Blogs from North America - page 6785

So, what have I done? Since being home, I've been working at this house for Steve and Melissa from my mom's office (the expeditionary studies department of SUNY Plattsburgh). One of the students from the department has been working with them and helped me get this work so I wouldn't be stuffed in the back office of some company doing the most senseless work possible. I've learned how to run electrical outlets and installed lights and switches. I've done work all over the house from sanding and cleaning, to learning how to drive a tractor. I enjoy my job, and even more than that, the people I work with. In addition to that, I've met a lot of kids from the department. I went out with them one night to Peabody's which was not something I ... read more

Geo: 52.8736, -118.083Wow!! What a great day!! We started in Lake Louise where we went to the Gondola ride up the hillside behind Lake Louise. It cost $25 for the ride but only an extra $2-50 for breakfast which was a huge bonus!! After we had filled ourselves with cereal and bacon, sausages, toast etc we headed to the Chairlift. It is amazing how many young Australians are working here. There were two or three Aussies operating the chairlift and more at the top. We rode on the T-Bar rather than the enclosed gondolas. We were told there was a chance to see Grizzly bears so we kept a keen lookout. We were rewarded when half way up we saw 2 large bears out in the grassy areas foraging for food and another on the other ... read more

Despite my room being pitch dark and my body oh-so-very-tired, i woke up at 7:45am, after 7 hours of sleep. i showered, realized i thought the hostel would give me a towel, but didn't, and used my T-shirt I slept in. Turns out i somehow lost my toothbrush...i swear i packed it. I had breakfast, bought coffee, and started walking. I guess I'm attracted to shops, even though I don't like to look at anything (damn capitalist tendencies must be engrained in me), but I did notice how awesome the shop exteriors are. The colours are so awesome, so funky; one store called Flavour was a rainbow! I found my way to Market Square, and I remember visiting it from last time! It's a neat area. I feel like I re-discovered it. I took photos, but ... read more

We made to LA - home of the rich and famous!! Our first GreyHound experience was quite good. The trip didn’t seem to take as long as expected and the coach was clean and even had a loo. We checked into our hostel (USA Hostels located just off Hollywood Boulevard) and it soon became clear that the dorm was full of girls as it looked like Topshop mixed with Boots had exploded all over the room! There were knickers lying on the floor, tampax randomly scattered around, endless amount of toiletries and about 5 pairs of hair straightners! This just made Kim depressed because it reminded her of all the home comforts what she had left behind….. Later that evening we took a walk up the Walk of Fame to see if we could spot any ... read more

A week without a post, so may as well get myself updated. Last Wednesday was our very first trip day. I drew the short straw of the staff lottery and ended up going with the half of the kids who go to go hiking up a nearby mountain. After the first hour, all my water was one – and three more hot, sticky hours desperate for water laying ahead of me. Luckily, I survived by simply taking (albeit with permission) water from those lucky children with a smaller surface area from which to lose water. Eventually, hot and exhausted we arrived back, only to find the weather about to take a sharp downwards turn. I nipped out for a quick shower when the tannoy announced a 'severe weather warning' which necessitated a quick return to the ... read more