tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48701395302126537862024-03-13T06:48:37.423+01:00GLOBETOURTRAVELLING AROUND THE WORLD
Alexandra and Jan 2006-2012ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-13758749031481352902011-05-01T21:11:00.000+02:002011-05-01T21:11:37.092+02:00Mexico-part 1 Mexico DFIt’s been almost 4 months since our arrival to Mexico and Central America, and to be honest it already feels like yesterday. Just the thought of going to Mexico and even more south gave me mixed feelings. I was trying to give myself courage but sometimes I was hearing news about the violence in Mexico and suddenly I would become depressed. The trip in USA was ending and although I would not like to live there I feel I understand more about this big country and maybe I have a bit of melancholy for some places that I enjoyed a lot. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw_o_xR_rQbQ3hmt8lJBZFFeLQifwpTJePHDHI6VAKZddPF7bbp1KqrOvVjejQZ1hIL7PaoZCeXlyFXLUvSXzdPBxRzpSZv1eiJQDs6G4pcQRl4LAlHX_HApNxG4saLxWomJBCEtFEeM/s1600/DSC03575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw_o_xR_rQbQ3hmt8lJBZFFeLQifwpTJePHDHI6VAKZddPF7bbp1KqrOvVjejQZ1hIL7PaoZCeXlyFXLUvSXzdPBxRzpSZv1eiJQDs6G4pcQRl4LAlHX_HApNxG4saLxWomJBCEtFEeM/s320/DSC03575.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfXADdjc8V3Occ7b7KgAWfkWUaUkYV4p9DM_6RuYv2K7wLb-v4SMCwmqABz4weuDMmh13dxKnohkz_vjdROPTT1zXNGI5F24Y71KhypI9U2fqOjlRLPRzvL7qR7AX25t-O-DlyLl9tO0/s1600/DSC03584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfXADdjc8V3Occ7b7KgAWfkWUaUkYV4p9DM_6RuYv2K7wLb-v4SMCwmqABz4weuDMmh13dxKnohkz_vjdROPTT1zXNGI5F24Y71KhypI9U2fqOjlRLPRzvL7qR7AX25t-O-DlyLl9tO0/s320/DSC03584.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA2XhDtPY4STrV_33ZFylCVYJk7kuyhoVqmKMejZqPPvJPFTZ94JNuqeT8vG3iP1R9rDOj9u9yAEGWsmHBtzjPfaB1VbP2bdtDb-UEAmsdSfnwwtLItckmvYNLYuD4NsFFUqNr_x3Tgc/s1600/DSC03572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA2XhDtPY4STrV_33ZFylCVYJk7kuyhoVqmKMejZqPPvJPFTZ94JNuqeT8vG3iP1R9rDOj9u9yAEGWsmHBtzjPfaB1VbP2bdtDb-UEAmsdSfnwwtLItckmvYNLYuD4NsFFUqNr_x3Tgc/s320/DSC03572.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPxvrC-C4phEwHCeX-dT43ifJLZJjAAKR5ryZPjP1xvTbRax_i0zk1sQTzyVtf_HFgUTjL-0iZzO0qeCbcOLlmmFTOwCMc3dFwW-eN2DZuSJ79zZdO3FRlxMkhkseqAoc1uBzIMoi7Rg/s1600/DSC03609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="232" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPxvrC-C4phEwHCeX-dT43ifJLZJjAAKR5ryZPjP1xvTbRax_i0zk1sQTzyVtf_HFgUTjL-0iZzO0qeCbcOLlmmFTOwCMc3dFwW-eN2DZuSJ79zZdO3FRlxMkhkseqAoc1uBzIMoi7Rg/s320/DSC03609.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh-ZQZjNjeKX1iH85Ijw5w4u9nOZMygY9oX_gax2Ag4rMh66vi7SdwureFuIxruG93e51lWkhBnY2s8I7U0DmkfRILW2DpmHeIEPvlXq_Jo4DDaD8p3i-WFqR3nh5BE8F4MXjpFKXro8/s1600/DSC03607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh-ZQZjNjeKX1iH85Ijw5w4u9nOZMygY9oX_gax2Ag4rMh66vi7SdwureFuIxruG93e51lWkhBnY2s8I7U0DmkfRILW2DpmHeIEPvlXq_Jo4DDaD8p3i-WFqR3nh5BE8F4MXjpFKXro8/s320/DSC03607.JPG" /></a></div><br />
But time has come for a new adventure and during our last weeks in Florida, we bought the plain ticket to Mexico DF where a new adventure will begin. Sometimes I think I do not like developing countries, or poor countries but then I always find them interesting and enjoyable with all the sorrow and sadness but in the same time some sort of peacefulness and acceptance of the people living in these countries. To be honest I did not know much about Mexican culture, both contemporary and the past. I never take the news as the main information source so I began to read more about this amazing place that is part still of North America and even if it is quite gringonised ( a word in spanglish that means Americanized) still preserve its own immense cultural heritage and identity. The main impact that we had once putting our feet on the Mexican soil was the faces of the people. There were no more mixed people….most of them are indigenous or Spanish looking (with a bit of indigenous)…very latino as they say.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpexXPaCL8o1sUjickuuuREZvs_jJPHY7LdotpRTlOhCrUZMexExlBg1MLDOAgORxJ0nGiHHEN1XMUxKrYKixhTl3tPYfcUrsQ544N-uMgBGOSIZO_ByFtCQmii7Nek9GiRxaIysaKQQ/s1600/DSC03619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpexXPaCL8o1sUjickuuuREZvs_jJPHY7LdotpRTlOhCrUZMexExlBg1MLDOAgORxJ0nGiHHEN1XMUxKrYKixhTl3tPYfcUrsQ544N-uMgBGOSIZO_ByFtCQmii7Nek9GiRxaIysaKQQ/s320/DSC03619.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH5JMfmTz93-XIRbILcK33gv6oY9kjI-IZOxmq4JHt1-VqjwBmJetmCOvv-QHWh7kPe4jW4Xikpm0Pchvl1AhfF6LBRJKcLF5zzshPmpJd4Lkbs-ZHD80RfB9SvSgQpzDN3008p9vLWg/s1600/DSC03616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH5JMfmTz93-XIRbILcK33gv6oY9kjI-IZOxmq4JHt1-VqjwBmJetmCOvv-QHWh7kPe4jW4Xikpm0Pchvl1AhfF6LBRJKcLF5zzshPmpJd4Lkbs-ZHD80RfB9SvSgQpzDN3008p9vLWg/s320/DSC03616.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvxKRWTovCjchDjHzRDPFsS2O5EGqjAkN_vGK-ZKhcBZ7ANDWACaFIR18z6W5xdvhtb_jkFYgE-0gCQquw1HKrI_VehvGs02L7pT1E_hy4KRucf8T6rCUpsKFaM8NEphqMGaZyoL-O-U/s1600/DSC03642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="246" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvxKRWTovCjchDjHzRDPFsS2O5EGqjAkN_vGK-ZKhcBZ7ANDWACaFIR18z6W5xdvhtb_jkFYgE-0gCQquw1HKrI_VehvGs02L7pT1E_hy4KRucf8T6rCUpsKFaM8NEphqMGaZyoL-O-U/s320/DSC03642.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYCoHcfX4odZCef7n3lOEatnqZcoLi_fQMh2NfhV_RFRnAd8tJ4PgtOG0o5YC0rIlr0ueW_AWjF0ygcM79ZJ5qYMznuC3wAxl6tr4GnbHbIJDIfNVhll1-cXC7yLjmH24EdmyQNGzox4/s1600/DSC03647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYCoHcfX4odZCef7n3lOEatnqZcoLi_fQMh2NfhV_RFRnAd8tJ4PgtOG0o5YC0rIlr0ueW_AWjF0ygcM79ZJ5qYMznuC3wAxl6tr4GnbHbIJDIfNVhll1-cXC7yLjmH24EdmyQNGzox4/s320/DSC03647.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOVPtEl8a1bvVV569cIrj2c0vZCDBvehU3yGfJssp75yqAb1YYSIFShZ2e6bojMkR3hvQ5oZWalt9VeLDcmxAQPlO_ZXFaF2btamzDppmooRU62TvAwkAwsC7JXN81pLclxX538gAi80/s1600/DSC03657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="243" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOVPtEl8a1bvVV569cIrj2c0vZCDBvehU3yGfJssp75yqAb1YYSIFShZ2e6bojMkR3hvQ5oZWalt9VeLDcmxAQPlO_ZXFaF2btamzDppmooRU62TvAwkAwsC7JXN81pLclxX538gAi80/s320/DSC03657.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I liked discovering this new universe of faces and on our way to our host, Jan, (all by public transport in DF) we could observe all these new people and their behaviour. Travelling by metro is your best option by far in DF and so we also took advantage of this well built and cheap mean of transport. One ticket costs as much as 0.25 cents of euro and you can make with that large distances in this capital of 9million people and located at an altitude of 2300m. No wonder that when we arrived directly from Florida….with just few meters of altitude, we felt tired for a few days just by doing nothing. It was because of the altitude change and strong air of the city. Our host Jan is a czeck guy married with a Hungarian girl and living in Austria for sometime and now working for UN Human Rights protection Agency in the city. He offered to host us for a few days in his beautiful apartment in a good area of DF ( Roma – Condesa) in the metro station Sevilla. We received a whole room just for ourselves and we were so surprised by the confidence that Jan showed us, giving us the keys of his home even before we could meet him. His hospitality was great and so we connected on many levels pretty easy and began to share meals, talks and walks together. We went out with his friends, had good conversations and many nights we played board games at home. In the same time he was hosting two Singaporean girls also on their journey through central and south America by bicycle. Although their journey sounded interesting it lacked the soul and we felt they were using the people of CS just to have a free place to stay with minimum interaction unless the people praised them constantly. alth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn6WHbndeVpa49NmYYST1eaQwdr-OCt0UcdoTYwJJHx2quq2xniUdqrVgbpAMHOtUYkOZXCI6Cvfm-nrHHa6nwQG3zbVd2lf5ZBmEoEgfHDZ6J9YMEWoAkBqXTF8lW9Y15RgQPW09MY0/s1600/DSC03673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn6WHbndeVpa49NmYYST1eaQwdr-OCt0UcdoTYwJJHx2quq2xniUdqrVgbpAMHOtUYkOZXCI6Cvfm-nrHHa6nwQG3zbVd2lf5ZBmEoEgfHDZ6J9YMEWoAkBqXTF8lW9Y15RgQPW09MY0/s320/DSC03673.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlfL4XDTBFl-56yhh2hwhXMhKL27d5uiSJqqXcX8dkz8z1YtEYDp0tjEDUI7yV289NZimAKqwNtHxpQ1W23P2NeureWsdIp55Xs-lU2-kz1QPQaDZuFkOcKC5kVWrRYI9OCKxZ6nzwkQ/s1600/DSC03675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlfL4XDTBFl-56yhh2hwhXMhKL27d5uiSJqqXcX8dkz8z1YtEYDp0tjEDUI7yV289NZimAKqwNtHxpQ1W23P2NeureWsdIp55Xs-lU2-kz1QPQaDZuFkOcKC5kVWrRYI9OCKxZ6nzwkQ/s320/DSC03675.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDQThIaXlDTdRNgWJVKBp72Xpysl99WL0soRf9CPwycQnHH_Nawxhmv88WrvLFHTvJqrSXF3i7D_ZCW89EbFC6qBfdldyCVdCd5aSShBA0pFR8v2HA-fQvI3S8V07vPwtGou1UpJhXn0/s1600/DSC03683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDQThIaXlDTdRNgWJVKBp72Xpysl99WL0soRf9CPwycQnHH_Nawxhmv88WrvLFHTvJqrSXF3i7D_ZCW89EbFC6qBfdldyCVdCd5aSShBA0pFR8v2HA-fQvI3S8V07vPwtGou1UpJhXn0/s320/DSC03683.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBhMRuyOrLckoysmuHM9G_sJBxdxmRx95LxqwqFg1djwESTOI14ZpWa034UVCeLrl0UpvsUCVRj1W4ZBCVVFNN8sUjuiN1vHacNhSeKY3JefXPAYCT_s-VgQbxuLG__jow2X1EFEbv-M/s1600/DSC03693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBhMRuyOrLckoysmuHM9G_sJBxdxmRx95LxqwqFg1djwESTOI14ZpWa034UVCeLrl0UpvsUCVRj1W4ZBCVVFNN8sUjuiN1vHacNhSeKY3JefXPAYCT_s-VgQbxuLG__jow2X1EFEbv-M/s320/DSC03693.JPG" /></a></div>So there was a big lack of communication with Jan and he felt like he cannot enjoy their project because in a way he was feeling like he can’t connect with them. We thought the project of these girls sounded interesting but in the same time we could not interact more with them so we just left the things as they were until they found a new host and left. The thing that in a way bothered both us and Jan was that they would organise these events for their project but they would end up asking for money….its understandable in a way to try to get help but not sure if they should do that through couchsurfing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn06jbsvjXr_MANqWBBGVP14ADLWbwhkzVByHTM4MhKkq7g4ROEVpgNZqLKncr1s_82CpqZVIaHuJjKN2-uarm8Jps8tHzFr78J9UfEb6DMESLtjxCgDsT-zu9Uq9yJQHnvetunQqWcX8/s1600/DSC03710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn06jbsvjXr_MANqWBBGVP14ADLWbwhkzVByHTM4MhKkq7g4ROEVpgNZqLKncr1s_82CpqZVIaHuJjKN2-uarm8Jps8tHzFr78J9UfEb6DMESLtjxCgDsT-zu9Uq9yJQHnvetunQqWcX8/s320/DSC03710.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdwS8-Mt0DRe3DZ4oS0WRXAKv5tvPG1l6tGGb3oUSKQIlnQia1ajtUn13Zl6zcpHfJabGmxp7Flu4GKnDxHLyRsh_Yd1qV_QXbzi5EeQTAJGllhH4mPt8mx1Og9uvoGN9Eh4XZxkbVd0/s1600/DSC03712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdwS8-Mt0DRe3DZ4oS0WRXAKv5tvPG1l6tGGb3oUSKQIlnQia1ajtUn13Zl6zcpHfJabGmxp7Flu4GKnDxHLyRsh_Yd1qV_QXbzi5EeQTAJGllhH4mPt8mx1Og9uvoGN9Eh4XZxkbVd0/s320/DSC03712.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTmfnqdyJtTmEY_YYSfFVICyuaT5evJ8tO5ISGwhkvyZRp-Hqd8enFpsg8KOLSMcfPXjCTdFMabmunPsUGghdSJ2fRkoB6mWpLBQgf_5GyrM9CFr2fk7mTGPTBHhBKLdGqViIwxSu9cM/s1600/DSC03663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTmfnqdyJtTmEY_YYSfFVICyuaT5evJ8tO5ISGwhkvyZRp-Hqd8enFpsg8KOLSMcfPXjCTdFMabmunPsUGghdSJ2fRkoB6mWpLBQgf_5GyrM9CFr2fk7mTGPTBHhBKLdGqViIwxSu9cM/s320/DSC03663.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZX0YqWq9JKCkFW8RzpLtchDI1yE0OFc66RdZNcZhMJWbeXGHx5zS4cRCCBbLwV26Si31E6UhdGqgG7fDxnFbv0VYPeTIFlzExbVCvfhLFqZqGcNhg81BV80Ze-pUQD4BCCYRSWtIfCk/s1600/DSC03833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZX0YqWq9JKCkFW8RzpLtchDI1yE0OFc66RdZNcZhMJWbeXGHx5zS4cRCCBbLwV26Si31E6UhdGqgG7fDxnFbv0VYPeTIFlzExbVCvfhLFqZqGcNhg81BV80Ze-pUQD4BCCYRSWtIfCk/s320/DSC03833.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVc7xSZvSPOE7fcICgK1p0cFjXBi8mXTV4k6UoiSiV-HtTBWDRVZjF26WIR_n0KU0LDV1x8dzD5VKDcILbbAEYj32fkpJQaMtPmIIk6skryj2pVG5dPhmxF-nfoKGUlQ5IYFykf__sj4/s1600/DSC03677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVc7xSZvSPOE7fcICgK1p0cFjXBi8mXTV4k6UoiSiV-HtTBWDRVZjF26WIR_n0KU0LDV1x8dzD5VKDcILbbAEYj32fkpJQaMtPmIIk6skryj2pVG5dPhmxF-nfoKGUlQ5IYFykf__sj4/s320/DSC03677.JPG" /></a></div>Slowly slowly we began to discover the beauties of DF and there is a lot to see and do here. No wonder so many telenovelas began their story in this city. Since I was small my grandma would always watch the telenovelas on the TV especially the Mexican and Colombian ones so I have to thank Mexico and my Grandma for the help they provided in me learning Spanish.<br />
The Zocalo is one of the most important attractions in the Capital, with a big pedestrian street going from the Palace of Bellas Artes to the main square. The whole area is good for an afternoon walk and also the park of the Bellas Artes offers a good range of street food. Inside the Palace of bellas artes one can enjoy the paintings of Diego Rivera, the most important painter of Mexico and then there is another museum for his wife Frida Khalo (also amazing painter). The Zocalo in DF is built on top af a Aztec pyramid. The Spanish when they colonised the place they kind of did that to the old mayan temples in order to show to the Aztec descendants their superiority and also their religious superiority, ending up by making of Mexico one of the most Christian countries. The good thing in Mexico is that they still preserve through their indigenous tribes and villages their Aztec and Maya beliefs and customs.<br />
The city of Mexico is built on soft soil that used to be the base of lake Texcoco which they drained in order to build so many houses and old buildings and it will surprise you in Mexico DF because their structures are in a worse situation than the Tower of Pisa. <br />
Being on a mountain plateau the climate is quite dry and the air can be so dry and dusty that it can hurt your nose. During our stay in Mexico Df we did a day trip to Teotihuacan, one of the biggest ruins in Mexico (protected by the UNESCO- A prehispanic archaeological site) and an impressive site to see. The ethnicity of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan is also a subject of debate. Possible candidates are the Nahua, Otomi or Totonac ethnic groups. Scholars have also suggested that Teotihuacan was a multiethnic state. The ruins are located 40km away from the city, about 1 our in the good buses of ADO ( the best bus company in Mexico and the safest). Once there we walked the whole midday and afternoon, also climbing the main Sun Pyramid…with a bit of difficulty because of the height and the steepness. The religion of Teotihuacan was similar to that of other Mesoamerican cultures. Many of the same gods were worshiped, including the Feathered Serpent (the Aztecs' Quetzalcoatl) and Rain God (the Aztecs' Tlaloc.The dominant civic architecture is the pyramid. Politics were based on the state religion; religious leaders were the political leaders.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGjSMnuPVQStoAqx6OYd58dTUfgoTgm54OWwENhY-zxNGAe2Mh3Ym8sv1rwkdg81w1s6ZGnMBvkLywV6SKGArVYju0dKIzmctof1lqFHcWPpQOhjl1w9nfjUE3Ds-IadrbTFAUa08E0w/s1600/DSC03719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGjSMnuPVQStoAqx6OYd58dTUfgoTgm54OWwENhY-zxNGAe2Mh3Ym8sv1rwkdg81w1s6ZGnMBvkLywV6SKGArVYju0dKIzmctof1lqFHcWPpQOhjl1w9nfjUE3Ds-IadrbTFAUa08E0w/s320/DSC03719.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss-e3-bEKaUxQaDfi8LqZMRhMKLj4V26ij323xt9JAR48Cac6NJrn7tk9xhCc4sYFSbKyZ0Hvmp7klTNhcO74_sSQ8jCRWzOpzS9zFd-cJH_Hp4rGd0eHBn2o1YGx8uzbKkgta5AilSY/s1600/DSC03713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss-e3-bEKaUxQaDfi8LqZMRhMKLj4V26ij323xt9JAR48Cac6NJrn7tk9xhCc4sYFSbKyZ0Hvmp7klTNhcO74_sSQ8jCRWzOpzS9zFd-cJH_Hp4rGd0eHBn2o1YGx8uzbKkgta5AilSY/s320/DSC03713.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDKuy1HaXiVU09Tll4KUsuw_dPSoB9VkJEJO4vIKzQ6rvO1rWO7iBnEQsUciUeZosBC89ReC8wMHuvRd_FO4DfeQzT34L8cBiBwvadQnxIrigMiTVJhzihsKdrcsu1WUQFuUj9XwZhyphenhyphenI/s1600/DSC03725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDKuy1HaXiVU09Tll4KUsuw_dPSoB9VkJEJO4vIKzQ6rvO1rWO7iBnEQsUciUeZosBC89ReC8wMHuvRd_FO4DfeQzT34L8cBiBwvadQnxIrigMiTVJhzihsKdrcsu1WUQFuUj9XwZhyphenhyphenI/s320/DSC03725.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH6hF5BDQi1z_Poh74rQxRmNir77_zwoWAGLiFbWTJXQvoa-QHXVojijXINDMdnIhDjhjfeXEAoDbRa8EqWZscnlQ29NndW-W4Sd7yLD157s9ThyphenhyphenWEOY9Dj8s2lgWkkHXHuEXU33SNCU/s1600/DSC03734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH6hF5BDQi1z_Poh74rQxRmNir77_zwoWAGLiFbWTJXQvoa-QHXVojijXINDMdnIhDjhjfeXEAoDbRa8EqWZscnlQ29NndW-W4Sd7yLD157s9ThyphenhyphenWEOY9Dj8s2lgWkkHXHuEXU33SNCU/s320/DSC03734.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51C0-8jFLjAUjiF8o2kLQbK9c3Ed_PuugdUkeqeBvtEOKKLeKaoEDN2XKW_vZ-LWGCybFTWyVcWDoSA_4IaMNRkhwml727yGO9s9QTCvG1ZbdIq8doyexN0To4pgvoTXSiDnd0lOXZx8/s1600/DSC03742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51C0-8jFLjAUjiF8o2kLQbK9c3Ed_PuugdUkeqeBvtEOKKLeKaoEDN2XKW_vZ-LWGCybFTWyVcWDoSA_4IaMNRkhwml727yGO9s9QTCvG1ZbdIq8doyexN0To4pgvoTXSiDnd0lOXZx8/s320/DSC03742.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Teotihuacanians practiced human sacrifice: human bodies and animal sacrifices have been found during excavations of the pyramids at Teotihuacan. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hLxTEExNOQPk1-xw04l7S8E14e_wYyDBCs4mTE85k7WXpMxDdm25EQkENy19vm4KwqeaHSBQXZskAYo-31gJ3cmNyWUNtu9EY-L2pIlDb8aOg-WlCOGRvr7eHiGTtEfzc1VN2KNx3LM/s1600/DSC03777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hLxTEExNOQPk1-xw04l7S8E14e_wYyDBCs4mTE85k7WXpMxDdm25EQkENy19vm4KwqeaHSBQXZskAYo-31gJ3cmNyWUNtu9EY-L2pIlDb8aOg-WlCOGRvr7eHiGTtEfzc1VN2KNx3LM/s320/DSC03777.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITZvLkBqtigil9aCNPtMXi5ndRGvbhyphenhyphenu0bmdaIQQQ0Vjn13x_abmIWh-iE-2YIyufc_v6-G_JgSaC3kZr9Gqw6mW_3DGZGP-isgfgMJCGt8F51WRAzJQXRW-ZyexHTHGt2ObeNyfmxA8/s1600/DSC03789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITZvLkBqtigil9aCNPtMXi5ndRGvbhyphenhyphenu0bmdaIQQQ0Vjn13x_abmIWh-iE-2YIyufc_v6-G_JgSaC3kZr9Gqw6mW_3DGZGP-isgfgMJCGt8F51WRAzJQXRW-ZyexHTHGt2ObeNyfmxA8/s320/DSC03789.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c9oi9DM2iHS1V6tdff5VCPUj1s7IFo88vWe1lvyIdgipTJmSHiqaC95RcTRjeBdcwDQQgGOHu5A0XmS1bXZm5XmzLWa9tLXBeo65NLOjD6HtyyDxlhlNX2W-5yCawDCSaFkpTjXbYiE/s1600/DSC03799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c9oi9DM2iHS1V6tdff5VCPUj1s7IFo88vWe1lvyIdgipTJmSHiqaC95RcTRjeBdcwDQQgGOHu5A0XmS1bXZm5XmzLWa9tLXBeo65NLOjD6HtyyDxlhlNX2W-5yCawDCSaFkpTjXbYiE/s320/DSC03799.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie_ahSuBjMNpl7myYpmjd4sQ0OTvZ93RGRHdNsfXtWn3pu-m0OpseU6DRsFtPmtIkmH857g8qfA-lJ32d2rCZYdaapLZpOsgKJoIeRciqM06hKyVuros4lM-a2lYTrJQ5xWcwxGieXs8/s1600/DSC03817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="247" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie_ahSuBjMNpl7myYpmjd4sQ0OTvZ93RGRHdNsfXtWn3pu-m0OpseU6DRsFtPmtIkmH857g8qfA-lJ32d2rCZYdaapLZpOsgKJoIeRciqM06hKyVuros4lM-a2lYTrJQ5xWcwxGieXs8/s320/DSC03817.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqiqYHO37zVDCa9sdLwWsz8NKPIB8FK1ayOdQ7BEfN6w1qkvfHKy33z5PA8a2hD687uSp3uPByNf6z4PLEQlaK5FvG6NkZKEXgOV1MGy2b0RNe5fnHSo5Vz-4J1VV99E-bubazliv9QM/s1600/DSC03819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqiqYHO37zVDCa9sdLwWsz8NKPIB8FK1ayOdQ7BEfN6w1qkvfHKy33z5PA8a2hD687uSp3uPByNf6z4PLEQlaK5FvG6NkZKEXgOV1MGy2b0RNe5fnHSo5Vz-4J1VV99E-bubazliv9QM/s320/DSC03819.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Scholars believe that the people offered human sacrifices as part of a dedication when buildings were expanded or constructed. The victims were probably enemy warriors captured in battle and brought to the city for ritual sacrifice to ensure the city could prosper. Some men were decapitated, some had their hearts removed, others were killed by being hit several times over the head, and some were buried alive. Animals that were considered sacred and represented mythical powers and military were also buried alive, imprisoned in cages: cougars, a wolf, eagles, a falcon, an owl, and even venomous snake.<br />
During our stay in the capital we also visited el barrio San Angel ( a neighborhood where they organized a nice arts and handicrafts market, Coyoacan ( a neighborhood interesting for the night life), the big market of DF, La Merced, where we walked and had lunch with Yunuen, a Mexican girl that we contacted through CS. In the same market, while we were walking and shopping and taking some photos, an older lady approaches Jan and asks him if he is taking interviews. Jan replies half afraid half surprised that No, he is just taking photos….and then the lady says:”- If you see the president, tell him he is killing us with these prices”…and then, as sudden as she came, she left on her way, feeling probably happy that she met a close friend of the president and he will tell the president what the people need to make him hear. It was funny and sad at the same time to live such an experience. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18hs6h5t0sRnJ3-PT76Arp8vOKQAkqvG9nRdhB36zJDn7xkwkz_cR9vB-7Wooq7rc3sOdEmJayDfsDka6EEzAatMr1eGh71hziShLDJg76m21Q9UbZkIeDSSt8HEgvrTIUoYDM44D5KM/s1600/DSC20543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18hs6h5t0sRnJ3-PT76Arp8vOKQAkqvG9nRdhB36zJDn7xkwkz_cR9vB-7Wooq7rc3sOdEmJayDfsDka6EEzAatMr1eGh71hziShLDJg76m21Q9UbZkIeDSSt8HEgvrTIUoYDM44D5KM/s320/DSC20543.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvdyX4Os-zqMIumWlLGxhZw7D_6OZYqK-lDEIG40n7wbtUpO7Nu1mFbzkAWBprrxtN7XI1KwuOrklf-Jh3_5bDdNuBtQnrUyNpyWkZlZGgYzkRGpGi0dKaxj1bs-pJV4ecE9sCF1K0tY/s1600/DSC20597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvdyX4Os-zqMIumWlLGxhZw7D_6OZYqK-lDEIG40n7wbtUpO7Nu1mFbzkAWBprrxtN7XI1KwuOrklf-Jh3_5bDdNuBtQnrUyNpyWkZlZGgYzkRGpGi0dKaxj1bs-pJV4ecE9sCF1K0tY/s320/DSC20597.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z7pVMJ582EkyDYmb-QIDFlpORHdeo3PM0Eqos90tUSnQFeOsoqjQXdTOnQ3maNQGo-VAY8eoYGKEwjP5pmWIezH8lWFV6oTPXAiT_aHAMpN77JZ6aTHxwOXzpzg9kp9ZWf0EWjyUR0c/s1600/DSC20740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z7pVMJ582EkyDYmb-QIDFlpORHdeo3PM0Eqos90tUSnQFeOsoqjQXdTOnQ3maNQGo-VAY8eoYGKEwjP5pmWIezH8lWFV6oTPXAiT_aHAMpN77JZ6aTHxwOXzpzg9kp9ZWf0EWjyUR0c/s320/DSC20740.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfiNmwm_40vmK-UqYZq7pcdgB3odCa2khXRcMQaYoTtRv_qwyTKWOze07tDRFOSFpoYeV69gRAJJc7TsWviOpinig4czHtle56riLjRF-lumEJshoY9wu_wULUaPiURiGIkoZufOSBPo/s1600/DSC20825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfiNmwm_40vmK-UqYZq7pcdgB3odCa2khXRcMQaYoTtRv_qwyTKWOze07tDRFOSFpoYeV69gRAJJc7TsWviOpinig4czHtle56riLjRF-lumEJshoY9wu_wULUaPiURiGIkoZufOSBPo/s320/DSC20825.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK2NjHPtTlxf4OUC88U_nNeCf9COlD7Fu5SOFx8K_LKk-0THi6aGPCrTESukUXw0h82Hy-f388Io8XqimfCKBfdFWYwazT2oyOax2E_N_ZlFyK9q2C7wjgEDTknVliI2IgsJYBuFspHw/s1600/DSC20877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK2NjHPtTlxf4OUC88U_nNeCf9COlD7Fu5SOFx8K_LKk-0THi6aGPCrTESukUXw0h82Hy-f388Io8XqimfCKBfdFWYwazT2oyOax2E_N_ZlFyK9q2C7wjgEDTknVliI2IgsJYBuFspHw/s320/DSC20877.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Before leaving DF and moving south towards other interesting places, we could not leave without having a nice picnic with Jan in the Desierto de los Leones (close to the city in a nice wood at an even higher altitude but with more fresh air) and also we could not miss a good free dinner but for which we had to pay the price by learning how to play drums. It all happened with the help of a friend of Jan, Eider, a Basque girl that worked for the Mexican Government in collaboration with the Spanish Government and who told us that there is this big holyday at the Basque cultural center and if we dressed for the part and played the drums we could eat for free ( the dinner was about 25$ per person). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dFL4pBwYlqCihDUWTDX2O6cwzjzKu7V9KJPfe_0JCzL8Y77f0hd46Rj7Pcpr2YX6UJcOHzh9y4WVUKHhOCHKo3zXloyHs7S5LG4oetZRsHnRQFakVt3bT71nHNIbbzfC0nyu7dgf78c/s1600/DSC20879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dFL4pBwYlqCihDUWTDX2O6cwzjzKu7V9KJPfe_0JCzL8Y77f0hd46Rj7Pcpr2YX6UJcOHzh9y4WVUKHhOCHKo3zXloyHs7S5LG4oetZRsHnRQFakVt3bT71nHNIbbzfC0nyu7dgf78c/s320/DSC20879.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So we all enrolled for this adventure and we dressed up as Basque cooks and played the drums for an unforgettable dinner party- it was fun). After so many adventures and good times in Mexico DF, we felt sad when we had to say goodbye to Jan but a new city was waiting for us : Puebla and Cholula where our first local host Mario was waiting for us.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-12232138973750827362011-03-24T23:49:00.010+01:002011-03-25T00:40:26.753+01:00Travelling south!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvSpIgl_fjD8CoqjvbjHYPOZT0J1F0Xz0ejCfEUYrnZAntEJXKSjVWwShPHIYK8DLE8Js71Ugne84a5qDuBCf-QcQDRz2P0_aCKSwTl8tdcy460qir6kX4OQj96Lqyo4WGWFm1bfXiww/s1600/DSC03155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvSpIgl_fjD8CoqjvbjHYPOZT0J1F0Xz0ejCfEUYrnZAntEJXKSjVWwShPHIYK8DLE8Js71Ugne84a5qDuBCf-QcQDRz2P0_aCKSwTl8tdcy460qir6kX4OQj96Lqyo4WGWFm1bfXiww/s320/DSC03155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789209203521074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSlmM25hFLq-U9tlsN92gYA-UIoeThKLNcx7W1UhktR8UVl7Wfs2Eg1JFxjlQbL_w1cHz95hy5Z9xwcemCx_o1hOm1c9y9Z4qnOUogu9f7ZUkmQKNSNZ1ObJEwssrKYa8rKnfpjXnwdY/s1600/DSC03153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSlmM25hFLq-U9tlsN92gYA-UIoeThKLNcx7W1UhktR8UVl7Wfs2Eg1JFxjlQbL_w1cHz95hy5Z9xwcemCx_o1hOm1c9y9Z4qnOUogu9f7ZUkmQKNSNZ1ObJEwssrKYa8rKnfpjXnwdY/s320/DSC03153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789206427588386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG3zsGTiqXOjMB5zyFEWUzkGr-s_V2T8Z76IQ8SIKRCZE8C71TffAL1UkeClyvzswxb5GnJ4xtMP4Ra93vdqtGjFVYszTVT52UA0-YdO3f2kDGWF4wYarSfLJCVizYb0m4ocRDPSLe3I/s1600/DSC03161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG3zsGTiqXOjMB5zyFEWUzkGr-s_V2T8Z76IQ8SIKRCZE8C71TffAL1UkeClyvzswxb5GnJ4xtMP4Ra93vdqtGjFVYszTVT52UA0-YdO3f2kDGWF4wYarSfLJCVizYb0m4ocRDPSLe3I/s320/DSC03161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789202509591666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e1L_cyYZCkEJ39kJqT831jjR_44zh-Aw1f8OBsRbJRpHFQLS6ZhmnhG4qp0JzkB63vvufz5o5wTZomITaDedTt_T0qptK1Le8ZXV7TpGgwJo85N2ngGK50ZtIQ-CWYUy-Qhz5TQAtvk/s1600/DSC03174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e1L_cyYZCkEJ39kJqT831jjR_44zh-Aw1f8OBsRbJRpHFQLS6ZhmnhG4qp0JzkB63vvufz5o5wTZomITaDedTt_T0qptK1Le8ZXV7TpGgwJo85N2ngGK50ZtIQ-CWYUy-Qhz5TQAtvk/s320/DSC03174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789203878948642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbm262YEtiBXW6Gaf3QY-vgBdNw2RKR2J2-Fxmp4lujWlyE5ycmdWxAmvjQcr31yeLYhPYU7kgzL-gxJGSLU2txPvI1-oC-XkgQjX3p2L3c3DqVT8Lh4I5KtEDqS1oxVOBTirTH1HgCY/s1600/DSC03135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbm262YEtiBXW6Gaf3QY-vgBdNw2RKR2J2-Fxmp4lujWlyE5ycmdWxAmvjQcr31yeLYhPYU7kgzL-gxJGSLU2txPvI1-oC-XkgQjX3p2L3c3DqVT8Lh4I5KtEDqS1oxVOBTirTH1HgCY/s320/DSC03135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789199380023378" /></a><br />Once we have entered Washington Dc, we went to the house of Masha, Mack and Gianna, 3 interesting young CSers with whom we enjoyed 3 nights. They lived in a nice house in Alexandria, a satellite town of DC. From here we could easily go by car or public transport to the capital of this big nation. Dc is a must see in USA because this is the political capital of this federal country. Here is the place where Obama lives, where the great museums of USA are (the Smithsonian) and where the American politics are being drawn. We have visited several important places, like the White House ( from outside), the Capitol Hill, the downtown of Dc where we went to a nice Chinese restaurant and enjoyed a great cheap meal. We were challenged by Mack to participate to the world’s worse movie ever made and called The Room. The idea was to go around midnight to the cinema where they sell the tickets for this bad movie and to buy and drink alcohol inside the theatre while throwing spoons at the screen when there was a dissonant scene or when the movie or the ideas did not made any sense. I must admit it is the worse movie ever made but the experience of seeing it and laughing at the scene for how bad they were, the people dressed as the characters and the spoons and the throwing of a ball …it all sounds weird and it actually is but I enjoyed this release of energy through laughter. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5v8B9AJyncAyySu4u7lvO1AptImArk41e48mG-uA-p7Esu72LpuZYpQpC56prgnf4R4dnqaJeOWqM-e1efoK0NMZHGvIql3qxzAGc59D-mGLQ7lY_fIph183khIjvCgjzkJ2pkR5Ens/s1600/DSC19099.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5v8B9AJyncAyySu4u7lvO1AptImArk41e48mG-uA-p7Esu72LpuZYpQpC56prgnf4R4dnqaJeOWqM-e1efoK0NMZHGvIql3qxzAGc59D-mGLQ7lY_fIph183khIjvCgjzkJ2pkR5Ens/s320/DSC19099.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587791779117340866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPA-L1AKhwK2103bveQed8jgz6e8vRkA07lyO8G9wofXbVAHAOGOP-Ian_ArjPeu-FxXkxtWlnKM7MhjA58w9ngB_2IJx5URCeHVvjEPiuvAn08_dGRMeP-VxAkieZOtlfhGyypTM7qM/s1600/DSC19359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPA-L1AKhwK2103bveQed8jgz6e8vRkA07lyO8G9wofXbVAHAOGOP-Ian_ArjPeu-FxXkxtWlnKM7MhjA58w9ngB_2IJx5URCeHVvjEPiuvAn08_dGRMeP-VxAkieZOtlfhGyypTM7qM/s320/DSC19359.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587791774294966578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DEqamKDY1SHmI_qBYH5rMJiA0X887zc1IhjZEjHz9A4LAPz3yZx_VRwnmio2uYfN6VaiCml7LA7HiICc0SkffyfPO3mX1arrcOsVoUGXosJSk5MWee3AKn9as2boVOWvYHEJuAldhCQ/s1600/DSC03186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DEqamKDY1SHmI_qBYH5rMJiA0X887zc1IhjZEjHz9A4LAPz3yZx_VRwnmio2uYfN6VaiCml7LA7HiICc0SkffyfPO3mX1arrcOsVoUGXosJSk5MWee3AKn9as2boVOWvYHEJuAldhCQ/s320/DSC03186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587791770029803362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilILVv3C8UPeu-4rojH8dgTIMgEio703twM3LYGZtujLVU9fGmDlVt-X0ceWoWA6PFOX4mZ2-F0p8Kljx2hcaS1yYWv_b4_VTm7l1Bkj8kJg0ODjY9WBZc6D7a7KUrdYIF753yAKOEQFA/s1600/DSC03174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilILVv3C8UPeu-4rojH8dgTIMgEio703twM3LYGZtujLVU9fGmDlVt-X0ceWoWA6PFOX4mZ2-F0p8Kljx2hcaS1yYWv_b4_VTm7l1Bkj8kJg0ODjY9WBZc6D7a7KUrdYIF753yAKOEQFA/s320/DSC03174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587791767773354434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkowybpb1G0QW5SAdSfHxpg7IpxKJn-BMzk8FIF1C2K5rPZC-L-pOhNFeJ5vjNsNPkbmDBFanMdsB46aJ7wPKKV_U6jIIrTBafkERHP02FFjJr_-dH8VguzjJJrAfQ2Ji_7BH-b9xe4o/s1600/DSC03176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkowybpb1G0QW5SAdSfHxpg7IpxKJn-BMzk8FIF1C2K5rPZC-L-pOhNFeJ5vjNsNPkbmDBFanMdsB46aJ7wPKKV_U6jIIrTBafkERHP02FFjJr_-dH8VguzjJJrAfQ2Ji_7BH-b9xe4o/s320/DSC03176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587791764828287426" /></a><br /><br />After 3 days we felt we need to go south so we drove for 2 days until we reached Beaufort, South Carolina. Here we have been welcomed by Erika, a very nice girl living in a sweet home.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I7hoVBkS8-UJgNAlSeK4_tN3m2yxQT_wNB8CfexbJN6_wqs_P2JT0Y3zbOj08vIhxYOKq8mErKi5flQYLfS-uZG7Au6DI7X5Q8ozRaK3UE9gW_63KkHGUhkivSRPBhBtT-dCJOG7YDk/s1600/DSC19539.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I7hoVBkS8-UJgNAlSeK4_tN3m2yxQT_wNB8CfexbJN6_wqs_P2JT0Y3zbOj08vIhxYOKq8mErKi5flQYLfS-uZG7Au6DI7X5Q8ozRaK3UE9gW_63KkHGUhkivSRPBhBtT-dCJOG7YDk/s320/DSC19539.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587792438454455666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4HveNnA8KVldXrzpwPFw4Sa9-stpFIVGgulpJ7T5W3CnFGhCNRKrGjUUTe5MVScN-aiB0bvXRd9LFuVKfotUq9OjlLXtO1hoYpJs1yh6qBkWoCSaSX4Ye44LKTgvbNiNSvTjfU-bmQg/s1600/DSC03241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4HveNnA8KVldXrzpwPFw4Sa9-stpFIVGgulpJ7T5W3CnFGhCNRKrGjUUTe5MVScN-aiB0bvXRd9LFuVKfotUq9OjlLXtO1hoYpJs1yh6qBkWoCSaSX4Ye44LKTgvbNiNSvTjfU-bmQg/s320/DSC03241.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587792430195251762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpsLbDMiaPvk_47ce1fitRFrrnzV0ty1_sZauUvQ_QHTkJ1A5NiNviW7S3yxqFu91ikl4u0KrLv7fLxnkcH4IY626keqpyGuZwWE2VEGpMtpWpAnwD4tK9VNRRgnJNwaGbW3gZAvtAdg/s1600/DSC03234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpsLbDMiaPvk_47ce1fitRFrrnzV0ty1_sZauUvQ_QHTkJ1A5NiNviW7S3yxqFu91ikl4u0KrLv7fLxnkcH4IY626keqpyGuZwWE2VEGpMtpWpAnwD4tK9VNRRgnJNwaGbW3gZAvtAdg/s320/DSC03234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587792428751333538" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSb-bA8hAZBIPgwqVPm4zpa7B28YRRqAWE82BIDxGgfLq0mrI5J9K2sR3-jWdFjsmQgTlKtLVrKud13MGh7A2ujNGVDXTTHjhiNWBfjdi8E5HT8mNyXhPI2N91NQOYQS0pjF1MWcwhp8/s1600/DSC03233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSb-bA8hAZBIPgwqVPm4zpa7B28YRRqAWE82BIDxGgfLq0mrI5J9K2sR3-jWdFjsmQgTlKtLVrKud13MGh7A2ujNGVDXTTHjhiNWBfjdi8E5HT8mNyXhPI2N91NQOYQS0pjF1MWcwhp8/s320/DSC03233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587792424980390946" /></a><br /> We connected very easy with Erika and we talked about her experience in Japan, her world and job here in USA and her plans for the future. South Carolina is part of what is known in USA as the Deep South. Here is the place where the civil war was fought and where many people still identify themselves as southerners and the rest as the occupying nation. Anyway we felt very comfortable although the landscape was completely changed and the climate was still warm although we were in late November. Erika and her family offered us to spend the Thanksgiving Day in the family so we bought a bottle of Champagne to share with them and to celebrate this great American holyday, dated one month before Christmas. We were surprised that people did not enjoy here champagne or wine…just beer but we could share the bottle with Erika! Her family was very nice, offering us the specialty of the south: Deep friend Turkey. Normally the turkey is cooked in the over, but here in the south they use 15 litres of oil and a big frying pan and fry their turkeys. Nonetheless it tastes GREAT!!! Erika also had a day free and showed us around town, went with us to see some old African American farms, and took us to meet some of her interesting friends; oh and surely we went to shop at the thrift stores and to party to a local bar. I had a great time and so did Jan and the last day before going we went to visit Charleston, a very beautiful little town with historic importance and also we visited Savannah in Georgia, less beautiful but also important. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9e9P80y7Bpjh5SqSQyw8fkkUi44nyY_YdhNqrUhBPGLJ_SQBsbP6PDk8SKnWxlyD0_pwiHqalf7xLzFsvuvqOQzUQ8ej601XIb-iLCk-F84PL-1km5Va6ZV8bkJ8Yy0OJiVmED3I8ok/s1600/DSC03419.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9e9P80y7Bpjh5SqSQyw8fkkUi44nyY_YdhNqrUhBPGLJ_SQBsbP6PDk8SKnWxlyD0_pwiHqalf7xLzFsvuvqOQzUQ8ej601XIb-iLCk-F84PL-1km5Va6ZV8bkJ8Yy0OJiVmED3I8ok/s320/DSC03419.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793263775310626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1cRfO9aNVVf8-ERxScrJHDW65DPEP6-vSvmlx4ywC8dYzmbK4A7-GgPiXOSXWJz9AZpk7LhabIzp144Df2MR78hweBqgOXlovQGYFtRFR6xmsbWOv5mkPJBVaDOLavV2N3jr_Kvu9t0/s1600/DSC03286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1cRfO9aNVVf8-ERxScrJHDW65DPEP6-vSvmlx4ywC8dYzmbK4A7-GgPiXOSXWJz9AZpk7LhabIzp144Df2MR78hweBqgOXlovQGYFtRFR6xmsbWOv5mkPJBVaDOLavV2N3jr_Kvu9t0/s320/DSC03286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793265220549154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgoIsJhEiNHcy_XVYyetfUJ9kc6JpXv7rW_BvK4GYfYs6UWe0bwPlshRRxhp2QuKaBSG0rObWKNgR-iYXsjSgtGJaZHRCcrNvZ9fKwx_VTiSHDSQut2BcMQuvyjtpQMfRlJ7-qS6hBlE/s1600/DSC03282.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgoIsJhEiNHcy_XVYyetfUJ9kc6JpXv7rW_BvK4GYfYs6UWe0bwPlshRRxhp2QuKaBSG0rObWKNgR-iYXsjSgtGJaZHRCcrNvZ9fKwx_VTiSHDSQut2BcMQuvyjtpQMfRlJ7-qS6hBlE/s320/DSC03282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793261662030002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9G-ZxImriG6DvXLxkNMbyeYHfPk6rDSYDvPu4uNGUdufPM7NTQ4C9vHlJ0oIYRAKc9CvW4GtmbiIpXKmO39h9x7BVuh4K2df3j4EbfDLXcyVJDZzxvwXkfYVM5iz9mofbXuCCKzRj3I/s1600/DSC03279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9G-ZxImriG6DvXLxkNMbyeYHfPk6rDSYDvPu4uNGUdufPM7NTQ4C9vHlJ0oIYRAKc9CvW4GtmbiIpXKmO39h9x7BVuh4K2df3j4EbfDLXcyVJDZzxvwXkfYVM5iz9mofbXuCCKzRj3I/s320/DSC03279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793254453463666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOLxjqGkS-M1EXeT5tAUDif5iS-IJwy1l38fPCPgdWofk_FB6yUgyA1fjzuopvAIiqXq59FTOmsztbO1MmNux2VaWbrEXwyixWn3nBa1LlDmnXt8noNSasZy-ZYb8jXv-ieyQfMwIxDo/s1600/DSC03272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOLxjqGkS-M1EXeT5tAUDif5iS-IJwy1l38fPCPgdWofk_FB6yUgyA1fjzuopvAIiqXq59FTOmsztbO1MmNux2VaWbrEXwyixWn3nBa1LlDmnXt8noNSasZy-ZYb8jXv-ieyQfMwIxDo/s320/DSC03272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793254986590802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoHs76ojHHH74ZWRIzDB4b04Cu8h1UdztD5bMWV6b7FfGD-if7vIK7ZbRtMVDvCmfamIaKOR1oqEbxUuBrh70A0c4cqLSVWzUAOwUie0SXj8tZB5y-_k9B3zH_pKz_U_X0OOeG4sEqLI/s1600/DSC03199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoHs76ojHHH74ZWRIzDB4b04Cu8h1UdztD5bMWV6b7FfGD-if7vIK7ZbRtMVDvCmfamIaKOR1oqEbxUuBrh70A0c4cqLSVWzUAOwUie0SXj8tZB5y-_k9B3zH_pKz_U_X0OOeG4sEqLI/s320/DSC03199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587792424163290242" /></a><br /><br />I must say that the travel through USA was approaching to an end and I was feeling less and less interested in new places and things. We drove the next 4 days till we arrived Miami, but before arriving there we have visited NASA. Although expensive, getting here and visiting the space shuttles and the museums and trying the simulators is very interesting. The entrance costs 50$ and is valid for 2 days. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pKqu-ilNqueAfqreWZTZhgh9AKFzsXixykbBirV9ueef8_J8hhLxR11vzswLl7axqIpI6f5qlo_IGQpOuMRV2t03LxvSuyVyE4dJX51ofSndkIU9wyjIUv346RWtwcu28UU8e5EFNvo/s1600/DSC03326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pKqu-ilNqueAfqreWZTZhgh9AKFzsXixykbBirV9ueef8_J8hhLxR11vzswLl7axqIpI6f5qlo_IGQpOuMRV2t03LxvSuyVyE4dJX51ofSndkIU9wyjIUv346RWtwcu28UU8e5EFNvo/s320/DSC03326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793808436710626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW8w4bRSp-4GAEgkJ0iHeb7LwVf_W4mjuxxq8ODlW-7lZIeRfJgsTWTE2f9d3-A3T2d5UL2Ha6pmvSzV43vzWbFzb3cRk9qN1mVfNMnmXI2ELyZTAjfeEjIOgi_FsMbf-LIsrYB60ZkY/s1600/DSC03323.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW8w4bRSp-4GAEgkJ0iHeb7LwVf_W4mjuxxq8ODlW-7lZIeRfJgsTWTE2f9d3-A3T2d5UL2Ha6pmvSzV43vzWbFzb3cRk9qN1mVfNMnmXI2ELyZTAjfeEjIOgi_FsMbf-LIsrYB60ZkY/s320/DSC03323.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793808245412306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzN_LrFjGSHUiR9qzoh1NMBLLX9g6tRWr-4SwVQzD0gowoACMjD-UFc0rYsc_yH3_bZTFCmtSiDpt_XvK-SROfssAtSNnSNKFi6HRK9CkMU3foJJuPNf4MMimdBZ4MJjR1PbQiJC27EY/s1600/DSC03317.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzN_LrFjGSHUiR9qzoh1NMBLLX9g6tRWr-4SwVQzD0gowoACMjD-UFc0rYsc_yH3_bZTFCmtSiDpt_XvK-SROfssAtSNnSNKFi6HRK9CkMU3foJJuPNf4MMimdBZ4MJjR1PbQiJC27EY/s320/DSC03317.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793801749420018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOFdtvCI3TJeKS5XsjBCxCkHOf0l0aHCXe90-W1aiww8HguzYxAsBmdMuZyW7abfvibji6TURrVNJ3rKXd1dsfamXkxaNYZvLQeCvtTHqCImIwjYYcy9OafxYI5lrf75pxI8a-KE-L-E/s1600/DSC03312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOFdtvCI3TJeKS5XsjBCxCkHOf0l0aHCXe90-W1aiww8HguzYxAsBmdMuZyW7abfvibji6TURrVNJ3rKXd1dsfamXkxaNYZvLQeCvtTHqCImIwjYYcy9OafxYI5lrf75pxI8a-KE-L-E/s320/DSC03312.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793803415985810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyaovRddjFtiFx6I5kcMvumZVbBUUOHdJ5yUIAW3efFjUUQTff0n-sUsZPgEdcyo_j2zYdizxHsD0MaO4zu7eChLhrVv09XJHvY-0wJ7B0_ho0HtfaxUgwRARvp-ZiJfeopXLmTlmKRM/s1600/DSC03293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyaovRddjFtiFx6I5kcMvumZVbBUUOHdJ5yUIAW3efFjUUQTff0n-sUsZPgEdcyo_j2zYdizxHsD0MaO4zu7eChLhrVv09XJHvY-0wJ7B0_ho0HtfaxUgwRARvp-ZiJfeopXLmTlmKRM/s320/DSC03293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587793796786951986" /></a><br /><br />We have arrived in Miami on the 1st of December and we were welcomed here by a great Brazilian girl, Jackie. She hosted us for 2 nights including the night of the 3rd of December when we celebrated my birthday in a Brazilian lounge with mojito’s. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX89P-VxH8jiyGnQIHqvhaY7K-hq0uDka-gQgz9uJ73zSjzu_o9UgwzXpwzLpAf8fvGiNjwf7ke9oz1XS_sI0eEbN165VfR9UwuSX-KxWwgK7CLeYLGbjUqecUX_xbq01Zawzc86Kfs_Y/s1600/58069_10150358545225424_789770423_16217272_5489357_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX89P-VxH8jiyGnQIHqvhaY7K-hq0uDka-gQgz9uJ73zSjzu_o9UgwzXpwzLpAf8fvGiNjwf7ke9oz1XS_sI0eEbN165VfR9UwuSX-KxWwgK7CLeYLGbjUqecUX_xbq01Zawzc86Kfs_Y/s320/58069_10150358545225424_789770423_16217272_5489357_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789588114598114" /></a><br />During the day I did some shopping with Jan and rested on the beachfront of Miami. There is nothing much to do in Miami if you are a traveller. It’s very touristic, but more like vacation tourism. After staying with Jackie we had another host. Ted replied positively to our request and as soon as we arrived at his place we felt comfortable. He is a sceptic, a scientist and with Jan they engaged in many interesting conversations. I had 4 days of relaxation but also we played some poker and visited the Everglades. After Ted, we continued our travel to Fort Myers where Lori, a very nice lady was waiting for us. Her home looked amazing, nicely decorated and comfortable. She was not home when we arrived but the house was open so we made ourselves at home. Lori prepared for us a big room, with a nice elephant made of towels. I cooked dinner and when Lori arrived it was like we are welcoming her. It was funny for us this feeling. We all felt very comfortable and although she is new in CS, she is eager to learn and we are eager to share our experience. After a few days in Lori’s house, as it was mid December already and we kind of felt the pressure of the holydays, I took a deep look into the hosting situation on our route to Texas and saw that especially during Christmas and NY our possibilities of being hosted will drop considerably. Also there was the selling of the car issue that we still have not figured out, so, I told Jan that my idea is to spend the end of December here in Florida, possibly at Ted’s place ( he offered to host us more). Also I told him that I see better possibilities of selling the van in Florida then Texas or New Mexico. Immediately I searched for flights to Mexico from Florida, Texas and New Mexico and realised that the cheapest will be from Miami. The same day we bought the flight tickets for the next 13th of January. The flight was about 200$but it was worth, because we would skip the last month of driving, the problems with selling the car and crossing the border of Mexico on foot. I was really terrified by the option of crossing that border and travelling the north of Mexico, where all the drug problems occur. I just did not trust myself with another border hassle and with the difficulty that I have always to adapt to new countries. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsTT-YcHWTycZ1953niRUsgut6pMz7d_lESddqXza4AOZU1fVZWbToiBizuElj2JKIypkZ3WDUQ8qRhHM-uIkBfn4HJSwmY_CHbjYGlTjuyXRC-CDCYowyenXV0ZN0UYruSy8uEHulIA/s1600/DSC03457.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsTT-YcHWTycZ1953niRUsgut6pMz7d_lESddqXza4AOZU1fVZWbToiBizuElj2JKIypkZ3WDUQ8qRhHM-uIkBfn4HJSwmY_CHbjYGlTjuyXRC-CDCYowyenXV0ZN0UYruSy8uEHulIA/s320/DSC03457.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794525135499298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaJEE-VaMlItF8D1riUbfKre_NuuOJrZ7orhPQqr-4y0Vo2wOwQ_UyqvFfd3sIr7sdixUKMQoLNo_nizUA93tqLufZmmUOUmZ-SFS6kvG9xL9RSwbGHV3lgT4VWWGFEtAsCtYIKHynDA/s1600/DSC03450.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaJEE-VaMlItF8D1riUbfKre_NuuOJrZ7orhPQqr-4y0Vo2wOwQ_UyqvFfd3sIr7sdixUKMQoLNo_nizUA93tqLufZmmUOUmZ-SFS6kvG9xL9RSwbGHV3lgT4VWWGFEtAsCtYIKHynDA/s320/DSC03450.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794523007235346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC9yvPGfNA-qFNIAIW_ppzxYPa03FgOtxJe6Mz5x_uDNUgTkqVa_nin4Fx8gWedjGlIeq-xDVYk2RMfmTrsOEXw5caKK0zopOdUt7s1yL_qtGg7IZjYW_NymWri4a3t3A_kYMkQeuq1o/s1600/DSC03433.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC9yvPGfNA-qFNIAIW_ppzxYPa03FgOtxJe6Mz5x_uDNUgTkqVa_nin4Fx8gWedjGlIeq-xDVYk2RMfmTrsOEXw5caKK0zopOdUt7s1yL_qtGg7IZjYW_NymWri4a3t3A_kYMkQeuq1o/s320/DSC03433.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794519645672690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZm0FGU9DVxlFxKJbOEGAtcOJdY2FltxLJabTu1U8dfg__ytufhM7k1NnDwts2VTQd79g6RMcV6hzM9n5238z-g32VzcDXFsV8ASlHYLRsLoIO_b5VSvOlfWPrZFMnr9PxbjTI8CYXi4/s1600/DSC03402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZm0FGU9DVxlFxKJbOEGAtcOJdY2FltxLJabTu1U8dfg__ytufhM7k1NnDwts2VTQd79g6RMcV6hzM9n5238z-g32VzcDXFsV8ASlHYLRsLoIO_b5VSvOlfWPrZFMnr9PxbjTI8CYXi4/s320/DSC03402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794514390318306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOCARjyBgjQ0SV56Puk2Re-92pFc3NRvdiCMoWK_PSM67TKfudoE8xuW9vWMg-1EdpYGdtpyqTLtzwjh-cHZAEZ6hP22kOsyO3VSXLaN8rcKZy6sWRdVTnuNt7v5CWgCOm62wvMAXDZs/s1600/DSC03390.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOCARjyBgjQ0SV56Puk2Re-92pFc3NRvdiCMoWK_PSM67TKfudoE8xuW9vWMg-1EdpYGdtpyqTLtzwjh-cHZAEZ6hP22kOsyO3VSXLaN8rcKZy6sWRdVTnuNt7v5CWgCOm62wvMAXDZs/s320/DSC03390.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794513903916146" /></a><br />As soon as that was set, I contacted Ted and we talked to him about the possibility of him hosting us for 20 days more in exchange of money. He totally agreed to the idea of hosting us but he refused any payment but we agreed on helping him around the house and cooking some food. Next day we told Lori that we will be on our way back to Fort Lauderdale, so in the morning I cleaned the car and the moment that we tried to start the engine, the car did not work. We tried to recharge the battery and to jump the car but still it did not work. We were getting worried because in 7 months we never had any problems with the van. We ended up calling AAA and they took the car to a workshop where they changed the battery for 100$. The car was working again so we decided to leave the next day in the morning towards Coral Springs where Brandee was waiting for us. Before that we stopped also in Naples where we have been hosted 2 nights by Elisabeth, a very new CS member who did not have any experience in hosting people and so it was one of the first hosts that did not let as in the house during the day and also we could not use her wi fi. She was nice but as she was a beginner she was eager to learn. During the day we were working in the public library (all the public libraries of US have great facilities and internet is free). We left Elizabeth’s house being sure that she will continue hosting people and sharing this beautiful experience. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGc3DKjXtBTwQNP9FvQNcwg3ZKBXgIjNzr4GHv6bD_JwiL3Qmh7UyPUUadneKuA_Fp75KhSMSpTherfmdRubK00As8G3lIAhGFap-KVeFiH3mVE_6gIoHuEc9XBzkh4v_XVOSvMjr0TA/s1600/163003_10150112756247154_523217153_7509506_747166_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGc3DKjXtBTwQNP9FvQNcwg3ZKBXgIjNzr4GHv6bD_JwiL3Qmh7UyPUUadneKuA_Fp75KhSMSpTherfmdRubK00As8G3lIAhGFap-KVeFiH3mVE_6gIoHuEc9XBzkh4v_XVOSvMjr0TA/s320/163003_10150112756247154_523217153_7509506_747166_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587789975091560082" /></a><br /><br />Brandee, our next hostess in Florida, welcomed us in her lovely apartment in Coral Springs. She is a very active member of the community and she also knows a lot the area, also introduced us to the Meet-up website ( a website that helps people with similar interests to meet and enjoy each others company, doing different activities-we went to a art gallery walking night and to a game night). What was very interesting about Brandee was the fact that she has been a police officer for about 20 years. She works as traffic agent, so one day I could go in a police car. I have never been in a police car and definitely being in an American police car was so exciting for me. We shared several dinners together and talked about people and travels, also she explained us her plans for spending Christmas in Costa Rica, away from the thoughts of her ex-bf. I understood her, it is difficult when you brake up with someone, so sometimes is better to do something that puts you in different situations so you can stop thinking about this person. I hope it worked for her. Right before leaving Brandee’s home, our van stopped working again, and this time we realised it can be a more serious problem than we initially thought. We called again the AAA and then Ted and so we took the van to a workshop that Ted recommended us, and we left the van there, took all our stuff to Ted’s house and waited there. Again without a vehicle, we felt deprived of the possibility to more around. Us is definitely not a country for walking. Next day, the workshop called because they found the problem. It cost us 450$ but we decided to pay these amount and try to sell the car and recover the investment. We began to advertise the van on Craig’s list and on eBay. We also called several companies that buy second hand cars and we realise the van is at least worth 1000$ (minimum). Ted offered to buy the van in case we can’t sell it on time for 1000$. We waited because we had at least 25 days to sell it so we were looking onto the best offers. We spent Christmas with Ted, dining in a restaurant where he invited us and his family, and in the evening we went to a party in the house of someone from CS. There was a lot of food and deserts and drinks and about 30ppl.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3kP93erjkRu6GIMDNOF68zEDOe3S0h_KPQcQPhMU1mjhr1FX_IzdlxI2c_37yd_31gEbPiWi56iic3CRVI7FPwEcqCYTwDMezN3BOFMJrxqU1te1tGh0sPuYcKWYoB8ig6twR424gKk/s1600/DSC19807.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3kP93erjkRu6GIMDNOF68zEDOe3S0h_KPQcQPhMU1mjhr1FX_IzdlxI2c_37yd_31gEbPiWi56iic3CRVI7FPwEcqCYTwDMezN3BOFMJrxqU1te1tGh0sPuYcKWYoB8ig6twR424gKk/s320/DSC19807.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795301250207442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBefqZX8Lw7BAJlmuoi3bhLIIoqnJ2YtbQ47KwXQXEIJEd0iag8qZDQ_BlkOVOaL42YodbZPpk4og9NcclPSJBAkKeWEkUPrU6CE-rAmLZCtckHCNJG3sLXkD1WdE2IrLFNKgoD-sBLo/s1600/DSC19753.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBefqZX8Lw7BAJlmuoi3bhLIIoqnJ2YtbQ47KwXQXEIJEd0iag8qZDQ_BlkOVOaL42YodbZPpk4og9NcclPSJBAkKeWEkUPrU6CE-rAmLZCtckHCNJG3sLXkD1WdE2IrLFNKgoD-sBLo/s320/DSC19753.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795279235202306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnISsELFdC9S2UZlwUVEwFVe1Wu3RWq9DJvCA1U3oTNPBxk0fSY-YD-Gq89XOfDEdUEnGfaajjhM49bMFx92j3TNaEbPDaZyzgafTEeoaTsilHzBEc-b-Gc1hmZ7tjez1by-DNNuS0BOU/s1600/DSC20271_resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnISsELFdC9S2UZlwUVEwFVe1Wu3RWq9DJvCA1U3oTNPBxk0fSY-YD-Gq89XOfDEdUEnGfaajjhM49bMFx92j3TNaEbPDaZyzgafTEeoaTsilHzBEc-b-Gc1hmZ7tjez1by-DNNuS0BOU/s320/DSC20271_resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795267014056594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP37PFEzGR0Tl_pIZ2GOJUsQTqL-sOlpR1uN5pTtjj6SwHQfjjT52xJOw4gD22O1Sz6WvL-wUyFPsf4WTfBljosmfAkU1J00VNH9V9y0rke0hpBuJUbf_kdW4fOqVwILF774tIM1u5-c/s1600/DSC20270_resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP37PFEzGR0Tl_pIZ2GOJUsQTqL-sOlpR1uN5pTtjj6SwHQfjjT52xJOw4gD22O1Sz6WvL-wUyFPsf4WTfBljosmfAkU1J00VNH9V9y0rke0hpBuJUbf_kdW4fOqVwILF774tIM1u5-c/s320/DSC20270_resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795248191621826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiom-0f8PXEQ8WpjWjzRp6rj_b_frINf5UbjWPWFjVzCKueKoRMoDCXfQzRLTYWSraOI4gDuZBvnXIpE2JfFXxPspkZqgL31z5aNe41LuByTWBPi7Yh21aV57xtsbsmqwfR2_2XYKfww8/s1600/DSC03518.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiom-0f8PXEQ8WpjWjzRp6rj_b_frINf5UbjWPWFjVzCKueKoRMoDCXfQzRLTYWSraOI4gDuZBvnXIpE2JfFXxPspkZqgL31z5aNe41LuByTWBPi7Yh21aV57xtsbsmqwfR2_2XYKfww8/s320/DSC03518.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795242338843650" /></a><br /> Also for the New Year we had planned to go to Miami with a large group of CS people and dine in Hard Rock café on the Beach front and then watch the fireworks. It was nice spending the holidays in Florida; we could relax, thanks to our great host Ted and recharge our batteries. Probably from the 2 of us I needed it the most and I fully took advantage of it. The week before leaving, we found a couple through eBay that was interested in the van. They came to see the car, they liked it and so we negotiated the price. They ended up paying the price that we were ready to accept: 1600$. Also before leaving the states, the computer that Jan was using, started to brake down, finally he decided to buy a new one for 600$. It was an investment worth doing, because he works so much with the computer for his books, that if the computer would brake down in some remote place, he would have problems getting a new one and get depressed jeje. Time was flying so fast and the more we were getting closer to the date of departure the more depressed I was getting. To be honest I was getting a feeling similar to Pakistan but I was trying to convince myself that Mexico cannot be that bad, that there is much more tourism than the middle east.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-35443396813712677162011-02-01T22:48:00.012+01:002011-02-25T16:13:31.158+01:00Again In USA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kqsQqXov0E-5XlLY6NOVmo76xWkWjhFhRbjOwrXbwRQC6Q97l_WEUKaNKCQuKe-mg56Pu91mztopINOaIO1NxcmmEHZWxMk0P9nx100NUAVbGOZSXTYKcZzAc5EjB_oDnJuaWXMLWuA/s1600/DSC02591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kqsQqXov0E-5XlLY6NOVmo76xWkWjhFhRbjOwrXbwRQC6Q97l_WEUKaNKCQuKe-mg56Pu91mztopINOaIO1NxcmmEHZWxMk0P9nx100NUAVbGOZSXTYKcZzAc5EjB_oDnJuaWXMLWuA/s400/DSC02591.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868902439809186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mxvE3fbcjCR7OdSWdj1kSvQofUXmfhltT_tkgtsNRymfzEqk4bhdNDOr166oSTPaX8UVOkCMQWfNgvTu3E0I1frhIQFtN8nsRdCJzRnRFFsyZkwFUhIrEdQJqocCIKUFD9UXd2vyRSU/s1600/DSC02417.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mxvE3fbcjCR7OdSWdj1kSvQofUXmfhltT_tkgtsNRymfzEqk4bhdNDOr166oSTPaX8UVOkCMQWfNgvTu3E0I1frhIQFtN8nsRdCJzRnRFFsyZkwFUhIrEdQJqocCIKUFD9UXd2vyRSU/s400/DSC02417.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868342624820962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi6Uh54rrR8C8DzoMNjgazujgOUH8cD-m3w7EFA8_TLQ2Cbu79746uq_x5Wq5T7UfmeFgod2pOPuJN1zHH2Q7pfrVr-5OPRe7qQscreDJDyI1uKAlji96WN0qNG7eqmRz3lf_UMDUf8Q/s1600/DSC02122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi6Uh54rrR8C8DzoMNjgazujgOUH8cD-m3w7EFA8_TLQ2Cbu79746uq_x5Wq5T7UfmeFgod2pOPuJN1zHH2Q7pfrVr-5OPRe7qQscreDJDyI1uKAlji96WN0qNG7eqmRz3lf_UMDUf8Q/s400/DSC02122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568866832246683906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LJ2RBPoWDUnKt87lGMSwBrMM2UErdvZWNHU-7Nv8BOqRQAJ6gc5rzVvX5ZVG4zzZeQBl4mwafzFWkG6ySxj8j3JaIYf8jiRZuuw7Jm9CEnFHQaWZyNt2R3oUEY_HpXREWnhVlvusbGY/s1600/DSC02111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LJ2RBPoWDUnKt87lGMSwBrMM2UErdvZWNHU-7Nv8BOqRQAJ6gc5rzVvX5ZVG4zzZeQBl4mwafzFWkG6ySxj8j3JaIYf8jiRZuuw7Jm9CEnFHQaWZyNt2R3oUEY_HpXREWnhVlvusbGY/s400/DSC02111.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568866830926400386" /></a><br />After leaving Wayn’s home and camping for 3 nights, we headed south to the USA border, with many emotions, because our journey will depend on the availability of the American authorities to extend our initial visa. Remembering the little adventure we had before entering Canada ( for just asking a question) and having heard other horrible stories of travellers that got their visa cancelled at the border, well…lets say I spent a few nights not sleeping, worrying to much…it’s true I know…I worry too much. With huge angst, we arrived at the border cross …a very small one on the state of Main border line. It was so small that there was not even a wall or police outside. We waited for the officer to come to us and then we mentioned him that we are interested in our options to extend our visa. He invited us inside the check post, where without asking too many questions and after reading the pages about our travel…he simply invited us to pay 6 dollars each and he gave us a new entry of 6 months. When we left the check post I was screaming of happiness because the new entry meant that we could spend as long as we need in USA to be able to finish our visiting plans + to sell the van. The weather in the north has been bad for the last weeks and we were realising for the first time in this travel that winter is approaching…We haven’t spent any real winter and no rain in all these years and for us all this cold and rain was bringing depression and desires to go home. Lucky we were that the next destinations were at least so appealing that all this cold was worthy. We have crossed the border on the 25th of October and slowly, we started to drive south bound, stopping at first at the lovely park of Acadia. Here in USA the park still preserved some leafs and we could do some good camping, although next morning…quite early a ranger’s car woke us up and decided to fine us 100dollars for having spent the night in the park. We were used in Canada for the parks to be closed and so no rangers…’how lucky that here in USA the parks were still open’…anyway…when the ranger asked for our papers, and saw that we were foreigners with a car from California, he decided it was too much hassle for him to fine us but he advised us that we are on the black list of the national park and that we should not camp again. Happy that in the end he was not such an asshole we left the parking lot and drove through the park (we really enjoyed it). To be honest, after driving through Maine I have to say that the landscape of this state is one that most attracts me, red grass, yellow trees…magic. I would definitely come back to Maine. <br />The 30 of November is a big holyday in USA, The Halloween. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Eyqz-As349xhgNiYz-u5zltxjf7XD9ZJG57pLOBtp7AcfRO2YpkcwH7U3jDrlhqq6OcYPobmpkyaZxhczxz0RqOlzxjygliuFuqjNqW_6pB7FHfpXLW3SOOU3mA5jwlVV5w6C44kjBo/s1600/DSC02359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Eyqz-As349xhgNiYz-u5zltxjf7XD9ZJG57pLOBtp7AcfRO2YpkcwH7U3jDrlhqq6OcYPobmpkyaZxhczxz0RqOlzxjygliuFuqjNqW_6pB7FHfpXLW3SOOU3mA5jwlVV5w6C44kjBo/s400/DSC02359.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867154884696274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjilMctaHvHp1mKmJXaDZEJlsCvMkyT7zKLL-SrSb17MsPAZIyE7l_ctAFg1S2jGCiFrdmR-YENAhTsv6QgG3tlnC2o4x90MRl9BZjxgavsej-ISItdqzcDpKPXOMIAUI1PNg3JO7pi0g/s1600/DSC02333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjilMctaHvHp1mKmJXaDZEJlsCvMkyT7zKLL-SrSb17MsPAZIyE7l_ctAFg1S2jGCiFrdmR-YENAhTsv6QgG3tlnC2o4x90MRl9BZjxgavsej-ISItdqzcDpKPXOMIAUI1PNg3JO7pi0g/s400/DSC02333.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867147693694754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc0h0r9HRpl6LRm9KVM1mgmNvXLJkeiGre7WJCYQn9jzlXx4LHS4OT-2ecg1lhHWZtX8kueglpnfQUGsVoeFBugnk29PgnQ0QBjs3B_GjOSreElsLlAMgY7Ew73ERdyspNevRfmbZJVA/s1600/DSC02327+-+copia.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc0h0r9HRpl6LRm9KVM1mgmNvXLJkeiGre7WJCYQn9jzlXx4LHS4OT-2ecg1lhHWZtX8kueglpnfQUGsVoeFBugnk29PgnQ0QBjs3B_GjOSreElsLlAMgY7Ew73ERdyspNevRfmbZJVA/s400/DSC02327+-+copia.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867141913601490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HxZk0SPccH_sgyFqd4yASV0bBt5TtlPZOqfBFs4nhmp3GI-NmS4qvZ48Nj4u5qVdpZ5S8YdJAy5hINQxNODsipw9SUIDApvaHaf5wHSYsY1piBn7CxVn0kuBbSUmzWogwb2lSAplUFc/s1600/DSC02307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HxZk0SPccH_sgyFqd4yASV0bBt5TtlPZOqfBFs4nhmp3GI-NmS4qvZ48Nj4u5qVdpZ5S8YdJAy5hINQxNODsipw9SUIDApvaHaf5wHSYsY1piBn7CxVn0kuBbSUmzWogwb2lSAplUFc/s400/DSC02307.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867144028219794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKTmcPdSp_nNSSMcdP_FBg4wiJ-dqVumaWVkZwzlpkQoHrQyxPc7ULv22eyLvMFgTuRApdYo_QoPVynGngXxXXmMMY2PNEz3k1Py8L_XPFHhqqPms2F6srsOVIJ9VoAlWh6a6yfTX52M/s1600/DSC02282.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKTmcPdSp_nNSSMcdP_FBg4wiJ-dqVumaWVkZwzlpkQoHrQyxPc7ULv22eyLvMFgTuRApdYo_QoPVynGngXxXXmMMY2PNEz3k1Py8L_XPFHhqqPms2F6srsOVIJ9VoAlWh6a6yfTX52M/s400/DSC02282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867138282807090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzPr3QOSdSt7cfELzvwzvk3QRiS7N_sWQAzRF7eX3T_irzSmlO09YH-DKcTq7ECioBWhGZZUDCusa1LIzYSN2SJKHhdWOtNqw8aJpXH_lcqs4ds7R5QhSmgIng6ce-9UA2t579oTZxoE/s1600/DSC02279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzPr3QOSdSt7cfELzvwzvk3QRiS7N_sWQAzRF7eX3T_irzSmlO09YH-DKcTq7ECioBWhGZZUDCusa1LIzYSN2SJKHhdWOtNqw8aJpXH_lcqs4ds7R5QhSmgIng6ce-9UA2t579oTZxoE/s400/DSC02279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568866849067367170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxy4uExNrUxuTjRlCesKDf8Gv7pRY2_qWwG6pvfDF_68rFInqWhFrr5REEzaI5oEaO2BqggX4SOsXQpnf5UDOwahyphenhyphenh5OxPeHaMSChSUnSCb7Zfx9-MdFfjeqN9macFkL9P06LEN2q0j1Y/s1600/DSC02278.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxy4uExNrUxuTjRlCesKDf8Gv7pRY2_qWwG6pvfDF_68rFInqWhFrr5REEzaI5oEaO2BqggX4SOsXQpnf5UDOwahyphenhyphenh5OxPeHaMSChSUnSCb7Zfx9-MdFfjeqN9macFkL9P06LEN2q0j1Y/s400/DSC02278.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568866841530232434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pjUdkXSnnf9uZGdfL0uot6HG1UvaTC-yfx9SraIjHwnWH956-pvBobwr3IssDzWoaMbWP9zIaDi8fQ7E3dFEnhKXL_NLmKOGYasPO5lhR98Jkhf6R3ZJgnbYrMSlWqsx0w0nvlk9ulk/s1600/DSC02253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pjUdkXSnnf9uZGdfL0uot6HG1UvaTC-yfx9SraIjHwnWH956-pvBobwr3IssDzWoaMbWP9zIaDi8fQ7E3dFEnhKXL_NLmKOGYasPO5lhR98Jkhf6R3ZJgnbYrMSlWqsx0w0nvlk9ulk/s400/DSC02253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568866834612378930" /></a><br />We had in mind to spend this day in the most wanted place in the world to celebrate it: Salem ( Bran is second best it seems). Before arriving to Salem we contacted John from CS in Portland, a small and enchanting city of the east coast. John owns a beautiful house close to the centre of the city, and so we could soend some relaxing day, preparing with energy for Salem. I also got the chance to find a nice costume and I cut my hair. I noticed that with the travel I need to take care about the condition of my hair…too much stress and white hair.<br />We had the opportunity to share our stories with John, who although in his 50’s he were well maintained and with desires to travel some more. He even had a story of survival from when he was in his early 40’s and got lost in the woods of Alaska for 13 days. He almost died there but his good instincts of survival got him to a chalet from where he was rescued after walking about 400km through the woods.<br />After leaving from John’s house we have arrived on the 29th in Salem, and our host Darell was waiting for us. He owns a one room flat in Salem downtown- a bachelor apartment)and we were lucky to meet him and his girlfriend. We went out walking through the city, all in disguise; it seems here in Salem the party starts one week before. Jan had a wig and vampire teeth and he painted his face as a zombie and I was a witch but to be honest he got all the attention in the street, people stopping him and asking for a photo. The streets of Salem were full of everything…from Disney cartoons to movie starts transformed in zombies or book characters. It was a jungle, plus the religious preachers at every corner of the street…some more crazy than other…screaming loudly phrases like: I used to be gay but Jesus saved me and now I am married with children….<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O58zkmUbtinoLUnRaV49vd-q3WwaPKYlXXI1ePcpp6HfxHvG_tfpGtSbr2zFtXikTWcHEoU2ylM7WCtneI_XMizqmIggmAAGZpNIUYTdJTQXiFRGhTfl71hXcv-7K9UrvJCxxohPoYs/s1600/DSC02403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O58zkmUbtinoLUnRaV49vd-q3WwaPKYlXXI1ePcpp6HfxHvG_tfpGtSbr2zFtXikTWcHEoU2ylM7WCtneI_XMizqmIggmAAGZpNIUYTdJTQXiFRGhTfl71hXcv-7K9UrvJCxxohPoYs/s400/DSC02403.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867719399019314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HH5uvw-b12TKP_3oxQQrrGXtuspSR44JdVZvgt3sVyuQmg8uvL_t4Z5u79OCLzFmAa-9Zc1vIfwxJnNO9aS-LEsO9ibdDZTrtcr1NSd7_lGNb6f2Ngz8aKDHP_22TL-RcLqxGqk7Yzw/s1600/DSC02391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HH5uvw-b12TKP_3oxQQrrGXtuspSR44JdVZvgt3sVyuQmg8uvL_t4Z5u79OCLzFmAa-9Zc1vIfwxJnNO9aS-LEsO9ibdDZTrtcr1NSd7_lGNb6f2Ngz8aKDHP_22TL-RcLqxGqk7Yzw/s400/DSC02391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867710505746338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0GdRsMdeaXJQurcAx_OlJwYAZe-7xdxGkYH-wArlf9GK-T6YQPgXA8Wu5JuroTARV3WjMdQd1EmQf2ldDBZayguzBeUFU1LaJGRzM7SYJQfyuuCLgXPlVt19v4w2QPjfcWTT2bErXWw/s1600/DSC02380.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0GdRsMdeaXJQurcAx_OlJwYAZe-7xdxGkYH-wArlf9GK-T6YQPgXA8Wu5JuroTARV3WjMdQd1EmQf2ldDBZayguzBeUFU1LaJGRzM7SYJQfyuuCLgXPlVt19v4w2QPjfcWTT2bErXWw/s400/DSC02380.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867711284520306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmhYbV0727kLTMgNL3qssiqp4ZfrXQWk8zxfM1rri03Iz14i6qzpvJiMumGN7FYVdLjbNSUSLgqTNct1pYITUzA1TD1ZZD1o7LIMLIwPP0z7wp8ofODPUY06elXm03pHENo_EzR5Dmgs/s1600/DSC02375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmhYbV0727kLTMgNL3qssiqp4ZfrXQWk8zxfM1rri03Iz14i6qzpvJiMumGN7FYVdLjbNSUSLgqTNct1pYITUzA1TD1ZZD1o7LIMLIwPP0z7wp8ofODPUY06elXm03pHENo_EzR5Dmgs/s400/DSC02375.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867707914680818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z26-LczXXV2xj4U41XVQGIunkZi0BQ06lVXA9RmbuZNelMN0Ti3K4sI22PswuavdLaa6Yo_cXHTsW1nQCtDG5YOKk9TrpgVOerLwFI8y6B69P8uOnKZ9oLEBtnIt6o7JxBEr03ZOOBw/s1600/DSC02370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z26-LczXXV2xj4U41XVQGIunkZi0BQ06lVXA9RmbuZNelMN0Ti3K4sI22PswuavdLaa6Yo_cXHTsW1nQCtDG5YOKk9TrpgVOerLwFI8y6B69P8uOnKZ9oLEBtnIt6o7JxBEr03ZOOBw/s400/DSC02370.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568867704116496178" /></a><br /><br />It was such a freak show everywhere that you cold not stop watching, laughing or getting surprised. Coming to Salem for Halloween is really an unique experience. Second day we did the same only from the morning until the night…and in the night we have paid the entry to a private party that wasn’t so good and we decided to leave early and wonder the streets of Salem watching more craziness. It’s been a great experience but the next morning we had to continue our route. Going south to NY we had to see Boston and we were lucky to be hosted here by the brother of the owner of CS and his wife. Although we thought that we will have a super incredible experience, we were disappointed to find a place where too many people were being hosted and there was a lack of interaction unless alcohol was being consumed. Anyway during the 3 nights that we spent here we could enjoy two dinners and also visit Cambridge and the surrounding of the city. After leaving the place in Boston we headed to Yale University, another important place for the educational system of USA. I liked Yale although it seems a Disney park for education. The moment you start visiting cities on the east coast there is much more architecture to see and much ore similarities with European towns which until now we haven’t experienced in USA.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprnm8ju-aJyxmKEDBzCwzS_AAMFs_8IAOcQWyaUyIWKN7ZFALGcOg2Z0_3uwVoxLnE-BaJk4CEUJXTQnJwYZv1u0iBURkJdSpzPiGQmY0fJ4JaU6Qw5FgJasuv4ny3SMjZHssJwOLP4c/s1600/DSC02514e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprnm8ju-aJyxmKEDBzCwzS_AAMFs_8IAOcQWyaUyIWKN7ZFALGcOg2Z0_3uwVoxLnE-BaJk4CEUJXTQnJwYZv1u0iBURkJdSpzPiGQmY0fJ4JaU6Qw5FgJasuv4ny3SMjZHssJwOLP4c/s400/DSC02514e.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868360784632818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6K89oI2mV2j5fTaimx9VgYITDq-XrA5cJ5_mlFeanbPfRXNZQJZ1oHIIjCEF4F_YAVU36UoERiuJAcr_UCfBEBu3wdUqrIZdnIukmzKnqwu10MHwTB-xdDZARQMl-4Drbxdjo6tIv_k/s1600/DSC02436.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6K89oI2mV2j5fTaimx9VgYITDq-XrA5cJ5_mlFeanbPfRXNZQJZ1oHIIjCEF4F_YAVU36UoERiuJAcr_UCfBEBu3wdUqrIZdnIukmzKnqwu10MHwTB-xdDZARQMl-4Drbxdjo6tIv_k/s400/DSC02436.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868355930859458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICOZbTPRtXMc2Nop8RCeVzcV3hqI6X7hyLKKiRJxAAdLbsZA-G69oN1VGBmLp1x_INC_NyQsfcQLU5PHG0EAmAwk-HTWhz1r0_3indbUT5JwudTjacPduzoP23q1TDPHPEY3Y4vvk1Qo/s1600/DSC02431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICOZbTPRtXMc2Nop8RCeVzcV3hqI6X7hyLKKiRJxAAdLbsZA-G69oN1VGBmLp1x_INC_NyQsfcQLU5PHG0EAmAwk-HTWhz1r0_3indbUT5JwudTjacPduzoP23q1TDPHPEY3Y4vvk1Qo/s400/DSC02431.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868352807184386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aMt2a2ueKBksb4SP2O6B22nbVBEhTvOtzhcxHshffVZiKlOFEgd-6xTyzjGJRv2-zHDj5dAthBl5e6peYGfsAo1nnNbxzpHBMFeI6GwA44tdYuaZsefgBH4hTc2z7s3OqE2GCzIur_8/s1600/DSC02429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aMt2a2ueKBksb4SP2O6B22nbVBEhTvOtzhcxHshffVZiKlOFEgd-6xTyzjGJRv2-zHDj5dAthBl5e6peYGfsAo1nnNbxzpHBMFeI6GwA44tdYuaZsefgBH4hTc2z7s3OqE2GCzIur_8/s400/DSC02429.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868342823007970" /></a><br /><br />About 3 years ago we met a coupe in Pretoria, South Africa. They were also travelling at that moment and we had made a connection on CS, and as I saw that right now they were living in NY I decided to write them an email. We were lucky because they offered to host us for 5 days in Manhattan, NY. Here in NY it is difficult to get hosted so the fact that they could host us was a miracle. Jan and Magda are a very good couple, formed a few years ago ( Magda is a photographer of polish origins) and Jan is a designer. Once we arrived at their little apartment in the Lower East village, we felt happy to find two old friends with whom we could share our experiences and theirs as well.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCgPUdKBfstpy3js6-yoMdkZPPsXikUdzTamJkkwSiD_vmfiJAOsWXktjk4XP9mO9uyQRgAnI7cDEFd5tckrraWJrbSLPe2y780DYnOTn7V3t7lO-5uEb_ZeSwUgVzNOHZ1ltt4Udjf0/s1600/DSC02673.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCgPUdKBfstpy3js6-yoMdkZPPsXikUdzTamJkkwSiD_vmfiJAOsWXktjk4XP9mO9uyQRgAnI7cDEFd5tckrraWJrbSLPe2y780DYnOTn7V3t7lO-5uEb_ZeSwUgVzNOHZ1ltt4Udjf0/s400/DSC02673.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868927047272050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjYKVVV34GibAny1K3aW_bBEjjDzuaP226slv6vAnl1e2SF5Lr6EANWxiWHPcnBDDrIWGg0dL8iGumxTpR2TtQc0OK1OQnseGzFTAig-xVUUmNC2M5_Tf6INMvt9skvxuAZYc2rwW4UQ/s1600/DSC02663.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjYKVVV34GibAny1K3aW_bBEjjDzuaP226slv6vAnl1e2SF5Lr6EANWxiWHPcnBDDrIWGg0dL8iGumxTpR2TtQc0OK1OQnseGzFTAig-xVUUmNC2M5_Tf6INMvt9skvxuAZYc2rwW4UQ/s400/DSC02663.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868917751391138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PDG1O6a2doPWePwZyVn5ki8pZ2FMYMAgJqeBQf8fRmwnZ4p7h-ptrb0Q1UzR-P7x-tp6kXece3W-vUt6OzNK7Knv5kJxDBjAY3GPNPOk50QZAEIEGF_qPmBhGjfKRL6fCO6RdtxHudw/s1600/DSC02619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PDG1O6a2doPWePwZyVn5ki8pZ2FMYMAgJqeBQf8fRmwnZ4p7h-ptrb0Q1UzR-P7x-tp6kXece3W-vUt6OzNK7Knv5kJxDBjAY3GPNPOk50QZAEIEGF_qPmBhGjfKRL6fCO6RdtxHudw/s400/DSC02619.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868918891884194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_0Ydjlan9b6vmMOkE22kbef8lCuI1oGoQ3WKsRmy-aYF13QZKMCUw7NFpO2rkbJZpuzYEldybQuDu7mfZ3T0_kSrNflkPAApgNU0cnJMau8Pxg-cuSZcETGwVbvj_2xR2vi41bDnln4/s1600/DSC02616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_0Ydjlan9b6vmMOkE22kbef8lCuI1oGoQ3WKsRmy-aYF13QZKMCUw7NFpO2rkbJZpuzYEldybQuDu7mfZ3T0_kSrNflkPAApgNU0cnJMau8Pxg-cuSZcETGwVbvj_2xR2vi41bDnln4/s400/DSC02616.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568868904276088370" /></a><br /> We had a room just for us and although the window was having exit to a big street , we could sleep . To be honest at six am every morning you could start hearing the huge noise of the traffic until very late in the night (plus sirens of ambulances, fireman trucks and police). I LOVE NY! Is there anything to add to this statement? Manhattan is a great metropolitan place where one can live…but incredibly expensive. For a 25 square m apartment Jan and Magda were paying 2200 dollars every month. Each day of these 5 days that we spent in NY we walked intensively.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy_1r9uyGUZ2LDhTxOQLun2Km3hPDgFa7TGs_hpH8ZgF6PzowO2ySDNZvaZmzbporiUTczyhiuQjlbA2o-cB82wc_YRq5z5AOW4J0dryLPUjKfXhpk8UN-YlIoNfeSvpYyExlyQNYxiM/s1600/DSC02792.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy_1r9uyGUZ2LDhTxOQLun2Km3hPDgFa7TGs_hpH8ZgF6PzowO2ySDNZvaZmzbporiUTczyhiuQjlbA2o-cB82wc_YRq5z5AOW4J0dryLPUjKfXhpk8UN-YlIoNfeSvpYyExlyQNYxiM/s400/DSC02792.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869410000359586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s3ygi_t2zn7nnyoD23_DtT19itM3iSbkoK92afu5ea1FAsqDwdglDhBNEhj8iWAbqEK9L8oExbSHIhMKSaSnFn1l1IuDhI5uA0kbxjTSuR5HAVQ3ZMXhlhgjbDuLsy9CnajjuB8TzUE/s1600/DSC02779.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s3ygi_t2zn7nnyoD23_DtT19itM3iSbkoK92afu5ea1FAsqDwdglDhBNEhj8iWAbqEK9L8oExbSHIhMKSaSnFn1l1IuDhI5uA0kbxjTSuR5HAVQ3ZMXhlhgjbDuLsy9CnajjuB8TzUE/s400/DSC02779.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869403796312834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56Zxz9n5Y9wYQFuXphP9RRSF9vvZsdemuJOG8B2xS86NuIN-JW31q-vZ0g0DGgZ86iJiUHekwpjZcgx5lrN6ETuAxKU14gpByUXvVLgdt8mfUrNN4EU31N2pZUJBN2m2T2LY449-Dazk/s1600/DSC02713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56Zxz9n5Y9wYQFuXphP9RRSF9vvZsdemuJOG8B2xS86NuIN-JW31q-vZ0g0DGgZ86iJiUHekwpjZcgx5lrN6ETuAxKU14gpByUXvVLgdt8mfUrNN4EU31N2pZUJBN2m2T2LY449-Dazk/s400/DSC02713.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869398164533378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHSQEr4S-G4G_nxjDlG8wC1Tlx6g9uidZaNdjzngyo5gwfEEUv1QHTjKXIRhAmMtRlYkR0LTb5EW29ilmFFD8HBsA5VnqxWrTdLkg3wkOTOHfqkbrDyd8UVlFwFHIA3ma9cTSqWdXrUo/s1600/DSC02706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHSQEr4S-G4G_nxjDlG8wC1Tlx6g9uidZaNdjzngyo5gwfEEUv1QHTjKXIRhAmMtRlYkR0LTb5EW29ilmFFD8HBsA5VnqxWrTdLkg3wkOTOHfqkbrDyd8UVlFwFHIA3ma9cTSqWdXrUo/s400/DSC02706.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869393063934178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgBsLuXl2GHBcdgycOMBPU-w8kCk4I3_xBf9evkfRL3n-F1jyCNPvghto6R2ebYk9155OV3s28ef7L83xyt4J0lJ7hNCmCYxuXHsIGwkVoeb3lv6vDEy5tTgkkDG18nvdXK8QFaJPnTY/s1600/DSC02685.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgBsLuXl2GHBcdgycOMBPU-w8kCk4I3_xBf9evkfRL3n-F1jyCNPvghto6R2ebYk9155OV3s28ef7L83xyt4J0lJ7hNCmCYxuXHsIGwkVoeb3lv6vDEy5tTgkkDG18nvdXK8QFaJPnTY/s400/DSC02685.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869388041770610" /></a><br /> Although the metro works pretty well, many things were reachable on foot. We walked to the Brooklyn Bridge, The Ground Zero, went to the Staten Island with a free ferry to see the Statue of Liberty , walked the 5th avenue up and down, went to the Times Square, went to SOHO and China Town, went to Little Italy, to the Central Park and Union Square, Madison Sq Garden, to the Wall street…..countless places and even went out for drinks with Jan and two friends from Chile that I was in contact with while they were in Africa and middle east and we just past each other several times and now after 2 years we finally met in person. What a small world!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUv1__LISwybYZNXeQdwIa7YZJi1hkzc-Vq0cSPAbE9OM9BeDAt_VRPCnYHhXC-xqAoe3fIIVvnKnjVt6BizaT-IwrBqB8VyzmwOSdsAO82wj6QC6CRDZV1GUjCGJKKG1Wj2sSbrU4LQ/s1600/DSC02938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUv1__LISwybYZNXeQdwIa7YZJi1hkzc-Vq0cSPAbE9OM9BeDAt_VRPCnYHhXC-xqAoe3fIIVvnKnjVt6BizaT-IwrBqB8VyzmwOSdsAO82wj6QC6CRDZV1GUjCGJKKG1Wj2sSbrU4LQ/s400/DSC02938.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869887945492866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeTVazgoTe4tQx24s600ktM1_3NJmr09sJcycIe1fZV8inM_UsLQApPpt5WdQRntdvV5Fq-3GXrZgCJ9oq6AKGgaxOUzzg1Wp6bg2JdWRzK1kmxNfK2MZ3AKrZTxLDgji0DiOkh15amQ/s1600/DSC02921.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeTVazgoTe4tQx24s600ktM1_3NJmr09sJcycIe1fZV8inM_UsLQApPpt5WdQRntdvV5Fq-3GXrZgCJ9oq6AKGgaxOUzzg1Wp6bg2JdWRzK1kmxNfK2MZ3AKrZTxLDgji0DiOkh15amQ/s400/DSC02921.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869881976832290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b9SWyaGdrmNoVa1_EMOm0MXAM6u-a-VJ79sJ86Lk7MF32b6CoKlkvkiRK5QrsT4gn0k3zw3LbKJY8mcsA29PNyfJ9NBphirKHFLnG-ANGmJD2YfPI8uQYGEqcbhqxErZz0Pzb3O3dMU/s1600/DSC02897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b9SWyaGdrmNoVa1_EMOm0MXAM6u-a-VJ79sJ86Lk7MF32b6CoKlkvkiRK5QrsT4gn0k3zw3LbKJY8mcsA29PNyfJ9NBphirKHFLnG-ANGmJD2YfPI8uQYGEqcbhqxErZz0Pzb3O3dMU/s400/DSC02897.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869881451985746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hdDmuhA-z5q3KZAuVmkx_poImNA9rfp1BzNWDnlSiGkmxhXqjPwCzU2IVpH94hrvvUdKJfBle7nAPNFwxEg57d__LXb1PEbNaJ4vgr8APFAJ-WYH0rYCN7yrLufOYP5RT1uzlDd9ffA/s1600/DSC02878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hdDmuhA-z5q3KZAuVmkx_poImNA9rfp1BzNWDnlSiGkmxhXqjPwCzU2IVpH94hrvvUdKJfBle7nAPNFwxEg57d__LXb1PEbNaJ4vgr8APFAJ-WYH0rYCN7yrLufOYP5RT1uzlDd9ffA/s400/DSC02878.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869876892846402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQAAqXuUWbyRa9n_TvLp1EMIae5bHuYJBYNSv8hzNxb2HAw-6v638BAJO8VWxUeeva3nONfOKsR_-czobsaKhvuFdkVe9zJsVvsJMpryioIPVJRWWgBG1bUrA_nDTj36qnDMrqSaFmWw/s1600/DSC02843.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQAAqXuUWbyRa9n_TvLp1EMIae5bHuYJBYNSv8hzNxb2HAw-6v638BAJO8VWxUeeva3nONfOKsR_-czobsaKhvuFdkVe9zJsVvsJMpryioIPVJRWWgBG1bUrA_nDTj36qnDMrqSaFmWw/s400/DSC02843.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568869873104324498" /></a><br /><br />I must repeat myself and say I LOVE NY! And continue saying I will miss this great, amazing metropolis but our journey must go on and after this amazing experience our road continues to New Jersey, another place famous for the series called the Jersey shore ( I have never seen this series- it seems pretty bad). In NY it was cold, we had to use all our winter cloths and still was not enough but once going down into NJ we felt relief to see that the weather wasn’t getting worse and sunny days were still possible in mid November. In NJ we were hosted in a small town by Dan, a very nice man in his late 40’s, who owned a very beautiful house and where we could relax after those tremendous days in NY. Jan is working a lot these days because he needs to publish the new book about Africa, before April of next year. Dan is an amazing host, with vast interests and numberless questions about the world and our experiences. He is a great person with whom we hope to cross paths again in the future. We relaxed, recharged batteries and also did some bike rides through the small villages and towns in the area, sharing great meals every night with Dan.<br />It was already late November and we still had a good road to do until reaching Florida, where I wanted to spend my birthday at the beginning of December. We continued our journey down south to Philadelphia or Philly as the locals call it. Philadelphia preserves a lot of history related to the background of the creating of the USA. It has a nice downtown that we explored with the help and participation of our host Joshua, a great guy who belongs to the vast gay community of Philadelphia. Josh is just 2 years older than me and he came out of the closet just a few years ago (he admitted recently that he is gay), coming from a pretty traditional family who had some issues understanding and accepting him. I like Josh, he is a very, very nice person, very helpful and funny but in the same way pretty balanced and conscious of his actions. He reminded me physically of my little brother Mattia who also is fair haired and has gray /blue eyes. We spent a few good days in his home, sharing meals and interesting conversations and protecting ourselves from the horrible rainy weather outside. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o-5cmTty_uvV1wHROyM7Y2QjTuzchKiqCOFbrD-_uLvRNpG7iEX5EnY7nHgWofVsQUgHuqd4ushO9T-W2WyB0pkn2EYFPJ01MnHKe2sSyjS0D2rQRk4iueaoYce38DrRVXOHo-P6asg/s1600/DSC18628.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o-5cmTty_uvV1wHROyM7Y2QjTuzchKiqCOFbrD-_uLvRNpG7iEX5EnY7nHgWofVsQUgHuqd4ushO9T-W2WyB0pkn2EYFPJ01MnHKe2sSyjS0D2rQRk4iueaoYce38DrRVXOHo-P6asg/s400/DSC18628.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568870377426080642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6suXth5GAGJSNQ9OPIeRiJUoQdys0NxR2K3biDPUCTdVnKK9xfB4o5AuOQl7v4ZwetFTbuW6D1J20pUDnNLlan6bEYiX6LYujJUD-W8Dr767OnsfNVJPF9F9QSVLyddNI7iPZFzltcw/s1600/DSC02946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6suXth5GAGJSNQ9OPIeRiJUoQdys0NxR2K3biDPUCTdVnKK9xfB4o5AuOQl7v4ZwetFTbuW6D1J20pUDnNLlan6bEYiX6LYujJUD-W8Dr767OnsfNVJPF9F9QSVLyddNI7iPZFzltcw/s400/DSC02946.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568870372554254354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUovv5XFjhQyZ_Co1-obtHSd5iO2awjpccEth8eiEcS0HqRq7nmzxZFtHN8iddy0jmSPsD8wo6CUUfQov9Gbojm0BtQGoMhHY9lbf-xOCmXxMC0l5bVHk-smMx-rLVSZsNJhHTEQ8JJXs/s1600/DSC02941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUovv5XFjhQyZ_Co1-obtHSd5iO2awjpccEth8eiEcS0HqRq7nmzxZFtHN8iddy0jmSPsD8wo6CUUfQov9Gbojm0BtQGoMhHY9lbf-xOCmXxMC0l5bVHk-smMx-rLVSZsNJhHTEQ8JJXs/s400/DSC02941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568870370782197090" /></a><br />Finally we had to leave because Thanksgiving was approaching and people recommended us to spend it more in the south with a family but not before visiting the nation’s capital: Washington DC.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-3608348667596166122011-01-18T02:26:00.013+01:002011-01-18T03:05:41.107+01:00Last weeks in Canada<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbOdDHnSMWoSgDKfSYNE1THaNwQC3bKTm5WHsUgmP0mkielqXi0zwlkARCCeqmmUOgcv8qoPpMmryUW_lItFLNvH027HamaU5jiBjCyToLBsh2iFFGwvp-PWiSwtBKRr89PjeuCRG00I/s1600/DSC17241.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbOdDHnSMWoSgDKfSYNE1THaNwQC3bKTm5WHsUgmP0mkielqXi0zwlkARCCeqmmUOgcv8qoPpMmryUW_lItFLNvH027HamaU5jiBjCyToLBsh2iFFGwvp-PWiSwtBKRr89PjeuCRG00I/s400/DSC17241.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563341030274307314" /></a><br />Before arriving in Canada and even for the first few days I did not seem to notice big differences between USA and Canada, but for many Canadians it seemed awful to be even compared to the Americans. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TBj-3YJwTWvO-YatmbOhRd9RlbQZUdRDt2pBs7b-dVk4noegRz_uPZuYjhlWMwMq_Dk5fbmrukD3pR2cwP4JJAfzU4jnabNHwkVOIivWvlaeljgcDGe4X6AkSZ-0l4ssjlek9s0Bsgg/s1600/DSC01885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TBj-3YJwTWvO-YatmbOhRd9RlbQZUdRDt2pBs7b-dVk4noegRz_uPZuYjhlWMwMq_Dk5fbmrukD3pR2cwP4JJAfzU4jnabNHwkVOIivWvlaeljgcDGe4X6AkSZ-0l4ssjlek9s0Bsgg/s400/DSC01885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332512483223858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG939PTXlo99mmyWwjn0B-ZW0phaRV27niZ3pVBgg8-u3rqMUKWu5-YTKUeFtEZm9idRl5kS2G9S_RJu7WXs0m0-XFGLRv_iQyO8xHlha3kdCPA7bVyNmBU5NxyYsV04-BK8vz5O2Pivg/s1600/DSC01877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG939PTXlo99mmyWwjn0B-ZW0phaRV27niZ3pVBgg8-u3rqMUKWu5-YTKUeFtEZm9idRl5kS2G9S_RJu7WXs0m0-XFGLRv_iQyO8xHlha3kdCPA7bVyNmBU5NxyYsV04-BK8vz5O2Pivg/s400/DSC01877.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332508732531170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1yVKeN8vBlfDKmnpWbo-Aa_wO1kSXN2plFXwss0r2oXIWtYho4pcuOjreyWe2doQKgYdzVCR6FjGhoeaG2Bd6q-trKfTk3mSR4bF9OUUBb3UXqGnP4Pqt5UhuBu5k_BIpil_hTKTtiA/s1600/DSC01873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1yVKeN8vBlfDKmnpWbo-Aa_wO1kSXN2plFXwss0r2oXIWtYho4pcuOjreyWe2doQKgYdzVCR6FjGhoeaG2Bd6q-trKfTk3mSR4bF9OUUBb3UXqGnP4Pqt5UhuBu5k_BIpil_hTKTtiA/s400/DSC01873.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332501096773554" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15V3vsm4rdqDpOwE2ivZrNmbrP-UN5WuNqFHYSFJ2MVl3qjnwlM-Lj4Vxnu4RZ9kapeQybd1JoVfWbrl2WR2GeBw3T-Ck_mMx_UV9SBXd-MDevGTmfxQqnbjW7UxuSSGJWm0tUd5gVz8/s1600/DSC01866.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15V3vsm4rdqDpOwE2ivZrNmbrP-UN5WuNqFHYSFJ2MVl3qjnwlM-Lj4Vxnu4RZ9kapeQybd1JoVfWbrl2WR2GeBw3T-Ck_mMx_UV9SBXd-MDevGTmfxQqnbjW7UxuSSGJWm0tUd5gVz8/s400/DSC01866.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332500313142402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rCHSHaYPASe9FoOYzmfMuH_2W9FbWR8QwwdJ0QXCZX0JQKK_NptBMDcby5mL0eI9SYXo9NSMMWFe4R8g_OWgcLWutjOxjYc6RHCfQrxmjC_Ipm2dFk7t29U5NSRXQW2BFaWd2S3Vb6Q/s1600/DSC01864.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rCHSHaYPASe9FoOYzmfMuH_2W9FbWR8QwwdJ0QXCZX0JQKK_NptBMDcby5mL0eI9SYXo9NSMMWFe4R8g_OWgcLWutjOxjYc6RHCfQrxmjC_Ipm2dFk7t29U5NSRXQW2BFaWd2S3Vb6Q/s400/DSC01864.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332492947768530" /></a><br />Little by little I started to put more attention into what we were doing every day, into our contact with the local culture and environment and the more we were driving up north away from the border, the more I was feeling like I am back in some European country.<br />Montreal is a great city to explore on bicycle and we had great time here but we were on schedule so after 4 days here we decided its tie to drive up into Quebec with the first destination Quebec City. If the southern parts of Canada you can still feel you are on American continent but once you arrive in Quebec it’s a completely new feeling. From the nature, to the vendors in the shops no one here seems to like to speak English so actually I would say English speakers are in minority. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV5fZybj8gR2uGwdoTbcZxq_RkXD3HHwIyrTNpdFcUWns4_boyn-2vH7o1_L6RBOqDWvOEeOlABbT30sVEnJMRb9LEth7_UAf6He4ZllrIFXpr0dVoM5dpt-eyICCiK5nsVXmvoPgnjQ/s1600/DSC01911.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV5fZybj8gR2uGwdoTbcZxq_RkXD3HHwIyrTNpdFcUWns4_boyn-2vH7o1_L6RBOqDWvOEeOlABbT30sVEnJMRb9LEth7_UAf6He4ZllrIFXpr0dVoM5dpt-eyICCiK5nsVXmvoPgnjQ/s400/DSC01911.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563333346609579154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIbDoKZlvFJibi3AC_B3icV-m1I8q7aFS7_2FYDqOUSQLmaCrW1tUDJS73gsEvZ_25IT0keE4i_BZt3qqJtK4_QFf_1cD8b8yadcOEFeo7nljJd1fdUa9aIcq-STY8PoA-UqY_Fuif0Q/s1600/DSC01896.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIbDoKZlvFJibi3AC_B3icV-m1I8q7aFS7_2FYDqOUSQLmaCrW1tUDJS73gsEvZ_25IT0keE4i_BZt3qqJtK4_QFf_1cD8b8yadcOEFeo7nljJd1fdUa9aIcq-STY8PoA-UqY_Fuif0Q/s400/DSC01896.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563333342139378642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw00Ajd1h-hYVSlMRWKpnMd4q5xPMo39wv6o5Fja_UA-fGsePSK51H_csZiypqhxfUyzkZvghgPhfKIb_ILtT6b777lnvx2-iiHrmpJ_moPaHu962RcAEYBLxnOfxx6b6TrcCDTiGKiE/s1600/DSC01891.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw00Ajd1h-hYVSlMRWKpnMd4q5xPMo39wv6o5Fja_UA-fGsePSK51H_csZiypqhxfUyzkZvghgPhfKIb_ILtT6b777lnvx2-iiHrmpJ_moPaHu962RcAEYBLxnOfxx6b6TrcCDTiGKiE/s400/DSC01891.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563333340020465218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFVeWL-sezcWXPmcTHcJ-nXAg9mvNJZ-dWpG3-GvAfufbaFI-c6gkPjXeYy9jUMYM8pTR223H49uC3mIPkhGz7k59MU9qqfs-u7NRzqKGXFErHZ5cZvA2rc0Epl_YLSTSHrxMdkLozZc/s1600/DSC01889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFVeWL-sezcWXPmcTHcJ-nXAg9mvNJZ-dWpG3-GvAfufbaFI-c6gkPjXeYy9jUMYM8pTR223H49uC3mIPkhGz7k59MU9qqfs-u7NRzqKGXFErHZ5cZvA2rc0Epl_YLSTSHrxMdkLozZc/s400/DSC01889.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563333334523446482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUh8KA53zz9AR60jXFhcjRiW3IMQbl-ZMimixsRbtndCd69LyiGwt9WeIjKsLi1_vN6fcuycCPUjkk0ejWFHziob9qChkZZRoQXowxU7DPFMITSdX-nJdnE_9Dfm9722P146TQUwR31I/s1600/DSC01886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUh8KA53zz9AR60jXFhcjRiW3IMQbl-ZMimixsRbtndCd69LyiGwt9WeIjKsLi1_vN6fcuycCPUjkk0ejWFHziob9qChkZZRoQXowxU7DPFMITSdX-nJdnE_9Dfm9722P146TQUwR31I/s400/DSC01886.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563333331121655922" /></a><br /> Quebec city was founded by the French, who built a mighty citadel walls, constituting the only walled city in North America. Here, we contacted Benoit, a man who was continually accommodating different Couchsurfing travellers with whom we felt comfortable, despite the cold and aloof temperament contrasted with Canada´s previous hosts. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaBlV5jBEdlDc17Txs7YPoaXtktARlAqbmZERCj1Mc_N88jrUJ_JTHLGAtVqsEhkDOkElpwbxQ2FaL3d5X_wGcCbnwiADLFWSmyd2vdqij6IesKhP6i1v7QOCdAGtO7sBCllHCS92dD0/s1600/DSC01939.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaBlV5jBEdlDc17Txs7YPoaXtktARlAqbmZERCj1Mc_N88jrUJ_JTHLGAtVqsEhkDOkElpwbxQ2FaL3d5X_wGcCbnwiADLFWSmyd2vdqij6IesKhP6i1v7QOCdAGtO7sBCllHCS92dD0/s400/DSC01939.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334152241206994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fELgrF7WpJNrq_umDz439N2tb9jJcz-x7YtemBeUzFandlcGpPNH8mFY0BsEEb_edsIyPau31x4oShOkCLTADNjgBe9elbB9dvdyivELuCwVDE0XCSImccyukM8jgjpYOsfoeHec72s/s1600/DSC01932.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fELgrF7WpJNrq_umDz439N2tb9jJcz-x7YtemBeUzFandlcGpPNH8mFY0BsEEb_edsIyPau31x4oShOkCLTADNjgBe9elbB9dvdyivELuCwVDE0XCSImccyukM8jgjpYOsfoeHec72s/s400/DSC01932.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334149535444178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw4sNCZvksZaY4fwSEbWSfJ9XJBD2sMPxuwvYD0gsZnof7sb4ilw48gGFub9On3SvmiVikzUuQO0_vdmaHSSyvwdMVOmG0ckdEW2IRKTbv8Bw3KE4X2ER4rVPJ4WR2q57c4s7yot_718/s1600/DSC01926.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw4sNCZvksZaY4fwSEbWSfJ9XJBD2sMPxuwvYD0gsZnof7sb4ilw48gGFub9On3SvmiVikzUuQO0_vdmaHSSyvwdMVOmG0ckdEW2IRKTbv8Bw3KE4X2ER4rVPJ4WR2q57c4s7yot_718/s400/DSC01926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334143347566898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQAWIYZiP_88_HfapxYRSU_XmcDiNHwPNRnsoTGo-AtZ66npxlLpqQuhqCaHYMmSo5rhrlWuMrGXUhL_FalQw9cCR7IqGr65nqPMO4gY3dlTmd0FUaJODBcZ_uWm2arfFUs74Bv3oz0w/s1600/DSC01922.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQAWIYZiP_88_HfapxYRSU_XmcDiNHwPNRnsoTGo-AtZ66npxlLpqQuhqCaHYMmSo5rhrlWuMrGXUhL_FalQw9cCR7IqGr65nqPMO4gY3dlTmd0FUaJODBcZ_uWm2arfFUs74Bv3oz0w/s400/DSC01922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334145181044690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bWpvkDsKxVbayr4M8e2qx1PIOQFKr17dgcHxDhnncV_r0QYf27M93uy4Ei-JjhNKLvU812kwSWIizC5mxVgfxmx9J7i_8Z4AQViYauM_xPC1e4d4mwFuD0kinjH5yyy9-1tr224ozZY/s1600/DSC01917.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bWpvkDsKxVbayr4M8e2qx1PIOQFKr17dgcHxDhnncV_r0QYf27M93uy4Ei-JjhNKLvU812kwSWIizC5mxVgfxmx9J7i_8Z4AQViYauM_xPC1e4d4mwFuD0kinjH5yyy9-1tr224ozZY/s400/DSC01917.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334138129919154" /></a><br />Sometimes it is difficult to relate with people that seem not able to relate to others. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPJpBizVNIg7NrzoPLkF5ASPzxKkHmuE8DY9NKscrCJCT5VvxrQINV0luN7hoMTN2Z8zlC6uCOxOiIqUNPdhlX2Q_MkqZDtPWUb9mstin5KFfdUrwYYm_XvZzcd-HsFf0KhrUdOsyWYE/s1600/DSC01963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPJpBizVNIg7NrzoPLkF5ASPzxKkHmuE8DY9NKscrCJCT5VvxrQINV0luN7hoMTN2Z8zlC6uCOxOiIqUNPdhlX2Q_MkqZDtPWUb9mstin5KFfdUrwYYm_XvZzcd-HsFf0KhrUdOsyWYE/s400/DSC01963.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334954725638866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0576WQ_yjOfBKZ3tN-B7O8VDHEnOosCgO9-7KSNl-fBDHr0SWox3e3mSmLNUd3HW0iXjLpCB1i5XtgM-oWwePKInsa0BZgW5xlKZZ4me_dmxE4HkDb82RkVHUGzNLiMcGghDveQLfJCc/s1600/DSC01961.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0576WQ_yjOfBKZ3tN-B7O8VDHEnOosCgO9-7KSNl-fBDHr0SWox3e3mSmLNUd3HW0iXjLpCB1i5XtgM-oWwePKInsa0BZgW5xlKZZ4me_dmxE4HkDb82RkVHUGzNLiMcGghDveQLfJCc/s400/DSC01961.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334952209024930" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Lm69CPNJ15b2FzdX3A0uyzicuzPBUTEk6rHWaM4lqf4uFXSt1A0jdZlrp8m2c24USrI2PNvqtFG3gdQqU7xQ7GgmVDmf-bhc-LsllIrC7uPJDePseHJbqhFl13v0vjNn-DWUZ_meQGA/s1600/DSC01957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Lm69CPNJ15b2FzdX3A0uyzicuzPBUTEk6rHWaM4lqf4uFXSt1A0jdZlrp8m2c24USrI2PNvqtFG3gdQqU7xQ7GgmVDmf-bhc-LsllIrC7uPJDePseHJbqhFl13v0vjNn-DWUZ_meQGA/s400/DSC01957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334945194475714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QDUVR4YZUvY0nrVXKwmpDdVLkf_GwVvY1CUeioR32XHPmlTHXmJR_RiZeOtCBBMY-R0mZEz2Z6zdFZC4Gp270Bl2bCwGg6XZtfbO187Be_6OzNSYnp_oh2MccHs11QeMUUIAETRwYfA/s1600/DSC01941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QDUVR4YZUvY0nrVXKwmpDdVLkf_GwVvY1CUeioR32XHPmlTHXmJR_RiZeOtCBBMY-R0mZEz2Z6zdFZC4Gp270Bl2bCwGg6XZtfbO187Be_6OzNSYnp_oh2MccHs11QeMUUIAETRwYfA/s400/DSC01941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563334947181261666" /></a><br />Although Benoit seemed interested to have many people around him, at the same time his involvement in the relationship was diminished by the fact that he was hosting so many people, that probably at one point he did not even care. Anyway, everyday we did our best to interact with him and gave him some good advices for his next trip into Vietnam. I was more than happy to leave from his place and start a new week on the road, camping with our self sufficient van. Although it was so cold sometimes in the night, we spent very relaxed days, travelling slowly towards Gaspe and Nova Scotia. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpiwGsT_l49vebva0nkQz93PYK3Vq4qyy9ezWJ-Er_ve8NG0mh_W0xxd47gWVUvXu4bfvgBjiFpXKOKFSsT0M4bK8miR6P-O7bqkmG2zhEq3Qru-r14-G_FV_Br0QejDil0UPwBrb4e8/s1600/DSC01988.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpiwGsT_l49vebva0nkQz93PYK3Vq4qyy9ezWJ-Er_ve8NG0mh_W0xxd47gWVUvXu4bfvgBjiFpXKOKFSsT0M4bK8miR6P-O7bqkmG2zhEq3Qru-r14-G_FV_Br0QejDil0UPwBrb4e8/s400/DSC01988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563336250515220466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuAsHA5UPPJthx6E8GObWT65ubsgYx07veeK8W8ssVdpazce_0N7-FhYFV6MSXQr47aKmiAm0WbcArVqXJOpF3z4E8v3Hd34oKX5rTbOLITXFY0KF_C6S-YstyCoR0VxPn3-KC3lNxZ8/s1600/DSC01981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuAsHA5UPPJthx6E8GObWT65ubsgYx07veeK8W8ssVdpazce_0N7-FhYFV6MSXQr47aKmiAm0WbcArVqXJOpF3z4E8v3Hd34oKX5rTbOLITXFY0KF_C6S-YstyCoR0VxPn3-KC3lNxZ8/s400/DSC01981.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563336249291215906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36xw5bfclVbhZGqsm8sNJiUmQ8AaGlwtTks9l7OwJrHsbGk9dIR4Px05Btgu9lqomsVfi1kWTiHFMBaAM3Ah0EYFMbWHnQFKy6H7eLML8HtDfaV_YM8AyKshIxep_RJ0VzhEeOjYZODE/s1600/DSC01978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36xw5bfclVbhZGqsm8sNJiUmQ8AaGlwtTks9l7OwJrHsbGk9dIR4Px05Btgu9lqomsVfi1kWTiHFMBaAM3Ah0EYFMbWHnQFKy6H7eLML8HtDfaV_YM8AyKshIxep_RJ0VzhEeOjYZODE/s400/DSC01978.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563336243639903346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpryADfns55Bn1dVy9Tb_00AIhusBSeOvAh4QNt4MQEWUShdXsyFXbGQLuqf4PNlZGqJ5lFmGc81NeCgLcUc9trMo0u7DZwl_T3NfLBiVNANUAls3inTtlhX6TqgKFdsvZ1rQwWWOTQo/s1600/DSC01974.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpryADfns55Bn1dVy9Tb_00AIhusBSeOvAh4QNt4MQEWUShdXsyFXbGQLuqf4PNlZGqJ5lFmGc81NeCgLcUc9trMo0u7DZwl_T3NfLBiVNANUAls3inTtlhX6TqgKFdsvZ1rQwWWOTQo/s400/DSC01974.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563336235631102754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cXd0hWsIIhbypIZZWCC04elYeeThImee9C7KXG6KPUKuMxhMD544e8Bp7Fni_lYEidWf9RDGgLVvwfB7GxSQywoalizc94HfQLXkSm8ZbEOr0NBYwxwqTgQpYJ1aCEMK13yB7jDCT2k/s1600/DSC01970.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cXd0hWsIIhbypIZZWCC04elYeeThImee9C7KXG6KPUKuMxhMD544e8Bp7Fni_lYEidWf9RDGgLVvwfB7GxSQywoalizc94HfQLXkSm8ZbEOr0NBYwxwqTgQpYJ1aCEMK13yB7jDCT2k/s400/DSC01970.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563336230607816098" /></a><br />Definitely we were not in the high season, most of the hotels and parks being already closed, but we enjoyed the landscapes and the presence of black bears almost everywhere. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wzina5I5AhjHB0Qf-A3JMjpxX_FkAy0tRJUW26vPKCrn8grkI2F5o9AX_aXhroEvcDX0fpTJlbEbBfSgFSadeaZPmV7O-meVolhdO0zgWysT0Ih-Q-bnZbDY-bXY0yZ4Ta-9VFdQyac/s1600/DSC02010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wzina5I5AhjHB0Qf-A3JMjpxX_FkAy0tRJUW26vPKCrn8grkI2F5o9AX_aXhroEvcDX0fpTJlbEbBfSgFSadeaZPmV7O-meVolhdO0zgWysT0Ih-Q-bnZbDY-bXY0yZ4Ta-9VFdQyac/s400/DSC02010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337112907155122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZBWucNGVAiF62n9JrsTozMUzPy26RUqWtjGkNn-6IP_0pGBHYPk5fUokfmkwC9QK1aKK_kYtM6afKWHsBtSkNOovCRDa_ypgkyL0hzyqAnM13NVRZgRzPPFa4Fk4ZXaGJ1ByLkPodUA/s1600/DSC02009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZBWucNGVAiF62n9JrsTozMUzPy26RUqWtjGkNn-6IP_0pGBHYPk5fUokfmkwC9QK1aKK_kYtM6afKWHsBtSkNOovCRDa_ypgkyL0hzyqAnM13NVRZgRzPPFa4Fk4ZXaGJ1ByLkPodUA/s400/DSC02009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337106726140226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWD44Mhj_SNSwsglMaGhtLnltsu8BKEvgpZAEXGRdAfHvQZw6b2ESSeMYRrSl3_QSGuC5QjZG9Fp4TCRsz4G6yitoP7aGVETIoa1A6bIS1oH7iQ9biWg92u_BWsBxWVuoSCZc2dGeR_E/s1600/DSC02003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWD44Mhj_SNSwsglMaGhtLnltsu8BKEvgpZAEXGRdAfHvQZw6b2ESSeMYRrSl3_QSGuC5QjZG9Fp4TCRsz4G6yitoP7aGVETIoa1A6bIS1oH7iQ9biWg92u_BWsBxWVuoSCZc2dGeR_E/s400/DSC02003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337104071766194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTDO_nwaHyvLIjK8VSjPOhyphenhyphenhCn6Jh5YORrAfyASzibcgDXvy6fKyMVXBuxeVKoFAnfpLLwxLE7gjJlFViJQmeYHT7A6bKx_LR3wY3s_UHj1l43Y4Hh3pBtxRfOYDxZs1iW0g6wvKncKU/s1600/DSC01993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTDO_nwaHyvLIjK8VSjPOhyphenhyphenhCn6Jh5YORrAfyASzibcgDXvy6fKyMVXBuxeVKoFAnfpLLwxLE7gjJlFViJQmeYHT7A6bKx_LR3wY3s_UHj1l43Y4Hh3pBtxRfOYDxZs1iW0g6wvKncKU/s400/DSC01993.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337100632121250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFZWdIU65XRugP4FL-TPeL0ftRGJ-Zt0IvoKCgUfjzgc_WKZ40vT-xpSeOu2oS_k_0JhQv_jKj85-dIdcJHuhAJeD5cYRKrfTmL1k1BbNXybIPxiWRaNFcHigNs76HzT7g6xKuVGPUnk/s1600/DSC01989.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFZWdIU65XRugP4FL-TPeL0ftRGJ-Zt0IvoKCgUfjzgc_WKZ40vT-xpSeOu2oS_k_0JhQv_jKj85-dIdcJHuhAJeD5cYRKrfTmL1k1BbNXybIPxiWRaNFcHigNs76HzT7g6xKuVGPUnk/s400/DSC01989.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337097767673394" /></a><br />We had realised that the rest of our stay in Canada will be about the amazing landscape and nature but also we got the chance to be hosted two more times during our stay. Pierre is a French Canadian, living in Les Escoumins, and works as a coast controller. After visiting the Baie Sainte Marguerite, in the afternoon we drove to Pierre´s home, who received us wonderfully. Because we knew there are whales in the see over there, we commented to Pierre the fact that we would like to see some and he pointed to his amazing view of the ocean in front of his hose, and after staring a bit at the ocean we managed to spot a wale. We cooked dinner and at the table there was also a friend of Pierre, a lady in her 50s that she could not understand any English although she lived in Canada, supposedly a bilingual country. If in Catalonia, all the Catalans speak Spanish, here in Quebec it seems there are many people who cannot or do not speak or know any English.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFsRfteBBUkBYGkedd2CWDb4dVM4zR_YBnAyI1jjWspmJKMJc30oHnmmdyL8MTiXOqjmuAUyhpJGiiv3KG1oK9QL7hqcFjGwRQ1T1UvRMKeR5EmlxTb3qrReXAH7ThVFHnZHkLc8CUT0/s1600/DSC02039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFsRfteBBUkBYGkedd2CWDb4dVM4zR_YBnAyI1jjWspmJKMJc30oHnmmdyL8MTiXOqjmuAUyhpJGiiv3KG1oK9QL7hqcFjGwRQ1T1UvRMKeR5EmlxTb3qrReXAH7ThVFHnZHkLc8CUT0/s400/DSC02039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337897232850738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIrGMNjZ9SBCXHdRgNs_HqQLyotDaN-nATg7iJI-25J4HfHCZ8yoI6THrRMR6fsgtmCR0PQDoR4yjY-iJLzLLJOM3zyJYL9uip6_Iv49Atf8yY_a9yu_LVFa87paEwsqJQkyYNw3ya84/s1600/DSC02034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIrGMNjZ9SBCXHdRgNs_HqQLyotDaN-nATg7iJI-25J4HfHCZ8yoI6THrRMR6fsgtmCR0PQDoR4yjY-iJLzLLJOM3zyJYL9uip6_Iv49Atf8yY_a9yu_LVFa87paEwsqJQkyYNw3ya84/s400/DSC02034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337891605002978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uePxl2LcwpQKppuI4O6ydube4_C9rqIpYOW3Ib1Sjfq5xrUV0KdnksKS7HmfcyE-VZqiTMv5Vekal0IelUvdwAd9QTYaNxQyGQxplae9F_7bcNlN9rk8fcqyXlQP6g8Wv3TUAghXABY/s1600/DSC02023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uePxl2LcwpQKppuI4O6ydube4_C9rqIpYOW3Ib1Sjfq5xrUV0KdnksKS7HmfcyE-VZqiTMv5Vekal0IelUvdwAd9QTYaNxQyGQxplae9F_7bcNlN9rk8fcqyXlQP6g8Wv3TUAghXABY/s400/DSC02023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337889097968082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYVU_b-rP-vX-nfQZgiCaI4LrD7jNJutbsIkOdCyWqMDuVdvg9sGu1EWI5wSjWb3jxY2WdIXSTkPCvfmqZp2mZwNdD6PAvLDr9F8A3Lzxo5O_qP20LNBoKbD1j1Llz5dqj87eD_SZd9I/s1600/DSC02021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYVU_b-rP-vX-nfQZgiCaI4LrD7jNJutbsIkOdCyWqMDuVdvg9sGu1EWI5wSjWb3jxY2WdIXSTkPCvfmqZp2mZwNdD6PAvLDr9F8A3Lzxo5O_qP20LNBoKbD1j1Llz5dqj87eD_SZd9I/s400/DSC02021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337882729981122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuKfQ7w5tdJq9ToPu2HMAS3xVc3PqGXfvkKJBkAjsmv99w0QNgqSr6FqkdMEhbNcJMbLnPSoj5VHUgMDAFocqRQO-s8JBGM5VUQa0rAyW8PwZADDTD8QmQhvI_vwBEOg3AmU9fXGk5CU/s1600/DSC02016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuKfQ7w5tdJq9ToPu2HMAS3xVc3PqGXfvkKJBkAjsmv99w0QNgqSr6FqkdMEhbNcJMbLnPSoj5VHUgMDAFocqRQO-s8JBGM5VUQa0rAyW8PwZADDTD8QmQhvI_vwBEOg3AmU9fXGk5CU/s400/DSC02016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337885400105794" /></a><br /><br />We were supposed to take a ferry across golf St Lawrence, but the weather was so bad for the last days that many ferries were not working. We booked one for the next day but it was cancelled, and the one of the next day again. The see was troubled, there were huge waves and wind and rain. It was the worst time of all. Finally we could make a reservation for the ferry from Godbout, but that boat was leaving very early in the morning and we were 250k away. Next day we woke up at 4 am and started to drive in order to arrive by 7.30 at the town where the ferry was leaving. Once there we were informed that also this boat was cancelled. We were stuck there. The weather was apocalyptical and if we were stuck there we would have to go through a horrible night of torment. Watching how the waves were braking into the shore and how the wind was blowing with such rage, I almost thanked not being on a boat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oK_DUY6o8CeLHgLDPCm15jRBavCNtpkFQ8ihXIpHYOiSbBHRwGI820SyuKvkvbL6JbYpAlH1McAiWvQVoOdGbro-mEOYQf0UG6tH0tcNcYbV-nHjqe6w1B0fil6RY07AgjDNkm1kZn8/s1600/DSC02098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oK_DUY6o8CeLHgLDPCm15jRBavCNtpkFQ8ihXIpHYOiSbBHRwGI820SyuKvkvbL6JbYpAlH1McAiWvQVoOdGbro-mEOYQf0UG6tH0tcNcYbV-nHjqe6w1B0fil6RY07AgjDNkm1kZn8/s400/DSC02098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338805048291026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82a7JVbU_lGzVwNIuG2gbHM4vCF_IRB2fAIvU3TQocaaZl9z41KIPdHWqpslT1I2nTitWhnuwGpkr4E3Jt3gTcGwU8kF70MFXzbYHPv3fjoOMCIF_sc4M7Gmguog3j5B7eoEtPxt30tM/s1600/DSC02080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82a7JVbU_lGzVwNIuG2gbHM4vCF_IRB2fAIvU3TQocaaZl9z41KIPdHWqpslT1I2nTitWhnuwGpkr4E3Jt3gTcGwU8kF70MFXzbYHPv3fjoOMCIF_sc4M7Gmguog3j5B7eoEtPxt30tM/s400/DSC02080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338800892933778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7jEOUcskfOkK0HTcVTbWrdey5YvRn-aPBlUb6ds4g66Rrth2MOEs1TZ9-z35mJZrrzr3qx8-uD3nZhfHSM70CUXbzirQvtKazd-CVhoernNHpFyWonCmp2adhjy9lOFmWbBvDUYl280/s1600/DSC02068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7jEOUcskfOkK0HTcVTbWrdey5YvRn-aPBlUb6ds4g66Rrth2MOEs1TZ9-z35mJZrrzr3qx8-uD3nZhfHSM70CUXbzirQvtKazd-CVhoernNHpFyWonCmp2adhjy9lOFmWbBvDUYl280/s400/DSC02068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338794622129106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf2SiXlnMF1F_Vf5LNs23iNzQ86Kv4NFHrS2gpz7ixux6qkuM3zxGu0G6aulhbwTbE0Q7tmZcVSKzQ-rYqgiBGx9oOwO1gR5W1Bv_m694I4o_WnOFQ_0aE8exi5gnoohrONEFTew9Z-I/s1600/DSC02063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf2SiXlnMF1F_Vf5LNs23iNzQ86Kv4NFHrS2gpz7ixux6qkuM3zxGu0G6aulhbwTbE0Q7tmZcVSKzQ-rYqgiBGx9oOwO1gR5W1Bv_m694I4o_WnOFQ_0aE8exi5gnoohrONEFTew9Z-I/s400/DSC02063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338789222421666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Sh-jL5sIUwnmAzfDa6pCp8eesv5egbRnL0dviML1C_mxfSXfFdbeA2Vk1aSgI6ao23v-yFCoSs50JdzxCjyGn1CdRtWfX7tPkOGOzFhJ8pZRGjDFPYD667HQhliTMAmYQ6B9fqyF50/s1600/DSC02046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Sh-jL5sIUwnmAzfDa6pCp8eesv5egbRnL0dviML1C_mxfSXfFdbeA2Vk1aSgI6ao23v-yFCoSs50JdzxCjyGn1CdRtWfX7tPkOGOzFhJ8pZRGjDFPYD667HQhliTMAmYQ6B9fqyF50/s400/DSC02046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338784357620002" /></a><br /> The people in the port told us that there might be a boat from another town, 50km away and that we should hurry for the boar was leaving at 5 pm. We drove the last kms and waited in town till we were informed that yes, the boat was leaving at 5. The torment wasn’t gone and once on the ferry we realised how bad the sea was. The boat was rising and falling at least 1 to 2 m on every wave. I think we spent the most horrible 3 h on a boat. I felt very very sick, almost vomiting, all my stomach was up and down. It was just too much and I think all the passengers were raying to arrive safely at the shore. After 3 h we landed and it was great, but the storm outside was fore strong. We started to look for a place to camp but we realised we should go out of town. We drove at least 50km till we found a nice picnic area on the coast and we could sleep although I really though that with the rain that was outside we might have a change to be under water by the next day. Its been almost a week of rain and cold and it was getting to us. The night was setting pretty early and the mornings were humid and cold. It gave us the feeling of going home and abandoning the travel. Bad weather can be very depressing for travellers.<br /><br />Slowly, visiting things , we were heading towards Halifax, Nova Scotia, where we would be hosted by a man called Wayn. On the way to visit Halifax we went to Kouchibouguac National Park, where we spent the night in spite of seeing a pair of black bears in the evening. I decided it was the best spot for a beautiful night of camping and not even the park rangers bothered us. After 6 nights of camping we finally arrived at Wayn’s house where we could take a shower and relax. Meeting Wayn was a bit shocking for me because he seems to be a hoarder, his house being packed with stuff. I have never seen a house like that. He has hundreds of thousands of books and boxes and things thrown everywhere. It was obvious that there was no women in the house. Another pretty disturbing fact was that he was in a BDMS ( bondage and sado-maso) club and was a nudist , although during our stay he was using a bathrobe. We had a very cluttered room but the room had a lock so during the night we were locking ourselves in. He was an ex army guy, recently divorced and experiencing life to its limits. He liked to talk openly about his sexuality and also about his variated interests like Tarot, Numancy, Chiromancy and other paranormal stuff. After leaving his home, we went to visit Peggy´s Cove, a fishing village southwest of Halifax, really worth visiting. Despite the cold wind, we climbed the road behind the town towards the lighthouse, the view made Jan stop the and he went to take pictures of the little lighthouse with the raging sea in the back , but I dod not dare to go out. It was too cold.<br />With so much time on our hands, and long camping days, we have started in the last few months to think about how our life will be once this travel is over. Although it has been already almost years on the road, the 16 months that we still have ahead seem a short time. It is quite strange to think that our lives will be so different when this amazing travel is over, that all the good and bad experiences will become memories. It almost makes us sad but we have to decide how our future will be and we have to do that now, during the last months of this amazing journey.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_XuA2-l0AZxA3ZJbiSNknwtKqU43X52U6-9WwZ4mP1a4zIycACuubJ3MM_z4B5pOpr3JEx8DZkoXrF_n6sjc0UNJoKs3tXitSac-BAzzQFvNcU8_0I8O0lrmosKDX3zmcgms97RTyCE/s1600/DSC02101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_XuA2-l0AZxA3ZJbiSNknwtKqU43X52U6-9WwZ4mP1a4zIycACuubJ3MM_z4B5pOpr3JEx8DZkoXrF_n6sjc0UNJoKs3tXitSac-BAzzQFvNcU8_0I8O0lrmosKDX3zmcgms97RTyCE/s400/DSC02101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563341018011128754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR6IYmTev5I5N9IeC4LQe86ucPzeI4HBhUqyZ_vqTmUdocKWmfVfvUaKf-ctJeMMd_YeCjIOxDwOh5McfSnEcc5dDSBOrK9wcP7TeEcDpWRStM-CcnEg8isky-WZBgC5SUyGktNmRdds/s1600/DSC02108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR6IYmTev5I5N9IeC4LQe86ucPzeI4HBhUqyZ_vqTmUdocKWmfVfvUaKf-ctJeMMd_YeCjIOxDwOh5McfSnEcc5dDSBOrK9wcP7TeEcDpWRStM-CcnEg8isky-WZBgC5SUyGktNmRdds/s400/DSC02108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563341012956178242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oBZNTFcfZ3Kg7F2zxEhou7UC6Dk_h3TJWadD5rOhpnbiPnkQpRU_16tDD_WIzyZfk4iwcorSdJdsb8qwAZiF2LtjCLRDzRl5vLapuUbc96TAJY3fuP55btnuU-kJMYH5iH-uOBZMqQM/s1600/DSC02106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oBZNTFcfZ3Kg7F2zxEhou7UC6Dk_h3TJWadD5rOhpnbiPnkQpRU_16tDD_WIzyZfk4iwcorSdJdsb8qwAZiF2LtjCLRDzRl5vLapuUbc96TAJY3fuP55btnuU-kJMYH5iH-uOBZMqQM/s400/DSC02106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563341007716382578" /></a>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-19768705059925590452010-12-27T00:40:00.013+01:002010-12-27T01:39:25.649+01:00From USA to CANADA!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hzMY4HNtTXzp8LvjTSyM-QUOhnHDqGIXNbGrZ8EkIflpydY7A5fUn7ITPu5hpOiIKgGEhN6h6WlsEsEZ8t0msbqE1pNJ5V16BxXLOLxRhJq4S1r08SbkdKIOM5F8JzZe6CNFOVGrXpc/s1600/DSC01745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hzMY4HNtTXzp8LvjTSyM-QUOhnHDqGIXNbGrZ8EkIflpydY7A5fUn7ITPu5hpOiIKgGEhN6h6WlsEsEZ8t0msbqE1pNJ5V16BxXLOLxRhJq4S1r08SbkdKIOM5F8JzZe6CNFOVGrXpc/s320/DSC01745.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555154063905328578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpY7csq1q-FnMYuUQAjZAllwv8p7v3DAlpoA-9UqIENwfcrFdXhbBlxQQarZuoEkHRpLm7irc6dwVG5l9SaaTn5pN9DjtMUvyBaX8g2vr8g4c06lfnEwJL8lSZoq_d_4CVkKsxmOD1fz0/s1600/DSC01403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpY7csq1q-FnMYuUQAjZAllwv8p7v3DAlpoA-9UqIENwfcrFdXhbBlxQQarZuoEkHRpLm7irc6dwVG5l9SaaTn5pN9DjtMUvyBaX8g2vr8g4c06lfnEwJL8lSZoq_d_4CVkKsxmOD1fz0/s320/DSC01403.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555154060959927362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wKO28n7Gw8GwhK7oKXhVqxVPwXkvl91LkSPl_L9nOP1CYQ-4cQJg6qWgAdByvvlk4FffRXU97v4VYJnU1_jN2eYFsX4iVUk0Il9SBfjDnNK5_G0qDlk5Fvm40cbaVfYJfek0hEt_V-8/s1600/DSC01408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wKO28n7Gw8GwhK7oKXhVqxVPwXkvl91LkSPl_L9nOP1CYQ-4cQJg6qWgAdByvvlk4FffRXU97v4VYJnU1_jN2eYFsX4iVUk0Il9SBfjDnNK5_G0qDlk5Fvm40cbaVfYJfek0hEt_V-8/s320/DSC01408.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555154058194288402" /></a><br />We have been on the road for almost 3 months and we always moved every 2, 3 days, except for LA where we spent around 2 weeks. Always when you travel it is good to take a break from time to time and the fact that Amanda lives in Ohio made it a good option to stop and have this well deserved vacation from a vacation. After leaving Mankato and Toby and his family, there were two options in order to arrive to Ohio: one, going through Chicago and the second going up north first, to Michigan Lake and then coming down to Cleveland. We chose the second option because we also heard it is so beautiful up there but also because Chicago and Detroit are two big cities hit very badly by the crisis, and we did not have enough energy to enter again in a big American city and spend time in crowded places. So we drove up north through little roads, surrounded by woods of conifers, many lakes, the weather got to be quite chilly sometimes but not very bad. <br />The more the days were passing the less we were interested in visiting anything and in the end we ended up driving about 1000 km in one day to arrive Cuyahoga Falls, where Amanda lives. She is an old friend of Jan, married to an American guy , living in USA for about 10 years now and working in an agency for women abuse, where she tries to give shelter and legal advise for women that suffer of abuse. More than a 25% of women in America suffer some sort of abuse and this violence does not make social differences. All women are exposed to it, even the rich ones, although the rate of women that report the abuse is lower in the higher classes. Anyway there are many factors that would make the numbers even higher but because police is not doing their jobs properly many times the reports of the women never get to the justice. Even though USA considers itself one of the leading countries of the world, the number of abused women is on such a high level. There are many resources oriented towards solving this problem but as Amanda says there is much more to do. Once arrived by night at the lovely house of Amanda and Mark, we made ourselves comfortable in our own room and decided that for the next two weeks we will do nothing just recover energy because when you feel down you do not really enjoy and to enjoy such a big travel you need from time to time to take brakes. I was almost in a state of trance, waking up in the morning, having breakfast , then watching TV or reading, then having lunch and working on the computer and then dinner. What a beautiful monotony. We did not do just that in these two weeks. We also went out with Mark and Amanda for dinners with their friends, or we played Texas hold’em up Poker or cycling through the close by towns and forest of Cuyahoga Falls. These two weeks have past so quickly but I would mention here on of the best events that we took part in. Amanda had 2 more invitation to an event for the Legal Aid organisation in Ohio. We went to this great event that celebrated the achievement of so many professionals that give free aid to abused women and children, to immigrants and even to local citizens. We even got to see one of the judges of the Supreme Court of USA. I felt so impressed but in the same time so thankful to Amanda that made this possible. <br /><br />After such good time here in Ohio we prepared the car again and started the road to Canada. Our next important destination was Niagara Falls, that we enjoyed from both American and Canadian sides. To be honest the Canadian side shows a much better perspective of the falls but on the American side there is a much nicer and well organised park, with a few gardens, some other falls and little refreshing shops. <br />Crossing into Canada was an important step in our journey through North America because it could mean that when we get back to USA after our one month plan, we might not get an extension for our American visa and so our travel through the north would be much shorter and we would loose important places that we wanted to visit. I developed a kind of hatred and angst for borders since in this travel I think I had to cross more than 150 borders, I had to deal so many times with immigration and police that not always is professional, fair, efficient or nice. If you choose to cross from USA to Canada through the Niagara Falls, you will get there very easily by crossing one of the bridges close by, and so we did the same, but once into Canada we realised we weren’t able to talk to an USA immigration official and because we needed some information on visa extension we did the mistake to ask an official on the Canadian side, if we can go back to USA and ask our questions. Of course we did not know what was about to come! <br />As we told to the Canadian immigration officer that we want to go back to USA he sent us inside the immigration building to check some papers with the officials inside. After waiting for 15-20 min one official attended us, wrote a paper and added a code to our reason of refusing to enter Canada and told us we are ok for returning to USA. Happy that the Canadians seemed so helpful, we drove the van back to the entrance into USA; only this was where our luck was ending. A very rude and poor in sympathy official started asking questions on why we were refused entry into Canada, why we wanted to come back to USA, if we want to work and so on and so forth. We replied very calmly to all his questions only he seemed not to understand that we needed to talk with someone about the possible extension of our visa. He made a phone call and told us to wait in the car and so we did. He then took our passports and the keys of the car, two police officers came and we were escorted by both of them, just like two criminals, inside the immigration building. After waiting 30 min more, we were received by a different officer to whom we had to explain again why we were asking question and we had to detail all our reasons of why we want this information and finally we were clear enough that we plan to go to Canada, spend a while there and then come back to USA and get a visa extension he finally seemed to understand. It seems there is a protocol for all immigration police officers to consider everyone a possible criminal, terrorist, immigrant or who else what, all that before even listening to what people are saying. I think they need more training into listening. Anyway after he realised that we really had the plan to travel so long through USA and that we seemed honest and reliable, he talked with his boss and told us that generally it depends on the border official if they extend a visa or not. With that in mind we got out of there not before getting our passports and keys of the car. It has been a very frustrating experience for me and actually it had ruined my mood for the whole day. The impoliteness of the border officials seems to be a common characteristic around the world.<br />Soon after getting back to our car, we drove again to the border of Canada, summing in total about 120 min just for one clear and easy question: <strong>Can we extend our visa in the border?</strong><br /><br /><strong>Canada</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0OJ2MD874-QSidYn4WfM3ogIDUpD2lPKFrHKHTKDMi0ErPQbtYWC3G1HYHZBsU4F7HB-3ZvnqX49ITDLwoUJrnnEbMVv4kCfzexMMjZsi84YNmK-vWLOSgaRDAD8qIitC8B5QpyqrLY/s1600/DSC01469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0OJ2MD874-QSidYn4WfM3ogIDUpD2lPKFrHKHTKDMi0ErPQbtYWC3G1HYHZBsU4F7HB-3ZvnqX49ITDLwoUJrnnEbMVv4kCfzexMMjZsi84YNmK-vWLOSgaRDAD8qIitC8B5QpyqrLY/s320/DSC01469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555153498817966274" /></a><br /><br />As soon as we crossed into Canada, we looked for a cheaper parking place ( on the Canadian side there is no national park and all hotels and restaurants seem to charge a big fee for parking). We found a place about 10min walking distance from the Falls for just 5 dollars (Canadian). As soon as we parked the car we looked for an ATM because w had no Canadian money and as soon as we found one, we realised that on the Canadian dollars there is the face of Queen Victoria of England, due to the fact that Canada is part of the English common wealth and the head of their state is the Queen. After seeing the Niagara Falls from the Canadian side and walking through the touristic city around the falls we took the car and drove away in order to find a place where to park the car and sleep. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIcUDE6LMVYeEwAZS9yLDY9tSSgqt3cj-lKh-eVWpkFZMbRWocJSzi_dPrEsGrKuMRr3W3T_k0o8tYp7l0uKe3zRjKjA1GKYPPi9fuq654rst6WuQdcx_1u_loi5zPqldglnZuXdfyjA/s1600/DSC01582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIcUDE6LMVYeEwAZS9yLDY9tSSgqt3cj-lKh-eVWpkFZMbRWocJSzi_dPrEsGrKuMRr3W3T_k0o8tYp7l0uKe3zRjKjA1GKYPPi9fuq654rst6WuQdcx_1u_loi5zPqldglnZuXdfyjA/s320/DSC01582.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152277268459442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOiWL8cMJ_P1WMZmyUiYfrE7q9rTBqKOhYmqf9QJH2YjaG2NYqn2oAWiGUkFDFDWzMsZkJftirp2_YF2uKiju4YXmHwWW-lS2WrTBTNGxLY_fOxwMKZq3doGXCXZCe-GrOAJppFNr014/s1600/DSC01588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOiWL8cMJ_P1WMZmyUiYfrE7q9rTBqKOhYmqf9QJH2YjaG2NYqn2oAWiGUkFDFDWzMsZkJftirp2_YF2uKiju4YXmHwWW-lS2WrTBTNGxLY_fOxwMKZq3doGXCXZCe-GrOAJppFNr014/s320/DSC01588.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152274089518706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgjlJ4Lh0iA3Z3lOw5vf6Yfvw0M5IqyINTUKzbqoLunhi9q7RUcczWqFe7rOTrQ3PyCY7TqO3hAUjf0vD3z4Z4WSvOkUUcZfC960onyAlyn2T6F1aWeCA4E8fze6hvifK1DV7UdCPhHg/s1600/DSC01594.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgjlJ4Lh0iA3Z3lOw5vf6Yfvw0M5IqyINTUKzbqoLunhi9q7RUcczWqFe7rOTrQ3PyCY7TqO3hAUjf0vD3z4Z4WSvOkUUcZfC960onyAlyn2T6F1aWeCA4E8fze6hvifK1DV7UdCPhHg/s320/DSC01594.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152267946735682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHLDEJJB9ygmHpVP-P53uHxEbXa7m4FP52Ybx9AQKc8FpzxbEtP9Qm_yGyVR2sxEF4OA_I0AuY88SzsDhSZZ-hnjFpQnf_L22Y_8sTfak0BgJp4lgdhBFKgn9Qii6gBPWz_CS74czDXo/s1600/DSC01596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHLDEJJB9ygmHpVP-P53uHxEbXa7m4FP52Ybx9AQKc8FpzxbEtP9Qm_yGyVR2sxEF4OA_I0AuY88SzsDhSZZ-hnjFpQnf_L22Y_8sTfak0BgJp4lgdhBFKgn9Qii6gBPWz_CS74czDXo/s320/DSC01596.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152264493121746" /></a><br />Each new country has new rules and you never know if you can camp on the side of the road or not. It took us a long time to find a proper pace where to sleep but finally we ended up in a park on the side of a small road and we had a pretty quiet night. Next day we drove to Toronto, our first stop in Canada and we arrived in the afternoon at the house of Eva and her family.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidt6phbdwABJwn44M1oiRJPpD9JE4YpV_D05cykeyUVxtt2psq5ukYdu3hSzw7ys4Aox8pwoiDFQ0EEj0rgboG59-qpoIoQPIFO0y7S_MHhmwzCIAh6nRqSyrfoAU37J2ZAHvmJeXPqI/s1600/DSC01544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidt6phbdwABJwn44M1oiRJPpD9JE4YpV_D05cykeyUVxtt2psq5ukYdu3hSzw7ys4Aox8pwoiDFQ0EEj0rgboG59-qpoIoQPIFO0y7S_MHhmwzCIAh6nRqSyrfoAU37J2ZAHvmJeXPqI/s320/DSC01544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152733396942114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_iIinNFaTlVM9HGdrLIDtk4mxBm4khFRB3M5hblWAS2mUB62bB2G_26cXzR46QV1BBrLjzIkAqA0tvvX3TbM9K8WBoorwUVC-0aP4HhbUs3A2Zc022TWamO9yPuq3zvI0xzVtNUSCN0/s1600/DSC01552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_iIinNFaTlVM9HGdrLIDtk4mxBm4khFRB3M5hblWAS2mUB62bB2G_26cXzR46QV1BBrLjzIkAqA0tvvX3TbM9K8WBoorwUVC-0aP4HhbUs3A2Zc022TWamO9yPuq3zvI0xzVtNUSCN0/s320/DSC01552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152725944481282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjSPesYbtt5XfEPvV1MgPgPqaVs62PGt74Lz4JIMDC42ZpUwyRoDcI6CVhpxsd7Fu8cuARg9IcNd80q8blLcoX4TihphKd38xU1eltV4-iGtGwSlfmQWw4YS0g041Un2z3Jsfkuk2rKs/s1600/DSC01559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjSPesYbtt5XfEPvV1MgPgPqaVs62PGt74Lz4JIMDC42ZpUwyRoDcI6CVhpxsd7Fu8cuARg9IcNd80q8blLcoX4TihphKd38xU1eltV4-iGtGwSlfmQWw4YS0g041Un2z3Jsfkuk2rKs/s320/DSC01559.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152721501817714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi42PbuxTyeLHlViIEMeFrYC7jgy7LCeCBUcO1gVSh37SNGm6KOi8B1_eoMTJe6mvWN1hbT0nKHRwPp9qvfqxKa3nl4zNf2ESkvIlQW3MUKX_GnKVIYRsr2a5MVM2EPpXcnnMFRPixFw/s1600/DSC01572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi42PbuxTyeLHlViIEMeFrYC7jgy7LCeCBUcO1gVSh37SNGm6KOi8B1_eoMTJe6mvWN1hbT0nKHRwPp9qvfqxKa3nl4zNf2ESkvIlQW3MUKX_GnKVIYRsr2a5MVM2EPpXcnnMFRPixFw/s320/DSC01572.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555152721129268866" /></a><br /> Both Eva and her husband Christian emigrated in their youth from Europe and they met in Canada. They were both running from communist Poland and probably that was the best decision of their lives. They both got asylum and citizenship here and with many years of hard work they managed to build a family with 3 kids, the have a nice house in the suburbia and live a peaceful life. I like the feeling of being with Eva and her family because they remind me of eastern Europeans and their warmth. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A3CVvsEDpQgWA6I8oTkVVqpRaPNzXaWKlGgYvh5g3sF7oChyphenhyphen-81-PDFSwkadv18GHzyGSSReJulKUEdh93GTCJrfUE-a_S0oo84ioaEtdrZcDKM2cVb9GYFrfKfJCc6uEA-eKqSIiMI/s1600/DSC01529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A3CVvsEDpQgWA6I8oTkVVqpRaPNzXaWKlGgYvh5g3sF7oChyphenhyphen-81-PDFSwkadv18GHzyGSSReJulKUEdh93GTCJrfUE-a_S0oo84ioaEtdrZcDKM2cVb9GYFrfKfJCc6uEA-eKqSIiMI/s320/DSC01529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555153107733972834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOInnkFsxrRiDO9WaroDlfJSquXau0vWQDulEYGJkE49Jvs7AWpiJGvsT29jHvhIaKl_ugxvQvhiTb9jhdNMvDh61hgyuzniuWRrc3F2vqKkdNQha6A0L2Vq1LN2_I3E_DEqkSq6y5oQ/s1600/DSC01530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOInnkFsxrRiDO9WaroDlfJSquXau0vWQDulEYGJkE49Jvs7AWpiJGvsT29jHvhIaKl_ugxvQvhiTb9jhdNMvDh61hgyuzniuWRrc3F2vqKkdNQha6A0L2Vq1LN2_I3E_DEqkSq6y5oQ/s320/DSC01530.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555153105084021266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpFpHWdKT5g4nn1pz8FNCGx8W3k3N7rZtnpdi7eg09NywR7zbBQcNmbBFl-KV5bd1LqY52W5GUwLZV2fVRqAN02BBf0e8Cpnd9RHTa4E43SmeZlvYNxrciSOYKFXmpFOU3FmjFPN6m6k/s1600/DSC01533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpFpHWdKT5g4nn1pz8FNCGx8W3k3N7rZtnpdi7eg09NywR7zbBQcNmbBFl-KV5bd1LqY52W5GUwLZV2fVRqAN02BBf0e8Cpnd9RHTa4E43SmeZlvYNxrciSOYKFXmpFOU3FmjFPN6m6k/s320/DSC01533.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555153101103714658" /></a><br />They made us feel welcomed, we had the chance to talk a lot, they even gave us their national parks pass and offered us a great deal of information. We spent one day in Toronto , visiting the main touristic attractions, we listened to international music at a local festival and had a few great dinners with Eva and her family. The first two days it was difficult to see the difference between USA and Canada, but the more we were advancing, the more we were feeling like home in Europe. The Canadians have different ways of doing business, they have their own culture, television is completely different from American TV, the culture and art is different. I felt very comfortable. Even though an ocean separates us I feel much closer to life I Canada than in USA.<br />Couch surfing works here pretty great and after 4 days in Toronto with Eva we started to drive towards Ottawa where another great host was waiting for us, not until visiting Algonquin Provincial Park. The pass that Eva gave us was for National Parks but Jan forgot too mention to me that and we spent two hole days trekking through the park with no parking permit. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn6A3hr7KpY79-qJTvtvir_zm327WePhf-YiKZqbvCG_vbTg_9z04a6U9HsMeZyWMsasDJnpvnwyTzO-ZDUl7tDqfyD05MZZtNI7q7-8P0PwTA9i6BZEZq7gds_z-O9uOoPqOmXbsukU/s1600/DSC01613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn6A3hr7KpY79-qJTvtvir_zm327WePhf-YiKZqbvCG_vbTg_9z04a6U9HsMeZyWMsasDJnpvnwyTzO-ZDUl7tDqfyD05MZZtNI7q7-8P0PwTA9i6BZEZq7gds_z-O9uOoPqOmXbsukU/s320/DSC01613.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151746889557346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXuJxdHd1PpTFoijoYxMJdk2nfSfuAQH2vVOKD9E4a0yQFIVIiZ_nAbnKtslLpIKn_Kj9BnueC156rZx4E1qURiVDOYajbuawC9uuPuaMhgNLHEMX-DHMqwpjY4wr9IogjNxkMv7zCq4/s1600/DSC01615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXuJxdHd1PpTFoijoYxMJdk2nfSfuAQH2vVOKD9E4a0yQFIVIiZ_nAbnKtslLpIKn_Kj9BnueC156rZx4E1qURiVDOYajbuawC9uuPuaMhgNLHEMX-DHMqwpjY4wr9IogjNxkMv7zCq4/s320/DSC01615.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151740503342322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEhxuEI-7EvmmD93wHaVuSEnSHkURgTBG9PswByplTTqsT2WOyLc-_vZWeDpLu8dw9IIAA4m4Z7t91JOWXd1Ln3i-9Gks65qMtXajE0421vjz-Z7MUmJGHSNCnp74MgUZ66DqKet0Nu0/s1600/DSC01616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEhxuEI-7EvmmD93wHaVuSEnSHkURgTBG9PswByplTTqsT2WOyLc-_vZWeDpLu8dw9IIAA4m4Z7t91JOWXd1Ln3i-9Gks65qMtXajE0421vjz-Z7MUmJGHSNCnp74MgUZ66DqKet0Nu0/s320/DSC01616.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151737764893042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuUgbwvDPdC34qgmQHsOKaBmyF7Z3KSujOV_0pLmNAH-s7JVVT-LkOh0E4wHpcRnvsbsBDHIHg-kFLrvGw_yTfO9F3K03Zd_92jXIIWW5GIij2uu2_Ow5GP9EdAte124wyQ1Ginl3dnU/s1600/DSC01623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuUgbwvDPdC34qgmQHsOKaBmyF7Z3KSujOV_0pLmNAH-s7JVVT-LkOh0E4wHpcRnvsbsBDHIHg-kFLrvGw_yTfO9F3K03Zd_92jXIIWW5GIij2uu2_Ow5GP9EdAte124wyQ1Ginl3dnU/s320/DSC01623.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151733054864306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2nDrlD5m8F3COWs5huymqk_gOwjvUygZiBgz9NnHAvWPqjJ3WqMOSRXNch-px8_22LbFu8yNh8PEzkbC1m4MnNn5m6HtpXTvrlNnZhSoAAD7It-SmtJuU7bT1_BLRq3Smkg2bmGDTqg/s1600/DSC01633.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2nDrlD5m8F3COWs5huymqk_gOwjvUygZiBgz9NnHAvWPqjJ3WqMOSRXNch-px8_22LbFu8yNh8PEzkbC1m4MnNn5m6HtpXTvrlNnZhSoAAD7It-SmtJuU7bT1_BLRq3Smkg2bmGDTqg/s320/DSC01633.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151734677795026" /></a><br />The second day while I was enjoying a nice trek he finally admitted that he lied to e and that we do not have a permit to be in the park. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZzy4ibVApMbv26P22rvHQgRahQ_At043MYneUhSyy-0dW_EqEMJfN0AxhR1zwit_CidukKk6e4FHjLV8R0Sg_HhXliPHstJYG7h0-khD7kjJEQDikyc8GZ0A40F7SAVo-_-HFdICMFQ/s1600/DSC01648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZzy4ibVApMbv26P22rvHQgRahQ_At043MYneUhSyy-0dW_EqEMJfN0AxhR1zwit_CidukKk6e4FHjLV8R0Sg_HhXliPHstJYG7h0-khD7kjJEQDikyc8GZ0A40F7SAVo-_-HFdICMFQ/s320/DSC01648.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151336879558274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQC-mAsGPCt_pnuRPG5_yqGDyYBByq0ijOtu0nu7n6bAm78xyFtnnKzR3iFFprn6PY4fU5pwiJZz8hrwumjkQLXVbfBxe_Q-TrREvI0Uw0g37KeDX1vJyCkiA2dekH9g1tapMg8U-JHs/s1600/DSC01664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQC-mAsGPCt_pnuRPG5_yqGDyYBByq0ijOtu0nu7n6bAm78xyFtnnKzR3iFFprn6PY4fU5pwiJZz8hrwumjkQLXVbfBxe_Q-TrREvI0Uw0g37KeDX1vJyCkiA2dekH9g1tapMg8U-JHs/s320/DSC01664.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151333860702802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TLgw7XoO_I3DvkE1UX64W0anoCYYFZCRx2ydaFFAYwQ7LVklUGqzS8znzAgriyXEWEjh_glm2fPCUD8XrKzNp7W83YmrsXkABmxmpuDIoRuOEBdYRklldNiYGwl98z2cEtMXp6725Pw/s1600/DSC01691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TLgw7XoO_I3DvkE1UX64W0anoCYYFZCRx2ydaFFAYwQ7LVklUGqzS8znzAgriyXEWEjh_glm2fPCUD8XrKzNp7W83YmrsXkABmxmpuDIoRuOEBdYRklldNiYGwl98z2cEtMXp6725Pw/s320/DSC01691.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151324995108482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-4jSUXkEWyEkrnXkaYdLZ1Z31WwbtP881koyx6aTDs7Pu6dKQt0CLJ9F9Nvj_LfVKSgJ6M9_wgAKKuVkeP6L8s-a6h6HBVbzpGQpOIA_K5B4JdvBakGMyA0c-fnZHuaITfcBUJi6Y_4/s1600/DSC01715.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-4jSUXkEWyEkrnXkaYdLZ1Z31WwbtP881koyx6aTDs7Pu6dKQt0CLJ9F9Nvj_LfVKSgJ6M9_wgAKKuVkeP6L8s-a6h6HBVbzpGQpOIA_K5B4JdvBakGMyA0c-fnZHuaITfcBUJi6Y_4/s320/DSC01715.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151324516452578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDgCOEz-nZ7FGL3pjOzxsLJDzBcuDDOHkJQAGI0OamrG_ZpPjZ6z5P9JKn9SpUb3OnQ7ppEdJNi6W5-Pmwuagdkt1qpCOv5simoAZXJG2dyc1p0N7tKDxwHwh8MmYO-JeY_F4oD-bTPs/s1600/DSC01731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDgCOEz-nZ7FGL3pjOzxsLJDzBcuDDOHkJQAGI0OamrG_ZpPjZ6z5P9JKn9SpUb3OnQ7ppEdJNi6W5-Pmwuagdkt1qpCOv5simoAZXJG2dyc1p0N7tKDxwHwh8MmYO-JeY_F4oD-bTPs/s320/DSC01731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555151319554192722" /></a><br />Immediately I lost all my amusement because I did not want to have the car towed away with all our stuff inside and that’s generally the risk you assume when you park somewhere without a permit. I did enjoy my first 47 hours in the park, walking through beautifully coloured forests.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtCYBK-UcdhP3BkP8aW_YepcCCL6tFAHt3_o6QPmc-qFqN6eGVnqntezAzcjX_pQwdAQhDHXTu-cTb64hXLVXnE43Kdke_n5dniQfVaOQQ0W2FPfJ8XSiCatD9jKdX9c4ZANpXuJ79f0/s1600/DSC01741.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtCYBK-UcdhP3BkP8aW_YepcCCL6tFAHt3_o6QPmc-qFqN6eGVnqntezAzcjX_pQwdAQhDHXTu-cTb64hXLVXnE43Kdke_n5dniQfVaOQQ0W2FPfJ8XSiCatD9jKdX9c4ZANpXuJ79f0/s320/DSC01741.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555150787295823874" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR0MGPMfU19eyotBbkBsyQjqVatA_B-ttZGBy3TT6V5D_2ywW5chjuQ-IDuZ6oe89lGN6kuvTZv26hoAymCZe-LVUeHO6od9vE6be2Ykz7gkClHrVnj0hKqHVQpH2aCh5dEmgiFZsiXM/s1600/DSC01745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR0MGPMfU19eyotBbkBsyQjqVatA_B-ttZGBy3TT6V5D_2ywW5chjuQ-IDuZ6oe89lGN6kuvTZv26hoAymCZe-LVUeHO6od9vE6be2Ykz7gkClHrVnj0hKqHVQpH2aCh5dEmgiFZsiXM/s320/DSC01745.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555150782473776514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM4muCPbgKK6xwbgp_PsfHuLEmc9ZCkSsj9J6BeR4xTTnhWEjzxq4m6TSKjJUMTjPpr2Z1MaEZNWThF1NfvtL8NAaSWmRmyNdgsprisPVIjgWCUYcwNZolgooEUJ4cPkJUWrSaQ6aR68/s1600/DSC01762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM4muCPbgKK6xwbgp_PsfHuLEmc9ZCkSsj9J6BeR4xTTnhWEjzxq4m6TSKjJUMTjPpr2Z1MaEZNWThF1NfvtL8NAaSWmRmyNdgsprisPVIjgWCUYcwNZolgooEUJ4cPkJUWrSaQ6aR68/s320/DSC01762.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555150784163711106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp4KaLT7-uAdohemMD7LR8dQcnUhkbqgFoiL5cQMiMOKT9IdofzIg7jnFj6xpH4yxCAVa6xBhW8LBtdFlCFRBve8CLUlEi4IA0n7-yQJAGTQw4hUIsvbGLnu3c-BUNB4a1uVdNieuwy0/s1600/DSC01765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp4KaLT7-uAdohemMD7LR8dQcnUhkbqgFoiL5cQMiMOKT9IdofzIg7jnFj6xpH4yxCAVa6xBhW8LBtdFlCFRBve8CLUlEi4IA0n7-yQJAGTQw4hUIsvbGLnu3c-BUNB4a1uVdNieuwy0/s320/DSC01765.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555150774177600178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI91OsdCbCjozbsIfMTWRG-8sCIGW5-HWkw7Ipvt25D4iM12zcKBxJAq6wYIVTIKBB4Zxcys_S-Fmu1H40WUumKg_lMGAqPQ_mEu_mEhVW3dHm6wphF6GBVkNPrviQLx4v6j1PTTSRb3Y/s1600/DSC01769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI91OsdCbCjozbsIfMTWRG-8sCIGW5-HWkw7Ipvt25D4iM12zcKBxJAq6wYIVTIKBB4Zxcys_S-Fmu1H40WUumKg_lMGAqPQ_mEu_mEhVW3dHm6wphF6GBVkNPrviQLx4v6j1PTTSRb3Y/s320/DSC01769.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555150772821504866" /></a><br /> The autumn here makes the trees change the colour of their leafs but the pallet is so striking with such beautiful reds, gold, browns and greens that you can spend days taking photos. We had to sleep outside the park so both nights we took a small road on the outside of the park, which led to a beautiful lake and a few houses. No one seemed bothered with us camping on their property. It was so relaxing to sleep there and enjoy the lake and the colours. <br />The third day we drove to Ottawa, the capital of Canada, a city about which we did not know more but we had to visit it and the fact that Dino offered to host us was a plus. Dino is a Canadian of Italian origin that lived most of his life in Montreal but now he has a good job in Ottawa so he rented a nice bachelor apartment in a 4 apartment house. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-3nc-Et3i64sRNd-gN44nhaugdRDSn5EKVVBc7c6a2UogqtVvDsRb4GwTkMiji1ywI_7H-tG5EjlUJu1csyYO6nAv-FIkVxL5waTRjayldcO2WCUdT0gosClEZ1rODrOhhtfMNgoEas/s1600/DSC01803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-3nc-Et3i64sRNd-gN44nhaugdRDSn5EKVVBc7c6a2UogqtVvDsRb4GwTkMiji1ywI_7H-tG5EjlUJu1csyYO6nAv-FIkVxL5waTRjayldcO2WCUdT0gosClEZ1rODrOhhtfMNgoEas/s320/DSC01803.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555150238089790146" /></a><br />We parked our car outside and as soon as Dino introduced himself, showed us his place, and offered us the already cooked dinner, he left for the date he already had appointed with a new girlfriend. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98xeRBVRd1hyo2yi5fAo1_StSI2ggSDcAFI4Y-Zr3pSsU7NdwQMsfnnKuU83cCUlogNQJ_t-gpsJJUNFtZN0A5S7lOdn4L3_2HP4Ip484uYNpuCge7d_yfdSWu82Y7L11QZvWAu_6fQA/s1600/DSC01806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98xeRBVRd1hyo2yi5fAo1_StSI2ggSDcAFI4Y-Zr3pSsU7NdwQMsfnnKuU83cCUlogNQJ_t-gpsJJUNFtZN0A5S7lOdn4L3_2HP4Ip484uYNpuCge7d_yfdSWu82Y7L11QZvWAu_6fQA/s320/DSC01806.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149969468500850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LLeADrXhXdW-DTMpryvLQEvUKjzeYZYbmbPJjyGw3J5yGk-ZZgFEgcVegrG6d8DPZBnkrq011YqLTiy3kAMGiMIG0Zii6cVFGIXENa7Txkn1FNZ38YV2t5lB39rTh-0rwv95ApKsodo/s1600/DSC01812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LLeADrXhXdW-DTMpryvLQEvUKjzeYZYbmbPJjyGw3J5yGk-ZZgFEgcVegrG6d8DPZBnkrq011YqLTiy3kAMGiMIG0Zii6cVFGIXENa7Txkn1FNZ38YV2t5lB39rTh-0rwv95ApKsodo/s320/DSC01812.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149966476334690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwVBSliYhAf8UFq9y6K0aGFa1yxVmNWwSBVwyq2Kxbnh_rYwUGKtb10jIjRqQonY5I5fpZPYxPfBSfunpzZs8iJkWMTLAIsbas4haz-X8iTW6i29vIc_pO_L6Lei-Q-dal3U1n28rryM/s1600/DSC01816.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwVBSliYhAf8UFq9y6K0aGFa1yxVmNWwSBVwyq2Kxbnh_rYwUGKtb10jIjRqQonY5I5fpZPYxPfBSfunpzZs8iJkWMTLAIsbas4haz-X8iTW6i29vIc_pO_L6Lei-Q-dal3U1n28rryM/s320/DSC01816.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149963052812082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCZSKzDtF14sIAcTnnG8bZKqMJ8FEBKFZizXxUjK-GXk3nfr5c30FUOLruCS0a6MWpW9Ld9mtXrVocw-pCx1MQ0P5iMAElYMTjeecP1wzUJXq0cO0vnxNyJqZgAeIj6qVCAb5GsPFFUM/s1600/DSC01822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCZSKzDtF14sIAcTnnG8bZKqMJ8FEBKFZizXxUjK-GXk3nfr5c30FUOLruCS0a6MWpW9Ld9mtXrVocw-pCx1MQ0P5iMAElYMTjeecP1wzUJXq0cO0vnxNyJqZgAeIj6qVCAb5GsPFFUM/s320/DSC01822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149961274263746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ghMTiyB9VumaBb9epy3m5Yt2g-gFmJ75e8vzFiEZxAxJ3lSeq-hT4L0zKVFZuL3at9OI1lqhChO5Xgteuvk39JKEY2KcWYMJSRWUl168PmDP7ZvZ9jMV948Sqp7sqF1q_L9d_9EBOOs/s1600/DSC01824.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ghMTiyB9VumaBb9epy3m5Yt2g-gFmJ75e8vzFiEZxAxJ3lSeq-hT4L0zKVFZuL3at9OI1lqhChO5Xgteuvk39JKEY2KcWYMJSRWUl168PmDP7ZvZ9jMV948Sqp7sqF1q_L9d_9EBOOs/s320/DSC01824.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149956903406754" /></a><br />Next day we walked through downtown Ottawa, saw the parliament and a few other government buildings that actually impressed us due to the great architectural value and resemblance to any old European structure. Although the rest of the city did not have much else to offer we enjoyed the downtown and the market close buy and also the company of Dino.<br />After 3 days in Ottawa it was again time for driving even more up north, this time to Montreal.<br />Driving up north into Quebec, the weather was getting colder and colder and the sun was hiding a lot in the clouds and also we had a few showers, but travelling with Couch surfing means you always have a warm place to keep you bones and little things you carry with you when you do such a long travel. We were lucky to be hosted by a French Canadian young family: Guillaume, Emilie and Sarai( their baby girl).<br />As soon as we arrived into their home we felt a good connection. They are warm people with amazing hearts, we cooked dinners, went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant with a bunch of their friends but we also had time and space for ourselves and could enjoy also the company of an old friend of the travel that currently lives in Canada.<br />Second day after arriving in Montreal we contacted Inigo, a basc guy that we met in Xining , China in a hostel in the summer of 2009 and with him and his girlfriend Sarah we ended up spending a few days talking about our travels. It was a good connection and we maintained contact though internet and now we were about to meet them again. We rented two bicycles very easily also due to the fact that Montreal is the first bicycle friendly city in North America. They actually have bicycle lane inside the city! We met Inigo close to downtown and we cycled through the city most of the afternoon talking about our lives and what has changed in the last months. Inigo is already in his 40’s but does not seem to know where his life is going to. He seems to be a guy with the plan to have no plan but sometimes he also gives you the feeling that maybe he is too old for that. In his past he made some bad decisions but his greater passions are travelling and photography although he did not find the right recipe yet that would help him combine the two and sustain a long time travel. He met Sarah, a Canadian girl of Philippine descend, in Australia 2 years ago and they ended up travelling together and sharing the goods and the bads of long time travelling. Sarah is in her 30’s and her family seems to disapprove of their relation due to the fact that Inigo has no proper job and that Sarah seems to be throwing away her future. With all that against them, and with the fact that they come from two different cultures and countries they still are together climbing and descending little mountains in the relationship. I think that they seem to be a good couple and that they should work their way on but it all depends on them. Inigo has no status in Canada so he cannot work and Sarah earns too few money to be able to sustain them both for a long time so probably they find themselves in a crucial moment when they need to take decisions and its never easy.<br />It was nice meeting them again, seeing how their life is going, having a dinner together and talking about their future. Sometimes when we meet again people of the travel I get the feeling that we are in a never ending Carrousel.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6qnyCxI41ULGcSv5zoHp0H794J8jIwuF9D8ColIDEiJ978bBjoi90gRjJhSo8BCWGkNbVRnZdbAwBRr3ZJddr0mYuubo-XfQGSIXk881hCgOky6tO6YWmyDMOhMYFNXEHXnBfrsXlbU/s1600/DSC01828.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6qnyCxI41ULGcSv5zoHp0H794J8jIwuF9D8ColIDEiJ978bBjoi90gRjJhSo8BCWGkNbVRnZdbAwBRr3ZJddr0mYuubo-XfQGSIXk881hCgOky6tO6YWmyDMOhMYFNXEHXnBfrsXlbU/s320/DSC01828.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149456593277122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaxuXHVNlwVQqweH63oBSK7AzE1_E3QlnXpkPRLwZvfsJrEhtqCVWPvyTKSdxt_eKzotVEoqRSEZf2MFiSjpAI7Bqock-xxGTeV8GZVVr4cyx-lWuZDL2cbZVlEjwmgRdKPeyRs2HlFg/s1600/DSC01836.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaxuXHVNlwVQqweH63oBSK7AzE1_E3QlnXpkPRLwZvfsJrEhtqCVWPvyTKSdxt_eKzotVEoqRSEZf2MFiSjpAI7Bqock-xxGTeV8GZVVr4cyx-lWuZDL2cbZVlEjwmgRdKPeyRs2HlFg/s320/DSC01836.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149452331880882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7CHXTfyZCEF_ExCjKg5PrPLmFCeI34S8RxqhzEsVcclU6eplwY6Pg6kZj7XLRCz3s3zlYexhKus3sM36RVkPwX_Dwpzau37tTqlUoHseNCHiP29wL0QONY_TEMkhcKaLsepi9TFmdOQ/s1600/DSC01853.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7CHXTfyZCEF_ExCjKg5PrPLmFCeI34S8RxqhzEsVcclU6eplwY6Pg6kZj7XLRCz3s3zlYexhKus3sM36RVkPwX_Dwpzau37tTqlUoHseNCHiP29wL0QONY_TEMkhcKaLsepi9TFmdOQ/s320/DSC01853.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555149445965550002" /></a>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-90638789913116543102010-11-02T19:30:00.014+01:002010-11-02T20:23:09.766+01:00POW-WOW in South Dakota<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRwIcFOVoDmrjJhcdUEFYSsFd_In9oUk2UDZfScR6cLeUt5uc7affRxy1OsyRBoXFip8p_cHuhy15S3xGdV83swt3OHB7uZ9d1blhs_zln6NxqxFz6KkVKpoVFiofTPXieZtfxce5dnw/s1600/DSC01163.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRwIcFOVoDmrjJhcdUEFYSsFd_In9oUk2UDZfScR6cLeUt5uc7affRxy1OsyRBoXFip8p_cHuhy15S3xGdV83swt3OHB7uZ9d1blhs_zln6NxqxFz6KkVKpoVFiofTPXieZtfxce5dnw/s320/DSC01163.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535026839140499586" /></a><br />We spent one more day in Yellowstone, visiting the Old Faithfull area and then driving towards the east exit. I wanted to see the grizzly bear but we did not manage to spot any. Driving towards east we realised that all the herds of bison’s were gathered in the same region where we could enjoy the spectacular wildelife. Its been great in Yellowstone but it was time to go to east and I was so surprised to feel again heat…a lot of heat and dryness. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhognA706UR1T2P1rrm8cWOysdrTHlK3_-oEnHNjByvz6vM3_bChGo0tYhZJzQnOS3GkcUErt0ByqZGQTeRKdckun-bdig57kh3LQ-tAftkd0YKWpgnp3TLsN8907POxt1G54kee4ya3G0/s1600/DSC01234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhognA706UR1T2P1rrm8cWOysdrTHlK3_-oEnHNjByvz6vM3_bChGo0tYhZJzQnOS3GkcUErt0ByqZGQTeRKdckun-bdig57kh3LQ-tAftkd0YKWpgnp3TLsN8907POxt1G54kee4ya3G0/s320/DSC01234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535026854732761602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX-b5jH96GA1JEH0mUvJOZx40lSW2gcWiUXBpPn_KQLQzenMTV8mU6Z5eECHA994FitQsF3xtZRZZaDx54WJrW0sTuiZd9eMoDSEl_H6aUQT6ssI0dXNpRX63-PQvI034xEn9PTMYdrw/s1600/DSC01185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX-b5jH96GA1JEH0mUvJOZx40lSW2gcWiUXBpPn_KQLQzenMTV8mU6Z5eECHA994FitQsF3xtZRZZaDx54WJrW0sTuiZd9eMoDSEl_H6aUQT6ssI0dXNpRX63-PQvI034xEn9PTMYdrw/s320/DSC01185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535026848032535058" /></a><br />We took little roads through Wyoming following the direction towards Rapid City, a place with not much interest except for its closeness to Rushmore Mt. , a well known national symbol. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore features 60-foot (18 m) sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents (in order from left to right) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.<br />Once close to Rapid city we started to search for Carrie’s house, actually located in a trailer park. It is typical in USA to find almost in any city or small village a trailer park. There are caravans or trailer houses, prefabricated. Some look good and are in super condition and other look creepy and like half ran down. Carrie was living in a trailer park due to the fact that she was a volunteer in Americorps but also because she vowed the poverty vow, admitting that she has no income so the state is helping her with few money in order to have a roof under her head and hers sons head. She was 16 when she got pregnant, gave up to school, and had to take care of her son being a single mother( the father of the kid being in jail). She lived most of her life in North Carolina, where she used to own her own house, but her dream was to travel and change her life. With the help of different programs from Americorps she managed to finish a college degree and now she was waiting to be offered a better housing condition. She just celebrated 36 of age and she now is able to enjoy more her life also due to the fact that her son (mixed with Afro-American) has grown up and needs less attention. She is a devoted mother and she welcomed us into her humble place with open arms. We felt immediately at ease and we spent the evening cooking dinner together with another girl from Seattle and a friend of Carrie, both members in CS. We talked a lot for the hole evening, sharing funny or serious stories about our general experiences in USA. In the night we decided to sleep in the car because it was better for Jan due to his allergies and also because Carrie had 3 big dogs that she had to keep locked because of us. We were supposed to stay in Rapid city and in the area for about 3 days visiting different things, but the same night , Rob, the friend of Carrie informed us that there is Pow – Wow ( native Indian festival) that he will attend and that we should go because it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. So next day we visited the Monument of Mt. Rushmore <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd1DoBFXI7JSm9i75R6MsAfluuXzVnzowJpPl2jYdaY5dE75hXMk4xntHcUNrcJKv7_1_9WIpD73PdHPkSTRafvxSUPcWgXk3b7dEPzABBt1XpnGRrhE5jlWc5piv6c5EEcQiGScln6g/s1600/DSC14283.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd1DoBFXI7JSm9i75R6MsAfluuXzVnzowJpPl2jYdaY5dE75hXMk4xntHcUNrcJKv7_1_9WIpD73PdHPkSTRafvxSUPcWgXk3b7dEPzABBt1XpnGRrhE5jlWc5piv6c5EEcQiGScln6g/s320/DSC14283.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535032962466489346" /></a><br />( famous for the faces of the American presidents) but the same evening we started to drive towards the Pow- Wow located in the planes of South Dakota, about 4 hours away from Rapid city. We said goodbye to Carrie in the morning but not before visiting her in Rapid city where she works in an office that helps women with poor situation to get milk and diapers. She also informed us that there are many many single mothers in america that do not receive any help from family or society, also that there are many teenage moms and victims of rapes. It is sad but true that in USA there is a big rate of rape victims many of these cases not being reported due to fear and shame. Many of these women are being drugged or they get drunk and the man does not understand when they say no and they take advantage of the situation. I heard of these cases but never been close to a victim of rape.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C0NzUbBzE9lqnFbT58jwzu6T9lp2ZTbFKFgfnRJjHaOmu9SRju1RVm5c6gTwzxV5F7DP2b5ilGIVBLhPuREia-j1Zypa5wHYqO_6cxvzlgKl2mjmOAk28a7BbbT0uWrIzoNmI4G-C2Q/s1600/DSC14312.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C0NzUbBzE9lqnFbT58jwzu6T9lp2ZTbFKFgfnRJjHaOmu9SRju1RVm5c6gTwzxV5F7DP2b5ilGIVBLhPuREia-j1Zypa5wHYqO_6cxvzlgKl2mjmOAk28a7BbbT0uWrIzoNmI4G-C2Q/s320/DSC14312.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535034301715505138" /></a><br /> It must be a shocking and terrible experience, it must be though to be able to admit that you have been a victim and the saddest part is that many women do not report rapes because the authorities do not take things serious when a victim comes and reports the rape. The following morning we had to drive maybe 200 km more. We did not know where exactly will be the Pow Wow but we were supposed to meet Rob over there and sleep at a friends place in a religious mission inside the Indian reserve. Even right now, natives live in special reserves on the territory of USA. These reserves are autonomous and are control by the federal state and not by the local state which means that FBI is the one investigating all the crimes. They also have their own local police and administration but in general the reserves are some of the poorest regions in USA.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_frcPo-x5CM-Ze-O8b2lO1gh5m6dq8K5KTPJECAADkF23EnPgjzeMz752oHeX07x66ye4zrWlKGXwnrLXPQ01_B162pQZ-oBi8tvEStFVLnlyR-hSStm34jV4AWn3G1693Nf8OISjA8/s1600/DSC14727.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_frcPo-x5CM-Ze-O8b2lO1gh5m6dq8K5KTPJECAADkF23EnPgjzeMz752oHeX07x66ye4zrWlKGXwnrLXPQ01_B162pQZ-oBi8tvEStFVLnlyR-hSStm34jV4AWn3G1693Nf8OISjA8/s320/DSC14727.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535033710979412002" /></a><br /> This one was not making the exception. Driving through the dry land we crossed the national park od Badlands <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQXxiWyjujH0qh5ifyGybk7f_UVLnMY4aq15tGwaBSswAyBKJexkfCI-PFwbkDQF_iz7CyTW4EbTAFQwbCsoEw0r_cj_d14QMneG02gZd1a1kwE1rCnoQxpxTPevAX9-Ov7tcHDq09-o/s1600/DSC14386.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQXxiWyjujH0qh5ifyGybk7f_UVLnMY4aq15tGwaBSswAyBKJexkfCI-PFwbkDQF_iz7CyTW4EbTAFQwbCsoEw0r_cj_d14QMneG02gZd1a1kwE1rCnoQxpxTPevAX9-Ov7tcHDq09-o/s320/DSC14386.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535034836897817522" /></a><br /> which we visited briefly and then continued through small roads in the middle of nowhere. It is surprising how uninhabited some of the regions of US can be. Sometimes we do not see a house or a person for 20Km or more. South Dakota, the state where this Indian reserve is , seems to be one of the poorest states in USA with a very low income per capita, huge unemployment rates and really once you get here you realize that not now and not in the close future there will be improvement here. You might be able to be a farmer but its pretty tough. Once arrived to the town where the Pow Wow was supposed to be we started to look for signs. It is normal that in many reservations the number of white people living there is reduced…very reduced. We spotted a valley with many many people and so once arrived there we parked our car. It was crowded, dusty and curious because it felt like we were in a different country, a totally different culture and totally different features. It was like the feeling I got when I was visiting an african country still very very interesting.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBad3hmyHnM0rDOvUS1oOPHEnQAtGy1OUebQK0CnTQxfcPvUJ_y2B4-qCS_G-VJWGDd69PU3qqG8uOcqI4-PCl5MEJMRNrk2N83sWZ-F1gqYHBuBGlYVDzZj7MVqQ3dgCHpP2X499qyE/s1600/DSC01249.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBad3hmyHnM0rDOvUS1oOPHEnQAtGy1OUebQK0CnTQxfcPvUJ_y2B4-qCS_G-VJWGDd69PU3qqG8uOcqI4-PCl5MEJMRNrk2N83sWZ-F1gqYHBuBGlYVDzZj7MVqQ3dgCHpP2X499qyE/s320/DSC01249.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535029145546746146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFiTxi3mGmqXYMfptQHIQtjAer09PaMzYpBF5JwhGQuAAjLAyTznl711h9Ox0gi4Np58Pklhs-W9xNt8vRc6IYExvsB3aN8bqFtM2XSawlU3lYbXx0aT4vfUPFCJN-lmEL7XVHVntbo0/s1600/DSC01282.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFiTxi3mGmqXYMfptQHIQtjAer09PaMzYpBF5JwhGQuAAjLAyTznl711h9Ox0gi4Np58Pklhs-W9xNt8vRc6IYExvsB3aN8bqFtM2XSawlU3lYbXx0aT4vfUPFCJN-lmEL7XVHVntbo0/s320/DSC01282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535029138127694530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-F140JcnUggbUtlqxnEsjYtqJvhne2JSTgr2rZqwZOMM6aX-uiCX7YXqtSQBccavEwTFqWfGjw9RnT4jG6qCSwxdgpozxcyw0JZTmWpONd1Fsxdl1AvjNRwywCBBFDN5XvzSP4yh5nQ/s1600/DSC01357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-F140JcnUggbUtlqxnEsjYtqJvhne2JSTgr2rZqwZOMM6aX-uiCX7YXqtSQBccavEwTFqWfGjw9RnT4jG6qCSwxdgpozxcyw0JZTmWpONd1Fsxdl1AvjNRwywCBBFDN5XvzSP4yh5nQ/s320/DSC01357.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535029123421568946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3mrCPVFgB2tnb6MN92NwO2mufc284KkfiTOfxBDibO52x64BSQCLIdyNwaJUaotiilPsa-rzs5KQL05LBTOXxHXAqC0udDeY-MdBzvPLHj4RUUh7LhdbKw5nbvZwu-POL4Xgi3mTfRM/s1600/DSC01251.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3mrCPVFgB2tnb6MN92NwO2mufc284KkfiTOfxBDibO52x64BSQCLIdyNwaJUaotiilPsa-rzs5KQL05LBTOXxHXAqC0udDeY-MdBzvPLHj4RUUh7LhdbKw5nbvZwu-POL4Xgi3mTfRM/s320/DSC01251.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535029114652135442" /></a><br /><br /> For the first hours we were watching different ceremonies and dances, the different Indians dressed with colorful and vibrant traditional costumes. Pow Wow is a competition also of dancing and of honoring the Indian heritage. It is a competition for all ages and the indians come from different tribes and reservation, this time mostly from The Sioux Fall region. Later in the evening we met Robbie who took us to the house of his friends in the city close to the Pow- Wow. The girl was not there but the property of the Lutheran Church loocked beautiful and peaceful in the middle of fields of green grass. It was also getting dark and while driving towards the house next to the church I actually mentioned with Jan some of our bad experiences with protestant churches in Africa, thinking loud that it will be a big change if they will show us hospitality and let us park for the night in their land. Funny enough, the girl that was supposed to host our friend did not answer the door and we began waiting on a bench in the garden but a women that seems to be from the church came to us and started to ask us questions….like why we are there and who we were. We answered that we are waiting for our friend and that we were going to sleep in the cars on the parking lot ( where there was no other cars). The women showed herself very nervous and told us that the girl should come and talk to her. As soon as the girl appeared the women told her that we are not allowed to stay there (It was already dark outside and it is dangerous to sleep in a reserve) and that we have to leave immediately and that she will have to leave the property next day although she was paying rent and working for an NGO that was doing projects in the reserve. Again it was confirmed to us that people of churches are mean, and that what they preach is not the same with what they do in practice. These kinds of people are the worst, being hypocrites and liars. I wonder if they are conscious of their behavior. So without thinking twice we decided its better to start looking for a place where to park safely for the night and also be close to the Pow Wow, to be able to return the next morning. We started to drive but it was so dark that we could not see anything outside the road in the end deciding it is better to park the vehicles on the side of the road and sleep like that. We found a spot but soon after parking a police car came and told us it is very unsafe to park there, also because it is close to a jail and that we should look for a different place. We ended up sleeping in the parking lot of a supermarket where we had breakfast the next morning. We spent the whole day at the Pow- Wow, resting in the shadow with a lot of cold drinks and enjoying the ceremony. It has been a very interesting experience and we could be close to the natives. One indian guy came to us and asked me if I was the Senator lady they were waiting for. It was funny….because they thought that Jan was taking notes for me and that Robbie was our bodyguard. <br />Around 7 pm we left the celebrations and started to drive our of the reserve ending up sleeping in the middle of the fields close to a closed church. This time there was no one to kick us out!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9euwGt-MP-7JxlnXAVNSL98RUglv_Qc_V7AAJB5xek3MsaJUKQO6WZ_13PyxjP0cD1qHMlNMdlfdpPU4XoKYEw0i0QCSEsv77CytC-M7iWkEUS8QNq-9nMaLQp8y_lN_t4JWo9mz00E8/s1600/DSC15221.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9euwGt-MP-7JxlnXAVNSL98RUglv_Qc_V7AAJB5xek3MsaJUKQO6WZ_13PyxjP0cD1qHMlNMdlfdpPU4XoKYEw0i0QCSEsv77CytC-M7iWkEUS8QNq-9nMaLQp8y_lN_t4JWo9mz00E8/s320/DSC15221.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535031674399053522" /></a><br /><br />Next day we were expected in the house of a Prosecutor of USA , also member in CS. In South Dakota there are no big cities and we were lucky to find people to host us generously. Pamela proved to be a great host and a great women. She welcomed us in the afternoon at her nice home in the fields, we prepared dinner and shared stories and her story proved to be pretty interesting. She was fostering children that came from families with problems, especially kids of indian origin. She had a girl for 3 years but recently the girl had to go back to the indian reserve for a reintegration program. The indians do not accept for their children to be adopted in non indian families so Pamela could not decide for her foster daughter. She also commented that many of the kids come from abusive environments and they are exposed from very early aged to drugs, alcohol, sexual aggression. Many of the young indian girl are pregnant before 16. She was feeling hopeless for the girl she had for 3 years because she feared she is not strong enough to say to drugs and abuse and that she will lose her path in this environment. Pamela was now a prosecutor for US but its been just few years since she earned this status because she finished the school in her late 40s. She also came from an abusive family ( her father was drinking) and actually she was adopted by this catholic family but her birth mother which she looked for many years was from ireland. It sound complicated story and it is actually because before 20 years of age she had 2 children and 2 divorces. Her adoptive parents never really helped her and she ended up driving a truck for about 17 years. When her daughters grew up she managed to get back to school and put some order in her life. She is an open and warm lady and she offered us great hospitality. The next day we even went to court and saw what she was dealing with everyday, mostly small crimes by natives. After 3 days at her house, we left towards Toby’s house, close to Minneapolis in Minnesota, a state with not much interest. We were trying to avoid the big cities of US and we were also looking for people from whom we could learn new things about this big country. <br />Toby welcomed us in his small home, along with his 2 daughters that were staying with him for the week-end due to the fact that he is in shared custody with his ex-wife. Many American ex-couples seem to be doing the same thing. In Europe it is not that popular. Generally one parent gets full custody and the other has some time in a year to spend with the kid. I do not really know how the Americans cope with this shared custody thing. Even for the kids it seems a bit confusing because while we were there Toby explained us that he is trying to feed healthy food to the girls but his ex takes them all the time to Mc Donalds, also mentioning that may parents in US do the same for commodity. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5V_NYiE1KE240pHRx2pghCoYTe9UY9otm_Mvh1UVrgK_76M9GPzNZL90m1CNexpH3Gq3u0KoPEqCAUXf7Hl-2gHASDmoqBBFHJwVdp8FnxeBwMJLlGjpeu9MKU3luyB5aoRXqbfrOCM/s1600/DSC15224.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5V_NYiE1KE240pHRx2pghCoYTe9UY9otm_Mvh1UVrgK_76M9GPzNZL90m1CNexpH3Gq3u0KoPEqCAUXf7Hl-2gHASDmoqBBFHJwVdp8FnxeBwMJLlGjpeu9MKU3luyB5aoRXqbfrOCM/s320/DSC15224.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535031680891247970" /></a><br /><br />Toby offered us a room and cooked amazing pizzas in the over that he built outside of his house in the garden. We spent 3 relaxing days with him and his daughters and girlfriend. We spent an entire afternoon through the thrift stores and had fun playing Wi at home.<br />This travel is not always about seeing new places but also about experiencing the life of the people we meet.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-75103845709183361362010-10-03T20:03:00.013+02:002010-10-03T20:56:32.141+02:00From W to East: Yellowstone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQkIpcj-yZvTSTHN0iPisxscwqlxwk3IWCqbSeBAH1_8obRjRIlCDPm-W1615HWz9m4uwGL2XfFHM2wKgKFYVXh-VSdVKlaChbvc30zKivht5OqMqzVE5yEtvCq5Whqe9Fw8vpsLFsSY/s1600/DSC12078.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQkIpcj-yZvTSTHN0iPisxscwqlxwk3IWCqbSeBAH1_8obRjRIlCDPm-W1615HWz9m4uwGL2XfFHM2wKgKFYVXh-VSdVKlaChbvc30zKivht5OqMqzVE5yEtvCq5Whqe9Fw8vpsLFsSY/s320/DSC12078.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523889688156773762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPIQfnfXZQpttkeqDyrx2RCXxzjHcQERFqgGVEOTYZJ259xhlkJL1kIghbXVDfoXHXy9F5dERDjaN5v0Yeb_ziWvkvOASS9ccrYiA5x3aVjNzUvPV-9AlyNzPj4muNo7qqOOdjbzo7tA/s1600/DSC00398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPIQfnfXZQpttkeqDyrx2RCXxzjHcQERFqgGVEOTYZJ259xhlkJL1kIghbXVDfoXHXy9F5dERDjaN5v0Yeb_ziWvkvOASS9ccrYiA5x3aVjNzUvPV-9AlyNzPj4muNo7qqOOdjbzo7tA/s320/DSC00398.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523889683283967906" /></a><br />Every time we get used to one place, we feel comfortable and at ease with the people around us, it is time to leave, but knowing that our life for now it is like that. I contacted two host for the next part of the travel and we started to drive towards their place. One of our hosts it is found in Twisp, a small town in Washington State. Once you cross the mountains of the east you find yourself in a much hotter environment. The temperature rose easily to 39•C. The nature gets drier and the grass is a gold yellow. I was surprised how dry it is because I always thought the north of Us should be greener and lush, thinking that it is much more north on the latitude but just looking at the Atlas I realized it is actually close to the same level as the Balcans. In Twisp, Debbie was waiting for us. She is a 40 something years old women, recently separated after another failed relation ship. She decided to move from Portland to this small town and start over although she complains that in such a small town it is quite difficult to meet man. She also left the type of business that she was doing in the last years which is buying old house, renovating them and after that reselling at a higher price. It seems that for a while it worked for her like that but now she feels tired and wants to buy a piece of land and start farming maybe. She is an emancipated women trapped in a society where you have to choose between love and success. Also Debbie started a life plan and a rejuvenating diet and she feels quite happy with herself although I could read in her eyes that this maybe is not the path that she desired in life. Anyway, she showed us Twisp, had dinner together and showed us great hospitality by offering us her own bed and she slept on the couch. Next day we walked to the butcher, bought some meat and cabbage so I could cook a Romanian dish and in the evening she and Jan went to the small theatre of the town where they enjoyed a play. I wanted to do a bike ride through the area so while they were doing that, I took the bicycle and hit the road but the big problem in USA is that they do not have a good infrastructure for cyclist so it is actually quite dangerous to go on the road with all the cars speeding next to you and no proper road for cyclists. The same night, we have been invited by a friend of Debbie to come to her house and watch the rain of meteorites. It was amazing to sit in the grass, with no lights around and watch this phenomenon. After almost two hours we went back to her house to sleep while she spent the night in the field. After two pretty relaxing but host days, usually at this time of the year the afternoon tend to be pretty hot and suffocating even up north, we started driving towards Colville. Almost at the border between Idaho and Washington State you find the small town of Colville, made mostly of farmers’ houses and woods. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMRxluX40RMOTJzMBhNrgCaKnNGsJqbXPoVHI3ofSsO_P1BB6SmRI8usL-YbQffKDGJS3RZtLXu5-_gkMMca76AbtkwJwy4nkGNpumU1Tp_v_UEhDk9-0a03glqkgo0vJXmo7Kn1flAY/s1600/DSC00502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMRxluX40RMOTJzMBhNrgCaKnNGsJqbXPoVHI3ofSsO_P1BB6SmRI8usL-YbQffKDGJS3RZtLXu5-_gkMMca76AbtkwJwy4nkGNpumU1Tp_v_UEhDk9-0a03glqkgo0vJXmo7Kn1flAY/s320/DSC00502.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523889697308516530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKVntxsCdDdl2Hqsv_yWm9DGfKI-rBEEBw2YpriTbzKBJRn9rKeEvsGQ2cwfTnXOxhAsYlAU-pnXm0uesgQPGd6n39Jf4CY_lNbTWD8lV3yH-JGpBjKegBaqSf0Sztn0wbgVHRvn5s6I/s1600/DSC00492.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKVntxsCdDdl2Hqsv_yWm9DGfKI-rBEEBw2YpriTbzKBJRn9rKeEvsGQ2cwfTnXOxhAsYlAU-pnXm0uesgQPGd6n39Jf4CY_lNbTWD8lV3yH-JGpBjKegBaqSf0Sztn0wbgVHRvn5s6I/s320/DSC00492.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523889690924256498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiSIcoK-4TkSXc3Bzu_nRUn_yQzL2u-DRZcijbpLbQC2YjXldboabpdptgzPx1b0F732LXXX9LeZmHOxHNnfgENYy8M-p8_Lr-NHZfMpbgmvDLQVonMY9CaT0JMEPM8TxV0jzIik8Ce8/s1600/DSC00503.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiSIcoK-4TkSXc3Bzu_nRUn_yQzL2u-DRZcijbpLbQC2YjXldboabpdptgzPx1b0F732LXXX9LeZmHOxHNnfgENYy8M-p8_Lr-NHZfMpbgmvDLQVonMY9CaT0JMEPM8TxV0jzIik8Ce8/s320/DSC00503.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523889694123106546" /></a>Through Couchsurfing we contacted Angie and her family that live in a farm. Arriving there was not difficult and one of her daughters Clarissa presented us the farm and the multitude of animals they own. I have never lived in a farm and never took care of animals, so for me being close to this kind of life it is quite difficult. I know I am a town girl but it is not just that, the fact that I do not understand animals and their needs makes me very frustrated and afraid. Coming to the farm helps me understand and appreciate all much better. Angie is in her late forties; she is at the second marriage and has 4 children: two twin daughters from the first marriage and two from the second marriage. She is a very strong women guiding her life according to the needs of her children although some of the ideas she is preaching are a bit far from free thinking. She is not the adept of any church but believes that if you follow what Jesus Christ said you will reach heaven. She is following the the bible but without the interpretations that one priest or another gives. We have been very well received in their house, with a very friendly and open environment. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlDkEfaJYxHsMQKhuG3WQW-ZFS4fhNr7SCpmbjgnmXa2YlXq2qYuZhx_I7kcrkqUUtPpo6n5rJrBJNsimVZG7AHuvvoT-kqee3zexQIRfL-epbNLIAskORmq8Q2aVou6IbHR_qseCrUo/s1600/DSC12497.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlDkEfaJYxHsMQKhuG3WQW-ZFS4fhNr7SCpmbjgnmXa2YlXq2qYuZhx_I7kcrkqUUtPpo6n5rJrBJNsimVZG7AHuvvoT-kqee3zexQIRfL-epbNLIAskORmq8Q2aVou6IbHR_qseCrUo/s320/DSC12497.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523890551101308946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQAVwT-oKl9x8pnN5D8jse6l5ci0F91CYotI_pZ8gqP6Rx2MAoX0gg0uc0j_T1WVC5-qT6Oih9VbafL0D3mtGWFkd2iAzCmWLIAVIQiV5LX5ItcRL5W0xnBfXn-WcIh7cHscjwMDuTaU/s1600/DSC00475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQAVwT-oKl9x8pnN5D8jse6l5ci0F91CYotI_pZ8gqP6Rx2MAoX0gg0uc0j_T1WVC5-qT6Oih9VbafL0D3mtGWFkd2iAzCmWLIAVIQiV5LX5ItcRL5W0xnBfXn-WcIh7cHscjwMDuTaU/s320/DSC00475.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523890545552788354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5JyHdpkri_X-RC5JOqaLodjzEMQeUYBwPDhDaENGVugxPDNUZlH0yQTgYF6ZDYxkpjCgGh5-U9YnRmDLYn3KbURqkR0DYBr2S6gGyBxFyv7Ru3JSCy0T_8j9JWw2CyppajOviPdIc7E/s1600/DSC00424.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5JyHdpkri_X-RC5JOqaLodjzEMQeUYBwPDhDaENGVugxPDNUZlH0yQTgYF6ZDYxkpjCgGh5-U9YnRmDLYn3KbURqkR0DYBr2S6gGyBxFyv7Ru3JSCy0T_8j9JWw2CyppajOviPdIc7E/s320/DSC00424.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523890540952008242" /></a>The kids have been great and during our 3 days stay we ate delicious dishes hand and home made. I enjoyed a lot the fresh night air and the family spirit but after these days it was time to continue with new energies our trip around US. Being on the road in USA is great because you get to watch the spectacular landscape that unfolds in front of you. Early in the morning we decided to start driving towards Glacier National park, one of the main attraction of North America. Glacier National Park is located in the U.S. state of Montana, bordering the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Glacier National Park is dominated by mountains which were carved into their present shapes by the huge glaciers of the last ice age; these glaciers have largely disappeared over the last 12,000 years. We’ve been in and out of the park for 2 days, Jan having the opportunity to walk to the main glacier while I had rested in the picnic area. When we started this new part of the travel I have promised myself I will enjoy much more and I will worry less and I will just take life easier. Glacier National Park has some spectacular views and its really worth the while but the most beautiful yet to come is Yellowstone. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXgMtx4WhPOAi5RtVXIQ26sF1xs1BHONq6n51YhVjzYolD5qe2hasDhe7KT23J4oGu_PL0JOEdmvQfsLXG15XngISa9nC6lBHb1abEY0fTTqtDpGSoij7FDKHkUcMYfr-AMYpSFyA5co/s1600/DSC00758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXgMtx4WhPOAi5RtVXIQ26sF1xs1BHONq6n51YhVjzYolD5qe2hasDhe7KT23J4oGu_PL0JOEdmvQfsLXG15XngISa9nC6lBHb1abEY0fTTqtDpGSoij7FDKHkUcMYfr-AMYpSFyA5co/s320/DSC00758.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523890552698700002" /></a>To be able to reach Yellowstone you need to cross about 700km of deserted hills . The landscape is beautiful especially when its cloudy and the sun goes through the clouds and makes shadows on the earth. These lands are inhabited also by some tribes of Indians. Its so uninhabited that you do not see people for 15-30 km. The lands in general are not cultivated because of the climate with strong winds and the dryness of the land. <br />It took us about two days to reach Yellowstone, one of the most visited parks of United States and probably one of the most beautiful.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUVSv1y8uIr5yRaiBCBjk8jmeqEErXktqNIZYqsq_eWdjByFINw_RfqjvxB4PbLC4dFoJ71El9NOcrQRnfez-QckaufyRqPH8W0JY_N_3T47skWrOFl24k-PUhKDIgiMW2KxDxxdp5tE/s1600/DSC00722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUVSv1y8uIr5yRaiBCBjk8jmeqEErXktqNIZYqsq_eWdjByFINw_RfqjvxB4PbLC4dFoJ71El9NOcrQRnfez-QckaufyRqPH8W0JY_N_3T47skWrOFl24k-PUhKDIgiMW2KxDxxdp5tE/s320/DSC00722.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523891565596670642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vcDhOS34sWlJA-dptY58Y2biRsdddvlxB-9LFcNTE5uexgXuyWFnFeA6GAu_Q309SL3ipWWxHBrqynaZSGA87iOYBNxQomYmM-RhOTCfhjl4X243RWJj5db2GdTpygU4IhpjsmPSlJw/s1600/DSC00710.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vcDhOS34sWlJA-dptY58Y2biRsdddvlxB-9LFcNTE5uexgXuyWFnFeA6GAu_Q309SL3ipWWxHBrqynaZSGA87iOYBNxQomYmM-RhOTCfhjl4X243RWJj5db2GdTpygU4IhpjsmPSlJw/s320/DSC00710.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523891564898199890" /></a> Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, and is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser, one of the most popular features in the park. It has many types of ecosystems, but the subalpine forest is dominant.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglfNmH-y9jFHXPFwW5vmYK28oAoxoHAnCGPNoUCjEwETKlLHgS0_j0NXnIKU26arZVlqusMnPD0KrZ4GvR8J2IRq1bcmkihhyphenhyphenZncmOjACrgicY3NK9TxPs6FopewZiPahE9vH1bS3luk/s1600/DSC00679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglfNmH-y9jFHXPFwW5vmYK28oAoxoHAnCGPNoUCjEwETKlLHgS0_j0NXnIKU26arZVlqusMnPD0KrZ4GvR8J2IRq1bcmkihhyphenhyphenZncmOjACrgicY3NK9TxPs6FopewZiPahE9vH1bS3luk/s320/DSC00679.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523891550360286146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRp90RUT5I7tUgIePiRcSvnu4E2B4StQg0O_peBMMDJ6jvyhl4MrPxvmrVxhyphenhyphen3zgTRt4Kbpc6cQY3Auc0wExEWFPQfZwWB1nXZpCJn8KJKFSk8-lbXGWoX4YVkOsk014FkOHKIHWH-2Q/s1600/DSC00648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRp90RUT5I7tUgIePiRcSvnu4E2B4StQg0O_peBMMDJ6jvyhl4MrPxvmrVxhyphenhyphen3zgTRt4Kbpc6cQY3Auc0wExEWFPQfZwWB1nXZpCJn8KJKFSk8-lbXGWoX4YVkOsk014FkOHKIHWH-2Q/s320/DSC00648.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523891547300473634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZshdN1-5OJh_GY-Kw3PBDp5iK7t4i2jUbBRoWSPg6IAPnR8T7U3-GZ_oe1iERXYlBwut0Jx9wJULmBT6vlWSQwoJccajAK8GCJTV0W3p_132Bodg5fJiueWINSRjuUmNAqw88u6WxPM4/s1600/DSC00610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZshdN1-5OJh_GY-Kw3PBDp5iK7t4i2jUbBRoWSPg6IAPnR8T7U3-GZ_oe1iERXYlBwut0Jx9wJULmBT6vlWSQwoJccajAK8GCJTV0W3p_132Bodg5fJiueWINSRjuUmNAqw88u6WxPM4/s320/DSC00610.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523891542798919010" /></a> <br />We decided to take our time in the Park, visit everything slowly and enjoy its beauty. The thing we do have in this travel is time and this place is amazing. We needed 3 days in order to fully visit all the main attractions of the park and it was worth. The first two days we were mainly in the north part and we slept on the east entrance. The temperatures dropped dramatically in the night to -5 degrees. We have been surprised unprepared by such low temperatures but we were lucky we did not have to repeat such cold. Besides the gazers with the colorful hot waters, in Yellowstone you can find a large variety of wild life, from elks to grizzly bears…but we did not have the opportunity to see any grizzly but we did enjoy the close presence of wild bison. The best gazer was GREAT FOUNTAIN GEYSER <br />Temperature 202°F Interval 8-12 hours. Duration 45-60 minutes. Height 75-150 feet. Great Fountain Geyser is one of the grand geysers of Yellowstone.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEb3ANRZvR411EDcjaxjZJmddNMza3PmMrJKAgM9P449MpOM_r70nJUMbCjqH1_3vyd7f2tt_NypXGU9FFVNssI8kjRL8fBErPaH_Go36J8LVml-Sa4aDdGTxyPYDI3b6jyO9NMbUh1M/s1600/DSC00854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEb3ANRZvR411EDcjaxjZJmddNMza3PmMrJKAgM9P449MpOM_r70nJUMbCjqH1_3vyd7f2tt_NypXGU9FFVNssI8kjRL8fBErPaH_Go36J8LVml-Sa4aDdGTxyPYDI3b6jyO9NMbUh1M/s320/DSC00854.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523892441180603410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhblBzrC6m8C7M0vdDHE0RZ8kfUYgd2HBxVg6fw9oVsWSbkIDx2s9VmB_esInJUYpEzV_-E9V42DPSveBLzAkBV-QwmD8Nzvx6XifJ1b_nlvTJk0kr7BT1Fii2sOIETmHLfPLhMfEiy6o/s1600/DSC00827.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhblBzrC6m8C7M0vdDHE0RZ8kfUYgd2HBxVg6fw9oVsWSbkIDx2s9VmB_esInJUYpEzV_-E9V42DPSveBLzAkBV-QwmD8Nzvx6XifJ1b_nlvTJk0kr7BT1Fii2sOIETmHLfPLhMfEiy6o/s320/DSC00827.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523892432035952546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPl3AE43GLeFwu21pW8gK6BC248jQymlbViytGVdLILWMOUYkjGr2S55T48tY2-TMr6XvIuY0-CDxzwaGd2cC19aKx7ZP3hye5JqhzObMLS7-Q_poSwOpflYIj0vqfa09BbKAzUctXLc/s1600/DSC00822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPl3AE43GLeFwu21pW8gK6BC248jQymlbViytGVdLILWMOUYkjGr2S55T48tY2-TMr6XvIuY0-CDxzwaGd2cC19aKx7ZP3hye5JqhzObMLS7-Q_poSwOpflYIj0vqfa09BbKAzUctXLc/s320/DSC00822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523892427657436530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszd-4phXB6TNTP1tHwgg6pdlzhJ17wyGeMLhHK6PwkMWr46VZpOPqUiANejnF129fZudaFOdja9mriGMhfmubNHg-8-iyNMWQMCZ3d9FF8n9AL9ZWqTCp7zCEjKi2kNpQ7-SVYimLrDo/s1600/DSC00741.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszd-4phXB6TNTP1tHwgg6pdlzhJ17wyGeMLhHK6PwkMWr46VZpOPqUiANejnF129fZudaFOdja9mriGMhfmubNHg-8-iyNMWQMCZ3d9FF8n9AL9ZWqTCp7zCEjKi2kNpQ7-SVYimLrDo/s320/DSC00741.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523892425320356690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fo5yts5vtTDLfeojGYTllW6IJinnyxlL2QZvrIjH6oorgs6uhj3xM1QmtSBShKX2POH-Y5nEf-Nn4h3GArjjDLQ1hUeoDpYlRDZYrRdurMU-vXXluSmwHyWQBiPAI2ZvjAoOCXEEGFE/s1600/DSC00733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fo5yts5vtTDLfeojGYTllW6IJinnyxlL2QZvrIjH6oorgs6uhj3xM1QmtSBShKX2POH-Y5nEf-Nn4h3GArjjDLQ1hUeoDpYlRDZYrRdurMU-vXXluSmwHyWQBiPAI2ZvjAoOCXEEGFE/s320/DSC00733.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523892423865738114" /></a> <br />The activity of the gazers is due to the fact that the park is located on top of a mountain volcano that might erupt at some point because it is just dormant, its caldera would include almost all the park. Caldera's are large basin-shaped volcanic depressions more or less circular in form.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjJ3Y19gGqNdBBig5AI50avtFXMzbD58_tFtFhkOUzVS4XWad6-Ve6GeCC2_4LcnLZ2rk1PVhRSRg5fOgKTg7jSL7_1V-HgkaUHM9eLhAbMZ7IQAiPbcQRkFbM55QvWfdN4O3Vcg6gfo/s1600/DSC01077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjJ3Y19gGqNdBBig5AI50avtFXMzbD58_tFtFhkOUzVS4XWad6-Ve6GeCC2_4LcnLZ2rk1PVhRSRg5fOgKTg7jSL7_1V-HgkaUHM9eLhAbMZ7IQAiPbcQRkFbM55QvWfdN4O3Vcg6gfo/s320/DSC01077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893175525002210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBw1QGDZVKJwCWYXDFJEMM2T_BTIhYEReaSC3UPyd3z7P5o-OF8-s60tD3-vjvScNTnjS_Zj_-vk43GpN5YV7jgYN65oF0P7u6Lj5HjF7041KUdw5TaprLF5FIutFuP1flhvbbdzrlwQ/s1600/DSC01014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBw1QGDZVKJwCWYXDFJEMM2T_BTIhYEReaSC3UPyd3z7P5o-OF8-s60tD3-vjvScNTnjS_Zj_-vk43GpN5YV7jgYN65oF0P7u6Lj5HjF7041KUdw5TaprLF5FIutFuP1flhvbbdzrlwQ/s320/DSC01014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893169374912978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhlMtNDZqVQDEDDx3OfXAUNbomNo89KQRAzWU1r1p65wx3QuRA9Xk520Y7_dzHxgscA1lDWA-MTA2TmvOTdDSKJam9n7pNS4I7W-1dfvu9Fp5txrwv41Pua9-zyQ7v-1kTscs0rYC2QA/s1600/DSC00994.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhlMtNDZqVQDEDDx3OfXAUNbomNo89KQRAzWU1r1p65wx3QuRA9Xk520Y7_dzHxgscA1lDWA-MTA2TmvOTdDSKJam9n7pNS4I7W-1dfvu9Fp5txrwv41Pua9-zyQ7v-1kTscs0rYC2QA/s320/DSC00994.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893163925097090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz970buydsfaO3X5e-pT2PlA3OogxUqhd-4y-hNmAajwXnMcHc1XWSQPVQQHSvgWZt_PU9oTN9NFKJe_QLhWvZmfz3oyGw4EwXr_MWGoVOaY25NLCyiK-uJ9DLmwxMWRixUzCULG-wyto/s1600/DSC00990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz970buydsfaO3X5e-pT2PlA3OogxUqhd-4y-hNmAajwXnMcHc1XWSQPVQQHSvgWZt_PU9oTN9NFKJe_QLhWvZmfz3oyGw4EwXr_MWGoVOaY25NLCyiK-uJ9DLmwxMWRixUzCULG-wyto/s320/DSC00990.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893159567681938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcW4dJRNHu6vglkptlbzvzQyKG16Ee1gqiOgBik9akoP5ES7J1232BKMbO2rZhw0TpXn-Lo_QljdJr8bGA4MmO809D2s7AahyphenhyphenA4LA0qNRws18gWBVNhDok8TXpIVWHWj3mI11TvHnvXVc/s1600/DSC00882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcW4dJRNHu6vglkptlbzvzQyKG16Ee1gqiOgBik9akoP5ES7J1232BKMbO2rZhw0TpXn-Lo_QljdJr8bGA4MmO809D2s7AahyphenhyphenA4LA0qNRws18gWBVNhDok8TXpIVWHWj3mI11TvHnvXVc/s320/DSC00882.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893153244612402" /></a><br /><br />The second day in the park and also our sixth day camping, we decided to go to Jackson , Wyoming, where a host from Couchsurfing was expecting us. Dan seemed to be a nice guy, he was living in a nice house in this very touristy town and shared his place with two more guys. He also plays the piano very good but something made him weird. The same evening that we arrived he looked normal, had dinner together and while at dinner he started to present us his life story. He told us he is originally from Texas, that he comes from a family with strong religious background. That he has actually been a member of a Christian sect all his youth, doing things that right now seemed horrible for him. His family is made of strong believers but they moved here because the sect decomposed due to the fact that the new lider of the sect wanted to follow mainstream Christianity. He did not really tell us the name of this sect but he definitely entered into some more personal details, explaining to us the fact that besides the general brainwashing, he has also been sexually abused by one of the members of the sect and that right now he was dealing with his past. All this could be taken as fare and square but the behaviour he had during the next two days made him a very psychically labile person and we ended up leaving his place faster than programmed. The same night that we arrived there, we decided we cannot sleep in the house due to the amount of dog hair that was everywhere and that made both me and Jan feel uncomfortable. Jan has a chronic allergy to almost anything and I think that for him sleeping in this kind of environment would not be healthy, and for me…well I do not mind a few dog hair here and there but I do mind the immense quantity that was in this house. The same night, Dan left with a friend for some drinks. He called this girl (that he said is a friend but the next day he was calling her fat and ugly and desperately in love with him) and next morning we find the girl at his place, with no car and very angry that he left with her car and dumped her in the bar. We did not really understand the situation but later in the afternoon we went to pick him up from a park fair where he was modelling for two old local artists. While in the car he was rambling about how great guy he is ( he always expressed these great opinions about himself) and how he things one of the lady artists, well in her 60s is dead inlove with him and that he is going to have a cougar. (Noun. A 35+ year old female who is on the "hunt" for a much younger, energetic, willing-to-do-anything male. The cougar can frequently be seen in a padded bra, cleavage exposed, propped up against a swanky bar in San Francisco (or other cities)waiting, watching, calculating; gearing up to sink her claws into an innocent young and strapping buck who happens to cross her path. "Man is cougar's number one prey"). <br />As you might think, all that i am telling you can seem funny at first sight and innocent but little by little it was being built a scary portrait of this guy that seemed to be or schizophrenic or bipolar but he definitely had some problem. The same day he convinces us again to go with him to another place in order for him to meet some friends. We accept because we wanted to do something fun that day. We arrive to this ski resort place that had the gondola open for free and on top of the mountain there was a restaurant. Little by little the weather was changing dramatically and soon after we arrived at the top of the mountain and we took a seat with his friends on the terrace of the restaurant, a strong wind started to blow and soon a very strong storm came that made even the gondola stop. It was really scary outside and I honestly thought that we will have to get refugee on top of the mountain for the whole night. Finally the wind and the rain decrease a bit in intensity and the gondola starts working again so we take the chance and go down but it was moving so much while going down that they stopped it at least 4 or 5 times. When we got to the car Dan decided to go with a friend of his and we left with our car towards home. Again he did not come back that night. We started to feel that he has some problems because no one gave him the car, he could not drive so we think he had some DUI ( driving under influence of alcohol). The third day was the maximum. In the morning we came to the house to have breakfast and as early as ten o’clock he started to behave very strange, I thought he is on drugs( something very powerful) but later he admits he has been drinking a whole bottle of Rom that same morning. He was screaming nervously than laughing nervously, changing thoughts and words and having no coherence, throwing his stuff through the house. At a certain point both me and Jan felt this cannot go good and we need to get away from there. We packed the little things that we had around and as soon as one of his flatmates came to the house we told him we will go and that he is in a very bad condition. The guy was ok with it also adding that it seems to be a common behaviour lately. Probably Dan was dealing with his past but not in the most advisable way. I do not think he is a bad guy but I do think that he got beyond the limits of common sense and that we do not need this kind of things during our travel. I felt better being out in the fields camping than close to his house. This kind of people consumes the energy of the people around them and by having this behaviour they just spread bad vibes. <br />After doing some shopping in town for the next few days, we started the road back to Yellowstone because we still had some things to visit and honestly that evening was the most relaxing I had after the weekend we have spent in the proximity of Dan.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6kL5KeuRB7Q-GxR1H9tC5k-Jbatbgd6BFaSCuE4lUrIl-iHZ13Tyu2ZTRCaW_2giZO4-_4QEnmqmu3L3mJmPg-t63JDi3N8SVkwwZe286t07HxD0j-7tn2iDYrXDBjBGnKgEmfYqrg/s1600/DSC01120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6kL5KeuRB7Q-GxR1H9tC5k-Jbatbgd6BFaSCuE4lUrIl-iHZ13Tyu2ZTRCaW_2giZO4-_4QEnmqmu3L3mJmPg-t63JDi3N8SVkwwZe286t07HxD0j-7tn2iDYrXDBjBGnKgEmfYqrg/s320/DSC01120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893914239474994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5hyphenhyphenQ3q_IuvbeoVVQq-SQLf9aXmWdWesYLkhw2-Vj8tFjkZ39zxLeCNC3c695Uje2L1DucSGhYbhdWUb74fBEzp_9YvPZGtlU4ByngigFwL4gSPCpZYFDm13qKcYs4YJJ11L1kqPOFk8/s1600/DSC01115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5hyphenhyphenQ3q_IuvbeoVVQq-SQLf9aXmWdWesYLkhw2-Vj8tFjkZ39zxLeCNC3c695Uje2L1DucSGhYbhdWUb74fBEzp_9YvPZGtlU4ByngigFwL4gSPCpZYFDm13qKcYs4YJJ11L1kqPOFk8/s320/DSC01115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893909653044418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf16XN27YfBg2VH8hSr7I82MuSqPz4pMcSx8NQm3IA8bX2y9DfY5qHAlcJuQVW4BGohyphenhyphenHukUAPgEAZf_s7QySH3EX0FcbB_nfEHWR5fxA23jXa1q7hfDKRIndrJkAMLnzhzeyiMSLISQ/s1600/DSC01109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf16XN27YfBg2VH8hSr7I82MuSqPz4pMcSx8NQm3IA8bX2y9DfY5qHAlcJuQVW4BGohyphenhyphenHukUAPgEAZf_s7QySH3EX0FcbB_nfEHWR5fxA23jXa1q7hfDKRIndrJkAMLnzhzeyiMSLISQ/s320/DSC01109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893903891377394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsLci49aHb07DXJRXm5h_CQXzhyJMpUD5_4Se73DNZmy2dulFSQr_sbE1nnMRoL97qyBm5LdRjuUtNW7ajSdyLqFoZWYBhsemxivn5hhudDSg1pojyHI6vCWNFisxR_V5NHHPbCOSGVM/s1600/DSC01099.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsLci49aHb07DXJRXm5h_CQXzhyJMpUD5_4Se73DNZmy2dulFSQr_sbE1nnMRoL97qyBm5LdRjuUtNW7ajSdyLqFoZWYBhsemxivn5hhudDSg1pojyHI6vCWNFisxR_V5NHHPbCOSGVM/s320/DSC01099.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893895695500002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB9KY5v8aj6LbCDzULzzNdGh1BPONHAkFSVAgKQa3dWgcLou-BT5RTO1e-sHM7fftFUNDFYFEqJEBYRPnE7_eIOPxxIP1F55JeXLEWRPZeIeneV3ceZ6zM97HJ8Wc8Dq7YjjGi6U_4qs/s1600/DSC01090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB9KY5v8aj6LbCDzULzzNdGh1BPONHAkFSVAgKQa3dWgcLou-BT5RTO1e-sHM7fftFUNDFYFEqJEBYRPnE7_eIOPxxIP1F55JeXLEWRPZeIeneV3ceZ6zM97HJ8Wc8Dq7YjjGi6U_4qs/s320/DSC01090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523893896197368722" /></a> We could take our seats outside and I read all the afternoon while Jan walked a bit around. The landscape was nice, close to a river and in the night the whole ski was inundated with stars. The more you spend time in the nature, the more you realise how many things we lose or we do not know or appreciate anymore because we live in the city. Next day we woke up fresh and with more energy than ever and we finished our visit in Yellowstone with wildlife watching ( a herd of bisons). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXPfSt1sx3Amn4uTBQvTe-_3ghvBCrgsbXBXDyOZhq6Ro38rOhcW_uJ1sjB4I7bmwRJp29NMnALCHv8aTyFLonC_nFvMzJixKWmtLGM1VPGgTeTSjOp5VOYOmH6P64qr2rJwBzHcO0v4/s1600/DSC00910.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXPfSt1sx3Amn4uTBQvTe-_3ghvBCrgsbXBXDyOZhq6Ro38rOhcW_uJ1sjB4I7bmwRJp29NMnALCHv8aTyFLonC_nFvMzJixKWmtLGM1VPGgTeTSjOp5VOYOmH6P64qr2rJwBzHcO0v4/s320/DSC00910.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523895452232788034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nELoCqbi_4blFwMBWAQQOVY0_8kwp71igqFf9eVAbJc1GDFKKp0hr6ZMke53j2r4hzuNoJc-0fh8YooVU22DYU39E8fAc5JrpwXrDbHrTmBfXRhHySPmBUyOpN7Fc5c9Hhg7B5HPR6E/s1600/DSC00940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nELoCqbi_4blFwMBWAQQOVY0_8kwp71igqFf9eVAbJc1GDFKKp0hr6ZMke53j2r4hzuNoJc-0fh8YooVU22DYU39E8fAc5JrpwXrDbHrTmBfXRhHySPmBUyOpN7Fc5c9Hhg7B5HPR6E/s320/DSC00940.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523895444628685426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iHGZDYXwoDOK2uIO-UW5CefStoL_as3RfYozQxwzk_txlw6rWn6y1U49SYBaDlM5qFBTvfsczjL4ep2yiB4CdlULWVlx_K0_DjAnXdsuiV5kaNyrsuW-8B2PzVdiRGYf10F-zKrmpRo/s1600/DSC00924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iHGZDYXwoDOK2uIO-UW5CefStoL_as3RfYozQxwzk_txlw6rWn6y1U49SYBaDlM5qFBTvfsczjL4ep2yiB4CdlULWVlx_K0_DjAnXdsuiV5kaNyrsuW-8B2PzVdiRGYf10F-zKrmpRo/s320/DSC00924.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523895439925282322" /></a><br />From here we will be crossing the plains of Midwest towards Ohio, where Amanda and Mark are waiting for us!ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-44401154764855131732010-08-22T21:52:00.010+02:002010-08-22T22:22:00.745+02:00Seattle and Bellingham, Washington state<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-vGHXfxeJUGZnWdcAeWwDL7n8PAj4AHF704XxLUWOPahs15G75OuQBSTFT58b5MVp9h3SWq3ol6DaxjT7H49FGw8VaJAyq2iVU5IsuUseKecY3B10ch_wwtBUAe8b3ly6FRTnDgqvIQ/s1600/DSC00216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-vGHXfxeJUGZnWdcAeWwDL7n8PAj4AHF704XxLUWOPahs15G75OuQBSTFT58b5MVp9h3SWq3ol6DaxjT7H49FGw8VaJAyq2iVU5IsuUseKecY3B10ch_wwtBUAe8b3ly6FRTnDgqvIQ/s320/DSC00216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508329817051038962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvDVgRw3MPUw6-QJF6FJ2mHEP02mBp0LM-8HAe4ARXnhLWn_Kscdo8zyuwFT8NkmJfIFLbOX7kkuXiBxyHB70mXSk7Gx3ACXGI8a2JvUaejd4oK-mqqD1_ughkXw13DNF0Dh4zel5mHA/s1600/DSC00207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvDVgRw3MPUw6-QJF6FJ2mHEP02mBp0LM-8HAe4ARXnhLWn_Kscdo8zyuwFT8NkmJfIFLbOX7kkuXiBxyHB70mXSk7Gx3ACXGI8a2JvUaejd4oK-mqqD1_ughkXw13DNF0Dh4zel5mHA/s320/DSC00207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508329805852671250" /></a><br /> Going back on the road gives me a feeling of relief. Looking outside the window of the car and enjoying the views it’s like seeing a documentary from a comfy couch. When the road is going and everything runs smoothly and there are no stress factors I feel that life on the road is the best thing it can happen. You are always the stranger in the city, no one knows you, and you can always be and feel as the person you want to be without social boundaries. I love that. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5onx0ASVE6aShqpynwxoAfx3v2LmfiLVCzbVVELWcCt612fGlexq11v7SidWCbzEt8RFZrtA-RkGmo1WfLP4alsLC8rhwI9goavaFZKHjRb1T_z2UNAjLRevN9XQ9uFHfhqua0H32Uk/s1600/DSC00213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5onx0ASVE6aShqpynwxoAfx3v2LmfiLVCzbVVELWcCt612fGlexq11v7SidWCbzEt8RFZrtA-RkGmo1WfLP4alsLC8rhwI9goavaFZKHjRb1T_z2UNAjLRevN9XQ9uFHfhqua0H32Uk/s320/DSC00213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508329824622317154" /></a>After Oregon we went on the west coast on US up north into Washington State, crossing little towns like Astoria, with Victorian houses, peaceful and cloudy as all the coast of US. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-P08yO37szJCMm2RCS-pnJ29gER8WLlB3Bsj1YmSx3LmD6Hm50_zj03_ytvxh8YUcbXrFMZeFJpCmTSrerT7oxHT0NrICGnILI8VLolHs4gaHlEgQsnbTtFMLPg0OO3sqKOql3D4OGs/s1600/DSC00226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-P08yO37szJCMm2RCS-pnJ29gER8WLlB3Bsj1YmSx3LmD6Hm50_zj03_ytvxh8YUcbXrFMZeFJpCmTSrerT7oxHT0NrICGnILI8VLolHs4gaHlEgQsnbTtFMLPg0OO3sqKOql3D4OGs/s320/DSC00226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508330297315398674" /></a>The climate changes from the coast to inland… from 14 to 25 degrees Celsius in just a few miles. I love the cloudy weather. I don’t know why but it gives a feeling of drama, as if we are on the edge of a powerful storm and there is nothing that can make it stop, still the storm never comes. We had no rain in the last 2 months and that is great because when we camp outside I would not like to get wet. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcJFKmV01sbwW4ExQ3JkvDGb173u4JX1UuxkdMZ2C7pEGxfRNIn-9mT4ncZ_Ycf5dgHjPnvkrJI4lUaO65USGCdp0yAV6NLNeJkp8JPEsN97A4T1xl9AFeiNeyzBcKg-2qwNwFh511zw/s1600/DSC00220.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcJFKmV01sbwW4ExQ3JkvDGb173u4JX1UuxkdMZ2C7pEGxfRNIn-9mT4ncZ_Ycf5dgHjPnvkrJI4lUaO65USGCdp0yAV6NLNeJkp8JPEsN97A4T1xl9AFeiNeyzBcKg-2qwNwFh511zw/s320/DSC00220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508329841573426978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP4Pl5FzLIsF4TS-CZIrp16-lh1h0nP7ROBbBKhf3dMK-Hh1fjzrN2Vhe1W0uFXJeTRkbKgqfvpZrzDuqffw9DGw-yWlgoAxvfhLbjQaZdltGQQxycVU3FVDhw83u5vyUVvZ6avXgjog/s1600/DSC10605.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP4Pl5FzLIsF4TS-CZIrp16-lh1h0nP7ROBbBKhf3dMK-Hh1fjzrN2Vhe1W0uFXJeTRkbKgqfvpZrzDuqffw9DGw-yWlgoAxvfhLbjQaZdltGQQxycVU3FVDhw83u5vyUVvZ6avXgjog/s320/DSC10605.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508329833745724130" /></a><br />What I noticed is that in US no house is made of brick or stone as in Europe most of the dwellings are made of these materials , and although the winters are not milder it seems that America abounds of woods so people find it easier to build everything with timber. The last hundreds of miles we crossed deep woods of conifers, spread all over the states. Both Oregon and Washington are bear countries. The Olympic peninsula has pretty beaches full of trees brought by the fast rivers that come from the mountains and end in the ocean. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__VW9-OxPf09_kUXRIiea_jXLUwEbpxD57C2DEI3M9GHGxe-WGnX5pSp9Sy5hCftRiLJmqx8pQ1_jVwx9K8EOwWGWadzj0_vkNan6dbueRl9k5Zwm0BmP3We_CrvMBR2h3n0T53C1mXw/s1600/DSC10733.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__VW9-OxPf09_kUXRIiea_jXLUwEbpxD57C2DEI3M9GHGxe-WGnX5pSp9Sy5hCftRiLJmqx8pQ1_jVwx9K8EOwWGWadzj0_vkNan6dbueRl9k5Zwm0BmP3We_CrvMBR2h3n0T53C1mXw/s320/DSC10733.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331123161738178" /></a> The houses are beautiful and the air is clean but it seems me and Jan we suffer from some sort of allergy to the pollen or other things in the air because we always complain of pain in the nose or skin rashes. While being on the peninsula I saw many warnings about vampires…it seems they filmed here the Twilight series and people are fascinated with the story. I am most fascinated with a childhood TV series called Twin Peaks and actually it is here in Washington State that they filmed it. After 2 days on the peninsula we took the ferry to Seattle where another host was waiting for us. Carol and Jeff are a middle aged couple, in their 60s , an autumn love as they met 2 years ago and decided to spend their time enjoying life, which I think people should do , we should always be in the search of love and companionship. We were received in their beautiful home in Mercer Island and got a beautiful room just for us. Immediately we felt welcomed and the same Friday night as we arrived, we had dinner and then went to a classic English dances night. It was fun to participate although I have to admit that these kinds of dances are not my favorite. The mathematics in it (counting the steps and the moves) make me really tired. We spent three hours dancing ( probably the longest time I ever spend dancing…ever) and got back home to a nice bed and fell asleep immediately. Carol and Jeff had it all organized for Saturday and around noon we left towards a lake where the family of Jeff had vacation houses and his brother was organizing his birthday weekend party. We were about 100 people, all friends and friends of friends, we talked with people, Jan went on the canoe, ate great food. It has been great. Same evening we came back home and next day ( Sunday we spent it at home relaxing). On Monday , pretty early (8 am) we went to Seattle to the Canadian embassy where I applied for my tourist visa. One entry is 75 dollars (multiple is 150). After a long waiting line and an easy interview I got my visa in the afternoon and we went happy for a walk in downtown Seattle. I actually like a lot Seattle. Even if it is quite a big city, it gives a laid back feeling. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgErAQcPTYussazZYHcXmqOazXFVaOalo4qlAHVh9gRdx88boHwxtdFlJICJpvZrw7vU9673IW5Yf8F-Jmih32LtlHWRx_kxbjd7n1Xja23ksza7mr7GmD-9eQJiz4DvMyK1tMp7oI0M/s1600/DSC00259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgErAQcPTYussazZYHcXmqOazXFVaOalo4qlAHVh9gRdx88boHwxtdFlJICJpvZrw7vU9673IW5Yf8F-Jmih32LtlHWRx_kxbjd7n1Xja23ksza7mr7GmD-9eQJiz4DvMyK1tMp7oI0M/s320/DSC00259.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508330547064675826" /></a><br />There is a nice park and a vegetables and fish market, and we had an amazing Italian gelato in a little Italian coffee shop. Next day, Tuesday , Jan wanted to go to Mt Rainier for a day or two , so early in the morning we drove to one side of the mountain and slept there, although I must admit I was quite annoyed by the aggressiveness of the mosquitoes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs8yYT9dPN-gfclT7paw1u_IJnl5aNE8o1e1vVnrjM_4J2fDf26TdvXCDSo6XwfSrYIjrOBClbm-qqZXD3yHbI6p1xW74jiBS67Woegc2RvRXXL2ByAMnO0mZKDuv2nuMmRa8iqgt3Ko/s1600/DSC10970.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs8yYT9dPN-gfclT7paw1u_IJnl5aNE8o1e1vVnrjM_4J2fDf26TdvXCDSo6XwfSrYIjrOBClbm-qqZXD3yHbI6p1xW74jiBS67Woegc2RvRXXL2ByAMnO0mZKDuv2nuMmRa8iqgt3Ko/s320/DSC10970.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331618920671618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbV3-oZw3IC8eo_1xFHKvO9gqso7VGhVyM3OsE2tPnHF-MGw-p9Bud_DwJro0_Nydz1kcwa0DPV4S9lm2X2idm7xh4UWCGfrz6sGCHbFw3WBOTd8Yr7uSfPYPpb2_LsNCirxIeaYQunc/s1600/DSC10914.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbV3-oZw3IC8eo_1xFHKvO9gqso7VGhVyM3OsE2tPnHF-MGw-p9Bud_DwJro0_Nydz1kcwa0DPV4S9lm2X2idm7xh4UWCGfrz6sGCHbFw3WBOTd8Yr7uSfPYPpb2_LsNCirxIeaYQunc/s320/DSC10914.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331612077272258" /></a> Next day we drove around Mt. Rainier and Jan did a few walks while I rested in my camping chair reading a novel and getting bitten by the mosquitoes. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62oJRdT-CoXUI2OhvN-V9L6qYZBQWxuuJuoKww3Cb5NxPgtlG7pVJhvp9ihg_462-3oDaJ-htVwCLDwdiMlbZ6cUfyk3iIACZUbv7dA87h5KJ5-8-dKAnckGa3WfmMQB0hgR4szli47U/s1600/DSC10887.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62oJRdT-CoXUI2OhvN-V9L6qYZBQWxuuJuoKww3Cb5NxPgtlG7pVJhvp9ihg_462-3oDaJ-htVwCLDwdiMlbZ6cUfyk3iIACZUbv7dA87h5KJ5-8-dKAnckGa3WfmMQB0hgR4szli47U/s320/DSC10887.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331115773551906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingrLSbgSuPyqX8mm1Qr_l_SqP6HcKjHCXB5BtDSnph-uhxOXpeiaZuRY42qCCjy_e0rJbuORpHwxVE-bi6N9qXGC9stR7TehfeHWCi2q0YgFxnz0Tq1YFpM7PCXcXJ4sQJAHqcpNHj6g/s1600/DSC00295.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingrLSbgSuPyqX8mm1Qr_l_SqP6HcKjHCXB5BtDSnph-uhxOXpeiaZuRY42qCCjy_e0rJbuORpHwxVE-bi6N9qXGC9stR7TehfeHWCi2q0YgFxnz0Tq1YFpM7PCXcXJ4sQJAHqcpNHj6g/s320/DSC00295.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331105352409186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9xcDs4gVKXmWSN2F5eL6cT6uDH69YRK_1GeY7oWkU_QPKVlork1x-KldNjmTrrryINWuk23CN9nUDi2vpCv11M31B5-dJoZXDtnJ2_8HkS2E2y8Qlodyzy4WZQcYFN_CjLoKvAE-RhY/s1600/DSC00283.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9xcDs4gVKXmWSN2F5eL6cT6uDH69YRK_1GeY7oWkU_QPKVlork1x-KldNjmTrrryINWuk23CN9nUDi2vpCv11M31B5-dJoZXDtnJ2_8HkS2E2y8Qlodyzy4WZQcYFN_CjLoKvAE-RhY/s320/DSC00283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331097066813858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgwK2TzCoZrS-iHDCpStqZrfjCqwOWqkHLmj7keV88B4HovIH-3qOJWsh1nLWTu4rCMTxsI2LjVDlF2U8cHIKn5tHWUoUN5JJqv8QcJzP2y_4qYwgIjimwmeLQx7Qkwu0e2qlgJAUU_Q/s1600/DSC00264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgwK2TzCoZrS-iHDCpStqZrfjCqwOWqkHLmj7keV88B4HovIH-3qOJWsh1nLWTu4rCMTxsI2LjVDlF2U8cHIKn5tHWUoUN5JJqv8QcJzP2y_4qYwgIjimwmeLQx7Qkwu0e2qlgJAUU_Q/s320/DSC00264.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331088751170866" /></a><br />Getting back to Seattle in the house of Carol and Jeff we spent another peaceful night and Thursday evening we went for a walk and visited some openings of art galleries. There is a lot of artistic life in Seattle and people try to gain money from open air concerts, art fairs and galleries. After almost one week relaxing with Carol and Jeff but also sharing ideas about travels, God(or better said his absence) and life in general, it was time to leave Seattle and direct ourselves to Bellingham where our friend Amy ( a member of CS that hosted us one year ago in China) was waiting for us. We left Saturday morning, on a rainy weather, with the prospect of a rainy weekend but before leaving Seattle for good we also visited Freemont street and the troll of Seattle and a chocolate factory where we enjoyed for free several kinds of chocolate and coffee. <br />I always like to meet again friends that we made along the travel and this time it was time to see again Amy, a young American girl that we met one year ago in Xining, China, and with whom we spent really nice moments back then and now again we were looking forward to see her again.<br />Amy lives in Bellingham, very close to the border with Canada…less than 30 minutes. Bellingham is a small town, with many young people, due to the university here, probably the less American town we’ve been till now. You can walk to most of the places in town which in the rest of the cities is impossible. The shared house where Amy rents a room is close to the motorway from Seattle but the feeling of the house was quite nice. The house mates of Amy are 3 great guys: Chris, Zach and Michael with whom we made friendship instantly. Amy used to study here in Bellingham and when she came back from China after teaching English for one year she decided that the best moments of her life were in this city, her best friends are here so best thing to do is to come back and make some more roots. Amy is a great person, and to prove that she gave up her room, her sanctuary and slept on the couch and we had 4 restful nights in her home. Same night of our arrival it was party time, so around 10 pm we all dressed up and walked to the house party where other 30-40 people were listening to disco music and drank some alcohol. It was great to experience this kind of party, the typical we see in US films. At about 2 am we left the party and came back home walking again. I felt as when I was at university and no one really thought about the future and what our life will be like. We were all living the moment. Amy is a very creative girl, and besides writing (she studied creative writing) she also joined a punk music band about 2 weeks ago and they were already having their 2nd house concert planned for Monday night in a house in Bellingham. It seems that many young alternative people in US at some point in their life join a band or go on a road trip. While Monday morning Amy was at work, I left Jan at home and I walked through Bellingham stopping in a vintage shop for hours in a row. I was so overwhelmed by the watching of a common shopping behavior of the young Americans (the thrift stores and second hand stores and vintage shops are in fashion here) and I kind of needed a small leather bag for myself…last one I bought was in Pakistan in the market for just 1 dollar. In the evening we went to a the house concert. It seems in US the amateur art (of any kind) is much more appreciated than in Europe where people tend to value more quality. I enjoyed a lot the house concert where 4 bands played their punk rock songs. Amy’s band was the first one, then a band from San Francisco played( they were on a 2 weeks tour) and 2 more from Bellingham. Some of the songs were pretty good. People that do these tours they gain money from donations of people (normally enough for gas till the next location) and they also sell their Cd’s or other handy crafts. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOmAtB1k-_GrN4wIUbC71LmKAEViLdB81HQK71MlMlkqgaFV0znZwuTYVxutai7Q5x6vXF2BcDdC5nA2MORaUcvMHXbtLfv7x1BLlcSqURyjzDSJNjoMxyartu57lk_PzG34BG0puAAM/s1600/DSC00392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOmAtB1k-_GrN4wIUbC71LmKAEViLdB81HQK71MlMlkqgaFV0znZwuTYVxutai7Q5x6vXF2BcDdC5nA2MORaUcvMHXbtLfv7x1BLlcSqURyjzDSJNjoMxyartu57lk_PzG34BG0puAAM/s320/DSC00392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331979195551410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNFNzoNf0pvnUyRjnjj5hhrkZfzkx4Pz04-Z0xwdbqOmVQevPghhjU2AA_iKX4L-Cjli2ZFxInn7DU-WAhH_DdU1zRKJrvPe2Ufpop90l8r2syg692diGJ-5QvamHWvAbdPMMFN3IoFg/s1600/DSC00384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNFNzoNf0pvnUyRjnjj5hhrkZfzkx4Pz04-Z0xwdbqOmVQevPghhjU2AA_iKX4L-Cjli2ZFxInn7DU-WAhH_DdU1zRKJrvPe2Ufpop90l8r2syg692diGJ-5QvamHWvAbdPMMFN3IoFg/s320/DSC00384.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508331966462530450" /></a>After 4 magnificent days spend with so many wonderful people that live the American dream with less money but seem to be more happy, it was time to take the road again. I was so sad to leave Amy again but I am hoping that one day we will see her again maybe this time in Spain. I will miss you Amy and Bellingham …and all your house mates and friends that were great people and with whom we shared many stories, has great laughs, walked the town in the night, had dinners….(they are great cooks).ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-29414916566131486422010-08-06T19:59:00.010+02:002010-08-07T06:47:09.127+02:00Oregon state- the green state<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3jp4feH669r6IdCueHJ_eT7LDG4yOGD5JTUUtfLog7Qodlu4R7c3Ah98_NPWFsqGXR6W0dp14IZBbAbiIrvzXT3Hk5M9gQUUut0YykyjWAl85xRaiCrFvzvCD4VGLsHYL-eaShEASN4/s1600/DSC09966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3jp4feH669r6IdCueHJ_eT7LDG4yOGD5JTUUtfLog7Qodlu4R7c3Ah98_NPWFsqGXR6W0dp14IZBbAbiIrvzXT3Hk5M9gQUUut0YykyjWAl85xRaiCrFvzvCD4VGLsHYL-eaShEASN4/s320/DSC09966.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502366907092842114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnINJZPvUGRcFV2qyiLTZjy-XgaZAflfWWZpcjw18_H9PWPzdS7bc9AqCNe9ADd6yf6vhcks2mn9Cb7B2U7jErtJhxRZ9cl5hofYSx-lvOaQ5RleVwQ-tecH29UXC8Ue1pNOn4yfox-co/s1600/DSC09965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnINJZPvUGRcFV2qyiLTZjy-XgaZAflfWWZpcjw18_H9PWPzdS7bc9AqCNe9ADd6yf6vhcks2mn9Cb7B2U7jErtJhxRZ9cl5hofYSx-lvOaQ5RleVwQ-tecH29UXC8Ue1pNOn4yfox-co/s320/DSC09965.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502366899368616050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTaLT85wD_VvFxHN3Ki-lT-CAMBiZnzFQ1txE0Jb-q0FvIItn4x1GNf9w-fuH7CKDrUF6OwzRJLS2SWdm4Q3_3dCDhC9S7V5yKQkHQ7JuArcpmjQVaDLVSQQiRPRP_1CcQN6yQTPV2OI/s1600/DSC00090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTaLT85wD_VvFxHN3Ki-lT-CAMBiZnzFQ1txE0Jb-q0FvIItn4x1GNf9w-fuH7CKDrUF6OwzRJLS2SWdm4Q3_3dCDhC9S7V5yKQkHQ7JuArcpmjQVaDLVSQQiRPRP_1CcQN6yQTPV2OI/s320/DSC00090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364261023646242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28CD2LprkJIKhQKOtu_SxnNXOGvyELi68R1BjSTNIjITtRW4jB6deDTVr5JPrtxPBvrW8sp4SOACcUEgnve6XnoLcMkOSE2BSQYpm8voDEq9XmOuVZVFuSzmv-hLITb5int8y-63win0/s1600/DSC00057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28CD2LprkJIKhQKOtu_SxnNXOGvyELi68R1BjSTNIjITtRW4jB6deDTVr5JPrtxPBvrW8sp4SOACcUEgnve6XnoLcMkOSE2BSQYpm8voDEq9XmOuVZVFuSzmv-hLITb5int8y-63win0/s320/DSC00057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364255359680786" /></a><br /><br />When we meet nice people along the way , it is always sad to say goodbye to them, and so it was a bit sad to leave San Francisco but the prospect of a few days alone on the west coast of the US seemed like a nice thing to do. We left the bay area and started to drive on the coast, direction RedWood national park. If you want to stick to the coast of the US you need to drive the 101 road which is quite spectacular but foggy this time of the year. The coastal area is not very populated; actually the whole west coast is much less populated than the east coast, that’s what the local people say. We managed to arrive to the Redwood national park, saw the elks…impressive animals and continued on the coast because we were expected in Grant pass the next day. In 2008 we met Do Lee in Greece. She is a 55 year old American lady, that smokes pot and has quite a tumultuous life. The time we met her in 2008 I had the feeling she is a bit strange, but now meeting her again she seemed almost the same. She left America for Greece a few years ago, having divorced her third husband now she was living alone, taking care of a friend of hers who has terminal cancer. We spent in Do Lees rented flat about 2 nights, with very few moments of talking to her but much more shared moments with her ex husband Dimitri (who came to visit from Greece) and another women she met in town and whom loved to talk about her life, so from whom we learned many new interesting facts about the Americans or some of them were just confirmed.I was happy, or better say very happy to leave her house in Oregon because I need to fill myself with positive energy. I promised myself that this last part of the travel will be filled only with as much positive things as I can get so my mind and body are working against negative vibes.<br />Our adventure continued towards Crater Lake where we arrived Friday and where we spent the whole day driving around.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5rYZK3a7iMzGU9-X05adt7HJnNiCvK1nmOWySN3l1D7syVXIW2K_titUlbF0QtpRQWptJmkHvsA7289E8tQqSyaFVGk52WqZ2Oiyu2WuODJvlAy8xUl6VDTTHFd5REnKIDMckHpk_RY/s1600/DSC09975.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5rYZK3a7iMzGU9-X05adt7HJnNiCvK1nmOWySN3l1D7syVXIW2K_titUlbF0QtpRQWptJmkHvsA7289E8tQqSyaFVGk52WqZ2Oiyu2WuODJvlAy8xUl6VDTTHFd5REnKIDMckHpk_RY/s320/DSC09975.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502366911524094162" /></a> The place is amazing, with incredible blue water, nice reflexions, a bit of snow. The only horrible thing is the mosquitoes and flies that make your stay an impossible experience. The aggressiveness of the insects must be explained through the hard and long winters with big amounts of snow covering everything so the few months of summer make them eager to sustain their life and energy by biting everything that moves and has blood. We spent just one day in the Crater Lake National Park, but I would say it is enough. In the evening we went down through the woods that extend for hundreds and hundreds of miles. Oregon in general is very green, low density of population and quite wild in the woods. Many poor people moved from big cities back into small abandoned wood houses in the woods and they live with less to nothing. We crossed some places through the woods with shacks, and homeless people and it looked quite weird and scary but seems that especially now with the crisis many more people go back to country side life. Saturday we arrived to Oregon City where Terry, a 60 year old American lady was expecting us. She owns a very nice house on a hill in Oregon City and offered us the nice bedroom of her daughter. We were hosted together with another Spanish girl who was was travelling for 2 months in US. We connected pretty well, had a nice dinner together and talked about travels, people, and couch surfing. It is amazing how much good it can do to travel like this, using CS and meeting local people. An average night in a motel in US is about 50$...like really cheap and weird places, so for us to spend 1500$ per month just for accommodation it cannot be. In the 2 months that we have been already in the US, we spent 20 days camping and the rest with nice friendly people, the number of our hosts rising now to 7. On Sunday we were expected at the house of Chris and Jen, in Portland, but in the morning me, Malen and Terry went out in east Portland to do some shopping, wonder through small shops and go to organic farmers market. It was a morning for the girls because Jan stayed home working on his computer. In the evening we left towards the house of Chris and Jen whom I was hoping to be a nice couple with whom we could spend some time together having a blast but I was surprised we had some difficulties to communicate with them at the begining. I always remember the great friendship with David and Maria and probably anything compared to them is just not the same. We spent three days at their house, sleeping for the first time on an extensible couch (still I must admit I had great sleeps). The first night I cooked some Spanish omelet that we enjoyed a lot and the next night they cooked for us 2 amazing pizzas.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5fvCASywqVTL4nblq37xar0I_HdIwfOa2Q5KW7QhpKMmI6aHGuMYCCgE-EmobkfqW5HolDfDPAnAD2L1QyL6nuVBHUIpgqPcCguonVD5pft950p9pYtjaGSqlfE3Ad_uYgP4kyWAvkc/s1600/DSC00170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5fvCASywqVTL4nblq37xar0I_HdIwfOa2Q5KW7QhpKMmI6aHGuMYCCgE-EmobkfqW5HolDfDPAnAD2L1QyL6nuVBHUIpgqPcCguonVD5pft950p9pYtjaGSqlfE3Ad_uYgP4kyWAvkc/s320/DSC00170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364277456958146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57RxbGfwwFiThgXTyM81puJR5vvVEmesUrXaYqOXySyguwo-e3Bq4l1LIvbVIrVD1HKIe1WvizXP7PYmjoR5BMz3Ab7NqpS5bytrSNhRXwIOIhBKf31fXNK5tQRj5M7fiA4ucB0f761w/s1600/DSC00166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57RxbGfwwFiThgXTyM81puJR5vvVEmesUrXaYqOXySyguwo-e3Bq4l1LIvbVIrVD1HKIe1WvizXP7PYmjoR5BMz3Ab7NqpS5bytrSNhRXwIOIhBKf31fXNK5tQRj5M7fiA4ucB0f761w/s320/DSC00166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364270650100098" /></a><br /> Their hobby seemed to be cooking, but besides that they also were doing yoga. The second night we managed to discover that they are passionate table game players, so we began playing Carcassonne, and then Dominion (which I enjoyed quite a lot). The game captivated our time spent in the house so we managed to communicate quite well on that level. I suppose that for many people it is difficult to open to other people especially those who come from other cultures.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4vX8QjzzwDx-qG2D3jU4j8osv8av_1QiwAvTnGQRkASyUxUVToyeoj97jz3VGWVVLlgtvFNHpeQMNJeGyF3bqMGIeh106jFmc8c4QqE4itFrJRWnBjas5NiSilJpVEGNzohd-XCkMvE/s1600/DSC00092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4vX8QjzzwDx-qG2D3jU4j8osv8av_1QiwAvTnGQRkASyUxUVToyeoj97jz3VGWVVLlgtvFNHpeQMNJeGyF3bqMGIeh106jFmc8c4QqE4itFrJRWnBjas5NiSilJpVEGNzohd-XCkMvE/s320/DSC00092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364266355146946" /></a><br /> . During our stay at the house of Chris and Jen we went out to visit some parts of the city of Portland, but the more we try to visit the big cities of US the more it is confirmed to us that there is not much to see here. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsHsuLRjpUORhWxSeg9zLlLsI_AU8SrccY0UikHfz_E2K5qbTO5AhnD6LPwsIbDrvB4OIe04P8fov1ZnX6HFgpcKuX61r7yIT7-7Kk3XsJyNk6DASIV2Yx65AYjgpwzP72kL-aC94Gcs/s1600/DSC00213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsHsuLRjpUORhWxSeg9zLlLsI_AU8SrccY0UikHfz_E2K5qbTO5AhnD6LPwsIbDrvB4OIe04P8fov1ZnX6HFgpcKuX61r7yIT7-7Kk3XsJyNk6DASIV2Yx65AYjgpwzP72kL-aC94Gcs/s320/DSC00213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364934835114146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVGPrZhATkhIf1-oh8NBnTUr2JaWt_qfqelfC88w5auUCZV5zVdelDiN_J3tPMr1-OJ_Agj0HlEISm3TuRK5dD7MaCCQMdJKcMbrDvMPfB5feIHX_B1UUYOSSBvMpcZpC3WvMWnKVxyU/s1600/DSC00209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVGPrZhATkhIf1-oh8NBnTUr2JaWt_qfqelfC88w5auUCZV5zVdelDiN_J3tPMr1-OJ_Agj0HlEISm3TuRK5dD7MaCCQMdJKcMbrDvMPfB5feIHX_B1UUYOSSBvMpcZpC3WvMWnKVxyU/s320/DSC00209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364932031116002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWTsjxNW_j3CGnVZhbbvnxibFvNj0xCZVwDmPkzQa17PXthHfmgJP2FjwXPf7KYPfNK51YQaNkbdEMv9qhzR2ODhJkcksSWRB4QokV4WG_9jppQrfo5VN0rr5pPYxbd-rdStZqbqkLGk/s1600/DSC00204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWTsjxNW_j3CGnVZhbbvnxibFvNj0xCZVwDmPkzQa17PXthHfmgJP2FjwXPf7KYPfNK51YQaNkbdEMv9qhzR2ODhJkcksSWRB4QokV4WG_9jppQrfo5VN0rr5pPYxbd-rdStZqbqkLGk/s320/DSC00204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364924100342066" /></a><br />To be honest both me and Jan think that the American cities are not so nice, still in Portland we could relax in the rose garden, where we spent an entire afternoon.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWszseyg4XY-df7Rvq-ZBK3bqbvbc-wy2xP4te-fLzxldKEA-aaBToeLc173BLQdKRfqvMDBpo2gcJz_USztDwhTlj1x7iK1hbOAa3Jp9YBEVyM5IXX3HzKtH6u7DE10CQFIMQln1jzEM/s1600/DSC10434.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWszseyg4XY-df7Rvq-ZBK3bqbvbc-wy2xP4te-fLzxldKEA-aaBToeLc173BLQdKRfqvMDBpo2gcJz_USztDwhTlj1x7iK1hbOAa3Jp9YBEVyM5IXX3HzKtH6u7DE10CQFIMQln1jzEM/s320/DSC10434.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364937911852258" /></a><br />Also we did a day trip outside Portland, to mount Hood, quite a famous place for the horror film connoisseurs, because here is the place where they filmed Shining. After 3 nights spent in their house, we finished our stay there with a nice dinner and another game . It was again time to go on the road, this time towards Seattle but with 2 days camping trip to Olympus county and national park.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-47081086827177910222010-08-02T00:49:00.008+02:002010-08-02T01:26:52.216+02:00SAN FRANCISCO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP42T-At5a3u9dU_8nPTFI47TsZeNqTDPCraZZrrNXFzLUiyrR0LYApXsHWrabwSDvbo5B1DqvcS3L_Rom8hBuAS_CK225W6wFQ0Ym1Z57vsszpcuY1FDP6hCcVUKXqx22kS_A2Dsrl6U/s1600/DSC09420.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP42T-At5a3u9dU_8nPTFI47TsZeNqTDPCraZZrrNXFzLUiyrR0LYApXsHWrabwSDvbo5B1DqvcS3L_Rom8hBuAS_CK225W6wFQ0Ym1Z57vsszpcuY1FDP6hCcVUKXqx22kS_A2Dsrl6U/s320/DSC09420.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584180334630498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6ESSN2Jwno8b2egDu6LScYtgE-QL_XjCmdaQcI4n8RwIrXVAEnIEl4UIFcWa6AhunMc1SB6dzKT2V-eTvLcd8ehCnruzF514NdcqIlyAMRBRun1RrBpgba3xid393uTGk1AtgloVHiU/s1600/DSC09410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6ESSN2Jwno8b2egDu6LScYtgE-QL_XjCmdaQcI4n8RwIrXVAEnIEl4UIFcWa6AhunMc1SB6dzKT2V-eTvLcd8ehCnruzF514NdcqIlyAMRBRun1RrBpgba3xid393uTGk1AtgloVHiU/s320/DSC09410.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584179136179954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzkrPf3QyFaVfO3ub-ZveqCgNZ1en81Zce5yycuKNgQDUpW5KOAyGZVMQ_pOKm8p41xBudKjSCLwwWeAqUK4texuleCb2YjYBGC-VEr-pI0JfrXU1GEUQt2AYhAU6JIIj2XTD9ZkInlM/s1600/DSC09363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzkrPf3QyFaVfO3ub-ZveqCgNZ1en81Zce5yycuKNgQDUpW5KOAyGZVMQ_pOKm8p41xBudKjSCLwwWeAqUK4texuleCb2YjYBGC-VEr-pI0JfrXU1GEUQt2AYhAU6JIIj2XTD9ZkInlM/s320/DSC09363.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584174941144210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoS6kvFdZFdIB_IYCwEXMYEfknZJRiqc9jQmrbgpqlK7x7Nn-t41CP_elXKD3_kShaMfQCR_q3Sz-0GFtAu4pwrNnN3q8H16hu7yfTIGcmFr1_O6_-Ebluo3xIwh9xqJaJAD_5SNoq5A/s1600/DSC09275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoS6kvFdZFdIB_IYCwEXMYEfknZJRiqc9jQmrbgpqlK7x7Nn-t41CP_elXKD3_kShaMfQCR_q3Sz-0GFtAu4pwrNnN3q8H16hu7yfTIGcmFr1_O6_-Ebluo3xIwh9xqJaJAD_5SNoq5A/s320/DSC09275.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584167902308578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYT-92OLHBUv_aK7254LkaaOcVTzCfe1Q8CimViEiETuWgj5yPVAnzSWBJTVTmtHcbxtE_uHqotmineJB8TL-RdR6Dnh9yruJkkVKIQ54vTj1iT4YdfO5Ejxl_7MN99vSheuliYC8NxE/s1600/DSC09267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYT-92OLHBUv_aK7254LkaaOcVTzCfe1Q8CimViEiETuWgj5yPVAnzSWBJTVTmtHcbxtE_uHqotmineJB8TL-RdR6Dnh9yruJkkVKIQ54vTj1iT4YdfO5Ejxl_7MN99vSheuliYC8NxE/s320/DSC09267.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584163233552706" /></a><br />After a well deserved celebration of the winning of the football world cup, we went to buy groceries for the next days , including 2 camping chairs, a gas stove and a pot. I was really tired of eating cold meals all day long so I thought a little stove might help us make our diet easier for the stomach. It was a good decision because the same day as we entered Sequoia national park I heated some vegetables from a can and also I fried some sausage just to be sure we attract enough bears to our table. Sequoia National Park is beautiful, and in this park are found some of the biggest trees in the whole world, tall, voluminous, some of them older than 3000years, real books of history. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdABLytavLlObe2QGEb1R8qsA6zAehFxyYpQ__1CgWNsRrL8XUykDB9oAMcG4vk6VQjNCWKcirJa2BeGX-FCwEy1Zn8841A8haG_WwTvIuMsgbLBVq5S3gJvlO8FHo3lIOjLqY95MfMw/s1600/DSC09496+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdABLytavLlObe2QGEb1R8qsA6zAehFxyYpQ__1CgWNsRrL8XUykDB9oAMcG4vk6VQjNCWKcirJa2BeGX-FCwEy1Zn8841A8haG_WwTvIuMsgbLBVq5S3gJvlO8FHo3lIOjLqY95MfMw/s320/DSC09496+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584808234391346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXzuLpxEkJV4bnuK9-bPKun92M9rwIAXqGNRoo6EVXGysSYyzIZjb1mQlv1Il2quxlqixoe5ykn9VPmAs1iOht7txl9TDOUgxZNVR-qYTBG-zD6RXJqJseJtQiojOTp0kCAJKUtHJHGU/s1600/DSC09478.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXzuLpxEkJV4bnuK9-bPKun92M9rwIAXqGNRoo6EVXGysSYyzIZjb1mQlv1Il2quxlqixoe5ykn9VPmAs1iOht7txl9TDOUgxZNVR-qYTBG-zD6RXJqJseJtQiojOTp0kCAJKUtHJHGU/s320/DSC09478.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584802702037938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODddTpmf7XcWEthKUeLPzQZXaUWDoyUG5l-nHnQZOLNjt6hpmzd5AVKcVyosS8gkHEr9C_DGmxahr19D9WjlK887x6SRT6stGs8wiWFH5sgALfuBKSNm9b1N5qoZ9gR19cXefe_aOEIg/s1600/DSC09456+(2).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODddTpmf7XcWEthKUeLPzQZXaUWDoyUG5l-nHnQZOLNjt6hpmzd5AVKcVyosS8gkHEr9C_DGmxahr19D9WjlK887x6SRT6stGs8wiWFH5sgALfuBKSNm9b1N5qoZ9gR19cXefe_aOEIg/s320/DSC09456+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584798573037506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskkijTkAd4SAI-IRS2QYSSW63i5zeiMpwomnnueKlr_hHtlT8jQgQBamtQhz2ci1Jt189oSrEimBuCjVEnBS-tJ82R3RjQivRQRsfqoWu6ZboAPDv0F1dF2Fm5rQW4FpjKPfw8vK8L0s/s1600/DSC09436+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskkijTkAd4SAI-IRS2QYSSW63i5zeiMpwomnnueKlr_hHtlT8jQgQBamtQhz2ci1Jt189oSrEimBuCjVEnBS-tJ82R3RjQivRQRsfqoWu6ZboAPDv0F1dF2Fm5rQW4FpjKPfw8vK8L0s/s320/DSC09436+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584790365091666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB9N67S1PdY6pHotRROeIFzHKZ3Mf7D9N_Uv-rA_idZKi0cNi-ynjwP4EHuaCADZ19Lj31KvJ7ZChPTcZdZyaamabcPCSpEUMtSc4U3tK7IcAYUqSTK_Pj2nOS5m04dlWmYKjHnZPLCg/s1600/DSC09431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB9N67S1PdY6pHotRROeIFzHKZ3Mf7D9N_Uv-rA_idZKi0cNi-ynjwP4EHuaCADZ19Lj31KvJ7ZChPTcZdZyaamabcPCSpEUMtSc4U3tK7IcAYUqSTK_Pj2nOS5m04dlWmYKjHnZPLCg/s320/DSC09431.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500584788157372082" /></a><br />We did some walks through the park; saw about 8 bears in 3 hours, including a mother with her 3 baby bears. Since I come from Brasov, Romania, and I know how bear mind works I was keeping enough distance to be safe but Jan on the other hand, that probably never heard or saw a bear attack was approaching them at a very unsafe distance….still surprisingly nothing happened to him but the whole park was full of signs indicating security measures in case of bear attacks. We were also informed that we should not keep the food in the car during the night because the bears can brake into the car. As always Jan loves hard core adrenalin so we spent the night camping in the park with our nice van full of yummy food. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbevQpZo7nsAGxKDATUk2eRlHe6tyTp-fbJ3BKkYsgBYVc_Fwrs7558UUOZBLr9ByNUgCsa__VqPqn2b0vLsvTPMTN9N4JxUEMjZ-korNLjoJSEYlISc_Oj8RxUQh9V3O7qnouJ8W0cE/s1600/DSC09565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbevQpZo7nsAGxKDATUk2eRlHe6tyTp-fbJ3BKkYsgBYVc_Fwrs7558UUOZBLr9ByNUgCsa__VqPqn2b0vLsvTPMTN9N4JxUEMjZ-korNLjoJSEYlISc_Oj8RxUQh9V3O7qnouJ8W0cE/s320/DSC09565.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500585454744498130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXUyG87_foWCGUGVyIHTDJMvwIKh4_VayOesMJ46ij0kL7W3AvQhlcBPe9aNXLUtMvQxMWFZR5f36DAqePSxvbhpsCFhzXNSKSmsOYJPGyRgiaMU-hQCt9WE8Wh1UDFmgGj6MGLSNues/s1600/DSC09524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXUyG87_foWCGUGVyIHTDJMvwIKh4_VayOesMJ46ij0kL7W3AvQhlcBPe9aNXLUtMvQxMWFZR5f36DAqePSxvbhpsCFhzXNSKSmsOYJPGyRgiaMU-hQCt9WE8Wh1UDFmgGj6MGLSNues/s320/DSC09524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500585447882165442" /></a><br /><br />I could not sleep all night having nightmarish thoughts of a bear jumping on the car, breaking the window and cutting my head off. Next day as you can imagine it was change of policy day, so I told Jan we need to park safer next time because I cannot afford 2 sleepless nights in a row. It seems difficult for Jan to understand my fear of bears but I remember the times when I was living in Racadau and if I was visiting a neighbor that was living in a different house I had to stay overnight because you could not cross the street due to hungry bear presence. Close to Sequoia Park there is another smaller park called Kings Canyon, a drier and hotter place, but still very beautiful. The landscape of eastern California is amazing, yellow fields, hills with trees and yellow grass, many fruit trees, horses, farms, it gives a very idyllic feeling. They say that California is the state that has everything: from ocean to high mountains, dry deserts to snow, green valley and yellow hills… surely I would say it is one of the most beautiful regions of the world. <br />If you come to California, another destination that you should not miss is Yosemite National Park. The park is located on the west side of Death Valley in a higher mountain zone with green beautiful woods, meadow, lakes, animals, high picks. We stayed only 2 days here although you can spend much more time doing easy trails or more long and difficult ones. Something that is very typical here is to go and see the water falls, which are amazingly beautiful. The best light to catch the true feeling of Yosemite in a photo is the sunset light when all the east wilderness of the park is illuminated by the sunset. Although Yosemite is such a beautiful place, you can get tired of being surrounded by so many people spending their vacation and making the whole place look crowded. This is something that happened to us a few times here in the US, being summer, everyone has a vacation and many people seem to chose camping trips to the national parks so the beautiful scenery can be sometimes disturbed by the multitude of people. After spend 5 or 6 days relaxing through the parks it was time to hit again the coast of California with a destination that no one should miss in the US : San Francisco.<br />I have been searching for a host in San Francisco and it was difficult to find someone so I looked outside of the bay and I found Kevin in San Leandro and he responded positively to my request. We arrived late in the afternoon at Kevins house, a small but relaxing 2 bedroom property with a big living and a nice little garden. Immediately Kevin made us feel like at home giving us the possibility to recharge batteries, clean clothes and work on the computer. Later we had a small dinner together commenting details of our trip and he detailing a bit about his life, beliefs and sexual orientation ( he is gay).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18X1QhFKLhlGW5UAmHbQrqJ1uO0azCCNZcUyx_mILw02hUrKk8-B4JbZd2tUVrYg6Zbk_1ueVf4HutNGOT2PJe80Mm_IrcXk11-lHnoUB-ZTMlUrlAQut0frq_SDk3t79pJctL3IzBtw/s1600/DSC09783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18X1QhFKLhlGW5UAmHbQrqJ1uO0azCCNZcUyx_mILw02hUrKk8-B4JbZd2tUVrYg6Zbk_1ueVf4HutNGOT2PJe80Mm_IrcXk11-lHnoUB-ZTMlUrlAQut0frq_SDk3t79pJctL3IzBtw/s320/DSC09783.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586050528071682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedasIEndML2CrSFEoDbFJPZ0ZTdDPlmSNetxLeMlBrvVk1AUNBjghphyphenhyphen0t4cX_m7QUcDbdPNbX3yKzj47ss483J1eKHBZpsuVrhrMu42rVOxZ4xt4Q0Y23YzogJZ51nmKJ5mPiMP997U/s1600/DSC09805.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedasIEndML2CrSFEoDbFJPZ0ZTdDPlmSNetxLeMlBrvVk1AUNBjghphyphenhyphen0t4cX_m7QUcDbdPNbX3yKzj47ss483J1eKHBZpsuVrhrMu42rVOxZ4xt4Q0Y23YzogJZ51nmKJ5mPiMP997U/s320/DSC09805.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586044827553298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgaTXYloeXrvrkJSH8jLQjcrrOe67U2HeYUyW5-aGQ6L4he8eRydtBr3moAVRY6ypQOzuy4s18d8Uqrl6p-MofpKqGNTJj2FmXdAa6-SXISSx_gFgxnftsaJI5TL7k7ON9_GRJSQBjpE/s1600/DSC09793.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgaTXYloeXrvrkJSH8jLQjcrrOe67U2HeYUyW5-aGQ6L4he8eRydtBr3moAVRY6ypQOzuy4s18d8Uqrl6p-MofpKqGNTJj2FmXdAa6-SXISSx_gFgxnftsaJI5TL7k7ON9_GRJSQBjpE/s320/DSC09793.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586035696407250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Uxkh8i75AYDlTB5ANIUuKg-zapi0rC1fp1Ijdc6TnP8M9YNJm2WtzZANPchyphenhyphen4-gGCUVT9gAi5QVnBLmUn6tgNUDBmIRU6QEVXsu9nZlsQJEip-wN_tChT4FjXEhs4JyYwDmiKvqScY/s1600/DSC09733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Uxkh8i75AYDlTB5ANIUuKg-zapi0rC1fp1Ijdc6TnP8M9YNJm2WtzZANPchyphenhyphen4-gGCUVT9gAi5QVnBLmUn6tgNUDBmIRU6QEVXsu9nZlsQJEip-wN_tChT4FjXEhs4JyYwDmiKvqScY/s320/DSC09733.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586027608633858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCQVHGyth8B4h7yhM6sP18fc90bBGQKNdcfYuZ-QMDIDCzSOKrl97S2WbtPOkAUA1kPOTdlUiz0qor3h5ud3qIoqTElbK4vU6cIQIuwjdk9J8hm1Vt2F7yYk6l5IuANgNiTuusE3XgzQ/s1600/DSC09660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCQVHGyth8B4h7yhM6sP18fc90bBGQKNdcfYuZ-QMDIDCzSOKrl97S2WbtPOkAUA1kPOTdlUiz0qor3h5ud3qIoqTElbK4vU6cIQIuwjdk9J8hm1Vt2F7yYk6l5IuANgNiTuusE3XgzQ/s320/DSC09660.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586022217086114" /></a> I knew that San Francisco is the capital of the gay , with a large community residing in the area, with less prejudices and maybe more freedom of expression. Actually I think we were very lucky to be accommodates in his house because like this we could learn how society influences their lives and their political choices. Kevin declared himself still a Christian (he is of Irish origins) but not involved with the authoritarian catholic church and a supported of Obama. Most of the people in San Francisco support Obama. The second day in the hose of Kevin, we met Francisco, his partner (of Cuban origin), who is a philology doctor and a psychiatrist. We could enlarge our themes of discussions and also learn many more things over a dinner that I prepared. The same evening we were invited by Francisco and Kevin to a movie. I loved the idea of watching my first Hollywood made movie in an American cinema and actually it was quite an interesting film, with limited release, about a gay family and their problems. We spent a great evening, also going to a folk concert in a bar, Kevin also drove to some interest points of San Francisco. The night that we drove to the cinema we were coming back home on the motor way and we saw a big traffic jam in front at 10.30 pm , police cars and we felt that something happened so I tell Jan to take the first exit on the right and get out of the motor way to be able to avoid the jam. We did not know what was going on but there were maybe 30 police cars, ambulances, and firefighters…like a whole army blocking the motorway. Many cars were stuck there and it seemed like something really bad had happened. We were able to cross the motorway on the sides although it was blocked for several km’s and we arrived home before Kevin because he was stuck in the jam. Next day we discovered what happened. It seems police was following a car for speeding and when they managed to stop the car the van was full of guns and the man in the car started to shoot. It seems that the policed killed the guy but still they secured the whole area for more than 24h and the FBI was investigating the case. It was exactly one of those nights from the movies. <br />We spent 5 days relaxing in the house of Kevin but also visiting the Bay area. We had to cross the bridge into San Francisco every time paying 5$. We went to the old hippie area of San Francisco on Hait Street, where you can still see the hippie shops and a lot of tourists and homeless people. San Francisco is famous for many things and one of it is the architecture, old Victorian houses in colorful colors, big skyscrapers in downtown and the Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Gate Park. We saw all the attractions, but probably the most impressive in the Golden Gate Bridge.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJcMXWJajHDrMixQfWAufXfYx1YkHBdEBCe1E_h3MHpxlJSzjPdOAvJVRgsKjgLbaZBX4JJEM5kld18vUhc2t-yZcZNFB3y0_Dc_vwYDIlOoxa_OsFVG3A5OeC4fpPbOQDPduV59GC1A/s1600/DSC10157.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJcMXWJajHDrMixQfWAufXfYx1YkHBdEBCe1E_h3MHpxlJSzjPdOAvJVRgsKjgLbaZBX4JJEM5kld18vUhc2t-yZcZNFB3y0_Dc_vwYDIlOoxa_OsFVG3A5OeC4fpPbOQDPduV59GC1A/s320/DSC10157.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586799691551266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvcRQQzMf4nvQgz7_hYOUkBicr11-2KKleXgTjYDSU4AzRCdrt2fyYiFFGxzuOAsn-4lOj4t6HSwenY1MzDwhI-lXET2m3wKJRY-6OxaDHw95EQoeLQlO8RT4PyVScZtl517ImP34p58/s1600/DSC09927+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvcRQQzMf4nvQgz7_hYOUkBicr11-2KKleXgTjYDSU4AzRCdrt2fyYiFFGxzuOAsn-4lOj4t6HSwenY1MzDwhI-lXET2m3wKJRY-6OxaDHw95EQoeLQlO8RT4PyVScZtl517ImP34p58/s320/DSC09927+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586796595270914" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAYBwH713PLvCUv09I9ERjP13RUfI74IS1RwLQ2qP0qk_wwiciA3pQKLXi08HueZQ2jCXZHtLyOP5WbF6NyA28BS7vNz0aP5Vrl5Pv7HYrRygqzxeAqEIZxxj91IYU2KGmoKyPOOo64Q/s1600/DSC09842.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAYBwH713PLvCUv09I9ERjP13RUfI74IS1RwLQ2qP0qk_wwiciA3pQKLXi08HueZQ2jCXZHtLyOP5WbF6NyA28BS7vNz0aP5Vrl5Pv7HYrRygqzxeAqEIZxxj91IYU2KGmoKyPOOo64Q/s320/DSC09842.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586793371985586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW97fqYFR5HeRPIChhrHnADSaaslpjQkwP2scp6EJX7V3yobNZ8E32FVQSiNlziAII_ZRU5KxrqASIpnpA4Q6Fv7p8EWvhHrXzglLy9LXkQgZlX2jtNIIchhVcVO9IvvI7gtiOVtTt68/s1600/DSC09821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW97fqYFR5HeRPIChhrHnADSaaslpjQkwP2scp6EJX7V3yobNZ8E32FVQSiNlziAII_ZRU5KxrqASIpnpA4Q6Fv7p8EWvhHrXzglLy9LXkQgZlX2jtNIIchhVcVO9IvvI7gtiOVtTt68/s320/DSC09821.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500586785069358242" /></a> The cold and the mist were making sightseeing a painful job. In the summer the whole west coast but especially the bay area of San Francisco is affected by the cold currents coming from Alaska, creating the fog. All day long it seems that a huge, demonic storm is about to release its power on the city but every day passes with no rain. The wind that blows into the bay area is no less demonic dropping the temperatures severely. (No more than 14•C during day time). We were lucky also because we could celebrate Jan’s birthday in San Francisco and Kevin and Francisco invited us to Francisco’s house in San Francisco for dinner. They even bought a cake and two other lesbian friends came so we were 3 couples, 1 heterosexual and 2 gay. It was really a lovely evening, being able to share ideas, clarify prejudices and understand the American society in a better way. It was one of those nights that you will always remember and it will always give you the feeling that what you are doing in life is right for you and that our travel is the best thing of our lives.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-26978927638580379192010-07-26T21:56:00.006+02:002010-07-26T22:33:38.892+02:004th of July, Vegas and Death Valley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScQzmlljbq6_z9hSmZApiurwOi-kp-9g7cwtWafzCF75UpvdA1uRRJkq-pl-lezzIJiCIAhyphenhyphen6BbXHr_xD9FXHrmZ_UxBwGBEliwB2ej6umZDKhouN7VsOaL7zw6N2cXraZ60FnuYOa_8/s1600/DSC09027+(2).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScQzmlljbq6_z9hSmZApiurwOi-kp-9g7cwtWafzCF75UpvdA1uRRJkq-pl-lezzIJiCIAhyphenhyphen6BbXHr_xD9FXHrmZ_UxBwGBEliwB2ej6umZDKhouN7VsOaL7zw6N2cXraZ60FnuYOa_8/s320/DSC09027+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312335035786274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfUMjbXPi0YycizZ1glGlM_tAJmb992eDRgDWXYCF946wOsvHJnJ1ZbPceth4d1h1E7z3nX5M2Ix-nOrylZnNqtGWjqtrhlScEhr1qUvYsR4Bh3ObTe1w4Frvfhr0jeyyUkYRwf0waH8/s1600/DSC08870.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfUMjbXPi0YycizZ1glGlM_tAJmb992eDRgDWXYCF946wOsvHJnJ1ZbPceth4d1h1E7z3nX5M2Ix-nOrylZnNqtGWjqtrhlScEhr1qUvYsR4Bh3ObTe1w4Frvfhr0jeyyUkYRwf0waH8/s320/DSC08870.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312329084242962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPoPbDnMZ8AFmRJ1U2UPXGn5w7nzGvmSWDRKZoY4J3TKRTHt91c8JKJFTx-HKKkqh0xTnC8nRZj-cKIDLKV2cdy8lzscPfem4ERS40kzTafsDoH-UQ9nqii_tTzQIoQf4FssutIy8OcE/s1600/DSC08804+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPoPbDnMZ8AFmRJ1U2UPXGn5w7nzGvmSWDRKZoY4J3TKRTHt91c8JKJFTx-HKKkqh0xTnC8nRZj-cKIDLKV2cdy8lzscPfem4ERS40kzTafsDoH-UQ9nqii_tTzQIoQf4FssutIy8OcE/s320/DSC08804+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312321465360466" /></a><br /> I always wondered how are the famous American holydays celebrated in America and before starting the travel I also told Jan to calculate more or less our schedule in order to be in an important city for the 4th of July celebrations. We were lucky to be invited at the house of the parents of Justin and so I also offered to cook a Romanian dish ( cabbage with meet). Once arrived there we were expected with a table with hot dogs, hamburgers, fruits, muffins and drinks. It did not take us long to become full and as soon as it was 7.30 pm we left with Justin in his car towards the Strip. It was here the place where all the action (fireworks) was going to happen. We visited first the famous sign that appears in most American films – the famous Las Vegas sign and after a few photos we went down on the strip trying to park the car with the intention to find a good spot to watch the fireworks. The strip was full of people, almost bursting into the strip, but the police was patrolling all the time so no one was aloud on the road. We could not park the car at the Bellagio but we were lucky because few moments after going out of the parking the fireworks started, first with low intensity and then raising the frequency and beauty probably competing with some of the best fireworks I ever saw plus it lasted about 30 min. until all the sky was full of smoke. All the people of so many nations and ethnics of the world were all in an huge awe after each firework . It was amazing and at the end the deserved applauses came. After that, Justin took us to the oldest casinos of Vegas, a place that as Hollywood bvd. looked poorly taken care of and decadent with loads drunk or drugged people, prostitutes but also families, old people and tourist. It was the kind of mix that can both amaze you and make you sick. Not so late in the evening we went back home. Next day Justin was receiving 2 new guests so we had to go but because we wanted to spend more time in Las Vegas we contacted with Jordan from Los Angeles who is originally from Las Vegas and who recommended to visit his parents once arrived into the city. Annie and Steve received us into their beautiful home closed into a community of private luxurious houses in Henderson. We even had to get approved at the gate to be able to get in. So anyway, after just a few moments spent in the house we discovered they had these two little baby dogs Maggie and Annie whom I loved from th first moment. That night we were invited to a restaurant and we managed to talk a bit about our travels and about Jordan’s future travel. We were about 3 days in their house and I just loved being their. The decoration of the house was amazing. Steve in building houses for rich people….houses over 5 mil dollars but at least he has ethics…he does not build for anyone. Jordan is a lucky guy to have his family support him in his adventurous plans of life traveling. Lets see how long it will take him until settles down.<br />After these 3 marvelous relaxing days ( the night before going we went out in Vegas and played some dollars at the roulette, a game that we have been watching for a while, a game that has less possibility of wining – we saw a guy lose 3000 dollars in one hand)…but anyway it was time to go so Friday morning we packed our backpacks, said goodbye to Annie and Steve and to the precious little dogs and left towards Death Valley. The night before Jan advised that we should leave early in the morning from Vegas to be able to skip the terrible heat of the Death Valley region but I thought that if in Vegas the temperature arrives to 46C how much worse can it be right?....but I was dead wrong…the temperature arrived to 51…it was just painful, you could not breathe and the moment we got out of Vegas we realized we will be completely miserable because the air con of the car stopped functioning , but maybe in a way it was for better because our old little van might have gotten into trouble by using power to cool down and also drive through the region. Heat makes me a very angry and frustrated person because the whole rising in temperature completely goes against my surviving system. I have to admit though that Death Valley has some impressive views, especially from Dante’s Peak. The Valley is set about 100m below sea level so it feels like a oven even during the night when long after the sunset the temperature was still about 47C. I said to Jan to be prepared to drive till we get out of this terrible heat and we did find in the same park a peak that was only at 27C and we spent a relaxing night after a nice refreshing shower into the wilderness.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_AOOxJfQkO_8Husc_CEAImUVWOdziju1gafc_PHlVAqe_8HWuw1OgSxPuw3s535wkCblwKRwyMR_-VLL4dh1FMxn-mdxiKqgPz-KEqrfMW6mtHYQYckvVEhpws7eV-dCoYUXd1jf80o/s1600/DSC09238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_AOOxJfQkO_8Husc_CEAImUVWOdziju1gafc_PHlVAqe_8HWuw1OgSxPuw3s535wkCblwKRwyMR_-VLL4dh1FMxn-mdxiKqgPz-KEqrfMW6mtHYQYckvVEhpws7eV-dCoYUXd1jf80o/s320/DSC09238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498313455670596274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s7aI0-NCqFm-I9clec932ABY24K_hDAXxNClKTgvqq61BYQ63AGBMNnW6hoOAobljw8D9dNZjdsz97Yj6FEtOmigDvHYh_RxRhMipkDvbjAdQxcH5A2gXcV3iwy-aX85t7oE0-qAZQ0/s1600/DSC09227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s7aI0-NCqFm-I9clec932ABY24K_hDAXxNClKTgvqq61BYQ63AGBMNnW6hoOAobljw8D9dNZjdsz97Yj6FEtOmigDvHYh_RxRhMipkDvbjAdQxcH5A2gXcV3iwy-aX85t7oE0-qAZQ0/s320/DSC09227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498313447342265538" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS36Ldfqy2N66YfrvKWrnPFmTiWUL_LCehb_4f3Llvhu9BGoFWSWLR-fAtcZ9F9aVjqQtorywToPYtBOcTH8ITdChvnighhFh2GjIDJyDmvHE-j3b-h9SQEKqYKuKTrRhdrASgeLgDxKk/s1600/DSC09221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS36Ldfqy2N66YfrvKWrnPFmTiWUL_LCehb_4f3Llvhu9BGoFWSWLR-fAtcZ9F9aVjqQtorywToPYtBOcTH8ITdChvnighhFh2GjIDJyDmvHE-j3b-h9SQEKqYKuKTrRhdrASgeLgDxKk/s320/DSC09221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498313438921273250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEiZ7naLhwJKN1Ta6RbVZiNtHOm_j8mCGb5Gjm9zsSEouc2zd3UicXjdkJsv5WKh_cGzS6v48PrEScbJZtjQIVQWTtttpyNuSO-pohk2Z7pDvjpET-CGPCUGrLZKQWwRQ68C5ARngAQg/s1600/DSC09210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEiZ7naLhwJKN1Ta6RbVZiNtHOm_j8mCGb5Gjm9zsSEouc2zd3UicXjdkJsv5WKh_cGzS6v48PrEScbJZtjQIVQWTtttpyNuSO-pohk2Z7pDvjpET-CGPCUGrLZKQWwRQ68C5ARngAQg/s320/DSC09210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498313428785557490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGfJULo_3vT8zxWxFRalRmh4Z64BxZZhSnni6Buvu99qGWEC58kJzBqsC4J_6kGhIlvlYSAJqMmgd_xG_odpOHutRoM3F4Kxotpc-Krmyv30sO2j4XOt5w9-M1-kdhlVUcnILjPrGTq8/s1600/DSC09208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGfJULo_3vT8zxWxFRalRmh4Z64BxZZhSnni6Buvu99qGWEC58kJzBqsC4J_6kGhIlvlYSAJqMmgd_xG_odpOHutRoM3F4Kxotpc-Krmyv30sO2j4XOt5w9-M1-kdhlVUcnILjPrGTq8/s320/DSC09208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498313425066192482" /></a><br /><br />Next morning I woke up with new energy and I was so inspire that I told Jan that I wanted to drive the car trough the park also because there is no one as crazy as us to be 2 days in Death Valley. I drove at least 30 miles and I enjoyed a lot…sometimes Jan was telling me DRIVE SLOWER!!!!!hehe<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNBhCtgIGSSd-64I1sKN-pWtC_m623ycZvE0Xiyy4qXdWMtcnnHkO2PchCoJxbIkKwkHOVDpFPAFjErrHfOlKtawCPSxYYLmt5H_DJW_96S95xvUvpInAwOn-EmUVJHp1n31C9wFHSLM/s1600/DSC09169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNBhCtgIGSSd-64I1sKN-pWtC_m623ycZvE0Xiyy4qXdWMtcnnHkO2PchCoJxbIkKwkHOVDpFPAFjErrHfOlKtawCPSxYYLmt5H_DJW_96S95xvUvpInAwOn-EmUVJHp1n31C9wFHSLM/s320/DSC09169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312868568024290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZSa5H-sk808ytJ3zY4D_dOa_5GVpr4gQK1HAnAal4BAwkVaQPWpT5_4QUiGTZF_iSDByAUsVjMHvHoEp6NM93tmTQjpypBHcjO3ZMtMciA7-g_L8auRj5cN5K2ILp2c_Qc69vXPSoCY/s1600/DSC09089+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZSa5H-sk808ytJ3zY4D_dOa_5GVpr4gQK1HAnAal4BAwkVaQPWpT5_4QUiGTZF_iSDByAUsVjMHvHoEp6NM93tmTQjpypBHcjO3ZMtMciA7-g_L8auRj5cN5K2ILp2c_Qc69vXPSoCY/s320/DSC09089+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312866631782626" /></a><br /><br />Going out of Death Valley was a relief but still the heat in California seem to persist. That day we drove through the mountains on the side of a mountain river with many camping places, even Jan wanted to take a bath in the river until he realized it is too cold to get into the river and he calmed down. We were on our way to Sequoia National Park and Yosemite. The night before arriving to Sequoia we stopped in small village where we went to the only bar that seemed to be in town and we could watch the final of the World Cup and of course after a hard job Spain got the well deserved title and so we celebrated in the American way …going to a fast food..hehe. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysETAcfCGBHtMl6RRNWyJUNwlHoy-sbgPu43mJ-g9r-YJf241cdS0fMe2-oAthjNxNrhez2kWoy-1ELrc2-wf9_wQxfCniWTxqJ7QiEZS5x9EmqdT6SdBCY86g89KOD1s1ffnbR_JqZ4/s1600/DSC09131+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysETAcfCGBHtMl6RRNWyJUNwlHoy-sbgPu43mJ-g9r-YJf241cdS0fMe2-oAthjNxNrhez2kWoy-1ELrc2-wf9_wQxfCniWTxqJ7QiEZS5x9EmqdT6SdBCY86g89KOD1s1ffnbR_JqZ4/s320/DSC09131+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312858052210178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuGkR7JuGMRzGKYB8Yr4_JS9ZAp9YeOCVyDW-5vfyImvC65eVH1u6JnwMqGf5951X0SI4q49C8-U0rV8_L9iMb8n95msF2q0aPW8idip5RtaJal6gtGDx4Vw0QyaUWD0Q6yCD9IX-TOc/s1600/DSC09065+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuGkR7JuGMRzGKYB8Yr4_JS9ZAp9YeOCVyDW-5vfyImvC65eVH1u6JnwMqGf5951X0SI4q49C8-U0rV8_L9iMb8n95msF2q0aPW8idip5RtaJal6gtGDx4Vw0QyaUWD0Q6yCD9IX-TOc/s320/DSC09065+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312848677951682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkA5bsbNn7LptToFgU2v4LYErvCwtFpkBUZzDtvo7IzSmFaWOl-uBxOnfTRU8kNplY_EAsH2YXrdlIHaxtmkETWKPmgWDe3zgOHhSbgV32OOtwCEzm0N48xMsTeeXjeBETH2ASIA4oNc/s1600/DSC09030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkA5bsbNn7LptToFgU2v4LYErvCwtFpkBUZzDtvo7IzSmFaWOl-uBxOnfTRU8kNplY_EAsH2YXrdlIHaxtmkETWKPmgWDe3zgOHhSbgV32OOtwCEzm0N48xMsTeeXjeBETH2ASIA4oNc/s320/DSC09030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498312343694554786" /></a>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-36504092080577978792010-07-19T00:24:00.009+02:002010-07-19T01:01:30.411+02:00the Grand Canyon and other nature monuments<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdN-w5dtBOODjRv9hvJGnqbxEQ082lamXZAV8whqw96do_fIsGdtLR0tLXNv9An4iXpx3puLZKIMZzkRJdVwsNaWG6xeZwgL1eD_CKTuowPkH2f48terxkPAaKNPrGyiici9DxCMz420/s1600/DSC08685.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdN-w5dtBOODjRv9hvJGnqbxEQ082lamXZAV8whqw96do_fIsGdtLR0tLXNv9An4iXpx3puLZKIMZzkRJdVwsNaWG6xeZwgL1eD_CKTuowPkH2f48terxkPAaKNPrGyiici9DxCMz420/s320/DSC08685.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384837981010162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xLnqt_P5WYAdjEUajXeWX3Xppywya5gRmYhyphenhyphenqgmJExntOwKOAN_UNUTJCefEQoKVoswBPOB45fEUGD000Wps97w2cFcoCEEQoCOiFThx8un4G2KNP0z8SeaIh8pWi8egfc0LytxH2-o/s1600/DSC08683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xLnqt_P5WYAdjEUajXeWX3Xppywya5gRmYhyphenhyphenqgmJExntOwKOAN_UNUTJCefEQoKVoswBPOB45fEUGD000Wps97w2cFcoCEEQoCOiFThx8un4G2KNP0z8SeaIh8pWi8egfc0LytxH2-o/s320/DSC08683.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384833985602114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxjpDq_7ioHr2__ir0GuJMgSJcvnU2krfPumixsvwXR87Ho7zCW8WGuGp-VKkbzsKZ-25v9MkLCL1FSbkSgO-fLbGvfVBmqgxMbDa7M2C-YNYF8gwbAFcxPTJsoWckVxZBB6Cm2eYxBc/s1600/DSC08601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxjpDq_7ioHr2__ir0GuJMgSJcvnU2krfPumixsvwXR87Ho7zCW8WGuGp-VKkbzsKZ-25v9MkLCL1FSbkSgO-fLbGvfVBmqgxMbDa7M2C-YNYF8gwbAFcxPTJsoWckVxZBB6Cm2eYxBc/s320/DSC08601.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384821248712530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJip44Vfwc5EsU-ISthQQx8fta_2FSXC_EUMmG7Ov55zFA4kg8kP55jx2l55nfqvT1piMYU89qt9U-qrMc8pN4uZ3IIPU9SymLyAHfSmXaelRQEEB5FvcOv86GveXFfvLhrQmr9G4__o/s1600/DSC08545.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJip44Vfwc5EsU-ISthQQx8fta_2FSXC_EUMmG7Ov55zFA4kg8kP55jx2l55nfqvT1piMYU89qt9U-qrMc8pN4uZ3IIPU9SymLyAHfSmXaelRQEEB5FvcOv86GveXFfvLhrQmr9G4__o/s320/DSC08545.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384819845569250" /></a><br /><br /> The first time we went to Las Vegas we just stayed at the house of Justin, so we did not actually visit anything. We spent here one night and the next morning we started driving towards the national parks of Arizona, Nevada and Utah. While being at his place, Justin commented to me something very interesting, that after being in Romania for 2 years and a half as Peace Corps volunteers , he and Heather did not want to be Americans anymore, they felt that in the US there are no traditions and that people do not bond anymore, that it is difficult to make friends. Las Vegas was hot , but I was hoping that on the way to the parks, the climate will become a bit more temperate but actually the more we were driving, the worst heat was coming. We even reached 46•C and that was like boiling everything inside you and outside. I was in a state that probably I cannot even describe very clearly, you have to live it. The heat annihilated my brain so I had no energy to move or to talk, it was exhausting. Of course this kind of heat is more or less bearable compared to humid heat. After a few hundred kms through deserted plains, with sand and stones and cactuses, we finally start to see some hills and then continuing the road we begin to see the Zion Canyon, the first national park on our route. The heat decreased 10•C and so we were boiling at only 37•C, but the views were breathtaking. Because we arrived late in the afternoon and in all the parks you have to pay for camping 15-20$, we have decided to leave the main road of the park and take a side road, through the mountains. It was a good decision, because we found a nice place where to park and the temperature decreased to 27•C in the evening and to 20•C in the morning.<br />We have been travelling for about 4 years with a camper van so sleeping in a car is not such a strange thing for us, and our Chevy van is very spacious and it feels good to sleep on the bed that we improvised with mattress and cushions. The only thing that is different is that there is no toilet (we go in the nature) and no kitchen (cold food always). In the morning we woke up pretty early and we drove to the lake on the top of the mountain range. The lake was not that impressive but there were some nice views over the canyon. The temperature up here did not go beyond 24•C and I was feeling like in heaven, but as soon as we arrived in the Zion Canyon, the heat went back up to 37•C. The nice thing about Zion is that there is a free shuttle bus that goes every 15minutes and stops in several stations from where you can start walking or doing trails. I did 2 trails (one to the Weeping Rock and the other one at the end of the Canyon) and after I returned to the car and waited Jan on the grass, reading a book and relaxing. Later, when Jan arrived, we decided that we still have time to drive towards Bryce Canyon, and so we began the ascension through the canyon with amazing views of the cliffs. Before getting dark we started looking for a place to park for the night. This time the weather was perfect. 26•C in the evening and 18•C in the morning. It was our second night out and as Jan was feeling dirty after walking through the heat, he decided to take a shower in the wood close to where we were parked and he used the water bottles that we had in case of emergency. It was funny to watch him naked through the trees but the place was ok and no one came to bother us during the night. I did not try the open shower but instead I took my shower with wet tissues. At that moment I felt that taking a shower outside, naked is my limit and I cant get to that point, it would be too embarrassing. Next day was a very big and good surprise. The weather continued to be fresh (no more than 27•C during the day because we maintained the altitude of about 2000m. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqRQsL3Jq7AiPfsW1VxT_3JNzRmRT2cJaMxjzY3tQGTtw4ZQC6qgx8LrBKGOfxSS4iY3juD8dG7dcclN3FGlFVPRqSA1p0wvcbjag8d496n6C7ylBe_tDQMDV2OLJUaQbQscjbT1YFws/s1600/DSC08199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqRQsL3Jq7AiPfsW1VxT_3JNzRmRT2cJaMxjzY3tQGTtw4ZQC6qgx8LrBKGOfxSS4iY3juD8dG7dcclN3FGlFVPRqSA1p0wvcbjag8d496n6C7ylBe_tDQMDV2OLJUaQbQscjbT1YFws/s320/DSC08199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382029748716498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18CeteStEePZwBUGnpqVtSwyI0lnx-hP2tRZ_G6axgnoFhuUg2pSE3-OYiW3-6P5OZml7hS0Uwtdeeh2IAiniBvOi685oGgL_nrMguAr5AFK03AsHk_HOZ6kXQbSLnp1SvKTVEHWNRMc/s1600/DSC08153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18CeteStEePZwBUGnpqVtSwyI0lnx-hP2tRZ_G6axgnoFhuUg2pSE3-OYiW3-6P5OZml7hS0Uwtdeeh2IAiniBvOi685oGgL_nrMguAr5AFK03AsHk_HOZ6kXQbSLnp1SvKTVEHWNRMc/s320/DSC08153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382028485102866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCGtjIw-ci6d6pF-mgZv_V-Wk3gAuxcEGafiRx49RDZGgHuxSNhJn6W9ecO2CiyK_o81pi_0r7ZQWLciLLYVA3h38FGxW7hzB8tLt6rQVjsS-o20qsitiGSySbJNQSp0IxbEBVVHphhk/s1600/DSC08140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCGtjIw-ci6d6pF-mgZv_V-Wk3gAuxcEGafiRx49RDZGgHuxSNhJn6W9ecO2CiyK_o81pi_0r7ZQWLciLLYVA3h38FGxW7hzB8tLt6rQVjsS-o20qsitiGSySbJNQSp0IxbEBVVHphhk/s320/DSC08140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382017655779922" /></a><br /><br /><br />I did not expect to have so many pleasant days. Bryce Canyon is probably one of the nicest canyons where we have been. It is colorful and it has amazing views of a valley with lots of carved in rock figures. It was also our third day and I started to feel dusty and dirty so after we looked for a place where to park the van, I took my first naked shower. This part of the travel seems to have many first things situations, but anyway the shower was not very pleasant, but not because I was taking it outside, in the wood, but because the place that we chose was next to a small lake and it was full with huge mosquitoes that were trying to bite me insistently. After I took the shower we decided it was really a bad place to park and so we changed to another place, half mile away, next to another caravan. Jan took his shower in the woods behind the parking lot and after eating two slices of bread with nutella we went to bed feeling quite happy that we had a car and that we did not have to sleep in a tent, which I found even more difficult. At least by sleeping in our van we could start driving faster in case some sort of problem might appear. (We saw some other Europeans sleeping like us in their vans). Only the Americans are more repaired or have more money and they sleep in caravans in camping grounds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgM7HWBUAWvOqmOCvT56LZP45BJ8I_qlexgOhTeMtM4750LbNR0xyTMxxEuyvKkcQvfR560Nz-tQzhgafHqr_s6Ys3jFZgPrt4JQwWiDrdUQ7twtI1SfH5QgYGY4-xjGDIxqX81J2lSk/s1600/DSC08121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgM7HWBUAWvOqmOCvT56LZP45BJ8I_qlexgOhTeMtM4750LbNR0xyTMxxEuyvKkcQvfR560Nz-tQzhgafHqr_s6Ys3jFZgPrt4JQwWiDrdUQ7twtI1SfH5QgYGY4-xjGDIxqX81J2lSk/s320/DSC08121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382010467390674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONzW4pusJBy-rZiimIamgi8Bh1uh8ZOu3lXRU193H08JJhI5qb3d23CuzX31Eu5U2Py7-b0Wb0pJV1BOwR-FN8JFK0hP-RqrTctQFpm2aJ2V4Wd8SSZeLt8txatrlq1hr8k23_ulVHhk/s1600/DSC08084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONzW4pusJBy-rZiimIamgi8Bh1uh8ZOu3lXRU193H08JJhI5qb3d23CuzX31Eu5U2Py7-b0Wb0pJV1BOwR-FN8JFK0hP-RqrTctQFpm2aJ2V4Wd8SSZeLt8txatrlq1hr8k23_ulVHhk/s320/DSC08084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495381490994019362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z56-OIWuMzui0GUskjQkimMyi5CQ9nyI8v5kO_LCs-YqoRW2OPxjOHBxjQ504bIEZlv2MUK-BlUWjQos4DTjHGCZtzkFi86iyMQLVa2JBo_TazlGxl_fGPG5Tt0_ucQqsBNrDq-Op-o/s1600/DSC08074+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z56-OIWuMzui0GUskjQkimMyi5CQ9nyI8v5kO_LCs-YqoRW2OPxjOHBxjQ504bIEZlv2MUK-BlUWjQos4DTjHGCZtzkFi86iyMQLVa2JBo_TazlGxl_fGPG5Tt0_ucQqsBNrDq-Op-o/s320/DSC08074+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495381486533300146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_HZQXGinrUUIdZEM9yoc7xZdb3RQMmaS99qAJ0EnjNEwlLxfYRgN7lVGjuPZ-x-CP3qSfvtdIMR24nQZGbSyvChB89rOr2XE80WYqgCRn1SMIeEQgkzqB-Sgxkoi1nwRFyRNv2d4ZTk/s1600/DSC08043+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_HZQXGinrUUIdZEM9yoc7xZdb3RQMmaS99qAJ0EnjNEwlLxfYRgN7lVGjuPZ-x-CP3qSfvtdIMR24nQZGbSyvChB89rOr2XE80WYqgCRn1SMIeEQgkzqB-Sgxkoi1nwRFyRNv2d4ZTk/s320/DSC08043+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495381481069122194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlaYYFpIOFCkneSpZWUiY03bxnwKDRX8cLWGNgLWV5NY0c6f6slSJdcFnqra74HR5IlVLEMBBQsvIjZ2JE5WQZlLpTIYMHRvDov4RLI-5OLZ6OsFCJATornmORfzIAVm_wg_xuDUuYOc/s1600/DSC08049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlaYYFpIOFCkneSpZWUiY03bxnwKDRX8cLWGNgLWV5NY0c6f6slSJdcFnqra74HR5IlVLEMBBQsvIjZ2JE5WQZlLpTIYMHRvDov4RLI-5OLZ6OsFCJATornmORfzIAVm_wg_xuDUuYOc/s320/DSC08049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495381476906279298" /></a><br /><br /><br /> Finally we arrived to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the most important destinations in our travel. Some people told us that they liked or preferred this side of the Canyon and other commented that it was nicer the South Rim. The weather here in the North Rim was perfect 20-24•C all day long and cool nights. The views were spectacular and we even witnessed a storm in the South Rim. The altitude of the North Rim arrives somewhere close to 10000feet, that would be about 2900m, the sunsets are amazing , the route and the trails that you can do are longer, and the land inside ( not on the cliffs) is very green…looks like Switzerland. We spent the whole day here and in the afternoon we started descending towards south but Jan did not want to go directly to the other part of the Canyon that b road is 3 hours away, he wanted to continue visiting some other places more to the east ( Vermillion Cliffs, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon). The Native Americans also called the Indians, live in reservation. Between Arizona, Utah and Nevada it is found one of the biggest Native American reserve, called the Navajo country. You can see Indians almost anywhere in this region, following their lifestyle, almost all though very Americanized but with their clear physical characteristics. In Navajo country they speak Navajo, which on the radio sounded to me a bit Asian, historically they proved that the Indians of America came time ago from Asia. When you cross their villages or towns you feel like you are in a different country. Very few white people seem to be living here. When we wanted to visit some of the local attractions of the regions we discovered that they were administrated by the Navajo people and the cost of entry to canyons was much higher than our budget allowed us. Anyway we could see some interesting things for free and then drove to an information office up north in Utah where next morning we were supposed to participate to a lottery in order to win access and permit for Vermillion Cliffs a place recommended to us By Eduard, Jan’s uncle. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsG2OE7EFAf74hEjl-c_WDkhAkPVo3HAv4QLvdHqmlTK0IJ0gRv5oxeyPaPXerEnjD8TX_4ydTgNNDchRIyoDo2VUPIQ-njOW8K_UGb6HMPVmpW9C5m4sj2BrCHbGpQe5gvm9pUDG-qs/s1600/DSC08412.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsG2OE7EFAf74hEjl-c_WDkhAkPVo3HAv4QLvdHqmlTK0IJ0gRv5oxeyPaPXerEnjD8TX_4ydTgNNDchRIyoDo2VUPIQ-njOW8K_UGb6HMPVmpW9C5m4sj2BrCHbGpQe5gvm9pUDG-qs/s320/DSC08412.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382877078443218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5nZG-TG2Ra_47tVYgsC1inaYuS-O8VPvgdPsSlhZMivu0ntQZAWioQCiYZbyfssiNSOxLM3am05c_Ubo9w556iL2X_PuQzFnYzYxDj9yyEn4yzFIGVefXIeNTn5Mt8H1LDH9cVPszYg/s1600/DSC08357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5nZG-TG2Ra_47tVYgsC1inaYuS-O8VPvgdPsSlhZMivu0ntQZAWioQCiYZbyfssiNSOxLM3am05c_Ubo9w556iL2X_PuQzFnYzYxDj9yyEn4yzFIGVefXIeNTn5Mt8H1LDH9cVPszYg/s320/DSC08357.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382868378840098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNeOub4nge1JoMOTyzQEQFetfDQc79B67sJAwj_-XENZFjALic3mMcwzYRhvKRPRvN7skubgiAnqDJJNGxJ4_T29-37IuOrWBbee2SnE-LiPOjyzTheeoMBxxBA9g2OaOf5RWAXKjZ68/s1600/DSC08350.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNeOub4nge1JoMOTyzQEQFetfDQc79B67sJAwj_-XENZFjALic3mMcwzYRhvKRPRvN7skubgiAnqDJJNGxJ4_T29-37IuOrWBbee2SnE-LiPOjyzTheeoMBxxBA9g2OaOf5RWAXKjZ68/s320/DSC08350.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382863670572530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHfW86xoEgrSVqmfF8Spv0cWHtIydkCLkNQjmZzDwYpYHJGXcZguxIvcnJOxd-QEdy-g0kiNCMVVAijTN4bhBk8yquTq_mI5UhWe-KROPmE_rZDXr4junPRWqHUlK-46VNAqe1o5kAnc/s1600/DSC08269+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHfW86xoEgrSVqmfF8Spv0cWHtIydkCLkNQjmZzDwYpYHJGXcZguxIvcnJOxd-QEdy-g0kiNCMVVAijTN4bhBk8yquTq_mI5UhWe-KROPmE_rZDXr4junPRWqHUlK-46VNAqe1o5kAnc/s320/DSC08269+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382857471245090" /></a><br /><br /><br />This place looked amazing on the photos so even if I am not a big fan of walking in the desert with the heat, next morning I felt very excited when at 9 o’clock we participated in a lottery and we won 2 of the 10 places available. At this lottery came 30 people and 2 thirds of them left quite sad. The only thing that was bad for us is that we had to wait 24 hours until we could use our permit, so that whole day we spent it between a car workshop( we finally installed the gas for the AC) , Wal-Mart( food), a park (picnic), me driving for the first time an automatic car(I love it) and some other canyon where I could drive in the middle of nowhere with no problem. We spent the night close to the entrance of the wilderness, I forgot to mention that Vermillion cliffs is a national reserve considered wilderness, which means you have to trek through desert, hills and rocks without any clue on which is the right direction that you had to take because the statute of the park does not allow to make any modification or alteration to the status of the nature. <br />We woke up very early that morning (about 5 am) when the sun was not out yet and we saw that in the night there were more cars parked close to us and some people were sleeping outside on the ground in their sleeping bags. Anyway, we took some food and water and helped by some photos that the information office provided us we started the supposedly 1,30h trek to the Wave. Walking in the morning was very good because the sun did not catch enough intensity until noon so we could enjoy 4-5 hours of nice cool windy weather. We arrive to the cliffs in about 2 hours and I have to say it is one of the most amazing places on earth. We were walking all the time in the middle of no where through selenary landscape, deserted, lonely and that seemed painted on canvas with amazing red and yellow sand stones. Vermillion Cliffs and especcialy the Wave is just breathtaking and honestly in words I probably cannot describe it so I will just let the photos do the job although they cannot entirely represent that place. After spending about 2 hours making photos and relaxing in the shadow and quietness of the cliffs, we started the road back, this time under the force of the sun reflected on rocks. Sometime I had the feeling that I am loosing consciousness because of the reflexion of the light on the stones. It has been very tiring coming back to the car and after we made it there we relaxed a bit and we felt that all this time spent camping outside, disconnected from the world was actually very rewarding. The whole 6 hours that we spent walking we just saw 7 people walking towards the cliffs when we were already walking back home( bad decision to walk there at noon for sure).<br />Our next and last destination was the Grand Canyon South Rim. We arrived there in the evening, saw the sunset (unfortunately with few good photographic occasions) and in a way we felt sure in that moment that the North Rim is much better. Here, on this side there are much more tourists, its dryer and hotter and smaller. Anyway, next day we spent most of the time trying to walk around but because it was 3rd of July we soon realized that we will not be able to enjoy due to the huge quantity of people that seemed to overflow the place.<br />That same afternoon we drove the last 300km to Las Vegas, joining Justin again at his place and recovering our energy and also preparing 4th of July.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOzkSlBnxDU7SYzwNdG3-crpPZ-4tgYKcrVuO7mJREuVM9xjhJkoplJUC46CDm2wx348cX5Zd-f20Sr6O_7D33vfptlvi6NynNsviiXNnguFGQYbBJQ6XARf_S4DVTXqXiEMmwLzCvfw/s1600/DSC08509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOzkSlBnxDU7SYzwNdG3-crpPZ-4tgYKcrVuO7mJREuVM9xjhJkoplJUC46CDm2wx348cX5Zd-f20Sr6O_7D33vfptlvi6NynNsviiXNnguFGQYbBJQ6XARf_S4DVTXqXiEMmwLzCvfw/s320/DSC08509.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384057839387106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi21p4HMfr3kkBpxq3evYTvPeifw1H5P_C6PyVy-XBfoC60ARy_V3UAp89yfGCg4aFL0j9xl1_I9c86swflLeR5awWCdROgMWlzuQ9eFpL-G9eK7vRaIE1YTJYWbCTXWvO8MrGzljd08/s1600/DSC08438r.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi21p4HMfr3kkBpxq3evYTvPeifw1H5P_C6PyVy-XBfoC60ARy_V3UAp89yfGCg4aFL0j9xl1_I9c86swflLeR5awWCdROgMWlzuQ9eFpL-G9eK7vRaIE1YTJYWbCTXWvO8MrGzljd08/s320/DSC08438r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384053116928546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkOPHCDJbnn4NJQMDoNkwA0vtHZJDs9iFR7znvEXLy5uhQQT4Xl0rPZnrAlLh71CIOQRjWxp9D_HdAq_if5z7f9DmBdEG16ce4M3sNvbilsEzVz0bW3X9hfcEmqn_G8dnkLe9k4JAXuQ/s1600/DSC08431+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkOPHCDJbnn4NJQMDoNkwA0vtHZJDs9iFR7znvEXLy5uhQQT4Xl0rPZnrAlLh71CIOQRjWxp9D_HdAq_if5z7f9DmBdEG16ce4M3sNvbilsEzVz0bW3X9hfcEmqn_G8dnkLe9k4JAXuQ/s320/DSC08431+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384045850037682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhs-SiDgxNpqiWf8Q6ApcCwq6dg8X4xNd_vJiw31N72Ur4Vg0r_3b0p6ElkwS-O66Eq9gT7SAAo3d0X4_o_cqcEVtfrA1nRbFUNM-ZHpdQXvZYCc0vzUmUy7d9s5oUoHW5-6PzslEIaI/s1600/DSC08429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhs-SiDgxNpqiWf8Q6ApcCwq6dg8X4xNd_vJiw31N72Ur4Vg0r_3b0p6ElkwS-O66Eq9gT7SAAo3d0X4_o_cqcEVtfrA1nRbFUNM-ZHpdQXvZYCc0vzUmUy7d9s5oUoHW5-6PzslEIaI/s320/DSC08429.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495384043129419202" /></a>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-85811568737035370942010-07-02T01:51:00.008+02:002010-07-02T01:54:24.598+02:00Going to Las Vegas:) Nevada<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtJBikGcxI9es9Gc0fI_J_fRDwQPPJPDqhCap4QNmg6VA4leRHu3CLhkGWHRe3Rzvd-25dEeC299uwmY3cdUpa766ws4lDCGFGg8hUCtwsmPZqcznVB6qeiM5SPYZoXCBKynUNRW6nNI/s1600/DSC07986.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtJBikGcxI9es9Gc0fI_J_fRDwQPPJPDqhCap4QNmg6VA4leRHu3CLhkGWHRe3Rzvd-25dEeC299uwmY3cdUpa766ws4lDCGFGg8hUCtwsmPZqcznVB6qeiM5SPYZoXCBKynUNRW6nNI/s320/DSC07986.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489090425813397714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNkh1RmkJ5GFbn_DrK_odjQyWGcViheaZZ78Z-rqcvkHwTaYkOwszPlV0gsag5lFN9T3gp1KQJ1OsmyZLzrhzDqanC0_grMtbyayt9OhjphjdZkDLKNn8t7C9HiZZjDyYwKiCgJhVUgo/s1600/DSC07930.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNkh1RmkJ5GFbn_DrK_odjQyWGcViheaZZ78Z-rqcvkHwTaYkOwszPlV0gsag5lFN9T3gp1KQJ1OsmyZLzrhzDqanC0_grMtbyayt9OhjphjdZkDLKNn8t7C9HiZZjDyYwKiCgJhVUgo/s320/DSC07930.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489090220096819362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnpyNKpw0B-SKuQ9AGkHYokmaK6KNqispU6sa0lWXxtieEmFLu6IjjuSKWAWYjcASsDCafb94In1xjumIAsuevMzKeSn_E2MXqbDaomeuf_buKiBhKBkASCvl0VYjE90jFVYAqfy_C2Q/s1600/DSC07992.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnpyNKpw0B-SKuQ9AGkHYokmaK6KNqispU6sa0lWXxtieEmFLu6IjjuSKWAWYjcASsDCafb94In1xjumIAsuevMzKeSn_E2MXqbDaomeuf_buKiBhKBkASCvl0VYjE90jFVYAqfy_C2Q/s320/DSC07992.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489090145211607922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbgWfL8Qsst8EEk4Qctkveq-n9O6yWZ2J2CdyuyW0TICrdrcWAoH87KQGjidjmMDxpr24U7aGDu-2FhxxVZXoMz3WRpog8jzUlLSvnwamGYHSMVhxG_NH0HCS6-5UOdsiiHOE-LR_KxQ/s1600/DSC08014.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbgWfL8Qsst8EEk4Qctkveq-n9O6yWZ2J2CdyuyW0TICrdrcWAoH87KQGjidjmMDxpr24U7aGDu-2FhxxVZXoMz3WRpog8jzUlLSvnwamGYHSMVhxG_NH0HCS6-5UOdsiiHOE-LR_KxQ/s320/DSC08014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489090023780845282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON7s9te2ADe3RZQjkvZNlG4FiA5I4VARUTz7tH3vx8Rsk4A1snAX6pswK8KEWUGxylusJqmUhL9dRTp8zU4FZeX3lh2zmUOVBLB4-_VLHOaTxMQWzSJiz8okK84Gixek-QHqArTpzcpM/s1600/DSC07829.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON7s9te2ADe3RZQjkvZNlG4FiA5I4VARUTz7tH3vx8Rsk4A1snAX6pswK8KEWUGxylusJqmUhL9dRTp8zU4FZeX3lh2zmUOVBLB4-_VLHOaTxMQWzSJiz8okK84Gixek-QHqArTpzcpM/s320/DSC07829.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489089955395897154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL9dvsAlyQZXTyw03gkXKilZzMBzVcS_ZlwMw1Cx4SPWS11wSQ96WsrSUJIqO-bC1JOW4GuNvjp-0xK7NSD3z3WsVZaUMDrm2ohTSXhPMgrT-vDt-dssBQFH636mBhyphenhyphenlqk6WAjSWwSog/s1600/DSC07818.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL9dvsAlyQZXTyw03gkXKilZzMBzVcS_ZlwMw1Cx4SPWS11wSQ96WsrSUJIqO-bC1JOW4GuNvjp-0xK7NSD3z3WsVZaUMDrm2ohTSXhPMgrT-vDt-dssBQFH636mBhyphenhyphenlqk6WAjSWwSog/s320/DSC07818.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489089749359941730" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I am living almost anyone’s dream. It is not that I plan to build myself a statue, it’s just that so many friends of mine complain that they don’t have time for anything else but work, they ask both me and Jan how we do this or some of them they ask why, but to explain the true situations that we live, the beauty of the places that we see and the great people experience that we have….well I am not such a good writer to do all that but at least I try.<br />Its already 28th of june and we are travelling slowly through the United States. After we left Jordan’s house in Hollywood, we made our first night out, camping. We drove south towards Laguna Beach, in Orange county, because our close destination was San Diego, but all the coast was a prohibitive place for free camping. Or we had to pay around 15 dollars or there were only private houses or hotels. We were feeling disappointed but also stressed because the night was approaching and we could not find a good place where to sleep. We bought this Chevy van with the idea that sometime we can camp feely on the side of the road, but to park on the coast of California seems a painful search. After looking and looking we decided to take a small road on the left, away from the cliffs and we found a small road behind a nice residential neighborhood of Laguna Beach. It was the first night out, camping with a van in the US, so to be honest I did not sleep very well, although I tried to convince myself that no one will come during the night…and actually no one did. Next day we went walking through Laguna Beach, a nice but obviously expensive place. I have the feeling that here in California there is some sort of competition on building the best or the most beautiful house. We continued descending towards San Diego, that is only 30 minutes from the Mexican border. In California in general many names of streets or of places are in Spanish and there are many latino immigrants. We arrived to La Joya, the place where Josep (the brother of Jan Soler) and Ana, his Mexican wife , live. They are quite an interesting couple in the way that Josep is 5 years younger than Ana, they got married about 6 years ago and they still haven’t decided how their life will look like. For the moment both are still studying different things, Ana to teach Yoga and Josep is finishing a Phd in Linguistics. Here, in their house, although very small we felt welcome and at ease. It was nice to spend a few days in a familiar mood and also speaking catalan and Spanish. I would have loved to spend more time with them but we had to start going towards Las Vegas, where another couple from couchsurfing will be waiting for us. We left San Diego early in the morning on Thursday, and we started to drive towards inland. I knew that the temperatures will grow but I did not expect 44-46 degrees Celsius. It was unbearable. On the coast it was no more than 25-26 degrees during the day , but in West California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona we were boiling at 45 degrees. The temperature shock was strong for me and I felt sick all day. We entered in the evening in Joshua Natural Park, where we spent our second night outside. This time it was much better, first because it was weekend and second because there was no one. Next day we woke up very early, so early that at 7 am we were already doing a trail through the park. It was nice to walk through the desert on mild temperatures but definitely it is not the right season to be here. The walk was much better than I expected anyway. Before 9 am we already could start driving to the rest of the attractions of the park, but the temperature was rising from 24 to 36 degrees. The nature in the desert is so beautiful. Here in this park it is found the typical Mojave desert ecosystem, that is very fragile. Going out of the park, through large desertic plains, surrounded by rocky hills and mountains , we were struck by the heat. It was no less than 45 degrees, just like Africa or Iran. At least there was no humidity but still you could not breathe, and that was the moment when I started to regret not having filled the AC gas of the car. Anyway, I was mentalising myself to hold on, because the next 2 weeks or so will be the same or even worst. I was also noticing the scarceness of houses and I was telling to Jan that for me, living here would be impossible. I could never live in such difficult, arid and unwelcoming climate, but I was remembering that probably in Africa was even wors.<br />At some point, while driving, we got on the famous Route 66. We found there a very peculiar tree. The shoes tree, and later we discovered that there are more places in the world that have this kind of tree (eople just throw their shoes into the tree...even if they have new shoes...weird). Travelling through the US, and through the desert, there is one place that no one wants to miss and that is LAS VEGAS. <br />After driving most of the day through this dry and hot climate, we finally arrived around 7 pm in Las Vegas, more exactly in a small town outside called Henderson. There, we went directly at the house of Justin and Heather, two friends from Couchsurfing. I was happy to meet them because they have lived 2 years and a half in Romania as Peace Corps volunteers. They were volunteering in Drobeta Turnu Severin…a town where most of the Romanians never arrive hehe. That evening we took a good shower, cooled off from the horrible heat outside and waited for Justin. We got their house key so we could enter inside….into the aircon miracle. You cannot live in Arizona, Nevada, and parts of Utah unless you have aircon. After a quick salad dinner with Justin (Heather was not there because she is working in the Grand Canyon, south Rim- she is a volunteer there) we went to bed….we were dead tired. <br />In the morning we could chat a bit with Justin, and decided to start our 7 days camping journey through the national parks of the area. 7 days of heat.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-9874993939060958962010-06-18T18:54:00.008+02:002010-06-19T18:55:56.446+02:00Hollywood, LA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY3S6jJS9AWeJuXKMPg4A8xWLYcf7W607uteUcucOjxmNmGcvVa1OLf_uw2Ajw-v6YUcT_vg9XTjgsxzyQjO0w1yyugCJSrSSrhXxEdEkUcmBtqZ4WWYm-QOSfO26dbqk7Q8dm2wLCtc/s1600/DSC06875.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY3S6jJS9AWeJuXKMPg4A8xWLYcf7W607uteUcucOjxmNmGcvVa1OLf_uw2Ajw-v6YUcT_vg9XTjgsxzyQjO0w1yyugCJSrSSrhXxEdEkUcmBtqZ4WWYm-QOSfO26dbqk7Q8dm2wLCtc/s320/DSC06875.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484170726084455810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEQqU4IKr-_q1khUdENdda6D_A8D9hTIwHd2EBfMycaHKbmNCT3qG1Fg3n-jmd-g-KXpafEPqNMB2Woh7yUgoFriZU5IGnScvGsFRDxB2CODXT-cTw2RV7ZXTpSkM8Ck6q0XRcj4X-0Y/s1600/DSC07712.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEQqU4IKr-_q1khUdENdda6D_A8D9hTIwHd2EBfMycaHKbmNCT3qG1Fg3n-jmd-g-KXpafEPqNMB2Woh7yUgoFriZU5IGnScvGsFRDxB2CODXT-cTw2RV7ZXTpSkM8Ck6q0XRcj4X-0Y/s320/DSC07712.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484170159730626882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQt8LeMEFuUHg1kgSqxwD51SFgYxXgqiAYPX4v27AAszFfDMvsIBu94llk9l_DN_GqolLEl0O31_l3EeYwgNJkwR4m9z8TGR8T2kv1DUE0JGAbHmBcSjOL-yQHV4B4Mc73LfN_eS6J1A/s1600/DSC06858.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQt8LeMEFuUHg1kgSqxwD51SFgYxXgqiAYPX4v27AAszFfDMvsIBu94llk9l_DN_GqolLEl0O31_l3EeYwgNJkwR4m9z8TGR8T2kv1DUE0JGAbHmBcSjOL-yQHV4B4Mc73LfN_eS6J1A/s320/DSC06858.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484169726040716034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYOE1w2kgDJ3dbboCs9OYjF0VppIBALAkzqcVRcVIVn6AGrMQFoBsZfZoI-U_PFuZPFmEcMNy3mpiozZhsqoStHwvXa6VJ6S67ekvIObDhRUUHo_iUYtvkB1XDa4BTBf45dQ4MkFydfI/s1600/DSC06805.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYOE1w2kgDJ3dbboCs9OYjF0VppIBALAkzqcVRcVIVn6AGrMQFoBsZfZoI-U_PFuZPFmEcMNy3mpiozZhsqoStHwvXa6VJ6S67ekvIObDhRUUHo_iUYtvkB1XDa4BTBf45dQ4MkFydfI/s320/DSC06805.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484169243744643970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18O64ItRJ2RmBVe40od0MeeiWn7kp_qOuokTIEXOHhPmxq-RlpkeXuGtxSvwurL7xuxjTSb7oP6IoZeIcC_HZUudfC_CXNo4FShYDx5hWJzhFV_T9cStzzqbTcwS2YCM1u3T8FMicuo0/s1600/DSC07650.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18O64ItRJ2RmBVe40od0MeeiWn7kp_qOuokTIEXOHhPmxq-RlpkeXuGtxSvwurL7xuxjTSb7oP6IoZeIcC_HZUudfC_CXNo4FShYDx5hWJzhFV_T9cStzzqbTcwS2YCM1u3T8FMicuo0/s320/DSC07650.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484168620308764434" /></a><br />It's been already 10 days since we first arrived in the US and we already made 2 really good friends, Sebastian and Jordan. After we have looked and looked on the internet (Craigs List), searching for the perfect mean of transport that needed to be cheap and confy , we decided for a Chevy Astro Van from 1998, white and clean inside. Jan left Monday morning towards El Monte, that was about 3 hours in public transport....so as you can see going arround LA or America in general by public transport is not such a good idea. Anyway , going back a few days, i must say that our time in the house of Sebastian has been great. We met almost all his familly and we could spend time with them. On saturday june 12 , we arranged to go to Malibu where we spent all the afternoon. So in the house of Sebastian there were also 2 german girls, Stefi and Ariana( the mother of Ariana was of Romanian origin). We drove to Malibu but we let the guys hang arround on the beach and we met David, a friend that Bruna recomended us to meet. David was very friendly and he took us to a party of a friend. The girlfriend of his friend owned a house in a private beach in Malibu....we found out later from Sebastian that the house was worth at least 5 million dolars. The party was simple, people swimming and hanging in the jacuzzy but we felt a bit unconfortable,because we knew only David.<br /><br />I could relax a lot these days in the house of Sebastian. I managed to get rid of the jet lag but still once again it takes time to accomodate to the routine of the road. It is quite consuming. Anyway...getting back to the car purchase, Jan payed to the mexican man that owned the car about 2000 dollars in cash, took the car and brought it home. We felt very happy with the new car but next day, when Jan went to register the car in his name, found out he had to pay 400$ more bacause the owner did not pay the registration for the last 2 years. Anyway....we found out later that he didt want to pay us this money. In a way we felt cheated...but still the price for the van was pretty good.<br />Tuesday, 15th of june we decided it is time to go, so in the morning i went to buy some food to prepare a romanian dish for lunch and a bottle of wine. I went to the local market where i found a lot of imported romanian, bulgarian, russian , and turkish food. Actually the super market that was owned buy armenians and had food from anywhere. It was amazing to find so much romanian food, when in Spain i couldnt find anything. My surprise in the shop was that when i wanted to pay the bottle of wine (a romanian one) that i choosed very carefully after 30 min. of thinking, the women in the couter asked for a document of identification because she thought i am less than 21 years old and that i cannot buy alcohol. I was trying in vain to explain to her that i am 26...she simply refused me the purchase. I was shocked because in Europe i coud buy alcohol since i was 14...and here they didnt want to sell me. Anyway it seems that they ask for the Id to the peole that seem underage.I could take it as a compliment.<br />The same day in the afternoon, we left the house of Sebastian and we drove towards Hollywood, where another friend from the CS was waiting for us in his restaurant. Jordan was the second person that answered to my hosting request and also he was very interested in meeting us because he also wants to leave the normal life and start his trip arround the world. We parked behind Frank and Musso, the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, owned by his parents and directed by him and his cousin Mark. The same day arrived also Marrisa, a girl from Colorado and we met Maysa, Marks girlfriend. We will all stay together in the house of Jordan for the next days. Jordan is a very nice guy, with same taste in music and film as me. He showed us the house and where we will sleep and immediatly we made the sleeping arrangements. We were supposed to stay at his place for only 2 night but he invited us to stay 6 nights, because on Sunday there is a nice flee market that we shouldnt miss and a concert of Tinariwhen in Hollywood Bowl. After thinking about the options and getting accostumed to his house, we decided to stay these 6 days here. We walked by night the famous Walk of Fame with all the Hollywood stars, we saw the Kodak theater, the Chinese one, The Egyptian theatre. It is interesting but the feeling of Hollywood bvd. is a bit different from what everyone thinks. It is decadent, and i felt that also a bit poorly taken care of. In some places smells like pee and there are enough homeless people around. On the second day here i went with the girls in a shoping spree around LA (more exactly Fairfax and Melrose). Here the people are so diverse, and they dress so different that the normal shops for clothes cannot satisfy all the tastes, so they have other shops of Vintage american clothes, or third hand or even shops where you can sell your own cloths or change them. In the evening we went to the restaurant of Jordan(an old fashioned American restaurant) and we had dinner with Jordan. It was amazing the food the company and the drinks:)BIG Thanks to Jordan:)!!!!<br /><br />spending info: 2000$ the van. 70$ the smog, 400$ the registration, 400$ insurance, 95$ AAA, food and drinks-the last week-100$, new hard disk-105$(640 giga) , GPS-114$,Wood for the car-20$ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-80065675842220226392010-06-11T23:56:00.003+02:002010-06-12T20:21:05.647+02:00Los Angeles, California<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4exOdUrs7uVrZlJTpqMduhCdmjoZKVbDyC7KNmVglLkRtb_2aMQaCTWMJqVUHNkN1dThnNPM1MGUDuT8Zp89OZ-7zoBcW87WnXaB_Yk_I7lwf9vzMOB76LyOv9UAU-97TbPzERWWBgo/s1600/PICT3263x.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4exOdUrs7uVrZlJTpqMduhCdmjoZKVbDyC7KNmVglLkRtb_2aMQaCTWMJqVUHNkN1dThnNPM1MGUDuT8Zp89OZ-7zoBcW87WnXaB_Yk_I7lwf9vzMOB76LyOv9UAU-97TbPzERWWBgo/s320/PICT3263x.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481646031222750818" /></a><br />Before starting this new part of the travel around the world, i was thinking that after such a long time, people should find out also my view of the journey, especialy when me and Jan, many times have different points of view on the same matters or we perceive much more different each event or situation. So i decided to start this blog and update it us often as possible. <br />I have to admit that this part of the journey was making me very nervous. I was affraid we wont get the american visa, then i was affraid that we arrive here and they will not let us get in the country...i had all this crazy negative thoughts and they all made me very stressed. Traveling is not easy and it requires many sacrifices....like clean clothes, daily showers, on time food, a constant bed in case you need it. Anyway beside all the disatvantages that may appear the delightfullness of traveling is uncomparable. You get to know people, you get to see so many amazing things...its a crazy day after another.<br />Yesterday 10 of june we woke up early ...me at 3.45 am, Jan at 4.45 am....and at 5 am we left to the airport of Barcelona (a very rainy morning)where our flight to Dusseldorf was taking off at 8.45am. I was all the time incredibly stressed.I was leaving home again...my new home catalunya, where i was starting to make friends and i have a new family, i was leaving Europe, i was leaving the new routine and safeness to which i was getting acostumed....This is exactly how my thoughts were flying through my head...i couldnt even perceive the true nature of my experience because i was completly overwhelmed by the anxiety of my brain. Anyway we managed to get into our flight with no problems. Airberlin proves to be a good company. We get on time to Dusseldorf and we look for the terminal to embark our next flight to LAX in Los Angeles. It was very very easy to do all this but the stess was so big that i was feeling completly exhausted when i got in the plane. Our plane was one of the big ones . We were 288 passengers and in total with the crew arroud 304. We got very good seats and i took my first sleeping pill because i knew that if i dont do it i will be a zombie when we get to America.And i did good because i managed to sleep and relax. A few hours later i took the other pill so i managed to disconnect a bit from all the crazyness of the moment. Our trip is not an easy one. It is not a vacation of 2 weeks....you have to realize that it will be 2 years that you are not in one place and that every day will be completly different. Anyway finally after 12hours of flight we arrived in AMERICA. My very negative expectations about the immigration procedures were destroyed by the fast and easy service that was provided. We got to the gate of immigration, we waited in line, the officer took our passports, checked the visa, asked how long we want to stay , then he said he gives us 6 months with possibility to come back and stay more time...which was just great and there we are ...AMERICA....the country of all possibilities. As soon as we go out of the airport we find the bus that we have to take , with a very friendly driver. About an hour and a half later we arrive to Van Nuys the station where our friend Sebastian from CS came to pick us up and took us to his home. Sebastian is very friendly. He is originally from Argentina, but his parents came to live here 20 years ago. We already met his son and brother and parents and some other members of the familly. We feel very wellcomed and confortable. There is a big difference from Europe. The roads are very big, the cars or at least many of them are different, the houses...the cities are also huge in space because most of them are made of unifamiliar houses.It is an experience. I went to bed very early to recover from the tiredness that i accumulated and got up early today ...i dont feel the jetlag...We went walking in the mornig and buyed a phone, a number, a bit of food...ad just came back to spend another day in the house of Sebastian getting to now him and his family:).Also today we will see a van and decide if we like it or not:)A car is very necessary here...Just goig on foot you dont get anywhere...the distances are too big:)<br /><br />Expences made since we arrived:12$ the bus to Van Nuys. 52$ telefone and number with credit. 20$ some food, wine and a locker.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-22640164945947691692010-06-07T20:21:00.000+02:002010-06-07T20:28:43.163+02:00EUROPA-our first travel book<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKv6PBzcdcWxRR7OTyeUpGZ_chV2kksFZNc_IMGItiZEIY-XPlVKulfvOClvkvIJ-YaNwHCiO4vsv1zjaTVjhpv-7sNRRy3EfWd_wbpJftcsZLMVFFcNnbiNwwTIFLHcdOmwik1TfQ_g/s1600/portadaweb.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKv6PBzcdcWxRR7OTyeUpGZ_chV2kksFZNc_IMGItiZEIY-XPlVKulfvOClvkvIJ-YaNwHCiO4vsv1zjaTVjhpv-7sNRRy3EfWd_wbpJftcsZLMVFFcNnbiNwwTIFLHcdOmwik1TfQ_g/s320/portadaweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480099459359015762" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><br /><strong>On the 9th of june we invite you to the presentation of our first travel book Europa, written by Jan , at the library La Tralla in Vic, Catalunya. You can also buy the book from us for 18 euro. The book its only in catalan for the moment. Future edition could be in spanish:) if we get positive feedback:).</strong>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-48374727755872229142009-12-16T18:46:00.000+01:002009-12-16T18:52:53.942+01:00amigos de lejos<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">El viaje tiene el aliciente de la impaciencia en su preparacion, del lento discurrir por sensaciones nuevas y la nostalgia del recuerdo</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">un email de una amiga:)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">Hola Alexandra, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">Entiendo muy bien lo que dices. Hace 18 meses que regresé...yo, que tan difíciles se me hicieron aquellos primeros meses de mi vuelta a esta Europa que sólo piensa en si misma hoy sin embargo me he acostumbrado a su seguridad y a su comodidad.Lo valoro mucho y quizá por eso no me quejo...Creo que es porque en una gran ciudad como Londres la vida pasa muy deprisa y vas del trabajo a las clases y a casa...y en mi tiempo libre siempre tengo los museos, la vida cultural de Londres.Necesito volver a viajar...para no acostumbrarme a la comodidad!...porque Europa te atrapa con sus encantos.Nos acostumbramos a tenerlo todo. Cuando me llegan cartas y blogs de otros viajeros, cuando miro fotos es entonces como un despertar...entonces me paro a recordar los lugares y las gentes...recuerdo como se vive en eso lugares en guerras, sin agua, sin luz, las dificultades por ser mujer...Y entonces se que debo emprender viaje. No un viaje eterno, sin limites como fue el anterior, porque quiero tener raíces en un lugar y tener una casa, una familia, un trabajo y soy consciente de que tengo una deuda con esta sociedad europea que me dio la posibilidad de viajar...sino un viaje de dos, tres meses, que me permita volver a ver el mundo y no olvidar. Acabo de recibir unas fotos por e-mail de una reunión familiar y he visto a mi padre muy envejecido desde que ahora hace un año sufrió una embolia. Aunque se ha recuperado no es el mismo. Los meses siguientes a su enfermedad, cuando aun andaba entre médicos y visitas al hospital, la enfermedad y la posibilidad de la muerte estuvo siempre presente en la familia. Fue como un aviso que nos hizo pararnos a reflexionar...pero con los meses parece que lo hemos olvidado. En Londres hay fiebre, pero no la fiebre como enfermedad, sino la fiebre de comprar. El pasado sábado se cerró Oxford Street al tráfico para que la gente pudiera comprar. Se gastaron en un solo día 300.000 libras. Los periódicos decían:'un bolso de marca que en Europa cuesta 700€ aquí solo 500€'...y la gente compra y compra. Y hay muchos españoles e italianos ahora que la libra esta igual que el euro.Todos los juguetes son 'made in China' y la ropa de la cadena 'Primark' donde todos compran a precios bajos esta hecha en Bangladesh o India, donde les pagan 8 peniques por hora. Recuerdo esto a la gente y me responden que por lo menos tienen trabajo gracias a nosotros. Cuando viajaba la Navidad tenía un sentido muy especial para mí. Sin grandes celebraciones, con la gente que luchaba día a día por sobrevivir, siempre mantuve la esperanza de que el nuevo año nos trajera un mundo mejor. Que la situación había que cambiarla desde Europa.Pero aquí nada les interesa. Han alcanzado los 100 soldados ingleses muertos en Afganistán. Esa noticia con las fotos de los soldados la publicaron en todos los periódicos. Ese día un atentado en Bagdad dejó más de 100 muertos y 200 heridos. Apenas unas líneas. Ya ni se acuerdan.Y si se te ocurre mencionarlo en el trabajo a nadie le interesa. Van deprisa...no sonríen...no tiene tiempo para pararse a pensar. Si lo hicieran quizá verían que su vida esta vacía. Recuerdo cuando en la ultima Navidad de mi viaje entré en Siria, en Aleppo y en el barrio cristiano vi las iglesias, y el árbol, las luces... y me emocioné. Y mi comida fue un panecillo en el mercado y unos dulces que me ofrecieron en la guest house más humilde de Aleppo. Pero creo que despues del viaje vosotros encontrareis el sentido de la Navidad. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">Un abrazo, xxx</span>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-47797856778707009812009-06-19T18:40:00.000+02:002009-06-19T18:46:51.367+02:00a quote along the way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinpkfJTPYoFKPB0oDCCCqiuaP5DHyQYgEXyRW2g3QlGKKxdxdvJLN8TJp_mvdia72zbYU3oyj_4Ls6c7xlTJeznSB10VNiAJexwHbB0kPO5VPeAiw9l_1ZHap2lTLxa1MFAkpReOZE0k/s1600-h/DSC06205.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349081134080475698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinpkfJTPYoFKPB0oDCCCqiuaP5DHyQYgEXyRW2g3QlGKKxdxdvJLN8TJp_mvdia72zbYU3oyj_4Ls6c7xlTJeznSB10VNiAJexwHbB0kPO5VPeAiw9l_1ZHap2lTLxa1MFAkpReOZE0k/s320/DSC06205.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">"Man's sensitivity to beauty grows as he gets closer to happiness. In beauty, all things find their justification, their raison d'être. We conceive a beautiful thing such as it is. A painting or a landscape delights us to such an extent that we can not imagine them in any other way but what they are.To place the world under the sign of beauty is to assert that it is as it should be. Then all is glorious harmony, and even the negative aspects of existence do nothing but increase its glory and charm.Beauty will not bring us salvation, but it will bring us closer to happiness."</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#660000;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#660000;">i dont know who wrote it but it reminds me of the following prhase:" beauty is in the eye of the beholder"</span></strong></div>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-43544089227842047352009-06-19T18:27:00.000+02:002009-06-19T18:37:06.458+02:00a poem i wrote 4 years ago....old times<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeBOtRJwngMgpHFBCyEDNYyLNJwctnORwLXhN3n99VAMm2-A9XXFjx5HbhU6IGmLRtsAo3MQa4B9hDYP2lo5C3ZurVdYbAQnUBVd_5g2ZGWUHeXApC38AGH9xk9BD684KOSFKbJCWDjw/s1600-h/DSCF4085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349078581743481826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeBOtRJwngMgpHFBCyEDNYyLNJwctnORwLXhN3n99VAMm2-A9XXFjx5HbhU6IGmLRtsAo3MQa4B9hDYP2lo5C3ZurVdYbAQnUBVd_5g2ZGWUHeXApC38AGH9xk9BD684KOSFKbJCWDjw/s320/DSCF4085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Goobye to the self!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A light shouting in your mind!</div><br /><div>The presence of loneliness is coming from behind.</div><br /><div>And what is it silence if not a cure?</div><br /><div>Spoken forever, never listened for sure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I really hurt you with my pain!</div><br /><div>No silly arguments to reduce or restrain</div><br /><div>I feel that " you coming" is just an excuse</div><br /><div>Forever tempted but never induced.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And what are your words if not a trial</div><br /><div>Keeping you waiting seduced in denial.</div><br /><div>I am a madman forever exposed</div><br /><div>My heart is not beating, i am tired and closed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am the moon that is clearing your sky</div><br /><div>My night is just coming but your the one that died</div><br /><div>Don't keep me waiting with flowers and rimes!</div><br /><div>I will forget you as soon as time comes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>You are a wanderer and i am the quest</div><br /><div>Who cannot judge you has lost my request</div><br /><div>For all those who wonder where their soul is,</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>I will just tell them: forget that I is.</strong></div>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-3350209559507918352009-06-14T20:12:00.000+02:002009-06-14T20:20:06.727+02:00Iran!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOIq1L9R9tf-HadNTzBWbhjbbpBnRoF2HNfnibojrmNQ67Ewr220FsM9D7rHZccwHMSD5P1cQafW5nQoF4VzHLoK8xOsQ5ACv0PA1JdcrPax7ZglQZBO5N96KK4_ami3QEpxs9wlZwT4/s1600-h/DPP_54.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347249442051544690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOIq1L9R9tf-HadNTzBWbhjbbpBnRoF2HNfnibojrmNQ67Ewr220FsM9D7rHZccwHMSD5P1cQafW5nQoF4VzHLoK8xOsQ5ACv0PA1JdcrPax7ZglQZBO5N96KK4_ami3QEpxs9wlZwT4/s320/DPP_54.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#330033;"><em>I have visited Iran in 2008 and since then I have become in love with this country, its culture and the people there. To be honest it is the country that most surprised me and that maybe I have enjoyed due to the great hospitality and friendliness that I encountered there. After just 2 months spent in the country I feel that I want to go back to enjoy and explore the secret wonders that are hidden there but also to enrich my heart with the warmth of the people there. I have started to read books about it, to search information, and to search even the delicate and discreet company of Iranians. They are polite, respectful, trustworthy with hearts of poets. I really do not know why I have such an attraction towards this land and I have to admit that every time an Iranian starts to speak to me in Farsi I feel a strange emotion, a sudden desire to understand this beautiful language, to enjoy its secrets and its poetry.<br /><br />As I always say to my friends this land is strange but beautiful, it contains so much black(the oil, the chadors) but also so much light and color(the most beautiful blue in the color of the mosques, colorful flowers, fruits, carpets, miniature, vails).<br /><br />For an interesting read I can recommend you Hafez poetry. A systemic representation of key concepts is found in the mystical poetry of Hafiz- Shams-ud-din Mohammad Hafiz Shirazi is a well known mystic-poet philosopher of the 14th century Iran (approximately 1320-1389). He is known as Khajeh Hafiz (The Master Memorizer of Quran), Losan-ul-ghyb (The Tongue of The Hidden), Tarjomanul-Asrar (The Interpreter of Secrets).<br /><br />More about Iran soon<br /><br />"Open my grave when I am dead, and thou shalt see a cloud of smoke rising out from it; then shalt thou know that the fire still burns in my dead heart -- yea, it has set my very winding-sheet alight."<br />"If the scent of her hair were to blow across my dust when I had been dead a hundred years, my mouldering bones would rise and come dancing out of the tomb."<br />"I have estimated the influence of Reason upon Love and found that it is like that of a raindrop upon the ocean, which makes one little mark upon the water's face and disappears."</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#330033;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#330033;"><em>Hafez</em></span></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></div>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-18882916063533905202009-06-14T11:27:00.000+02:002009-06-15T15:16:08.400+02:00Voice for Iranian people! Azadeh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRotGC8NZJNQFYgaQLTj7LWer5wgO8Ce0n_-z75pNl1g19Qk1BBBaXinOKIheQi4PEEGFLmp3rX6gNwYzQTopMbXnpvJP02rdvrubgRvHuNERbFPF2nTd3QbUsoDI9h7NOjyTN1BKtEA/s1600-h/DSC01622.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347542421080122530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRotGC8NZJNQFYgaQLTj7LWer5wgO8Ce0n_-z75pNl1g19Qk1BBBaXinOKIheQi4PEEGFLmp3rX6gNwYzQTopMbXnpvJP02rdvrubgRvHuNERbFPF2nTd3QbUsoDI9h7NOjyTN1BKtEA/s320/DSC01622.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Azadeh!<br />This is a post in support to all my Iranian friends that hope for a change!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><br />The 2009 Iranian presidential election was held on 12 June 2009 in <a title="Iran" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran">Iran</a>,<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-0">[1]</a> the tenth presidential election to be held in the country.<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-daily-1">[2]</a> The <a title="President of Iran" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Iran">President of Iran</a> is the highest official elected by direct popularly vote, but does not control foreign policy or the armed forces. Candidates have to be vetted by the <a title="Guardian Council" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardian_Council">Guardian Council</a>, a twelve member body consisting of six clerics (selected by Iran's Supreme Leader), and six lawyers (proposed by the head of Iran's judicial system and voted in by the Parliament).<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-baz-2">[3]</a><br />With two-thirds of the votes counted, the <a title="Islamic Republic News Agency" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Republic_News_Agency">Islamic Republic News Agency</a>, Iran's official news agency, announced that incumbent <a title="Mahmoud Ahmadinejad" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejad">Mahmoud Ahmadinejad</a> had won the election with 66% of the votes cast.<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-AJE1-3">[4]</a> <a title="Mir-Hossein Mousavi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mir-Hossein_Mousavi">Mir-Hossein Mousavi</a> received 33% of the votes cast.<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-NYT-4">[5]</a><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-5">[6]</a> The <a title="European Union" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union">European Union</a> said it was "concerned about alleged irregularities" during the vote<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-6">[7]</a>, and many international observers expressed doubts about the authenticity of the results.<br />Mousavi issued a statement saying, "I'm warning that I won't surrender to this charade," and he urged his backers to fight the decision as well as to avoid committing acts of violence.<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009#cite_note-free-7">[8]</a> Protests, in favour of Mousavi and against the alleged fraud, broke out in <a title="Tehran" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran">Tehran</a>. <a title="Supreme Leader of Iran" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Leader_of_Iran">Supreme Leader</a> <a title="Ayatollah" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayatollah">Ayatollah</a> <a title="Ali Khamenei" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khamenei">Ali Khamenei</a> urged the nation to unite behind Ahmadinejad, labeling his victory as a "divine assessment".(wikipedia)<br /><br />Yesterday was a very important day for Iranians all around the world and not only in Iran. I had the oportunity to join some of them and manifest in front of the Iranian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and also to go to the gathering hold in the campain offices for Mousavi.<br /><br />I have seen sad and very serious faces of young people. Young people like us with hopes for a better future, with love for their home land and unfortunatly yesterday hasnt been a good day. There are serious claims that the elections in Iran have been frauded and i have been witness to confesses from people that were in the elections and that told me that the number of the votes has been reversed and that Mousavi is the real winner in this year elelctions.<br /><br />I have compassion for all my friends in Iran and hope that they will face soon a better future ! Iran is a surprising and impressive country and the people there deserve a chance to freedom of choice.<br /><br />Good luck my friends!Azadeh!</div>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-82705388741238122612009-05-02T09:26:00.000+02:002009-05-02T09:44:26.689+02:00cu tâlcCred in descatusarea mintii si a sufletului, in pata de culoare care ne lumineaza ochii in fiecare zi ,amprenta lasata de sentimentul implinirii pe care il simtim traind. Viata noastra nu se limiteaza la a merge , respira si manca ci ea este mai profunda desi nu apucam sa ii atingem zilnic toate profunzimile si tâlcurile. Acest lucru se intampla numai in momentele de contemplare ale vietii, momente pe care le cream din dorinta si nevoia de a ne simti speciali si de a simtii ca ceea ce ni se intampla este special. Suntem tacuti cateodata cu noi insine, insa cuvintele ne curg in fata celorlalti iar alte dati suntem tacuti fata de ceilalti si impartasim in interior nenumarate impresii si vise. Poate acela este momentul cand reusim sa visam cu ochii deschisi, sa ne interpunem intre noi din punct de vedere material si visele noastre. Mi-ar place sa cred ca suntem vizionari, ca avem proiectii ale unui viitor mai placut insa acest viitor il proiectam traind in prezent si poate si necrezand in materializarea acestui viitor. Unii am vrea sa traim acum viitorul iar altii am vrea sa ne retraim trecutul dar de fapt nu putem trai decat acum, nu putem mirosi decat acum nu putem rememora decat acum. Va spun toate aceste lucruri pentru ca acum este cald, si pentru ca am vrea sa fim intr-o gradina racoroasa asa ca La Tiganci si asa ne-am trai noi prezentul stand asezati pe un sezlong cu ceaiul rece asezat pe msauta din stanga noastra. Cu picioarele intinse si mintea relaxata am incepe sa proiectam vise. Cred ca asta inseamna a visa cu deschisi , pentru ca pretextul gradinii racoroase il putem gasi si intr-o clipa de relaxare la birou sau in drum spre casa sau intr-un weekend alaturi de prieteni. Noi suntem oameni pentru ca realizam asta si pentru ca putem sa fim asa cum am vrea, important este insa sa vrem , sa vrem cu tot dinadinsul sa ne vedem pe noi facand lucruri si sa le impartasim celorlalti ardoarea noastra. Si din toate astea ma gandesc cat de important este sa visam si sa fim visati de ceilalti. Oare cum ar fi sa stii ca esti in visele cuiva, ca faci parte din proiectia cuiva in visul sau de fericire. Mda...e intradevar placut sa visam despre vise. Si cu toate astea realizam ca visam acum si ca nu visam maine ci visam poate despre maine. Suntem simpli ca visam dar suntem si complexi prin faptul ca realizam ca visam. Sa fim onesti deci cu noi si nu asprii si tristi. Sa fim devotati vietii si iubirii si nu urii si pieirii. Si seara vine in gradina noastra si vom continua sa visam dar cu ochii inchisi. Si vom vedea culori si simboluri neclare , vom simtii imbratisari pierdute si zambete ascunse, vom auzi in visul noptii soapte si chemari, dar vom continua sa ne dormim visul. Nu vreau decat sa va spun ca putem sa ne traim viata frumos, sa respiram aerul diminetii si sa ne simtim proaspeti. Fiecare zi petrecuta traind nu e o zi trecuta sau pierduta ci e o zi noua cu oportunitati, iluzii, vise, prieteni ...si vei simti mereu caldura si raceala totodata dar numai daca vei vrea sa simti si in final nu te anula pe tine insuti ci observa viata si traieste-o, simte vantul care iti adie prin par in zilele tale libere, simte briza marii in vacanta, simte apropierea familiei si a prietenilor si iubeste de fapt sa traiesti.ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870139530212653786.post-69369097444883500162009-05-02T07:13:00.000+02:002009-05-02T08:04:48.684+02:00que es la vida en un blog?!:)<span style="color:#000099;">hola, hello, salut!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">there was a time when a pen and a sheet of paper were the only things you needed to say to yourself "i could be a writer", but today the whole picture might come as a step back towards achieving aknowledgment, so now the true power resides in making yourself known to the world by writing a blog. I always felt that by getting my words on the computer i can't seem to picture them in my own head; writing feels more like painting in my mind the whole picture of the story that i want to tell, so it might not be surprising that what I write is not always what i have in mind....so i guess this explains a bit why there can be so many missunderstandings while reading a blog........a blog is not real even if u try to make it seem real; a blog is made of ideas and concepts told in different ways with different points of view and perceptions but never as the whole truth.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">ok...that was a bit strange but anyway to all my friends, amigos and readers of blog material, this is hello and wellcome to my world...it is an introduction to a virtual world, a computer to computer travel, the only way to share partial information worldwide at a huge scale the only way to tell a story without spectators, a written "radio șanț" as my romanian friends will understand.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">i am alex, i always felt a bit strange about this name (my parents wanted to call me xandra or sandra-i was even more happy they didn't) and felt even stranger in muslim countries where everytime they told me <...ohhh but this is a man's name......>yeah i know alexander the great was famous...and i am not. In english speaking environments i heard many people complaining that it is so ugly when someone is using always the first person pronoun "i" to begin a phrase...so i feel quite strange towards this complaint due to the fact that in my knowledge english language does not have another pronoun that can say the same thing ....so why complain about a big "I" when there is nothing you can do to change it...in spanish we use jo, italian io, romanian eu, french je.In my opinion a big I does not imply a big ego.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">So after all this sorted out i will tell you that i intend for the first time in many years to keep a discipline for the sake of this blog. I am travelling around the world for 5 years, with so many things happening everyday, with so much knowledge acumulated and i feel a blog could be an anthropologic study of my own life, of how i shift ideas, opinions, places and people, of how i make my move around this chess table that is the globe. I will also tell you a secret...i am not a good chess player....i was when my grandfather was giving me the oportunity to win.....but now....now i can loose and when i loose i feel like a winner because life and earth teached me another lesson.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Alex</span>ALEXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850754347168772433noreply@blogger.com1