My traveling to the State is 3 days away. I am going to visit some cities and universities in western USA. Seattle in Washington State, Portland, Eugene, and Medford in Oregon, Sacramento, San Francisco and LA in California, Las Vegas in Nevada will be my destination for 25 days.
Before my long journey, I am going to Downtown Vancouver to watch some occasions, parade in Granvile Island and fireworks at Burrad inlet to celebrate Canada Day.
It is Canada Day, July !st. I am in downtown Vancouver to watch some occasions to celebrate it. I saw a street performance of a hula-hooping on Granvile and Robson. Besides it, some street performers made an effort to cheer audience for some donation.
I am heading to Burrad Inlet to see extravaganza of pyrotechnics. On my way the place, I just stop by Four Seasons Hotel in downtown to take a rest and am on facebook. It is a good hotel, lovely coffee smell. I am on second floor where is warmer than outside.
On July 3rd, At Vancouver station, I put my tired body on the bus to Seattle, WA, early in the mornimg. I met a good guy on the bus while coming to Seattle. He was on his way to join family party. He has family meeting every USA Independence Day. The party gives him to see his family and to enjoy food and drink. Due to conversation with him, my journey started with pleasure.
It's July 4th, USA Independence Day. I am in Seattle WA now. I went to University of Washington in the early morning with some survey questioanare because I am doing research e-learning. Around midday I headed to Seattle University. On Rerurning to Hotel, it was raining in the afternoon, which made me stay inside a hotel. I came here yesterday and am leaving for Medford Oregon, the last city to California. I just gonna stop by for a night not taking bus long time.
On July 5th, I met a Chinese girl who was standing on a busy street in Seattle to tell people about Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong. But her main intention is that she tried to make people realize Chinese government's campaign of brutal persecution against its practitioners, who have been detained, tortured and sent to forced labor camps. I talked about the issue with her about an hour. But I don't know what the true is.
On July 5th, I headed to Portland, OR. My bus was on the I5 southbound. Many cars to Seattle are back to back on I5 for it was the last day of the big holidays. July 5th was Independence Day observed.
On the bus I met an East Indian girl who lives in Portland for 4 years. We had a small chat about the city. I am going to stay for 2 nights 2 weeks later on my way to Vancouver. I have met many people around the world and had conversation about their interesting, which make me cheerful during tour and is one of my pleasures from my travel. Meeting people is always great for me to know what I haven’t realized and experienced.
Via Portland, I arrived at Medford in July 6th. 10 minutes prior to the city, the bus stopped by a service area for meal. The driver said that it was the best place to have some snack and meal before Sacramento CA, where is the final destination of the bus.
In Medford, it’s quite clear, no cloud, 100 degree high for today. The Greyhound staff at the station welcomed me. His first name is John, which in my last name. It is a small town, downtown of which is 500 m long. Cross the Freeway, there are several superstores like Sears, Safeway, and some electronics and furniture stores.
I am in a Starbucks and access the Internet to check mail and my flight schedule. I don't usually drink coffee, but I love its smell. It is in a superstore area, where is not busy for Tuesday morning. I'll find out a cafe to grab a snack for lunch. I'll heading to San Francisco this afternoon.
Medford make me tell many stories for a smaller town than others I have been. One strange thing here, there is a decent building just in front of the bus station. It is the library, which is brand new. It is 10 O'clock when I was gonna go inside it. But the door is closed. I could read the sign that sayd it opened midday to 6pm. One more thing that make me curious was just a few people got on and off the bus in downtown on rush hour in other cities. one more story, it has a huge fitness center in shopping area for people on the road. The gym das over 100 treadmill and other cadio facilities in a size of soccer field.
I couldn't understand three of them before I met a senior in the afternoon at a Starbucks. He said the town belongs to Jackson county in Oregon, where was a senior town. Many people who retired in California came here. Chief living expenses, low housing price, good nature they can enjoy, and many outdoor activities like fishing, golfing, and camping have captured many seniors from other cities.
In the afternoon, I could meet a librairan and talked about the library open time. She said it had difficuly rasing fund to run it longer. Logging industry used to be a maiin money making business. At the moment it has no industry. My curiosities on this city partly resolved.
I met a man named Ron, 10 year older than me, who introduced me a nice place I could take a hot water shower, hire a bed up to 10 days, and had breakfast and dinner for free. It was a church which provide homeless abd poor people with food, cozy sleep, and hot shower. He said if I stayed for 10 days, I would gain weight while him pointing his belly with a little bit smile. From his expression, I could read his naivety. He showed me the place he stay. There are over 50 people in the church. "They came from across the State", he said. They respect each other and keep abide by the rule of no achole and no drug. On the first floor, it has a smaaa adoration hall, on the second level, it has over 50 beds in an open space, bathroom. He urged me to stay with him. He emphasied all of staying me free. I couldn't ask him where he was gonna go after 10 days. I can not forget his facial expression mixed sad and smile. May Gog bless him.
In Medford, the last time I was about to leave the town, a guy handed over a chocolate bar and talked over me. I had to way my bus for two and a half an hour. I took it he had drinks a lot, which made me hard to understand him. His home is Phoenix, Arizona, he left his home and stay here for the time being. He travelled a lot and talked me about multi-culture, his wife from originally Spain, and complained about a bank taking his home. I felt he was very knowledgeable. Anyway Due to him, two hours of my waiting passed by quickly. The last time I got on the bus, he never stopping talking to me. His name was Ken.
During about three hours of layover in Sacramento, California, I quickly looked around the Capital building near the bus station, which is the number one worst and old building, the number 2 was Seattle’s. I couldn’t use the bathroom, so I walked around to find out the biggest building here. It was the Capital, just within 5 minutes walking distance. It’s 8 early in the morning, the Capital opened. Over 5 security staff welcomed me, I just went inside it through security scan to use the bathroom. After using the bathroom, I looked around for just 10 minutes, because I’m gonna stay here for 2 nights two weeks later, during which time I’ll come again. I asked the staff if it’s open during weekend, for my son and his friends who are taking summer courses in UC Berkeley. It opens 9-5 on weekend.
On July 7th, I arrived at Oakland station, from where I headed to UC Berkeley. I met my son and some students here, interviewed them about my research topics. The campus was not big, but, students had passion about their fields of study. I had dinner with my son on campus and headed to San Francisco on train called BART, which was convienent to go San Francisco, just taking 30 minutes. I got off Powell Station near my hotel.
On July 8th, I visited Waterfront, where many nice restaurants were attracting tourists. From here I could see Golden Bridge.
I met two Estonian students in San Francisco. They left early in June and are travelling North America till September. They showed me a book introducing her country. I was surprised by their English which are very excellent. They explained that that have learnt four or five language at their school.
On July 9th, I am on a beach of east of Golden Gate bridge. It’s cloudy, which makes me not to see it clearly. Many boys and girls are playing the beach and a park. I think they are joining their holiday program. In the afternoon, I visited University of San Francisco, which is by Golden Gate Park. There was a humongous cathedral, from which I could hear a pipe organ piano. I went inside it and sir here for a while to have rest. I headed to Civic Center. I could meet some actors getting rest with drinking coffee at Opera House. After conversation with them, I went inside the city library with many books and multimedia resources. The last place of the day was Chinatown, which had nothing particular compare to Chinatown in Vancouver. I think Chinatowns in cities I visited have same color, food, style, and products.
On July 10th, I had a good time with my son. We took a cable car from Powell to Fishermen’s wharf through Hyde St. There were many people in line, which made us wait out turn for about two hours. We had lunch at a restaurant and head to Pier 39, inside which many store and restaurants attracted tourists.
On July 11th, my son and I went to Yerba Buena Gardens, where music draws our attention. There was Jewish music festival. Many people were dancing with their hands holding to the music. We could enjoy the music for two hours
Now I am in Greyhound station in Oakland to go to Los Angeles. I have two hours to get on my bus, while waiting, I can post my journey on Facebook to let my friends to know my way. There are many people waiting their bus.
I had no reservation for accommodation for tonight. I had to spent time on finding hotel in visitor information center. I barely found a bed and breakfast near Korea town. Now it is time to get information on public transportation. Here Los Angeles has a convenient system called Metro. With a daypass ticket, I can take train and bus to go wherever I want to go. I just paid six dollars for it. After looking around downtown, I went to my B&B, 15 minutes driving distance from downtown. There were over 10 young people, from whom I could some tips on travelling in LA. A person recommended me to go to Santa Monica. I made it first thing tomorrow.
On July 13th, early in the morning I headed to Santa Monica, which has a wonderful beach. I have never seen a beach longer than it. Many people were enjoying summer on the beach. On my way LA, I visited UCLA, which had a beautiful campus. Buildings were going along with its environment. Just 15 minutes driving distance from UCLA, there is Beverley Hills. In the afternoon, I went to Long Beach by train. I took about one hour from downtown. Now I am sitting a chain in Greyhound Station to go to Las Vegas. I have one hour,, during which time I am wring my journey.
See you tomorrow in Las Vegas. Give me the best luck.
I have a dream, with which I am in Las Vegas to make it reality. Many people are sticking to their game machines and tables in many hotels and casinos. Before joining them, I made a membership card called B connected, with which I can start playing. I am spent two hours in Fremont Hotel and Casino in downtown. I reached my limit I set when I came here. My friend in Vancouver told me that I set my limit before I start the game. His limit is $60 a day. As for me it is $100. An old lady neat to me, she got a prize of $17,457. I could not stop here. But I accepted my friend's advice. It’s time to have dinner. Inside the hotel, there was a nice buffet restaurant, which has so many kinds of food, among them, I had steamed turkey with belly button mushrooms. So far so good. But, as for me, Las Vegas was Los Vegas. That's it.
Santa Monica, the first place I visited again after returning from Las Vegas. I wanted to see the beautiful beach, Palm trees, people who are enjoying the sunshine on the grass. During my travel, it is the best place I hope to come with my family. It’s half past six. Tourists like me and people who live here, all of them are spending their evening time here on the lovely park along the street.
I laid down on the grass too. Half an hour passed by quickly. I would not like to go inside the hotel. I have to take the last bus to go LA.
I decided to stay a hotel till midday because I was tired of consecutive travelling. I need to take some time to take a nap and do laundry. I got up 11am and had steamed oatmeal with stew mixed tomatoes, onions, and yellow peppers that I made last night for brunch. In the afternoon, I went to MacArthur Park, where many people are taking a stroll and lying down on the grass. I laid down on the grass and take a nap. At 7:30 I heard music from the other side. I found summer music festival the city prepared for its citizen till early September was being held. Today I could taste Mexican music. Every day you can enjoy music and dance from around the world. As you know America is multi-cultural society, which has harmonized each other. I think the power of USA comes from it.
In the evening, I talked with a man named Eric, who lives in LA for the time being. He studied industrial engineering at University of Florida. I studied it at my university. We talked about our major and school life 20 years ago. He is in search of his job now. I suggested him to come to Korea to teach English to university students.
On July 17th, it’s the last day of my staying in LA. I packed my bags in the morning and left the hotel in the afternoon. Before going to Sacramento, I stopped by a park in downtown call Pershing Square. I am sitting on the grass now and enjoying good weather, totally clear sky, not too hot with some breeze, which makes me sleepy.
I have two hours to take on my bus to go to State capital, Sacramento. I am in the greyhound bus station waiting my bus. I turned on the computer and am writing an account of my journey. It’s been 2 weeks since I left Vancouver. For another a week, my travel continues to Sacramento, Eugene, and Portland. I am going to cross the us and Canada border late July.. I feel like going Vancouver and get a big rest and sleep. I am expecting who I am gonna meet on my bus. See you tomorrow in Sacramento.
Do you remember? I said the other day greyhound bus station in Sacramento was terrible. Today, the city was totally different from the station. It's quite, peaceful, clean, well organized and designed. First of all, You never got lost here. The names of the street are alphabetic order and the ordinal numbers, very clear and simple. I stay in Sacramento Internation Hostel.
On July 19th, I got up early for it’s gonna be a busy day. After breakfast, I went out of hotel and bought a day pass bus ticket, 6$ worth. I headed to UC Davis, where is a hour driving distance west of Sacramento. Bus took I80 freeway to San Francisco. I got off the bus at student union building. There were many students who were attending summer program, which made me to get questionnaire easily. I took a campus tour for an hour. In the afternoon, I took a bus to go to California State University, which is located in east of Sacramento. It took nearly two hours from UC Davis. I look around library and headed to Department of Management.
On July 20th, I finished my staying in Sacramento with visiting Governor’s mansion and California State Capitol. In the morning, I headed to the mansion museum, which was white and antique style building. In the afternoon, I entered the capitol and I took the tour it offered for an hour. It has governor’s office, state senate, and assembly. There was a room called “This means War”. It has resources on America-Spain war on Philippine archipelago. California State had a key role in the war, based on which, It could develop. After winning the war against Spain, America had a war with Philippine because Spain ceded Philippine to USA. I think the war was a part of USA’s expansion policy over the world late 19 century. The problem is that its policy still continues to go now. I’m not sure whether this exhibit boasts its role in the war or regrets campaigning the war.
On July 21st, I happened to stay at a hostel run by a landlord, Mac, who is a leader of a music band with five members. He plays drum and practices with his members twice a week in a room annexed the hostel. In hostel, many people lives like a family and cook food to share with others. On the day I arrived, they cooked steamed rice, been stew, and tomato and egg fry for dinner. I shared food I prepared, too.
I’m in University of Oregon, which is like an green campus. It has many trees and spacious grass, which looks like a park. I met a student at Eugene bus station. She led me to her university and introduced the campus. After looking around the campus, I visit Business School located in Mackenzie Hall. It has decent lecture rooms with electronic facilities and top-notch computer center. Summer school programs are going at the moment. I can see many students taking their courses in their lecture rooms.
On July 22nd, I did yoga with guests in the backyard of the hostel after dinner. Yoga instructor, who actually taught first time ever, explained yoga postures and the others and me followed his instruction. Yoga made me relax and keep calm mentally and physically. I could get out of fatigue from three weeks journey. I could hold my body in the air with my two hands after yoga lecture. My long journey approaches the end. I’m gonna go Portland, the last place of my journey, where I’m gonna stay two nights and then go to Vancouver, BC.
On July 23rd, I am sitting in a Starbucks waiting my bus to go to Portland. As you know I do not like coffee, which makes me keep awake all the time. But I like smell softly spreading from coffee. It’s 10am, 59 degree (15 degree in Celsius), a little bit cold because of wind. It’s summer, but it’s not hot. It was 85 degree high (29 degree in Celsius). I think the city is good place for me to stay during summer because I don’t like hot and humid weather.
I arrived at the last place of my journey, Portland Oregon, which has a quite convenient public transportation system, light rail train called MAX. The best thing is that I can hop on and hop off whining fare free area, which covers most of downtown. The city welcomed me with playing a movie as part of Friday night movies at Pioneer Square. There are many people gathering with their friends and families. It’s 7:30 in the evening. I’m waiting the movie titled “Freeis Bueller’s Day Off”, 1986 movie. It’s a little bit bright to show the movie. Two singers with guitar are cheering people waiting the movie. They’re singing the song, which is quite familiar with me, Hotel California. I talked over young boys sitting next me about the song. They liked it, too. A telephone company, Cricket, sponsors popcorn as a promotion. All of people are putting popcorn into their mouth. So am I. I forget to check in my hotel. But I don’t want to miss a chance to enjoy the movie with Portland People. The music is continuing for an hour because it’s still bright.
On July 23rd, I happened to enjoy Oregon Brewers Festival. I could taste 18 kinds of local beer. I paid $20 for a plastic glass and 18 tokens. I could get a glass of beer with a token. Beers had different taste and flavors, bitter and lighter. It reminded me of Harbin Beer Festival in China. A year ago, I drank beers from around the world. I’m not a heavy drinker. I just enjoy the flavor of beer, especially bitter one.
I’m on the bus to Vancouver, which means my long journey is approaching the end. When I left Vancouver, I was a little bit worried about travelling alone. I’ve never cooked, made bed, done laundry till now. I have been totally dependent on my wife. It was a kind of experimental trip for me. I set the plan of trip to see if I could do what I’ve never done so far. Now I’m coming to Vancouver. I’m coming with courage and self-esteem that I can do it. I’m crossing the Canada and US border. I arrived in Vancouver safe and sound. My journey ended. (Yongjean, JUly 2010 - August 2010)
Before my long journey, I am going to Downtown Vancouver to watch some occasions, parade in Granvile Island and fireworks at Burrad inlet to celebrate Canada Day.
It is Canada Day, July !st. I am in downtown Vancouver to watch some occasions to celebrate it. I saw a street performance of a hula-hooping on Granvile and Robson. Besides it, some street performers made an effort to cheer audience for some donation.
I am heading to Burrad Inlet to see extravaganza of pyrotechnics. On my way the place, I just stop by Four Seasons Hotel in downtown to take a rest and am on facebook. It is a good hotel, lovely coffee smell. I am on second floor where is warmer than outside.
On July 3rd, At Vancouver station, I put my tired body on the bus to Seattle, WA, early in the mornimg. I met a good guy on the bus while coming to Seattle. He was on his way to join family party. He has family meeting every USA Independence Day. The party gives him to see his family and to enjoy food and drink. Due to conversation with him, my journey started with pleasure.
It's July 4th, USA Independence Day. I am in Seattle WA now. I went to University of Washington in the early morning with some survey questioanare because I am doing research e-learning. Around midday I headed to Seattle University. On Rerurning to Hotel, it was raining in the afternoon, which made me stay inside a hotel. I came here yesterday and am leaving for Medford Oregon, the last city to California. I just gonna stop by for a night not taking bus long time.
On July 5th, I met a Chinese girl who was standing on a busy street in Seattle to tell people about Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong. But her main intention is that she tried to make people realize Chinese government's campaign of brutal persecution against its practitioners, who have been detained, tortured and sent to forced labor camps. I talked about the issue with her about an hour. But I don't know what the true is.
On July 5th, I headed to Portland, OR. My bus was on the I5 southbound. Many cars to Seattle are back to back on I5 for it was the last day of the big holidays. July 5th was Independence Day observed.
On the bus I met an East Indian girl who lives in Portland for 4 years. We had a small chat about the city. I am going to stay for 2 nights 2 weeks later on my way to Vancouver. I have met many people around the world and had conversation about their interesting, which make me cheerful during tour and is one of my pleasures from my travel. Meeting people is always great for me to know what I haven’t realized and experienced.
Via Portland, I arrived at Medford in July 6th. 10 minutes prior to the city, the bus stopped by a service area for meal. The driver said that it was the best place to have some snack and meal before Sacramento CA, where is the final destination of the bus.
In Medford, it’s quite clear, no cloud, 100 degree high for today. The Greyhound staff at the station welcomed me. His first name is John, which in my last name. It is a small town, downtown of which is 500 m long. Cross the Freeway, there are several superstores like Sears, Safeway, and some electronics and furniture stores.
I am in a Starbucks and access the Internet to check mail and my flight schedule. I don't usually drink coffee, but I love its smell. It is in a superstore area, where is not busy for Tuesday morning. I'll find out a cafe to grab a snack for lunch. I'll heading to San Francisco this afternoon.
Medford make me tell many stories for a smaller town than others I have been. One strange thing here, there is a decent building just in front of the bus station. It is the library, which is brand new. It is 10 O'clock when I was gonna go inside it. But the door is closed. I could read the sign that sayd it opened midday to 6pm. One more thing that make me curious was just a few people got on and off the bus in downtown on rush hour in other cities. one more story, it has a huge fitness center in shopping area for people on the road. The gym das over 100 treadmill and other cadio facilities in a size of soccer field.
I couldn't understand three of them before I met a senior in the afternoon at a Starbucks. He said the town belongs to Jackson county in Oregon, where was a senior town. Many people who retired in California came here. Chief living expenses, low housing price, good nature they can enjoy, and many outdoor activities like fishing, golfing, and camping have captured many seniors from other cities.
In the afternoon, I could meet a librairan and talked about the library open time. She said it had difficuly rasing fund to run it longer. Logging industry used to be a maiin money making business. At the moment it has no industry. My curiosities on this city partly resolved.
I met a man named Ron, 10 year older than me, who introduced me a nice place I could take a hot water shower, hire a bed up to 10 days, and had breakfast and dinner for free. It was a church which provide homeless abd poor people with food, cozy sleep, and hot shower. He said if I stayed for 10 days, I would gain weight while him pointing his belly with a little bit smile. From his expression, I could read his naivety. He showed me the place he stay. There are over 50 people in the church. "They came from across the State", he said. They respect each other and keep abide by the rule of no achole and no drug. On the first floor, it has a smaaa adoration hall, on the second level, it has over 50 beds in an open space, bathroom. He urged me to stay with him. He emphasied all of staying me free. I couldn't ask him where he was gonna go after 10 days. I can not forget his facial expression mixed sad and smile. May Gog bless him.
In Medford, the last time I was about to leave the town, a guy handed over a chocolate bar and talked over me. I had to way my bus for two and a half an hour. I took it he had drinks a lot, which made me hard to understand him. His home is Phoenix, Arizona, he left his home and stay here for the time being. He travelled a lot and talked me about multi-culture, his wife from originally Spain, and complained about a bank taking his home. I felt he was very knowledgeable. Anyway Due to him, two hours of my waiting passed by quickly. The last time I got on the bus, he never stopping talking to me. His name was Ken.
During about three hours of layover in Sacramento, California, I quickly looked around the Capital building near the bus station, which is the number one worst and old building, the number 2 was Seattle’s. I couldn’t use the bathroom, so I walked around to find out the biggest building here. It was the Capital, just within 5 minutes walking distance. It’s 8 early in the morning, the Capital opened. Over 5 security staff welcomed me, I just went inside it through security scan to use the bathroom. After using the bathroom, I looked around for just 10 minutes, because I’m gonna stay here for 2 nights two weeks later, during which time I’ll come again. I asked the staff if it’s open during weekend, for my son and his friends who are taking summer courses in UC Berkeley. It opens 9-5 on weekend.
On July 7th, I arrived at Oakland station, from where I headed to UC Berkeley. I met my son and some students here, interviewed them about my research topics. The campus was not big, but, students had passion about their fields of study. I had dinner with my son on campus and headed to San Francisco on train called BART, which was convienent to go San Francisco, just taking 30 minutes. I got off Powell Station near my hotel.
On July 8th, I visited Waterfront, where many nice restaurants were attracting tourists. From here I could see Golden Bridge.
I met two Estonian students in San Francisco. They left early in June and are travelling North America till September. They showed me a book introducing her country. I was surprised by their English which are very excellent. They explained that that have learnt four or five language at their school.
On July 9th, I am on a beach of east of Golden Gate bridge. It’s cloudy, which makes me not to see it clearly. Many boys and girls are playing the beach and a park. I think they are joining their holiday program. In the afternoon, I visited University of San Francisco, which is by Golden Gate Park. There was a humongous cathedral, from which I could hear a pipe organ piano. I went inside it and sir here for a while to have rest. I headed to Civic Center. I could meet some actors getting rest with drinking coffee at Opera House. After conversation with them, I went inside the city library with many books and multimedia resources. The last place of the day was Chinatown, which had nothing particular compare to Chinatown in Vancouver. I think Chinatowns in cities I visited have same color, food, style, and products.
On July 10th, I had a good time with my son. We took a cable car from Powell to Fishermen’s wharf through Hyde St. There were many people in line, which made us wait out turn for about two hours. We had lunch at a restaurant and head to Pier 39, inside which many store and restaurants attracted tourists.
On July 11th, my son and I went to Yerba Buena Gardens, where music draws our attention. There was Jewish music festival. Many people were dancing with their hands holding to the music. We could enjoy the music for two hours
Now I am in Greyhound station in Oakland to go to Los Angeles. I have two hours to get on my bus, while waiting, I can post my journey on Facebook to let my friends to know my way. There are many people waiting their bus.
I had no reservation for accommodation for tonight. I had to spent time on finding hotel in visitor information center. I barely found a bed and breakfast near Korea town. Now it is time to get information on public transportation. Here Los Angeles has a convenient system called Metro. With a daypass ticket, I can take train and bus to go wherever I want to go. I just paid six dollars for it. After looking around downtown, I went to my B&B, 15 minutes driving distance from downtown. There were over 10 young people, from whom I could some tips on travelling in LA. A person recommended me to go to Santa Monica. I made it first thing tomorrow.
On July 13th, early in the morning I headed to Santa Monica, which has a wonderful beach. I have never seen a beach longer than it. Many people were enjoying summer on the beach. On my way LA, I visited UCLA, which had a beautiful campus. Buildings were going along with its environment. Just 15 minutes driving distance from UCLA, there is Beverley Hills. In the afternoon, I went to Long Beach by train. I took about one hour from downtown. Now I am sitting a chain in Greyhound Station to go to Las Vegas. I have one hour,, during which time I am wring my journey.
See you tomorrow in Las Vegas. Give me the best luck.
I have a dream, with which I am in Las Vegas to make it reality. Many people are sticking to their game machines and tables in many hotels and casinos. Before joining them, I made a membership card called B connected, with which I can start playing. I am spent two hours in Fremont Hotel and Casino in downtown. I reached my limit I set when I came here. My friend in Vancouver told me that I set my limit before I start the game. His limit is $60 a day. As for me it is $100. An old lady neat to me, she got a prize of $17,457. I could not stop here. But I accepted my friend's advice. It’s time to have dinner. Inside the hotel, there was a nice buffet restaurant, which has so many kinds of food, among them, I had steamed turkey with belly button mushrooms. So far so good. But, as for me, Las Vegas was Los Vegas. That's it.
Santa Monica, the first place I visited again after returning from Las Vegas. I wanted to see the beautiful beach, Palm trees, people who are enjoying the sunshine on the grass. During my travel, it is the best place I hope to come with my family. It’s half past six. Tourists like me and people who live here, all of them are spending their evening time here on the lovely park along the street.
I laid down on the grass too. Half an hour passed by quickly. I would not like to go inside the hotel. I have to take the last bus to go LA.
I decided to stay a hotel till midday because I was tired of consecutive travelling. I need to take some time to take a nap and do laundry. I got up 11am and had steamed oatmeal with stew mixed tomatoes, onions, and yellow peppers that I made last night for brunch. In the afternoon, I went to MacArthur Park, where many people are taking a stroll and lying down on the grass. I laid down on the grass and take a nap. At 7:30 I heard music from the other side. I found summer music festival the city prepared for its citizen till early September was being held. Today I could taste Mexican music. Every day you can enjoy music and dance from around the world. As you know America is multi-cultural society, which has harmonized each other. I think the power of USA comes from it.
In the evening, I talked with a man named Eric, who lives in LA for the time being. He studied industrial engineering at University of Florida. I studied it at my university. We talked about our major and school life 20 years ago. He is in search of his job now. I suggested him to come to Korea to teach English to university students.
On July 17th, it’s the last day of my staying in LA. I packed my bags in the morning and left the hotel in the afternoon. Before going to Sacramento, I stopped by a park in downtown call Pershing Square. I am sitting on the grass now and enjoying good weather, totally clear sky, not too hot with some breeze, which makes me sleepy.
I have two hours to take on my bus to go to State capital, Sacramento. I am in the greyhound bus station waiting my bus. I turned on the computer and am writing an account of my journey. It’s been 2 weeks since I left Vancouver. For another a week, my travel continues to Sacramento, Eugene, and Portland. I am going to cross the us and Canada border late July.. I feel like going Vancouver and get a big rest and sleep. I am expecting who I am gonna meet on my bus. See you tomorrow in Sacramento.
Do you remember? I said the other day greyhound bus station in Sacramento was terrible. Today, the city was totally different from the station. It's quite, peaceful, clean, well organized and designed. First of all, You never got lost here. The names of the street are alphabetic order and the ordinal numbers, very clear and simple. I stay in Sacramento Internation Hostel.
On July 19th, I got up early for it’s gonna be a busy day. After breakfast, I went out of hotel and bought a day pass bus ticket, 6$ worth. I headed to UC Davis, where is a hour driving distance west of Sacramento. Bus took I80 freeway to San Francisco. I got off the bus at student union building. There were many students who were attending summer program, which made me to get questionnaire easily. I took a campus tour for an hour. In the afternoon, I took a bus to go to California State University, which is located in east of Sacramento. It took nearly two hours from UC Davis. I look around library and headed to Department of Management.
On July 20th, I finished my staying in Sacramento with visiting Governor’s mansion and California State Capitol. In the morning, I headed to the mansion museum, which was white and antique style building. In the afternoon, I entered the capitol and I took the tour it offered for an hour. It has governor’s office, state senate, and assembly. There was a room called “This means War”. It has resources on America-Spain war on Philippine archipelago. California State had a key role in the war, based on which, It could develop. After winning the war against Spain, America had a war with Philippine because Spain ceded Philippine to USA. I think the war was a part of USA’s expansion policy over the world late 19 century. The problem is that its policy still continues to go now. I’m not sure whether this exhibit boasts its role in the war or regrets campaigning the war.
On July 21st, I happened to stay at a hostel run by a landlord, Mac, who is a leader of a music band with five members. He plays drum and practices with his members twice a week in a room annexed the hostel. In hostel, many people lives like a family and cook food to share with others. On the day I arrived, they cooked steamed rice, been stew, and tomato and egg fry for dinner. I shared food I prepared, too.
I’m in University of Oregon, which is like an green campus. It has many trees and spacious grass, which looks like a park. I met a student at Eugene bus station. She led me to her university and introduced the campus. After looking around the campus, I visit Business School located in Mackenzie Hall. It has decent lecture rooms with electronic facilities and top-notch computer center. Summer school programs are going at the moment. I can see many students taking their courses in their lecture rooms.
On July 22nd, I did yoga with guests in the backyard of the hostel after dinner. Yoga instructor, who actually taught first time ever, explained yoga postures and the others and me followed his instruction. Yoga made me relax and keep calm mentally and physically. I could get out of fatigue from three weeks journey. I could hold my body in the air with my two hands after yoga lecture. My long journey approaches the end. I’m gonna go Portland, the last place of my journey, where I’m gonna stay two nights and then go to Vancouver, BC.
On July 23rd, I am sitting in a Starbucks waiting my bus to go to Portland. As you know I do not like coffee, which makes me keep awake all the time. But I like smell softly spreading from coffee. It’s 10am, 59 degree (15 degree in Celsius), a little bit cold because of wind. It’s summer, but it’s not hot. It was 85 degree high (29 degree in Celsius). I think the city is good place for me to stay during summer because I don’t like hot and humid weather.
I arrived at the last place of my journey, Portland Oregon, which has a quite convenient public transportation system, light rail train called MAX. The best thing is that I can hop on and hop off whining fare free area, which covers most of downtown. The city welcomed me with playing a movie as part of Friday night movies at Pioneer Square. There are many people gathering with their friends and families. It’s 7:30 in the evening. I’m waiting the movie titled “Freeis Bueller’s Day Off”, 1986 movie. It’s a little bit bright to show the movie. Two singers with guitar are cheering people waiting the movie. They’re singing the song, which is quite familiar with me, Hotel California. I talked over young boys sitting next me about the song. They liked it, too. A telephone company, Cricket, sponsors popcorn as a promotion. All of people are putting popcorn into their mouth. So am I. I forget to check in my hotel. But I don’t want to miss a chance to enjoy the movie with Portland People. The music is continuing for an hour because it’s still bright.
On July 23rd, I happened to enjoy Oregon Brewers Festival. I could taste 18 kinds of local beer. I paid $20 for a plastic glass and 18 tokens. I could get a glass of beer with a token. Beers had different taste and flavors, bitter and lighter. It reminded me of Harbin Beer Festival in China. A year ago, I drank beers from around the world. I’m not a heavy drinker. I just enjoy the flavor of beer, especially bitter one.
I’m on the bus to Vancouver, which means my long journey is approaching the end. When I left Vancouver, I was a little bit worried about travelling alone. I’ve never cooked, made bed, done laundry till now. I have been totally dependent on my wife. It was a kind of experimental trip for me. I set the plan of trip to see if I could do what I’ve never done so far. Now I’m coming to Vancouver. I’m coming with courage and self-esteem that I can do it. I’m crossing the Canada and US border. I arrived in Vancouver safe and sound. My journey ended. (Yongjean, JUly 2010 - August 2010)
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