 Nicole Cassler - Doc Nic | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 23rd October 2008 Doc Nic | - From: Winding my way back to Yokota -- er... Fussa Thanks Aunt Mad! Looks like I might be at your house for my birthday... :) At this point, there's a flight to Mcguire on Friday. |
| 22nd October 2008 Aunt Mad | Whew! - From: Winding my way back to Yokota -- er... Fussa You are ONE BRAVE LADY! I would've collapsed in a heap if I'd found myself in the wrong city in the middle of a totally foreign country. Did that nice Japanese lady have wings & a halo by any chance? A good reminder to all of us about the importance of being kind to foreigners. Glad your room on base turned out to be super -- have a wonderful birthday, however long it turns out to be! Love you much... |
| 21st October 2008 Doc Nic | Kobe Beef - From: Kobe: Beef and Sake Thanks Nippa for the education on Kobe beef! It's hard to compare my expenses with what they would normally be since we've been staying with friends the whole time. Definitely get the JR Rail Pass ifyou come though -- only foreigners can get it and you have to get it before you come (can't get it here). |
| 21st October 2008 Aunt Mad | So sweet! - From: Kobe: Beef and Sake Wow, Nikki, your memories of Stillwell Ave. put a lump in MY throat. You are SUCH a good writer! I guess family love really is universal. I'm glad your time in Kyoto & Kobe were great (my mouth was watering reading about your Kobe steak dinner -- but you can keep the octpus & squid!) Hope your trip home is smooooth. Be sure to blog once you're back in Md. |
| 21st October 2008 Nippa | Kobe - From: Kobe: Beef and Sake Lucky girl! One day I will make it to Japan and have Kobe steak! I've had the American kind over here. They should've told you about the fanciness of Kobe. The cows were originally genetically engineered to be big cows to work the fields. It turns out that these cows were big, but they were lazy butts. So the Japanese people were like...damn cows won't work the fields so what do we do? They make them into food. The cows are born and live the most wonderful cow lives (until they're killed of course). They drink sake and get massages every day. The sake breaks down the proteins and fat gets distributed throughout the tenderized meat...giving the meat this beautiful marbling. The cows get to run freely (although they're lazy) and they get to listen to classical music for relaxation. In the US, we can't get the Japanese Kobe so we have our own kind over here. Ours is a hybrid of some sort. I've had it several times and it's truly a delight! I love this travel blog by the way. Definitely send me more details about costs and whatnot for your Japan trip. I want to go so badly! |
| 21st October 2008 dad | Best yet - From: Kobe: Beef and Sake Great description. I could almost smell the foods. I remember Kobe from 1953. It sounds very different now, but I recall that they have experienced a couple of major earthquakes. Can hardly wait to see you home again. |
| 21st October 2008 Aunt Mad | Oishi! - From: Sunday in the park with Mike Isn't okinamiyaki oishi? I. of course, am totally butchering these Japanese words (I give you great credit for partying-on in the midst of that VERY foreign language), but I hope you get my meaning. And Mike's "other mother" makes it really well! Enjoy the food, but take it easy on the "Campai" already! Yoy're making me nervous! All my love.... |
| 18th October 2008 Aunt Mad | Hello to Tokyo! - From: It is hope you the blog enjoy tokyo in... Glad you've all had a chance to meet & visit with Mikey & Nick's Tokyo friends. They're all so very nice! It's a good thing you like fish & rice, though! Hugs & kisses to all of you! |
| 16th October 2008 MEEM | MESSAGE TO MIKEY - From: Freddy Mercury PLEASE LOOSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEE THE STASH. LOL |
| 15th October 2008 Melinda | - From: Sapporo Bier Garten Your antics always amaze me! Forget medicine, you should be a travel writer- the next Bill Bryson (you write very similar to him and that's a huge, he's my favorite writer). And, when did you cut your hair?!?!?!? |
| 15th October 2008 Dad | Good work - From: Sapporo Bier Garten You'[re a good ambassador, Nikki. I'm looking forward to a good, old fashioned slide show when you get home. |
| 15th October 2008 Aunt Mad | Outed!!! - From: Freddy Mercury Thanks for spilling the beans (or udon noodles, as the case may be), about Nick being able to cook! Now there'll be no excuses for him when he gets home. Sounds like you're all having a fabulous time eating (& drinking) your way around Sapporo. Enjoy!!! |
| 15th October 2008 Doc Nic | Freddy Mercury - From: Freddy Mercury It's as much the rage here as it is at home -- which is to say...not. haha It's kinda growing on me though! Too funny. Glad I could help out with the pocky sticks idea. So yummy! |
| 14th October 2008 Paula | new Japanese looks - From: Freddy Mercury Is Mike's look all the rage in Japan? LOLOL. Never thought to put anything on a poky stick. Hmm...I'll have to buy a box & see what I come up with. Thanks for the idea Nicole. |
| 13th October 2008 Aunt Mad | Glad you're there! - From: Best freakin sushi ever! I'm so glad you're there, Nicole! I've learned more about Sapporo's nightlife, sushi, Nick's apartment & Nick's girlfriend (???!!!) in your two blogs than I learned in a whole year of Skype talks with Nick! Also, thanks for filling me in on the Mac Air... what would we oldsters do without our young "techies" to keep us informed & up-to-date? Hope you enjoy the zoo -- can't wait to hear all about it. Love you all!!! |
| 13th October 2008 Mom | - From: Best freakin sushi ever! yaaaaay a dollar store! lol. did you actually go in a poke around. probably not. :( Your description of the sushi experience sounds wonderful. I wonder if some local newspapers (in Japan) would like to buy your article. Nick could probably translate for you. Have fun at the zoo. Love you |
| 12th October 2008 Dad | Nick's pick - From: Best freakin sushi ever! That combo sounds dangerous. Is Nick pregnant? |
| 12th October 2008 Paula | fun - From: Japan: Day 2 Hey Nic, looks & sounds like fun going on over there. And that was just your first night. Can;t wait to hear about the sushi. Have fun. Pace yourselves. kisses |
| 12th October 2008 Doc Nic | - From: Japan: Day 2 I'm up to like 15 words now! haha A lot of english words are dropped -- they just add ou or u or e. Sometimes I can kind of follow along. Not as easy as Swedish to pick up. Sorry Meem, next time I'll have to pull out the camera for you! |
| 12th October 2008 Dad | cuz - From: Japan: Day 2 What a great looking bunch! Is the next wedding we attend happening in Sapporo? |
| 11th October 2008 MEEM | HI - From: Japan: Day 2 HEY AS USUAL I AM ENJOYING TRAVELING WITH YOU. I WOULD HOWEVER LOVED TO HAVE SEEN PICS OF MY FAV PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR. LOL YOU ALL LOOK GREAT AND LOOK LIKE YOUR HAVING A GREAT TIME. TELL THE BOYS WE SAID HI!!!!! STAY SAFE, LOVE YA CUZ |
| 11th October 2008 Mom | - From: Japan: Day 2 Looks like fun. So how are you doing with your 9 Japanese words? lol |
| 11th October 2008 Aunt Mad | Almost there! - From: Finally made it to Japan! Got a skype call from Mike & Nick this morning. They're really psyched that Mike's there & you're almost there. Good job! Okay... what's Mac Air? |
| 11th October 2008 Mom | - From: Finally made it to Japan! Sounds like a fun journey so far. Hope the jet lag doesn't linger. Love to Nick and Mikey. Can't wait to see pix of Japan. |
| 9th October 2008 Aunt Mad | Isn't Seattle a great little city? - From: Sleeping in Seattle Wow - wow - wow!!! Free caviar & personal service from a top chef -- you go, girl! Too bad about the berries, but it sounds like everything else about your day in Seattle made the whole trip worthwhile. Hope Japan is just as good! (and I hope you get all the way to Nick without too much hassle) Have a great time! Love you! |
| 8th October 2008 Dad | Winging it - From: Still waiting... Sounds like a fun trip despite the "unknowns". In 1949 I started a trip from NE Colorado to West Virginia in a 13 year old '36 Chevy. It developed transmission trouble in Nebraska. I ran out of money in Omaha on a holiday weekend and had to wire my folks for some cash. The engine fan broke a blade so I borrowed a hacksaw from a farmer to cut off the opposing blade and ran the rest of the trip with a hot engine. What a trip! Your sounds much more pleasureful. Be well and come home safely. |
| 8th October 2008 Paula | you will get there... - From: Still waiting... Wow, I thought for sure you would have been well on your way. Fingers crossed that you leave & make it to Seattle & get a seat. Looking forward to hearing about sushi in Japan. Good luck. :) |
| 8th October 2008 Aunt Mad | bon-voyageee - From: Ready, set, .... Where in the world is Carmen Santiago now? Did I hear her say something about needing to learn kangi? "JK" God bless you, Nikki! It was great to see you Sunday eve. Have another terrific adventure (without catching a cold this time)! Love & Hugs & Kisses |
| 8th October 2008 MEEM | HI - From: Still waiting... HEY GOODLUCK MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED FOR YOU. BUT PLEASE NO MORE CRAZY "FOOD" STICK TO WHAT WE KNOW AND LOVE IF POSSIBLE. LOL |
| 4th October 2008 julie Schwarz | great blog post - From: Above the clouds in Huayna Picchu just back from Macchu Picchu-did the Huayna Picchu climb and will refer those with ?'s about the process to your page. Fortunately for us, we climbed on a clear weather day. |
| 2nd September 2008 Marie | Welcome Home - From: To sum it all up -- from Peru to DC Hi Nikki, This was a great trip we went on. I just finished all the blogs, I'm laughing my butt off. This was a great way to travel...You must publish this as a book using these blogs. I'm glad your home safe and sound. Maybe it was a blessing you had that cold for a lot of the trip, no smells YUK.....I can't stand getting off the plane in Florida because of the smell of rotting stuff or something. I can't imagine the smells in a hotter, humid, buggy climate! Well, it's been a great trip. Were are we going next? Love Ya, Marie |
| 25th August 2008 Aunt Mad | Welcome Home! - From: To sum it all up -- from Peru to DC Welcome back from your very exciting-sounding adventures. Glad you made it home healthy & satisfied. You are a FABULOUS travel blog-writer & photographer. I feel like I've been to the Amazon, a snaketorium, and jungle mountaintops and lakes, all without having to eat Who-Knows-What (the little roasted guinea pig legs -- ewwwwww), & without having to battle tropical heat & bugs. Thanks!!! Love you much & welcome home! |
| 25th August 2008 Madelyn | Nice to have you back - From: To sum it all up -- from Peru to DC Welcome home and although it's nice to have you back home safely I am going to miss your blogs. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed travelling with you, you need to start compiling these things and write a book. Some of your descriptions were hysterical. One thing I do know, I will never camp out in a jungle or eat cuy, llama, alpaca or drink Peruvian milk. Glad you didn't bring anything unwanted home with you. Hope to see you soon to see all the pics. |
| 25th August 2008 MEEM | WELCOME HOME - From: To sum it all up -- from Peru to DC WELL WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK IN THE GOOD OL USA!!!!!!!!! I VERY MUCH ENJOY READING YOUR BLOGS AND FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TO PERU MINUS ALL THE BUGS AND CRAP YOU HAD TO DO AND EAT. LOL I LOOK FOWARD TO "OUR" NEXT TRIP. LOL |
| 23rd August 2008 MEEM | OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! - From: A long bus ride from Cusco to Puno OK FIRST OF ALL AS BAD AS THE ROACH PART OF THIS WAS YOU JUST TOPPED THAT. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU ATE A FLIPPING GUINEA PIG, I GUESS I SHOULD THANK YOU SINCE I NOW CAN NOT EAT. LOL I AM VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE IN MIAMI RIGHT NOW ON YOUR WAY HOME. TALK TO YOU LATER WHEN YOU SETTLED IN!!! XXOOXX |
| 21st August 2008 jim USA | - From: The Sacred Valley: just when you thought you´ve seen all the Incan ruins... nice read and your pictures are very good. I could spent months in that area just bumming around taking pictures etc |
| 20th August 2008 Aunt Mad | Lookin good! - From: The Sacred Valley: just when you thought you´ve seen all the Incan ruins... Your tales of your adventures are fabulous & I'm glad you're able to include pictures! I was especially glad to see the pictures of you! You're looking healthy & happy -- is your cold all gone? Love you! |
| 20th August 2008 Doc Nic | - From: The Sacred Valley: just when you thought you´ve seen all the Incan ruins... Everything out here is at least 8,000ft. The valley is generally that altitude, Cusco is about 11,000. Tomorrow when we go to Puno and Lake Titicaca we´ll be at 14,000ft. We´re seeing a lot of poor and middle class. Mostly middle class. Very few rich. It´s very obvious who the local Peruvians are. If they are Peruvian tourists (from Lima or something) they don´t look Peruvian, but just like other tourists. |
| 20th August 2008 Mom | - From: The Sacred Valley: just when you thought you´ve seen all the Incan ruins... Pictures are gorgeous. Especially the one with all the colors. Are you still at high altitudes or was that just at Machu Picchu? Are you seeing a mix in living standards--middle class, wealthy, as well as poor? Can you tell the Peruvians from the other tourists? |
| 20th August 2008 Dad | tour - From: The Sacred Valley: just when you thought you´ve seen all the Incan ruins... Oh, to be young enough to walk and see all that! Sure beats heck out of anywhere I've been. |
| 19th August 2008 Doc Nic | the hike - From: Above the clouds in Huayna Picchu Just to clarify, Machu Picchu is not that difficult to do. Huayna Picchu is the one that is a very tough climb. You can still go mom ;) |
| 19th August 2008 Mom | The top of the world - From: Above the clouds in Huayna Picchu Dad has been talking about going to Machu Picchu forever. I'm glad you went for us because we never would have been able to make that climb. lol. Not then and certainly not now. Well done little grasshopper. I think that feeling of utter smallness and insignificance usually opens up to an epiphany of God. The God who made all that loves you. (and so do I). Keep on trekking. Mom |
| 18th August 2008 uncle Tom | - From: From shantytown to the resort hey stay safe.I am really enjoying your blog.I had to catch up with my reading as I needed Meem to show me how to open them. Love You.Uncle Tom |
| 18th August 2008 Mom | - From: Machu Picchu? Don't forget the deet! Sounds like a blast. So you actually got a lot of exercise walking and climbing. Great. Wouldn't it be safer to stay together though? You're right--what if you twisted your ankle or something with no one around. Sounds different that Tikal but they too want to claim Indiana Jones. lol Still waiting for pictures. |
| 18th August 2008 Fernando Woll | - From: Lima: In the lap of luxury Hey, it sounds like your hotel in Lima its just like the one we had in Genaro hahaha. |
| 17th August 2008 meem | guinea pig?????? - From: From shantytown to the resort please tell my my eyes are tired and I read that wrong. YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY GOING TO TRY GUINEA PIG. stay safe. |
| 17th August 2008 Dad | cold - From: From shantytown to the resort That cold sounds meaner than the average rhinovirus. Please don't bring it home. Take care of yourself Nikki. We and the Navy need you. Love, Dad |
| 16th August 2008 Aunt Mad | Amazing! - From: The Snaketarium I'm back from my vacation & thoroughly enjoying your blog. U Mike & I took a trip (muuuuuch tamer than yours) to Virginia & then to NC to visit Diann. I would never have the guts to do what you're doing -- I like my creature comforts, safety & predictable food too much. But I sure admire you for doing it! If you get this message in time, my vote is for you to get the Alpaca shawl. If you don't, you'll spend the rest of your life saying "I shoulda..." Hope your cold is all gone! Love you heaps! |
| 12th August 2008 Dad | Touring and working - From: Doing nothing can feel so good... Your observations remind me of the Philippines in the 50's. The tours showed a place of wonders, history, beauty, etc. Working the mean streets showed poor people, smells, crime, poverty and sickness-- how it was for most of the people who lived there. How fortunate we are to be North Americans without having to have done anything but be born here! |
| 12th August 2008 Mom | - From: Doing nothing can feel so good... Sounds like a wonderful day of R and R. Can't wait for the next installment. How is this week shaping up? Keep up the good work, have fun and be safe. Love you. |