops, tattoo parlors, and other seedy-looking establishments until you reach Hollywood and Highland. This is where the Kodak theater is (built specifically to hold the Academy Awards) and also an outdoor shopping mall which actually offers a view of the Hollywood sign, albeit a far away one.
We reached Grauman's Chinese Theater and looked around the hand and footprints of the stars amid what seemed hundreds of other tourists and costume-clad street walkers looking to make money from pictures. The theater is also sort of old-looking but it is still moderately kept up for the tourists.
Overall I think I enjoyed northern California better, mostly for the people, but also for the atmosphere that gives off a more laid-back vibe. According to some that live here (including our host, Mike), people in L.A. are here "to be seen" or "to make it" one way or another, whether in the entertainment industry or not. Thus, some people (I am not saying everyone, but the general vibe seems to be this way) have more attitude and believe they are "hot stuff". This was a stark difference from everybody I encountered in northern CA. Speaking of the area, we heard that there was a small earthquake this morning in San Fran, which would have been a bit scary but also an experience.
After parking we walked up Hollywood Ave., and decided to stop at the L. Ron Hubbard Scientology building to see if they had a tour. During this trip we have been experiencing a whole variety of religions and faiths, and thought that it would be interesting and amusing to see what the Scientologists had to say. This is the building that Tom Cruise and other famous Scientologists frequent, but we didn't see any of them, of course. The tour was essentially an overview of L. Ron Hubbard's life and Scientology teachings led by a perky tour guide who subscribed to the religion (and told us that she had sweated out red hair dye from 10 years ago during the detox program - weird and disgusting). Some parts of the religion are actually OK, and I especially liked one of the tenets about respecting other religions. Other parts, however, are quite strange, and the fact that Hubbard created this religion after writing science fiction is slightly unnerving.
After that experience, we headed up Hollywood Blvd, looking at the stars on the walk of fame as we went. The neighborhood is mostly run down and filled with tourist shops, tattoo parlors, and other seedy-looking establishments until you reach Hollywood and Highland. This is where the Kodak theater is (built specifically to hold the Academy Awards) and also an outdoor shopping mall which actually offers a view of the Hollywood sign, albeit a far away one.
We reached Grauman's Chinese Theater and looked around the hand and footprints of the stars amid what seemed hundreds of other tourists and costume-clad street walkers looking to make money from pictures. The theater is also sort of old-looking but it is still moderately kept up for the tourists.
Overall I think I enjoyed northern California better, mostly for the people, but also for the atmosphere that gives off a more laid-back vibe. According to some that live here (including our host, Mike), people in L.A. are here "to be seen" or "to make it" one way or another, whether in the entertainment industry or not. Thus, some people (I am not saying everyone, but the general vibe seems to be this way) have more attitude and believe they are "hot stuff". This was a stark difference from everybody I encountered in northern CA. Speaking of the area, we heard that there was a small earthquake this morning in San Fran, which would have been a bit scary but also an experience.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Santa Monica/Venice Beach
Yesterday I spent most of my time at the beach in both Santa Monica and Venice beach, close to where Julianne's cousin Mike, and his wife Kieu live. The promenade on the Santa Monica beach, which is a pedestrian street, is a really nice part of the area, with nice shops and beautiful people walking around. I initially parked in a spot where I wasn't supposed to, and a nice, older man came up to me and told me that at noon on Wednesday there is no parking (of course I completely didn't realized that it was Wednesday!). He said that I would get a $75 ticket and instead I should park for 75 cents in the parking garage next door. How is that for kindness? So I parked and poked around the promenade, picking up coffee in a boba tea place (they are plentiful around here!) and then going back to the house. Then Kieu and I went to a place called Killer Shrimp - all they make is shrimp is a somewhat spicy but flavorful sauce and serve with some form of carbohydrate (as a side note, the food I have had in CA so far has been delicious, and as somewhat of a "foodie" I find that I talk almost as much about the food as I do about my experiences!). Then we went down to Venice Beach to walk around and people-watch. It was amusing going by the famous 'muscle beach' where there is an outdoor gym and large men (at times in tight clothing, or barely any clothing) hang out.
For dinner we went over to a Thai place and sat outside to enjoy the weather along with our food. It is close to the Venice beach canals, which was originally constructed to look like Venice, Italy. We walked along the canals and stared at the beautiful (but undoubtedly expensive) houses along the water. According to Wikipedia (which may be inaccurate), many famous people have called the neighborhood home, including Jim Morrison from the Doors. Supposedly even Arnold Schwarzenegger even got his start at the Gold's Gym in Venice. In addition, numerous movies were filmed around here, including Because I Said So (around the canals).
Today I am planning on spending my day again on the beach, though sunscreen and a hat will certainly be in order!
For dinner we went over to a Thai place and sat outside to enjoy the weather along with our food. It is close to the Venice beach canals, which was originally constructed to look like Venice, Italy. We walked along the canals and stared at the beautiful (but undoubtedly expensive) houses along the water. According to Wikipedia (which may be inaccurate), many famous people have called the neighborhood home, including Jim Morrison from the Doors. Supposedly even Arnold Schwarzenegger even got his start at the Gold's Gym in Venice. In addition, numerous movies were filmed around here, including Because I Said So (around the canals).
Today I am planning on spending my day again on the beach, though sunscreen and a hat will certainly be in order!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Pacific Coast Highway
Today we left San Fran early and drove down the PCH pretty much the whole way. We stopped briefly in Santa Cruz and Carmel (intending to have lunch there, but it was very swanky) and then to Big Sur for burritos. The drive down the middle part of the PCH was breathtaking, and fortunately not as bad as the road out of Yosemite. It is difficult to describe the experience going down the PCH - I felt like I was in the middle of a movie! I had been looking forward to doing that the whole trip, so I was happy we were able to take advantage of the opportunity.
We made it to L.A. without much trouble, though there was still traffic at 7 in the evening.
Not much else to say, except I am stalled on putting up more pictures for the moment. However, I did discover a feature on Picasa that allows you to map your photos, so I have started to do so - you can track our route by the pictures that are up.
We made it to L.A. without much trouble, though there was still traffic at 7 in the evening.
Not much else to say, except I am stalled on putting up more pictures for the moment. However, I did discover a feature on Picasa that allows you to map your photos, so I have started to do so - you can track our route by the pictures that are up.
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