~ * ~ DAY 1 ~ * ~ UTRECHT We took the train from Schipol Airport to Utrecht. Once in Utrecht I bought a strippenkaart (€7.70 for 15 strips) from the bus station and the bus driver stamped 3 zones for the ride to Robbie’s apartment. Once Miranda got in, we headed to the city center. From the central station, we walked toward the large Dom tower. We found our way to the main canal, which was lined with shops and cafes on both sides. However, most windows we passed on our way to Oude Pothuys were dark. We climbed down the stairs at Oude Pothuys, where there is live music every night, only to find we were a bit early for the music. The only thing on the bar menu was “Nachos with sauce” but ... read more

Vietnam: Hanoi & Halong Bay ~ * ~ DAY 1 ~ * ~ Landing in Hanoi, we hopped on the $2 shuttle van, supposedly heading to the Vietnam Airlines headquarters near the Old Quarter. The highway from the airport to the city cut through miles of fields and was lined with gigantic billboards, all promoting high end and high tech products, from luxury cars to digital cameras. Upon reaching the congested Old Quarter, the driver picked up a local who graciously offered to take us directly to our hotels. We proceeded on a complicated, twisting route through all 36 streets of the Old Quarter, dropping pairs of travelers off. Finally, it was our turn, but the van took a quick turn past the lake. Way past the French Quarter, the van stopped and a man opened ... read more

Vancouver ~ * ~ DAY 1 ~ * ~ I took an early Quickshuttle bus ride from Seattle to Vancouver, on which I slept the whole way. It was two hours from Seattle to the border and one hour from the border to Vancouver airport. Crossing the border from the US to Canada was an interesting ordeal, as I got questioned by the customs official to the extreme, especially for my declared 2 day trip! Official: Why are you going to Canada? (To visit a friend.) how do you know this friend? (From high school.) Did she go to high school in the US, or did you go to high school in Canada? Official: How much luggage do you have with you? (I showed her my backpack and laptop.) Where is the rest of your luggage? ... read more

Our next stop: Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World." After two hours on the highway, we rolled into the Austin Greyhound station and took a bus toward our hostel. The local bus took us on a mini city tour through the University of Texas (saw the huge stadium under renovation) and down Congress Avenue. We were staying at the Hostelling International hostel on South Lakeshore Blvd, right next to the lake! The hostel had a large bright living room with couches and tables, a well-equipped kitchen, a full bookshelf of resources and stories, and free internet! The women's dormitory that we were in had 16 beds and lockers -- always remember to carry your own lock! It comes in handy! "The Republic of Texas" Heading back downtown, we hopped on a free trolley - ... read more