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Leaving for Minneapolis...one more time
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| (Tuesday, 10 April 2012) Written by Administrator |
| I’m all packed and ready to head back to the Midwest…it’s been an emotional time getting ready for this trip. I’m not use to travelling without mom taking care of my cats and my usual “goodbye” lunch with mom. I’m not sure what to expect from this trip…I’m hoping for some healing, some amends, some closure, some hope and faith. Above all a connectedness to all who I have known and those who have gone and the shape that our lives have taken because our lives passed and touched each other. I am first flying to Minneapolis where I will reconnect with some of the best friends of my life. I couldn’t help today but reflect on my first time going to Minneapolis. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and... (5423 more chars) |
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The journey into the past....begins.
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| (Sunday, 08 April 2012) Written by Administrator |
| Journey into the past…. This marks my first Easter without mom…as difficult as it could have been it wasn’t too bad. It also kicks off my “Journey into the past…” vacation. In Easter’s passed I usually made a typical Polish Easter dinner. Even though mom, dad, or the rest of my family is not around…I was still able to carry on the tradition with my new family…namely Howard. I cooked all my traditional Polish dishes that I usually make and even added two new dishes Matzo ball soup and Miriam’s Red Cabbage to the menu to honor Passover. I’m entering into a new era…a new phase..and a new chapter in my life. A new chapter which I am very excited about and happy and feel that... (5668 more chars) |
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Redding Highlights
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| (Thursday, 15 March 2012) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This was our last day of our trip. I decided last night that since I got so much accomplished having a rental car I would keep it until we had to leave and head back to Sacramento. Today my adventure was to Redding and the Turtle Bay Exploration Park along the Sacramento River. Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a museum complex that interprets the relationship between humans and nature. The attractions include a botanical garden, a natural history and science museum, a "camp" for nature, history and science education programs, the Sundial Bridge and seasonal animal programs. My first stop was the Sundial Bridge and a walk across the bridge to the banks of the Sacramento River. The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding, Calif... (4865 more chars) |
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Shasta County, California
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| (Wednesday, 14 March 2012) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After a good night rest we woke up and had a hearty breakfast included with the hotel. The primary reason for this trip was Howard had work in Redding and I tagged along and was going to explore Shasta County. On his way to work he dropped me off at the car rental place where I rented a car. My intent was to rent it for the day….but the weather was so bad and I got so accustomed to having “wheels” I decided to keep it an extra day. This allowed me a lot more freedom to explore around and in a faster manner. My original plan was to go biking but due to the inclement weather, I switched plans to a rental car which proved to be much better. After acquiring the car I headed west out of Redding to Shasta Historical State Park which I didn’t re... (8774 more chars) |
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Journey to the other end of the state
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| (Tuesday, 13 March 2012) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| ---I woke up excited about going on a trip. I woke up very early to drive up to Howard’s by 8:30 am. We headed to Burbank Airport which I had never flown out of. I really liked the ease and access of this terminal. It was an added bittersweetness to know that the cemetery my family is at was just a few blocks away. I remember as a child visiting my grandparents at the cemetery and watching the planes take off over the graves. This time it was me “taking off” and flying over my grandparents and parents. The day was mainly a transit day…so not much history or adventures. We arrived in Sacramento and go our rental car and headed north on I-5. I had never been north of Sacramento on the I-5….not much different than the drive fr... (804 more chars) |
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My return from darkness...
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| (Monday, 12 March 2012) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| My last “blog” entry was November 26, 2010…I had no idea what the following year would hold for me. I return to my travels and my writing with a heavier heart as I survived one of the hardest years of my life. Due to all of the upheaval 2011 held, I was not able to travel at all. In fact, I was not even able to do a trip of the week or a weekend getaway the entire year. That is unheard of for me. It with excitement coupled with sadness that I return to my travels and writing on many levels. At the beginning of 2011 I had three jobs, mom was here, grandma was here, just got back from Argentina, and I thought life was great. In one year…I lost all my job, my mom, my grandma, not one single trip the whole year, broke my foot. In February I lo... (3147 more chars) |
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La Boca and the final day...
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| (Friday, 26 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| WEll, this is it...the final hours before I head back home. I am sad to leave and dreading the first week back. THe first week back is so hard emotionally and physically getting back into the regular groove, adjusting to the jet lag, and the emotional withdrawl that I go through...the only thing that helps is time and start planning or at least thinking of where to go next. I called mom last night to wish her a happy thanksgiving....it was nice to talk to her and to know everything is alright back home. Last night I had some drama but it is all ok now. I woke up this morning and decided to walk to La Boca. Now I am not that educated on La Boca..but everyone says there is a river walk ¨"Caminita" that is really cool and touristy....yet the travel books I have said that La Boca is dow... (3279 more chars) |
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Thanksgiving from Buenos Aires
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| (Thursday, 25 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, after yesterdays ordeal...which I have to admit I think I handled it with a pretty good attitude though I was exhausted. I got to bed at 4 am...but was up at 8 am which I was glad...because I wanted to stick to my schedule and didnt want to lose too much time. I really didnt have anything planned last night anway...so nothing was really lost except some sleep. Plus I met some cool people and had a learning experience in aceepting life on lifes terms and being able to manage change and problems in a foreign country and language. I probably would not ahve been so calm if I was in LAX Airport! lol It hardly seems like thanksgiving here...but I am thinking of all of you back home. Plus (now I can officially complain about the weather)...it´s hot and humid...ugghhh...I dont do thi... (2307 more chars) |
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The day from hell..
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| (Wednesday, 24 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well....I knew this trip was going to smoothly and there always has to be one hellish day on each trip...today was that trip. Though I managed to get through with humor and met some new friends. I was all packed and took the shuttle to the airport...when I arrived at the aiport it was sheer hell....massive hoard of people. My airline LAN went on strike today....and everyone told me to take LAN instead of Aerolineas Argentina because they were the ones that cancelled flights. I wait in a long line...only to be told...they didnt know when I was going to leave. For four hours I waited..finally they called me at 430. My flight was at 1 pm. They told me I could get on an Aerolineas Argentina Flight at 1040 arriving in Buenos Aires at 2 am. I took it... I had to wait 6 more hours...in... (985 more chars) |
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Mi Dia en El Calafate
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| (Tuesday, 23 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today was my built in "chill" day....I slept a little later and took my time getting ready this morning. I hiked up a mountain outside of town to get a view of the lake and the mountains. the weather was sunny and cold and really windy. If it wasn't for the wind it wouldn't have been too bad. I then walked downhill toward the lake and stumbled accross a little museum which actually was very interesting. It was a small but well put together museum about evolution and the native people of Patagonia, the creation of the various continents, and the migratory paths of early homo sapiens. It was really facsinating. I spent nearly an hour there. they also had a lot about Darwins expedition to this area and Magellan who coined the term Patagonia which meant land of barbarians beca... (5394 more chars) |
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The Patagonian Ice Field
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| (Monday, 22 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello...it is hard to believe that next Monday I will be back at work....but until then the adventure continues. Last night I actually ended up having pizza which was nice for a change. I had to set my alarm to get up early. i scarfed my breakfast and the shuttle came and picked me up. There were two other people going from Minneapolis...so we talked about the old stomping grounds. This couple lived in the uptown area of Minneapolis. We drove up north to Puerta Bandera...it was cold and rainy and we got on a boat. Thankfully I remembered to take a dramamine. We had to sit in groups of four so three Argentine women sat with me. They were from Santa Fe Argentina but had never been to Patagonia. Everyone here drinks mate out of a gourd. They didnt speak any english...so I really ha... (1820 more chars) |
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Trekking Glacier Perito Moreno
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| (Sunday, 21 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well after I last wrote yesterday I walked into town to find a bite to eat. It was so cold and blustery and it started to snow!!! I was so excited. But the wind was howling and biting. But I was bundled up well. I had my usual dinner...Lomito Completo..a sandwich with steak, ham, fried egg...i have had that almost every night with papa fritas (french fries). I woke up this morning and shuttle bus picked me up and took me to a large bus. Papa as I call him at the house I am staying told me in spanish to get a seat on the left side of the bus! I did that and the views were incredible as the bus ascended higher and higher into the andes mountains. It took us about 2 hours to get there. We then got on a boat on Lago Argentina..the largest lake in Aregentina made by the melting glac... (4549 more chars) |
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El Calafate
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| (Saturday, 20 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...I am currently in El calafate Argentina....or what I first felt like was hell! lol. I woke up this morning and had my morning coffee with Maria and her husband and headed to the airport. There was of course a departure tax it wasnt too expensive but I hate that they sneak that in at the last moment. The plane took off on time and I ended up sitting next to a guy from Poland so we talked most of the flight since I had been to Poland twice to visit family. I had booked a family home ahead of time and had read that el calafate was the gateway to the glaciers national park and the famous glacier Perito Moreno. After the grand entrance into fin del mundo...I was almost horrified as the plane descended...it looked like we were landing in the mojave dessert! El Calafate is th... (2440 more chars) |
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Parque Nacional Tierra Del Fuego
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| (Friday, 19 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all... Tonight is my last night in the fin del mundo...I feel a bit sad leaving this place. I woke up this morning and Maria had her usual breakfast ready for me. We had a conversation in spanish about my work, what I do, and then she went on and told me about all the social problems and social plight in Argentina. At 9 am a shuttle came to pick me up to take me to the National Park of Tierra Del Fuego. Today I did something I have never done in my 41 years of life....go trekking back country alone. I have always went with someone or in a group. As much as I love hiking, I have always had this fear that if I go alone...and I break an ankle, get lost, get attacked by an animal, or bitten by a snake....I would be doomed. The shuttle took me to the entrance of the park and ... (2899 more chars) |
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Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego
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| (Thursday, 18 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello from Ushuaia..fin del mundo. Today I didnt have any major plans so I stayed and explored the town of Ushuaia. I woke up and Maria had breakfast for me and I got ready and headed out. In some ways it was nice to have very low key, slow paced day but in some ways not. I actually got to just enjoy this town. My first stop was the old prison built in 1890. Argetina wanted to copy England with their penal colony in Australia so they set up a penal colony here in Ushuaia. It was actually really interesting to tour the prison and see the cells. My favorite part was there were stories about various prisoners and why they were serving time there. The youngest was 12 years old for setting fires in Buenos Aires and killing some boys! There was 600 inmates male and female and they d... (4325 more chars) |
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The Beagle Channel
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| (Wednesday, 17 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings friends and family...last night I went to bed about 10...but was woke up at 4:30 AM because the sun started shining in my room!! I dont know if I could deal with these extreme days and nights! In June the sun rises at 10 am and sets at 4 pm! Maria had breakfast for me and I took a nice hot shower in my private bathroom!! I walked down to the port and got on a catameran...The catameran set sail at 9 am and we went throught the Beagle Channel through and archipellego of small islands...one islands had south american sea lions. The Channell is where the pacific ocean meet the atlantic ocean! We passed all kind of birds I cant even remember the names of all of them. I do remember the albatross...it fascinated me because they can glide for a long time without flapping their w... (2939 more chars) |
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Tierra Del Fuego..Fin Del Mundo!
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| (Tuesday, 16 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello...I made it...I am now at the tip of the world....the furthest city south on the planet without going to Antartica..Ushuaia!! I just found out that Antarctica is only 620 miles from here. Im kind of bummed I am not going all the way...but its an additional couple thousand dollars to get a boat from here to get there...perhaps someday. Well, after I wrote last night....I went out and finally had a typical Argentine dinner...STEAK. I got an awesome steak and fries for a cheap price and the meat was so juicy and tender!! I then went back to the hostel and hung out with some of the other travellers for quite a while...I was up later than I expected. They asked me to go out with them but it was already 11 pm and I had an early flight. They went out and I went and packed and finall... (5040 more chars) |
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Barrios Recoletta, Retiro, Centro, y San Telmo
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| (Monday, 15 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After I last wrote yesterday evening...I went for a walk. Words cannot describe the city of Buenos Aires...it is massive, vibrant, ecclectic and filled with hustle and bustle and it is a night time town. I grabbed a bit to eat and then stumbled on a rasta drum circle. There was so much pot being smoked and people were dancing in the streets to the rhythm of the drums. Later I stumbled on an outdoor tango show which was really enjoyable to watch. I wish I could tango. That dance is just so sultry and sexy! The streets were busy late at night with music flowing in every direction. I hung out with a few of the guys from my hostel...a guy travelling the world for 6 months from England, a guy from Cuba, and some others...I dont remember. This morning I woke up early...and actually ha... (3304 more chars) |
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Greetings from Buenos Aires
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| (Sunday, 14 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...I finally made it to ARgentina...my 39th Country. I have dreamed of visitng Argentina since I was a teenager obsessed with Evita! Last night I went for a stroll around Colonia and had dinner at a Regggaeton Bar...very good music! I went to bed rather early (I know..an old man). I woke up this morning and finally after 5 days got to take a hot shower and hot shave...it felt great. The place I stayed also had breakfast...so I had yogurt, cereal, coffee, juice, and some bread. I packed up all my 35 pounds of stuff and walked to the Ferry Terminal. I had to go through customs and immigration which went very smoothly. Plus there was no fees or taxes leaving the country. The ferry was unbelievable...it was like a cruise ship with duty free store, eating area, etc and the ri... (2569 more chars) |
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Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
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| (Saturday, 13 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello friends and family....a lot has happened in the last 24 hours! After I wrote last evening....I went to find some food at a street stand. Nothing too exciting last night. I met a new traveller from Australia who was finishing up in Montevideo and was doing the same trip I´m doing but in the opposite direction so he was able to give me some advice on Buenos Aires and El Calafate. I woke up early this morning and packed and had breakfast and had to get to the main bus terminal by 9:30. I just get so nervous on these "transition" days because I alway worry if I am getting on the right bus, at the right terminal, getting off at the right stop, have all my luggage, stay alert to pickpockets, etc. I think because in the past when bad things have happened its been because I got on the ... (3616 more chars) |
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Final day in Montevideo
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| (Friday, 12 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...today I felt more in my backpacking/budget groove. AFter I wrote last night, I couldnt believe how late the sun was out. It was like 8 pm and sunny as if it were only 4 pm. I did not go to any clubs because they didnt open until 1 am and I am getting just to old for that!! I did wander the streets and went to the grocery store for some snacks and called it a night. I woke up and opted not for the cold shower and cold shave...to painful and I figured its ok to go a day without! I headed east today and ended up at the olympic training area...which included their track and field and bicycle velodrom and swimming area. Also in the vicinity was the futbol stadium and I went to the museo de futbol which was actually really cool. I met a guy that worked there who treated me ... (3470 more chars) |
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Montevideo-Ciudad Vieja
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| (Thursday, 11 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After I last wrote you I passed out and slept all the way until 9:30 AM which is unheard of...but if you consider that there is a 6 hour time difference I technically work up at 330 am Los Angeles time which means I was pretty much on schedule. But i did sleep excellent! I woke up and took a shower...unfortuantely I could not get the hot water running so I had to take a cold shower and shave with cold water....it was not easy but thats the stuff i like that makes me appreciate what i have back home. I calculated last night that Uruguay is my 38th country! To be honest i didnt know much about uruguay or montevideo....i just thought i would stop here since it was so close to Buenos Aires and hit it for a few days to add to my "100 countries". Suprisingly I really like Uruguay...its a b... (3224 more chars) |
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Greetings from Montevideo, Uruguay
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| (Wednesday, 10 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all....I am here safe and sound in Montevideo, Uruguay. I am tired and worn and about to go to bed as it is almost midnight! Not a whole lot to report as it was just a long day of travelling and Im on a dinosaur computer that is slower than mollasses in january. The flight from LA to Panama was not too bad but the flight from Panama to Uruguay was hard...a million children screaming and running all over and the flight was nearly 7 hours long and i felt like we were never goin to get there. In total it was 16 hours of travelling. I arrived in Montevideo, went through customs and got my 1st passport stamp in my new passport. Eduardo my host was waiting for me and picked me up. He was with his partner Walter. Both are from spain originally but moved here 3 1-2 years ago. Ve... (490 more chars) |
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Departure
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| (Tuesday, 09 November 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| The final hours and final minutes are approaching before my next backpacking adventure. Many of you have been on these e-blast before and some are new! Thank you for allowing me to take you with me on my trip. Those of you who have been around, know that I try to send out daily updates with my adventure, the history, the culture. Also, I try to return all personal emails while I’m traveling. In the evening after a long day, I enjoy going to an internet café, sipping a coffee, and catching up on emails and reflecting on my day’s adventure. There is always such and excitement and such an anxiety the hours leading up to departure…did I remember everything, did I pack alright, will the trip be ok, will I encounter any problems. But mainly I am fill... (2775 more chars) |
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Carpinteria Avocado Festival
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| (Sunday, 03 October 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Although the temperature here has been hot and humid all week, its technically fall time! And with fall come’s harvests, festivals and holidays! To kick off the next few weeks of harvest festivals, this week’s trip of the week took us north of Los Angeles toward Santa Barbara to the city of Carpinteria for the 24 th Annual Avocado Festival…better known as AvoFest! The idea of the California Avocado Festival began in 1986 at a brainstorming meeting which was called to create an ongoing weekend event that would benefit the fundraising efforts of the local non-profit groups. It seemed the plan would also help promote Carpinteria as a Southern California weekend getaway destination and boost the local economy. Santa Barbara County is the third largest avocado produce... (5407 more chars) |
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The Mission Inn
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| (Tuesday, 10 August 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| The Mission Inn, now known as The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, is a historic landmark hotel in downtown Riverside, California. Although a composite of many architectural styles, it is generally considered the largest Mission Revival Style building in the United States. I’ve been to the Inn once before for it’s famous Christmas Festival Of Lights. However, my intention for this trip was to also visit the Historic Fox Theater which was showing a screening of Gone With the Wind. Fox Theater Riverside has the distinction of being the same theater Gone with the Wind was screened in pre-release and pre-premier in Atlanta, Georgia. The property began as a two-story, 12-room adobe boarding house called the "Glenwood Cottage" built by civil engineer Christopher Columbus Miller in 1876.... (4575 more chars) |
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La Brea Tar Pits
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| (Sunday, 18 April 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After 31 years, I returned today to the LaBrea Tar Pits and George C. Page Museum both iconic tourist destinations in the Los Angeles area. Why do I remember it was 31 years ago so vividly? Because the last time I went there was on a field trip in Mrs. Sanford;s fourth grade elementary class. At the time I didn’t appreciate the rich history and geological significance I just knew it was a day we didn’t have to go to school! Today was typical Los Angeles weather, 80 and sunny, and perfect day for a stroll through Hancock Park which houses the George C. Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits. The La Brea Tar Pits (or Rancho La Brea Tar Pits) are a famous cluster of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed, in the urban heart of Los Angeles. Asphalt or tar (brea in Spanish) ... (4329 more chars) |
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Lee's Retreat
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| (Saturday, 27 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I got an early start today as I knew I had a long drive today of over 200+ miles and I was going to take the slow, back country road, scenic route. I left Williamsburg about 8 am and headed west on Hwy 5 also know as the Old Plantation Road. The Old Plantations were all along this road and some are still there to this day providing tours. A funny thing happened to me along this road. I read that President John Tyler’s Home was in Virginia and it was called Sherwood Forest Plantation. I was driving down Plantation Road and saw a sign that said Sherwood Forest Plantation and in small print "Home of President John Tyler". So I got out of the car and opened the fence gate and started walking around. Along the drive came this Mercedes SUV and an old fat... (2982 more chars) |
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Colonial Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown
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| (Thursday, 25 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today I bit off a bit more than I could chew! I usually cram a lot into one day but today was almost too much for even myself and I still don’t feel like I really got to see everything. I debated where to start this morning and figured Jamestown would be first since it was the first settlement back in 1607. I found out there were two “Jamestowns” to visit. One was the National Park which was the original site of Jamestown and they are still conducting archaelogy digs on the site. The other is called Jamestown Settlement which is a re-enactment rebuilt version of the original right next door. I went to see both. Unfortunately the Jamestown Settlement had a million school children on field trips so it was not that enjoyable for me. But Historic Jamestown on the National ... (4124 more chars) |
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Richmond Virginia & the Civil War
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| (Wednesday, 24 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, yesterday was “young America day” seeing history and sites from 1776-1820’s. Today we move ahead to 1860’s….the Civil War or the Second American Revolution! I’ve always been fascinated with the Civil War. I think partly because it was such a test of the Constitution and dealt with so many issues: Slavery, States Rights Vs. Federal Rights, Economic difference, political ideologies, and what the US was going to do with the growing westward states. In addition, it fascinates me because it literally was brother against brother. Today at a museum it was noted that not one family 1860’s was not touched somehow by the war. But I digress…I left Charlottesville at 9 am and arrived in Richmond about an hour later. My first stop was the Hol... (3585 more chars) |
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Charlottesville, VA--Three Founding Fathers
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| (Tuesday, 23 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today was truly a step back into the history and lives of three of our founding fathers. My day started off at 9 am at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia was Thomas Jefferson's home for the remaining fifty-six years of his life. He spent forty years designing it, building it, tearing it apart, redesigning it, and finally putting it all back together. He loved the house and its' property, and knew the name of every tree planted on its grounds. And, if one of his trees died, he knew it. He used his own kilns to bake the more than half-million bricks he used in the various stages of its construction. While serving as Minister to France, he filled almost a hundred crates with furniture and various works of art for the many rooms at Montic... (11740 more chars) |
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Lexington and Staunton, Virginia
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| (Monday, 22 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After getting everything straightened out this morning with car rental and air flights…I felt like the trip really got underway today doing what I love the most…historical travel. I left Roanoke about 9 am and drove up Hwy 81 to the town of Lexington, Virginia a historical civil war town founded in the 1700’s! I stopped at the visitors center to pick up some information and maps and got there in time for the 10 am tour of the Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson home. As much as I think I know history I am always learning. I learned that Stonewall Jackson was a war hero from the Mexican American war and then returned to teach at the Virginia Military Institute where he was a professor. When the Civil War broke out he became general of the Confederate Army. He was ... (3897 more chars) |
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Quick update...
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| (Monday, 22 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| ...so here's the latest...after I talked to everyone last night I finally fell asleep about 12 midnight. I woke up this morning and thought I better change my flight. I was going to fly home next Sunday night arrive in LAX on Monday at 1 am and then go to work. I thought this is silly....I'll come home a day early on Saturday and have sunday to relax plus save one extra day of hotel and car rental. I called United and they said it was going to cost me $1400 (150 for the change and 1250 for the new flight). I thought...that is not worth it. So I went to Delta and found a one way ticket from Roanoke to LAX for only $302 total. So I just bought that and then I can fly home Saturday and be home by 4 pm. I calcula... (595 more chars) |
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Roanoke, Virginia
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| (Sunday, 21 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Known as the "Capital of the Blue Ridge," and a crossroads for commerce, the city of Roanoke’s history began in the 1740s. Mark Evans and Tasker Tosh came from Pennslyvania and took up land near the salt licks where Indian and animal trails crossed in the center of the valley. For generations, those salt marshes, or licks as they were called, had been a gathering place for buffalo, elk and deer, as well as for the Indians who hunted them. The salt marshes were to lend their name to the first village in the Roanoke Valley which started on the east-west path as Gainsborough in 1834; the town soon came to be known as Big Lick. The railroad came to the valley in 1852, but missed Big Lick. So the little Town moved to the tracks, taking its name with it. The original town became Old ... (5695 more chars) |
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Appalacian Trail and Dragon's Tooth Hike
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| (Saturday, 20 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Situated in the Southwestern region of Virginia is Roanoke. Perhaps not the biggest hub for Virginia tourism and lacking in some of the more famous historical points of interest, Roanoke is bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalacian Trail, and the Shenadoah Valley all of which boasts beautiful scenery and outdoor recreational activities. Today’s adventure led me to a hike, specifically the Dragon’s Tooth Hike along the Appalacian Trail. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply The A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately 2,178 miles long. The path is maintained by thirty trail clubs and multiple p... (2990 more chars) |
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Oxnard & Point Hueneme
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| (Sunday, 14 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve been to Santa Barbara many times over the year. Half way between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara is Oxnard and Point Hueneme which I never stopped at. This time I decided to venture off on to the road less traveled and check out this midway point. Oxnard's founder, Henry T. Oxnard, intended to name the city after a Greek word for "sugar". Finally, frustrated with trying to communicate his desires to the state bureaucrat, he gave up and named the city after his family. The earliest inhabitants of the Oxnard areas were the Chumash Indians who lived in round, thatched houses and were known for their well constructed plank canoes and fine basket work. After a number of Spanish explorations, Jose de Galvez, utilizing powers bestowed upon him by King Charles III, appointed... (11043 more chars) |
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Pershing Square, the Biltmore Hotel and Los Angeles Central Libary
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| (Sunday, 07 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Even though I grew up in Los Angeles, I’ve never really explored downtown Los Angeles. Growing up it always seemed so congested, difficult to find parking, and frankly not much of a “scene” like in other large metropolitan cities like New York or Chicago. I’ve been venturing downtown more lately as it does contain a treasure of art deco architecture and some fascinating history. In addition, they’ve “cleaned up” parts of downtown and have restored many of the historical buildings. There is an actual walking tour of downtown Los Angeles with maps and directions and plaques at points of interest. This week I checked out three specific historical spots in the heart of downtown LA…Pershing Square, the Biltmore Hotel, and the Central Libra... (10578 more chars) |
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Downtown Disney
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| (Monday, 01 March 2010) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I love going to Disneyland and have visited the park many times over the years. In fact, Disneyland was one of the “trips of the week” in June 2009. But visiting the park can be a pricey adventure with parking, admission, food, and merchandise. But a cheap alternative and with some of the ambiance of actually going to the park is Downtown Disney. Sitting in the middle of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Downtown Disney is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex. With stores, restaurants, street performers, a twelve-screen movie theater, ESPN Zone and the House of Blues, it offers plenty to do, and it's a good place to round out your Disneyland vacation with a dash of something different. Downtown Disney is outside the theme parks, open to the public, and there ... (2006 more chars) |
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Return to Reality and Illness
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| (Friday, 16 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, after I last wrote...the hardest and worst part of the trip happened. I had to get up at 5 am and when I woke up I shivering and chilled and feverish. I had to get off the boat and on to my shuttle to the airport...on the way to the airport I started breaking out in a sweat and then felt a bit better. My flight left at 10:20 and by the time I got to Amsterdam I was seriously delirious, weak, achey, sweaty, hot and cold, shivering and wasn't sure if I could make the rest of the journey home...I didn't know what to do. I really felt like I was going to pass out. I got on the next plane and explained to the flight attendant I didn't feel well and didn't know what do to. She said "maybe you have H1N1" just rest on the flight. It was 9 1/2 hours of hell...I ha... (1317 more chars) |
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Under the Tuscan Sun
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| (Thursday, 15 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It's almost 1 am on Thursday morning and I have to get up at 5 am for a 6 am debarkation. The night of the storm at sea was crazy…the ship felt like it was on it’s side and the winds were crazy…waves crashing it even broke some windows and tables. The spin instructor said it was the worst she was in over 3 years. Monaco and Genoa were both cancelled and I was in a pissy mood all day because of it. I really wanted to go to Monaco and I wanted to just get off the ship. I went to spin and that was about it. Craig and I sort of stayed out of each others way because I was in such a pissy down mood. In the evening I went to the club with Tracy (a girl from our dinner table to go dancing) and Craig went to the show with some other people.. Today was simply gorge... (1082 more chars) |
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Barcelona, Spain
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| (Monday, 12 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| We just left Barcelona a little while ago and heading to Monaco and Monte Carlo next. I’m trying not get the blues but I know the trip is coming to an end and I’m really sad. I wish it was another 2 weeks left. Last night I was bored after dinner and didn’t want to go gamble so I went to the gym and rode the bike for an hour. The sea was very rough and I had to take a Dramamine. I woke up this morning just as the boat was docking in Barcelona…my 34 th Country. Unfortunately there was no place to get my passport stamped Craig and I had breakfast and then got off the ship about 9:30. It was Colombus Day today and ironically it is a huge holiday here as well as where Colombus set sail Our day started off at the monument of Christopher Columbus... (3043 more chars) |
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At Sea en route to Barcelona
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| (Sunday, 11 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I woke up at 6:30 on Sunday….. and had room service. It was dark out and there was a storm….you could see lightening on the horizon…it was pretty incredible. I then went to a 9 am Pilate Class for an hour but it wasn’t enough…so I did another ½ hour on the gym. I asked if they had a scale on the ship but they said No.. But I actually think I may have lost weight or at least stayed the same as my clothes are getting loose and I’ve been making healthy eating choices part of the time. After Pilate I have just been relaxing….but the sea is very rough today…it’s been extremely smooth but the boat is really rocking and rolling today. Gonna rest for a while…maybe even take a nap and then our last formal dinner. A... (409 more chars) |
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Messina, Sicily
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| (Saturday, 10 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| the pace picked up yesterday. Craig decided to do a shore excursion to Taormina and the Greek Theater while I did my shore excursion to Mt. Etna. We both had to be out the door at 8 am. I always get a little nervous doing shore excursions because they tend to be pricey and then you find out when you get off the boat that you can do most things by yourself or for ½ the price. This is one time I’m glad I did shore excursion…it would have been nearly impossible to have done Mt. Etna by myself. We started in Messina city and as we drove by the guide explained it was the 3 rd largest city in Sicily and was completely destroyed in 1908 by an Earthquake/ Tsunami that killed 100,000. As we drove up the coast he pointed out the land slide that killed 30 people la... (2651 more chars) |
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En Route from Venice to Sicily
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| (Friday, 09 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Its currently 10:30 pm…and I’m on the Mediterranean sea approaching the tip of the boot in Italy en route to Messina, Sicily…Our room is in the back of the boat with a huge patio and I’m on my laptop watching the ½ moon rise and the reflection of the moon beams on the rippling water made by the swirls of the propellers…Craig is at the Casino. We just finished watching an awesome show. I’m calling it an early night as I have to get up and off the boat by 8 am for my trip to Mt. Etna. So after I last wrote, I headed back to the ship and went to the gym for an hour. I then met up with Craig and had lunch. Craig went to do laundry on the ship…I on the other hand hate hate hate doing laundry so I splurged an paid the cabin steward $15 to do ... (2555 more chars) |
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Venice, Italy
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| (Thursday, 08 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I am in Venice Italy this morning...it is about 10:30 AM here...having a cappacino in a cafe along the canal. So the internet time is much cheaper than on the wireless on the boat. First, thank you to those who have sent personal little emails and shout outs....makes me feel happy and still connected to back home. I believe I left off in Dubrovnik Port. I got back on the ship and we sailed out of Port. We went to dinner. Those of you who have cruised know you get assigned to a table and its always a gamble who you sit with. Fortunately two of our table mates are very cool. Sandra and Tracy a mother and daughter. Sandra marched with MLK in the 60's and it has been fascinating to talk to her about civil rights, the progression of human rights, as she grew up in the segregated ... (3606 more chars) |
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
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| (Tuesday, 06 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I woke up at 6:30 because the boat was shaking as it docked in Dubrovnik Croatia. It is hard to believe that this city was 70% destroyed and war torn during the mid 1990's during the conflict. I went to the gym and did weight lifting and then came back to the cabin and got ready..Craig finally woke up at 9 am...we got off the ship at 10 am and went to Old Town Dubrovnik which is now my new favorite little place. They are not a member of the EU so the money goes further. the old city was stunning and gorgeous...a walled city built on a cliff over the meditteranean with tuquioise water. Words can not describe how stunning it was. You could also walk the wall/rampart around the city which we did ...it was a grueling hot walk with lots of steps...thankfully Craig and I walk the sam... (1016 more chars) |
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Naples & Pompeii
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| (Monday, 05 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I'll keep it quick...my minutes dwindle fast as the satellite connection is somewhat slow. After I last wrote, Craig and I got all settled on the ship....I bought a fountain card for $82 so I can unlimited sodas on the ship....have to drink at least 3 a day to make it worth my while. Of course the first night after dinner did a little gambling and broke even and then went to the midnight buffett. Sunday I woke up at 6:30 am and went to the gym and ran 5 miles on the treadmill so I wouldn't feel guilty about eating. Then Craig and I went to breakfast and got off the ship. I promised to take Craig to Pompeii since I had been there before and we didnt want to do a tour and go on the cheap. We got off the ship and I negotiated a cab to the train station and then we hoppe... (2027 more chars) |
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Arrivederci Roma!
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| (Saturday, 03 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I'm in our room using Craig's laptop to send out this final email from Rome....not sure how much internet I will have on the cruise. After I wrote last night....Craig and I headed to the Coloseum and then walked through the ruins of the Roman Forum which I absolutely love strolling through the antiquities. We then went to the tomb of the uknown soldier at Vittorio Emmanuel Monument and then over to the Pantheon which is what our national capitol in DC is designed after. The sun had set and we just strolled around the streets, back streets and alleys of Rome...beautiful. We then went back to the Trevi Fountain where we ate at a little pizzeria and had gelato again. We then strolled over to the famous Spanish Steps and visited the place where Percy Shelly and Keats lived to... (533 more chars) |
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Sailing from Roma to Napoli!
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| (Saturday, 03 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| WEll, I am splurging and purchased 120 minutes of internet time while I at sea...so I will keep it short. I am so happy and at peace. We got to the port in Cevitaccia and there was no line to get on the ship. We got right on and the ship is absolutely luxurious. This is by far the biggest and most luxurious cruise ship I've been on. Our luggage got to our room, we unpacked, and then toured the ship...checked out all the lounges, casino, gym facilities, etc. We then had to do our Emergency life jacket practice and then we went to our first dinner...had grilled snapper! So now getting caught up on internet stuff and then heading to the casino. Tomorrow morning we arrive in Naples. Outside is absolutely gorgeous...full moon shining off the meditteranean sea....warm weather... (145 more chars) |
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The Vatican
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| (Friday, 02 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After I wrote you all last night, Craig and I went for a walk to the famous Trevi Fountain which I had never seen at night...it was beautiful all lit up at night. We went and had Gelato and then I was exhausted and got back to the St. Regis and passed out at 9 pm. The next thing I knew it was 7 am and the alarm was going off. We got ready and headed out for coffee and croissants and then decided to take the subway up to the vatican. Its always an adventure using public transportation but we managed just fine and go the vatican at 9:15 for our 9:30 tour. I had been to St. Peters before in 2001 but missed the vatican museum and sistine chappel because the line was too long. Again the line was a 3 hours wait..but luckily we had previously arranged a private tour so we didnt have to... (1193 more chars) |
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My return to Italy
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| (Thursday, 01 October 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It is 5:30 pm here in Rome....It is hard to believe that I am actually over in Europe. I flew yesterday from LA to Atlanta where I met up with Craig. Had lunch and then got on our 9.5 hour flight to Rome. For some reason it was a long 9 hour flight. I never thought we were going to get here. We arrived this morning at 9 am, had to clear customs and get our transportation to the St. Regis in central Rome. The hotel is absolutely luxurious! After we got checked in we went for a walk and then had lunch at a little cafe on a side street. I just love Italy..Europe...sitting in an outdoor cafe, sipping espresso and chatting about all kinds of stuff. We got back to our room and Craig was tired and wanted to take a nap....but not me....go go go. I changed and took a shower and went to ... (1252 more chars) |
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Mission San Antonio Pala
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| (Sunday, 20 September 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve been to all 21 California Missions. However, a few of the missions have “asistencias” or assistant missions. These are less known and less traveled. This week I visited one of these assistant missions in Pala, California on the Native American Reservation for the Tribe of Pala. Not only is it restored as well as most other missions, and better than some, but it is still in active use and expanding. The newly completed casino along the main highway at the turnoff to the mission has generated revenue for the community and has brought more visitors to the mission. If you are interested in the mission story, this asistencia mission should be included in your travels. While I personally don't gamble, if you are inclined to gaming and want to combine a casino trip... (8474 more chars) |
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Culver City
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| (Monday, 07 September 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| When I was younger I would visit my grandmother who spent her final years living in Culver City. At that time, I dreaded going to visit her and thought the city was run down and depressing. I hadn’t been back in a number of year but recently on my way to The Grove drove down Culver Blvd and was amazed at how downtown Culver City had been revitalized. Old historic building renovated and mixed with new chic café’s and boutiques. This weekend I decided to re-visit Culver City and learn more about it’s history. The Culver City home website had a detailed historic walking map which I used to explore some of the highlights on the walking tour. It was Harry H. Culver, from Milford, Nebraska, who dreamed of a balanced city. He started plans for the city that carries his na... (23239 more chars) |
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Oceanside, California
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| (Sunday, 02 August 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Finally, I got to take a break from the mundane day to day life for a three day, two night get away to Oceanside, California. I’ve driven through Oceanside literally a hundred times on my way back and forth from San Diego but have never really stopped to enjoy this seaside community or explore what it had to offer. Suprisingly there was a lot to do filled with rich history and off beat attractions. Of course I always love the off beat, road less traveled mixed with a little history so I’ll cover some of the highlights. Oceanside To begin with, Oceanside was the “epicenter” of my destination and where I spent my several nights. Oceanside is at the southern end of the Marine Base Camp Pendleton. Oceanside's first inhabitants were the Luiseno Indians who... (15666 more chars) |
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Natural History Museum and Exposition Park Rose Garden
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| (Saturday, 13 June 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| One of my favorite field trips as a child was the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles. It was an annual affair it seemed and every time I was jut fascinated with this museum. But, as with many things in Los Angeles, I had not returned in years…decades. This week after nearly 30 years I returned to the Natural History Museum and again was in awe of the collection which some of it was new and digitalized while others exhibits appeared untouched by time. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a crown jewel of Los Angeles' museums. A national leader in exhibitions, education and research, the Museum was L.A.'s first cultural institution to open its doors to the public in 1913. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States, sa... (6436 more chars) |
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The Happiest Place on Earth...
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| (Saturday, 06 June 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Growing up and living in Los Angeles you would think that I would go to Disneyland yearly. I’ve had my fair share of visits to the park but I had not been there in 17 years. The last time I went was in 1992 with my mom and dad. How things have changed in my life since that last visit! In fact, I missed my whole decade of the thirties ever going to Disneyland! I suppose there is no other attraction or icon that is so well known and visited in southern California that it hardly is a “road less traveled”. There are also so many reviews, websites, and information about the park that it nearly seems pointless to even write about. But alas..this week I returned. This trip was a bit more special because rather than just going out to the park for a day I stayed overnight ... (5719 more chars) |
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A spiritual and emotional journey to Chicago...
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| (Wednesday, 13 May 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well...I am off to the Windy City. While it may seem fun and exciting this trip is very bittersweet and emotionally charged. So while Chicago may not be a road less traveled...this visit is more of an emotional and spiritual journey. It actually conjures up memories of the first time I flew in a plane...American Airlines DC10 LA to Chicago in 1980....I was 12 and it was my first trip somewhere and first time on a jet and loved it. I knew I wanted to keep flying. But this weekend is very melancholy. May 17th will be my uncles 63rd birthday. May 17th is also the 23 anniversary of my grandfathers (his fathers) death. And May 18th will be the 4th anniversary of my dad's death so I tend to get a bit skittish and sentimental around that time. My mom has not spoken to her brother ... (3147 more chars) |
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Museum of Latin American Art
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| (Sunday, 10 May 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| The problem when you visit a place on vacation is that I usually visit the “must see” and “big name” sites and museums. Those who come to Los Angeles often go to Hollywood, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Getty Center, or Disneyland. Sometimes unless you live in a place or really take the time can you visit all the nooks and crannies and less famous sites. This week my road less traveled took me to the Museum Of Latin American Art or MOLAA. MOLAA's mission is to educate the public about contemporary Latin American fine art (by artists who have lived and worked in Latin America since WWII) through the presentation of a significant permanent collection, dynamic exhibitions and related cultural and educational programs. The Museum of Latin American Art (MO... (16033 more chars) |
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Los Angeles County Arboretum
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| (Saturday, 02 May 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Occupying the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita, The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a unique 127 acre historical museum and botanic garden located in the city of Arcadia. Home to plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species, the Arboretum also houses outdoor historical landmarks representative of the major phases of California history. The Arboretum is also an animal sanctuary. In addition to The Arboretum’s famous peafowl, visitors will see species of resident and migratory birds, aquatic creatures, as well as numerous species of small reptiles and mammals. With Spring in full effect I decided to check this botanical heaven out and commune with nature for a while. It was a wonderful blend of H... (6960 more chars) |
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The Final Atlanta Day
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| (Monday, 23 March 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| {mosimage}Monday I woke up early and as Craig headed to work he dropped me off in Midtown where I walked over to the Fox theater a glorious 1920’s theater built in Moorish style and is still used for special movie showings. {mosimage}I then took the train up to Buckhead and hopped a bus to get to the Atlanta History Museum which was well worth the trip. I first went to an old plantation house which was beautiful and even went on the tour. Also there was the Smith Farm which was from 1850 and remained in the family until 1967 and showed a glimpse into the life of a middle class family in 1850. On the grounds was a slave cabin and history about slave life. Inside the museum was several great exhibits. One was on the native Cherokees who were relocated to Oklahoma in 1838 on the ... (1310 more chars) |
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Suburban Domestication
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| (Monday, 23 March 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Sunday, which I call my Suburban Domestication day! Sunday Craig and I woke up and briefly talked about some tentative plans for the day and then he mentioned that he had some yard work to do. I said, I would like to help…as it turned out Sunday there was no tourism or things like that. We went to Home Depot and got some supplies and came home and spent nearly the entire afternoon pulling up weeds, trimming bushes, cleaning the yard, raking and general manual labor around the house and it was truly a great experience. Projects like that don’t seem like work when you are doing it with someone and enjoying the company of each other. After we finally finished bagging up 20 bags of debris we headed to the grocery store and bought some groceries. It was a real treat. Craig grille... (687 more chars) |
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Battle of Atlanta and Stone Mountain
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| (Sunday, 22 March 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I could not have asked for more perfect weather on a trip….it has been sunny and nicely warm every single day that I have been here so far and today was no exception. After waking up, having coffee we headed to the Cyclorama which contains the worlds largest oil painting …the size of a football field…depicting the Battle of Atlanta which was painted in 1885 by 11 Polish, German, and Austrian painters. It was truly incredible and presented in 360 degree theater that rotates. Also here I learned all about the Battle for Atlanta the decisive battle drawing the war to a close. Atlanta was the artillery and rail center for the south. Sherman laid siege to the city for three days and captured it. The city was completely burned and everyone evacuated and then he began his 1... (2184 more chars) |
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Highlights of Atlanta!
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| (Saturday, 21 March 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| {mosimage}This was a busy but wonderful day. I was on my own and spent nearly 8 hours walking doing the highlights of Atlanta. Craig had to work so I went with him downtown to work and then started my day off at Centennial Park. My first activity was the CNN Newsroom tour which was so totally awesome. I really enjoyed that. After that I walked up Marrietta street to Decatur street over to Immaculate Conception church which was the oldest and first Catholic Chruch in Atlanta in 1848 and one of four buildings that suvived the burning of Atlanta in 1864. I then went to the Capitol building and congress was in session so it was very busy with lobbyists and congress members. {mosimage}After touring around the capitol building I walked (quite a distance) to Oakland Cemetery which was founde... (2309 more chars) |
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Atlanta, Georgia Days 1 & 2
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| (Thursday, 19 March 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, here I am in Atlanta, Georgia….this is a bit different than my usual international trips to some off the beaten path destination living from place to place but I have to admit it has been just as fun if not more so and just as enlightening as my “crazy adventures.” My primary reason for this trip was to visit my friend Craig whom I have not seen in a few years. It is odd sometimes how things come full circle or when you think that a part of your life has gone and moved on, they return and you can pick up right where you left off. But I digress….above all it has been so fun to visit with him, to catch up, and to have late night conversations about God, spirituality, politics, friends, struggles, joys and life in general. It has been really, really good for... (1391 more chars) |
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Olivas Adobe
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| (Sunday, 01 March 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| California is well known for it’s historic 21 Spanish Mission stretching from San Diego to Sonoma. Interspersed with these missions are other historical ranchos, adobes, and forst capturing the architecture and glory of the early California period. One such adobe is in Ventura, California called the Olivas Adobe. Born in 1809 in Los Angeles, Raymundo Olivas was the seventh child of a poor family. He joined the Mexican Army in California at the age of 16 and was assigned to the Presidio (fort) of Santa Barbara as a Lancer (cavalryman). Raymundo met his future wife, Teodora Lopez in Santa Barbara. They were married on November 6, 1832, and together they had 21 children - eight girls and 13 boys. In return for their service to the State, Raymundo and his friend, Felipe Lorenzana, ... (1596 more chars) |
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Old Town Pasadena
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| (Saturday, 21 February 2009) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It’s been a while since “Trip of the Week” but slowly it is returning. Last week I attended the Travel and Adventure Convention and began collecting ideas for this years day trips and backpacking adventures. Next month I will be spending a week in Atlanta, Georgia so be sure to visit back for an update. This week, trip of the week returns with a day trip to Old Pasadena. When most people hear Pasadena they think of the Rose Parade and Rosebowl Football Game. Old Pasadena is the original commercial center of Pasadena. The area housed, schooled and provided stomping grounds for numerous famous and infamous free thinkers, poets, artists and rapscallions such as General George Patton, Alexander Calder, Upton Sinclair, L. Ron Hubbard, Jack Parsons, Albert Einstein, Bobby Fi... (7657 more chars) |
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Dia De Los Muertos in Sherman Heights
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| (Sunday, 02 November 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve been to San Diego probably more than any other city in California outside of my native area of Los Angeles. I love San Diego and there is always something to do. Prior to my visit this time I looked up Dia De Los Muertos Celebrations as I figured since San Diego is so close to the border and has a high concentration of Mexican residents that there would be some celebration. I found it…Sherman Heights District. I had never visited this part of San Diego. This would have been a great place to visit for historical purposes but was even more special because of the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration taking place. Sherman Heights is named after Matthew Sherman, who bought the 160 acres in 1867 soon after Alonzo Horton bought the land that would become downtown San Diego. This ar... (5427 more chars) |
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Spooky Old Town San Diego
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| (Sunday, 02 November 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve always liked the holiday Halloween. As a child it was a day to go to school in costume and then go trick or treat and get loads of candy. In my early adult year I still had a blast going to costume parties and going out with friends to clubs in our costumes. Now as I push middle aged, Halloween has taken on a new direction for me. Actually, in 2002 I was in Poland during Halloween and it turend out that everthing shut down for All Saints Day and All Souls day and was a huge holiday in Poland. The following year I was lucky enough to be in Guanajuato, Mexico where I was able to participate in traditiaonal Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Since then I’ve tended to focus this holiday on the memory of the dead and the celebration of their lives and all our lives. I contempla... (9901 more chars) |
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Plaza Mexico
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| (Sunday, 26 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Lynwood as a tourist destination? That's what a local developer was aiming for as an existing mall in one of the county's poorest cities has been transformed into the newly dubbed Plaza Mexico. It’s no secret I like to visit Mexico whether it is a border town, Baja, or Central Mexico. This week I found a place that felt like a trip to Mexico without even crossing the border! Many times driving home from one of my other adventures I would pass a huge sign that said “Plaza Mexico” along the 105 Freeway. With the upcoming Dia De Los Muertos I decided to investigate this place. Plaza Mexico, located in Lynwood, California, encompasses the quadrant bounded by Imperial Highway, Long Beach Boulevard, State Street and the105 freeway. Plaza Mexico’s design fol... (3555 more chars) |
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Responsible Travel
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| (Tuesday, 14 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Responsible travel is a topic I feel the need to talk about as I end this segment on my travels to Central America. It’s not a common phrase and I’ve done a bit of research on it. I’ve come to the conclusion that most of my travels are “responsible travels” and not only am I keeping in line with my moral, ethical, and value system I find that it actually brings me closer to the people and the culture I am visiting. Responsible travel is a new way of traveling for those who've had enough of mass tourism. It's about respecting and benefiting local people and the environment – but it's about far more than that. If you travel for relaxation, fulfillment, discovery, adventure and to learn – rather than simply to tick off 'places and ... (5297 more chars) |
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The one part I don't like about travelling
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| (Sunday, 12 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I am by the airport in Tegucigalpa killing time until my flight leaves. This is the part of the trip I don´t usually like. By this time I´m tired, run down, and just want to get home and instead the time is filled with waiting, lines, and my favorite...US Customs....I can go anywhere in the world and never have a problem until I return to the states...that is usually when all the drama starts. So last night I went to have my ¨last supper¨in Tegucigalpa which was good. I then came back to my room and sat out on the patio because there was an awesome lightining show. I then packed which I could not believe how much stuff I had...I squeezed everything into my backpack plus I had to make sure I put everything in the right bag since you know how finicky they get now about ... (1336 more chars) |
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El ultimo dia de mis adventuras
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| (Friday, 10 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| last day of my adventures....well I am on my last full day and back in Teguciglapa. After I finished writing you all yesterday....I found out that I can check two bags on the plane without cost because it is international. So I was very happy about that. I went to eat at a restraunt listed in my lonely planet book. It was a surreal experience....I felt like I was in a Salvatore Dali painting. There is a statue of Our Lady of Supya that was stolen in 1986 and she is the patron of Honduras. Later that year..the statue turned up in the mens room of this resturant and they made a shrine to her. So you stand at the urinal and there is the virgin mary watching you. The food was good and there was only two other people in the resturant. There was a man playing a synthesizer providing... (4130 more chars) |
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Comayaqua, Honduras
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| (Thursday, 09 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all. I am currently in Comayagua, Honduras....the original capital of Honduras dating back to 1525 and lasting until 1880. I think as old as this city is....the internet here is older....it is slower than pouring molasses in january in minnesota....Ive already cursed at this damn internet several times because I had a few other things I needed to do...one check my checking account and two look at the American Airlines WEbsite to see how much luggage I can bring back. They keep changing all the rules and I don´t know what I can bring...and I have a load of souvenirs, etc. So much in fact that I need to buy another bag before I leave...but want to make sure I have the right size. Well, after baring my heart and soul last night....i had dinner and went to bed early. I woke up and... (2488 more chars) |
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Valle de Angeles
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| (Wednesday, 08 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I am currently in some mountain range...though I dont know the name. Its odd...there are banana trees and pine trees. I am in the cloud forest and it is gorgeous..it sort of looks like Sound of Music meets Latin America. Well, last night after I wrote I ate dinner and went to the grocery store because in my room i had nothing to read and nothing to watch TV...so i did the next best thing listened to my MP3 player to some local latin music and ate a half of box of oreos since they were only a dollar. It did provide me with some time to think and meditate which was nice. When i woke up I felt really tired and run down but got all packed up and found my way to the collectivo..a big van that squishes as many people in it as possible...and rode it to valle de angeles which is gorgeo... (5540 more chars) |
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More from Tegucigalpa
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| (Tuesday, 07 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, after I last wrote....I went around town a bit and visited the cathedral and another church. I also learned that Honduras is the country where Christopher Columbus actually reached the main land on his fourth trip....his previous three trips he ended up on islands in the carribbean. Anyway, I had about $60 in cordobas from Nicaragua that I wanted to get changed into Honduran currency and none of the banks would do it. They would only accept US dollars or pounds. I decided to go into the black market...usually you can find money changers on the corners near the banks...so I scoped it out and found one. Of course you dont get the best exchange rate and it is risky cuz they could give you counterfit money or just run with you money...but i´m pretty savvy...and I got $50 in Lempir... (1267 more chars) |
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Tegucigalpa
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| (Tuesday, 07 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| If you can´t prounounce the name of the city I am in...its ok...it took me a long time to master it. I am currently in the captial of Honduras. After my last email I had to find money and a bus to Tegucigalpawhich I found both. The bus ride was not that bad...it was about 4 hours and relatively fast without many stops considering Central America. {mosimage}I arrive in Tegucigalpa aabout 1 pm in a very seedy part of town. There is a river that runs through the city and it is not safe to go south of the river even during the day. Well, I found a cab and asked him to take me to the central park. I got out of the taxi and had to walk around a bit until I found a place to stay. I didnt have reservations and was not sure where to go which is always a bit unnerving...but I found a nic... (1276 more chars) |
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Greetings from the Banana Republic
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| (Sunday, 05 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings....no I´m not shopping at the mall...I am in Honduras also known as the bananana republic. This may be short as I am stuck in Choluteca and could not find any internet so the owner of a hotel is letting me use his personal computer for a few minutes. Well, each trip has its hell day...Chau Doc to Phnom Penh, Jerusalem to Bethlehem, Arenal to Puerto Viejo, Nazca to Arequipa....there always seems to be one day on each trip that is riddled with drama. Yesterday was that day. After I wrote to you on Saturday night the family I was staying with stated that Honduras was very very dangerous. I went to bed and then Sunday morning I packed. I then went to the tour agency which took me to a bus station in a puddle of mud!! The bus was actually very nice. There was one other tou... (2538 more chars) |
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The Land of Volcanoes
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| (Saturday, 04 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today is my only full day in Leon because I have to leave tomorrow for my bus to honduras...so this will be my last email from Nicaragua. Last night after I wrote I went to eat dinner and then it began to rain...so I went back to the Hospedaje. The entire family was there including a grandson visiting from Long Beach so we talked about Los Angeles. The matriarch of the family was having a birthday and they invited me to join them for cake which was nice. I then had to go back out....while my cold is better....I had a new¨medical problem....some of you can relate to this...when it is hot and humid and your overweight certain parts of your body rub together as sweat gets trapped in the folds. Well, i had a major rash and it burned so bad I went out at night to a pharmacy and was able... (3921 more chars) |
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Greetings from Leon, Nicaragua
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| (Friday, 03 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings from Leon, Nicaragua. I arrived in Leon safe and sound....its been a whirlwind 24 hours. Leon is a strange dichotomy....the people are very friendly and yet there are some that I get the feeling that dont particularly want me here. Of course it is not a good sign when you go to the town square and you see painted "muerte al invasor imperial"...death to imperial invasion. I have quickly learned that Leon was devestated by the civil war of the 1980s and was a Sandanista Stronghold and much of the town got destroyed and many people here on both sides died. Some of the fiercest fighting was here and there is still left over sandanistas and bitter feelings. But I digress... Last night I went to pick up Jose from school at 8 pm and we had Fritos...the deep fried bananas, cheese, an... (3705 more chars) |
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My day with Jose
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| (Thursday, 02 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| ´m a bit tired tonight and run down. I woke up with a sore throat and all day I can tell I have a little cold. I hope it doesn´t get worse...but generally I feel fine. Last night I slept very well and since i woke up not feeling that good...I just took it slow and easy...had breakfast, got ready and relaxed. {mosimage}At 11 I went to the school Jose goes to...Fondacion de los tres mundos...He was so excited to see me. He wanted to show me all the stuff in the school. School got out and I took him to lunch which he really enjoyed. They have a tall church here...iglesia de merced which if you climb the bell tower it has an excellent view of the city. I wanted to see it so I took Jose with....It was a great view of the city. It only costs $1 to climb it....and he had never been ... (1949 more chars) |
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Masaya
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| (Wednesday, 01 October 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, it is 9 pm here....rather late for me and a bit tired...but tonight i ate first. I had chorizo and liquado leche con papaya...both were excellent...i only hope i dont get sick...so far so good. mom will not be happy i ate chorizo! Well, it´s been a busy 24 hours! It is funny because so often on this trip it triggers memories of previous trips like my trip last year with Michael or several years ago to Costa Rica with Hanlan...I have these flashback moments to things that i had forgot..but are rekindled by stuff that happens here. Its very nice. Well, after i last wrote i stopped by to see Jose and give him some treats. He can only stay at the center until 10 pm when it closes. Last night I got his whole story...so bear with me. He has no father and his mother is very ill wi... (3850 more chars) |
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My day with the gods...
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| (Tuesday, 30 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After i wrote last night...i just relaxed and it was very nice. i woke up and had breakfast which is included where i am staying. I left at 9 am for my day with the gods! I love volcanoes...there is something so primeval, new earth being created, and the power and force it contains. A driver took me to the base of the volcano mambacho where i went to see butterflies. I then got on an old Sandanista millitary bus that was converted for public use. it still had the gun turret on it. It took me up the volcano part way higher into the tropical rainforest...so lush and green. The road was terrorizingly steep and winding and eventually we reach the cloud forest. The rains began. The next few hours i was one with nature. A storm rolled in....it was raining and there was lightning so... (4121 more chars) |
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Granada Day 2
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| (Monday, 29 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, after my last email i walked around granada and it is a lovely town. I walked and took pictures which is getting me frustrated. the last 4 years i had a kodak 3 megapixel camera and i upgraded..but i got it days before i left and i have not mastered it yet so i´m all nervous about how my photos are coming out. At any rate, i walked down to the lake and then had a bit to eat and met a gentleman that runs an social work place here in Granada. i told him i worked in the field and he invited me over to meet some of the children...it was heart wrenching....i don´t ever want to hear the families i work with again. most of these kids called chavalos or street kids are between 8 and 16 and were abandoned by their parents and they litterally live on the street, sleep in allies and hust... (4804 more chars) |
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Bienvendios a Granada..
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| (Sunday, 28 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello family and friend. Next spring when i start planning my trip...remind me to look into iceland or sweeden or antartica! Why do i always go to the hottest places on earth? It is south east asia revisited with the humidity! {mosimage}Well, a lot has happened since i last wrote and the pace has picked up. After Ricardo was finished with work...we took a taxi to the old center of managua and the ruins. the area was destroyed in 1972 by a massive earthquake and never rebuilt...It is also a dangerous area and hardly anyone there except squatters. The ruins of the cathedral were beautiful and there were guards prohibiting people to enter...but with Ricardos help I was able to bribe them for a dollar and they let me go inside the ruins which could collapse at any time. So i got som... (3055 more chars) |
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Managua Day 2
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| (Saturday, 27 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all! It is mid day Saturday here in Managua and I am at Ricardo's office using his computer. Well, after i arrived in managua i contacted Ricardo and he picked me up from the airport. its always a bit unnerving using the hospitality club-couch surfer groups...but i have never had a bad experience. Ricardo picked me up at the airport and he is very very nice and accomodating. He had to go back to work so he dropped me off at the mall here where i had an iced coffee and tried to stay cool and get my bearings. In the evening i went to his apartment....he let me use his apartment while he stayed over at his parents place. The area he lives in is very dangerous...drugs, gangs, bars on the window etc. So he told me not to go out alone when the sun sets. his apartment had c... (1504 more chars) |
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Estoy aqui en Managua
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| (Friday, 26 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| hola mis amigo y familia...i am in managua safe and sound. The flight was ok...it was cold in mexico city. i arrived to managua half hour late...i called Ricardo and he is on his way to the airport to pick me up. it is hot and humid here....not as bad as south east asia...but i´m already dripping. Anyway, not much to report...just wanted to let everyone know i was here safe and sound. oh..and my cell phone works here...i was trying to call my host and the phone rang thinking it was him....it was Veronica from work!!! i can´t escape work even in nicaragua!! |
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Ready and Packed
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| (Thursday, 25 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi all...well this is a test email to make sure I have the email group formatted right...and it is the first of many emails to come as I prepare to depart. It's Thursday evening, 5:30 and I'm packed and ready. My friend Cameron is picking me up in a bit and we are going to have dinner and then take me to the airport. I fly to Mexico City and then transfer to another plane which will get me in Managua, Nicaragua around noon tomorrow. As far as I know a Hospitality Club member is picking me up at the airport in Nicaragua named Ricardo Juarez and I will stay with him for two nights. However, these things sometimes fall through so my back up plan is the Backpackers Hostel in el Centro de Nicaragua. I will then go to Granada where I will spend the bulk of my Nicaragua time. Th... (826 more chars) |
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The Long Beach Art Theater
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| (Sunday, 07 September 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve not had a chance to do a trip the last few weeks as things have been sort of busy and chaotic and my next backpacking trip is quickly approaching at the end of September, earlier than my usual November trip! I’ve been trying to work on plans and itinerary with that as well as keep up with work and daily grind. This week I did manage to get in a short little period of relaxation and exploration. I went to a movie. The thing that made this special was that the movie was an independent movie about Hurricane Katrina and has only been released to a few theaters in New York and Los Angeles. But to make the movie even more special it was only showing at three theaters in Southern California one of them being the Long Beach Art Theater. The Art Theatre is the last remaining sin... (4307 more chars) |
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Polliwog Park-Manhattan Beach
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| (Sunday, 17 August 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Whether living in Los Angeles or visiting, when one hears about Manhattan Beach they often think of the pier, surfing, laying on the beach, volleyball, and trendy shops. However, there is another side of Manhattan Beach offering tranquility, recreation, and escape….Polliwog Park. While Polliwog Park provides picnic tables and childrens play areas like thousands of other neighborhood parks, this park has a lot more to offer. Encompassing 18 acres, this is the largest and perhaps loveliest park in the South Bay area. The focal point of the site is a large pond bordered on one side by a natural wildlife refuge, home to migratory birds and an occasional raccoon or opossum. A favorite site for concerts, performances, weddings and other special events, the park's amphitheater look... (5796 more chars) |
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Torrance Cultural Arts Center
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| (Sunday, 10 August 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Sometimes I get into a roll and keep doing the same thing over and over again. Last summer it seemed liked each week my trip of the week was a different beach along the Southern California Coast. This summer, it seems like each week is a visit to a new theater and different production. But I assure you, this is the last “trip of the week” to a Southern California theater for a while! I live in Torrance, California (for those not from this area about 18 miles south west of downtown LA or 30 km for my friends internationally!). This week I visited the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and especially the James Armstrong Theater. I am partial to this theater because a few years ago I was on that stage with the Torrance Civic Chorale! Rather than performing this time, I was in the aud... (3692 more chars) |
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Watts Towers
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| (Sunday, 03 August 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I grew up in Los Angeles and it amazes me that there is always things I still haven’t seen. One such thing is the Watts Towers in South Los Angeles. I think part of the thing that kept me from visiting this historic site was growing up I was told this was a dangerous neighborhood. Well, today I ventured into South Los Angeles to visit this site which I found out is one of the top visited “historical sites” in Los Angeles City! Spiraling steel spires embellished with colored glass, beach shells, broken tile, mirror shards, and pottery fragments, all circa 1920-1950. The Watts Towers were built by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia on his triangular lot in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts over the course of 33 years. Rodia began work on The Watts Towers around 1921. Wor... (6489 more chars) |
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J.J. Haggarty Mansion-Neighborhood Theater
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| (Sunday, 27 July 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Back to back weekends of theater! However, this weekend I combined musical theater, a history lesson, and architecture into one trip! My destination on this Road Less Traveled was not far in Palos Verdes Estate to the “Neighborhood Church” which was showing the Los Angeles Premier of “Parade”. Sound confusing? Sounds unbelievable? Let me explain…. One of the more spectacular buildings in Palos Verdes was the mansion constructed in 1928 for J.J. Haggarty of Haggarty's Department Stores. J.J. Haggarty had his Italian architect design it in the fashion of the villas along the Mediterranean. The building had 32 rooms. Wage for the construction crew was $5.50 a day; however an Italian artisan and two assistans were imported to decorate at $100.00 a day. ... (3175 more chars) |
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Norris Theater
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| (Sunday, 20 July 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I love theater…musicals, plays, concerts, or operas. Of course, my preference is to go to the big productions in the historic and grand theaters in all of their architectural glory. But I also enjoy going to local community theaters where occasionally you catch a gem of a production. One of the closest theaters to where I live is the Norris Theater in Palos Verdes only a mere 2 miles from my home. This week I went to the Norris Theater to see a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I had seen a large Broadway production of this a number of years ago. This production was put on by the Negri Production Company which are amateurs that take classes in theater arts at the Norris Theater. The Norris Theatre for the Performing Arts was built in 1983 by a visionary g... (3691 more chars) |
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Independence Hall
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| (Saturday, 05 July 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| In honor of Independence Day, I went to Independence Hall! No…I didn’t fly to Philadelphia for the weekend I went to Buena Park, California to visit an exact replica of the Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was debated and hammered out. I went there once as a child. It’s part of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Back in the day, across the street from the Amusement Park was a “free park”. There was a burro ride, a lake with Adventure Island where us kids would play hide and seek for hours, and paddle boats. In the midst of all this child hood fun was Independence Hall but like most seven year olds I wasn’t interesting in “boring history”. Well, like everything, th... (2545 more chars) |
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Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and the LA Opera
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| (Sunday, 22 June 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It was HOT in Southern California this weekend. I kept telling myself I shouldn’t complain since I survived worse heat and humidity in South East Asia, but I complained nonetheless. Partly, because my apartment is on the top floor, AC prohibited, and my apartment reaches 94 degrees during these hot spells. But I was able to escape the heat if only for a few hours with a new experience and a new adventure. This weekend took me to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Music Center and my very first Opera, Tosca. I’ve been to the Los Angeles Music Center numerous times for various plays at the Ahmanson Theater and the Mark Taper Forum, but I had not been to the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Those of you that know me, know that I love Musical Theater so its a wonder that... (5934 more chars) |
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Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
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| (Sunday, 15 June 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I love museums. Ironically, when I travel, I hardly ever go to them because to adequately see a museum takes up a lot of time, time which I do not always have when travelling to distant areas. However, when I have the time and am not rushed I love museums and Los Angeles has their fair share of museums. This weekend was a double treat because not only did I get to visit a museum I got to spend time with an old friend from my college days! I have a few very close friend, unfortunately, the times between seeing them are often months and in some cases years. But they are always there, in my memory and in my heart. And when reunified it is as if no time has went by and you pick up right where you left off. My friend Dan is one such friend! The museum we went to was the Los Angeles County Mu... (5442 more chars) |
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The Beaches of Laguna Beach
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| (Sunday, 01 June 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Last weekend was Memorial Day, the official kick off to summer. However, it felt more like fall around here in Los Angeles with rain and chilly temperatures. But this weekend we were back on track with picture perfect weather; the type of weather perfect for a barbeque at the beach. This week my adventures took me to Laguna Beach. There’s a lot to see and do in Laguna and I couldn’t do it justice in just one article. Laguna Beach includes 7 miles of coastline with some of Southern California most scenic beaches and coves you'll find along the Southern California coast. The best tide pools, diving opportunities, and best sunsets on this region of California coast are right in Laguna Beach. Home to mansions and quaint cottages that line bluffs above the sandy coves, for ov... (4299 more chars) |
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Nicaragua & Honduras
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| (Tuesday, 27 May 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Announcing this year’s International Trip….Nicaragua and Honduras September 25-October 11, 2008!! After several months of debating where to go this year for my international trip and even contemplating whether to go anywhere this year, I finally made my decision and purchased my ticket for this years International Trip. At first I thought of maybe taking a year off, but these international trips are like an addiction that runs through my blood and the thought of not getting that fix is more than I can stand! The last two years have been rather “hard” and complicated trips covering vast amounts of territory in a short time (i.e., Turkey, Jordan and Israel in three weeks or Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore in three weeks). I knew earlier this ye... (3970 more chars) |
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Central California and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks
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| (Friday, 16 May 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I love my Spring and Fall Road Trips! When visiting California people often travel the famous Route 1 through Big Sur or Route 101. Or they may drive portions of Route 66 through the desert. Going from Los Angeles to Sacramento there are two main highways that go across the never-ending San Joaquin Valley. Most people take Highway 5 because it is the fastest route but most will say it is a boring drive. The alternate Route..Route 99 is not quite as fast and most will say is equally as boring. However, if you take your time you will find that not only is a Road Less Traveled, but a road filled with history and industry making up the heartland of California. This Springs Road Trip takes us along part of Route 99 into the Central California Valley to some historic little towns and then a de... (19410 more chars) |
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Alex Theater
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| (Sunday, 27 April 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It was hot this weekend in Los Angeles…it was South East Asia hot! So what better weather than to slip into a movie theater and enjoy a show in air conditioning. However, I’m not fond of going to the movies. Frankly, most of the movies that are released now don’t impress me but more importantly the theaters today are found in a mall, twenty theaters together, and no character at all. As noted from a trip of the week a year ago, I enjoy classic movies enjoyed in a theater that makes you feel special. Here in Los Angeles there has been several old movie palaces that have been historically preserved and show classic movies to a new generation. For an evening, you can feel like it’s the mid 1940s in Los Angeles where movies were melodramatic and the theaters they were... (5032 more chars) |
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Long Beach Grand Prix
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| (Sunday, 20 April 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Life is about experience…sometimes it’s my international trip to Cambodia and other times it’s visiting a local regional park for a picnic! This week, was a new experience for me right in my own backyard of Long Beach, The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. My friend Cameron (designer of this website), has been going to this event for several years and invited me along this year. The Long Beach Grand Prix is the longest running major "street" race held on the North American continent, having completed its 33rd event. Attendance for the weekend regularly reaches or exceeds 200,000 people. The Long Beach Grand Prix in April is the single largest event in the city of Long Beach. It started in 1975 as a Formula 5000 race on the streets of downtown, and became a Formula One ... (2166 more chars) |
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Hospitality Club
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| (Friday, 18 April 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| As many of you know, I’ve belong to Hospitality Club for a number of years and have used this website to find lodging and like minded people when I travel. I’ve always had a great experience travelling the world and meeting up with locals from my destination or being hosted by “strangers”. Its an odd phenomenon, because very often you meet the person, know nothing about them, and after a few days of being with them you feel a kinship and must move on. The sad fact is that you may never see them again, but you will always have the memories of a special moment in time. While I did not get the opportunity to travel the world this weekend, I brought the world into my home, Germany to be more specific. I hosted two fine German gentleman for two nights. The Hospitality ... (5298 more chars) |
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Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
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| (Sunday, 13 April 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It’s been a while since I’ve done an “overnight” trip of the week. But after several months of stress and ongoing problems, I was able to escape for three days and two nights south of the border! I love Mexico..be it border towns or deep in the heart of Mexico. I’ve been to Mexico more than any other country. My journey took me to the town of Rosarito half way between Tijuana and Ensenada and less than 3 hours from Los Angeles. I’ve been through Rosarito but have never stayed there. Crossing into Mexico is a breeze…you don’t even stop…I drove through Tijuana and over to the Playas de Tijuana and scoped out the Bull Ring By the Sea and the Border Fence which literally runs into the Pacific Ocean. Tijuana is the only location in t... (18348 more chars) |
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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| (Sunday, 06 April 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| California has given “birth” to two US Presidents, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan (although Reagan was a native of Illinois). Southern California hosts two Presidential Libraries. Now those of you that know me personally, know I love history. I’ve already visited about 12 of the Presidential graves (including George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy). I have a goal someday to visit all of the Presidential graves and/or libraries. Now I realize that politics can be a charged topic and I know many of you love Ronald Reagan while other loathe him. With that said….I’m not here to endorse or berate Ronald Regan but share my experience and education of a historical day trip just outside of Los Angeles. The Ronald Reagan Presidenti... (6171 more chars) |
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Route 66 San Gabriel Mountains Foothill Section
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| (Sunday, 30 March 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Before carpool lanes and freeway interchanges, there was Route 66. I love Route 66! I think I fell in love with it when I read the Grapes of Wrath. It was known as the Mother Road running from Chicago to Los Angeles that led to millions coming to the “Promised Land” of California. In fact, my dad and grandparents made that journey back in the 1940’s. I’ve traveled sections of Route 66 Victorville to Barstow, Flagstaff to Kingman, Oatman to Needles, but I’ve never really explored the portions closer to home which eventually ends at the Santa Monica Pier. The famed road, opened in 1926, stretched for 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, the first to link main streets of small-town America. In the San Gabriel Valley, "the Mother Road" followed seve... (9167 more chars) |
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Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
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| (Sunday, 23 March 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Happy Easter and Happy Spring. I feel almost guilty writing this since I know there have been flood, storms, and snow covering most of our nation but here today in Los Angeles it was 90 degrees and sunny! Frankly it was almost too hot for me this early in the year. But spring is here and this week takes us north of Los angeles a bit to the Antelope Poppy Reserve where it was a tad cooler and windy! Californias Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is truly one of the Golden States most unique state parks. Located in the western Antelope Valley, the Poppy Reserve is dedicated to preserving the states famed species of poppythe California poppy. The state flower of California grows unrestrained in 1745 acre state park. The park does not water the poppies or provide any other maintenance... (5838 more chars) |
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Little Saigon-Westminster, California
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| (Saturday, 15 March 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| As most of you know, my last great backpacking adventure was to South East Asia which included Vietnam. When I come back from these foreign adventures, I like to explore ethnic restaurants, neighborhoods, and market with my new found knowledge and appreciation of different cultures. For years, driving along the San Diego Freeway (or the 405 as we call it), I would see an exit off ramp to Little Saigon in Westminster. I never really thought much about it except that it was probably like China Town but catered to the Vietnamese. Well, I decided to explore this ethnic neighborhood after my recent trip to Vietnam taking with me first hand knowledge of the country, the culture, the food. Little Saigon is a vibrant community of Vietnamese culture located in Westminster, Orange County. Bounded... (4484 more chars) |
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Pacific Marine Mammal Center
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| (Sunday, 09 March 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| The weather simply doesn’t get better than it did today! It started off so foggy and then it was bright sun and 78 degrees! It was perfect. Of course it brought all the people out to the beach. This week, I headed south to the Laguna Beach area. With this nice weather, I wasn’t brave enough to go to the heart of town but on the road between Irvine and Laguna Beach is the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Nestled along the road in the hills of Laguna is the Pacific Marine Mammal Center which is a nonprofit organization staffed by dedicated volunteers and funded by donations. Its mission is to: rescue, medically treat and rehabilitate marine mammals that are stranded along Orange County, California beaches due to injury or illness; release healthy animals back to their natural hab... (3385 more chars) |
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Downey and The Oldest Operating McDonald's
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| (Sunday, 24 February 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, my apologies for there being a lag in any trip of the weeks for the last 3 weeks! But due to inclement weather, my mom having total knee replacement surgery, work undergoing computer changes, other personal commitments and my own “bout” with the flu I have literally not had time to go out and explore our great world which has been driving me crazy. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to get out of the house and explore, learn, and grow from my trips and travels! Now remember, while this website covers a wide range of travel destinations, it is Rhoades Less Traveled and showcases the sometimes less traveled and visited destinations. Thus, this weeks Trip of the Week takes us to Downey, California. Locals reading this are probably wondering what would take someone to Down... (5500 more chars) |
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Mexican Riviera Cruise
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| (Sunday, 27 January 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I just returned from my longest cruise yet…8 days to the Mexican Riviera visitn the ports of Acapulco, Ixtapa/Zihuataneo, and Manzanillo. The first time I went for a cruise I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. I was afraid I was going to go stir crazy but I fell in love cruising with cruising. Don’t get me wrong, I love my adventurous backpacking trips, but backpacking is a lot of hard work and hardly a vacation. A cruise is total relaxation for me. It’s the one getaway that is totally relaxing…I only have to unpack once, I know where I am sleeping, and there is unlimited food and I don’t have to worry about anything. Plus, it is a nice way to travel with my mom. It’s a few weeks late, but it was our Christmas/Holiday getaway. Sinc... (14154 more chars) |
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Bowers Museum
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| (Sunday, 06 January 2008) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, the first weekend of 2008 was a dismal one weather wise. It has rained all weekend, thus limiting what I can do for my trip of the week. Even indoor activities seem like a chore driving in the rain in southern California! However, I didn’t let the rain get in my way and made a journey to Orange County to visit the Bowers Museum. I had previously been to this museum a few years ago when they had the Eva Peron exhibition which contained artifacts and belonging to Argentina’s First Lady. But I returned because I really did enjoy this museum plus I wanted to see their exhibit on Mummies. Aside from that, I really like this museum because it is not so overwhelming like some of the larger museums and I enjoy the décor and charm of this building. The Bowers Museum is in Sant... (4430 more chars) |
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Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
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| (Sunday, 23 December 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Merry Christmas! Well, this week proves to be a busy one for a lot of us visiting relatives, shopping, and celebrating Christmas. For me, it’s a little busier because December 20 th is my birthday! For my birthday this year I was treated to tickets to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes! But I didn’t have to go all the way to New York to see it (though I would have loved that). I was able to see them in my own backyard at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The Orange County Performing Arts Center is one of the nation’s premier arts organizations. It is a unique achievement of community vision, initiative, artistic achievement and generosity known for its stunning architecture and technical facilities, impeccable acoustics and the ex... (3850 more chars) |
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Holiday Festivals-Beach Cities
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| (Sunday, 16 December 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| ‘Tis the season…for festivals, parties, lights and parades. I didn’t have a particular destination this weekend but wanted to share a few local south bay holiday events! There are readers from all over the world celebrating various holidays during this season, but here in Southern California especially along the coast where I live, we tend to celebrate the holidays in a very unique way. This weekend consisted of three little holiday events. The first is less than a mile from where I live and perhaps not that unique from other parts of the country, but it is quiet a show. I live in the Walteria Area of Torrance but a mile away is the Sleep Hollow area known for it’s extravagant and elaborate homes decorated with lights. This has been a tradition since I was a ch... (3192 more chars) |
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Skirball Cultural Center-Hanukkah
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| (Sunday, 09 December 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve driven over the Sepulveda Pass a hundred times and have seen this off ramp to the Skirball Cultural Center and the Hebrew College. I figured the Hebrew College was a college about Jewish Studies but I never knew what the Skirball Cultural Center. On Saturday night I was trying to figure out what to do for my trip of the week. Being the holidays I wanted to do something festive. I then came across a docent led tour for Hanukkah at the Skirball Center. I decided this would be the time I find out exactly what this Center is all about. What a great treat! The Skirball Cultural Center has established itself as one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions, and among the most prominent cultural venues in the United States. Its mission is to explore the connectio... (9574 more chars) |
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Cambodia Town-Long Beach
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| (Sunday, 02 December 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I have only been back a week and it was hard week trying to reacclimatize back to being home and figuring out what time it really was. I had such a case of jet lag but it seems to be settling down. I was exhausted most of the week and contemplated not doing a Trip of the Week. But I always find it important to stay on task and to get back into my routine as quickly as possible to ensure a smooth transition. Aside from the yearly exotic backpacking trips, part of the fun is planning and coordinating the trip. Once I go on the trip, I learn so much about the culture, history, music, food, and political climate, and education that no book could teach me. Upon return to the states, I want to savor my trip and with my new found education, want to delve more deeply into that culture. Wi... (6033 more chars) |
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The Last Leg
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| (Saturday, 24 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I did not sleep well my last night in Singapore...it was so hot and humid and with out A/C..I couldn't sleep...I just gave up, packed and waited until 4:30 when the taxi picked me up. I went to the Singapore Airport, checked, and left on time uneventful. Upon take off, the pilot said it might be a bumpy ride because there were too big typhoons between Vietnam and the Philippines...and we were going to fly between them. The flight to Tokyo was hell...for three hours of the six hour the plane bounced, shook, I swore the plane was going snap in half. I was praying, my hands were sweaty...even others on the flight said it was the worst they had gone through. I was so upset...I wish the pilot would have just landed the plane anywhere. I got to Tokyo and had three hours lay over a... (529 more chars) |
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Singapore--The End of the Line
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| (Friday, 23 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings family and friends...this will more than likely, hopefully be the last email I send until I get home. I'm currently in Singapore...9 miles north of the equator. It has been quite and ordeal today and I think I may have taxed my body a bit too much today with the heat and humidity. Last night, Ratna came home from work and she made dinner for me and Denise. I told them I did not want to go out...so we just hung out and talked until about 1 am. I felt like I was on a 60 minutes interview as they were inquisitive about all aspects of American Life...TV, movies, politics, social issues, gay life, etc. It was fun...but I was getting tired of fielding all the questions. I woke up at 7 am for a hard journey today. I hate "transport" days....they are always grueling and t... (4200 more chars) |
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Kuala Lumpur Day 2
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| (Thursday, 22 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello....and HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Taman Melati, Malaysia...that is the name of the district I am staying in with Ratna in Malaysia. It's Thursday evening...and if I didn't remember...I would have never guessed it was Thanksgiving...obviously it is not a holiday here and most people I talked to today...didn't even know about this holiday in the states. Aside from that....the 90 plus degree weather and 200% humidity....it's definitely not fall and harvest time! Well, I hope that today is a wonderful day filled with family, loved ones, friends, and gratitude for the blessings we all have. As for me...things are quickly winding down. Last night I went to eat and then went to bed as I was pretty tired. I woke up this morning and Ratna made me breakfast and coffee ... (4398 more chars) |
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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| (Wednesday, 21 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings my friends and family....well, a it's been a whirlwind the last 30 hours or so! I am currently in Kuala Lumpur the capitol of Malaysia. I forgot to mention in my last email that Penang saw some action in World War II and was under Japanese Occupation. I had seen many WWII sites in Europe...but my Pacific experience has only been Pearl Harbor...and that was never under Japanese Occupation. There was some interesting stuff at the museum about the battles on the Pacific Islands out here. Penang had feel to Japan Dec. 7, 1941 as well. At any rate, I got my bus. Which was luxurious from Penang to KL....huge reclining seats, great a/c, it was truly 1st class! The road to KL was actually very nice and fast....and extremely scenic. It passed through the Cameron Highlands.... (6457 more chars) |
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En Route to Kuala Lumpur
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| (Tuesday, 20 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings....I am at an internet cafe waiting for my bus and getting thrashed by mosquitoes...so not sure how long this will last. You know...I get about 150 emails a day...most trash. I couldn't imagine coming home to 1000's of emails...so if nothing else it is good to clean the in box each day. Last night after I wrote...I went back to my room to relax a bit. There is a TV....I watched a Malaysian Soap Opera...I couldn't understand what they were saying...but soap operas are pretty easy to figure out. After it started to cool down I went back out and walked to the Esplanade and beach...it was nice. The thing that shocked me the most was when the sun began to set...the bats came out!!! Fort Cornwallis was still open so I got to tour that last night....very interest... (1624 more chars) |
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Penang Island, Malaysia
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| (Monday, 19 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...It’s later afternoon and I love to use this time for my internet/rest time. It's at the apex of heat and humidity, I'm drenched, and I welcome the break to get in an air-conditioned place, sip some water, cool down and write my friends and family. Today has been jammed packed and a wonderful day. I like Malaysia so much I've decided to add a day to Malaysia and take a day off of Singapore. Besides, I have heard from other backpackers that Singapore is more expensive, very orderly and western....so I will just spend a day there. Mainly shop, get my passport stamped, and fly home.... At any rate, last night I rested for a while and then went back out to eat...I had Laska something or other...I can't remember the name but it's typical of Penan... (3822 more chars) |
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Georgetown, Malaysia
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| (Sunday, 18 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello my friends and family...greetings from the island of Penang, Malaysia...my 28th country but who is counting ;) I can safely say....I am glad to be out of Bangkok and already Malaysia has proved to be a wonderful place and I've only been here about 6 hours! It's amazing how the arrival into a country and your interactions the very first hour can make or break your opinion of a place. Well, after I wrote last night....I went to dinner and just relaxed a bit. I actually went to bed at 10 pm and woke up at 3 am,packed and got ready. I hailed a cab and they took me on some toll road which increased the fare by 40 baht....it seems every time I turned around in Bangkok there was a scam or a hidden charge. To complicate things many people did not speak English in Thailand... (4255 more chars) |
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Bangkok Day 2
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| (Saturday, 17 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all! Well I am entering into my final week...it's Saturday night here and shortly I will be leaving Bangkok and heading for Georgetown, on the Island of Penang, Malaysia off the Malayan Peninsular Coast. I was just informed by someone on my mail list that there is a departure tax from Bangkok of 750 baht (about $25) again! I hate that....why do some countries have that and some don't? I was thinking today....Bangkok is a very modern and western city...there is Starbucks, McDonalds, KFC, etc. I did not see any of that in Vietnam or Cambodia. I guess it is comforting to westerners who visit...but I like it when that stuff is not available...it forces me to rely on local places, restaurants, etc. It feels more exotic and foreign. When it has all these western icons..... (3852 more chars) |
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One Night in Bangkok
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| (Friday, 16 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Just trying to be funny quoting the song...however, I kind of wish I was just one night in Bangkok. Unfortunately, Bangkok is the only city I will be seeing in Thailand....so I cannot make a fair statement about the country...that would be like visiting New York and basing your whole opinion of the US on that city. People rave of Bangkok...and I am just struggling with this city...perhaps it is after visiting the more tranquil laid back Cambodia with friendly people that this is more shocking. But the city is huge, sprawls out forever, traffic is horrific even by Tuk Tuk or Cab, the pollution is appalling...I actually wore a bandana around my face today while on the Tuk Tuk, and everyone here has a scam...you must be hypervigiliant or you will be taken advantage of. Everyone war... (4459 more chars) |
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Goodbye Cambodia Hello Thailand
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| (Thursday, 15 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings! I am currently transitioning from Cambodia to Thailand...I'm still in Siem Reap but leave momentarily for Bangkok but since I have no idea where I am going, staying, or anything tonight I figured it was best to send off an email now. Well I have nothing but accolades for Cambodia....when I told people I was going to Cambodia they looked at me with a strange glance...and now that I am leaving I highly recommend Cambodia. In fact, I would rank it among my top 5 favorite countries I've been to. Not just for Angkor and historical stuff, but for friendliness, cultural exchange, beauty, and just the general vibe. Last night we had dinner which was just ok...I had Khmer Curry Chicken...but the chicken wasn't deboned..but it tasted good. I got to bed at a reason... (3151 more chars) |
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Arrival in Bangkok
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| (Thursday, 15 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This will be short...just checking in to let you know I'm safely in Bangkok...up to the point of getting here was beautiful. I got to the airport with Michael early enough to take an earlier flight which left at 5:10. The flight was nice...very roomy and only 1/2 full. I arrived at the airport which is huge and immigration was excruciating to get through....then customs. I had a contact through Hospitality Club..they could not host me but they recommended a place....the cab took me there and I didn't want to stay there but no one spoke English...so I just gave up and thought I'll bite it and stay for one night and regroup. The place is not good. I decided to come into town to find internet and perhaps another place to stay....This place I'm at is so out of the wa... (652 more chars) |
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Angkor Wat!
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| (Wednesday, 14 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greeting of peace to you my friends and family..again I write to your from Siem Reap. After I wrote last night..I explored the city which I absolutely love. Has a great vibe, friendly, clean and safe! Michael and I went out to eat at a super fancy restaurant and couldn't spend more than $15 between the two of us. We didn't get home until 11 pm. The alarm awoke me at 4 am!!! Yes, that early...we wanted to get to Angkor for sunrise....we were there by 5 am...we had a private tuk tuk driver for $14 for the day. Words cannot even describe Angkor...it is like machu picchu, Petra, etc. words cannot do it justice. It is the largest religious building in the world and covers 1000's of sq km with numerous temples. Some built as early at 700 AD but the most famous Angkor Wat a... (2790 more chars) |
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Siem Reap-Gateway to Angkor Wat
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| (Tuesday, 13 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello my friends and family...I send you peace and greeting from Siem Reap, Cambodia. After emailing last night....Michael and I went out to dinner...very nice place and I had a traditional Cambodian meal...Chicken and Ginger with spicy fish cakes in oyster sauce with a coconut shake. It was delicious. After we went to a club...The blue Chili which was a lot of fun....it seems that clubs and disco are the same everywhere in the world...the same music. However, we met some very nice people and chatted until about 1 am. This morning...we sort of took it easy and I went for breakfast and met some local which I always love as I learn so much about the culture. One of them was Khmer....which is a more indigenous type person here most Cambodians are a mix of Khmer, Chinese, and some ... (1933 more chars) |
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| (Monday, 12 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings friends and family from Phnom Penh, the capitol of Cambodia! Well, after I calmed down from yesterdays apocalypse now adventure we went out to get our money and to eat. The currency is the real but almost everyone use US Dollars and the prices are listed in US Dollars. I don't even remember my head hitting the bed last night and I passed out! I slept all the way to 6:30 this morning. In Contrast to Vietnam...I love Cambodia...it is such a friendly place, everyone is helpful, laid back..excellent vibe! People want to engage and talk to you. This is like Latin America with an Asian flair to it....Would highly recommend this place so far. Plus, the price is unbelievable...5 star hotel for $30 and this morning I hired a private driver in a Tuk Tuk...all day, anywher... (2268 more chars) |
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Cambodian Crossing Ordeal
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| (Sunday, 11 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings from Phnom Penh! I am currently in Cambodia on a computer that is dial up and 28k modem! This has been one long day and one long ordeal which progressively got worse as the day went on. Last night after writing...we went to dinner at a restaurant...I wanted Rice and Pork to which they said "no pork"...no "beef"...no anything but squid which I did not want so I just settled for rice. It was a reminder how spoiled I am in the states that when I go to a restaurant they will have what I want. After we went back to the hotel which wasn't too bad. I stepped out on the porch/patio for a smoke and was attacked by bats...after about 4 drags...I thought...this is not worth it, crushed out my cig and went back into the room! I guess now I have found a way to quit smoking...j... (3352 more chars) |
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Mekong Delta Day 2
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| (Saturday, 10 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...I am currently in the town of Chau Doc on the Vietnamese Cambodian Border. Well...after I emailed you last night....the town of Cantho was filthy! There were rats in the street at night, garbage and sewer every where. I had to eat...so I played it safe with fried rice...even still....I wonder what goes on in back in the kitchen! I was exhausted last night...and we had to get up at 6 am this morning. I had breakfast and we left at 7 am back into the jungles and the Mekong Delta. The first adventure was the floating markets which were incredible. The locals all come out on boats and buy, sell and trade their goods namely fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Its hard to describe but it was incredible...sheer chaos on the river. The locals do not have to pay tax doing tra... (3525 more chars) |
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Mekong Delta Day 1
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| (Friday, 09 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello friends and family...I am currently in Can Tho (pronounced Can Toe)....this was an incredibly exciting day with lots of adventure and an incredible journey which also at times tested my patience. We caught the 8 o clock bus in Saigon and headed south west for the Mekong Delta..the end of the Mekong River...3rd longest in Asia and 11th longest in the world. The drive there was nice...nice big bus through some slum areas which were very heartening. We arrived at My Tho (My Toe) at 11 and transferred onto a boat which took us out into the Delta. We then arrived on an island where honey bees and honey are made...I even held up a honeycomb filled with bees! We then hiked further and held my first Boa Constrictor around my neck...I can hardly wait to show you all that pic! We th... (3587 more chars) |
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Cao Dai & Cu Chi Tunnels
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| (Thursday, 08 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all, Well as is usually the case when I travel it was a truly jammed pack day. I sometimes am amazed at how much I do in a day when I travel and wish I had that same stamina back home in the states. Well, alas my friend made in yesterday late afternoon and was glad to see him. I had not seen him in about 4 or 5 years when he visited in Los Angeles. We spent the evening walking around Saigon and eventually went out for a late dinner. Got to bed relatively early. This morning started with waking up at 5:30...after getting ready we started our day long tour which picked us up at the hotel. This is by far the hottest and most humid place I have visited...you move and you sweat leading to rashes and dehydration. After a heroing drive through the city we headed northwest toward... (3308 more chars) |
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Xin Chao From Saigon
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| (Wednesday, 07 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all! I hope that life is well. I've never been to a country that is so hot and humid! Unfortunately in all my photos I will have sweat stains...it's unbelievable the humidity here!! Well, I am in my first Communist Country...but you would never guess it...capitalism is alive and well and the downtown part of Saigon (which I will use since Ho Chi Minh city is so long)...is filled with stores like Gucci, D & G, etc. After I wrote last night...I went to bed about 2 am...and woke up at 6:30 am....After gathering my sense I called my mom to see what happened to my friend from Minneapolis...apparently he got very ill on the flight from Minneapolis to Tokyo and had to stay in Tokyo to recuperate...but he should be here tonight! I hope. I left about 8 am into a wild surpr... (3415 more chars) |
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Hong Kong
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| (Tuesday, 06 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...I am currently in Hong Kong...it's 7:41 pm here....in Los Angeles like 4:40 am!! The worst is over. This was a 15 1/2 hours straight through. No major anxiety or panic and I didn't even use my nicotine patch! though I was dying for one when I got to Hong Kong and they do allow smoking in the terminal....nice terminal with free internet!! So I thought I would have a smoke, email, and then catch my flight in one hour ....the next flight is to Saigon...but is is only a 2 hour flight so that is a piece of cake. Everything has gone smoothly thus far....check in at LAX was less than 5 minutes and I was so lucky with my seat...no one sat next to me. Still cramped but I could spread out a little. I have to admit...this was one hell of a long flight I am so glad that... (416 more chars) |
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Arrival in Saigon
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| (Tuesday, 06 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Its1:15 here and I'm at the hotel....need to be fast. My flight from Hong Kong got to Saigon 1/2 early and the hotel was ready to pick me up. I waited for 3 hours for my friend from Minneapolis...he never showed up. I don't know where he is or what happened. But I'm at the hotel safe...it's dark..and all I could see driving here were 1000s of mopeds and bicycles. I hope my friend gets here tomorrow.... I hope to get a good night sleep and start exploring tomorrow. Take care..just checking in to let you know I am here! |
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Final Countdown..
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| (Monday, 05 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well my friends and family...we are about to embark on our next journey! Welcome to the new people in this email group! Well, here we go….It’s Monday, November 5 th and I leave in about 2 ½ for the airport via the public bus. I can’t believe I bought this plane ticket on March 5 th this year. I'm filled with excitement and a little bit of fear. This trip has been a bit overwhelming for me at times. This is truly a new adventure...new language, religions, cultures, etc and will prove to be very interesting As nerve wracking and overwhelming as it feels...I am so grateful to be going on this trip. There is always so much to learn and see, new people to meet, peoples paths that you cross never to see again, and of course all of the spiritual lessons I learn on t... (2900 more chars) |
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Departure!
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| (Monday, 05 November 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well my friends and family...we are about to embark on our next journey! Welcome to the new people in this email group! ..It's Monday, November 5th and I leave in about 2 ½ for the airport via the public bus. I can't believe I bought this plane ticket on March 5th this year only a week after my angiogram! I'm filled with excitement and a little bit of fear. This trip has been a bit overwhelming for me at times. This is truly a new adventure...new language, religions, cultures, etc and will prove to be very interesting As nerve wracking and overwhelming as it feels...I am so grateful to be going on this trip. There is always so much to learn and see, new people to meet, peoples paths that you cross never to see again, and of course all of the spiritual lessons I lear... (3281 more chars) |
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Hollywood Forever Cemetery-Dia De Los Muertos
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| (Sunday, 28 October 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Halloween is quickly approaching and this weeks Trip of the Week is perhaps one of the more unusual trip. It may even seem a bit macabre to some until they fully understand the purpose! This week took us to Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a festival of Dia De Los Muertos! With Los Angeles’ rich Latino American population, there is no shortage of Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever cemetery was originally envisioned for the purpose of providing an authentic venue, in which this ancient tradition could be genuinely observed, celebrated and preserved. This event has provided a gateway for those who wish to re-acquaint themselves with their deeply rooted traditions and profoundly engage with one of the most devotional celebrations for the continuous c... (9869 more chars) |
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Faulkner Farm Pumpkin and Harvest Festival
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| (Sunday, 21 October 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| There were several Pumpkin Festivals this weekend, one of which is the largest in Calabasas. Several of the more famous pumpkin patches and harvest festivals are in the northwest corner of Los Angeles County. Unfortunately, do to several fires many of the pumpkin patches including the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival were closed down. In spite of this, I made it up to the very southern part of Ventura County to Santa Paula to the Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival at Faulkner Farm. Though getting there was a task due to several wild fires along the way. I had been to this pumpkin patch a few years ago but this time spent more time there and learned about the rich history of this farm As for the pumpkin patch and harvest festival there is plenty to do for all ages. There are hay rides with his... (7559 more chars) |
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South East Asia-Trip Planning III
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| (Sunday, 14 October 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Just a quick update on my trip planning for South East Asia. The last time I wrote about my trip planning was prior to my San Francisco Road Trip. For those few weeks I didn’t do much work or planning on my trip. However, last week was the four-week countdown to my departure so I had to kick it up a notch and do some serious planning. As for the first part of the trip, my friend Michael will be traveling with me. It’s been a big help not having to do all the work of researching, corresponding, and planning where to stay, how to transport, and making arrangements. Normally I do that all alone but he has stepped up to the plate and has pretty much take care of those arrangements. With that said, we both fly into Ho Chi Minh City about the same time on Tuesday, November 6. We ... (3552 more chars) |
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Oak Glen Apple Harvest
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| (Sunday, 14 October 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| In keeping with the theme from last week of fall festivals..this weeks Trip of the Week takes us 80 miles east of Los Angeles to the Apple Harvest of Oak Glen. It may not be common knowledge that Southern California has an apple-producing region, but for those in the know, Oak Glen is a great road trip destination. Nestled high above the desert floor in a beautiful valley eighty miles east of Los Angeles are apple orchards planted over a century ago. Oak Glen is situated midway between Palm Springs and Big Bear. The elevation is about 5,000 feet and is ideal for the cultivation of apples. Oak Glen welcomes tourists year-round with craft shops, restaurants, and fruit stands. Apple blossom time in spring is a magical time to visit, but "high season" is autumn, when visitors can choose ... (3841 more chars) |
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Historic San Diego
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| (Friday, 05 October 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I’ve been to San Diego more than any other city outside of Los Angeles over the years. I’ve always had a fondness for San Diego and is probably one of my favorite cities in California. Thereis always so much to see and do there and the city just has a really good vibe. Of course one of the big tourist destinations down there is the San Diego Zoo which I have been to. This week, I actually had a business conference to attend in San Diego but decided to do a little “off the beaten path” while I was down there and visited four destinations on this trip! I’m sure that there will be future postings of the many things in San Diego to see and do. Little Italy Driving in to town I stopped at Little Italy. Little Italy's throughout the United States have symbo... (12919 more chars) |
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San Francisco & the Bay Area
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| (Thursday, 20 September 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi! I know most of you don't believe this...but I've never been to San Francisco!! After 38 years of growing up in California...I finally made it. In addition, since the fourth grade (the year when we Californians study the history of the California Missions) I've wanted to visit all 21 of the California Missions and with this trip...I completed my task...I've now visited every single one of the California Missions on the El Camino Real! Day 1- Luckily the night before I studied the map. For some reason I just thought you drove up Highway 101 to get to San Francisco! Which does work but can be a 7 to 8 hour drive. Unfortunately, the alternative but faster route is Interstate 5 which is a god awful boring drive. But it cuts the drive time down to about 5 ½ hours. We le... (13981 more chars) |
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South East Asia-Trip Planning Part II
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| (Sunday, 09 September 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| First, my apologies for no “Trip of the week” this weekend. Partly it is due to being swamped with work and I’ve had a killer toothache this weekend. But the main reason is because this week I’m leaving on my next “Road Trip” to San Francisco. So I’m actually a bit on overload doing trip planning for two trips at the same time! With that said….I will not be posting again here until after September 19 th , 2007 when I return from my San Francisco Road trip. Of course there will be lots of stories, lots of history and lots of pictures. Believe it or not, I grew up in California and have never been to San Francisco! Most people don’t believe me but it’s true. So this will be a real treat for me. Unlike some of my other road trips... (5714 more chars) |
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Labor Day
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| (Monday, 03 September 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Labor Day marks the "unofficial end of summer" though at least here the weather would tell us differently I live 2 miles from the coast and the heat the last few days have been unbearable. I don't have air conditioning so the temperature has soared in my apartment to 92 degrees. I have 5 fans going and worry about my kitties getting heat exhaustion. I occasionally jump in the shower just to cool my body temperature down. As I've gotten older, the less I can tolerate the heat. With that said, it frankly was too damn hot to do a trip of the week. I was about to head over to my mom's for our Labor Day Picnic and began wondering...what is this holiday we celebrate. Most of the other "big" holidays are pretty self explanatory and there is no doubt where the history came fr... (4977 more chars) |
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South East Asia-Trip Planning Part I
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| (Sunday, 26 August 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I often get questions on “how do you come up with these ideas for international trips?” “How do you plan these trips?” “How do you figure out where you are going? Where you are staying? What you are seeing?” I decided that I would start a few articles to help answer those questions especially in light of my next upcoming trip this November. I had bought my ticket back in March and it seemed like such a long time before my trip. But I started thinking this weekend, “My god, its only 2 ½ months before I go and I don’t really have any plans set up!” Besides this, I need to get my visas for Vietnam and Cambodia beforehand. This can be a tricky thing since the Visa stamp is only good for three months from t... (8079 more chars) |
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Santa Monica Cat Show
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| (Sunday, 26 August 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Often, my “trip of the week” is a specific destination…a tourist destination…with historical sites, monuments, tours, and shotzky gifts shops. However, I occasionally go to events that will make it into my trip of the week. This upcoming fall there will be several of these events such as the Avocado Festival in Carpinteria, the Apple Festival in Glen Oak, and the Pumpkin Festival in Santa Paula. This week, my outing was to an event back up in Santa Monica, California. I contemplated whether to even blog about this event…but….it is a Road less traveled and the point I like to make is that there is ALWAYS something to see or do beyond our own backyards. This weeks journey takes us to the Cat Fanciers Association Cat Show at the Santa Monica Civic Au... (7985 more chars) |
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San Pedro & Port of Los Angeles
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| (Sunday, 19 August 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Growing up in the Greater Los Angeles area, I used to cringe when I heard people mention San Pedro. I grew up, along with a lot of my peers, thinking that San Pedro was the arm pit of Los Angeles filled with industry, shoreman, bars and brothels, and a “more undesirable” side of town. But in recent years, San Pedro has undergone some refurbishing and economic growth resulting in a revitalization. Granted, not up to the ranks of Malibu, Laguna, or Dana Point, I was pleasantly surprised at the downtown center of San Pedro. Aside from that, there is no questioning that San Pedro is an integral part of the history of Los Angeles coupled with the Port Of Los Angeles, one of the busiest in the world and the busiest in the nation. San Pedro was named after St. Peter of Alexandria,... (21326 more chars) |
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Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade
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| (Sunday, 12 August 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, sticking with the theme the last few weeks, the trip of the week takes us to another beach destination! I realize this is the fourth beach destination in a row. However, this destination tends to attract many more tourists than my other beach destinations and has often been a “hit” with my international visitors. This week, my journeys took me to Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. As I sat on the patio of a café on the promenade, it amazed me at how many international visitor their were. I sat there trying to identify the languages some of which I was certain were French, Spanish, and German. But many of the languages spoken on the promenade I could not identify. Santa Monica holds a special place in my heart and in my family history. During the depression ... (6811 more chars) |
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Redondo Beach Pier
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| (Sunday, 05 August 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I’m sorting of cheating this week…..The trip of the week is a place I’ve been to hundreds of times since I was a child. It conjures up fond memories of going with my parents on a Saturday afternoon at age 5 for fried fish, a dip in the ocean and arcade games. I grew up in Hawthorne and as a child, going to the Redondo Beach Pier was like a big trip for a young child and I think back on those days fondly. As the years went by my folks eventually moved to a senior retirment community located right at the top of the pier. I live only 4 miles from my mom and visit regularly so I can look out and see the pier every time I visit. In fact, I still run, bike, and roller blade by the pier. Being a busy week I didn’t have much time this weekend for a get away of any g... (5870 more chars) |
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Balboa Island-Newport Beach
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| (Sunday, 29 July 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| During the summer months I’m in a quandary. I don’t want to go too far inland or north because temps can soar to 100 degrees. On the other hand, I hate driving into some of the beach communities where there are flocks of tourists, high school students on break, and “summer getaway” crowds leading to noise and traffic jams. But the weather is nice at the beach this time of year, so for the second week in a row my destination was a beach spot known as Balboa Island part of Newport Beach in Orange County. I left early enough in the day to arrive about 10 am and beat the mass of people that arrive in the late afternoon. In the late 1860’s, the bay was used as a landing to load hides, tallow, hay and other goods for export. In September 1870, Captain Samuel S. Du... (9382 more chars) |
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Dana Point Harbor
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| (Sunday, 22 July 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It still amazes me how being born and raised in Los Angeles, I still have not seen or visited every jewel in Southern California. Many times I have driven from Los Angeles to San Diego and drove through Dana Point realizing it was the half way point but never stopping. This week, I decided to check out this “half way” point and was surprised by how much there is to see and do along with learning some history! As most of you know, I love history and I love literature and yet all this time I never put together the fact that Dana Point was named after Richard Henry Dana author of “Two Years Before the Mast”. Panoramic views abound in the natural cove that author and seaman Richard Henry Dana called, "The only romantic spot on the coast." Dana landed here during the h... (7788 more chars) |
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St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church
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| (Sunday, 15 July 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Decades ago when immigrants were pouring into the United States, Los Angeles was very similar to cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. The area surrounding downtown Los Angeles was surrounded by neighborhoods with pockets of ethnic groups---The Poles, The Germans, The Irish, the Italians and so on. Each neighborhood with it’s meat market, produce stand, church, community functions and a close knit network of neighbors with the same language and cultural experience. One such neighborhood was the Greek Area of Los Angeles. There are now only remnants of this area as now it is on the fringes of what we now call Korea town. One such remnant is the St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral. This magnificent Greek Orthodox Church is actually the result of a Hollywood s... (3538 more chars) |
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Museum of Tolerance
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| (Sunday, 08 July 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| There’s a museum here in Los Angeles that I have been wanting to visit for several year. This week during the 4 th of July festivities, I made the trek up to West LA to check out the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance. Since I had recently visited Israel, I was not shocked by the strict security of getting into the museum. Cars and trunks are check, metal detectors and x ray machines are used, and you are not allowed to use cameras, cell phones, or other electronic devices. It did remind me of my recent trip to Israel with all of the security measures. But once inside the museum, it was an enlightening and fascinating exhibit. If I had to describe the "history of humankind" in the simplest terms I would call it a battle between "Hate, Ignorance and Greed" versus "Re... (7665 more chars) |
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident..."
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| (Wednesday, 04 July 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Happy 4th of July! Well, there was no trip today except over to my mom's for grilling and fireworks...but I felt compelled to write tonight. Independence Day is my favorite holiday! It always has been. Partly because it's summer and I enjoy the outdoors and fireworks and a good barbeque. But I think the main reason is for my love of history and US History in particular. It saddens me that so many people take this holiday for granted and I don't think many people realize the true importance of this day. Most people do understand this day to be the Day the Declaration of Independence was signed and the 13 Colonies declared their independece from the opression of British Rule in 1776. But I don't think many people stop and really reflect on the importance of this d... (2184 more chars) |
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Venice Beach
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| (Monday, 02 July 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Summer is in full swing….it’s getting hot, the people are flocking to the beach, and the 4 th of July is right around the corner. I had read several articles in newspapers and magazine that Venice Beach is the number one tourist destination in Los Angeles for international travelers and backpackers. As a kid, I went to Venice a few time with my folks and remember it being a slum more or less. We would go because when my dad first came out to California during the depression they lived in a trailer in Venice. My grandpa was a cook and janitor at some of the bars and restaurants on Windward Avenue. In fact, the first apartment my dad lived in was on Pacific and Windward, the old Windward Apartments, now a hostel for international backpackers! With a hot weekend at hand and th... (11292 more chars) |
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Irvine Regional Park/Orange County Zoo
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| (Sunday, 24 June 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Thursday marked the first “official” day of summer! With summer comes the outdoors, picnics, Barbeques and sun! This weeks trip of the week takes us to Irvine Regional Park, a gem in Orange County, which also includes the Orange County Zoo, Railroad Ride, and Children’s Pony Rides along with miles of hiking and outdoor fun! In addition, Irvine Regional Park is the states oldest county park and has some of the oldest Coastal Oak Groves. Irvine Park was part of Don Teodosio Yorba's original Mexican grant of Rancho Lomas de Santiago. The first recreational use of the oak grove was by the early German colonists who settled Anaheim in 1857, and the area became known as the "Picnic Grounds". In 1860, Don Teodosio sold his rancho for $7,000 to a Yankee trader William Wol... (9626 more chars) |
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Los Encinos State Park
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| (Sunday, 17 June 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| As is often the case in Southern California in June, the marine layer covers the coast like a shroud and aptly named "June Gloom". Day after day of marine layer clouds gets me depressed but if you drive just a little ways you can find sun and 90 degree weather. Such was the case this Sunday when I drove to "the Valley". Many years ago, I had visited Los Encinos State Park, but as a child I really didn't even know what the significance was except that it was a "park". Thirty years later, I made the journey again with a much deeper appreciation. Of course, when I arrived I thought, "Geez, this park seemed larger when I was a kid." It is a rather small park and you would hardly even know it was there. Yet, this visit, I took the time to learn the history of the park and was amaze... (8469 more chars) |
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San Gabriel Mission and Historic Mission District
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| (Sunday, 10 June 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| My original destination today was Mission San Gabriel, nine miles east of downtown Los Angeles and one of the twenty one missions in California. However, a day trip to one of the missions turned out to be much more. I found out that the mission is located within the Historic Mission District of San Gabriel which includes a historical walk containing numerous historical buildings and points of interest. The rich history of the City of San Gabriel dates back to 1771 with the founding of the Mission San Gabriel Archangel and establishes San Gabriel as the birthplace of the Los Angeles region. The Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, "Pride of the California Missions," founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771, is the fourth of twenty-one California Missions, and has long been a center for culture a... (13322 more chars) |
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Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple
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| (Sunday, 03 June 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Nestled in Hacienda Heights, Hsi Lai Temple was built to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning more about Buddhism and the Chinese culture. The Buddhist Temple encompasses over 100,000 square feet. The temple's objectives are to nurture Buddhist missionaries through education, to propagate Buddhism through cultural activities, to benefit society through charitable programs, and to edify the populace through Buddhist practices. It's an amazing place with enormous Buddha statues and a main Shrine where Buddhist come to worship and others come just to look at the incredible grounds. It is the largest Buddhist Temple in the Western Hemisphere. Hsi Lai Temple encompasses 15 acres and a floor area of 102,432 square feet. The temple's Ming (1268... (3211 more chars) |
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Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
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| (Monday, 28 May 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Happy Memorial Day! It truly was nice to have Monday off. Now is the official kick off for summer but let us not forget those men and women who served our country through the centuries. This week was supposed to be a hiking trip to part of the Pacific Crest Trail but due to technical difficulties (namely a broken down car in Temecula) my plans unfortunately had to change. But in spite of this set back, I still made time for a quick little trip down to Huntington Beach for a hike and to check out Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve. That way I could kill two birds with one stone…get my trip of the week in and get my daily exercise! Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is one of California's most significant coastal wetlands. This 300 acre sanctuary is a popular attraction for tourists a... (7582 more chars) |
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California's Gold Tour Road Trip
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| (Thursday, 17 May 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Highway 49---California Gold Tour! Well, aside from my big international trips, I love to take a few Road Trips throughout the year. Last year, I did part of Route 66 through California and Arizona and Highway 101 along the California Coast. This spring's road trip was California’s Highway 49 (at least part of it). I usually take my mom along on these Road Trips however, this time I was a bit skeptical because part of the trip was camping in tent cabins. Suprisingly, she agreed and was the first time in her 71 years of life that she ever camped! So you see…it’s never to late to try something new or undertake what appears to be overwhelming. So with that said….it was 7 days on the road. I’ll break it down…day by day! Day 1—Los Angeles... (8046 more chars) |
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Topanga State Park
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| (Sunday, 06 May 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I almost didn’t have time for a “trip of the week” this week as I am in the process of preparing for Road Trip 2007---“California Gold Country”. But the weather on Sunday was to superb to pass up so I decided to get my exercise and “trip of the week” all in one shot at Topanga State Park. Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. Excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers and equestrians. The park is bound on the... (2902 more chars) |
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Warner Grand Theater-San Pedro
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| (Sunday, 29 April 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Double Header! Two “trips of the week” in one weekend! The second outing this weekend was a trip to the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro, California. I always enjoy visiting old movie theaters for the sake of the architecture and the grand opulent interior design. I especially love it when I can see an old classic in such a theater…a classic movie in a classic theater…the way movies were made to be seen! I’ve seen Mildred Pierce at the Alex Theater in Glendale and most recently Mary Poppins at the El Capitan in Hollywood. This week was the 1946 classic “The Harvey Girls” starring Judy Garland and the academy award winning song for that year “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe”. The timing of this movie was great since I just r... (2528 more chars) |
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El Dorado Regional Park Long Beach
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| (Sunday, 29 April 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Double Header! Two “trips of the week” in one weekend! The first adventure this weekend seemed like a silly one…a trip to a park in Long Beach called El Dorado Regional Park. I had heard of the park and recently found out that there was a nature center. I was pleasantly surpised. My first stop was the El Dorado Nature Center which is part of the El Dorado East Regional Park. First a flood plain of the San Gabriel River, then a calico bean field, the Nature Center is now home to skunks, coyotes, ground squirrels and hawks, and a wide variety of trees and plant life including oaks, redwoods and alders. A 1/4 mile paved trail and two miles of dirt trail wind around two lakes and a stream to make the Nature Center accessible to everyone. Since its opening in 1969, more t... (1273 more chars) |
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Joshua Tree National Park
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| (Sunday, 22 April 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This weeks adventure takes us to Joshua Tree National Park! This was my fifth time there and the National Park I have visited the most. Every time I go I see some new incredible wildlife…last year was the rattle snake. This year was a Bobcat perched up in a cave! Joshua Tree has a special place in my heart. My first time there was with my mom on a driving tour. Two years ago my mom and dad I went and 10 days later my father passed away. Our last family photo of all three of us together was at Joshua Tree near Hidden Valley. Every return back to the park conjures up memories of my dad and our last outing. Aside from family memories, the first time I lead a camping trip with my organization Great Outdoors was to Joshua Tree. Again I returned this April leading a group of 10 great g... (5770 more chars) |
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Orange County Fairgrounds & Pet Expo
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| (Saturday, 14 April 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Aside from visiting museums, scenic wonders and historic sites, I also enjoy attending local festivals or expos. This week was the Pet Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds. All the years of growing up in Los Angeles, I’ve never been to the Orange County Fairgrounds let alone the Orange County Fair in the fall time. As some of you know, I have two cats (Kitty age 7 and Baby age 5). I had them both in Minneapolis and they made the journey west with me to Los Angeles in 2001. I drove the 2000 miles and they took a Northwest Airlines Flight! At any rate, the Pet Expo had numerous exhibits. The emphasis of the Expo are the importance of responsible pet care of a wide variety of pets, teach the principles of proper pet selection and training, offer a vast array of fine pet products, pr... (2668 more chars) |
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Crystal Cathedral-Garden Grove
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| (Sunday, 08 April 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Happy Easter! Well, in honor of Easter…the trip of the week takes us to “The Glory of Easter” at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. For those of you not local in the Los Angeles Area…the Glory of Easter is a live performance of the Passion of Christ from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The largest and most spectacular passion play is brought to life through exciting drama, song and pageantry. A cast of over 100 volunteer actors are supported by professionals playing the lead roles of Jesus, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, Herod, Mary and more. Together they recreate the story of passion week including the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus cleansing the temple, the Last Supper, the trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Utilizing the latest in special effec... (2824 more chars) |
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Calico & Barstow
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| (Sunday, 01 April 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Growing up in Los Angeles I had always heard about Calico Ghost Town and have wanted to visit it. So this weekend, I made the journey. I didn’t want to drive all that way just for the ghost town so I turned it into a little weekend getaway including some site around Barstow…yes, Barstow. Aside from the Ghost Town there are a few historic things in Barstow. Also, I have a soft spot for anything Route 66. I guess partly because that is how my grandparents and dad came to California during the 1940’s…so when I drive along Route 66 I always think of them packing everything in their car driving from Peoria, Illinois out to the “promised land” of California. Historically, more than 2,000 years ago, the Mojave Desert had been occupied by Indian tribes w... (4173 more chars) |
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Wayfarer's Chapel
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| (Sunday, 25 March 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| While not one of the most spectacular trips of the week it was an interesting one. Due to work and car problems I had to keep it very low key and local this week. So again, I ventured to the neighboring Palos Verdes Peninsula to visit the Wayfarer's Chapel. Wayfarers Chapel, a most unusual church made almost entirely of glass, is sponsored by the Swedenborgian Church and serves as a national memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg. Wayfarers Chapel began as a dream in the mind of Elizabeth Schellenberg, a member of the Swedenborgian Church who lived on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the late 1920s. The Peninsula was largely open farmland. A two-lane gravel road skirting the shoreline from San Pedro to Palos Verdes Estates. Mrs. Schellenberg dreamed of a little chapel on a hills... (1908 more chars) |
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Lake Elsinore
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| (Saturday, 17 March 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Lake Elsinore was incorporated as a city in 1888 but was inhabited well before then. For the past century, life on the shores of Southern California’s only natural lake can best be described as wild, wet and wonderful. From earliest times, the 300 natural sulphur springs that fed Lake Elsinore were believed to have curative and magical properties by its Native American Indian inhabitants. These first inhabitants called the lake Entengvo Wumoma, which meant "Hot Springs by the Little Sea." Joining the Native American Indian inhabitants, the Spanish missionaries and soldiers, Spanish ranchers and American trappers came to the valley, all stopping to camp and replenish their supplies. They too found the lake, with its hot mineral springs, clear, fresh water and abundance of game. Th... (3772 more chars) |
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Big Bear Lake, California
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| (Saturday, 10 March 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Big Bear Lake was inhabited by the indigenous Serrano Indians for over 2000 years before it was explored by Benjamin Wilson and his party. Once populated by only the natives and the Grizzly Bears, from which the area received its name, Big Bear Valley grew rapidly during the Southern California Gold Rush from 1861 to 1912. Grizzly Bears were not found in the region after 1906. A trip to Big Bear Lake from San Bernadino took two days on horse drawn coaches. Kirk Phillips was a local that took a trip to New York City and saw the world's first bus line. This inspired him to create the world's second bus line from San Bernadino to Big Bear Valley using white trucks with several rows of seats. This made it possible for the villages to grow and for Big Bear Lake to become the first moun... (2916 more chars) |
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Point Vicente Interpretive Center and Lighthouse
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| (Sunday, 04 March 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This beautiful park, located adjacent to the Pt. Vicente Lighthouse, offers recreational and educational opportunities to the public. . The Interpretive Center opened in 1984 with a mission to present and interpret the unique features and history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Almost six years ago, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes held a gala event to break ground on a multimillion dollar expansion of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC), But it was found that the ground was contaminated with lead – the result of its previous use as an Army rifle range. It took the Army Corps of Engineers two years to rid the soil of the lead and construction on the nearly $6 million is pushing ahead. The brand-new, 150 seat Pacific Amphitheater, which looks out to the Pacific Ocean, covere... (3248 more chars) |
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Evergreen Cemetery
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| (Sunday, 25 February 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I know that this probably seems like a very odd and macabre “Trip of the Week”. But with my love of history and social justice both areas could be fulfilled with a trip to this cemetery. Evergreen Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in the City of Los Angeles. Evergreen Cemetery was founded and developed by a private development company after many months of disagreement by the City Council. The argument was whether a private company had the right to engage in the business of Burials. After all the controversy had settled, the City Council agreed and allowed the private development company to engage in the business of Burials and to create a cemetery. Thus on August 23, 1877, Evergreen Cemetery was established. Within the cemetery, you will find an ethnicity that is as colo... (4468 more chars) |
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Pepperdine University/Malibu
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| (Monday, 19 February 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Not one of my usual "trip of the weeks" but a great weekend nonetheless. Actually it was more of an "emotional" trip of the week than a physical trip of the week. The three day weekend started off with an old friend and fraternity brother coming out this weekend from Washington DC for our Homecoming Reunion at my old alma mater, Pepperdine University. He arrived on Saturday morning and we hung out for a while catching up. We then headed up the coast to Malibu where Pepperdine University is. I had not been back on campus in several years and it felt odd going back. Upon arriving there one of the first people I met was Dr. David Baird my History Professor and mentor and overall great person. We chatted and caught up for a while. My friend Mike and I, then ran into another frate... (2367 more chars) |
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Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show
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| (Sunday, 11 February 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This weeks "trip of the week" was not really a trip..but an outting but it felt like a trip around the world in 8 hours! This weekend was the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show at the Long Beach Convention Center. This was my fourth year attending and this is usually the foundation of how I start deciding where to go next. This year the Travel Show was even larger than previous years with over 400 exhibitors representing thousands of destinations from all over the world. Included were tourism boards, travel companies, adventure outfitters and others. As has been the case in previous years, I needed to make four trips to my cars with the bags of free maps, brochures, booklets, and give aways. I started off in the California section and continued on to the United States/Hawai... (1493 more chars) |
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El Capitan Theater
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| (Sunday, 04 February 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| The first "trip" of the week was more of an outting to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Disney bought the theater a while ago and refurbished it and now premier Disney Movies as well as re-releasing old Disney Classics. The movie this month was Mary Poppins. The El Capitan Theatre debuted on May 3, 1926, as "Hollywood's First Home of Spoken Drama." That evening, limousines pulled up before the theatre's elaborate cast-concrete Spanish Colonial exterior (designed by architectural firm Morgan, Walls, and Clements) and deposited Hollywood royalty, who were attending the play "Charlot's Revue," starring Jack Buchanan, Gertrude Lawrence, and Beatrice Lillie. Inside, the audience enjoyed one of the most colorful and lavish interiors they had ever seen, featuring an ela... (1701 more chars) |
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Heritage Valley Trail
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| (Sunday, 04 February 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This first weekend of February, my trip of the week took me to the Heritage Valley Trail. No it's not hiking...it's a trip by car. It is approximately 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles up Hwy 5. Then head west on Hwy 126 and you begin a journey back in time.. My first stop was Piru and Lake Piru. This quiet community was founded circa 1887 by David C. Cook who came to the valley with the idea of establishing a "Second Garden of Eden." This word is derived from the Indian term for a reed that grew along the creek banks, and was used in basket-making. They pronounced it much like ‘peet hoo’ according to the oldtimers; and it gradually became sounded ‘pee roo’, spelled piru. “However”, Joe Paul wrote, “train conductors shouted out &lsqu... (7084 more chars) |
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Ensenada Cruise
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| (Saturday, 20 January 2007) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I’m back from another little getaway. I guess after 3 weeks in the Middle East and the other international adventures a quick 4 day cruise to Ensenada doesn’t seem to exciting. But this was my third cruise. The first time I went for a cruise I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. But I really love cruising. It’s the one getaway that is totally relaxing…I only have to unpack once, I know where I am sleeping, and there is unlimited food and I don’t have to worry about anything. Plus, it is a nice way to travel with my mom. It’s a few weeks late, but it was our Christmas/Holiday getaway. Since there is only mom and I left, rather than having a big holiday party, we have opted the last few years just to save our money and ... (3294 more chars) |
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Journey Back Home
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| (Friday, 24 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi....I am currently in Atlanta....I don't even know what day or time it is. I've been travelling for 24 hours already and still have 6 more to go. I have never been asked, screened, questioned so much in my entire life. I never thought i was going to get out of Israel. IN Milan..they questioned and screened me and in Atlanta I had a run in with Shaneequa at the TSA counter....she wanted to confiscate my Dead Sea Cosmetics and Lotions and I had to get ghetto on her right back.....MOre security came over and I was able to scheck my dead sea products through as checked luggage. The thing is that each airport is differeent and it is random..sometimes you get stuff through and sometimes you don't, At least in Israel they ae consisted...everything goes through...but eve... (219 more chars) |
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The Sun Sets In Israel
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| (Thursday, 23 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all....the sun is setting in Israel as I write this....this is my last night here. It is Friday evening and the Sabbath is beginning. Nearly everything is closed down and the streets seem so empty. It's been an interesting and emotional last day.....Tel Aviv really has nothing in the way of tourist site seeing stuff so most of the interesting stuff has come from happening and people...as is usually the case even when you are at a tourist site. For all those worry warts, I found out that my hostel was a block away from the US Embassy. Last night I walked over there to see it and see if I could go in. One of the US military guards said it was closed and I asked why..and he said "Because it is thanksgiving" which I had totally forgot about. I talked with the ... (5338 more chars) |
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Happy Thanksgiving from Tel Aviv
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| (Wednesday, 22 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It's hard to believe it is Thanksgiving as it is just another work day here! I hope that you all have a nice holiday weekend and I'm thankful for all of you for touching my life somehow and for letting me take you on this journey. Well, I am in Tel Aviv....it is a "transition" back to the States.....They wear shorts and t-shirts here, mini skirts, Dolce and Gabana and when there is a price on an item you want to buy...that is the price..no haggling! Tel Aviv is very secular and western and is on the beaches of the Mediterranean. Thankfully I brought one pair of shorts which I can finally break out. On the other hand....Tel Aviv is a new city and there are no major historical things to see around here. I woke up this morning and walked about a mile to the bus ... (2362 more chars) |
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Dead Sea and Masada
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| (Tuesday, 21 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, last night after I wrote I rested from about 6 pm until 9 and drifted off to sleep reading my Steinbeck novel. It was so nice to sleep for 10 hours! This morning I met my tour bus which held 50 but only had about 12 people on it. It was a fascinating trip today. We left Jerusalem and again headed to the west bank ...though security in this area wasn't as tight. We then drove through Jericho and on down to the Dead Sea. We stopped momentarily at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in like 1947. We meandered down the west coast of the Dead Sea toward Masada. Along the way we passed the supposed place of Sodom and Gomorrah. A lot of these place...including the crucifixion, nativity, prophets of the Old Testament, the test of Abraham are alleged sites.... (2436 more chars) |
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Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
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| (Monday, 20 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well...the last 24 hours have been quite exciting....its amazing how much can happen and one can get done in 24 hours whne travelling. Being on the road for 3 weeks is a first for me...and I have to admit...I do like it over the 2 week trips. Well, after I last wrote....I went home for Gadi and Elyashiv to come home. They decided they wanted to go out with some of their friends and take me to Jerusalems only gay night club. However, they warned me that it does have occasional attacks by both Muslim groups and Orthodox Jewish Groups. I opted to go of course...What a great club and great people. They had a Disney Night Drag Show which was a hoot. I met a lot of great people there. I did not get home until 4 am. On the way home I decided to stop to get money out of the ATM...wha... (3428 more chars) |
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Day of the Sacred!
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| (Sunday, 19 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi all....I am completely exhausted. I think today was the most I have pushed myself walking wise. I had a lot of ground to cover today and the sun sets at 4 pm....so I had to get an early start and not dawdle. The one thing about Jerusalem is security....they check your bags and you walk through x-ray machines just to go into a store, a restaurant, market..etc. It is a hassle and cumbersome but I guess necessary. Last night...after 2 weeks on the road...I finally had ice cream! I was in heaven. I went to bed early about 10 pm and then got up at 6 am and got ready. Today was an incredible day of visiting the sacred things of Jerusalem. My hosts live in New Jerusalem, which is a nice upscale area about a 10 minute walk from the Old City. I entered the old city ... (5243 more chars) |
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From Petra to Jerusalem
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| (Saturday, 18 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello I am a bit frazzled right now...it is 1:07 pm and I just got to Jerusalem and am in the old part of Jerusalem...on the Via Dolorosa in the Muslim quarter....but I have to rest and calm down and get my bearings. The last 36 hours have been fascinating! Friday night Simon, Suzanne and I went out to dinner and went to bed early. We woke up early on Saturday at 6:30 and had breakfast at our hotel. We then headed to Petra at 7:30....words and even my photos cannot describe what Petra was like. Petra is by far the most fascinating place I have been to...even more than Machu Picchu or Tikal. Perhaps because I had lower expectations of this site. Petra is massive...I thought it was that one famous building. But it is miles and miles of ruins and hiking trails. It was b... (3837 more chars) |
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Jerusalem Update
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| (Saturday, 18 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I am so tired....just wanted to update you that after I wrote you...I had a bite to eat and calmed down. I then called Elyashiv and Gadi. They were busy at school but Elyashiv was nice enough to come meet me and let me drop off my bags, have some coffee and then he went back to school and I went to Old Jerusalem. Elyashiv and Gadi are a gay couple that are studying at the Hebrew University here in Jerusalem. They both speak Hebrew and English and seem very nice. I was getting worried because I checked out some cheap backpacker hostels and the cheapest was $40 a night and at 4 nights that would have been 160 dollars...money I would rather use for souvenirs and entrance fees. Plus it is nice to have local people to help you out. I then went to wander around Old Jerusalem but it wa... (754 more chars) |
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Amman to Petra
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| (Thursday, 16 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all....I am here in Petra. Last night we went out and had a Turkish tobacco pipe (hookah) it actually tasted pretty good and was fun to try something new. At the cafe we met two friends of Simon and Suzanne...Akram and Subhi. Very interesting people. We then headed to a great party held at the home a French diplomat. It was like the United Nations...there were Germans, French, Italians, Jordanians, Palestinians. I had great conversations with everyone and the theme was often about politics...was very interesting to get so many worldviews. Akram was the person I talked tot he most....he was Palestinian and ultra conservative Muslim. He was explaining the right of Hamas and Hezbollah to exist as a legitimate political party. The home was beautiful. We did not get home unti... (651 more chars) |
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Salam Alikum from Amman, Jordan
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| (Wednesday, 15 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| That means....the peace of Allah be with you....my phrase for the day. Greetings from Amman Jordan..For your information I am 150 miles from the Iraqi Border and about 60 miles from Saudi Arabia...30 miles from Israel and 60 miles from Syria...smack dab in the middle of it all! The last 24 hours proved to be tiring but very good. After I wrote...I found the shuttle to the airport and ended up getting there way to early. The flight left on time and I got to Istanbul with 2 hours to do duty free shopping, have a smoke, and make my connecting flight at 11:40 pm. But then the real fun began...the plane was 1/2 hour late taking off...we flew over Cypress, Lebanon and Syria and began to land in Amman at 2:10 AM....moments before landing...the plane began to ascend at a very fast rat... (2789 more chars) |
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Last Day In Turkey
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| (Tuesday, 14 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all...well this will be my last email from Turkey. Last night Elyim picked me up and we went to a Belly Dance Show which was very exotic and a lot of fun. Then they had regular Turkish dancing after. Everyone was so friendly to me...though I could not communicate with anyone. Elyim said they wanted me to get up and dance so I obliged and they were clapping and cheering and very happy that I participated and didn’t act too reserved. It was a lot of fun. I got home about 1 am. I slept in a bit late today because check out time was at noon and my flight does not leave until 9 pm. I woke up, had breakfast, watched some Turkish TV, and packed. While packing I realized I lost my sunglasses somewhere yesterday....they were only target cheapies but if I don’t have sun... (2155 more chars) |
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Ephesus
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| (Monday, 13 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After writing last night I gave into corporate America and went to mc Donald’s. After all the difficulties yesterday I wanted something familiar. I prefer to contribute to the local economy but couldn’t deal with it anymore. Though...I did not have a Big Mac.....I had a McTurk....essentially a Big Mac on a pita flat bread with Turkish Sauce. Today was a crown day! I woke up and had my little breakfast and then went to catch my tour. The tour holds up to 9 people....I was the only one! I got a private tour with the most awesome guy. His name was Elyim....very nice and we hit it off because his university studies were in archaeology and religious studies. Our first stop was the tomb of the apostle John. He lived in Ephesus and they tried to kill him twi... (3113 more chars) |
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Izmir
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| (Sunday, 12 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| First my apologies for the i & y fiasco...the keyboard is different and has extra Turkish letters. I hope this one comes out a bit better...though it will take me a while to write it. Well the last 24 hours have been rather exhausting. Let me first start by nothing bad happened...i am just a bit frazzled and overwhelmed...but it is all good because this is the experience I wanted! though today I feared I may have bit off more than I can chew! For 24 hours now I have been playing charades....I really thought more people would speak English. I tried to go to bed early but couldn’t fall asleep. I woke up about 7 today and had breakfast at the hotel..olives hard boil egg cheese bread and coffee. At 9 I ventured out to find a trip to Ephesus tomorrow as that is a high... (3782 more chars) |
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From Troy to Izmir
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| (Saturday, 11 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Greetings from Izmir, Turkey. I apologize for the numerous typos on this email. It took me 20 minutes to figure out how to log on because the keyboard is in Turkish and no one here speaks English and I speak no Turkish. After I wrote last night I was rather tired and went to bed early about 10 and slept until 6. This morning I had breakfast and then got on the bus for Troy!! Absolutely fascinating..It was hard to believe that I was actually at troy...to be honest until I made my plans I thought Troy was in Greece! We saw the huge wooden horse. the Trojan horse and I even climbed to the top. The tour guide was great and explained all about Helen of Troy Paris Aphrodite Zeus and all the legends. Troy was around since 3000 BC until 500 ad but there were 9 cities of troy rebuilt... (2436 more chars) |
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Cannakale & Gallipoli
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| (Friday, 10 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi all....I'm now in cannakale (pronounced sha-na-ka-lee). It has been a long day. Last night I went out with charlash and Oktay and their girlfriends and we went out at midnight...we did not get home until 3AM and I had to leave at 5 am...so I opted not to sleep. It was sad to say goodbye to them...they were all wonderful hosts. That is always the part about these trips taht are bittersweet and melancholy....you meet so many wonderful people, break bread together, talk about your life at a very intimate level...and then you say goodbye knowing that you will probably never see them again. At 5 am I took a taxi to sultanahamet where I got the bus to Gallipoli...I was the only American...everyone else was Australia and New Zealand. Gallipoli peninsula was in War one lik... (1883 more chars) |
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Final Day in Istanbul
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| (Thursday, 09 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well this is my last day and night in Istanbul. Last night Oktay was too tired to go out..but Charles wanted to...I am finally able to pronounce his name..but not spell it! It was a wonderful night... We went to the store...I b ought soda and he bought beer and we took it down to the Bosphorous Walk way and sat and talked for about 4 hours. It was beautiful...the moon was reflecting off the bosphorous as well as the lights of the city. We talked about all kinds of topics, our jobs, family, religion, etc. He was telling me about his girlfriend and how he wants to break up with her because she is very conservative Muslim and he is an atheist..and they have fights all the time about it. We did not get home until about 2:30 in the morning. His birthday is coming up Nov. 30.... (1239 more chars) |
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Istanbul Day 2
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| (Wednesday, 08 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello all! After I wrote last night....I met up with Oktay and Charles and we went to a Soccer game...like other countries...it is a huge sport here. Team Istanbul played Team Izmir...not that i'm a soccer fan ...it was fun and a bit wild. After we went out for lamb. I was able to get to bed at a more reasonable time of midnight. I am collecting so much information and stuff....that I should really get back on track with my travel writing and articles again. More so than this year. Istanbul has 16 million people...it is overwhelming. Last night they were explaining to me the difference between Suni and Shiite Muslims. also that Turkey will not be allowed to join the EU..they were supposed to in 2008 but it fell apart. They also explained the history of Turkey in brief...F... (2801 more chars) |
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An incredible night and day!
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| (Tuesday, 07 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| After I last wrote, I went to meet Oktay. Very nice person...he is a mechanical engineer, 28 and lives with a flatmate who i call Charles because i can't even say his turkish name let alone spell it. They have a very nice flat near Taksim Square and are wonderful hosts. I was so tired...but they wanted to take me out. So we went out at 10 pm...and the streets and cafes were full! we had some typical meditarranean food, coffee, and talked, talked, talked...we were out until 2:30 AM talking about Bush, Politics, Iraq, Islam, Christianity, ATheism, Nitczhe, Camus, the purpose of life, etc. Very light topics as you can see...i thorougly enjoyed it. I am there first American Guest and they kept saying I should be an ambasador to prove that not all Americans are foolish! They had t... (2362 more chars) |
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Merhaba from Istanbul
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| (Monday, 06 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi all....i finally made it. It is 7 pm here in Istanbul....10 hours ahead of \los angeles. i am absolutely exhausted...23 hours 30 minutes of travel. I just love it when I arrive in a new city...it's scary, overwhelming, exciting, and gets my adrenaline going. After leaving Rome...we flew over Italy, adriatic sea, croatia, and bulgaria...the scenery was dotted with dozens of little villages and i couldn't help but think that in each home is a family, a story, hopes, sadness, etc. it's such a big world..and at the same time so small! i arrived in istanbul and had to get my visa...i didn't realize that i needed one. i then went through customs and my luggage was one of the first one off the carosel. i then had to find a phone card and call Oktay...he is one of my c... (1093 more chars) |
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Here we go...
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| (Sunday, 05 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well my friends and family...we are about to embark on our next journey! Welcome to the new people in this email group! It is 3 am and I am about to leave and catch the bus for LAX! I'm filled with excitement and a little bit of fear. This trip has been a bit overwhelming for me at times. I saw that I purchased my ticket last April. And with the war in Israel/Lebanon, ongoing sinus/dental infection, and other issues that happened this summer I was not sure I was even going to go on this journey. This is truly a new adventure...new language, religions, cultures, etc and will prove to be very interesting. As well as this will be a 3 week adventure (longer than my usual 2) As nerve wracking and overwhelming as it feels...I am so grateful to be going on this trip. ... (1819 more chars) |
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Guatemala City and back to LAX
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| (Friday, 08 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hello I am at the Guatemala airport and this internet shop closes in 15 minutes and yet I have an hour before I board the plane. Well, last night...Flavio called and was going to be late about 3 hours so I ended up hanging out with Marcin who was from Poland...so needless to say we struck up a conversation about Poland, my family there, my trips there and the loss of the pope since the pope was more than just a spiritual leader for Poland but an icon of hope. Flavio picked me up and we went back to his `place in Guatemala City. I felt better...not sure if it was the prayer to Santo Hermano Pedro or the manzanilla tea. I went to bed. This morning we woke up and I went to the airport and checked in and got my bags checked in so I wouldn’t have to carry it around all day... (1760 more chars) |
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Back in Anigua
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| (Thursday, 07 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, this morning I woke up with a killer stomach ache and all the ails that go with that...to spare details. I went to the pharmacy and they said I had dysentery which I didn’t even know what that meant....just means a bad case of the runs do to uncleanliness. I had to check out of my hotel at 11 am...so I started wondering around the city of Antigua. I felt pretty weak and it was very hot and humid today and I couldn’t eat anything only water. But in spite of that...I went to the market, then to La Merced..the first church in Guatemala...but was destroyed in 1563 so I saw the old ruins and the new church. Beautiful. I then sat to recover a bit in central park and then walked a ways to Church of St. Francis...beautiful. Same story..built in 1544 and then destroy... (1490 more chars) |
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Chichicastanango
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| (Wednesday, 06 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, again I had insomnia last night. I was awake at 3 am. I then caught the 7 am bus to Chichicastanago for the huge market. The road was even more treacherous but the driver was better but it took us 4 hours to get there! It was definitely a site to see but a bit overwhelming and crowded. The area is known for it weaving handmade and it was not cheap...even bargaining it was expensive so I spent more than I should have. The Mayan people looked so beautiful in the native costumes. Though it is sad to see the children working so hard when they should be in school and then I wrestle with getting a "good" deal but then realizing that its taking advantage of poor people. I left Chichi at 3 pm and got back to Antigua about 5pm. I actually feel pretty good tonight so I... (1173 more chars) |
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Panajachel
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| (Tuesday, 05 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi...well, I though after climbing that volcano I would fall asleep....I could not sleep at all last night. But I kept thinking of Volcan Pacaya and how it nearly made me cry and I had to laugh....I was like one of those girls on The Great Race when they get hysterical cuz they can't go on. AT any rate, I didn’t sleep very well. While yesterday may have been the hardest day...today was the scariest. I caught the 8 am bus for Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. The next 3 hours proved to be hell...it was the steepest, windiest, narrowest road I have been on....which wouldn’t have been so bad except that the bus driver was crazy.... swerving, speeding, the brakes squealing and I swore the bus was going to tip over any moment. I am so serious....I really and truly w... (1401 more chars) |
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Anitgua & Volcan Pacay
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| (Monday, 04 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, after I wrote my last email...I walked around Antigua and visited some churches, the main square, relaxed a little, had lunch and then embarked on the most difficult thing I had ever done. I now know ignorance is bliss. I had signed up for the $5 volcano tour...I thought they would drive us to the crater we would look at some smoke and then go. WRONG. There were 11 of us...and they drove us up to 2500 meters (about 7,000 feet) We then had hike over 1,000 feet up!! It was the most strenuous hike I have ever done in my entire life. I thought my heart was going to explode. And the worst part was near he top....it was all loose gravel and it was I am not exaggerating about an 80% incline...it was like going straight up. I kept slipping and everyone in our group was 18 ... (1584 more chars) |
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Tikal
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| (Sunday, 03 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi...its 9 am here and I just arrived in Antigua. Sorry I did not get a chance to write yesterday. Lets see...after Flavio picked me up Sunday night we went back to his place and it was like night and day compared to the last few days. He lives in a gated community in a 2 story condo..It was beautiful and it only cost $50K to buy!!! After I got freshened up he took me out to dinner...we went to a nice Nicaraguan restaurant. He is actually Nicaraguan but escaped the war to Kansas! where he lived for 2 years, then moved to Honduras and now in Guatemala for 10 years. Very interesting person. I did not get to be until 11 pm and I had to wake up at 4 am Monday I woke up at 4 am and he drove me to the airport where I caught a 6:30 am flight to Tikal...an hour flight. There... (1568 more chars) |
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From San Salvador to Guatemala City
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| (Saturday, 02 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Well, I woke up this morning and had last breakfast in San Salvador and Antonio came to pick me up to take Diego and I to the bus station...but we had to drive around the village to say goodbye to everyone...I thought I was never going to leave! lol. I caught the noon bus to Guatemala City and it took 5 hours and was a beautiful drive. The border crossing went well but they didn’t stamp my passport coming into Guatemala...Centro America is getting like Europe with free access anywhere. The countryside was beautiful. I arrived in Guatemala City which is the nicest and cleanest big city I have seen in Latin America...there is very little trash on the streets. I arrived at the bus stop and had to get change and call Flavio to pick me up. He just picked me up and we are at th... (333 more chars) |
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San Salvador
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| (Friday, 01 April 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It is almost midnight and it is my last night in El Salvador. El Salvador was not even my primary destination and I am sad to be leaving. For what El Salvador lacks in historic sites and ruins...this leg of the trip has been probably the most intense culturally and experience the life of the locals...I find it hard tonight to leave. So many ironic things have happened in the last 24 hours. After I wrote last night, We drove into he city in that damn pickup and I had to sit in the bed of the truck and it was so scary...dark and windy...I thought I was going to fall out of the bed of the truck. By the time we got to the clubs...my hand was numb from holding so fast. but then everyone here transports this way..in fact, many of the busses are just standing in the back of f a p... (3023 more chars) |
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El Salvador
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| (Thursday, 31 March 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I was awoken at 5 am to the roosters crowing in the back yard...you realize this place has half a roof, no screen, the dining area is outside, no electricity and an outhouse!!! and I’m lovin it!! After I woke up and took a freezing cold shower children started coming tot he door to see "el gringo"...it is very rare in this little village of Tonacatepeque for people to see Gringos...so the children are fascinated.
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Arrival in El Salvador
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| (Wednesday, 30 March 2005) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| ---Greetings...how are you. I am doing all right but just so tired...so please excuse any typos. it´s been a long day and I feel like I can’t even keep my eyes open. I am writing you from my host family Diego and his family who live in a mountain village outside of San Salvador about 30 miles. let’s see..Once the plane took off I fell asleep and woke up in El Salvador. Diego and his friend Antonio picked me up. I was a bit shocked as it was a dilapidated pick up truck and I sat in the truck bed which I know is a no no back home..but it was fun. Directly from the airport they took me to Costa del Sol which was beautiful beachfront with some ruins from the earthquake of 2003. We hung out there for a while...and then went to another beach..a surfing beach called playa... (1968 more chars) |
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Cuzco
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| (Friday, 05 November 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| hi all...well, this will probably be my last email until i get back to the US. I am sorry i didnt write yesterday but i had drama...there has to be at least one drama on every trip i take. Thursday I woke up with a stuffy head, soar throat, general cold symptoms. I went to the Cathedral in cusco for mass which was beatufil and then went shopping for all my souvenirs...i had to buy another bag...but it is beautiful hand made bag. i then had lunch and started to really feel kind of ill. I had a tour at 2 pm of more inca sites and the temple of gold in the city. As the tour progressed...i really started feeling sick....chills, cold, then hot, light headed and my nose was stuff so it made breathing the thin air even more difficutl. The tour ended at 6 pm and I pressed on but fel... (2343 more chars) |
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Machu Picchu
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| (Wednesday, 03 November 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| what a day it has been....i woke up at 4 am and left at 5 am for the train to machu pichu. the train ride was beautiful but took 4 hours...one hour of which was just switchbacks. After arriveing to Aquas Caliente i then took a shuttle bus to the entrance of Machu pichu...but alas...once i got inside it was still quite a hike....very narrow passages, when i arrived at the top it was spectacular...it was like being in a dream and it was hard to believe i was there. we toured the whole machu pichu....for 4 hours of hiking, climbing, ducking, scaling, it was insane....but so awesome and there were llamas around. I found out that Machu pichu is to the inka empire as Mecca to the muslims, jerusalem to the jews and the vatican to the catholics...it is the highest holy place of the entire... (1237 more chars) |
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Sacred Valley, Peru
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| (Tuesday, 02 November 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I am one tired puppy tonight. Last night after i emailed...i got kind of in a funk. I made my tourist plans for the next few days and it was a bit expenisve. For example...machu pichu if you go by yourself cost $80 on the train and $20 admission..and even if you hike it you have to have a guide for $80. So between machu pichu and the flight over nazca those things krimped my budget...though on the other hand i have been under budget for food and lodging. so i had to do some self talk last night that this is a once in a lifetime experience, i work hard and deserve to treat myself to this. I got to my room..and it was a wonerful thunderstorm...but for the first time this trip i felt very lonely. This morning i woke up and the tour company picked me up at 8:30 this morning f... (1557 more chars) |
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Puno to Cuzco, Peru
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| (Monday, 01 November 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| hi...well, i am near the last leg of my journey. i just finished my last bus ride thank god...it was 7 hours...anything over 5 i feel like i am going to have a panic attack! After i emailed last night i went back out to the festivities...it was nuts. Twice i got pulled out into the streets to dance to the drums. i then had dinner and wentto bed. i woke up early and caught the 8 am bus to Cuzco...the ride..though long was incredible...right through the heart of the andes mountains and glaciers! it was breathtaking. So i will be here for 4 days and then catch a flight back to lima....i need to make all my arrangements tonight for machu pichu, sacred valley,etc. As for pictures....i´ve already taken 200 digital and 110 regular. i had to buy a disposable camera now...and i only ha... (727 more chars) |
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La Paz, Bolivia to Puno, Peru
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| (Sunday, 31 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi...well, thank god i escaped LaPaz...unharmed. A dutch couple i was riding with got mugged as well as a japanese girl who had her throat strangled and they took her passport and money!! Also, la paz was so high up but it was like San Francisco..so many hills and the pollution was bad many people had handkerchiefs around their mouth...myself included. in fact, my throat is a bit scratchy tonight. At any rate, i am on a spiritual high right now...but more on that later. i got up at 6 am and got the 8 am bus to copacaban, swithced busses, then crossed the border, and then finally got back to puno at 4 pm and am staying at the place i did a few days ago...nice people, clean rooms. i was not up for 15 hours to cuzco so splitting up the bus ride. The 8 hours was crazy enought thoug... (941 more chars) |
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La Paz, Bolivia
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| (Saturday, 30 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi all...what a 24 hours it has been. Yesterday afternoon i actually just relaxed in copacabana....i even took my first nap in south america! i watched the sunset, sat by the lake, relaxed, shopped. As the sunset, the town had a black out...there were no lights at all. Thank God i had a mini mag light with. i went into the market area...everything was lit by candle..it was kind of romantic in a way and i bought a few candles for my room. But alas, 3 hours later the lights went back on and i went and had a wonderful dinner with some live Bolivian music! The waiter was a 15 year old boy named Carlos who i chatted with fora while...very sad...he works full time at 15 and is going tos chool which he likes because he wants to study law someday. we can only hope. The poverty here ... (1891 more chars) |
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Copacabana, Bolivia
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| (Friday, 29 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| ...i am truly in love...not with a person with a place. i am now in copacabana, Bolivia....sorry i cannot reply to individual emails today because there is only 2 internet places and they are vvey slow and while bolivia is cheap....internet here is expensive. I went to bed early at 9 last night and got up at 5 am and packed. The bus picked me up and there is not a cloud in the sky, warm, beatufiul (i have not seen a drop of rain since i got here) and this is the rain season. The ride from puno along lake titicaca through the andes was incredible...snow capped mountains, natives plowing the land, thatched roof homes, will llamas and pigs, the mountains rising out of the lake. it was aweinspiring. The andes people are very spiritual and combine Christ with the sun, moon, l... (1170 more chars) |
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Puno and Lake Titicaca
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| (Thursday, 28 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| hello....i am now at lake titicaca...the highest lake in the world at 12,500 feet. So far..only a few problems with the altitude...my feet are swollen and could hardly get my shoes on and climbing three stories with my bags really got me winded...and it is not due to smoking! it´s unbelievable that i am up in the Andes mountains of South America. After lunch i had some good introspect and spiritual time....i sat in the main plaza and the kids begs to shine your shoes. i kept saying know but then one little boy named juan asked if i had a pen for him to use at school. i brought three with and gladly gave him one. it truly touched me. I then had a nice lunch on a side alley where there were some locals playing Andean music..the pipes and drums and i felt transcended....i love t... (5032 more chars) |
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Nazca to Arequipa
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| (Wednesday, 27 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| well, last night after my email...had dinner with isabella and then met up with a few other travellers...2 from begium, 2 from Germany, and 2 from malasia and hung out. I was ¨complimented i suppose because they all agreed i didnt act like the usual american and that it is very difficult to find american backpackers. The bus left at 10 pm last night and it was the bus from hell.....i thought i was gonna have an anxiety attack, babies crying, people getting up and down, i couldnt get comfortable or get any substantial sleep, and it was hot, then stuff fell out from the overhead containers hitting someone on the head, glass broke and some sort of liquid got all over my bag and socks. i did not arrive to Arequipa until 8:30 am....it was a long 10 hour bus ride...but that should be... (1691 more chars) |
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Nazca, Peru
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| (Tuesday, 26 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| i feel like i am in hell right now. it is so hot i feel i am in the depths of hell. i found out that this naszca desert is the driest in the world and that there has been no significant rainfull since the ice age!!!! can you believe it.....i of course have a crispy nose right now. At any rate, last night i ended up going to a little restruant recommended by lonely planet....i was the only person there and the waitress was Isabella and joined me for dinner. We had a complete conversaton in spanish about politics, Bush, peru, musica latina, etc. it was great. i tried to go to bed early and was awoken at 5 am by roosters crowing. I then got ready for my flight over the nazca lines which started off a bit shakey...but the Gods are truly shining on me. i signed up for the half... (2157 more chars) |
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Lima to Nazca
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| (Monday, 25 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| i am doing pretty good...though today was sort of a hard day. i think i am getting to old for these long bus rides. The good news...i have actually been smoking less since i got to peru....less than a pack a day! go figure.... i woke up this morning and Cesar made breakfast then we went to the bank to get my money squared away. he then took me to the downtown bus terminal in lima where i caught a noon bus to naszca......the ride was fun and interesting at first...but then it just got old. it took 7 hours to get to naszca. however, after heading south out of lima you enter the great coastal desert....i have never seen anything like it....it looked like the pacific ocean met the sahara desert...there was not a living shrub out there and only sand dunes. we occasionally s... (1648 more chars) |
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Lima and Baranco
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| (Sunday, 24 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hola mis amigos y familia! Que tal? It is Saturday night about 10 pm and getting ready to go out dancing tonight.... but unlike the US things are open here later. Let{s see... I don't even know where to being. Lima is such a huge and overwhelming city, noisy and crazy. Of course poverty is very sad here. I’ve been getting lessons on all kinds of historic and political things such as prostitution is legal, but not pimping, marijuana is legal but not selling but you can posses and use. It is nice to spend the time with a local person (who yes is on my team) the current president has 12% support while the previous president is being extradited from Japan. There are also major problems with coca terrorists outside of Lima and yesterday they were blocking the roads s... (1735 more chars) |
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Pachacamac
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| (Saturday, 23 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| well my nerves and anxiety are up a bit tonight....for one things I am not sure I did the safest thing today as Cesar took me to his friend Rosa's for lunch and she made carne, ensalada, fruit, and lemonade..but alas. I drank the water...so far so good tho. Sometimes when I travel I just have to close my eyes and hope for the best. Also this is my last night in lima....tomorrow I am on my own....I take a bus to Nazca where the lines in the sand are and will take a two seat plane when I get there to see the famous Nazca lines which those small prop planes unnerve me and I have never flown in one. It is a small village in the middle of the desert...anyway, I am sure I will be fine. As for today....we woke up and Cesar made breakfast and then took me to Pachacamac which is ou... (2560 more chars) |
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Flying to Lima
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| (Thursday, 21 October 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| It is almost midnight and I am about to go to bed. Please forgive the typos I have not got the knack of this foreign keyboard. I’ve been up for almost 48 hours and feel I have been gone for a week already. My plane left lax on time and go to Costa Rica. In Costa Rica I ended up sitting next to someone that was from lima and we hit it off...his name is Cesar and is an attorney for the Peruvian government.... he is 34 years old. So...as luck would have it that is where I am staying...I’m on the 10th floor of a high rise in Mira Flores district overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We went out for a late lunch and then took a walk along the beach and then had a late dinner. So I have free lodging and transportation this week plus companionship!! Isn’t this awesome. Tomo... (325 more chars) |
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Back to San Jose
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| (Wednesday, 31 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Thursday we left Puerto Viejo for yet another hellish bus ride to San Jose. We arrived in San Jose and got a room by the central Mercado which Hanlan wanted because it was $4 a night. I told him I wanted to go my separate way for a while…so he went shopping and I went to the Cathedral, the Teatro, had coffee and went shopping. We met up for dinner again. I went to Avispa…a gay club and had a great time…I met Cecilio, Jaime, Ricardo, and Juan. I took a cab home about 12:30 and went to bed at 1 am. We woke up at 4 am and headed to the airport. What a fiasco…we had to pay a $26 departure tax and the flight to Phoenix was ok. But the flight there got cancelled so we had to wait 4 hours. Hanlan and I got home about 7 and Joe picked us up ... (221 more chars) |
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Puerto Viejo
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| (Tuesday, 30 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today i still woke up angry...but i really tried to let it go. Hanlan and I rented bikes and we biked downt he carribean coast to Manzanillo....14 miles where there is a wildlife park that goes to the panama border. We hiked and it was like being in the mud run!!! my foot literally got stuck int he mud. After we went snorkeling which was incredible!!! We then biked back to puerto viejo...we saw a bunch of monkeys, toucans, etc. the wildlife is incredible..the sites and sounds..it´s hard to explain i feel like i´m at disneyland. We got back to town and hanlan joined some local to play soccer as i watched on drinking cafe and smoking cigs! So...we are leaving puerto viejo tomorrow morning and heading to San Jose to see the city and go on a shopping-souvenir spree before lea... (12 more chars) |
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From Arenal to the Carribean
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| (Monday, 29 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Tuesday we woke up and caught the buses out of Arenal for puerto viejo...it was a hellish ride.....3 hours to San Ramon, another 2 to San Jose and then four hours to puerto viejo. on the carribean coast. We finally got in here about 7 30 ....to be honest i was a bit nervous as it is definitely not like the other side of Costa Rica....its reggae, ganga, and peace. i'm glad i'm visiting it as it is like nothing i have seen before....but my preference is on the other side....salsa music, paved roads, etc. We checked into a cabina which was a long drama and then hanlan and i went out to eat...when i returned...my digital camera was stolen....needless to say you know how much my pictures mean to me...i went ballistic....it wasn´t he camera so much as the 40 or so pics on the d... (228 more chars) |
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Arenal
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| (Sunday, 28 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Monday was an incredible day....we woke up and went on the canopy tour where we swung on the cables through the forest. I was so scared because I am afraid of heights. But it was a great experience. After we went horseback riding and then had a nice lunch at the pool. Hanlan and I were the only ones on the tour. In the afternoon, We went on the Arenal Volcano tour...which is the most active volcano. it rarely clears but we were lucky and the clouds lifted twice so we could see the top. We started with a hike through the jungle-rain forest at the bottom of the volcano up to a vista. we saw a poisonous snake which was really camoflauged, some more monkeys, toucans, and i finally got to see the Verde parrot in thge wild. After the volcano tour we headed to the hotsprings...which ... (238 more chars) |
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A long bus ride
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| (Saturday, 27 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Sunday...we woke up in Jaco and did some surfing and boogie boarding. We then caught a bus to San Jose and had to get another bus to Arenal...it took us 8 hours on the bus with winding roads, people getting sick. I am glad this day is over |
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Manuel Antonio to Jaco
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| (Friday, 26 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today we woke up early and rented a kayak...it was my first time in a two person kayak and ocean kayaking. Hanlan and I kayaked out to some islands and went snorkeling...it wasn't that good but it was a new experience....coming back in we capssized and i lost my snorekling equipment at sea. We then took a bus to quepos and then to Jaco...which is a side trip hanlan wanted to do since it is the surfing capital of Costa Rica. We arrived here and got a room....then we went to the beach. When we returned to the room....we opend the door and there were huge, massive cockroaches all over our beds, the bathroom, etc. I freaked out and even Hanlan freaked out..he wanted to switch rooms but i said...no...i want to leave this place completely...we even managed to get our money back. We t... (247 more chars) |
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Manuel Antonio
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| (Thursday, 25 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Friday, March 26th we woke up at 5:00 am and caught a 6 am bus to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica where the national park is. We got there about 9 am...and went to the national park where we spent the entire day...hiking, swimming, and going through the jungle...we saw two sloths, a bunch of white faced monkeys, birds, iguanas, running lizzards...it was awesome I felt like I was on Discovery channel. Later than evening we went to Quepos for dinner and had a second dinner...comida tipico in Manuel Antonio. I was a bit dismayed when we returned to our room...because there were ants all over and I hit my head on the doorway super bad.... |
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Arrival in Costa Rica
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| (Wednesday, 24 March 2004) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| On that Thursday March 25 th Hanlan showed up about 6:15 and Tom picked us up at 6:40. We got to the airport and everything went smoothly. We got to Costa Rica on time and had a fiasco figuring out the currency and then finally got to our hotel but it was really late about midnight and in a very scary section of town and we had to get up very early the next day. |
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Puebla
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| (Tuesday, 28 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Hi..well, this will be my last email from mexico. You know i forgot to mention....i am very fortunate as i have had no problems this whole trip or health problems and i was a bit concerened because when i was in San luis potosi staying with daniel and his family...i was not very careful....they served lemonade with ice, salad, etc....but you know me i don't want to offend anyone and "when in Rome do as the Romans"....alas...i have had no problems. in fact none of the horror stories are true about muggings, robberies, kidnapping, diarrhea, etc....i was worried before i left and in fact this has been the most trouble free trip i have ever had and the most wonderful people i have encountered...yes even nicer than the polish! Well, i got bored last night and went to Zona Rosa..... (3262 more chars) |
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Teotihuacan
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| (Monday, 27 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| its 5 pm here in mexico city....taking a break before taking a siesta and then hitting some nightlife. Well, i said my goodbyes to Daniel and his family and left last night at midnight. suprisingly i slept through the whole ride. i woke up at 5 am in the terminal bus station. i then had coffee and waited around until 6:30am when i caught the bus to Teotihuacan. i was there by 8 am...and there was absolutely no one there. thank god my camera had a timer so i could take some pictures with me in it. i climbed the pyramid of the sol....i about had a heart attack..i need to quit smoking...of course i blamed the high elevation of this city. the pyramids were phenomenol...very moving, quiet, and spiritual.....i was not bothered at all when i sat on the top. i toured the rest of the r... (1028 more chars) |
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San Miguel De Allende
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| (Sunday, 26 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| We woke up early and Daniel drove me to San Miguel Allende…which also was very beautiful and quaint. We had lunch there and ice cream and shopped. We drove back to San Luis and I bought my ticket back. Daniel suggested I take the midnight bus back and get bak to Mexico City at 5 am…and then I could just sleepon the bus. I didn’t really want to but it turned out that it worked for the best. His mom made us a very wonderful dinner and we just chatted |
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Guanajuato
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| (Saturday, 25 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Daniel and I woke up and he drove me all over…we went through the mountains and through small villages to Leon. After we went to Guanjuato which was gorgeous…my favorite city. It was beautifu Undergrounds streets, and this is where Diego Rivera was born. We stayed at some friends house. The Cervantino Festival was going on which was insane…it was scary because you could hardly walk around…it was like New Orleans for Mardis Gras. Night time was crazy and we walke and walked and walked to a dia de los muertos celebration. We didn’t get home until 1 am. I was so tired. |
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Mexico City to San Luis Potosi
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| (Friday, 24 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I woke up early at 6 am and caught my bus to San Luis Potosi. It was a long 5 hour ride and I arrived there at 2 pm. Daniel was waiting for me. We went on a walking tour of his city and then to his home and met his family. Later we went back out and I had guava, cactus fruit for the first time, ice cream and corn on the ocb. It rained a little and we went to have coffee. Very nice man and very interesting. He lived in Santa monica for a while |
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DF! Mexico City
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| (Thursday, 23 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| This morning i woke up early to no avail as nothing opens until 9 am. i had to get change then went to the historico centro to the cathedral metropolitan..beautiful, then to the templo mayor the ancient ruins of the aztec temple. i then went tot he supreme court and the presidential palace. i then hopped on the subway to Tepyac to see the villa de guadalupe where mary appeared to juan diego in 1531. it was absolutely fascinating...people were crawling on their knees, processions, tears, amputees, etc. it was actually rather bittersweet and moving to see. after that i headed back to the Alameda Square and to
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Los Angeles to Mexico City
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| (Wednesday, 22 October 2003) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| my flight departed on time and arrived on time. customs was a breeeze....upon exiting the airport i was greeted by 100 taxi drivers fighting for my business. i quickly learned the art of bargaining and got to my hotel buenos aires in centro historico. i am so glad i am staying there instead of zona rosa. the hotel is nice...nothing fancy. i already met a new friend mario...who i went out to dinner with at Sanborn...wonderful food. he is a spanish teacher and speak english and french as well. we went on a late night walking tour of the centro historico and talked politics! he was really nice...i think i may see him again tonight. |
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Warsaw to Los Angeles
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| (Saturday, 02 November 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| What a day….we left at 4 am…and went to the airport….we waited and got on the plane and it seemed like the never ending journey. We had to switch in Zurich and do all that tram and shuttle stuff and the flight to LAX was over 12 hours…..i was going crazy. We arrive at LAX at 1:40 and got right through customs and our luggage right away. It was awesome. We were hurried into a cab and came home and I didn’t have time to smoke or change currency. I was in a bad mood when I got home cuz my computer didn’t work. I then spent time taking of that as well as laundry and unpacking. |
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Warsaw
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| (Friday, 01 November 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| We woke up and took a tram to Old Town but everything was closed because of the holiday. But it was nice to look around. It started to rain and mom and I headed back to the hotel. I went over to Ela and Brendon’s by tram and had a nice time talking with them. The came back with me and came to the hotel to say goodbye to mom. Mom and I went to the Lebanese Restraunt that evening and packed. |
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Augustow to Warsaw
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| (Thursday, 31 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| We were obsessed about getting to the train station and all the horror stories we were told. But Tadeusz got us there in time and we left for Warsaw. The train got really crowded in Bialystok because of the upcoming holiday and we didn’t know what stop to get off in Warsaw. We did and Ela was there to meet and greet us. We took a cab to our hotel. Very nice! I walked to an internet café and then came home and just stayed in. |
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Last Day in Augustow
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| (Wednesday, 30 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Helena took mom and I for a drive around Augustow. Then we came home and I went with Tadeusz to drop off some paperwork and then see Jola and Czarek at the court. Very interesting to see the trial room. Then Tadeusz and I went to the Albatross for drinks and then came home. We had pierogi that night and made plans for our departure to Warsaw. |
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Barglow, Poland
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| (Tuesday, 29 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Tadeusz drove us to Barglow and we saw the church and cemetery where the ancestors came from. But it was rainy and muddy…so it was limited. There was a funeral in the church so I took a communion which was neat. After, Tadeusz drove us over to Wojciech house and we had coffee and cake. Then went back home and rested and ate some more |
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Netta and Wigry, Poland
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| (Monday, 28 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Tadeusz drove us out to Janina’s in Netta and we met the family on the old family farm and the old house Joseph Karczewski was born on as well her son and daughter in law. We were there for about 3 hours…very cold and windy. We drove home and then Czarek and his wife Jola took us to Wigry national park..very interesting and pretty.. The pope had been there…right on the Lithuanian border. We came home ate and went to sleep. |
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Augustow, Poland
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| (Sunday, 27 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| mom did not come down in the morning…not feeling well. I went to coffee downstairs and then Ela and Brendon took me on a tour of the city and we went to the lake. Came back for Tadeusz’s name day celebration…very fun about 20 relatives. |
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Czarnia to Augustow, Poland
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| (Saturday, 26 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| WE all woke up and Kzrystof showed us the church he works at and we all walked to the parish cemetery. Cool and rainy. After, we packed and dorota and Kzrystof drove us to Augusto where we went to the chapel in the forest where the pope had been. The dropped us off at the Grabala’s…lot of people and food. Mom took a nap. We had a big dinner and talking. Ela and Brendon showed up. Mom rested and I went with them over to Wojciec’s place |
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Krakow to Warsaw to Czarnia
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| (Friday, 25 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| WE woke up and packed. We went to the train station and had to pay extra for the express train. We left at 12:15 and got to Warsaw at 2:45 where Dorota and Krzystof were waiting for us. The drove us to Czarnia but on the way stopped for a meal. We arrived at the Parish House…very nice and had a dinner and talked. |
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Auschwitz
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| (Thursday, 24 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| We went to Auschwitz by train and took a cab to the camp. Walked around and watched the movie. Very interesting. WE came back to Krakow and took a cab to the town square and had a fancy dinner for cheap and then shopped a bit and walked home to the hotel. |
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Krakow
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| (Wednesday, 23 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Mom and I took the tram to the Wawel hill and went to the Cathedral…lot’s of walking. Then walked down the hill and took a cab to the main square. Had coffee and then took a tour in a golf cart for an hour…very interesting. Then mom and I looked around at the main square, the shops, St. Mary’s Church and St. Adalberts Church. Mom’s knee really started hurting so we walked back to the hotel through the Florian Gate and Barbican. Keith went out with an internet Acquantenace and mom and Keith just had snacks in the hotel room |
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Vienna to Krakow
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| (Tuesday, 22 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Woke up and had breakfast. Olek took us to the train station and we departed for Krakow. 7 hour train ride. Mom could barely make it to the hotel and it was a fiasco with all our luggage. We got checked in and then had dinner in the hotel restraunt. |
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Vienna Day 3
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| (Monday, 21 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Today we went to the cemetery and saw the graves of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, etc. Then we went to Schrobruun Palace which is beautiful and full of history and where Mozart performed at age 6 and Marie Antoinette was born until she went to France. So much history. Of course my favorite thing is cafes and cigerettes and soaking up the local color and meeting new people. WE got home from Schronbrun and mom is getting the cold now and her knee is soar. I went shopping and to an Internet Café and then Olek took me to a play and out for coffee at the Leopold Café and talked about art, literature, politics, etc. |
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Vienna
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| (Sunday, 20 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| we went to a village in the hills Kahlenberg and saw the Austrian Alps and the Danube River. After mom and I went to the heart of Vienna and went to St. Stephens Cathedral which was built in 1100s but destroyed partially in WWII. After we went to the Hofburg Palace where the royalty lived for centuries. Then we went to the Opera House. Physcially this trip is very hard for mom...so I am very grateful to have this opportunity to travel Europe with her. She said this morning it will probably be her first and last time doing this. I on the other hand have a cold which always seems to happen the first few days I am here. |
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Vienna
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| (Saturday, 19 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| we went to a village in the hills Kahlenberg and saw the Austrian Alps and the Danube River. After mom and I went to the heart of Vienna and went to St. Stephens Cathedral which was built in 1100s but destroyed partially in WWII. After we went to the Hofburg Palace where the royalty lived for centuries. Then we went to the Opera House. Physcially this trip is very hard for mom...so I am very grateful to have this opportunity to travel Europe with her. She said this morning it will probably be her first and last time doing this. I on the other hand have a cold which always seems to happen the first few days I am here. It is so odd to have mom meet some of the family which no one has seen for nearly 100 years. I have met Olek before so it is nice to see him again. |
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Departure for Austria
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| (Thursday, 17 October 2002) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I picked up mom at 10:30 and went to my place. Joe picked us up at 11 and took us to the airport. Check in was a breeze and we had lunch at the Mc Donald’s. We boarded the plane at 2:20 and Keith got spot checked. The flight was so cramped and long to Zurich…and mom’s knee started hurting. by the time we go to Zurich it was already October 19th--Journal entry from that date: Arrived in Zurich on time and had to take a shuttle bus on Tarmack to the other plane. Thankfully mom was in a wheel chair. The other flight was short…less than two hours and got us to Vienna on time. We sailed through customs and then Olek was there to pick us up. We went for a drive through old Vienna and then home. Mom rested and Olek and I went down... (54 more chars) |
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Italia!
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| (Sunday, 01 April 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| March 22nd - April 1st, 2001---I'm not sure what happened to the rest of my journal entries. When I left off I was in Florence with a day trip to Pisa. I then spent another day in Florence. From Florence I went to Venice for two days with a side trip to Padua. I then went to Estrella to meet with a host but it was very boring and continued to my final stops of Milan, Casale Monferrato, Torin. There Maurizio was my host and we had a great time. This was my first time travelling alone and I loved it!! |
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Last Day in Rome
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| (Wednesday, 21 March 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I woke up at 8 am…left at 9am and had café latte across from the coloseum. Toured the colosseum . Phenomenal. Then went to the Basilica St. Frncis and lit a candle for mom. Then roamed the ruins of the forum. Climbed to the top of the Piazzo Vittori. Then went to St. Peters Church where they have the chains from when Peter was arrested. Then I came home for a little while and rested and talked with Eros. He can’t really help me until Sunday so this I ruminated about where I was going and when and where to stay. I called Marco for suggestions then I called Maurizzio. Maurizzio was very organized. It looks like I’m on my own for four nights. Then I went to the train station to get times for trains and then got lost trying to find the café t... (1083 more chars) |
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Rome to Florence to Pisa
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| (Wednesday, 21 March 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Woke up at 6 am…didn’t feel good. Walked to train station. Got money changed and couldn’t figure out the trains. I still don’t know if I’m on the right train. I arrived in Florence at 9 am and went to information and booked a pensiones from there. It’s only a few blocks, no bathroom but only $30. I got to my room. I didn’t feel well at all…congestion and soar throat. But I decided to do Pisa today so I got on the 11 am train and got to Pisa at 12:20. I walked all the way to the Plaza and saw the leaning tower, cathedral, baptistery and 2 musueum. Even saw the lamp Galileo used for his experiments. Then walked over to this old jewish Cemetery and had to wear a yamaka. Individualized tour and he was from Israel. ... (462 more chars) |
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Naples & Pompei
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| (Monday, 19 March 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Woke up at 6:30 Am Left at 7:15 for train which I found. Had to a get my card validated and found my train. Nice train. I met Nello on the train! Arrive in Naples at 10 am and caught the Circumvesuvio train which was confusing. But I asked a guard who spoke a little English and he helped. Got to Pompeii at 11 am. Overwhelming to walk throught the city, theater, amphitheater, gladiator gymnasium, ruins, temples, and bodies writhing in anguish. Walked for 2 hours then got on train to Vesuvius but I had missed the last bus to the crater. So got back on train to Naples at 1:30. Scarry, crowdes and dirthy being accosted from all sides. Traffic out of control. I learned how you just walk in fron of the cars. I walked, walked finally got to a nice area. Ca... (809 more chars) |
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Rome & Vatican City
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| (Sunday, 18 March 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Woke at 9:30 Had a hard time falling asleep but one I did, great night sleep. Paulo made me hot milk, biscotti, and espresso. We left at 11 Am and walked to center where Mussolini spoke and hopped on a bus. Then walked to the Tiber River and to Tratverse. Went to open air market---almost accosted 3x by gypsies. I was alert and Mssimo and Paulo chased them away. Huge market, squished with people. There until 1 pm. Sunny and Warm. Massimo gave me a set of keys to his house. We got on a street car and I went to the end of the line and was on my own. Scares at first, had to catch a bus to the St. Peters. Walked along Tiber River to Basillica. Went into Basillica and started to cry. So awesome, beautiful, and wverwhelming. Prayed and saw LaPieta as I ... (1157 more chars) |
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Roma!
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| (Saturday, 17 March 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| I woke up at 8:30 groggy. They gave us a nice little contental breakfast I just want to land. I am so scared and nervous. The plane landed about ½ hour late. Had to go through customs and get luggage as I got off the customs Vivano, John and Massimo were waiting with me with a sign. The all smoked and spoke a little English and Spanish. We stopped at the San Paulo Basicllica. Beautiful. St. Paul buried there. Then drove around downtown Rome to Massimos place. Paulo was there. He made us lunch, pasta, Italian sausage, cookies from Sienna. Wine all over and champagne. I felt so special so I took a sip and spit it out in the bathroom and pourd the rest out. I felt lost in the conversation. At 3 Viviano and John left and Masimo and I walkd to the Presiden... (858 more chars) |
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Minneapolis to Rome
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| (Friday, 16 March 2001) Written by Keith Rhoades |
| Woke up at 4:30 AM and slowly got ready. Left my house at 6:30 and went to Tony’s and met Angie. We left at 7:30 and went to Highland Café for Breakfast. Angie took me to the airport and I got there about 9 am and hung out for 2 hours. The plane left right on time and we got to Toronto at 2:20 pm I had to go trhough customs there and got overhwlmed . I had to recheck my baggage and then find a shuttle to Terminal 1 I was able to do that but at that point to scred to venture out of the airport so I had to wait 6 hours. I was so bored. I walked and smoked, dinner did a few postacards and called mom and dad. I even had to get some money changed. Finally we boarded. The served us a nice dinner. I took some benadryl and managed to fall a sleep for a few hours. |
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