Los Angeles, CA: Adventuring...

Probably the best thing about adventuring is meeting new people, hearing their stories, and sharing an experience with them.  Yesterday our train was cancelled, and we had to wait around for a couple hours to catch the 7pm train.  Our phones were dying also, so we went on a search for outlets.  Amazingly, out of the entire Union Station, we found one working plug and someone else was already plugged into it.  So we shared the outlet with him.  We began talking, and then he introduced us to a friend he had made, when they both missed the same train, at 4pm and went on another search for outlets down the street while waiting for the 5:35p train, which was cancelled.  So we all hung out together, and ended up sitting on the train together.  Even connected with the rest of the cart on the way home.  Pretty awesome.

5k coming up!

Another 5k is coming up, and I have been training and able to do more than I have ever been able to do.  I am still not a fast runner, but coming from a place where I couldn't even run a lap, I am doing well.  I can now jog 2 miles without stopping, and theoretically 2.5/3.0 miles.

I went from jogging a very slow 15:22 min/mile, to 14:30 min/mile, to 13:55 min/mile, and  finally to 13:23 today.  Slowly going down.

Nervous and Excited!!!!!

Camp and New England: The people I met this summer

This was an amazing summer, and I met a ton of amazing people, and saw a large part of the country.  I will never forget my time with them, and I am confident we will see each other again.

The thing reinforced to me, was the fact that everyone has a story, and no one is all that they seem to be.  I saw American Ivy League students, pass judgement on those who did not speak fluent English, and stupidly assuming that they were less intelligent. In fact, they were probably the smartest ones at the camp.  A medical student, environmental engineer, Viola player (not sure what you call them), internal business student, ping pong champion, etc. Actually many East European students, who were hired as the "help" in USA camps for the summer, as reflected the same experiences...  The counselors, especially American counselors, kept away from them. Its a pity for them really.

I know this is common everywhere, but it never fails to astound me.

The stories of the locals that worked with and for the camp also captivated me.  No one talked much to them either, but they could care less really.  

I met people from all around Europe, and the East Coast... I was one of the only West Coast folk there.  There were some working at a school in Cali, but they are not natives.  It amazes me how different the East Coast is from the West Coast, and how the general culture can vary from town to town.  Even the accents change.

Also, and I say this with no intention to offend, but I have honestly never been around so many high upper-middle class, and upper class people in my life.  Ivy League Schools are such a far thought for those in my area, and boarding schools were some mythical place that kings and heirs to financial dynasties are sent away to.

Above all, I realized, that for living in such a large and diverse part of the USA, I really knew nothing of the world.  Small town mindset is not limited to small towns apparently.  There are people out there who honestly never struggled financially a day in their life... and there are a lot of them. Some people think eating Taco Bell, and making 'burritos' at home signifies that they embrace the Latino culture (they even asked me if I spoke Mexican).  There is also a whole other culture and way of living, that I haven't a clue about.  I still don't know what Squash is (not the food, but apparently a sport?).  I just found out what Lacrosse is... Rowing is not a big sport out here, etc. etc.

The 2013 Staff

Best people to travel with.  Ever.

Boston & NYC: Hostel living

This was the first time I have ever stayed in the hostel... and the first time I have heard of ones in the USA.  I honestly did not know we had them in the USA. You share space, shower space, and toilets, like a dorm.  So, if you have survived dorm life, you will do fine...

 The first hostel we stayed in was the Friend Street Hostel in downtown Boston... and personally, I enjoyed my stay, granted, it was a hostel.  It was air-conditioned, clean, had wifi, a common area, and about 50.00/per person, per night.

  

The hostel had a cute café next door, which offered hostelers complementary coffee and breakfast.  

It was, however, right next to some bars that got pretty rowdy... and loud. And... one of the nights we were there, there was stabbing right outside... heard the screaming, saw the bloody guy... popo came... all of the above.  Despite that, I would definitely come back.  

The second hostel we stayed in was the Whitehouse Hotel- New York Hostel, and the quality, in comparison, was, well, lacking.  It was a safe/cleaner place to stay.... at around 50.00 per night, per person, but did not have free wifi, was dirtier, not all the rooms had lights, no plugs in the room, and just as noisy.

But... I got to sing West Side Story on a Fire Escape.... so I was happy. 

New York City, NY

New York... I get now why they call it a concrete jungle.  I have never seen so many buildings before, in such a small space.  The lights are always on, like in Vegas, and the city constantly bustling. When we first arrived, we had to make our way from Manhattan to Flushing, Queens, and as we took the train, we watched the sun rise on an enormous city.  The buildings and rooftops go on for miles.... LA is enormous, but you don't feel dwarfed when standing in the middle of it.  In New York you do.  

From the rooftop.

Central Park

Niagara Falls, NY

I was able to see Niagara Falls!  I have always dreamed of seeing them one day, and now I can check it off of my bucketlist :)

Woodstock, NH

Day off, in between sessions.  

Went to Woodstock, NH, and slept right next to the river, most of the time.

Ate lunch at the beautiful Woodstock Inn.

The view of the river and cascade park.