P.O.T.D. #15

I accidentally didn't stay in Portland and moved back to the Midwest. CA-1 was the highlight of our drive.

Why-oming?

Oh, hey. I'm going here in a month. No big deal.

Operation: Oregon Trail

+ get Food Handlers Certificate

+ complete OLCC

+ make sure car is awesome for cross country travel

+ save $$$

+ make new resumes

+ open bank account at US Bank

+ don't go out to the bars (unless working of course), buy records, etc.

+ try not to die of Cholera, Dysentery, or snake bite

Ecuadorian dreams.

It's cheap, their currency is the USD, and it's far less dangerous than other South American countries! Does anyone speak Spanish? Let's go. Seriously, I'm willing to pay half your plane ticket to translate.

We'll stay here.

Bridging Gaps

For those interested in European travel, I just learned of a lovely piece of architecture for if you're ever in the northern countries. It's called the Øresundsbron, or the Öresund Bridge. This bridge (and tunnel) is just a little under 5 miles long and connects Malmö, Sweden (the 3rd largest city in Sweden) and Copenhagen, Denmark crossing the Öresund strait. The bridge-tunnel is a combined rail system and four lane highway featuring an unpopulated artificial island named Peberholm being used as a biological experiment of sorts. And you don't even need a passport!

Malmö

Copenhagen

Seriously, once you get over there it seems like everything is within reach!

Rainy Day in 503.

So far, Portland is the best spring break (SPRING BREAAAKKKK!) I could've asked for. All of my favorite people that were transplanted here are showing me a great time & the city itself has a great feel to it. I've been non-stop, & while I brought 5 rolls of film, these are the only photos I've taken...

PDX!

I've never been west of Chicago, so you can imagine my excitement at booking a plane ticket to Portland. I know I'll make it to Seattle, but I'm being hopeful to get to San Francisco as well. We'll have to see about the money situation. So, to those of you that have been there, what should I do? So far, I have the following planned:

A strip club I'm told I have to go to...


These Japanese Gardens...


The Art Museum (Carlos, have you been/heard anything?)


Seeing this band...


And possibly this band...


And, of course, seeing some lovely people.

Have you been good this year?

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've blogged due to our internet being out and overeating on Thanksgiving. I've been a busy girl, getting ready for the holidays and all. I know, I know...they come way too soon every year, but I have to admit that there are certain aspects I do like about them. Speaking of which, who here in the blogosphere has heard of Krampus?

Krampus is one of the companions of Saint Nicholas. He is popularly recognized in the Alpine region and is represented by an incubus in the company of Santa Claus. Most notably in Austria, people dress as the Krampus in the first weeks of December, particularly the night of December 5th. They (young men in their teens and early 20s, usually) roam the streets with rusty chains and bells making loud noises, dressed as completely demonic as they can. They're supposed to scare children back into their homes to be good, but it's turned more into a celebration. The Krampus' often times like to give people "switches", especially young ladies.

This is terrifying. And awesome. Yet another thing I have to do at some point.

The Krampus Assaulted Me
Uploaded by mamk

December 5th, St. Nicolas and his Krampus'
Uploaded by mamk

Home sweet home.

After a trip to Pittsburgh and Cleveland, it's pretty great to be back home. I was able to meet new people, visit a few museums, see old friends, and try some excellent food. Not to mention that I'm up to 10 undeveloped rolls of film now! This is a record. Thanks to everyone who made it great.


Also, I'm doing a little posting for TOLEDO TOBOGGAN. Check it out! And let me know about things happening in the area.

Fly like paper.

Last week while playing World Monopoly, I found myself trying to convince someone to buy Taipei because of the annual Sky Lantern Festival held in the village of Pinghsi every year. On the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, tens of thousands of people flock to Pinghsi (whose population is normally 1500) to set afloat thousands of sky lanterns with their wishes and resolutions written on them. Since I've discovered this event I've wanted to go experience it for myself, alas, I am nowhere close to being able to travel there. However, dear Micah, if you have the time the festival will take place on February 9th, 2009 (I think!).

Book porn!

Abbey Library St. Gallen, Switzerland

Re-posted from Curious Expeditions (where there are many more examples). Here are some incredibly sexy libraries I'd like to visit...

Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Toronto, Canada

Library of the Benedictine Monastery of Admont, Austria

Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-Generaal Den Haag, the Hague, Netherlands

Old British Reading Room, British Museum, London, England

Strahov Theological Hall - Original Baroque Cabinet

George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Cold as Ice!

I apologize for the Foreigner reference in the subject line, but I couldn't help myself. I've recently learned of the Ice Hotels that you can visit around the world. They are reconstructed every year; the one in Sweden is my favorite. Good thing, Absolut comes from this country, and I like my martinis extra chilled.

Cozy Accomodations...

Get married in an ice chapel.

Ice Discotheque! Could you really have a group of people dancing in here, though?

Like I said...

Og hér ert þú.

Today I was finally able to watch "Heima", the Sigur Rós documentary. Filmed in the summer of 2006, the documentary chronicles their return to Iceland after extensive touring around the world and is centered around them playing free, unannounced shows around their native country. Heima (Icelandic for "at home") helped me rediscover my love for this band and also incited an obsession with the country of Iceland. I've been image googling, checking plane tickets, doing research; I have to travel there. Won't you come with?

the Blue Lagoon, geothermal "spa", during the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival

the capital, Reykjavík

Until then, Sigur Rós on September 23rd in Detroit! That should be enough to hold me over.



Sigur Rós
Iceland Wiki