Jasmine and Chris arrive in Paris today! Here is a wikipedia link to more info on Paris:
and some photos of Paris at night and the Eiffel Tower!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
London Photos
There are so many good photos from Jasmine and Chris I won't be posting all of them but you can check them out on the photo bucket link on the side. They are really awesome. Here are a few of the ones I chose today that I like a lot..especially with them standing in front of the ferris wheel which I think is in Picadilly Circus. It is such a nice photo of them. PS: I think this ferris wheel is one of the biggest, if not the biggest one in the world... The early evening shot looks to be one of the London horizon with I think Big Ben in the distance and Jas and Chris living on the edge....;)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Chris's Commentary
1-20-2009 : 7:30pm in London
NYC people are nice: Yeah you read it right, people here are actually pretty cool, as long as you walk fast enough and don't act too touristy. Also, if you don't like people starring at you then you are best advised to not take the subway because people stare and they don't look happy when they do. My overall impression of New York was a city with attitude and a whole lot of character. One other thing is that people selling stuff could have picked out a tourist in the middle of Obama's inauguration if they wanted to. They are just bloody good at it. My conclusion on how to keep them away is to act crazy; fidget, rap some crazy lines that don't make any sense , or just look like you are on something and they will leave you alone.
NYC people are nice: Yeah you read it right, people here are actually pretty cool, as long as you walk fast enough and don't act too touristy. Also, if you don't like people starring at you then you are best advised to not take the subway because people stare and they don't look happy when they do. My overall impression of New York was a city with attitude and a whole lot of character. One other thing is that people selling stuff could have picked out a tourist in the middle of Obama's inauguration if they wanted to. They are just bloody good at it. My conclusion on how to keep them away is to act crazy; fidget, rap some crazy lines that don't make any sense , or just look like you are on something and they will leave you alone.
NYC and Food: You can get whatever food you want in this city, and probably in walking distance. While here we ate pizza, Sushi, Korean- seafood udon and kimchi, fried rice, hot dog (gross), Italian sub in little italy, Japanese, and played beer pong. My biggest disappointment was the gross hot dog that we got from the local street vendor. It was boiled, small, flavorless, texture less, has mushy sauerkraut, what else can i say-it sucked. Kudos to the guy on 12th and Pike in Seattle that sits behind the grill smoke and serves up a real dog...I miss you man. Never thought that Jas and I would stumble across some great sushi in the back end of a sketchy shopping mall in Chinatown- that was a pleasant surprise. The Italian sub was packed with flavorful meat and very satisfying. In our hostel room was a Korean guy named Il Young, we all went out on the last night and ended up playing beer pong in a local bar and dominating the opponents! Jaz had a hit percentage of 50% going 2 for 4 attempts, that's my fiance :)
Pooping in NYC Subway: We were on our way to the airport on Sunday night when out of nowhere...it came. The worst feeling in the world had just entered my bladder and stomach-thanks beerpong and Italian meat sand which from day before. This wasn't the type of poop that you can simply hold until you find the right time, it was like a premature baby screaming out of its mothers womb. I know, that's a bold analogy but it was THAT bad. I said to jas "we have to get off at the next stop, i don't care where it is, we have to babe, I am going to s@*t my pants". I leaped off of the subway and walked as fast as I could when i saw the closest bathroom down the subway corridor. Think the gross nasty bathroom in Will Smith's ''Pursuit of Happiness''..but worse. I walked in the men's room and the stall was occupied by someone who was doing drugs or something, because he wasn't faced the right direction to be taking care of business. I frantically walked out and asked Jas to look in the women's room. Then a big woman barged past and took the only stall in the women's room. Oh no, my bowls were screaming at me by this point. I have to do something, I told Jas to ask her if i could go? I again checked the men's bathroom and now there were four people waiting for that one toilet. Finally i was literally about to poop my pants and so i went into the women's room and rushed pass the lady in there and said sorry but i had to go, plain and simple. Since there was pee and feces everywhere and no toilet sheets or toilet paper i had to 'pop a squat' and get a leg muscle workout while I relieved myself. Ten minutes later my guardian angel and savior (Jasmine) saved my underpants because she brought travel toilet paper, something that i regret making fun of her for buying before the trip. I now understand why you should always carry this stuff when you are in a foreign place. After taking a few deep breaths we got back on the subway and made our way to London.
American Airlines served good food!: I ate roasted beef in tasty gravy with mashed potatoes and boiled veggies serves with a crisp garden salad, and it was good! 'Nuf said.
People in London wear too much aftershave or not enough: The Tube( UK version of subway) was filled with smells- most of which was ax taken to the next level. I guess i can appreciate smelling good because Jas had the flip side which was sitting next to a guy who didn't smell so good if you know what I mean.
Slumdog Millionaire: This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. If you haven't seen it yet I encourage you to do so.
Obama Inauguration: We watched it at the bottom of our hostel in the pub with people from all over the world. Being American I will always have a positive outlook and love for my country no matter what. The inauguration of Obama was one of those special times in life where you are truly moved by the power of unity. I do have one small rant about the precedings; they announced everyone else by their full name, including full middle name but Obama as 'Barack H. Obama'. His name is Barack Hussein Obama. 'Nuf said. Moving on, his speech was more than great and I hope that he can achieve what he sets out to do. This guy is pretty spectacular with his words and delivery and it is what America needs at the moment. It will be interesting to converse with people on this trip and get their opinions and commentary. God Bless America.
-CJH
Monday, January 19, 2009
FROM CHRIS AND JAS
WE ARE IN LONDON!!! WE ARRIVED ON THE 15TH, AND WILL BE STAYING IN LONDON UNTIL AT LEAST THE 24TH.
NEW YORK WAS AMAZING!!! We stayed at The Chelsea Spot Hostel, which was in a great location and very cheap! (recommend to anyone who doesn't mind small spaces). While in New York we went to Rockafeller Center, Central Park (and ice skated there!!), Time Square, Bryant Park Library (which is the most beautiful library I have ever seen, it even made Chris want to read!), The Garment District, Little Italy, China Town...all the fun stuff. The subway system is amazing (wish Seattle had it), and the night life is EXPENSIVE!! ($8 for a well whiskey coke!). All in all, New York is a great city, and a great way to start off a long backpacking trip abroad.
LONDON IS STUNNING!!! When you are in central London, Victoria, Westminster, (any where really) you can not help but feel humble, and blessed to be surround by such beautiful, massive, detailed architecture. London's subway system is also great! We bought oyster cards (which is like an unlimited subway and bus pass) which have let us get around everywhere really easily. The longest we have had to wait for the subway was 5 minutes! We stayed at the WORST hostel ever our first night (figures, it's what we get for a free hostel that came with our flight booking). The hostel is called 639 and I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND this place! It is dirty, in all forms...not only that but it is located in a bad area and is over looking the run down Green Kensington Cemetary. Yes, we had a lovely view of this decrepit cemetary from our window. Upon entering, we both wanted to cry. After one night we were out of that place, and now staying at The Globetrotter Hostel, which besides our first night (bed bugs and a mouse!) is AMAZING! They have a movie theatre, dining hall, full kitchen, full bar, GYM!!, and even a hair dryer!! The place has 24 hr cleaning staff and is just a minute from the subway, so even though it's not a central location, it isn't hard to hop on the subway (which London calls, The Tube). We have made friends everywhere we've gone! Singapore, England, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and BC. London is not as expensive as everyone thinks if you figure it out. We can make food at our hostel and all the museums are free!! The beauty of London is mostly in museums and the outside of buildings anyways. However, we do want to attend a futbol (soccer) match, which will cost us!! We feel right at home in this city, and the weather is not much different than Seattle, a little colder and not as much rain (yet). Pictures of BIG BEN and Parlament do not do it's justice. IT IS BEYOND MASSIVELY BEAUTIFUL!
WE ARE ALSO POSTING ALL OUR PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP AT PHOTOBUCKET. YOU CAN ACCESS THEM THROUGH THIS WEBSITE:
http://s549.photobucket.com/albums/ii367/chrisandjas/Europe/
NEW YORK WAS AMAZING!!! We stayed at The Chelsea Spot Hostel, which was in a great location and very cheap! (recommend to anyone who doesn't mind small spaces). While in New York we went to Rockafeller Center, Central Park (and ice skated there!!), Time Square, Bryant Park Library (which is the most beautiful library I have ever seen, it even made Chris want to read!), The Garment District, Little Italy, China Town...all the fun stuff. The subway system is amazing (wish Seattle had it), and the night life is EXPENSIVE!! ($8 for a well whiskey coke!). All in all, New York is a great city, and a great way to start off a long backpacking trip abroad.
LONDON IS STUNNING!!! When you are in central London, Victoria, Westminster, (any where really) you can not help but feel humble, and blessed to be surround by such beautiful, massive, detailed architecture. London's subway system is also great! We bought oyster cards (which is like an unlimited subway and bus pass) which have let us get around everywhere really easily. The longest we have had to wait for the subway was 5 minutes! We stayed at the WORST hostel ever our first night (figures, it's what we get for a free hostel that came with our flight booking). The hostel is called 639 and I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND this place! It is dirty, in all forms...not only that but it is located in a bad area and is over looking the run down Green Kensington Cemetary. Yes, we had a lovely view of this decrepit cemetary from our window. Upon entering, we both wanted to cry. After one night we were out of that place, and now staying at The Globetrotter Hostel, which besides our first night (bed bugs and a mouse!) is AMAZING! They have a movie theatre, dining hall, full kitchen, full bar, GYM!!, and even a hair dryer!! The place has 24 hr cleaning staff and is just a minute from the subway, so even though it's not a central location, it isn't hard to hop on the subway (which London calls, The Tube). We have made friends everywhere we've gone! Singapore, England, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and BC. London is not as expensive as everyone thinks if you figure it out. We can make food at our hostel and all the museums are free!! The beauty of London is mostly in museums and the outside of buildings anyways. However, we do want to attend a futbol (soccer) match, which will cost us!! We feel right at home in this city, and the weather is not much different than Seattle, a little colder and not as much rain (yet). Pictures of BIG BEN and Parlament do not do it's justice. IT IS BEYOND MASSIVELY BEAUTIFUL!
WE ARE ALSO POSTING ALL OUR PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP AT PHOTOBUCKET. YOU CAN ACCESS THEM THROUGH THIS WEBSITE:
http://s549.photobucket.com/albums/ii367/chrisandjas/Europe/
Thursday, January 15, 2009
They've arrived in London!
Chris and Jasmine have arrived safely in England. Today was the first day in Europe! The dream has come true. There is an eight hour difference between London and Seattle..they are ahead of Seattle. Here is some information on London from Wikipedia... some very modern buildings mixed in with the older ones.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_england
and a photo until we hear more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_england
and a photo until we hear more.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Jasmine's Photo moments in New York
Jasmine checks out New Yorks Noodles and Internet Access....and get some photos...:)
Monday, January 12, 2009
New York City
New York City is the first stop on their trip..here are some photos from the internet until we get some uploads from J&C....(Jasmine and Chris)...
Sunday, January 11, 2009
They've left! Backpacks are them!
Jasmine and Chris took off this morning on a very early flight with Frontier airlines. Here are the tail icons for the two planes....the first plane flew from Seatac to Denver and the second from Denver to New York...more later...
Monday, January 5, 2009
An Icon and some more photos
Something about this little animated sneaker icon made me think of Jasmine and Chris....
They are getting ready for their trip...6 days and counting.....soon they will be on an airplane flying to New York!..and then to Europe....Next Sunday!
Some posing by the Hodges Christmas Tree - Stephanie, Chris, Jasmine and Myra. (this photo by Stephanie.)
They are getting ready for their trip...6 days and counting.....soon they will be on an airplane flying to New York!..and then to Europe....Next Sunday!
Dinner at Chris's House ..we had great food and fun afterwards with a game called Guesstures:
Some posing by the Hodges Christmas Tree - Stephanie, Chris, Jasmine and Myra. (this photo by Stephanie.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
