NY
måndag 21 november 2011
Sweden!
Back at home after an early flight. Sleeping eating and stuff. The trip is over for this time. The blog? I do not know. If there is something important to relay I might do it. There are always reviews of restaurants and films and stuff. We will see. Bye for now!
Thingvalla-vatn
Yesterday I was going for a evening meal when I met an artist instead and was invited to a studio where I met more artists and saw some work. Most of the artists were working with video and I also got taped my self.
We had a long and interesting discussion about all things and nothing. Finally I got to eat both a Icelandic hot dog at Bill Clintons favorite Icelandic hot dog stand and there after a pizza slice.
I got offered to see some nature and have a car trip the next day which I gladly accepted.
We set out to Thingvalla-vatn, a lake so cold that people usually do not take swims in it even during summer. On the way we also saw the house and pool of the Icelandic Nobel prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness. I did not know much about him before and now I know little more than he getting the prize in 1955 and remaining active until the late 80-ties. Unusual for a Noble-prize winner.
The trip was very nice although we made it on almost slick front tiers: during rain, hail and wet snow… but it all went very smooth with careful driving from my latest Icelandic friend. A good outing all in all.
We had a long and interesting discussion about all things and nothing. Finally I got to eat both a Icelandic hot dog at Bill Clintons favorite Icelandic hot dog stand and there after a pizza slice.
I got offered to see some nature and have a car trip the next day which I gladly accepted.
We set out to Thingvalla-vatn, a lake so cold that people usually do not take swims in it even during summer. On the way we also saw the house and pool of the Icelandic Nobel prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness. I did not know much about him before and now I know little more than he getting the prize in 1955 and remaining active until the late 80-ties. Unusual for a Noble-prize winner.
The trip was very nice although we made it on almost slick front tiers: during rain, hail and wet snow… but it all went very smooth with careful driving from my latest Icelandic friend. A good outing all in all.
Blue Lagoon
I gave in and went to the Blue Lagoon. It was interesting and a nice bath. I bought a package trip including pick up and entrance. The only thing I have to say about that is that they might have sent me a driver who could speak English. That would have helped. But the trip worked out and the bath was both relaxing and interesting. Unfortunately I was there during the dark hours so I did not see the surroundings. Only some steam coming from some kind of structures half a kilometer away.
The whole compound seem very well kept and modern. The thing that I missed was some kind of information on how it has been built and expanded and most how it works technically with all the water circulating.
The whole compound seem very well kept and modern. The thing that I missed was some kind of information on how it has been built and expanded and most how it works technically with all the water circulating.
Grillmarkadurinn, Reykjaviks best restaurant
Five months and five days have passed since I left Sweden. I will return in the early morning of tomorrow. This Odyssey is definitely coming to an end. I celebrated my last day in Iceland with a trip to the blue lagoon that you may read about here, as well as a trip into the hinterland to Thingvalla-vatn that you can read about here.
I came back to Reykjavik pretty late and decided to find a restaurant that could serve me some food in the eleventh hour. By chance I happened upon Grillmarkadurinn, hidden behind a grey house. The interior was very compelling and coming in late I really wanted to eat and I really wanted to stay in this restaurant. Luckily the Chef was favorable to my appeal (but not to the people coming in ten minutes after me). I took a seat at "the bar" which was not the most comfortable place but hoping for some kind of interaction with the environment I did not want to cower in the shadows. I also got a good view of the cooks in the kitchen.
I ordered smoked lamb and cow tongue as a starter and a fish parade for main course. All this was recommended by a very serviceable and competent waitress. She also mixed me the best drink I have had this year.
The waiting time was reasonable, probably because the restaurant was more or less deserted. A few people lingering about their tables but not really a bustling environment.
The serving was good and everything looked very tasty. But the dining-ware was maybe more eye-catching than practical since the succulent fish spilled down on the table and onto me. That was more or less the only bad part of this dinner.
The food was very well cooked although not the healthiest. And I had to put some stuff aside since I did not get the chance to un-order them at the beginning since my ordering was made more or less orally without any time to consult the menus.
The starter which was something of a Yule-time special was a bit to salty for my taste, but well made.
The main course consisting of Cod, Monk-fish and Salmon was very nice. Especially the Monkfish was the best I ever had. Not being a specifically fish-oriented gormé, but I have eaten it before and this was very different in the best possible way. On all the fishes the meat came apart perfectly and the taste was admirable. The salmon's smokiness was a bit to much but still within all reasonability. The Cod was the most boring of the fishes but it was still completely good; their lowest achievement still worthy to make a dinner in it self!
I ordered both courses because I thought maybe they would be small and it seemed since I was so late that I might be without dessert. These fears was without reason: I was offered dessert and unfortunately I could not finnish the two plates. SO as mother says: did not finnish your food? No dessert.
Worth mentioning is also the water: finally drinkable tap water! And the bread that was nice as well.
A good restaurant with expected prices. I recommend it!
I came back to Reykjavik pretty late and decided to find a restaurant that could serve me some food in the eleventh hour. By chance I happened upon Grillmarkadurinn, hidden behind a grey house. The interior was very compelling and coming in late I really wanted to eat and I really wanted to stay in this restaurant. Luckily the Chef was favorable to my appeal (but not to the people coming in ten minutes after me). I took a seat at "the bar" which was not the most comfortable place but hoping for some kind of interaction with the environment I did not want to cower in the shadows. I also got a good view of the cooks in the kitchen.
I ordered smoked lamb and cow tongue as a starter and a fish parade for main course. All this was recommended by a very serviceable and competent waitress. She also mixed me the best drink I have had this year.
The waiting time was reasonable, probably because the restaurant was more or less deserted. A few people lingering about their tables but not really a bustling environment.
The serving was good and everything looked very tasty. But the dining-ware was maybe more eye-catching than practical since the succulent fish spilled down on the table and onto me. That was more or less the only bad part of this dinner.
The food was very well cooked although not the healthiest. And I had to put some stuff aside since I did not get the chance to un-order them at the beginning since my ordering was made more or less orally without any time to consult the menus.
The starter which was something of a Yule-time special was a bit to salty for my taste, but well made.
The main course consisting of Cod, Monk-fish and Salmon was very nice. Especially the Monkfish was the best I ever had. Not being a specifically fish-oriented gormé, but I have eaten it before and this was very different in the best possible way. On all the fishes the meat came apart perfectly and the taste was admirable. The salmon's smokiness was a bit to much but still within all reasonability. The Cod was the most boring of the fishes but it was still completely good; their lowest achievement still worthy to make a dinner in it self!
I ordered both courses because I thought maybe they would be small and it seemed since I was so late that I might be without dessert. These fears was without reason: I was offered dessert and unfortunately I could not finnish the two plates. SO as mother says: did not finnish your food? No dessert.
Worth mentioning is also the water: finally drinkable tap water! And the bread that was nice as well.
A good restaurant with expected prices. I recommend it!
Occupy Reykjavik
I visited Occupy Reykjaviks tents outside of the Althing. It was a small assembly of nice people who kept the fire burning. We discussed some current events but pretty soon people started interject with conspiracy theories. Not that I do not see the angle of them, I am just not so interested of hearing them again, even the true ones. But you can't really cut someone off mid-rant without at least risking a deep insult. So I found another discussion instead with a nice guy who had been severely conservative during the heydays of the financial buildup that lead to the crash. But since then he had left his construction job, now in special needs instead and had converted towards socialism. He told me more about how it actually had looked on the ground during the crisis. And we could agree that what had changed was mostly peoples ability to buy luxury. Now they might not have two cars anymore and fewer plasma screens. But everything necessary to live was still in place. Iceland is not poor, it still has quality of life and very few people under the line so to speak.
I have actually made the observation that there are quite few smart phones in the hands of the young here. As anti-consumerism as I am I see that as something healthy but realize that this came about with the crisis.
I have actually made the observation that there are quite few smart phones in the hands of the young here. As anti-consumerism as I am I see that as something healthy but realize that this came about with the crisis.
Reykjavik by night
Last night I was out about the town with a posse from the west fjords that I manage to charm enough to get to be the honorary guest. They where very much into the only gay place in town, chiefly because two of them were gay I guess. The others just seemed to think that it happened to be the best place in town.
I actually met the owner of the place and supposedly five others. She seemed very nice but unfortunately she had some kind of strong armed man who clearly felt threatened by my presence because he was really acting in a most provocative way even slapping my face and above all: mentioning hand-ball… fortunately for us all I do not easily take offense, even of the mentioning of sports events…
We went to another place as well dancing on the tables which seem to be customary here. It was a great time and the clock had struck four when we did the first mistake of the evening: someone came up with the idea of going back to the Gay place. By the time we got there after picking up some dim witted Swiss girls it was closed. There was nothing to do but give up and go to sleep. I have been told that Saturday is an even worse day.
I actually met the owner of the place and supposedly five others. She seemed very nice but unfortunately she had some kind of strong armed man who clearly felt threatened by my presence because he was really acting in a most provocative way even slapping my face and above all: mentioning hand-ball… fortunately for us all I do not easily take offense, even of the mentioning of sports events…
We went to another place as well dancing on the tables which seem to be customary here. It was a great time and the clock had struck four when we did the first mistake of the evening: someone came up with the idea of going back to the Gay place. By the time we got there after picking up some dim witted Swiss girls it was closed. There was nothing to do but give up and go to sleep. I have been told that Saturday is an even worse day.
Reykjavik, just above freezing and rain…
They say it is a warm November, the warmest in a long time actually. But I say it just makes it worse. Rain and a few degrees over zero is about as awful as weather comes.
I been out most of the day seeing the city. But every once in a while a museum visit, a restaurant or a shop saves me from hypothermia. I admit I did not bring the best gear for this weather but then I do not think you should wear anything less than a house to feel alright here.
And did I tell you that it gets dark really early?
I been out most of the day seeing the city. But every once in a while a museum visit, a restaurant or a shop saves me from hypothermia. I admit I did not bring the best gear for this weather but then I do not think you should wear anything less than a house to feel alright here.
And did I tell you that it gets dark really early?
fredag 18 november 2011
Overslept, overstayed
I overslept this morning, since the alarm in the phone did not happen. Apparently I am not used to how it functions as of late. More than a month of travelling will do that to you. I also stayed up late with my new French friend discussing film and other motion media. It has been a blast here and he was very correct when he summed it up: You did not see much of the outside of Akureyri, but you found friends here. It turned out to be hard to do much without a car so the fantastic nature that I came for will have to wait until my not to likely return. The welcoming friendliness that I felt the first day might have been a bit exaggerated and mostly confined to the international community that I stumbled upon. Still do not know any Icelanders. I hope to find more of it in Reykjavik...
torsdag 17 november 2011
Do not bragg about your damn stores if they never are open...
Ok, sorry for the topic it is a paraphrase on a Swedish song and it fits into this post with some imagination.
Today was something of a let down: I got up early to go with a bus service to Myvattne but that service did not exist. Then I walked around the town and did some of the recommended sites such as the botanical garden. Which this time of year should be closed but is open so that you might take in the fantastic vista of a hundred dead plants at the same time. Kind of depressing.
In Reykjavik a person in the tourist information actually recommended me to have an ice-cream at a place called Brynja. She even wrote down the name on one of the information brochures that she handed me. It was the only thing she cared enough about to write down for me as far as I can remember. Let us just stop here and put this into context:
This would be the same as you visiting Stockholm and someone there writes you a note saying: you should definitely go have a cocos-boll at Orvar's in Göteborg, or landing being on the east coast of the USofA getting a recommendation for a Taco wagon in LA.
It kind of ramps up the expectations, right?
Even more so since the idea of eating ice-cream when it is about 4 degrees Celsius outside seems about as smart as licking a light pole.
So I got myself over to Brynja and reluctantly ordered a ice-cream from a equally reluctant sales-representative. To save me I got hot caramel sauce on the ice-cream.
Now I rate it as a pretty standard ice-cream. But with this build up and in this weather this can not be read as anything else than a fail.
Not amused.
Today was something of a let down: I got up early to go with a bus service to Myvattne but that service did not exist. Then I walked around the town and did some of the recommended sites such as the botanical garden. Which this time of year should be closed but is open so that you might take in the fantastic vista of a hundred dead plants at the same time. Kind of depressing.
In Reykjavik a person in the tourist information actually recommended me to have an ice-cream at a place called Brynja. She even wrote down the name on one of the information brochures that she handed me. It was the only thing she cared enough about to write down for me as far as I can remember. Let us just stop here and put this into context:
This would be the same as you visiting Stockholm and someone there writes you a note saying: you should definitely go have a cocos-boll at Orvar's in Göteborg, or landing being on the east coast of the USofA getting a recommendation for a Taco wagon in LA.
It kind of ramps up the expectations, right?
Even more so since the idea of eating ice-cream when it is about 4 degrees Celsius outside seems about as smart as licking a light pole.
So I got myself over to Brynja and reluctantly ordered a ice-cream from a equally reluctant sales-representative. To save me I got hot caramel sauce on the ice-cream.
Now I rate it as a pretty standard ice-cream. But with this build up and in this weather this can not be read as anything else than a fail.
Not amused.
No Myvatn
My plan for the day was to take the bus tour to Myvatn, the moscito water which is said to be very nice despite the name. But there was no bus-tour so I am kind of stuck in Akureyri today. Remains to do 2 very important things: see the botanical garden and eat an ice-cream while the temperature is about 5 degrees Celsius. Sounds stupid but is recommended.
I have also found a very good site where you can find people to car-pool with. I hope that I can go to Reykjavik tomorrow this way instead of the bus-service.
I have also found a very good site where you can find people to car-pool with. I hope that I can go to Reykjavik tomorrow this way instead of the bus-service.
onsdag 16 november 2011
Dive in Akureyri
I met some Swedes who invited me to go to an outdoor bath which I did. There I met several other people from Iceland, Spain, France and Sweden. They where all living in the same guesthouse. After bath, sauna and water-slide we went to the guesthouse and ate in their kitchen and just shot the crap for a while. Then there was a call for a dumpster diving session so that became our next goal. We found very good bananas and other produce. Strange that so much goes to waste. We went back to the guesthouse happy with the finds and decided to meet up tomorrow.
a barrage of burps
The sounds from the kitchen continues and it looks like the person is checking on me from time to time. A bit scary and weird. It is getting time to get out of here and meet some Swedes at the outdoor bath. Might as well since the person is skulking around acting strange. Loud sighs and other sounds.
Iceland, Reykjavik & Akureyri
Did not manage to sleep on the flight. Saw movies instead, Icelandic movies. There seems to be a bad mannered Swede in each and every one of them. The one I finished watching was called Parents and had Reine Brynolfsson in a disgusting and well played role. Quite interesting film.
After landing I got onto a bus for 4,5 hours to the north coast and the village of Akureyri where I am now. Will explore the surroundings for a bit before I go back to Reykjavik. Right now a bit tired, but I have found myself a room with a bed and have plans to go swimming with some Swedes later so there will not be any sleeping for awhile.
There is some kind of human staying in a room next to mine who uses way to much aftershave and looks a bit like a woman, the way Christopher Walken looks like a lesbian woman. Now the person with the aftershave just walked past me... sporting breasts. This is getting queerer by the minute.
As a final note: the human burped very loudly from the kitchen. Bad manners, anyone?
After landing I got onto a bus for 4,5 hours to the north coast and the village of Akureyri where I am now. Will explore the surroundings for a bit before I go back to Reykjavik. Right now a bit tired, but I have found myself a room with a bed and have plans to go swimming with some Swedes later so there will not be any sleeping for awhile.
There is some kind of human staying in a room next to mine who uses way to much aftershave and looks a bit like a woman, the way Christopher Walken looks like a lesbian woman. Now the person with the aftershave just walked past me... sporting breasts. This is getting queerer by the minute.
As a final note: the human burped very loudly from the kitchen. Bad manners, anyone?
Last days of Disco
The last days were spent in NY to reminiscent on my time there and say my good-byes to the friends who could find time in their busy schedule to see me. It has been really nice and I thank you all for the energy you have given.
Now sitting at the Airport waiting to leave this continent I feel some longing for home although this trip is far from over. Although on my last traveling legs there is an island of ice awaiting me for a week before I can finally greet my homeland and friends again.
My plans for Iceland are very sketchy and I have as I usually do asked my network for inspiration and ideas. I got a few but I fear I will miss out on the real Icelandic experience. The time is short and as I understand the situation Icelanders are not easy to get under the skin on. It remains to be seen what I actually manage to get out from the trip but my aim is to leave Reykjavik as soon as possible only returning for the weekend.
Now sitting at the Airport waiting to leave this continent I feel some longing for home although this trip is far from over. Although on my last traveling legs there is an island of ice awaiting me for a week before I can finally greet my homeland and friends again.
My plans for Iceland are very sketchy and I have as I usually do asked my network for inspiration and ideas. I got a few but I fear I will miss out on the real Icelandic experience. The time is short and as I understand the situation Icelanders are not easy to get under the skin on. It remains to be seen what I actually manage to get out from the trip but my aim is to leave Reykjavik as soon as possible only returning for the weekend.
söndag 13 november 2011
A multimedia dick
Someone unknown to me sent an MMS with the sole picture of a short but stocky dick. At first I could not make out what it was since my phone screen is so small and weakly lit. There was a checkered tiled floor in the background that was clearly visible but maybe because of the stockiness it was hard to discern that it was actually a dick. Later when sun had gone down I could make it out and was a bit surprised of course since I had not been having any flirty meetings with gay-men that I was aware of.
Now this leaves a few possibilities:
1. Someone sent the dick by mistake, either to the wrong number or the other more unlikely way.
2. Someone is pranking me. (I am hoping for this one.)
3. Someone is angry with me and has the strangest way of showing it.
4. Some male person hopes to randomly pick up someone by sending out a picture of his short but broad dick. Possibly looking for a chess-partner.
I have not yet been able to get any time to track down the number or had the energy to reply to the dick. But if I get bored enough at some point it might happen, just as I feel that I should share the picture here, but I lack the means to do it since the connector-wire between the phone and the computer presently resides in Sweden. So if anyone strongly feel that I should make it public I am leaving for Sweden in about a week: you just use the comments here…
Now this leaves a few possibilities:
1. Someone sent the dick by mistake, either to the wrong number or the other more unlikely way.
2. Someone is pranking me. (I am hoping for this one.)
3. Someone is angry with me and has the strangest way of showing it.
4. Some male person hopes to randomly pick up someone by sending out a picture of his short but broad dick. Possibly looking for a chess-partner.
I have not yet been able to get any time to track down the number or had the energy to reply to the dick. But if I get bored enough at some point it might happen, just as I feel that I should share the picture here, but I lack the means to do it since the connector-wire between the phone and the computer presently resides in Sweden. So if anyone strongly feel that I should make it public I am leaving for Sweden in about a week: you just use the comments here…
Bye Bye West Coast
Leaving the West Coast I feel like I should try and sum the sites and places up:
I visited and stayed in the large cities:
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
Fresno, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Yuma, Az
as well as in some smaller places:
Tonopah, NV
Fort Bragg, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
Ridgecrest, CA
Grand Canyon, Az
Only once did we sleep in the car between Redding & Mineral, CA.
The place I liked the most might have been Rachel in Nevada because of the fantastic experiences we had there. Otherwise noteworthy location where the great national parks; Death Valley, Red Wood, Yosemite and Grand Canyon as well as, in lack of a better word the "ski-resort" Lake Tahoe. The windmill park at Monolith was also a sight to behold.
Salvation Mountain was something, more like a good road trip with an old friend than fantastic in it self.
Legoland was not as memorable, especially because of the price.
Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego are cities to visit for sure. Las Vegas is something else, rather than a city we could probably call it an attraction or thrill-ride. Worth seeing but not much more. Plan your trip wisely and do not over stay.
Fresno and Yuma gave to little impression on me to talk about while Portland was a nice long stay for me. But this one was with friends so it got very different finding oneself in a context and hanging out in peoples homes and at parties. Los Angeles was as I have already mentioned a big let down, for several reasons already written about.
I regret that I did not make it to Canada or Mexico but time is running out, the USA immigration rules does not help at all and having a rental car made us uncomfortable to cross.
My gold this trip was hanging out with my own Cowboy, go driving ATV in the sand dunes and probably best of all: to just let go of reality and make this trip.
I visited and stayed in the large cities:
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
Fresno, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Yuma, Az
as well as in some smaller places:
Tonopah, NV
Fort Bragg, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
Ridgecrest, CA
Grand Canyon, Az
Only once did we sleep in the car between Redding & Mineral, CA.
The place I liked the most might have been Rachel in Nevada because of the fantastic experiences we had there. Otherwise noteworthy location where the great national parks; Death Valley, Red Wood, Yosemite and Grand Canyon as well as, in lack of a better word the "ski-resort" Lake Tahoe. The windmill park at Monolith was also a sight to behold.
Salvation Mountain was something, more like a good road trip with an old friend than fantastic in it self.
Legoland was not as memorable, especially because of the price.
Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego are cities to visit for sure. Las Vegas is something else, rather than a city we could probably call it an attraction or thrill-ride. Worth seeing but not much more. Plan your trip wisely and do not over stay.
Fresno and Yuma gave to little impression on me to talk about while Portland was a nice long stay for me. But this one was with friends so it got very different finding oneself in a context and hanging out in peoples homes and at parties. Los Angeles was as I have already mentioned a big let down, for several reasons already written about.
I regret that I did not make it to Canada or Mexico but time is running out, the USA immigration rules does not help at all and having a rental car made us uncomfortable to cross.
My gold this trip was hanging out with my own Cowboy, go driving ATV in the sand dunes and probably best of all: to just let go of reality and make this trip.
LA traffic
The other night we were driving cross town at eight in the evening on the 5 lane free way and there was queues. At eight?! This is just so far from quality of life.
We where two in the car and therefore we could use the luxury lane, it was much faster but still not completely free. But sitting there I started looking on the other cars in the other lanes and they were only carrying one passenger, almost exclusively, there was the odd car pulling off the freeway traveling through the other lanes with more than one human in them but most cars out there, more than most, close to all cars are used as a single person transportation. This is sick. What we need is a transportation system with smaller footprint per person, flexible enough to take you over vast distances and it has to be quite fast. I think there might be a need for a cultural change to have people leave their cars, let go of the ice-rink and get into the game so to speak. Gas prices being so low is one incentive to use. I have not tried using what ever transportation system they have in place so I can't say anything about the effectiveness of it.
We where two in the car and therefore we could use the luxury lane, it was much faster but still not completely free. But sitting there I started looking on the other cars in the other lanes and they were only carrying one passenger, almost exclusively, there was the odd car pulling off the freeway traveling through the other lanes with more than one human in them but most cars out there, more than most, close to all cars are used as a single person transportation. This is sick. What we need is a transportation system with smaller footprint per person, flexible enough to take you over vast distances and it has to be quite fast. I think there might be a need for a cultural change to have people leave their cars, let go of the ice-rink and get into the game so to speak. Gas prices being so low is one incentive to use. I have not tried using what ever transportation system they have in place so I can't say anything about the effectiveness of it.
Stinky LA
We have returned the car, packed our bags, counted our economical damages and said good bye. I'm off to NY in a few hours and brother is gong to hang out with the double named character who has been very hard to get a hold off until now. I think LA was something of a let down, might have to do with failure to meet any of our contacts here and also the inaccessibility of the city it self, it is so spread out you do not just benefit from a car, it is the bare minimum. A helicopter would be beneficial. Also we were tired and probably needed to take some time off and just relax and watch Swedish television after all the Lego-hunting. I would have loved to get some party going but without local connections that is very hard on the boarder of meaningless. And with the negative element of someone who hates it, the idea of even trying makes me a bit sick. Who knows I might come back some day and then LA might try to redeem herself, but I am not sure about it.
With the aftertaste I understand why everyone I ever talked to about this city with were so reluctant. It is a bit sad that such a big city can attract this bad reputation and no-one is willing to spill the beans. Maybe because their experience has been as intangible as ours? Usually when I visit a city my friends in the area make some effort to meet up. That happening here seem impossible. Just like one woman told us: the traffic situation make everyone reluctant to just meet up and hang or have a dinner even though it is really close the queues stop spontaneity.
With the aftertaste I understand why everyone I ever talked to about this city with were so reluctant. It is a bit sad that such a big city can attract this bad reputation and no-one is willing to spill the beans. Maybe because their experience has been as intangible as ours? Usually when I visit a city my friends in the area make some effort to meet up. That happening here seem impossible. Just like one woman told us: the traffic situation make everyone reluctant to just meet up and hang or have a dinner even though it is really close the queues stop spontaneity.
lördag 12 november 2011
LA the city of Maria Montazami
We are hanging out and watching clips with Maria Montazami, this super talented female person without occupation as far as I can tell and with a very unusable skill-set AND the opinions to go. Now my brother is one of her biggest fans and he tells me that her home, with the famous tassels is located here in LA. The question is why we have not gone there to pay her a visit. It is to late now, but maybe he can do it after I have left tomorrow?
Packing up stuff
My brother is determined to bring the snow-chains back home. I admire the determination and laugh at the idea. It is just funny. But he is right: what should we do with snow-chains in LA?
Tomorrow it is off to NY again. Looking forward to it. And the future.
Tomorrow it is off to NY again. Looking forward to it. And the future.
fredag 11 november 2011
Lego-overdose
So getting out of Legoland, getting into LA, getting word that the newest Lego models have been released. Getting that there is a store in this city, that did get them; getting straight into the car, getting on the free way. Getting to Glensdale and almost getting rear-ended. Getting a few of the new ones. That got me a Lego overdose. Get it?
Salvation Mountain
Yesterday we did a road-trip to "Salvation Mountain" which in short is the work of a mad man in the dessert. Tons of paint, hay, clay and wood has been assembled and "built" together to make a hill and a structure commonly refereed to as "the Museum". I is all brightly coloured and covered with an amazingly singular take on Christianity, omitting all the juicy parts. Repeating the words Love, Jesus and God until you just think that the maker Leonard Knight is not just a loony but a illiterate loony with the mental scope of a 8 year old. Even so he has been able to build this very interesting attraction or Jesus-freak-land since 1984 if I am not wrongly informed. I strongly recommend a visit if you happen to find yourself in the inner parts of southern California. It is about 2-3 hours drive from San Diego.
We came late and just caught the last light from the setting sun before it all turned dark on us. Which in it self was something of an experience. The whole place got much more eerie which was cool.
We also got a visit from the carrying neighbours who informed us about some technicalities which was very pleasant. But one of them had some self image issues and thought that he as the "alderman" should tell us the mother fukkin truth. That was unfortunately sad since he tried to be cool with having been in one of the movies. Well all in all a pretty good outing.
Read more about it here.
One question that was duly raised was if the man who built it got any. And the best answer any of us five could give (4 males and one woman) was in Swedish and can not be translated:
"Batikhäxorna står på rad som groupies."
We came late and just caught the last light from the setting sun before it all turned dark on us. Which in it self was something of an experience. The whole place got much more eerie which was cool.
We also got a visit from the carrying neighbours who informed us about some technicalities which was very pleasant. But one of them had some self image issues and thought that he as the "alderman" should tell us the mother fukkin truth. That was unfortunately sad since he tried to be cool with having been in one of the movies. Well all in all a pretty good outing.
Read more about it here.
One question that was duly raised was if the man who built it got any. And the best answer any of us five could give (4 males and one woman) was in Swedish and can not be translated:
"Batikhäxorna står på rad som groupies."
Legoland California
We went to Legoland and it was fun but overpriced: with a $5 coupon we paid $64 per person. We rode one "attraction" made of an industrial robot from the Finnish brand "Kuka" that had about 15 minutes waiting time and was over in less than a minute. It was fun though.
The best part of Legoland is still the miniature buildings. I liked the mini USA which in many places was a good recollection of my travels here and a recite that I am a true tourist who go to the most obvious places. (There were of course some that I had not visited.)
I also liked the Star Wars dioramas although I did not feel the scale was correct in most of them. Took some photos with the analogue camera. We shall see how they turn out. The Star Wars things where still not bleached by the sun as the rest of the miniatures which made them more interesting to shoot.
The best part of Legoland is still the miniature buildings. I liked the mini USA which in many places was a good recollection of my travels here and a recite that I am a true tourist who go to the most obvious places. (There were of course some that I had not visited.)
I also liked the Star Wars dioramas although I did not feel the scale was correct in most of them. Took some photos with the analogue camera. We shall see how they turn out. The Star Wars things where still not bleached by the sun as the rest of the miniatures which made them more interesting to shoot.
tisdag 8 november 2011
The big ditch
A woman we met at Lake Tahoe referred to Grand Canyon in this somewhat demeaning manor. Standing at the south rim I am actually awestruck. This is such a grand vista that I actually feel fear. Of what? A landslide take me, the car and everything else tumbling down I guess. It is just so grand that anything might happen and my measly human-powers can do nothing about any of it.
This is feeling like being an ant. The world is BIG.
måndag 7 november 2011
Fear in Las Vegas
Will I get out of here with any money left? The last 24 hours has been costly to say the least. We have spent roughly $1500. We had a lot of fun though and we broke some expensive stuff. This was the day of manly living: waking up in a hotel with bugs crawling in a piece of chocolate that we had left out, to early not adjusted to the time change we drove to rent Quads. Unfortunately there was a hold up so we went to runt fully automatic guns instead and blast of rounds. Getting back to the rental place we go out in the desert with the owner and drive like hell. Finally my brother wrecks the owners Quad because it is wrongly built. So the owner goes home with his broken Quad and we keep going. Have some lunch. Go out and crash one time each. The we go back to asses the damages and it got expensive. Not the happiest feeling... but something that you need to experience to understand.
Destruction in Las Vegas.
Oh, and we are both OK, just some scratches. And we are now in a much nicer hotel. Cost more... $2 and some cents more.
Destruction in Las Vegas.
Oh, and we are both OK, just some scratches. And we are now in a much nicer hotel. Cost more... $2 and some cents more.
söndag 6 november 2011
Kingsburg, CA
This morning we rode through Kingsburg south of Fresno. It had sign calling it self a "Swedish Town" which intrigued us enough to turn of highway 99 for a brief expedition into all things Swedish in California... and it turned out to be as real as Anna Anka. The first place we got to was a Swedish Creamery, an icecream bar. We got to speak to the owner who one of the employees said was a Swede. It turned out he was an elderly American gentleman of mixed English/Irish heritage. He told us that the Swedishness of the town was something that they had set up 15 years ago and then run out of money. He also tried to have us eat breakfast at his "German" place over the street but unfortunately we had already eaten.
We drove into the city centre and saw several Swedish flags and almost as many Dala-hästar, the famous Valley-horses from Dalarna in middle Sweden. The Kurbits-paint was not really as it should, but we could see what they tried to do. They had also rebuilt a water tank to look like an old coffee-pan. They also had the landscape arms painted on walls all over town but at places the language barrier just could not be negotiated as in the example of Bohuslän that had been renamed to "BOIIUSLAN". The word Välkommen was also used all over, sometimes with an A instead of an Ä. We did not find anyone Swedish to talk to and at the restaurant "Dalahästen" all the employees was naturally Latin. They were serving and preparing food so what did you expect?
On our way south we discussed the possibility of opening a "American City" in Sweden, try to get some Americans to live there and then when it does not work out just fill it up with Iranians. Might be something for the future.
We drove into the city centre and saw several Swedish flags and almost as many Dala-hästar, the famous Valley-horses from Dalarna in middle Sweden. The Kurbits-paint was not really as it should, but we could see what they tried to do. They had also rebuilt a water tank to look like an old coffee-pan. They also had the landscape arms painted on walls all over town but at places the language barrier just could not be negotiated as in the example of Bohuslän that had been renamed to "BOIIUSLAN". The word Välkommen was also used all over, sometimes with an A instead of an Ä. We did not find anyone Swedish to talk to and at the restaurant "Dalahästen" all the employees was naturally Latin. They were serving and preparing food so what did you expect?
On our way south we discussed the possibility of opening a "American City" in Sweden, try to get some Americans to live there and then when it does not work out just fill it up with Iranians. Might be something for the future.
last swim
The planted trees had died and fallen to the ground, but the palm-trees where still alive. The stone houses, although painted in joyful colours that befit a Water-park stood sombre and silent. Their doors thorn from their hinges and their insides ravished by previous guest: Coke-paper cups, red plastic straws and black fast-food trays littered the inside of the hollow ruins now doomed to never cheer again. Everything covered by a beige dust.
Someone had been using the place as an Air-soft battle ground. White plastic bullets littered the area and inside the house we found used flash-bangs. Pretty cool place to stage a Air-soft fight. Also very inaccessible.
So inaccessible that it did not seem like a wonder that the Water-park had failed. The wonder was rather what made someone put it here? Off the Highway 15, but not exactly at the exit of the Free-way and not really close to anything. Now dead and forgotten. But someone must have paid for all the losses...
Got Censored in Fresno
So we rolled into Fresno and found us a Laser Quest place (Laserdoom for Europeans). Being trigger-happy and bored from driving we accepted the challenge of a handful kids. We got to choose names and since I knew that we where in for an ass-kicking by those little cheating bastards I choose my name wisely: Dead-meat.
But guess what: you can not be called dead or anything related to death in Laser Quest. Is this really sane? What might happen if you have names relating to the end of life? Especially in an environment where the object is to shoot at your friends? Do we run the risk of connecting fire-arms with death? (Which is completely reasonable in my opinion.) Or do we somehow risk the future of our kids because we use words that are not even swear words just describing post-life state of the human being, one of the most natural things in life or there after?
Oh and now you are wondering how this ended? I was given the name "fluffybunny" wrongly spelled: "fluffybuny" since you are only allowed 10 characters. Is this not wrong to expose our young to misspelling? Oh, nobody cares about that. Because it is nit-picky and meaningless? Yes there you have it. And the only thing you want to know what my score was: I ended fifth out of 14. To my defence I will mention, again and again: the kids worked in teams although it was a solo-game, which is cheating. Fucking cheaters. I hate you kids. No to harsh word: I dislike your fucking cheating. And I dislike your ludicrous policies Laser-Quest. It is just meaningless.
But guess what: you can not be called dead or anything related to death in Laser Quest. Is this really sane? What might happen if you have names relating to the end of life? Especially in an environment where the object is to shoot at your friends? Do we run the risk of connecting fire-arms with death? (Which is completely reasonable in my opinion.) Or do we somehow risk the future of our kids because we use words that are not even swear words just describing post-life state of the human being, one of the most natural things in life or there after?
Oh and now you are wondering how this ended? I was given the name "fluffybunny" wrongly spelled: "fluffybuny" since you are only allowed 10 characters. Is this not wrong to expose our young to misspelling? Oh, nobody cares about that. Because it is nit-picky and meaningless? Yes there you have it. And the only thing you want to know what my score was: I ended fifth out of 14. To my defence I will mention, again and again: the kids worked in teams although it was a solo-game, which is cheating. Fucking cheaters. I hate you kids. No to harsh word: I dislike your fucking cheating. And I dislike your ludicrous policies Laser-Quest. It is just meaningless.
lördag 5 november 2011
the yosemite 2
The park with the strangest pronunciation is also the most awesome in the true sense of the word. Here nature is so unnatural that you can not do anything but be awestruck. In the autumn the cascades are not as lively as in the spring; several have dried up and only leave a trace or a trickle but some are still flowing and the veils of millions of water drops forming misty curtains coming down the mountain tells of immense powers, I would like to see this in the spring, just imagine the power then.
The rock cliffs are so tall and steep that if someone had depicted them I would have said that only in fantasy literature… now I have seen it with my own eyes and still I do not think that I really believe it.
The valley of Yosemite is a marvelous place. I would like to return some day.
The rock cliffs are so tall and steep that if someone had depicted them I would have said that only in fantasy literature… now I have seen it with my own eyes and still I do not think that I really believe it.
The valley of Yosemite is a marvelous place. I would like to return some day.
Snow Chains
Going into the Yosemite National Park we where informed of two things:
1. U.S. Highway 120 is closed for the winter, it closes between November and May.
2. We would not be allowed into the park area without 4 wheel drive or snow-chains for the wheels.
As we where fooled into renting a pick up truck without all the necessities such as 4x4, monster-truck wheels and sufficient ground clearance we decided to go get us some snow-chains. That was easy enough and costed less than $100. After trying to apply them and succeeding sufficiently we headed out.
Getting to the park the only thing the Ranger checked was if we could pay him $20 to enter the park. And sure, there was snow in the shadowy places along the road at elevation of about 4000 feet, that is 1200 meter. They were expecting a snow storm they said and that might be so but leaving the park without even having considered applying the chains I feel more than just a bit fooled, again.
1. U.S. Highway 120 is closed for the winter, it closes between November and May.
2. We would not be allowed into the park area without 4 wheel drive or snow-chains for the wheels.
As we where fooled into renting a pick up truck without all the necessities such as 4x4, monster-truck wheels and sufficient ground clearance we decided to go get us some snow-chains. That was easy enough and costed less than $100. After trying to apply them and succeeding sufficiently we headed out.
Getting to the park the only thing the Ranger checked was if we could pay him $20 to enter the park. And sure, there was snow in the shadowy places along the road at elevation of about 4000 feet, that is 1200 meter. They were expecting a snow storm they said and that might be so but leaving the park without even having considered applying the chains I feel more than just a bit fooled, again.
The shit is free…
Driving on highway 49, just south of Mariposa we passed a small farm. In front of the house there was a pile of shit. And in the shit someone had put a sign that said: "free manure".
We did not stop.
We did not stop.
On the road
The quality of the roads, highways and streets has been a thing on my mind since I started riding my bike in NY. As I have said earlier the quality in NYC is not very good. Just after a fix up it is a joy to ride but with the heavy traffic in the city the streets deteriorate fast. In LA we where stunned to learn of the sorry condition of the roads not seldom built out of concrete blocks. Getting to Nevada was a relief. Usually using asphalt and fooling enough people out of money to keep the roads good. Now in northern and central California as well as in SF the roads are quite good although there are constant signs for road works, not seldom in places where there seem not to be anything going on. I would estimate that more road work signs are left behinds than actually announcing an ongoing road work.
fredag 4 november 2011
More!
I now realize why TV is such a popular entertainment form. It has been years since I lost my TV-hunger. Now they just aired an add for a religious matching service. Perfect, now I wait for one for people with only one arm or more than 140 IQ. Maybe they are already out there?
ads on TV...
Since the internet coverage on this hotel is so bad in the room we sit in the sofa down in the lobby where there is a TV blurting out stuff... just now we got to see an add for some device used for moving furniture. It was just over the top. It also had an old lady who proudly said that she had moved furniture "all by her self", did I say she seemed to be old enough to be considered an adult, 4 times over?
If you really feel you need something to move furniture it started with Ez. Not going to do any more ads for this trash.
If you really feel you need something to move furniture it started with Ez. Not going to do any more ads for this trash.
San Francisco
We have been in San Francisco the last days and the internet at the hotel is fluctuating so my writing has been weakened. And mostly normal things have happened like a visit to the orange bridge, ditto to Alcatraz, a nice dinner and the following beers at a roof top near Castro the Gay quarters, walking in the worst part of pauper-town, driving up and down hills and walking the second most crocked street in the USofA. I was told today that the most crocked is Wall Str. Funny and dry.
We also visited the Lego Store in Hillsdale and YES they sold the Star Wars Death-star for $399. And NO I did not buy it. Come to think of it LEGO is the most overpriced product on the planet with the possible exception of non-taxed drugs.
Our plan is to leave for Yosemite tomorrow.
We also visited the Lego Store in Hillsdale and YES they sold the Star Wars Death-star for $399. And NO I did not buy it. Come to think of it LEGO is the most overpriced product on the planet with the possible exception of non-taxed drugs.
Our plan is to leave for Yosemite tomorrow.
tisdag 1 november 2011
the point is
While on the road I have had more run ins with advertising through TV and roadside billboards than during my work in NY at a semi-advertising job. And what I have been understanding as of late is the American thirst for "POINTS". The want to get four times their points, or even five times. They want to get more points, the want to get double points when buying this or that, they want their points!
To me it all seems a bit over stretched. What are these points? When can I get and use them? Is it just a normal keep-shopping-here-scam? How can this be important to any modern human?
To me it all seems a bit over stretched. What are these points? When can I get and use them? Is it just a normal keep-shopping-here-scam? How can this be important to any modern human?
The point of perception and the disposition to be fooled
We stopped by "the Confusing Hill" a charlatan fun-house on a slope in northern California not far from Leggett (a part of small-town America mostly known for the the drive-through Redwood tree).
The Confusing hill is an old establishment and have according to their own records been trying to fool gullible tourists since 1939.
In essence it is a walk no more than 100 meters up a hill side and down again through a very crooked and angled wooden structure built to fool your eyesight into changing the point of perception so that you accept that gravity is no longer in play. With a mind ready to accept magic and mystic powers you might believe it. If you apply logic and compare what you have observed of gravity before and apply a functioning level you have soon debunked the hoax. But then they took our $5 a piece so I guess we where fooled as well. If you ever go, bring a level and some measurement preferably at least 5 meters long.
The Confusing hill is an old establishment and have according to their own records been trying to fool gullible tourists since 1939.
In essence it is a walk no more than 100 meters up a hill side and down again through a very crooked and angled wooden structure built to fool your eyesight into changing the point of perception so that you accept that gravity is no longer in play. With a mind ready to accept magic and mystic powers you might believe it. If you apply logic and compare what you have observed of gravity before and apply a functioning level you have soon debunked the hoax. But then they took our $5 a piece so I guess we where fooled as well. If you ever go, bring a level and some measurement preferably at least 5 meters long.
Screwed up scale
After a cold night in the car and an early morning we reached the Redwoods around 10 in the morning. It was cold and foggy, perfect weather for a walk with giants and trolls. The ferns covered the floor and all the fallen down tree trunks, around us in the dank proximity to the stream thinner trees with moss hanging like beards from them stood together with us small humans at the foots of these giants. The sky was blue where we could see it, but here deep in the forest there was meager light. A truly grand experience.
What was not as good was the signs that did not seem to have correct information when it comes to distances and I still do not know where those trails where leading us. The Rotary had also chiseled out a stone for themselves commemorating their own grove, in 1952. They did not fool me: those trees had been there longer than 60 years.
What was not as good was the signs that did not seem to have correct information when it comes to distances and I still do not know where those trails where leading us. The Rotary had also chiseled out a stone for themselves commemorating their own grove, in 1952. They did not fool me: those trees had been there longer than 60 years.
Night in California
After leaving Lake Tahoe we have been driving north by northwest mainly along US highway 89. Darkness came about half past six somewhere north of Truckee an old western town. We kept going aiming for Mineral, by the name and placing of it an old mining town but we could not find it. We realized that we had past it as we where getting close to Red Creek coming down the valley in pitch black darkness only seeing the lights along the valley and the neckless of cities lining it. At this point we had run out of discussion, gone through the songs on the MP3 player and the driver was getting tiered just as myself. So we decided to just put the car on a grassy meadow next to a fence and sleep it out. Good night America, where ever you are.
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