Landshut is BEAUTIFUL!

Ok so Ali told me that I wouldnt like her waking me up from my little nap. I thought, not. BOY was I wrong! I felt like I was spinning in a dreamy fog for about 20 minutes. My body felt like lead. I just couldnt move.

That is until Ali suggested we go for gelato's. I think I might have just jumped at that point. Of we were to go and see the little city of Landshut. Just a short little bus ride into the city and we would be there.

Nothing can describe how beautiful this city truely is. Its right on the river. The main area is, well, Beautiful! Ill be taking pictures but cant upload them till I get home. But I will be sticking them here in the blog so that you can see. Its pretty freakin cool!. We passed by an glasses place and I just had to go in. I found a cute pair of green glasses that Id like to buy (much to Andrews protest at buying them immediately) So the nice lady is holding them for me to come tomorrow and get them. They were only 59 euros. Duh. Its not like it was a super expensive buy. He just has fear of spending money. Ali did find a very cute pair of sunglasses but they were twice the price of my little frames. But doesnt she look cute! (I told her they would be her Victoria Beckham glasses if she got em)

We walked around to their favorite Gelato'OK. I got Himbeery and peppermitz. (translation for you americans thats Raspberry and Mint Chocolate Chip) They were OH so good. The flavor was real and full. It didnt taste like manufactured ice cream. It was a little bit of heaven in a waffle cone. We made a quick pit stop at the grocery store and then did a little more window shopping. I can show one picture because its here on the Flegal komputer. Ali thought it would be super funny to take my picture in front of this ad.. (its because of the store name)

It was a bit rainy so we got an umbrella and headed for the bus stop. I couldnt help running into the local T-Mobile store to look at the phones they have here. I found two that i'd want to have. That purchase however I didnt make.

We had dinner with the missionaries and then Andrew had to do his little meeting with them. We stayed up and had Ice Cream with the Auras' and laughed and laughed. They are a super fun couple and I can see how they became best of friends with Andrew and Ali.

Sleep would be a welcome event tonight.

PS I do not speak German...

We landed in Munich and did the customs thingy. Not too bad accept the little pen you have to stand in before clearing passport control. I have purchased a little phrase book while in NYC and had written down how to ask for the taxi price to Landshut. Apparently it was costly cause he told me 56 euros. NO WAY! So we set out for the bus.
We hit the ATM in the airport and then got a little change from the bank so we could pay the bus. It was 2.20 Euros to take the bus to Freising (which sounds like Frys-Sing not Freezing) and then only like 6.20 Euros to take. Now I say only but the truth of the matter is I had such a hard time buying the tickets.
First thing is we did meet a nice german guy on the bus fromt he airport to the train station. He was living in Austin doing his grad work. He had just come home cause his brother was getting married. He was taking the train too. Apparatly here you can buy tickets and they work for a group of you at a time. (the German systems are either weird or really smart) So we chatted and became friendly. He even used my pen. So we get off the bus and there is the Platform for the trains. We look around and I dont see the place to buy tickets. I kind of expected to see a blantanly obvious looking, big neon signed (ok not really) but something that said, 'Welcome to the Freising Train Depot, come on over and buy your tickets here!'
I didnt see that.
I didnt even see what looked like a trainstation. I felt abandoned in the middle of nowhere with out a ticket to go anywhere. Ok I am being a little over dramatic if I say it like that but its where my heart was going because now Liz and I were really in Germany and I had to get us to Landshut.
So we walked down the steps to enter the tunnel to access the platforms. It connected to the other side of the station. 'That must be where the station is!' I thought and walked with purpose to the other side. Nothing! Just more parking. At this point I called Johanna Auras, Ali and Andrews neighbors to ask what I should do. She told me there should be an automated machine somewhere to purchase my tickets from. Well I wasnt seeing anything like that. So I thought it best to go up on the platform. Maybe it was right there when you get on the train.
Low and behold there was in fact a train station. You just couldnt see it directly from where the bus dropped you off.. It was hidden. But I sure saw it when i went up on the platform and I knew we were saved.
I went and found the automated machine. There were 2. I picked the one that was touchscreen and spoke english (Duh.. no germanzi-spreckened here!) So Im purposely putting in all the information and it tells me the cost. Im all ready with my money but then I notice this machine doesnt take money! NO!!! Ah!. All it seems to do is pick out your schedule for you. So of coarse i hit print. I hadnt wasted my time for nothing.
Now remember I said there were 2 machines. Now also remember I had chosen the one that spoke english. So I'm looking at this machine trying to figure it out. I'm watching other people use it successfully and walk away with a ticket to board. I think I've picked it up and I punch the buttons, 1356, which the little list tells me is Landshut. It tells me the price of the ticket and I think I'm almost there. But NO!!! the bloody machine wont take my bills. I know they are good I'd just pulled them out of an ATM. So I then had to then go inside and buy a ticket, from a person.. Duh why didnt I do that to begin with? I tried to speak German but the lady spoke English back to me and so I just acquiesced. At least I tried to speak german. (zwie zur Landshut) Thats what I said, she just said,'English?" Im such a nerd.
A 20 minute train ride and we were picked up by Ali, Eliza and Johanna the neighbor lady.
I'm currently sitting in the front room listening to the rain and telling Ali about my love life.
Catch up with you tomorrow. I'm needing a nap something fierce.

Munich Bound

So I checked the flights again when I woke up at (vomit) 4am. I rebooked our flight through RDU and that let Liz sleep a few minutes more. We called a car to take us to the airport. We were both so tired, I just couldnt deal with a bus. We got checked in but only as far as Atlanta due to the fact that our lay over was going to be so long.
It was a seemless connection there at RDU.
us.. laying over..

We did get to take the Pink Plane (aka the Brest Cancer Plane) from RDU to ATL. We had the front row seats on that one so it was kinda nice. I started the book, The Golden Compass on this trip and ended up reading that on both flights and not sleeping.
Atlanta 1020am. Yes we were quite early for our 425 flight to Munich but we could check in. So off we went to the International Concourse E. It was maybe 20 mins in line but we got checked in no problems. Just that our flight was all the way back on T4. So we hopped back on the train and went to the T concourse. It was here that I was able to snag about a 2 hr nap.
The waiting wasnt too terrible. There was a cute lady who had missed her Ireland flight the night before and had been sleeping all night at the airport. She was maybe in her 60's and the night had kinda worn on her. We chatted for a bit and later she brought us some quiche (ps the quiche wasnt so good but I think they had food vouchers and just bought a ton) super nice lady.
So it gets to be about an hour before the flight and they start working the standby list. I was getting nervous because the list kept growing but Liz was always at the bottom. I was at the top of the list. I knew I would get the BusinessClass seat and I didnt want to give that up. But I also didnt want to go if Liz didnt. So I told this to the lady and she said that I needed to decide right there if I was going or not. So I looked at the numbers and said,'Im in!'
Liz made it of course, much to my stress relief. I was in 6a and she got 29a. Yay for window seats cause our landing in Munich was beautiful.
I of coarse was pampered in BC. I had wine with dinner and porto with dessert. I ate it all up and loved every minute. I was sad that Liz couldnt experience it with me but hopefully she can on the way home.

Ah.. NYC the city that never sleeps..

Why do i always feel like an insomniac in this city? Hmm
I was such a good boy waiting patiently for the departure to LGA when there came an announcement. 'Ladies and Gentlemen.. blah blah blah, gate change, blah blah blah'
So, just like when we were in choir and the chorister would raise her hands, everyone stood up in unison and headed for our new gate. It was just down the hall but man you could see some grumpy faces.
We boarded pretty quickly. I find it a little bit funny in my seats. My SLC-ATL flight i was in 37b and the LGA flight I was in 38c. It turned out to be and exit row on the LAST row of an MD90. Oh well.
This was the first time Ive flown into LGA to come see Liz and Marc. I gotta tell ya, SUPER EASY! But dont go buying a Metro card for the day (7dollars) if all you are going to do is hop the bus to the house. The lady at the airport tried to get me to buy that dumb card. All you need is 2 bucks in quarters and the M60 bus drops you off RIGHT outside their house. The bus ride took maybe 25 mins.
Liz and Marc were still at work so I headed to the nearest starbucks, on broadway, and logged in to my T-Mobile HotSpot and started lookin at the flights. It was then that I noticed that Delta cancelled a flight on the 26th from LGA to ATL. That wouldnt do..
So here I sit after much stress and NO sleep at 451 in the morning ready to call a cab and get back to the airport. Liz and I are going to take a connecting flight through the city of Raleigh-Durham. We now get into Atlanta at 1030 am and our flight to Munich isnt until 430. Who can say airport-nap-on-the-floor?
I just know I'm gonna pass out on the flights. Id better get a compfy seat.
More to come on the Amazing Adventure to Deutschland YA!

Munich Bound, Kinda

So i stayed up till almost 1am last night trying to get my bag packed for my trip to Germany to see Andrew, Ali and Eliza. I was so nervous that I wouldnt be making my flight I had back up after back up set in mind.

I got to the airport and had to wait in the normal security line. (I would have liked to have just bypassed all that securitiy like the pilots and flight attendants do but NOOOOOO) So i spent 30 mins in securtiy. I went speed walking down tot he Atlanta flight not knowing if i was even going to get on. LOW and Behold my seat was cleared in a middle but her I am in Atlanta. Im actually sitting on the floor of the concourse outside the Crown Room so I can get my T-Mobile internet. Smooth eh? Ill take a picture but I'll need to load it once the trip is over. I didnt bring that connection cable.. Maybe i can used Andrew's... but I digress..
My middle seat made it hard to try to sleep and the girl in the window seat was wanting to watch the movie so SHE suggested we swap.. HA what a sweetheart. I slept the entire flight!!

So the reason I'm only kinda on my way to germany is that I have to make a stop in NYC to pick up my cute middle sister. She and I ar pass riding it to Europe while the rest of the family is on paid seats. Yes we must be crazy but thats what makes it fun!!

My next flight to LGA looks fine I have no worries about it. Ive just never flown into LGA so im not THAT familiar with how to get to Lizzie and Marks nest of love. Heres to Adventures!!
Ok time to take my photo and check my emails.
Im trying to make this as informative as MS Ali Mae.. we will see..
Loves.

A True JetSetter

So my friend Amy asked me to accompany her to pick up her passport and drop her off at class.
Now to the rest of you this would just mean getting in the car and cruising around..
Amys passport was in Washington DC where a friend had picked it up from the GHANA embassy, fresh with a new visa, and her class was at the JFK airport cargo center..
She flew the connection in from SMF and we met in the crown room in SLC. Id picked up her Malaria pills from her sister that morning. We got on the flight to DCA. Me in an aisle seat next to a crazy lady and Amy on an exit window.. Lucky poo..
the flight got to DCA at 4. So we jumped on the metro and went to the WHITE HOUSE to meet our friend Tim. No Tim doesnt work at the White House but kitty corner.. He surrendered the passport over dinner on the other side of the White House. Thus Dinner in DC. Amy and I had to catch the flight to LGA then. We checked the flights at his office and they didnt look so grand. There had been some rain and we'd cancelled 4 flights. So I told amy to go and I stayed with Tim. Her seat was positive space afterall.. So Tim and I head back to his place. When we get there I used his computer just to check that things looked ok for amy and they hadnt cancelled the flight. Seat availability had gone from -12 seats to positive 12 seats!. So Tim jumped in the car and dropped me off in time to catch the flight.
Now on this flight this married guy couldnt keep his eyes to himself.. He stared at me every 2.5 minutes. I finally started locking eyes and smiling. That really freaked him out. But he kept lookin.. I guess i was looking irresistable!!
In LGA we caught a cab to Amy's friends place. Mr Cox lives in Queens and i thought that was appropriate..
He has a fun apartment and from the roof top we can see the rest of the city. He took us to a local bar and we had a few drinks there. A private car took us to the holiday inn at JFK. I slept for maybe 2.4 hours and then had to take the shuttle to the airport.
I missed my flight thanks to the rain the day previous and the back up I had planned was looking worse. So I found an empty gate and logged in and found that if i flew to Seattle I could connect and make it home, but the flight wasnt till 845 but it was first class!!!.. SO I went.
Tired as all getout I got home after 4pm.. home at 5.. I just couldnt see taking a nap.. or id wake up at 4am.. so I stayed up.. that hurt.. but I did get to sleep at 10 with an ambien and slept till 830 today..
Voila.. thats how you JetSet!!

Boston Pride 2007

I missed going to SLC Pride because the family was in Lake Powell. Id totally pick the lake anytime so that wasnt tough.. The bummer is that Delta is a major sponser at 6 prides in the nation. That means we march (in cool polos they give us) and throw beads. Then they have a booth and people come throw darts at the map of our new destinations. We give prises and have a drawing for 2 free airline tickets in the americas.
Well... the Boston crew sent out an email saying they were in need of help cause no one had volunteerd and they needed bodies. So of coarse i went.
Their Pride Parade was on a Saturday so I flew in Friday night late. I didnt get into my hotel until 2am. So i crashed out and woke up at 10. I had time to change shower and off i went.. checking out of my hotel. I only had a small backback to keep my change of necessities..
Having never ever been to Boston I really didnt know where i was going. I'd chatted with some people to get the basic idea. I'd just missed the shuttle to the airport that also stops at the T station. So i snagged a cab, but only as far as the T stop.
I got off at Back Bay and then had to ask a few bears and trannies for the directions to where i was to meet my group. As i got there the parade was just starting. Luckily I had time to put on my polo and get into formation. We had two people holding the banner that said Delta was a proud sponsor. Three girls in blow up airplane costumes and pilot hats.. the delta mini and a truck with music blairing whatever. Then about 6 other people throwing out the beads. I was in the lead with the banner.
The weather was a bit yucky. We had fog covering the tops of the skyscrapers but it wasnt too cold and walking all that way, 3 miles, it was just perfect..
The parade ended in the square at city hall. Delta had our booth set up there. I stuck around for a little bit but then had to jet back to the airport for the ride home. My flight was at 5pm. I hopped on the T and off i went to return home.
So what was that? about 12 hrs in boston on my first trip? not bad but i didnt get to see much.. Next time im totally staying longer... and NOT at the airport hotel..
cheers
me

Lake Powell

First off welcome home to my baby sister who returned home from her mission in Montreal. Im so happy to have her back.
To celebrate this blessed event (and cause we had the houseboat) We went to Lake Powell. We left on a friday and got there a little before dark. So we stayed on a mooring that night. The next day we set off to find a beach.
Beaches in Lake Powell can be tricky to find. Being as we were getting there mid week a lot of people had taken the good spots. Katie,Wick and I had found what we thought was an ok location. Little did we know that Sunday would bring micro bursts of wind to knock us off our beach and throw us into the channel. Luckily a lot of people had already left the good beaches and we found one just around the corner.
Katie and I had to go back and claim lost items which included our steak to hold us in place and an anchor that was in 30 feet of water.
We got all settled in to the new beach (this one with sand) and I had to head back to SLC. SO i packed up my bag and off i went back to the marina to schlep my tookis back home.
It was very fun to see the Taylors. The kids just keep getting cuter and cuter.
Ill try to post some pics once mom gets back with the camera (i cant find mine.. am i a true flegal or what?)
cheers n happy travels
Me