May 28, 2008.We were in Oakland where we spent the night and started driving around 10 AM to Berkley to pick Avi from Idan's house. We talked a little bit about plan for the day to visit and started driving heading towards San Francisco. We crossed the bay bridge and arrived at downtown.
Our plan in downtown San Francisco was to ride cable car ( Electric car ) and see the city more. We bought full day pass ticket and started riding.It was fun to ride cable car.This car helps tourists to see the city easily since all sides are open. The city was beautiful. Many high rise buildings by the bay on flat and steep topography.
We walked around Chinatown and the bay area around Fisherman's Wharf.While we were in bay area we saw Alcatraz island from a distant. This island used to be a prison. Guess what would happen escaping from this prison.It is risking life.
We also drove over Golden Gate Bridge.Our plan was to walk over it but preferred to drive.After we crossed the bridge we stopped by Vista point.Wow!! It was exciting. While you are at this point you can see the whole part of the bridge, Alcatraz island, the bay and down town San Francisco.
If you are in Ethiopia and started talking about America, this bridge is the first thing it comes to most people's mind.This is because there is a postcard of this bridge everywhere. Myself also had it.
Then we headed towards a beach by the Pacific Ocean. If you remember may 14, 2008 I hit Atlantic Ocean by New York for the first time.This time we are in the Pacific Ocean. We drove all the way from East Coast to West Coast. I was so excited. The water was a little bit cold but was not that much bad.
It was about two hours drive from San Francisco taking scenic routes to Sunnyvale . First we drove south along the shore line taking highway one. Then we took the skyline drive along the hill top and saw Red Wood trees. Red Wood tree, when grows fully are the tallest trees in the world.
Jody is Avi's cousin. She leaves with her husband Jed and two beautiful daughter Molly and Ellen in Sunny Vale, California. May 30 is Molly's 16th birth day. Happy birthday Molly :-)
Jody has been following up our trip since it was started in may 12, 2008.Jody and Jed are experienced travellers.They travelled for several years. They travelled in Africa, Asia, Europe and US.They travelled to African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and many more.
When I saw a picture of "Maasai" tribe photos in their living room I realised that both were travelling in Africa.Jody and Jed met in Crete Island in Greece, Europe while they were travelling.She was from the states and he was from England.
Jody, Jed, Molly, and Ellen have been waiting for us.We arrived at 7:15 PM.Jed and Jody welcomed us warmly.They asked us what to drink.Beer, water , wine, and many more.We chose red wine and started to see inside parts of their house.It is a new house and beautiful.
When Avi came here three years ago this house had not yet been done being built.Only the left wing of the house was built.Since then they have been building it towards the right side with in the property.The kitchen, living room, dining room, bed room and dining room are well done.I impressed a lot with the finishing materials. They did such a great job.
While Andy, Avi, Jody and I were looking at the house, Jed started grilling steak in back yard.Molly and Ellen were in their room. Both have their own room.Both gave a hug to cousin Avi. Andy and I introduced ourselves.
We went out to the back yard where Jed was grilling steak.Then we started talking about a lot of issues like how Jed and Jody met,their solar power on roof top, Andy and myself career plans, Jed's work, travel , and about Kenya and Ethiopia.Avi also saw herb plants he planted three years ago in the back yard.
We entered into a dining room and sat down around a dining table.Molly and Ellen also joined us.We got more wine and started eating. Wow !! The steak was great.
I was asked if I am shy to eat more. Avi said " When it comes to food Sisay is not shy" . Most people were done eating but I kept on eating. Then Jed asked me if I need more well done steak.
I said, "Yes". Guess what ? Everybody laughed.I never stopped eating because I enjoyed it.
We kept on drinking wine and started talking about different issues.We became more friendly with Molly and Ellen. They were very happy meeting their cousin, Avi and us. The whole family was happy. Molly and Ellen didn't go to bed until 11:30 even if Jody was telling them to take shower and then to go to bed so that they wake up early for school.They loved talking with us.
Hey buddies, no matter where you live and belong, there is hospitality everywhere. Thanks for the hospitality. Next we are going to take you to YOSEMITE, one of the most beautiful place.Please keep on travelling with us.,
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
CALIFORNIAN HOSPITALITY - IN OAKLAND AND BERKLEY
May, 27 2008. Day long drive was ahead of us from wells, Nevada to Oakland ,California. Right now I can only talk about the Northern part of Nevada.I haven't seen southern part yet.It was About 9 hours drive.I saw many small towns far apart until we arrived in Reno, the capital city of Nevada.Fairly flat, hilly to mountainous topography, and dry to desert open land.That is all about it.
We arrived in Reno at 2 pm. We stopped by Jiffy lube for oil change.We grabbed subway for lunch and started driving. Reno was beautiful.There was casino everywhere:-)
Mike Helms, Andy,s mom Christine's cousin, is living in Oakland, California with his whole family.His wife Martha, their daughter Hillary and their sons Tristan and Christopher. (Christopher was born in Uganda, Africa.He has been living with them for the last one and half years.These family have been raising him).
Avi also has a friend in Berkley, California.His name is Idan ( Known also by Bearman). He lives with his wife Sara and adorable one year old son Amitai.Initially, we were planning to spend the night with Andy's family. But Avi didn't want to miss this opportunity to spend with Idan and his family. So we dropped Avi in Berkley and started heading toward Oakland to Andy's family.The whole family have been waiting for us to arrive in.
Martha welcomed us warmly. She introduced herself to me. Then she started introducing Hillary and her boy friend, and Tristan to us. Mike then came in and I introduced myself.Christopher was taking shower so he came later and introduced ourselves.Martha started telling us a bunch of restaurant to choose for a dinner. The whole family and us started driving heading into China town, downtown Oakland. We chose china restaurant among a bunch of options.
All of us sat down around a dining table and started talking about many issues. We talked about Andy's family in Kenya and US, his cheetah in Kenya ( Andy raised him), about myself and my family and many more.
Christopher was excited when he did shake Obama's hand. He met him during Presidential campaign in California.Tristan also started telling us about the campaign in Penn State University where he is going to college.Here is the interesting part. Martha and her daughter Hillary wants to see the first female American President.Tristan is a supporter of Obama.I didn't know about Mike and Andy. Andy never heard him talking about Obama.
Myself, like many Ethiopian Americans have been supporting Obama even if I can't vote because I am not a citizen yet.I explained why Ethiopians have been supporting Obama. Here is the thing.We never had free election in Ethiopia. We had in 2005 but ended up with violence and unrest.There is nobody who doesn't like democracy except the politicians in power now. America is a powerful country so supposed to stand with the opposition parties who won the election that time. Bush failed to do that. Most Ethiopians here in US beleive that if Obama is elected as a president somehow he can influence to bring real democracy in Ethiopia.
We came back home around 9:30 pm. Martha showed us the room where we are going to spend the night. She is a kind of person enjoying to help people. She brought us towel and more blanket. The whole family was a welcoming family. Thanks for the hospitality.
Mike wanted to show us the city. Their house is located in a hilly area. when you are in back yard you see down to Oakland city, the bay area and part of Sanfransisco.So we went out to the back yard. May be it was one of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen during night. Before, I moved to US that was the kind of view I had in my mind. After four years and a half I saw it.This imagination may come from the postcard I saw back at home or from movies. Mike also showed us the hot tab and the bath room.
Finally, Mike brought map of Sanfransisco area and showed us better spots to visit tomorrow. Both Martha and Mike told us many times to help ourselves for a breakfast tomorrow morning and to feel at home any time. Avi also told us the hospitality he got from his friends, Idan house.The organic stake was great.
This is Californian Hospitality in Oakland. Sunny vale's Hospitality is coming up soon. Keep in touch.
We arrived in Reno at 2 pm. We stopped by Jiffy lube for oil change.We grabbed subway for lunch and started driving. Reno was beautiful.There was casino everywhere:-)
Mike Helms, Andy,s mom Christine's cousin, is living in Oakland, California with his whole family.His wife Martha, their daughter Hillary and their sons Tristan and Christopher. (Christopher was born in Uganda, Africa.He has been living with them for the last one and half years.These family have been raising him).
Avi also has a friend in Berkley, California.His name is Idan ( Known also by Bearman). He lives with his wife Sara and adorable one year old son Amitai.Initially, we were planning to spend the night with Andy's family. But Avi didn't want to miss this opportunity to spend with Idan and his family. So we dropped Avi in Berkley and started heading toward Oakland to Andy's family.The whole family have been waiting for us to arrive in.
Martha welcomed us warmly. She introduced herself to me. Then she started introducing Hillary and her boy friend, and Tristan to us. Mike then came in and I introduced myself.Christopher was taking shower so he came later and introduced ourselves.Martha started telling us a bunch of restaurant to choose for a dinner. The whole family and us started driving heading into China town, downtown Oakland. We chose china restaurant among a bunch of options.
All of us sat down around a dining table and started talking about many issues. We talked about Andy's family in Kenya and US, his cheetah in Kenya ( Andy raised him), about myself and my family and many more.
Christopher was excited when he did shake Obama's hand. He met him during Presidential campaign in California.Tristan also started telling us about the campaign in Penn State University where he is going to college.Here is the interesting part. Martha and her daughter Hillary wants to see the first female American President.Tristan is a supporter of Obama.I didn't know about Mike and Andy. Andy never heard him talking about Obama.
Myself, like many Ethiopian Americans have been supporting Obama even if I can't vote because I am not a citizen yet.I explained why Ethiopians have been supporting Obama. Here is the thing.We never had free election in Ethiopia. We had in 2005 but ended up with violence and unrest.There is nobody who doesn't like democracy except the politicians in power now. America is a powerful country so supposed to stand with the opposition parties who won the election that time. Bush failed to do that. Most Ethiopians here in US beleive that if Obama is elected as a president somehow he can influence to bring real democracy in Ethiopia.
We came back home around 9:30 pm. Martha showed us the room where we are going to spend the night. She is a kind of person enjoying to help people. She brought us towel and more blanket. The whole family was a welcoming family. Thanks for the hospitality.
Mike wanted to show us the city. Their house is located in a hilly area. when you are in back yard you see down to Oakland city, the bay area and part of Sanfransisco.So we went out to the back yard. May be it was one of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen during night. Before, I moved to US that was the kind of view I had in my mind. After four years and a half I saw it.This imagination may come from the postcard I saw back at home or from movies. Mike also showed us the hot tab and the bath room.
Finally, Mike brought map of Sanfransisco area and showed us better spots to visit tomorrow. Both Martha and Mike told us many times to help ourselves for a breakfast tomorrow morning and to feel at home any time. Avi also told us the hospitality he got from his friends, Idan house.The organic stake was great.
This is Californian Hospitality in Oakland. Sunny vale's Hospitality is coming up soon. Keep in touch.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A LITTLE BIT OF UTAH & NEVADA
May 26, 2008. We were in Utah. Seeking for a religious freedom, the Mormon came to the valley of the Great Salt Lake more than 150 years ago. Their hard work and strong sense of community, transformed a near desert into productive farm state.There are a lot of spectacular parks in Utah like Arch, Bryce etc,..We are not going to visit them now. Our plan for now is heading into Nevada and then to California.
We stopped by a small town in Utah called Garden.It was 11 AM. We didn't have breakfast so it was time for brunch. I ordered chicken fried steak, scrambled egg, hash browns and toast.All for 8 dollar. It was too much food. I enjoyed it.Avi and Andy also enjoyed theirs. I saw also many kids with their family.May be it was a Mormon town :-)
It was raining yesterday, so we didn't get a chance to dry up our tent. We have been also camping for four days continuously so we wanted to spend the night in a Motel. Moreover, in many places it was raining in Nevada.
When we drove from Utah boundary to Wells, a small town in Nevada,It was dry land, salty and also mountainous.There were a bunch of option to choose a Motel. This town has more Motel than residential houses. Many truck drivers spend the night here. It is also a kind of slow town too. The first thing I did in a Motel was to take shower. Shower is not always available in camping site. Some sites have, others don't.
We also dried up our tent and sleeping bags by the motel on grass land and trees. Thanks for the Motel manager letting us to do so.
We were also planning to wash cloth. We did laundry in Madison, Wisconsin after a week since we started travelling. Fortunately there was a Laundromat here by the motel may be it is the only one in town.
Before we went to a laundromat we went to restaurant for a dinner. There was casino inside the restaurant. Hey this is Nevada so there is a slot machine everywhere. I have a good luck. During summer of 2007, I played slot machine and got 250 dollar in Charles town ,West Virginia.I may need to give it try here too:-) Just kidding.
The following day were going to drive 9 hours to Sanfransisco. So we needed to woke up early. After dinner we headed to a Laundromat. By the time we got there, there was nobody except three of us.
I am so excited. Tomorrow, We are going to hit Pacific Ocean by Sanfransisco. It is going to be my second time to Ocean. Keep in touch.
We stopped by a small town in Utah called Garden.It was 11 AM. We didn't have breakfast so it was time for brunch. I ordered chicken fried steak, scrambled egg, hash browns and toast.All for 8 dollar. It was too much food. I enjoyed it.Avi and Andy also enjoyed theirs. I saw also many kids with their family.May be it was a Mormon town :-)
It was raining yesterday, so we didn't get a chance to dry up our tent. We have been also camping for four days continuously so we wanted to spend the night in a Motel. Moreover, in many places it was raining in Nevada.
When we drove from Utah boundary to Wells, a small town in Nevada,It was dry land, salty and also mountainous.There were a bunch of option to choose a Motel. This town has more Motel than residential houses. Many truck drivers spend the night here. It is also a kind of slow town too. The first thing I did in a Motel was to take shower. Shower is not always available in camping site. Some sites have, others don't.
We also dried up our tent and sleeping bags by the motel on grass land and trees. Thanks for the Motel manager letting us to do so.
We were also planning to wash cloth. We did laundry in Madison, Wisconsin after a week since we started travelling. Fortunately there was a Laundromat here by the motel may be it is the only one in town.
Before we went to a laundromat we went to restaurant for a dinner. There was casino inside the restaurant. Hey this is Nevada so there is a slot machine everywhere. I have a good luck. During summer of 2007, I played slot machine and got 250 dollar in Charles town ,West Virginia.I may need to give it try here too:-) Just kidding.
The following day were going to drive 9 hours to Sanfransisco. So we needed to woke up early. After dinner we headed to a Laundromat. By the time we got there, there was nobody except three of us.
I am so excited. Tomorrow, We are going to hit Pacific Ocean by Sanfransisco. It is going to be my second time to Ocean. Keep in touch.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK AND AMERICAN SMALL TOWNS
May 25, 2008. It was a beautiful day. We were in Grand Teton National Park. In this park there are eight large lakes and many smaller ones.It was first photographed by William H. Jackson, a member of the Hayden expedition sent by the government to survey the area in 1872.
We woke up in the morning and started driving inside the rest of this park. When we drive, we saw one of the most beautiful place. It was Jenny Lake.By the lake, the snow covered mountains had such a stunning scenery. Spring may be the best time to see those mountains with snow covered.If you don't like to camp on the snow ground , there are lodges inside the park to spend the night.
We arrived at a small town named Driggs in Idaho. It was around 2 PM so we wanted to have lunch.During our stay in the parks we have been eating turkey sandwiches for lunch so this time we needed something different.
We stopped by a pizza place . Andy and I entered in to the room. There was only one guy working there and asked him whether he serves pizza or not. He said , " It is for TAKE AND BAKE". We asked him if there is another restaurant opened. He said, " Well, today is Sunday so most restaurants are closed but there might be one restaurant opened" and told us the name of the restaurant and got directions how to get there.
When we got to the restaurant, in front of the door there was a post reads " Opened". When we opened the door there was a woman cleaning the room and said, " it will be opened by 3 PM". Apparently, by the time we talked with this woman it was 2:59 PM. Only one minute to go:-)
We left that restaurant and started driving in that town looking for any restaurant opened. There was none.So we headed to a nearby mountain to sit down and fix our lunch.It was a beautiful place. We enjoyed that place and our lunch.
Then we started driving towards south in Idaho to spend the night camping in Caribou National Forest.In our way,we saw many small towns by the road. It is a great place to live in this area. I would assume most of the residents are farmers and some small business owners. This is totally stress free living area.
I imagined sitting down after work either in front yard or back yard of a house in this area, grabbing beer, doing some grill and just seeing spectacular mountains in any direction.It is enjoyable. You are not also going to worry driving back and forth to work and spending more or less than one hour a day. Everything is available at walking distance. Shops, restaurants, bars etc,..No worry also for getting traffic ticket for drinking and driving. It is a simple life. I would assume the living expenses are minimised too. Nothing is complicated,living in a small town !!!
In Idaho we visited a dam for Hydro Electric Power generation. What most impressed me was , the watershed which was totally covered with trees. It was ever green. Andy and I estimated the length of the reservoir area as 10 miles. Erosion is minimised here so that the quantity of silt building up in reservoir would be small. In Ethiopia, a lot of dam for Irrigation and Hydro power have been built. However,much emphasis has not yet been given for erosion and sediment control. As a result some Dams are unsuccessful. What a waste of time and money !!!
We spent the night at Caribou National Forest camping by Crow Creek. It was a wonderful night if not for the rain in the morning. It looks like here in West Coast is still winter. A lot of snow. More stories coming up about Mormons in Utah and small towns in Nevada. Keep in touch.
We woke up in the morning and started driving inside the rest of this park. When we drive, we saw one of the most beautiful place. It was Jenny Lake.By the lake, the snow covered mountains had such a stunning scenery. Spring may be the best time to see those mountains with snow covered.If you don't like to camp on the snow ground , there are lodges inside the park to spend the night.
We arrived at a small town named Driggs in Idaho. It was around 2 PM so we wanted to have lunch.During our stay in the parks we have been eating turkey sandwiches for lunch so this time we needed something different.
We stopped by a pizza place . Andy and I entered in to the room. There was only one guy working there and asked him whether he serves pizza or not. He said , " It is for TAKE AND BAKE". We asked him if there is another restaurant opened. He said, " Well, today is Sunday so most restaurants are closed but there might be one restaurant opened" and told us the name of the restaurant and got directions how to get there.
When we got to the restaurant, in front of the door there was a post reads " Opened". When we opened the door there was a woman cleaning the room and said, " it will be opened by 3 PM". Apparently, by the time we talked with this woman it was 2:59 PM. Only one minute to go:-)
We left that restaurant and started driving in that town looking for any restaurant opened. There was none.So we headed to a nearby mountain to sit down and fix our lunch.It was a beautiful place. We enjoyed that place and our lunch.
Then we started driving towards south in Idaho to spend the night camping in Caribou National Forest.In our way,we saw many small towns by the road. It is a great place to live in this area. I would assume most of the residents are farmers and some small business owners. This is totally stress free living area.
I imagined sitting down after work either in front yard or back yard of a house in this area, grabbing beer, doing some grill and just seeing spectacular mountains in any direction.It is enjoyable. You are not also going to worry driving back and forth to work and spending more or less than one hour a day. Everything is available at walking distance. Shops, restaurants, bars etc,..No worry also for getting traffic ticket for drinking and driving. It is a simple life. I would assume the living expenses are minimised too. Nothing is complicated,living in a small town !!!
In Idaho we visited a dam for Hydro Electric Power generation. What most impressed me was , the watershed which was totally covered with trees. It was ever green. Andy and I estimated the length of the reservoir area as 10 miles. Erosion is minimised here so that the quantity of silt building up in reservoir would be small. In Ethiopia, a lot of dam for Irrigation and Hydro power have been built. However,much emphasis has not yet been given for erosion and sediment control. As a result some Dams are unsuccessful. What a waste of time and money !!!
We spent the night at Caribou National Forest camping by Crow Creek. It was a wonderful night if not for the rain in the morning. It looks like here in West Coast is still winter. A lot of snow. More stories coming up about Mormons in Utah and small towns in Nevada. Keep in touch.
Monday, May 26, 2008
GEYSER - YELLOW STONE
May 24, 2008 is third day in Yellow Stone.We have been enjoying nature a lot.Our plan for today was to visit geyser and hot spring. Yellow Stone is known for that. Apparently,it is number one in the world. There are many geyser and hot spring spouts to look at here. Since we couldn't cover all geyser locations so we decided to go a place called Old Faithful Geyser.
This place is 120 feet wide and water spouts erupts every 80-90 minutes. A paved walk way and benches surrounds the cone geyser, keeping visitors about 300 feet away from the massive spray.By the time we got there, many people were waiting to see the eruption. There were a little eruption when we got there but everyone have been waiting for the massive one.
We were actually lucky. It didn't take more than 15 minutes eruption to happen. I would assume the height of the geyser was 60 feet and lasts for approximately 4 minutes.
After eruption ended , visitors started walking back to their car to keep on visiting other locations, to visitor centers and some kept on looking at small geyser. It was spectacular.
There is another geyser spouts at Yellow Stone called Norris Geyser Basin. It is the world's tallest geyser, reaches height of 300-400 feet. The bad news is, often remains quite for months or years between eruptions. Only some geysers are predictable.So any one who was there during the eruption probably be the most lucky person on earth.
Then we started driving to the south entrance to leave Yellow Stone National Park and to enter to another National Park called Grand Tetons National Park located also in Wyoming.
When we drive there it was raining as well as snow falling.It was such a depressing weather. A more intense snow condition.We got hungry and we wanted to eat lunch. There was no place to eat lunch.It is a National Park.We had to get a place to fix Turkey sand witch.There was no any place better than our car. So we stopped by the Jackson Lake inside Grand Tetons National Park. It was totally covered with snow. Anyways we enjoyed our lunch inside a freaking cold weather condition.
Here is the most interesting part of today's trip. We had to camp to spend the night somewhere in this park. It was a snow ground but we used to it. We got a camping site called Signal Mountain. Andy and I fixed our tent. Avi started fixing dinner. It was soup. Avi named it Signal Mountain Soup. Avi gave me a mission to collect fire wood.Myself was a country boy as a kid,so I am good at it. It is called " Enchet Lekema" in Ethiopian language. Andy was going to light it up. And he did.
The camping site was almost full of people even with a snow ground. There were many people camping since it was a memorial day week end. With Andy's fire and Avi's soup the night was wonderful.
Hey guys more stories coming soon including about American small towns. As long as Avi fix dinner, Andy light up the fire and I ( Sisay ) collect the fire wood, We are going to keep on camping in any weather condition and enjoy our trip. . We loved it !!!
This place is 120 feet wide and water spouts erupts every 80-90 minutes. A paved walk way and benches surrounds the cone geyser, keeping visitors about 300 feet away from the massive spray.By the time we got there, many people were waiting to see the eruption. There were a little eruption when we got there but everyone have been waiting for the massive one.
We were actually lucky. It didn't take more than 15 minutes eruption to happen. I would assume the height of the geyser was 60 feet and lasts for approximately 4 minutes.
After eruption ended , visitors started walking back to their car to keep on visiting other locations, to visitor centers and some kept on looking at small geyser. It was spectacular.
There is another geyser spouts at Yellow Stone called Norris Geyser Basin. It is the world's tallest geyser, reaches height of 300-400 feet. The bad news is, often remains quite for months or years between eruptions. Only some geysers are predictable.So any one who was there during the eruption probably be the most lucky person on earth.
Then we started driving to the south entrance to leave Yellow Stone National Park and to enter to another National Park called Grand Tetons National Park located also in Wyoming.
When we drive there it was raining as well as snow falling.It was such a depressing weather. A more intense snow condition.We got hungry and we wanted to eat lunch. There was no place to eat lunch.It is a National Park.We had to get a place to fix Turkey sand witch.There was no any place better than our car. So we stopped by the Jackson Lake inside Grand Tetons National Park. It was totally covered with snow. Anyways we enjoyed our lunch inside a freaking cold weather condition.
Here is the most interesting part of today's trip. We had to camp to spend the night somewhere in this park. It was a snow ground but we used to it. We got a camping site called Signal Mountain. Andy and I fixed our tent. Avi started fixing dinner. It was soup. Avi named it Signal Mountain Soup. Avi gave me a mission to collect fire wood.Myself was a country boy as a kid,so I am good at it. It is called " Enchet Lekema" in Ethiopian language. Andy was going to light it up. And he did.
The camping site was almost full of people even with a snow ground. There were many people camping since it was a memorial day week end. With Andy's fire and Avi's soup the night was wonderful.
Hey guys more stories coming soon including about American small towns. As long as Avi fix dinner, Andy light up the fire and I ( Sisay ) collect the fire wood, We are going to keep on camping in any weather condition and enjoy our trip. . We loved it !!!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
YELLOW STONE - THE HOME OF WILDLIFE
May 23, 2008. The second day in Yellow Stone National Park and the 12th day for Team Travel America since started travelling on may 12. We are going to continue our visit tomorrow too. This park is huge. The distance from North to South visitor center is 79 miles and, East to West visitor center is 83 miles.
When we woke up in the morning the weather was beautiful. It was a perfect sunny day to see the mountains top covered with snow. We started driving leaving the tent the same place we spent last night. We are also planning to camp tonight here.
The first thing in the morning we went to visitor center. We got map for the park and more information where we can see the wild animals better.We grabbed our binoculars and started heading from Mammoth Hot Springs to Roosevelt Lodge.
There were Bison everywhere in the field. On the field right and left side of the road what we saw frequently was a Bison. Sometimes we saw them when they cross the road where we were driving.Most of the time we saw them ranging from one to twenty ( even more) in number either grazing grass or walking.
Bison were heavily hunted throughout in the 1800s and by 1900. Only a few dozens remained wild. Male Bison can weigh as much as 2000 pounds and both sexes can run faster than humans.
It was not also hard to see Elk in the mountainous area. Elk is a member of the deer family. Only male Elk have antlers. The antlers are shed each spring and regrow during summer. They feed on grasses. Their mating season is autumn and start calling to attract female.
Then we saw Pronghorn which is the fastest land animal in North America. Approximately, 200 Pronghorn live in Yellow Stone.
Andy and Avi have been using their binoculars to see many wild animals. Then we headed to Roosevelt Lodge where President Roosevelt camped. President Roosevelt put a corner stone for an arch to North entrance.
Every time we travel we have food in a cooler. We have turkey sandwiches for lunch. So we sat down on grass and grabbed lunch. After lunch we kept on driving to North East entrance. It is located in Montana. On our way there in addition to looking for more wild animals to see, we also really impressed with snow covered mountains. We also stopped by the mountain and played freesbee.I recommend you to go and see the pictures in our web site. You will love it :-)
It was closer to the evening so it was the best time to see more wild animals.When we drove from Roosevelt Lodge to North East entrance and back to Mammoth Hot Springs we saw Grizzly Bear, Black Bear (one with 2 young cubs),Moose, Wolf, Coyote, Goats, and many kinds of birds including a bald eagle.
In the early 1900s, Wolves and other predators were killed in Yellow Stone. Since that time , Scientists have recognised predators as essential members of any ecosystem. They eat Elk, Deer and a variety of small mammals.
Now we are heading to our tent. Avi is going to fix pasta for dinner. The weather was nice today so I am not going to sleep early like yesterday:-) Tomorrow we are going to visit hot springs and geysers and then drive to Grand Tetons National Park. Hope you are enjoying our trip. Keep in touch.
When we woke up in the morning the weather was beautiful. It was a perfect sunny day to see the mountains top covered with snow. We started driving leaving the tent the same place we spent last night. We are also planning to camp tonight here.
The first thing in the morning we went to visitor center. We got map for the park and more information where we can see the wild animals better.We grabbed our binoculars and started heading from Mammoth Hot Springs to Roosevelt Lodge.
There were Bison everywhere in the field. On the field right and left side of the road what we saw frequently was a Bison. Sometimes we saw them when they cross the road where we were driving.Most of the time we saw them ranging from one to twenty ( even more) in number either grazing grass or walking.
Bison were heavily hunted throughout in the 1800s and by 1900. Only a few dozens remained wild. Male Bison can weigh as much as 2000 pounds and both sexes can run faster than humans.
It was not also hard to see Elk in the mountainous area. Elk is a member of the deer family. Only male Elk have antlers. The antlers are shed each spring and regrow during summer. They feed on grasses. Their mating season is autumn and start calling to attract female.
Then we saw Pronghorn which is the fastest land animal in North America. Approximately, 200 Pronghorn live in Yellow Stone.
Andy and Avi have been using their binoculars to see many wild animals. Then we headed to Roosevelt Lodge where President Roosevelt camped. President Roosevelt put a corner stone for an arch to North entrance.
Every time we travel we have food in a cooler. We have turkey sandwiches for lunch. So we sat down on grass and grabbed lunch. After lunch we kept on driving to North East entrance. It is located in Montana. On our way there in addition to looking for more wild animals to see, we also really impressed with snow covered mountains. We also stopped by the mountain and played freesbee.I recommend you to go and see the pictures in our web site. You will love it :-)
It was closer to the evening so it was the best time to see more wild animals.When we drove from Roosevelt Lodge to North East entrance and back to Mammoth Hot Springs we saw Grizzly Bear, Black Bear (one with 2 young cubs),Moose, Wolf, Coyote, Goats, and many kinds of birds including a bald eagle.
In the early 1900s, Wolves and other predators were killed in Yellow Stone. Since that time , Scientists have recognised predators as essential members of any ecosystem. They eat Elk, Deer and a variety of small mammals.
Now we are heading to our tent. Avi is going to fix pasta for dinner. The weather was nice today so I am not going to sleep early like yesterday:-) Tomorrow we are going to visit hot springs and geysers and then drive to Grand Tetons National Park. Hope you are enjoying our trip. Keep in touch.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
CAMPING ON SNOW - THE YELLOW STONE
May 22, 2008. We are in Yellowstone, the first National Park in the world and was established by an act of congress in 1872. Most of the Yellow stone is located in Wyoming and a small portion in Montana and Idaho. We have been visiting for two days in the park but there are a lot of places we haven't reached yet.The area is 3, 472 sq.miles.
There is nothing you see in this park is not amazing.This park is a home to buffaloes/Bison, bighorn sheep, elk,moose, pronghorn, grizzly bear,black bear, wolf, coyotes and others. It is unique for its geysers, hot springs, mud pools and fumaroles.There are more geysers and hot springs than in the rest of the world combined. The largest concentration of geothermal features in the world is in Yellowstone.
The park sits in one of the largest active volcano on earth. When erupted carving out a caldera 28 miles wide and 53 miles long. Each year more than three million people visit Yellowstone. The Yellowstone river in a big valley, the fall, the Yellowstone Lake, the Valleys, the Mountains, the Forest and others are all magnificent.
When we got closer to Yellowstone on may, 22 around 3 PM snow was falling. This park was the top priority in our list to be visited. So when I see the snow, it disappointed me a little bit.We also planned to camp the night. We hold deciding where to spend the night for a moment and started driving around and visiting the park.
The rocky mountain on the left and right side of the road was breathtaking when looking at covered with snow. The snow gave some kind of more beauty to the mountains and valleys.Even before we entered into the boundary of The Yellow Stone National Park we saw a bison.It was my first time to see a bison in front.
We visited the Yellow Stone Lake. Actually it was totally covered with snow. We also got a point where we can see a Yellowstone river. It is not a big river like Mississippi or Missouri, but what makes it amazing is the depth of rocky valley in the left and right side of the river. When we stand on the river bank and look down to the river it is way down to see.We took a picture right there so may be one of the best scenery nature provided us.
We drove by the river and saw many attraction points. One of this place was the Yellowstone Fall on the Yellowstone river. Mind you there are many rivers in this park but this is the biggest.Again it was not a big fall volume wise like Niagara Falls but what amazing is that the depth of the rocky valley left and right side of the fall. It was raining a little bit by the time we got there so I haven't gotten a clear glance of the fall like sunny days look. But I saw that the fall smokes when the water hits the bottom on a deep gorge.
When we got Yellowstone while the snow was started falling, I hate it. Later, after stopped falling I loved it as much as I hate it.Here is the thing. I found the rocky mountains and valleys look better with snow on top of it. The top of mountains and valleys were covered with snow. Whenever I looked at the front view of the rocky mountains and valleys I saw a different kind of colour contrast. Rock mountain or tree covered mountain from front, covered with snow on top with blue or cloudy sky was forming such an amazing contrast.
Finally, we we were in between looking for a lodge or camping ground to spend the night. Our plan was actually to camp rather than to spend in lodge room if there was no snow. Honestly, I didn't want to spend inside a tent because it was too cold for me. Andy and Avi wanted to camp.
We got to camping ground called Mammoth hot springs. It was a nice place with a good scenery in front of a mountain. We put up our tent quickly and immediately I went to sleep. I couldn't wait outside with Andy and Avi for a dinner. I realised that only that way I can stand freaking cold weather. Andy and Avi stayed outside the tent so long fixing dinner. Fortunately, It was not cold inside a tent the night, and had a good sleep. Please keep travelling with us. Yellow stone is not yet touched. A lot of stories coming up.
There is nothing you see in this park is not amazing.This park is a home to buffaloes/Bison, bighorn sheep, elk,moose, pronghorn, grizzly bear,black bear, wolf, coyotes and others. It is unique for its geysers, hot springs, mud pools and fumaroles.There are more geysers and hot springs than in the rest of the world combined. The largest concentration of geothermal features in the world is in Yellowstone.
The park sits in one of the largest active volcano on earth. When erupted carving out a caldera 28 miles wide and 53 miles long. Each year more than three million people visit Yellowstone. The Yellowstone river in a big valley, the fall, the Yellowstone Lake, the Valleys, the Mountains, the Forest and others are all magnificent.
When we got closer to Yellowstone on may, 22 around 3 PM snow was falling. This park was the top priority in our list to be visited. So when I see the snow, it disappointed me a little bit.We also planned to camp the night. We hold deciding where to spend the night for a moment and started driving around and visiting the park.
The rocky mountain on the left and right side of the road was breathtaking when looking at covered with snow. The snow gave some kind of more beauty to the mountains and valleys.Even before we entered into the boundary of The Yellow Stone National Park we saw a bison.It was my first time to see a bison in front.
We visited the Yellow Stone Lake. Actually it was totally covered with snow. We also got a point where we can see a Yellowstone river. It is not a big river like Mississippi or Missouri, but what makes it amazing is the depth of rocky valley in the left and right side of the river. When we stand on the river bank and look down to the river it is way down to see.We took a picture right there so may be one of the best scenery nature provided us.
We drove by the river and saw many attraction points. One of this place was the Yellowstone Fall on the Yellowstone river. Mind you there are many rivers in this park but this is the biggest.Again it was not a big fall volume wise like Niagara Falls but what amazing is that the depth of the rocky valley left and right side of the fall. It was raining a little bit by the time we got there so I haven't gotten a clear glance of the fall like sunny days look. But I saw that the fall smokes when the water hits the bottom on a deep gorge.
When we got Yellowstone while the snow was started falling, I hate it. Later, after stopped falling I loved it as much as I hate it.Here is the thing. I found the rocky mountains and valleys look better with snow on top of it. The top of mountains and valleys were covered with snow. Whenever I looked at the front view of the rocky mountains and valleys I saw a different kind of colour contrast. Rock mountain or tree covered mountain from front, covered with snow on top with blue or cloudy sky was forming such an amazing contrast.
Finally, we we were in between looking for a lodge or camping ground to spend the night. Our plan was actually to camp rather than to spend in lodge room if there was no snow. Honestly, I didn't want to spend inside a tent because it was too cold for me. Andy and Avi wanted to camp.
We got to camping ground called Mammoth hot springs. It was a nice place with a good scenery in front of a mountain. We put up our tent quickly and immediately I went to sleep. I couldn't wait outside with Andy and Avi for a dinner. I realised that only that way I can stand freaking cold weather. Andy and Avi stayed outside the tent so long fixing dinner. Fortunately, It was not cold inside a tent the night, and had a good sleep. Please keep travelling with us. Yellow stone is not yet touched. A lot of stories coming up.
Friday, May 23, 2008
AVI WOKE UP CRANKY
May 21, 2008. We are in Wyoming heading to Yellow stone. For a moment I am going to take you back to Ditch Creek camping ground in South Dakota where we camped yesterday. Here is what happened . I stole Avi's mattress and went to sleep early at 10:30 PM before Avi and Andy. They were sat down by the fire. Avi's mattress was more comfortable than mine. I had a good sleep night. The night was cold and raining.Whenever we are camping Andy sleep in the middle. Avi and I sleep on left and right side of him. Sleeping inside a tent was enjoyable. No human being by us. The only thing I was listening to was birds singing and a creek by us flowing.
While we were eating breakfast in the morning, I asked Avi whether he had a good night sleep or not. He said , "No Sisay". I asked why? He said you stole my mattress. Lol !! He woke up cranky. Courtesy of Avi -He is saying I was cranky because It was cold.
It was winter of 2007. Avi, I and a couple of people went to DC for a dinner. It was too cold. We were walking. I couldn't stand the cold. I didn't have anything to do. I said " Avi please hug me":-)He yelled at me. Before we start travelling Avi sent us a list of items to prepare for the trip for cold and hot weather. He said "Sisay I am not going to hear saying Avi please hug me any more" . Based on that I was prepared for cold and hot weather but not like freaking cold snow. I thought winter was over so there will not be snow any more. However, in Wyoming there is snow until now. Right now snow is falling and we are going to camp tonight at yellow stone.
The other thing about Ditch Creek camping was where we actually washed dishes.I washed the dishes water from the creek.It looks clean visually may be because the water was coming either from a spring source or from melted snow on the mountains.There was no shower service in this camping.I washed my face and hair by the creek water.Andy also washed his feet.
Andy as usual woke up early in the morning and went for hiking on Black Hills Forest on hilly areas.He said he enjoyed it a lot.Overall, we had a wonderful time there and had a lot of fun.Avi also gave us a small training on how to light the fire. I brought the firewood with Avi from a pine wood forest.
When we were driving in a town called Worland looking for a motel we were pulled over by a Wyoming police for driving 40 miles on 30 miles speed limit. No ticket was given. Thanks to Avi's and Andy's good driving record, and having him a little fun and making lough the police.
Hey guys we are entering Yellow Stone National Park, which is the first national park in the world. Wow!! It is exciting.I want also let you know that Internet signal is not always available in the mountain. So I apologize for posting out dated blogs. Keep in touch.
While we were eating breakfast in the morning, I asked Avi whether he had a good night sleep or not. He said , "No Sisay". I asked why? He said you stole my mattress. Lol !! He woke up cranky. Courtesy of Avi -He is saying I was cranky because It was cold.
It was winter of 2007. Avi, I and a couple of people went to DC for a dinner. It was too cold. We were walking. I couldn't stand the cold. I didn't have anything to do. I said " Avi please hug me":-)He yelled at me. Before we start travelling Avi sent us a list of items to prepare for the trip for cold and hot weather. He said "Sisay I am not going to hear saying Avi please hug me any more" . Based on that I was prepared for cold and hot weather but not like freaking cold snow. I thought winter was over so there will not be snow any more. However, in Wyoming there is snow until now. Right now snow is falling and we are going to camp tonight at yellow stone.
The other thing about Ditch Creek camping was where we actually washed dishes.I washed the dishes water from the creek.It looks clean visually may be because the water was coming either from a spring source or from melted snow on the mountains.There was no shower service in this camping.I washed my face and hair by the creek water.Andy also washed his feet.
Andy as usual woke up early in the morning and went for hiking on Black Hills Forest on hilly areas.He said he enjoyed it a lot.Overall, we had a wonderful time there and had a lot of fun.Avi also gave us a small training on how to light the fire. I brought the firewood with Avi from a pine wood forest.
When we were driving in a town called Worland looking for a motel we were pulled over by a Wyoming police for driving 40 miles on 30 miles speed limit. No ticket was given. Thanks to Avi's and Andy's good driving record, and having him a little fun and making lough the police.
Hey guys we are entering Yellow Stone National Park, which is the first national park in the world. Wow!! It is exciting.I want also let you know that Internet signal is not always available in the mountain. So I apologize for posting out dated blogs. Keep in touch.
Right Now
It's almost 1:00 in the morning / at night. It's late, I'm getting tired, so I'll have to call it for the night. Sisay has been sleeping in the tent since ~8:47, no Dinner or nothing. He is such a 'Haps"sh'... Andi joined him around 11:00 pm, after we finished our dinner, and I'm sitting here, in this nice cozy hotel, writing these words, before going back to the campsite and the frigging temperatures outside.
We're @ Yellowstone, one of the most beautiful and amazing places, not just in the US, but in the world, in my opinion. Words can not & will not describe the awesomeness and wonder of this place, so I won't even try. Maybe you'll get a fraction of it from the pictures. It something one need to view with ones own eyes.
But I will tell you this - today was May 22. Now it's the beginning of Friday, May 23, & Memorial Day Weekend, here in the US. The official "marker" for the start of summer... - We drove in to the park at the early afternoon. It was snowing. Not just snowing - it was coming down, blowing, and what not! The amount of snow and ice all over the place is ridicules. Snow packed on the side of the roads, after the plowers came through, was in some places over 7 ft (2 m) high! It was more of a winter day than we've experienced in Virginia all winter... Unbelievable!!
OK, it's really late. I'm out of here. You all have a great weekend & a Shabat Shalom,
Avi
Complaints
For those of you who know me, and for those of who don't - I like to complain. I enjoy that. It's easier than doing something about it. If you ain't gonna do something about something, all you are really left with is either to shut up or complain about it. I choose complaining, and figured that if I'm already complaining - why not enjoy it? - The only problem is that people hate hearing other people complain. I'm no exception. So, for all my Israeli friends out there, that are about to complain that this blog or my writing is too long... - you know the drill: If you don't want to read this - go a head and hurt my feelings... or, you can do the right thing - print this up, place it at that important room in your house, and read it @ your own convenient.
Comments
Please comment! Put yourself out there; make an effort; share. You don't have to comment on my posting, but I urge you - comment on Sisay's posting. It breaks his heart, everyday, or even 3-12 times a day, when he checks for comments, your comments to our blog. And guess who gets to hear him complaining?!... Seriously, people, I know you're all busy with life & work etc. especially you guys back in the office. But take 2 min and write a line or 2. Cut the guy some slack. He puts so much effort in writing for the blog and later typing it on the computer. Show him some love... - Some times I think that this trip is what happens while old Sis is writing he's blog...
And Chu - do you have any idea of the effort he puts in downloading all the pictures, drawing the maps and having the blog up, running and updated?...
Please don't give me another reason to complain... - Comment. Thanks.
Long Time
As I mentioned before, we began our road trip 11 days ago on May 12, and this will be my first posting on this here Blog. 'Better Late than Never', I always say, and it's a good thing I say that - as I'm usually late....
If I pose for a moment, and think of you, our readers, it seems that you can be divided in to 3 groups: Those of you whom are reading this blog but haven't read my e-mails from when I traveled with Elad, and by myself, throughout the US & some of Mexico, 4 years ago; Those of you that are reading this blog and were reading my mails; Those of you whom are not reading this blog & didn't get my mails. I find the 3rd group less interesting from the the first group or the more fortunate second group, so let's disregard them all together. But enough about you - let's get back to talking about me... : )
It's been a long time (~3.5 years) since I last wrote mass e-mails about my traveling or 'blogged' them, to that matter... Don't know if the 'wait' will be worth it (I wouldn't recommend on too high of expectations), but for what it's worth - here it goes...
East by Mid-East
"An Ethiopian, a Kenyan & an Israeli walk in to a bar... " - No, that's not a beginning of a joke, but part of my life reality for the past 3 years.
"An Ethiopian, a Kenyan & an Israeli go on a road trip across America... " - Now here's something to raise an eyebrow about... - 'Cause you know, even though it's not intended on being the beginning of a joke - things are bound to be a little funny, to say the least...
While Sisay & Andi are from East &/or Eastern Africa (lets try and not go in to the differences with too much detail...), I am from the Middle East. We all live on the East Coast, at the Eastern part of Northern Virginia AND... we all worked for Eastern States Engineering, which later became ESE (which now is no longer a very cosmopolitan place to work for, as most of the foreigners, or to be more specific - the 3 of us, don't work there no more...). Anyway, with so much East everywhere, there was only one direction we could head out to at the beginning of our trip...
- You guessed it right: EAST!!!
So on Monday, May 12, about 1.5 weeks ago we set sail: First we headed towards NYC, and then even further East on to Long Island & the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. After that we headed North, towards upstate NY, and there, by the New York State Capital, we made that crucial move from I-87 on to I-90 and started heading West. The real part of our trip began - we were headed Out WEST!!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
CRAZY HORSE
May 21, 2008 still in South Dakota for the second day. One day was not enough to visit spectacular areas ranging from Sioux Falls, National Grass Land, Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black hills National Forest and Crazy Horse Memorial.
Crazy Horse was a name of a person who was Native American Indian born on Rapid Creek in the black Hills of South Dakota in about 1842 and killed by American solidiers september 6, 1877. He was defending the American Indians and their way of life. The reason for fighting between the native American and the American soldiers was because the treaty of 1868 was broken which was signed by the president of the united states.
The treaty stated as:
" As long as river run and grass grows and trees bear leaves paha sapa-the black hills of Dakota-will forever be the scared land of the Sioux Indians.
This is a quote by crazy horse " They made us many promises, more than I can remember-They never kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they took it!
The sculupture of crazy horse is being carved out on a cliff in the Black Hills. It was started in 1949 and has not yet been done. It represents North American Indians of all tribes. When completed it is going to be the largest statue in the world. When we visit this sculupture I was impressed with the story behind.
Another amazing place we visited, was Mount Rushmore National Memorial. There is a sculpture of great American national leaders. This sculpture is on a rocky mountain. It shows only their faces. Their face is 60 ft high. The sculpter died before completing the sculupture. We can imagine how many years it took. It is the largest pieces of a sculpture ever created.
This sculpture is of four great leaders for their outstanding achivement. These leaders are Washington, representing the founding princples of of the new union; Jefferson, representing the declaration of independence and the Lousiana purchase from france. Lincoln, representing the preservation of the country during the civil war, and Roosvelt representing the expansion of the country throgh the implementation of the panama canal and the conservation of the united states natural resources.
Now, I am going to take you back to Badlands National Park. For the first time since we started travelling I saw facinating mountain in the park. It is the most breathtaking scenery, and estabilished as National Monument in 1939. Fortunately the weather was nice. We took advantage of it. We sat down and had lunch in the shade. I liked the colour and the shape of these mounains ranging from pink to yellow colours and, curved to domed shaped.
Many wildlife inhabitants were in the park including Coyotes, deer, Prairie dog, Bison and others. South Dakota is home to mountain Lions too. Unfortunately we haven't seen one.
Finally, I am going to say something about Black Hills National Forest. The area is 1.2 million acre. In this forest there are eleven reservoirs and thirty camp grounds.The name of the camping ground we spent was Ditch Creek. This camp ground is on flat topography by creek and on the bottom of the surrounding mountains covered with pine trees. It looks a typical mountanious area in Ethiopia with a similar landscape. The topography and the landscape is totally different from the rest of US I have seen for the last 9 days. All pine trees, steep slope and curvy roads and mountanious.
Hey guys we entered Wyoming heading to Yellow stone. Snow is falling. We may not camp tonight. We will see. Bye
Crazy Horse was a name of a person who was Native American Indian born on Rapid Creek in the black Hills of South Dakota in about 1842 and killed by American solidiers september 6, 1877. He was defending the American Indians and their way of life. The reason for fighting between the native American and the American soldiers was because the treaty of 1868 was broken which was signed by the president of the united states.
The treaty stated as:
" As long as river run and grass grows and trees bear leaves paha sapa-the black hills of Dakota-will forever be the scared land of the Sioux Indians.
This is a quote by crazy horse " They made us many promises, more than I can remember-They never kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they took it!
The sculupture of crazy horse is being carved out on a cliff in the Black Hills. It was started in 1949 and has not yet been done. It represents North American Indians of all tribes. When completed it is going to be the largest statue in the world. When we visit this sculupture I was impressed with the story behind.
Another amazing place we visited, was Mount Rushmore National Memorial. There is a sculpture of great American national leaders. This sculpture is on a rocky mountain. It shows only their faces. Their face is 60 ft high. The sculpter died before completing the sculupture. We can imagine how many years it took. It is the largest pieces of a sculpture ever created.
This sculpture is of four great leaders for their outstanding achivement. These leaders are Washington, representing the founding princples of of the new union; Jefferson, representing the declaration of independence and the Lousiana purchase from france. Lincoln, representing the preservation of the country during the civil war, and Roosvelt representing the expansion of the country throgh the implementation of the panama canal and the conservation of the united states natural resources.
Now, I am going to take you back to Badlands National Park. For the first time since we started travelling I saw facinating mountain in the park. It is the most breathtaking scenery, and estabilished as National Monument in 1939. Fortunately the weather was nice. We took advantage of it. We sat down and had lunch in the shade. I liked the colour and the shape of these mounains ranging from pink to yellow colours and, curved to domed shaped.
Many wildlife inhabitants were in the park including Coyotes, deer, Prairie dog, Bison and others. South Dakota is home to mountain Lions too. Unfortunately we haven't seen one.
Finally, I am going to say something about Black Hills National Forest. The area is 1.2 million acre. In this forest there are eleven reservoirs and thirty camp grounds.The name of the camping ground we spent was Ditch Creek. This camp ground is on flat topography by creek and on the bottom of the surrounding mountains covered with pine trees. It looks a typical mountanious area in Ethiopia with a similar landscape. The topography and the landscape is totally different from the rest of US I have seen for the last 9 days. All pine trees, steep slope and curvy roads and mountanious.
Hey guys we entered Wyoming heading to Yellow stone. Snow is falling. We may not camp tonight. We will see. Bye
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
CAMPED ON THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE
May 20, 2008. We are in South Dakota which is the Land of Great Faces and Great Places. Minnesota and Iowa from East, North Dakota from North, Wyoming from South West, Montana from North West are boundary states to South Dakota.
When we drive from Sioux Falls to Pierre for 226 miles for 4 hour and fourty minutes, I would say 90% of the land is either farm land or grass land. The only place I saw a small town was at Sioux Falls and by Missouri river. There are a lot of cows grazing grass. I asked myself many times where people are living in this state. You don't even see people driving on the road for a while. We are driving on I-90. So I tried to figure out the population of South Dakota. Guess how many ? It is only 754,844. The area of South Dakota is also 77, 121 sq. miles and ranked the 16 th largest state in US.I wouldn't surprise now.
The United Sates acquire the area part of the Lousiana purchase in 1803. George Armstrong Custer's expedition discovered gold in French Creek in the black hills. The Dakota territory was split and North and South Dakota become states in 1889.
We have been enjoying South Dakota a lot. It is another big day. We spent time on Sioux falls. It is beautiful. The geological formation around the fall looks pink colour. We can imagine how amazing to see the fall, the pink stone and the green landscape surrounding it. The weather was so nice. We spent around one hour and a half by the fall and started driving to Pierre National grass land. We are going to camp there.
We stopped by at Missouri river. It flows from South Dakota to Nebraska. Another US big river. Missouri river used for transportation by American Indians. Lewis and Clark also used it for transportation on expedition to west searching for Pacific Ocean. I saw this movie before we start our journey to get to know a little bit of American West. It is an amazing expedition. Missouri river is now a source for water based recreation as a result of a series of dams called Oahe Dam.What a beautiful river on a little bit mountainous area with amazing landscape. I love it !!!
We are heading to Pierre National Grass Land. We are going to camp over there. It is going to be the second camping night since we started travelling. We are driving west on I-90. The area is all grass land and farm.
It is 9 PM still still driving to west. Avi is driving and Andy is navigating. We are looking for a camping site. I don't even see a small town. It is a huge grass land. No trees. Many cows are grazing on the field. We made right turn to a gravel road.
I asked Avi whether we are on expedition :-) He said no. we are looking for a camping site. We kept on driving and looking for a camping sight. It was hard to find one. We turned left on another gravel road to see if there is a camping site.We found one.
It is grassy area. I scared snakes. So I didn't like that area. That place turned to be not part of a park but some body's property. So we had to drive Pierre National Grass Land area and find another site. The problem was basically to get the entrance.We figured out the boundary of the park and camped there. As usual Avi fixed tea and pasta for dinner. Thanks avi !! Andy and I put up the tent.
I woke up in the morning to see the area. It was one of the most beautiful nature.God Blessed America. Keep on travelling.
When we drive from Sioux Falls to Pierre for 226 miles for 4 hour and fourty minutes, I would say 90% of the land is either farm land or grass land. The only place I saw a small town was at Sioux Falls and by Missouri river. There are a lot of cows grazing grass. I asked myself many times where people are living in this state. You don't even see people driving on the road for a while. We are driving on I-90. So I tried to figure out the population of South Dakota. Guess how many ? It is only 754,844. The area of South Dakota is also 77, 121 sq. miles and ranked the 16 th largest state in US.I wouldn't surprise now.
The United Sates acquire the area part of the Lousiana purchase in 1803. George Armstrong Custer's expedition discovered gold in French Creek in the black hills. The Dakota territory was split and North and South Dakota become states in 1889.
We have been enjoying South Dakota a lot. It is another big day. We spent time on Sioux falls. It is beautiful. The geological formation around the fall looks pink colour. We can imagine how amazing to see the fall, the pink stone and the green landscape surrounding it. The weather was so nice. We spent around one hour and a half by the fall and started driving to Pierre National grass land. We are going to camp there.
We stopped by at Missouri river. It flows from South Dakota to Nebraska. Another US big river. Missouri river used for transportation by American Indians. Lewis and Clark also used it for transportation on expedition to west searching for Pacific Ocean. I saw this movie before we start our journey to get to know a little bit of American West. It is an amazing expedition. Missouri river is now a source for water based recreation as a result of a series of dams called Oahe Dam.What a beautiful river on a little bit mountainous area with amazing landscape. I love it !!!
We are heading to Pierre National Grass Land. We are going to camp over there. It is going to be the second camping night since we started travelling. We are driving west on I-90. The area is all grass land and farm.
It is 9 PM still still driving to west. Avi is driving and Andy is navigating. We are looking for a camping site. I don't even see a small town. It is a huge grass land. No trees. Many cows are grazing on the field. We made right turn to a gravel road.
I asked Avi whether we are on expedition :-) He said no. we are looking for a camping site. We kept on driving and looking for a camping sight. It was hard to find one. We turned left on another gravel road to see if there is a camping site.We found one.
It is grassy area. I scared snakes. So I didn't like that area. That place turned to be not part of a park but some body's property. So we had to drive Pierre National Grass Land area and find another site. The problem was basically to get the entrance.We figured out the boundary of the park and camped there. As usual Avi fixed tea and pasta for dinner. Thanks avi !! Andy and I put up the tent.
I woke up in the morning to see the area. It was one of the most beautiful nature.God Blessed America. Keep on travelling.
Monday, May 19, 2008
ETHIOPIAN MAN
May 19, 2008. We are in Minnesota a home of 10,000 lakes. Did I say 10,000 lakes. Yes, I did. That is true. Wow !!! What a country !!! We are now driving further west to South Dakota. On left and right side of the road almost 90% what I see is a farm land. I think mainly they grow all sorts of grains like corn, wheat etc. I lived in Washington, DC metropolitan area for the last four and half years. When I compare East Coast where I lived with Mid west, I would say there is a huge farm and in Mid-west than East Coast.
The northern part of Ethiopia is mountainous.Most of the area is not suitable for agriculture. but it has hydro power potential. So it is amazing for me to see such kind of huge farm land on fairly flat topography. I haven't seen any kind of dam for impoundment to irrigate this land. But I can see a kind of borehole for ground water discharge in the field. I would assume ground water is available at shallow depth. So my guess is they are using sprinkler at a latter time to irrigate the crops.
There are also wind mills in the field at a distant to generate power. I want to give a clear vision of how much huge the farm is. Until now we have been driving west to South Dakota around 350 miles from Minnesota. All these area is a farm. I don't know where it is going to end.
We have been travelling 2000 miles since may12, 2008 the trip was started. Including our hometown Sterling, VA we have been to 10 states in addition to Canada. I haven't seen a mountain yet. It is all flat topography suitable either for agriculture or to develop it in to a town.
Another interesting thing is to see Mississippi river. I heard about it since I was 5th grade student in my Geography class. I just saw it today. That was wonderful. It is the biggest and the longest river in US. This river takes my attention because my country, Ethiopia is the source of Nile river which is the longest river in the world.
Last night we spent the night in St. Paul, Minnesota. Abebe, an Architect was my x-coworker in Ethiopia. We spent the night in his house. Avi and Andy used to eat Ethiopian food many times. It is spicy food ranging from mild to hot sauce made beef or lamb and comes with a kind of bread called "Ingera". A team of travel America had a dinner with Abebe. I enjoyed the food and hope Avi and Andy do the same. Abea, Thanks for the hospitality.
Hey guys, We just hit South Dakota. Hope you are enjoying our trip. We are going to camp tonight in South Dakota.
The northern part of Ethiopia is mountainous.Most of the area is not suitable for agriculture. but it has hydro power potential. So it is amazing for me to see such kind of huge farm land on fairly flat topography. I haven't seen any kind of dam for impoundment to irrigate this land. But I can see a kind of borehole for ground water discharge in the field. I would assume ground water is available at shallow depth. So my guess is they are using sprinkler at a latter time to irrigate the crops.
There are also wind mills in the field at a distant to generate power. I want to give a clear vision of how much huge the farm is. Until now we have been driving west to South Dakota around 350 miles from Minnesota. All these area is a farm. I don't know where it is going to end.
We have been travelling 2000 miles since may12, 2008 the trip was started. Including our hometown Sterling, VA we have been to 10 states in addition to Canada. I haven't seen a mountain yet. It is all flat topography suitable either for agriculture or to develop it in to a town.
Another interesting thing is to see Mississippi river. I heard about it since I was 5th grade student in my Geography class. I just saw it today. That was wonderful. It is the biggest and the longest river in US. This river takes my attention because my country, Ethiopia is the source of Nile river which is the longest river in the world.
Last night we spent the night in St. Paul, Minnesota. Abebe, an Architect was my x-coworker in Ethiopia. We spent the night in his house. Avi and Andy used to eat Ethiopian food many times. It is spicy food ranging from mild to hot sauce made beef or lamb and comes with a kind of bread called "Ingera". A team of travel America had a dinner with Abebe. I enjoyed the food and hope Avi and Andy do the same. Abea, Thanks for the hospitality.
Hey guys, We just hit South Dakota. Hope you are enjoying our trip. We are going to camp tonight in South Dakota.
AVI AND THE BADGER
Today is may 18, 2008. We are in Madison, Wisconsin. We spent last night in Madison at Brent's house who is a friend of Andy went the same college and lived in the same building for four years.All together went to a restaurant, grabbed spotted cow beer and wings.Thanks for Brent's for the hospitality.
Traffic was horrible when we drive from Chicago to Madison.We spent more than one hour driving bumper to bumper. Of course, this gave us time to take a picture of a church, Andy mentored kids on summer vacation when he was in college. I asked Andy what he exactly did. He was just telling them his life experience so that the kids see a role model. I believe that Andy is a real role model.
Wisconsin is known for American dairy. German Immigrants settled in Madison ( courtesy of Avi:-). The sausage, the cheese, the spotted local brewery are all in Madison. I tested the cheese and it tastes better.When I moved to USA from Ethiopia I didn't like the taste
of steak , juices and other food until I used to it. But the taste of steak in Wisconsin reminded me a similar kind of steak taste back in Ethiopia and enjoyed it a lot.
We visited down town Madison, the Capitol, and the Badgers Stadium. Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. It is a little bit a quite town. We also visited the University of Wisconsin where Isaac (x-coworker at ESE) went to College.
I realised there is intimacy between Avi and The badgers. I saw him many times taking pictures everywhere in Madison by the stadium, in a restaurant and everywhere we went (FYI-please see the pictures).Whenever we visit a park we have been playing freezbi and football. Today, Avi donated this foot ball to the Badgers. Go badgers !!!
Thanks for all of you guys who have been reading, commenting and looking pictures.
We are heading to further west. Keep you posted.
Traffic was horrible when we drive from Chicago to Madison.We spent more than one hour driving bumper to bumper. Of course, this gave us time to take a picture of a church, Andy mentored kids on summer vacation when he was in college. I asked Andy what he exactly did. He was just telling them his life experience so that the kids see a role model. I believe that Andy is a real role model.
Wisconsin is known for American dairy. German Immigrants settled in Madison ( courtesy of Avi:-). The sausage, the cheese, the spotted local brewery are all in Madison. I tested the cheese and it tastes better.When I moved to USA from Ethiopia I didn't like the taste
of steak , juices and other food until I used to it. But the taste of steak in Wisconsin reminded me a similar kind of steak taste back in Ethiopia and enjoyed it a lot.
We visited down town Madison, the Capitol, and the Badgers Stadium. Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. It is a little bit a quite town. We also visited the University of Wisconsin where Isaac (x-coworker at ESE) went to College.
I realised there is intimacy between Avi and The badgers. I saw him many times taking pictures everywhere in Madison by the stadium, in a restaurant and everywhere we went (FYI-please see the pictures).Whenever we visit a park we have been playing freezbi and football. Today, Avi donated this foot ball to the Badgers. Go badgers !!!
Thanks for all of you guys who have been reading, commenting and looking pictures.
We are heading to further west. Keep you posted.
ANDY BACK TO UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
May 17 is another big day. Andy, Avi and I are on 6 th day trip to America. We have been enjoying our visit a lot. Now we are heading to Chicago, Ilinois from South Bend, Indiana. Eastern time zone is just changed in to Central time zone here. We have been getting calls, e-mails and comments from friends, family and x-coworkers. Avi's mom, Ruth from Kibbutz in Israel has been following up this trip everyday. Thanks for all of you.
Yesterday, We drove from Ontario Canada through Detroit, Michigan down to Indiana. I noticed rest areas were located approximately every five miles on I-94 which I have never seen in other interstate freeways so far. It is interesting due to the fact that travellers can take rest, use rest room, navigate etc,...We took advantage of it for using as a rest room. We spent the night at Elkhart,Indiana in a motel which is a border town close to michigan.
We woke up at 10 AM and started driving to University of Notre Dame. Andy went to this University and studied Civil Engineering. The compound is big, good landscape, and has impressing architecture. We walked around and visited Andy's dormitory, Notre Dame Stadium, the church, book store and library building among others. It was graduation day so there were many people in the campus.
Then we started driving to Chicago. Chicago is similar to New York city because there are a lot of high rise building in downtown by michigan lake. Sears building in chicago used to be the tallest building in the world. I guess after that the world tallest building was in Malaysia and now in Dubai which is being built. Today I heard another world tallest building is going to be built in Chicago again.
In most part of our trips Andy is driving and sometimes navigating. Avi's full time job is navigating. Today, Avi is helping Andy driving. I am sitting in the back seat and writing.
Keep in touch.
Yesterday, We drove from Ontario Canada through Detroit, Michigan down to Indiana. I noticed rest areas were located approximately every five miles on I-94 which I have never seen in other interstate freeways so far. It is interesting due to the fact that travellers can take rest, use rest room, navigate etc,...We took advantage of it for using as a rest room. We spent the night at Elkhart,Indiana in a motel which is a border town close to michigan.
We woke up at 10 AM and started driving to University of Notre Dame. Andy went to this University and studied Civil Engineering. The compound is big, good landscape, and has impressing architecture. We walked around and visited Andy's dormitory, Notre Dame Stadium, the church, book store and library building among others. It was graduation day so there were many people in the campus.
Then we started driving to Chicago. Chicago is similar to New York city because there are a lot of high rise building in downtown by michigan lake. Sears building in chicago used to be the tallest building in the world. I guess after that the world tallest building was in Malaysia and now in Dubai which is being built. Today I heard another world tallest building is going to be built in Chicago again.
In most part of our trips Andy is driving and sometimes navigating. Avi's full time job is navigating. Today, Avi is helping Andy driving. I am sitting in the back seat and writing.
Keep in touch.
Friday, May 16, 2008
NIAGARA FALLS
Hey guys, hope you have been reading the blog. I love to read comments. So please comment on it. Whatever you think counts. Well, today (May 15/2008) is another wonderful day. We spent our first camping last night in St. Johnsville in between Utica and Albany in New York. The camping site was by the river canal with a wonderful landscape. When we got there around 9 pm nobody was there. I think it is a little bit early to camp in May but the weather was not bad at all. A little bit of rain, windy and train noise many times throughout the night.
After we got there, we started immediately assembling our tents assisted by Avi who is a camping expert. Camping fee was ten dollars. It is fun to travel with Avi , so generous and he enjoys helping others. Avi fixed tea. Since we haven’t started yet cooking we had subway for dinner.
As usual Andy woke up before us. He is a very organized person I ever know. He took a shower, came back and told us to wake up and start heading to Niagara Falls. This place was one of the best places in my list to visit since I saw it in travel channel since 2005. It is among the wonders of the world. I watched also documentaries about this fall about the first expedition in seventeen hundred’s, the tribes, worship, and the first woman who went through the fall in barrel with her cat were among others.
When we hit Niagara Falls around 2 pm there was beautiful weather. Wow!! It was amazing. Some visitors ride a helicopter or a boat downstream side of the fall. Others approach from the bottom to feel the pressure, the vapor and the beauty. The rest of the visitors walk around the fall on the upper side, cross the bridges and enjoy the falls in different locations. There are all kinds of adventures. Since this river is a border line for US and Canada, there is also beautiful scenery across the river on the Canadian side.
Our plan is to spend the night in Ruthven a small town in Ontario, Canada. We have to drive four hours to get there. We finished our visit at 4:30 pm and crossed Canadian border. Canada is pretty much similar to US. A good landscape, rivers and lots of lakes which takes my attention most wherever I go. We crossed Ontario Lake driving to Ruthven.
Here is another interesting part of today’s trip. The couple we stayed with are Barbara and Bill. Barbara was maid of honor of Andy’s mom, Christina. Their two year old grandson Mathew was also visiting for the weekend. We got there around 9 pm. Bill and Barbara lived in Tanzania for seven years and in Nigeria for three years teaching. Bill is feeling Tanzania as second home. He visited also Ethiopia ten years ago. Both of them also have been to Israel. So we have a lot to talk about Kenya, Ethiopia, and Israel. Barbara welcomed us warmly when we got there in front yard. They have a beautiful house on a 25 Acre property. They built it in seventies. Andy and I grabbed beer, Avi and Barbara grabbed wine and started walking around the property. It is quiet, birds singing, ever green and one of the best place ever to live in.
Canada is the second largest country Russia on top. The population of Canada is 33 million. I asked bill where the closest city from Ruthven located. He answered Lemington 15 km away which has a population of 15,000. A population of 15, 000!!! Guess how many people are living per sq. km or sq. mile. Ruthven is located in the heart land of agricultural area which is on southern part of Canada. Northern part of Canada is mostly covered with snow and swampy.
Thanks for Barbara and Bill’s hospitality. We had dinner together. We talked about a lot of issues mostly about Kenya, Ethiopia and Israel. I slept very well. Hope Andy and Avi too. We woke up in the morning had a wonderful breakfast in a beautiful dining room. Thanks to Barbara and Bill and enjoyed our stay there until 4 pm. Today, Friday may 16 we are heading back to US – North West to Detroit then we are heading south west toward Notre Dame which is in the northern part of Indiana. If you keep on reading and looking at pictures, I will keep you posted.
After we got there, we started immediately assembling our tents assisted by Avi who is a camping expert. Camping fee was ten dollars. It is fun to travel with Avi , so generous and he enjoys helping others. Avi fixed tea. Since we haven’t started yet cooking we had subway for dinner.
As usual Andy woke up before us. He is a very organized person I ever know. He took a shower, came back and told us to wake up and start heading to Niagara Falls. This place was one of the best places in my list to visit since I saw it in travel channel since 2005. It is among the wonders of the world. I watched also documentaries about this fall about the first expedition in seventeen hundred’s, the tribes, worship, and the first woman who went through the fall in barrel with her cat were among others.
When we hit Niagara Falls around 2 pm there was beautiful weather. Wow!! It was amazing. Some visitors ride a helicopter or a boat downstream side of the fall. Others approach from the bottom to feel the pressure, the vapor and the beauty. The rest of the visitors walk around the fall on the upper side, cross the bridges and enjoy the falls in different locations. There are all kinds of adventures. Since this river is a border line for US and Canada, there is also beautiful scenery across the river on the Canadian side.
Our plan is to spend the night in Ruthven a small town in Ontario, Canada. We have to drive four hours to get there. We finished our visit at 4:30 pm and crossed Canadian border. Canada is pretty much similar to US. A good landscape, rivers and lots of lakes which takes my attention most wherever I go. We crossed Ontario Lake driving to Ruthven.
Here is another interesting part of today’s trip. The couple we stayed with are Barbara and Bill. Barbara was maid of honor of Andy’s mom, Christina. Their two year old grandson Mathew was also visiting for the weekend. We got there around 9 pm. Bill and Barbara lived in Tanzania for seven years and in Nigeria for three years teaching. Bill is feeling Tanzania as second home. He visited also Ethiopia ten years ago. Both of them also have been to Israel. So we have a lot to talk about Kenya, Ethiopia, and Israel. Barbara welcomed us warmly when we got there in front yard. They have a beautiful house on a 25 Acre property. They built it in seventies. Andy and I grabbed beer, Avi and Barbara grabbed wine and started walking around the property. It is quiet, birds singing, ever green and one of the best place ever to live in.
Canada is the second largest country Russia on top. The population of Canada is 33 million. I asked bill where the closest city from Ruthven located. He answered Lemington 15 km away which has a population of 15,000. A population of 15, 000!!! Guess how many people are living per sq. km or sq. mile. Ruthven is located in the heart land of agricultural area which is on southern part of Canada. Northern part of Canada is mostly covered with snow and swampy.
Thanks for Barbara and Bill’s hospitality. We had dinner together. We talked about a lot of issues mostly about Kenya, Ethiopia and Israel. I slept very well. Hope Andy and Avi too. We woke up in the morning had a wonderful breakfast in a beautiful dining room. Thanks to Barbara and Bill and enjoyed our stay there until 4 pm. Today, Friday may 16 we are heading back to US – North West to Detroit then we are heading south west toward Notre Dame which is in the northern part of Indiana. If you keep on reading and looking at pictures, I will keep you posted.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
SIS MADE IT TO ATLANTIC
We woke up at 8 in the morning (EDITOR\AVI NOTE: Avi & Chu actually woke up @ 7:00…) and Avi wanted to have a hair cut (EDITOR\AVI NOTE: Since @ 9:30 Sisay was STILL surfing the web & uploading pictures to the computer…) for a good look on beach with a swim suit. Our plan was first to drive by the United Nations Building and then to Jones Beach and finally head up north New York close to Niagara Falls. When we got to the Atlantic it was 1 Pm and the weather was a little bit chilly.
It was my first time in the Ocean. It was another excitement. It was beautiful. The sand, the water, the wave etc . Avi tried to throw me in the Ocean as he has said many times. As usual Andy is cool just laughing and taking pictures. He is so organized and all the time driving and planning trip. Avi sitting next to him reads map and also suggests plan. It looks that he knows many places in US since he has a lot of travel experience. Avi is not going to make fun of me when it comes to going to the ocean any more.
We are now spending the first camping night by a canal in Saint Johnsville somewhere in between Albany and Utica in upstate New York. Tomorrow morning we are going to head to Niagara Falls.
It was my first time in the Ocean. It was another excitement. It was beautiful. The sand, the water, the wave etc . Avi tried to throw me in the Ocean as he has said many times. As usual Andy is cool just laughing and taking pictures. He is so organized and all the time driving and planning trip. Avi sitting next to him reads map and also suggests plan. It looks that he knows many places in US since he has a lot of travel experience. Avi is not going to make fun of me when it comes to going to the ocean any more.
We are now spending the first camping night by a canal in Saint Johnsville somewhere in between Albany and Utica in upstate New York. Tomorrow morning we are going to head to Niagara Falls.
NEW YORK CITY
When we arrived at New York on May 12, around 6 PM we were driving bumper to bumper right before Lincoln Tunnel. It is pretty long tunnel. Before, we hit the tunnel across Hudson River I saw a lot of high rise buildings pretty close to each other. We booked for a hostel in Manhattan for two days so we were heading there. On our way there I got a chance to see New York City. It is totally different from where I have been living in sterling for the last four and half years. I haven’t seen a single family houses in this city. It is all apartment buildings.
The reason we chose a hostel is because of the low price. We paid $165 for two days for three of us. It is expensive to rent a hotel so I guess this was a better option. After we got the location of the hostel, the problem we faced was finding parking spaces. We drove almost an hour looking for either street parking or a garage. It was hard to find. Many people in New York City don’t have a car because of parking. They use mass transit like sub way and bus. Finally, we gave up looking for parking and headed to down town on broad way.
It is so exciting to drive during night and see places like time square and the surrounding area.
We visited places like Central Park, The statue of Liberty and the world trade center on may 13. The world trade center building is under construction. It is on the stage of sub-structure works. It was exciting to ride in a boat from Manhattan to visit the statue of liberty. Fortunately the weather was so nice. We enjoyed our visit. The only problem we had in the statue of liberty was there was no enough coffee for Avi. He had coffee only in the morning. He felt sleepy. Finally he suggested falling asleep on concrete floor for five minutes. Mind you five minutes is based on Avi’s time. Five minutes means 25 minutes. This place is I would say one of the most beautiful places on earth. God blessed America.
I also saw Ellis Island from a distant by statue of liberty. It is pretty interesting the story behind those houses in the island. It was where the first American immigrants were entered and landed in US soil.
Please, keep on travelling with us.
The reason we chose a hostel is because of the low price. We paid $165 for two days for three of us. It is expensive to rent a hotel so I guess this was a better option. After we got the location of the hostel, the problem we faced was finding parking spaces. We drove almost an hour looking for either street parking or a garage. It was hard to find. Many people in New York City don’t have a car because of parking. They use mass transit like sub way and bus. Finally, we gave up looking for parking and headed to down town on broad way.
It is so exciting to drive during night and see places like time square and the surrounding area.
We visited places like Central Park, The statue of Liberty and the world trade center on may 13. The world trade center building is under construction. It is on the stage of sub-structure works. It was exciting to ride in a boat from Manhattan to visit the statue of liberty. Fortunately the weather was so nice. We enjoyed our visit. The only problem we had in the statue of liberty was there was no enough coffee for Avi. He had coffee only in the morning. He felt sleepy. Finally he suggested falling asleep on concrete floor for five minutes. Mind you five minutes is based on Avi’s time. Five minutes means 25 minutes. This place is I would say one of the most beautiful places on earth. God blessed America.
I also saw Ellis Island from a distant by statue of liberty. It is pretty interesting the story behind those houses in the island. It was where the first American immigrants were entered and landed in US soil.
Please, keep on travelling with us.
New York, New York
For my part, as driver, a primary theme of this stop was parking or the lack of it thereof... We however stumbled upon how to beat the system. Free on-street parking is virtually impossible to come by - I must have spent a total of 3 hours over the past two days driving up and down streets looking for a spot. Parking garages are $29 + $8.50 (for SUVs) which with tax brings you close to $40 per 24 hours. A ticket for parking in front of a (broken) hourly meter is $35. We inadvertently went with the latter.
Aside from that - the weather was spectacular and spirits were high. We stayed at a hostel on 101st and Broadway which is actually very nice as far as hostels go. A lot of travellers from all around the world use them so there was an interesting array of people passing in the hallway. Monday evening we had dinner at a cafe down in Greenwich village. It is frequented by Israelis and one of Avi's friends was playing there. Last night we had dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant just up the street. Now if only "Kenyan restaurants" existed...
We closed the day playing frisbee in Central Park alongside a troupe of actors who were practising some Shakespeare play that involved sword fighting, quarterstaff jousting and "art-thou-daft-man!!"s. Sisay was intrigued. He noted that this was not customary to parks in Addis Ababa. One of the beauties of New York is that nobody really cares what you think...
Today we head to some beach on Long Island to give Sisay his first taste of the Ocean. From there we head north to the Adirondacks for our first night of camping.
Aside from that - the weather was spectacular and spirits were high. We stayed at a hostel on 101st and Broadway which is actually very nice as far as hostels go. A lot of travellers from all around the world use them so there was an interesting array of people passing in the hallway. Monday evening we had dinner at a cafe down in Greenwich village. It is frequented by Israelis and one of Avi's friends was playing there. Last night we had dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant just up the street. Now if only "Kenyan restaurants" existed...
We closed the day playing frisbee in Central Park alongside a troupe of actors who were practising some Shakespeare play that involved sword fighting, quarterstaff jousting and "art-thou-daft-man!!"s. Sisay was intrigued. He noted that this was not customary to parks in Addis Ababa. One of the beauties of New York is that nobody really cares what you think...
Today we head to some beach on Long Island to give Sisay his first taste of the Ocean. From there we head north to the Adirondacks for our first night of camping.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sterling - New York
It was summer of 2007. Andy and I was having lunch at Chipotle and started talking about traveling. I told him many times I wanted to travel and see more of this country. We discussed if we can drive Alaska and see many states along the way. When we estimate the time it takes, it needs at least three weeks. After discussing a bunch of options we came to the conclusion that we don’t have what it takes to drive through Alaska in addition to the time needed.
The following day Andy came up with two travel options. The first option was to travel up east coast and then to Canada. And the second option was to travel mid west. I agreed with the proposal and told me to think about it and prepare detailed plan for one of the option. When I offer the plan to Avi , he was not that much interested. The reason was he didn’t have enough vacation time to travel. After all, why Avi would be enthusiastic because he has already travelled in U.S. for six months. The idea of travel was on hold due to different reasons and inconvenience for many months.
During the second week of April, 2008 while having lunch at chipotle Andy proposed a more detailed travel plan. I don’t exactly know until now why Andy every time proposes a travel plan during lunch time and at chipotle.
Avi was also there. We are not going lunch to chipotle every day. It is just a coincidence to propose a plan for the second time the same place. Andy also told us he has already given a resignation. I was also thinking to go back to Ethiopia for a little bit. But I was not prepared to leave ESE Consultants Inc . I was also planning to leave ESE in July or august. So it was a matter of choosing between two things. To keep on working until July or august and then to go back home or to quit the same time as Andy does and travel together. Honestly, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity of travelling. If I don’t do it right now I know that I may not do it in the future. So I decided and put 15 days notice. It was totally my responsibility to leave my job. Good timing!!
Travelling started yesterday on may 12 around 12 pm. Avi is our manager. Groelinger knows why Avi is a manager. He can explain it better than I do. Our plan was first to go to Rehoboth beach in Delaware. Thanks to Avi and Andy. Avi has been always making fun of me because I have never been to the ocean. Actually, making fun of me on a lot of things. I am going to sue him. Groelinger is going to help me looking for a lawyer.
However, due to the rain we changed our plan a little bit and started heading New York. This is my first time in New York . I am excited. If you keep on travelling with us, I will keep you posted.
The following day Andy came up with two travel options. The first option was to travel up east coast and then to Canada. And the second option was to travel mid west. I agreed with the proposal and told me to think about it and prepare detailed plan for one of the option. When I offer the plan to Avi , he was not that much interested. The reason was he didn’t have enough vacation time to travel. After all, why Avi would be enthusiastic because he has already travelled in U.S. for six months. The idea of travel was on hold due to different reasons and inconvenience for many months.
During the second week of April, 2008 while having lunch at chipotle Andy proposed a more detailed travel plan. I don’t exactly know until now why Andy every time proposes a travel plan during lunch time and at chipotle.
Avi was also there. We are not going lunch to chipotle every day. It is just a coincidence to propose a plan for the second time the same place. Andy also told us he has already given a resignation. I was also thinking to go back to Ethiopia for a little bit. But I was not prepared to leave ESE Consultants Inc . I was also planning to leave ESE in July or august. So it was a matter of choosing between two things. To keep on working until July or august and then to go back home or to quit the same time as Andy does and travel together. Honestly, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity of travelling. If I don’t do it right now I know that I may not do it in the future. So I decided and put 15 days notice. It was totally my responsibility to leave my job. Good timing!!
Travelling started yesterday on may 12 around 12 pm. Avi is our manager. Groelinger knows why Avi is a manager. He can explain it better than I do. Our plan was first to go to Rehoboth beach in Delaware. Thanks to Avi and Andy. Avi has been always making fun of me because I have never been to the ocean. Actually, making fun of me on a lot of things. I am going to sue him. Groelinger is going to help me looking for a lawyer.
However, due to the rain we changed our plan a little bit and started heading New York. This is my first time in New York . I am excited. If you keep on travelling with us, I will keep you posted.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
One for the Ages.
I'm not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. This is merely one perspective of America by road.
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