So I have started uploading my photos on a picasa web page so people can view them with ease.
The url is http://picasaweb.google.com/JosephDShannon I have photos from Minnesota and Europe up so far. First New Zealand pics will be there soon.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Gateway to my New life
So I am here in the Auckland Central Backpacker’s (backpacker’s means hostel), which I have heard may be the largest hostel in Southern Hemisphere. It is huge, too huge really. Doesn’t feel like a hostel at all. Feels like somewhere between a hotel and a huge college dormitory. More importantly though I am here, in New Zealand, finally, and in general it is going great so far.
I arrived on Friday (after leaving on a Wednesday flight, weird) very early in the morning. I went through customs and had my stuff looked at by the impressively thorough New Zealand Bio-security. Mostly they were concerned with my shoes and tend and making sure they weren’t dirty and full of dangerous tid bits. I took a convenient shuttle to the city center and found my hostel and Ben waiting for me. We killed a bit of time walking around and then went to the orientation for our program.
The office was right nearby. We had a three hour orientation, much of which was very useful. They talked about logistical things like getting a tax number and a bank account as well travel related stuff. They offer a lot of free resources including mail forwarding so for the entire time I am here I can just have my mail sent to one address and they will forward it wherever I am. In general they seem excited about helping in anyway they can, then again just about everyone here is.
The rest of the day was spent doing logistical stuff like bank account, tax number, and getting a cell phone card. So I was pretty much good to go the day I arrived which is awesome. We cooked ourselves some cheese steaks back at the hostel. Pretty much every time we have cooked our meals have been looked on with envy from the many culinarily inept young people here.
Saturday was a great day. We did what is called the coast to coast walk. Auckland lies on an ismuth and they have a marked 16km walk that takes you from north coast at the city center to the south coast across town. It winds through major streets, little neighborhoods, up the tallest point in the city (an erstwhile volcano), and through a number of great parks. It was so much fun. Ben and I really got a great feel for the city that few probably do and were able to Auckland as more than just the entry point to the country. It is hard to explain but it really was a great experience. We took the bus back and cooked up some roasted bell pepper and portabella sandwiches.
Today in the morning I did some internet job hunting. More and more after talking to people and thinking about what we want, we are thinking about settling down in Wellington. We are going there tomorrow and staying with this women that Ben has been in contact with for 5 days-ish. I applied for 8 jobs in a varied number of fields. I’m open to just about anything, I just want to work.
This afternoon we went to local Ultimate pickup. It was great. The level of play was much higher then I expected and got me really excited about playing disc here. Also they heckle, which made me very happy (I was very disappointed that heckling wasn’t part of European Ultimate culture). Ultimate has many time served as a great way to get to know people in local communities, it is a great tool. We talked to them about what we were doing and most of them said that we would love Wellington. One guy, an American ex-pat working in Auckland told me I should send him my resume and he would forward it to some contacts he has down there, he seemed to think he might be able to help me out, so that is great.
It is amazing, after being here for 3 days it doesn’t feel like 8-11 months will be enough time. I am so excited and have a renewed sense of happiness and confidence with my decision. Most of all I have been struck by the genuine friendliness of the locals here. I had always heard it was the case, but it has been more then I expected. Everyone seems eager to help and interest in who we are and what we are doing. I am really looking forward to getting to know more of them.
So tomorrow is Wellington, and the next step in this adventure. Hopefully I will like it, find a job, find a flat, find a team, find a girlfriend and live happily ever after.
Kiwi Joey
Just finished: Metamorphosis- Kafka
Currently Reading: A Feast for Crows – Martin
Up Next: Streets of Loredo – McMurtry.
I arrived on Friday (after leaving on a Wednesday flight, weird) very early in the morning. I went through customs and had my stuff looked at by the impressively thorough New Zealand Bio-security. Mostly they were concerned with my shoes and tend and making sure they weren’t dirty and full of dangerous tid bits. I took a convenient shuttle to the city center and found my hostel and Ben waiting for me. We killed a bit of time walking around and then went to the orientation for our program.
The office was right nearby. We had a three hour orientation, much of which was very useful. They talked about logistical things like getting a tax number and a bank account as well travel related stuff. They offer a lot of free resources including mail forwarding so for the entire time I am here I can just have my mail sent to one address and they will forward it wherever I am. In general they seem excited about helping in anyway they can, then again just about everyone here is.
The rest of the day was spent doing logistical stuff like bank account, tax number, and getting a cell phone card. So I was pretty much good to go the day I arrived which is awesome. We cooked ourselves some cheese steaks back at the hostel. Pretty much every time we have cooked our meals have been looked on with envy from the many culinarily inept young people here.
Saturday was a great day. We did what is called the coast to coast walk. Auckland lies on an ismuth and they have a marked 16km walk that takes you from north coast at the city center to the south coast across town. It winds through major streets, little neighborhoods, up the tallest point in the city (an erstwhile volcano), and through a number of great parks. It was so much fun. Ben and I really got a great feel for the city that few probably do and were able to Auckland as more than just the entry point to the country. It is hard to explain but it really was a great experience. We took the bus back and cooked up some roasted bell pepper and portabella sandwiches.
Today in the morning I did some internet job hunting. More and more after talking to people and thinking about what we want, we are thinking about settling down in Wellington. We are going there tomorrow and staying with this women that Ben has been in contact with for 5 days-ish. I applied for 8 jobs in a varied number of fields. I’m open to just about anything, I just want to work.
This afternoon we went to local Ultimate pickup. It was great. The level of play was much higher then I expected and got me really excited about playing disc here. Also they heckle, which made me very happy (I was very disappointed that heckling wasn’t part of European Ultimate culture). Ultimate has many time served as a great way to get to know people in local communities, it is a great tool. We talked to them about what we were doing and most of them said that we would love Wellington. One guy, an American ex-pat working in Auckland told me I should send him my resume and he would forward it to some contacts he has down there, he seemed to think he might be able to help me out, so that is great.
It is amazing, after being here for 3 days it doesn’t feel like 8-11 months will be enough time. I am so excited and have a renewed sense of happiness and confidence with my decision. Most of all I have been struck by the genuine friendliness of the locals here. I had always heard it was the case, but it has been more then I expected. Everyone seems eager to help and interest in who we are and what we are doing. I am really looking forward to getting to know more of them.
So tomorrow is Wellington, and the next step in this adventure. Hopefully I will like it, find a job, find a flat, find a team, find a girlfriend and live happily ever after.
Kiwi Joey
Just finished: Metamorphosis- Kafka
Currently Reading: A Feast for Crows – Martin
Up Next: Streets of Loredo – McMurtry.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
whoo
So it has been a while. I have been in back in the US for a about 4 days. It seems like I am just in another endless stream of goodbyes; Hana, friends, parents, only Annie is left. I leave on the bus for LA in a couple hours. It has been nice to be back in town and see people but again sad goodbyes. I can't believe I am leaving tomorrow. This is probably craziest thing I have done. I don't know where I am living, or what I am doing. It is exciting and a bit scary.
I am fully packed now with a big backpack, medium backpack and small backpack. I can't believe how many shoes I am bringing; 6 pairs including those on my feet. Lucking I don't own too much so I am mostly just leaving my bikes behind, though I will miss them like old friends. Alright, I'm off.
Monday, September 15, 2008
woot
Carlsberg factory tour + practice with Ragnarok + going out for drinks (perhaps in the free city of Christiania) = great day
Sunday, September 14, 2008
København v. Praha
So I am now in my old stompin' grounds, K-town, Copenhagen. It feels weird to be back but it is nice. I miss this city. It got me comparing Prague and Copenhagen. These two cities alike in dignity. Both about the same size, both old capitals of old European nations of erstwhile great importance. Both beautiful in their own way. Still, in my opinion very different despite all these similarities.
I love Copenhagen. It is just such a nice place to be. Copenhagen to me epitomizes something very important to the Danes, coziness. With long, fairly dark winters, the Danes love to be cozy in their homes. This idea trickles down to a number of things and cozy is really the way I would describle Copenhagen, at least as cosmopolitan capital cities go. With a municipal pop. of 1/2 million and a metro pop. of a little over a million Copenhagen feels like a true city, but a managable one. It has a density that keeps it a managable size but there are very few large buildings. It's indvidual sectors and neighborhoods feel like large towns that you can really get to know, but the entire city is highly accesible wherever you are. It is a city where you can ride a bike almost anywhere due to it's size and status as one of the best if not the best bicycling cities in the world. In this regard I really prefer Copenhagen to Prague. Prague is surprisingly spread out in the metro area considering it's population. The suburbs feel very seperate from the city center and although nice enough lack much charm. Biking is difficult and unpopular due to long distances and lack of infrastructure though both cities have extensive, quick, and convenient mass transportation systems based on 'honor systems'.
The city center of CPH is fairly compact but incredibly vibrant. Although it was highly controvesial at the time the decision to turn a large portion of the city center into pedestrial walking streets has proved a great decision. It also helps make for a highly defined central area. The area is filled with people walking on a Saturday doing shopping (much is closed on Sundays due to some interesting legislation designed to support small businesses, this can be frustrating). Even at 3-5 am you can see loads of young people about (establishments are open much later here). There are beautiful squares, one of which has ice skating in the winter. I miss being here in December, the city center lights up with Christmas lights. Prague is very different is this regard. The city center feels much larger and has a few pedestrian only areas. However Pragues' endless meandering alleys and small streets make going through the city center an adventure and it lends itself to really discovering it for yourself. Prauge has a lot of it's large businesses mixed in as well which is why it larger whereas CPH is more strictly residential, retail, and food. I think CPH is the one I prefer but that may just be because I know it better.
Pragues buildings are undoubtably more beautiful. There is no better city to be lost in. Just walk around, look up and you are sorrounded by art. Strolling anywhere is a pleasure, it is a truly a city to be discovered on foot and it takes time, more than I have. With CPH on the other hand the buildings are far more well, Scandanavian; simple, attractice, functional. Think if Ikea had been making buildings for a couple hundred years. No eyesores and a few truly attractive buildings, but no comparison to the ubiquity of beauty to be found in Prague. Then again when all those beautiful buildings were being built in Prague, Denmark was as a local friend Søren said,' having a war with Sweden about every ten years', so what was the points. Instead the beauty to be found in CPH is when looking down not up. CPH has some of the most unique water settings of any city. It doesn't have a great river like London, Berlin, Prague or so many other cities. It isn't filled with Canals like Amsterdam. Instead it has a unique mix of some canals, harbors, ports, and man made water fortifications that I love. It is my favorite city to run in. Many of the canals are and harbors are filled with sailboats which gives the city a great maritime feel and the forifications make for some unique and beautiful waterfront settings.
As a tourist city I have to say Prague is probably better. There is simply more to do as a tourist and the city is truly more impressive to see for a few days. Plus there is the money thing. CPH is really, really expensive. Wages and prices are much higher (minimum wage is about 18 dollars/hour and a beer in most bars or restaraunts will set you back at least 7 dollars +) here which makes it a tough place to travel to and live coming from somewhere else. You can get a lot more bang for your buck in Prague with meals coming at half the price and beer at a genuine fraction (if you're paying for then 2 bucks for a pint your getting ripped off). If you could only visit one I would have to say Prague, especially on a budget. However Copenhagen doesn't have that tourist city feel that can get frustrating in Prague. If money wasn't an issue I would love to live in CPH again. It is just so damned pleasant.
As for what I have actually been doing. Mostly just seeing the city again and hanging out with some people I know. I went out until 6am last night. They party late here. It isn't really my thing but it is good for me to do now and then, remind myself I'm still young. I've got a couple more days here. Shep and I are going to go to the Carlsberg factory to take the tour and see some other stuff. Also I am practicing with my old ultimate team Ragnarok tomorrow which will be fun. Should serve to show me how bad I have gotten at disc.
Alright that is all for now. I am going to upload pictures soon, I promise, once I get back home. I will just backlog them into pertinent posts. Okay, I should get some shut eye now.
Jøey
I love Copenhagen. It is just such a nice place to be. Copenhagen to me epitomizes something very important to the Danes, coziness. With long, fairly dark winters, the Danes love to be cozy in their homes. This idea trickles down to a number of things and cozy is really the way I would describle Copenhagen, at least as cosmopolitan capital cities go. With a municipal pop. of 1/2 million and a metro pop. of a little over a million Copenhagen feels like a true city, but a managable one. It has a density that keeps it a managable size but there are very few large buildings. It's indvidual sectors and neighborhoods feel like large towns that you can really get to know, but the entire city is highly accesible wherever you are. It is a city where you can ride a bike almost anywhere due to it's size and status as one of the best if not the best bicycling cities in the world. In this regard I really prefer Copenhagen to Prague. Prague is surprisingly spread out in the metro area considering it's population. The suburbs feel very seperate from the city center and although nice enough lack much charm. Biking is difficult and unpopular due to long distances and lack of infrastructure though both cities have extensive, quick, and convenient mass transportation systems based on 'honor systems'.
The city center of CPH is fairly compact but incredibly vibrant. Although it was highly controvesial at the time the decision to turn a large portion of the city center into pedestrial walking streets has proved a great decision. It also helps make for a highly defined central area. The area is filled with people walking on a Saturday doing shopping (much is closed on Sundays due to some interesting legislation designed to support small businesses, this can be frustrating). Even at 3-5 am you can see loads of young people about (establishments are open much later here). There are beautiful squares, one of which has ice skating in the winter. I miss being here in December, the city center lights up with Christmas lights. Prague is very different is this regard. The city center feels much larger and has a few pedestrian only areas. However Pragues' endless meandering alleys and small streets make going through the city center an adventure and it lends itself to really discovering it for yourself. Prauge has a lot of it's large businesses mixed in as well which is why it larger whereas CPH is more strictly residential, retail, and food. I think CPH is the one I prefer but that may just be because I know it better.
Pragues buildings are undoubtably more beautiful. There is no better city to be lost in. Just walk around, look up and you are sorrounded by art. Strolling anywhere is a pleasure, it is a truly a city to be discovered on foot and it takes time, more than I have. With CPH on the other hand the buildings are far more well, Scandanavian; simple, attractice, functional. Think if Ikea had been making buildings for a couple hundred years. No eyesores and a few truly attractive buildings, but no comparison to the ubiquity of beauty to be found in Prague. Then again when all those beautiful buildings were being built in Prague, Denmark was as a local friend Søren said,' having a war with Sweden about every ten years', so what was the points. Instead the beauty to be found in CPH is when looking down not up. CPH has some of the most unique water settings of any city. It doesn't have a great river like London, Berlin, Prague or so many other cities. It isn't filled with Canals like Amsterdam. Instead it has a unique mix of some canals, harbors, ports, and man made water fortifications that I love. It is my favorite city to run in. Many of the canals are and harbors are filled with sailboats which gives the city a great maritime feel and the forifications make for some unique and beautiful waterfront settings.
As a tourist city I have to say Prague is probably better. There is simply more to do as a tourist and the city is truly more impressive to see for a few days. Plus there is the money thing. CPH is really, really expensive. Wages and prices are much higher (minimum wage is about 18 dollars/hour and a beer in most bars or restaraunts will set you back at least 7 dollars +) here which makes it a tough place to travel to and live coming from somewhere else. You can get a lot more bang for your buck in Prague with meals coming at half the price and beer at a genuine fraction (if you're paying for then 2 bucks for a pint your getting ripped off). If you could only visit one I would have to say Prague, especially on a budget. However Copenhagen doesn't have that tourist city feel that can get frustrating in Prague. If money wasn't an issue I would love to live in CPH again. It is just so damned pleasant.
As for what I have actually been doing. Mostly just seeing the city again and hanging out with some people I know. I went out until 6am last night. They party late here. It isn't really my thing but it is good for me to do now and then, remind myself I'm still young. I've got a couple more days here. Shep and I are going to go to the Carlsberg factory to take the tour and see some other stuff. Also I am practicing with my old ultimate team Ragnarok tomorrow which will be fun. Should serve to show me how bad I have gotten at disc.
Alright that is all for now. I am going to upload pictures soon, I promise, once I get back home. I will just backlog them into pertinent posts. Okay, I should get some shut eye now.
Jøey
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Confessions of a twenty something bum
I have stolen things at many points in my life and from many different sources.
I lie often, to everyone at least sometimes, though rarely about large things
I once allowed myself to become mildly involved with a girl who had a boyfriend who did not know about me. She said she was going to break up with him and did though. I have never cheated on anyone though.
I often flex in front of the mirror when no one is around
I have cheated in college on an exam.
I went through a period of my life when I was younger in which I virtually never brushed my teeth
I often have flashes of thought so upsetting to myself that I am embarrassed to have had them relating to all manor of terribly awful things. These pass almost instantly though.
There has been at least once where I would have caused a car accident if not for the quick action of another driver.
I've just skipped jury duty. Twice.
I have cheated, at least passively when competing against children
Ok, that feels good.
JDS
I lie often, to everyone at least sometimes, though rarely about large things
I once allowed myself to become mildly involved with a girl who had a boyfriend who did not know about me. She said she was going to break up with him and did though. I have never cheated on anyone though.
I often flex in front of the mirror when no one is around
I have cheated in college on an exam.
I went through a period of my life when I was younger in which I virtually never brushed my teeth
I often have flashes of thought so upsetting to myself that I am embarrassed to have had them relating to all manor of terribly awful things. These pass almost instantly though.
There has been at least once where I would have caused a car accident if not for the quick action of another driver.
I've just skipped jury duty. Twice.
I have cheated, at least passively when competing against children
Ok, that feels good.
JDS
CZ Republics's not so ugly stepsister
So I just got back from Slovakia, sometimes considered [certainly by many Czechs] as the ugly stepsister of CZ. We went to the Tatras mountains, the largest part of the Carpatian Mountains. One of Hana's friends from school has a cabin there. It was myself, Hana, Shep, and two of her friends. It was a really nice time. We spent two days hiking and one day just kind of relaxing not doing much. Both were nice as some of the hikes had some amazing views and some cool things to see, notably a crashed plane from the end of WWII. When I get home I will post some pictures, I haven't had my card readers so I haven't been able to so far. The hikes were long but had good changes of scenery. During the first day Shep and I spent so much time just talking and reminiscing about great times we have had that the girls made fun of us for talking so much. It is amazing how much I can enjoy just remembering some of the stuff we have been through over the last 5 years.
One night we went to some local natural mineral springs, it was pretty nice but a bit cold. While there we ran into the only local we would meet that spoke English the entire time. He was nice guy and overly generous with his alcohol, as it is I never turn down a free drink, so I partook a number of times. We went out to a pub that night and restaurant the next day. Things were stupid cheap. This is an inexpensive country and we were in an area that could be called a little touristy, but those tourists are mostly Slovaks, Poles and Czechs so things were cheap. We had an amazing meal for five that cost about 42 bucks with drinks and dessert.
All and all a really nice few days. It is nice to get outdoors a little while I am here and get away from the normal tourist path. Prague is amazing, but the one criticism I would have is just that there are so many tourists. I don't blame them, I am obviously one too, but it doesn't mean I can't be a bit annoyed. I will have further thoughts on Prague when I leave, I am showing Shep around tomorrow as I have a bit of a handle on the city now and Hana heads for CPH a day before we do.
Joey
Just Finished: The Tipping Point and Lonesome Dove
Currently Reading: Immortality By Milan Kundera [Czech Author]
Up Next: Crash by Jerry Spinnelli
One night we went to some local natural mineral springs, it was pretty nice but a bit cold. While there we ran into the only local we would meet that spoke English the entire time. He was nice guy and overly generous with his alcohol, as it is I never turn down a free drink, so I partook a number of times. We went out to a pub that night and restaurant the next day. Things were stupid cheap. This is an inexpensive country and we were in an area that could be called a little touristy, but those tourists are mostly Slovaks, Poles and Czechs so things were cheap. We had an amazing meal for five that cost about 42 bucks with drinks and dessert.
All and all a really nice few days. It is nice to get outdoors a little while I am here and get away from the normal tourist path. Prague is amazing, but the one criticism I would have is just that there are so many tourists. I don't blame them, I am obviously one too, but it doesn't mean I can't be a bit annoyed. I will have further thoughts on Prague when I leave, I am showing Shep around tomorrow as I have a bit of a handle on the city now and Hana heads for CPH a day before we do.
Joey
Just Finished: The Tipping Point and Lonesome Dove
Currently Reading: Immortality By Milan Kundera [Czech Author]
Up Next: Crash by Jerry Spinnelli
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Strollin'
Still in Prague with some exciting news. Shep has decided to come. After a little cajoling online this morning he brought a plane ticket. I guess that is what you get when you are impulsive, and have large quantities of expendable income and time like Shep. I'm pumped that he is coming. Today was cool. Mostly we did a lot of strolling. Prague is I think the best city I have ever been to for just walking around. Near the city center or old town going anywhere feels like an experience. Everything is so well preserved it feels like it can't quite be real. Cars look wildly out of place. The physical beauty of the city matched with outrageously ideal viewpoints is unrivaled in any city I have been to. It is truly amazing what avoiding a world war's worth of bombing can do for the aesthetic value of a city.
Hana has to work tomorrow so I am going to do some walking tours and put some of this into context. Once I get back home and have my card reader I will also finally upload some photos. I have been doing a good job keeping it on the cheap though I will probably spend some money the next couple days to see stuff. I am currently trying to secure couch surfing spots for CPH for Shep and I. Alright out for now, I haven't had a good nights sleep in days, hopefully I am adjusted.
Joey
Just Finished: A Short History of Nearly Everything
Currently Reading: The Tipping Point and Lonesome Dove
Up Next: New Zealand Guide
Hana has to work tomorrow so I am going to do some walking tours and put some of this into context. Once I get back home and have my card reader I will also finally upload some photos. I have been doing a good job keeping it on the cheap though I will probably spend some money the next couple days to see stuff. I am currently trying to secure couch surfing spots for CPH for Shep and I. Alright out for now, I haven't had a good nights sleep in days, hopefully I am adjusted.
Joey
Just Finished: A Short History of Nearly Everything
Currently Reading: The Tipping Point and Lonesome Dove
Up Next: New Zealand Guide
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Prague
In Prague
With Hana
Saw some stuff
Will see more
Saw Tereza
Going to Slovakia
Jet Lagged
Going to Sleep
With Hana
Saw some stuff
Will see more
Saw Tereza
Going to Slovakia
Jet Lagged
Going to Sleep
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