Off Comms

Guys its very likely that I won't get near an online computer that's not some absurd price so I'm going to sign off now.

Thanks for following with me on this little adventure, and for staying in touch. The emails and voice messages you guys left me helped me keep my humour through some of the more stupid times on the voyage.

Miss you all and see y'all again after this Saturday.

Who's coming to my welcome back drinks? Maybe we'll find a watering hole somewhere :) Or a nicely located backyard.

Will keep you all informed.

Going 10-7, the Captain says good day.

Land ho, m'hearties.
xx

Goodbye winter

So whats the weather like right now? Are you feeling too hot? Too cold?

Just to give you an idea of where I am, let me share this with you...

5 minutes ago Woodloch's weather report came over the CB radio.
I converted what I heard into more recognisable terms.

It's presently Fine & Sunny with a temperature of -11.7 degrees Celsius.

Yeah, you're feeling fine now right?


I begin my travels for Orlando in 2-3 hours.
I know I will step off the plane and rip off 3 of my 4 layers of clothing right there on the tarmac like I did stepping off my NY plane in LA this time 2003.

Tis cold, no doubt about it.

When I get home I need to have an adjusting period to the heat and to driving on the left again.

'Gladiator' but with boxing

Sorry, this story turned out pretty long...

I just came back from the York Room which houses gloriousness in the form of a HUGE flatscreen TV and awesomeness embodied in wonderful ceiling and wall surround sound. Okay, so it's not as great as that makes it sound, but it's pretty damn good, and the couches are so comfy - I've seen (and heard the consequential snoring) many an older person lulled into dreamland from their delicious comfort.

I was hanging around til 11pm for Doc to start work so I could talk to him and decided to mosey down to the York to busy myself watching the last of Cinderella Man, scheduled to begin at 9:45.

Went I got in it was empty (that's common enough, I'm used to having it all to myself which I'm thinking is one of the appeals) and the dvd menu of Corpse Bride was looping. Apparently no one thought it worth to put on the last film, and Corpse Bride was still on from the previous showing.

With about 15mins to 11pm I figured I'd just listen to the music from the menu and doze in the aforementioned wonderful couch, when an older guest arrived - about 70something and the same size as my grandmother - and took a seat in one of the arm chairs behind me. I thought she was just having a squiz but after a while she pulled out her activity sheet - daily information on whats happening at Woodloch incl film session times.

I got up and walked over to her and explained that the film was supposed to be on quite a while ago, and that I'll go up and see if they'll play it for us.
She said okay and I went up to the lobby level and was happy i got to tinkle the bell on the front desk.
I asked if they were playing the last movie tonite.
Anne said that it should have been on an hour ago.
I said yes and normally I wouldn't mind as I was just hanging around, but an actual guest is in York now so could we please put it on?
Anne said okay and I went back downstairs to the York.

The nice lady thanked me and asked if she was the only one. I said yep and that she may as well grab a comfy seat. I sat down and before long she joined me on my couch.
Whilst waiting for the next film and watching previews that dvds will NOT let you skip past she asked if I worked here. I said no but I'm a past employee just visiting.
About this time she noticed my accent and was asking me questions about the International Program etc etc and I told her about last time I was here and working for Disney this time.

The movie started and I'm sorry to say I actually enjoyed it, even though I will describe it as 'Gladiator with boxing' and am not a big fan of Russell nor Renee. At 11 something I called Doc's extension briefly and thanked him profusely for my ride.

So anyway the film finished with Maximus - er i mean 'James J Braddock' - triumphing of course and we got up commenting about the film. We both had to use the restroom so I was holding doors open and being in general a nice kid.

There were paper towels and rubbish around the restroom and I had already cleaned this all away and wiped down the counter by the time I thought 'wait what the hell am I doing?? Damn Disney!!'

It was pretty late and freezing outside by this time and I wasn't sure if buses were still running as sometimes they knock off at midnight. I asked the lady as we walked upstairs were in Woodloch she was staying. She told be Springbrook 3- which is not connected to the main building where we were - and I said I'd get transport for her.

She went to get her coat and I asked for a bus to the Springbrooks for a guest. When I went to the coat closet I told her a ride was coming for her soon and it'll take her back to her room.

She thanked me so much and asked my name and shook my hand and introduced herself as Muriel. I said it was nice to meet her and that she enjoy her stay.

Then I went to walk back to Pocono House but Muriel insisted that she either walk with me - which I said I wouldn't allow in this cold - or I get on the bus with her.
After a brief debate, I gave up arguing with a smile and a Yes Ma'am.

The bus came and opened the door and the driver said "Don't you ladies know it's past your bedtime?" and we got on.

We dropped Muriel off at Springbrook and she wished me luck with the rest of my travels. I thanked her and wished her goodnight. Then I was brought back here in a slight puzzlement over how I all of a sudden was a puppet again.

Two of the most highly acclaimed names in the United States now under my belt. I suppose each liked me for a reason. I'm pretty damn good. And an suck-up which helps.

I dunno. It's just as good to serve sometimes.

Cease panic

Phew
Okay got a ride organised into Scranton-Wilkes Barre tomorrow from 'Doc' - nice guy who works with Safety Services and introduced me to Yeungling Lager on my last voyage. He has family in Philly and we always planned to go down and see the city but it never happened sadly. So, sorry Ben Franklin, once again I'll say 'see you next time'.

My reasons for not being able to get a ride sooner is mostly due to the fact that I was unaware of a long weekend here. Feh, Presidents' Day. Like an Aussie is supposed to know that.

Aww, a goodbye hug from a nice Brazillian girl just now.
*sniff*

ARRRRHA!

I love it! I just saw part of The Goonies for the first time since I watched films on Beta.

I've found my pirate root*!! And possibly why I like superman tshirts.

*Oh don't be disgusting, you know what I mean.


Getting into Wilkes-Barre for my flight tomorrow morning is proving difficult...

Fingerprints

Today the door of my old room was left open so I tip-toed in made sure it was empty, and looked at what we'd written under the top bunk. I saw

"EMMA FRANCES MEERA VICKI - WINTER 02-03"

among other things.


Then under the top bunk in the room Im in now I put:

"Vicki stayed here 12 days
in accordance with the prophecy
FEB 2006"

"stupid miki"

...as Eli would say.

Well lastnite I managed to get a ride into Hawley, find Fluff's Deli that sold the Shortline Bus tickets (which had moved in the past 3 years), found the bank to get my money out, back to the deli, bought my ticket, sat down to wait... then realised I didn't freaking pick up Mel's phone number when I left, so I walked to the corner diner, called the only number I knew by heart, got a sick-but-still-cute-with-glasses-on girl out to pick me up, and by the time I got back to Pocono House my bus to NY was leaving. FEH!

Luckily I got my money back for the ticket because 'Fluff' is a nice lady.

So lastnite was spent feeling stupid for forgetting the number and guilty for having to bum a ride out of central Hawley.
And sad because when I called Mel from here it made me miss her a hell of a lot that I couldn't make it. But she made me feel a lil better, as did the rest of her friends that the phone was passed to - the party turned into a 'let's drink to vicki' bash and they all joined in with a hearty Aussie Aussie Aussie which made me smile.

I spoke to her again tonite - damn I'm mad at myself. I really wanted to see her. Mel is the coolest American I know... Oh I am gonna get lynched now, I know it.

Before all this excitement I caught up with a guy Chris who used to work in the kitchen here with me, and we went to the Pines Tavern and had a few beers. One of lads, thats me. The bartender found my accent lovely, as did the bank teller in Hawley a little later in the evening, and each made me talk alot and repeat particular words.

I've been getting that alot lately :
After beer and hot wings and pizza - doing the US thang - Chris and I came back to Pocono where we promptly fell asleep. I'd had 2 pints and he'd had 3. Cadbury's.

Today I slept most of the day because I didn't sleep alot lastnite, as is increasing here... perhaps my bodyclock is adjusting prematurely?... and have been feeling a bit sick.
I woke up for dinner tho I had no appetite but knew I HAD to eat.
Then I called Mel again and told her my tummy hurt and was yucky.
She immediately asked "... did you eat the food at Woodloch??"

Mehehe, she worked in the kitchen too, she knows the score.

Hidecazu - one of the international boys here that I do not wish to kill, oh okay it's only that one girl I bitched about earlier that I want to slap silly - just came in and extended my 4 word Portguese vocabulary to 6 words! woot. Now I can say Hello, How are you?, Thankyou, Goodnight and now Good morning and... oh dear I've already forgotten Good Afternoon.
Okay, make that 5 words.

I also like him because he lets me borrow his guitar :)


P.S my mustard survived the footsteps, experiment completed:
snow-frozen mustard acquires the same gooey but firm quality of chewing gum... its actually quite icky.
One day I will be a scientist, and this knowledge will conquer world hunger or something.

Disney vs. Woodloch

This is the place Disney tries to be.
Mickey and his minions have this whole excellent guest service facade going on but Woodloch actually achieves it.

This place has character, not the kind in fluffy suits.
Although, they're here sometimes too :P

Disney is too huge and too mass-produced and too sterile to accomplish any real warmth. It's smack bang in the middle of a highly populated and tourist-based town in Florida.
Woodloch is one lakeside resort someone plunked in the middle of the woods, run by a single family, grown from little more than a bed and breakfast.

As much as I did and do love it at Disney, I - being the supporter of the underdog as I always am - think the success story here appeals to me more.

On the Disney stamp it says "The Happiest Place On Earth".
They try.
On the Woodloch stamp it says "A Tradition of Excellence & Warm Hospitality."
They succeed.

Or maybe I'm just still a small town girl at heart after all.

Good morning sunshine!

So today was a luverly day.

Tho I didn't sleep much lastnite I did read a little bit and shower and rest and doze til the rest of the household was up. Then I went outside in the sunshine, and tested out my new camera with pictures and clips of squirrels, deer, chipmunks, silly little birdies and me.

Most of today I spent in the winter sun; now and then wishing I had brought the goggles I bought in WI out with me.

It was so warm today the snow kept on melting, and I was able to walk around in jeans and a tshirt. I took photos in the same places my old photos were taken so I can compare the difference in both the snow-less land and in lil old me.

After walking home like the great white hunter - freezing at every sound and taking snaps of various critters - I slept for a little while, waking briefly when Mary dropped in on her way to work, til about 5:30 when I got ready and went out to dinner with Chuck and his wife at The Boat House - the restaurant in town that Woodloch also owns.

Tomorrow night I'm getting on the bus in Hawley to Port Authority, NY where Mel will pick me up; then there's a party at her house!
Then I'll stay with her til Sunday night on Staten Island, New York. If the Statue of Liberty is actually open this year, I'll go. I missed out last time and I was sad.

Back to Hawley PA Sunday night, then flying back to Orlando FL Monday morning.

In Orlando finish present-buying and park-visiting til the 23rd. Then to LAX > Sydney > Adelaide.

Saturday afternoon (Feb 25th) I arrive back home.
'Welcome' instructions have been given to various parties. I expect results.

=oO

Someone stepped on my Mustard experiment!!!!
And now the snow is melting cos today is warmer
*sniff*

Now I shall never know what snow-frozen mustard looks like!

Perhaps I should have cordoned it off...

In other news I made a snowman yesterday. He was my Valentine.
I made him melt, and today he's lost his head and is falling to pieces over me.
I think later I will go kick him in the heart and put him out of his misery.
I hate being a heartbreaker.

Aww II

So Woodloch, not wanting to see me cast out on the streets, is letting me stay in the old pad Pocono House til I fly back to Orlando on Monday - thanks guys xx

I had a backup bed & roof, but really really felt like I was imposing on them and had felt a bit uncomfortable about asking, but not having any alternative at the time, I had to swallow that.

But yay, I'm totally fine with paying rent for Pocono, I budgeted most if not all of my meagre Disney earnings to pay for accomodation if I needed to, so I'm cool if they're cool.

Well, of course I'm cool anyway. Hahaha.
And funny too, don't forget.

But also a bit sore and hurty so I'm going to lie down.
I don't know what it is about PA but I haven't had a decent sleep since I got here. I either sleep the whole night in hourly blocks with 5mins of awake time on the hour, or I sleep for about 4 solid hours and then wake up at some stupid time and can't drift off again.
How sucky.

Oh well, least I don't have to finish packing now :)

Aww!

Ok, guess what??
I just patted a deer.
A wild (kinda) deer.
I was feeding them and they let me pat them on the head and cheek, and one licked my hand.
I wish I had 3 hands; one to feed, one to pat and one to take better pictures of it all. All the photos I just took are kinda half a deer's head, part of my hand, a deer eye, a foot, etc etc.

But who cares? I just patted a deer!
:D

See what happens when you go outside to put mustard in the snow to see what it looks like when it comes out frozen? You find deer.

They are so much friendlier than the ones that were here last time. I guess we spoiled them. I know they got to polish off the remains of the box of christmas cookies we had til mid-Jan. I wonder if the big one I petted was one of the little sprogs I made friends with last time?

Hmm :) That was lovely.

P.S I shall check on my mustard in an hour.

Happy Valentines' Day

I'm doing laundry and watching Martha Stewart make cookies.
Romantic, ain't I?

It's kinda like I never left. Weird huh?
My feet remember their way around everywhere.
And as for chocolate milk: If there was one thing I'd have ever remembered about this place it'd have been the deliciousness of the chocolate milk and how to acquire it.
But it's weird, a guest popped her head thru the door to ask something while I was in there catching up with people, and I straightened up and was about to say 'certainly, i'll just check on that for you' when I realise I didn't work there anymore.

Get this tho - I'm so an ex-Disney girl. I picked up a few pieces of rubbish and put them in the bin in the foyer. Then stood up and said 'what the hell did I just do??'

(Mehehehe 'rubbish', 'bin' and 'foyer' instead of 'garbage/trash', 'trash can' and 'lobby'.
I admit it; I wrote that just to throw my American fans off.)

It's been a long 3 months being surrounded by South Americans. I love them, but in moderation. And right at this moment there's a particularly annoying one in the common room with me hogging the phone THAT I GOT OFF MY CALL FOR HER cos she said she was only going to be five minutes, and OVER AN HOUR LATER she's still on it and being in general a pain, as she has since I met her. One of the others told me earlier she was crazy, I'd have to agree.
Poor Andrea, I've just spent the last 20mins or so online bitching about it to her. hehehehe

It is done!

New pictures up to my arrival at Andrea's house, are now up in the photos section. Some cutting of previous pics had to take place to create room, mostly fireworks. Sorry to all the pyro's out there.

In other news the blizzard missed us lastnight, but it sprinkled light glittery snowy goodness pretty steady all night... so from the looks of things out there I'm thinking thats about 2 inches and counting.
At first light I was out to capture the white sleek undistrubedness of it all when the plow came and wrecked it. I was mad.
However, today methinks may be a bit of a happy-snappy day.
After the rotten day I had yesterday I would like to lose myself in my art and the now for a while.

In other other news I discovered a renegade room-mate in the house. I met a tiny light brown white tummied fuzzy lil mouse lastnite. I shall call him... *thinking noises*... Nicholas.
Yes, that's a good name.

Things that made me happy today

Watching Farscape - mmm Gigi Edgley and Claudia Black

Seeing Mary for a little while this afternoon

Catching snowflakes on my tongue

And this just in... I'm going to the Lodge to acquire chocolate milk in all its deliciousness

"Do I look 'abominable' to you? Why couldn't they call me The Adorable Snowman? Or The Agreeable Snowman?"

'Okay, rule number one out here:
Always... no... Never... go out in a blizzard!'
-The Abominable Snowman, Monsters Inc. (2002)

Yep a blizzard.
Evidently someone heard me complain about no snow and this weekend there are warnings galore for most of NY, NJ, and PA.

This area will get a few inches, but at the moment it's still 50-50 whether we get the brunt of the snowstorm expected Saturday night.

Meh, other than it killing any chance of maybe possibly going out somewhere - like The Internationals' Welcome Party that I've been invited to Saturday night (yeah great planning, guys) - or having visitors due to my lack of transport, I don't really mind too much.
I'll just stand outside and play in it all and take pictures until I'm some sort of meat popsicle.

It snowed a tiny bit this morning, enough to make tracks. Speaking of which, I wonder if that's the same lynx I was tracking here a few winters back.
Or the bear tracks I found... we had a bear that was fond of checking out what our bins contained. I never saw him but I was following his tracks one morning and was later found calling into the surrounding woods for the bear to come back and that I wanted to hug him.

Crazy Australians.
But 'charming' also, as I was called today.

I think I blushed. Katie's right, that's very girly...

Hello from Pocono!

The Pocono House at Woodloch is practically full - all 2 levels of it - and I have all these Brazillian and Peruvian names to try and remember, thanks to the sudden rush of 'new girl! let's all meet her!' I received this afternoon.

(I held back my urge to say 'well no actually YOU'RE the new girl :P hehehe)

I'm staying in the corner room... I forget which letter it was, and they now have numbers so I have no idea, but it was Mel's room - and so far it's only me.

As I suspected I received a luke warm welcome in the kitchen (except for Mariann who picked me up from Scranton airport, and Chuck whom I've not caught up with yet but who I hear talks about me all the time).

The front desk however, oh my god I forgot how many friends I made there.

Julie 'mum' Johansen and Maryann Clayton (our ski instructor) have both moved on, but Robin, Lynn and Jessica are still there and I got lots of hugs.

I also briefly caught up with Steve 'dad' Kisendahl. who also, after a few seconds passed and he recognised me, gave me a cuddle.

Teeheeheehee.

Randy and Elaine - they gave us breadcrumbs to follow back - were rather indifferent, but pleasant.

Woodloch and I have agreed to $20 a day for me to stay in the house until the 14th, which to my surprise includes food as well. That's good news but I feel a little awkward about it. Oh well, Im sure my hungry tummy will make me get over that quickly.

So yeah, compared to a hotel/motel/hostel like I'm used to staying in, that's a pretty good deal.

No snow... it's strange to actually see what the ground here looks like.

Welcome to Pennsylvania

Ok, i'm working on a slow connection and a lousy keyboard so bear with me.

I am sitting in the common room to The Pocono House! 3 years ago I was killing time like this in this exact same chair. It's weird. But it's such a nice weird feeling. I walked into Woodloch and sighed 'Im home again.'

Later today I'm going down to the grounds to
a) check out the place again
b) say hellooooo to people and receive hugs like i did upon arrival lastnite
c) make sure it's possible for me to stay here my whole stay in PA

I'm pleasantly surprised to report that I wasn't as forgotten here as I was ready to believe, tho alot of staff have left and a few still here I haven't spoken to yet and seen if there's a glimmer of instant recognition or not.

What boosted me was waiting at the Front Desk and a girl came in and I said her name, all ready to say who I was and from where she knew me. But she looked over, cried out oh my god and ran around to hug me. It was so so nice.

It's odd to be here during a warmer winter. Usually I'd have to fight thru snow to get in and out my front door. But that's okay, it means I can actually walk around the place :)

Hey,.... deers!

Hello Sun

Why am I up so early?
Cos I haven't gone to bed yet!

Muhahahaha just like at home!

Right now though I think I'm going to curl up on the couch and watch the Alice in Wonderland DVD I just put on. I haven't seen it in ages.
I'm really not too much of a huge fan of it; Alice's kitten Dina is the best thing about this film and she's only in it for a few minutes. :P

Meow.

Teehee, I'm such a child.

Random shot for you.

Apt 1802

Much cooler clothes than the Custodial costume.

Monty Python

...Just one of the dvds I've been watching here whilst vegging out at Andrea's pad.
I've been told a pitstop at the blog is long overdue, so here I am.
Personally though, I've been thinking no one deserves a post since no one has been leaving commenty pieces of goodness for me.

So just checking in with a brief update. Nothing much to report though really.
Our freak one-day snow is melting away - didn't get to make a snowangel or mini-snowman sorry - so it's not as fun to stomp about now as it was that night
(and Andrea can vouch for this, I did that alot).

I'm told it was cute, but I'm sure it was embarassing: everytime I got out the car, running around in circles stomping tracks and giggling like a girl.
Yes a girl! How horrific!

Katie has mentioned when I called her last that everytime I come back from the United States I'm more girly.
I'm not too sure why that is.

So anyway as I was saying, after two months of pretty much solidly working at Disney (not including my week off in which I was in immense immobile pain), I'm taking this chance to veg out.
Most of what I've been doing here is watching movies, chatting to you lovely folks online (timezones permitting), staying up and sleeping late, trudging in snow for a day, meeting Andrea's family (aw they're so cute) and friend(s), & drinking eating and being merry.

I was introduced to cheese curds (drops of cheese in batter deep fried) and do fear I may be addicted like my hosts. Tho I have been apt to say It's like chewing rubber, why is it so good??? with a mouthful.

On Wednesday I'm going to Pennsylvania to catch up with my Woodloch crew (I've had some of you ask: Woodloch Pines is where I worked last time I was here).
I'm still tryin to find a place to stay but at least have a backup place if all else fails (thanks to cute Pennsylvanian people who think I'm... well... amazing :P )

But yeah, the plan for the next couple days is... well it basically revolves around going out bowling and catching a film at the cinema.

Just hangin out in a laid back quiet cheesey Wisconsin mountainey town. The best kind.

Not a thing to do but talk to you. We're all alright, we're all alright. Hello Wisconsin!!

Just so you know II

Today I woke up and looked sleepily at the windows with the blinds drawn.

I noticed in the tiny gap between frame and blind I could see some sort of movement.
It was like a cloud of tiny white moths were flying past my window.

Suddenly I remembered where I was and leapt up and opened the blind.


I spent an unknown amount of time after that watching a million snowflakes dance for me.

The tiny specks of white flying madly at times, working hard to blanket the ground with their woolly icy quilt.
Other times fluttering unhurriedly to the earth without any care where they land, just happy to be blown this way and that, and to come to rest wherever the breeze may choose.

Then I looked at Andrea's book The Art of Amy Brown.

Then I watched the snow again and tried to find the sprites and faeries dancing in the flurries too.

I didn't find any, they were hiding well.

:)

Yay snow.

I guess I have to make that snowangel after all.

Just so you know

this was the sexy sexy outfit i had to wear at work.

that pose there is my 'yeah? don't mess with me, i'm a custodial and i'll beat you with my broom if i have to'

but what's with my beefy arms?

Doggy Bags

The piece of amusing information that Andrea is taking from my visit is that it's illegal to take doggy bags home from a restaurant.
Seriously, she's told everyone that like it's some amazing fact.

Speaking of Woodloch

Blast from the past...

Find the last 'blog' The Way To U.S.A from my first stay in the States in all its lameness here.

The navigation sucks and you'll have to live by your Back button a few times. And I knew nothing about html then so it kinda hurts alot. But I'm keeping it how it is so I don't forget from whence I came.

For my Woodloch crew

February 8th
depart: Madison, WI 11:15am
arrive: Wilkes-Barre, PA 4:15pm

Still arranging where I will stay, if all else fails I guess I can always stay in Woodloch itself as a guest. Sad that I still remember where everything is.
If it's cold enough I want to walk on the lake again :)

Thoughts on Miami

Ok, so thanks to the stupid $1 for 15mins online, I didn't go into huge detail on Miami.
Which is okay I guess cos there's not a whole heap to talk about. Another tourist town with too many cars and roads and people. Nice to visit, but my three or so days were plenty thanks.

On the Saturday I went on the Duck Tour and took random photos, including some of me (playing with my camera as usual) in a park by the beach. Actually some of those came out really good, the sexy beast that I am. :P

On Sunday I checked out of The Clay Hotel, stored my bags in their free storage room for the day and found my way back into Downtown Miami via public transport. From there, I found my way to the Greyhound Station and doublechecked I could board there (so as to avoid the stupid mess I had getting there re: having TWO stops called 'Miami', the more common of which is NOT the end of the line in Downtown).

On my walk back to find the public bus stop I saw the big top to Cirque Du Soleil's Verakai and saw people walking towards the door. I looked at my watch and thought what the hey, let's have a squizz.

Upon arriving I wasn't at all surprised to learn the show starting in 20mins was sold out, but stood in the standby line anyway waiting for a cancellation.

Whilst in the line a young man approached me and asked if I wanted one ticket.

How much?
The regular price (he showed me the ticket, it read $71.50 or something)
Sorry I don't have that on me
Oh
Not cash anyway, that's why I'm the counter
Oh ok (begins to walk away)
I only have like $41 cash on me sorry
Okay

A few moments later he returns..

I asked my mum and she said that's fine
("Your mum?" I think) Ok

We make the exchange and I meet him again (and his mum) in line, apparently her niece came down with the flu and couldnt make it. They were from Peru (yay!) and both turned out to be really sweet. I couldn't stop thanking them and she told me she was just happy the ticket could be used, especially since I told her this was my first time seeing Cirque.

Long story short, it was awesome. When I head back to Orlando before I fly out I am definately going to make an effort to see the La Nouba show.

Afterward I shook their hands (with the mum i got a hug too and a kiss on each cheek with made me giggle slightly) and thanked the again before finding my way back to South Beach, doing a spot of shopping at the spanish stalls (presents!) and collecting my luggage and back to Downtown.

All together the travelling to and fro cost me $4.50 on buses, rather than $35+ each way on taxi fare (as I spent on arrival, tho it being 9pm at the time I saw no safer alternative).
So I guess that kinda balances out my Verakai ticket - tho it was heavily discounted and so so worth it.

All said and done I won't really miss Miami. Parts of it were definately as I was forewarned: a dump. Sure there were nice parts, the ones you see on the postcards, but there were also the backstage areas to that facade. The alleys full of garbage and occasionally people. And more than once as I walked down the streets of Downtown to get to the station I stepped over various sleeping (i hope sleeping) bodies under scraps of blankets and newspaper.

The station itself smelt of... well I wont describe... and the smoke alarms were still beeping with flat batteries from a week ago and the guy who worked there... hmm let's stop there.

I took only a few pictures of the beaten up areas. I wanted to get some really political shots of these scenes, but deemed it a slightly risky practise to be standing on rundown corners taking photos with many crazy/desperate people around watching me - or both in many cases.

Despite my "I can take 'em" attitude, I felt that wouldn't be enough to fight off a dozen or more bums scrabbling for my camera, bags and person. Nice to know I have at least some level of common sense.

Meh, perhaps common sense had nothing to do with the fact that I came out of Miami unscathed.
Perhaps I'm just one lucky girl.

I was asked if that was were the old people all go to die.
I think that's just Florida in general, the warmer climate and all, most elderly folks go there when they retire.
In Miami in particular though, I don't think the whole dying part is neccessarily planned... but it happens anyway.

Not a nice town to stranded in without a cent, that's for sure.

Correction on SNOW

ok, yes, while there is snow here in La Crosse Wisconsin, it's not like knee deep stuff. Or even ankle deep.

It's more like week-old snow that's dotted about the place so that there's a patch or two of white on people's front lawn. That's about it. Also, I'm told that it's pretty warm here for this time of year, so the snow is slowly melting anyway.

Today I had the best sleep on my first real bed in.... damn, too long.

Even though I dreamt weird things and woke up once or twice thinking "Whoa, where the hell am I??", I soon told myself that it's okay, I havent been abducted by aliens. Instead I reminded myself that I was in dairyland Wisconsin in Andrea's guestroom :)

Today we vegged and watched movies and checked emails and watched TV and went to buy grog (Andrea bought a bottle of Red Knot from McLaren Vale, and I'm to try the Wisconsin wine she picked up also) and had dinner at the Olive Garden* and came back to indulge in Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, Vincent, Frankenweenie and Nightmare Before Christmas.

Right now the evening line-up of shows like Family Guy and Futurama has started on Adult Swim... why the network is called that I have no idea... so I guess I'm off to enjoy.



*good food, bad but somewhat amusing wait staff.