Happy Trails

I am headed out East. Here we go. If I get bored on the road, I might blog a bit at a rest stop. Don't be surprised if I call you.

Peace,
Ali

Peace

Happy Christmas, World!

Peace,
Ali :)

The Long Version 1 - Seattle

Now that I am home, I can take time to actually provide some details regarding my recent trip out West. However, I crammed so much into the last eight days that this might have to be written in installments. Think of it as a thriller... right.:

Oh yes, the storm followed me from Iowa. I started with what can only be described as the worst flight of my life (to date, hopefully ever). After being delayed by snow in DSM just enough to miss my wonderfully on time connecting flight in Chicago, I spent seven hours in the middle seat of a plane that didn't have enough leg room for me (and I am only 5'7"), without beverage (they did at one point provide a granola bar), before finally taking off on the four hour flight to Seattle. It seemed like an endless loop of de-ice, taxi, wait in line, realize the snow has built up to much, de-ice, taxi, wait in line, realize... ad infinitum.

Yet, I must count my blessings:
1) I wasn't six months pregnant like the woman next to me
2) I was on one of the few flights to actually leave O'Hare that night
3) I got to see two movies (The Island and Wallace and Grommit) before taking off
4) I have awesome relatives who are willing to pick me up at the airport at 1 am and feed me left-over Chinese food :)

I got to start my time in Seattle off right by volunteering with my Uncle John at the feeding program hosted by his church. Nothing exposes one to a society so fully as working with its marginalized population. For those I worked with and those providing similar service - keep up the good work!

After a good bit of food serving, we went to the Pike Place Market. Everyone I talked to said that even if you don't like touristy things - this was the place to be. I have to admit, if I lived in Seattle I would actually shop there. There are like good flower sellers and stuff. The one fish market had a scary-looking, gollum-esque, dead fish creature that moved and talked at me. Neat. We also stopped by a tasting room and I got to sample some Washington wine. Not to bad, if I do say so. When it comes down, the one thing that I really noticed was that the street musicians have permits in Seattle - wow.

Oh! I can't forget: there is this silver sculpture/arch thingy on the way from the Market to their place that is for real shaped like pi. I may be a geek - but that is awesome. Sadly, no photo.

That evening I got to meet Brian's fiance, Megan. Good job, cousin. ;) We all went out for real Pacific fish - man that stuff is good - except for Greg, who had a dance. Greg looked totally spiffy all dressed up, so it's all good.

On Saturday Brian and Megan took me around to see more of the city. We stopped by the library - man that place is crazy, but cool - and the walked around. We saw the Space Needle and then went to Fremont. Fremont is a more artsy part of town. They have a statue of Lenin from Red Square and this cool park that was once a refinery. However, hands down the coolest part about Fremont is the troll under their bridge. Really.

Saturday night we got some yummy pizza at a place called All-Purpose Pizza and I flew (a wonderfully simple flight) to San Francisco.

It's late, I'll have to write the San Francisco chapter another time.

Back in the WDM

So, my stint on the West Coast is at an end. Boy, did I take a lot of photos. Some things were cool, some things were eh, but it was all wonderful since I got to visit family and friends. Two weeks to AmeriCorps and counting.

Hippie Heaven

This morning I am leaving the Bay Area and heading south to LA. Once again, I am dealing with delays: Amtrak is 4 hours behind. Oh well. BTW, props to Amtrak's customer service for calling me 2.5 hours in advance to let me know.

Berkeley rocks my world. Stanford is pretty. San Francisco was nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. Alcatraz double rocks my world - I took over 100 photos.

Now to LA...

There's a Troll under the Fremont Bridge

Really, there is. I've got pictures to prove it.

So far the trip is going great! Although I arrived in Seattle 10 hours later than planned :( I've had a blast hanging out with family and seeing the sights while I've been here. :)

Tonight it's off to San Fran...

Go West Young Woman

I've never been to the West coast. As of 8:42am today that is going to change. I am heading out west to visit friends and family all along the western edge of this country. 1st stop: John, Cathy, Greg, Brian and Megan in Seattle. Next: Chad at Stanford (with a stop up to Berkeley to see Sassan) and Lastly: LA to hang out with Derek, Missy and Justice. Should be a blast!