Step 1: Gain entry to the country.
Border guards do not seem particularly fond of YMCWRGLTEAFTMWNPNFs (young male canadians with rugged good looks trying to enter America for three months with no proof of necessary funds.)
How long will you be staying in America Sir?
I could have lied. Maybe I should have lied. But I feel like when you're trying to do something entirely legal (and you know dealing with customs officers) Its best to tell the truth.
3 months???!!! And how exactly do you intend on paying for your trip sir?
I have 50 bucks in my pocket and no proof of any other funds, it's all in the bank.
Border guard was not so impressed.
SO i got taken over to the suspicious characters area and had my bags searched. Luckily I had proof of three months of travel insurance on me. Apparently this was the only document that got me in and even then it's a good thing I didn't have any stains on my shirt.
On my way out I had to collect my bags from the suspicious characters area. The other border guard there was extremely impressed that I was being allowed through. He congratulated me, saying that people who get taken to the area I was in don't usually get let in to the states.
I felt a little badass being the last guy back on the bus.
Damn straight I got border trouble, I'm dangerous.
Today we set off to and arrived in Pittsburgh. The city is actually really nice! Very spread out. Except for downtown, the buildings are all fairly old and short. It's very, like, midurban (is that a word?). Hilly city, some great views. We're staying with Nick's cousin Lauren in a neighbourhood called shady side which she assures is not so shady. It's fairly close to the carnegie mellon and UPITT campus. UPITT had some beautiful buildings including this massive structure called something like "The cathedral of learning."
We had dinner at what is supposed to be one of the best sandwich shops in America, Primanti Bros . They pile a serving of fries and super peppery coleslaw onto all their sandwiches. Amazing.
Shout out to the third pseudo-member of our roadtrip who promises to call us every day. Mr. Akira Gillingham. The man killed his first med-exam today and has already reached local celebrity status in Albany. Atta boy.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Welcome to the Terrordome
Hey Friends, Welcome to Nick and Chris' Road Trip 2009 blog!
Were going to try to blog as much as possible throughout the trip to keep you all updated on our magical mystery tour. This is Nick at the moment, although Chris will be posting as well (Well make sure to let you guys know which one of us is posting for all of you who don't want to read Chris' excruciatingly awful posts. I know I won't be reading them).
Thanks to this sweet interactive map that I have adapted from Ron Jacobson's riveting South America blog (which I will be trying to live up to the whole trip), we will be able to keep you guys posted on exactly where we are and where we have been on the trip. Just to give a little preview, we will start out driving across the northern United States, then move up into Canada for a brief sojourn in Calgary and Vancouver, before heading back down the West Coast. Once we get down to San Diego, were going to head east across the South, then down into Florida, before coming back up the East Coast and finishing in New York on Thanksgiving (November 26 for all you Canadian followers).
Im ready to get this thing started already. After being unemployed all summer, I dont know if Ive ever been so restless in my whole life. Im literally chomping at the bit to get going and hit the open road.
Thats about it for now. At some point I will get into what this trip is really about for me and what im looking to see, but that can wait until were on the road and can better express these thoughts. Now ill just say that undertaking this journey has been a goal of mine for a long time, and what I really want to do is just see my country. What I am looking to find or what Id like to accomplish is still unknown to me. All I know is that I just want to hit the road and go where I go, see what I see. I will let the journey itself articulate my motives. Hopefully you'll stay on for the ride!
Keep it Real.
Nick
Were going to try to blog as much as possible throughout the trip to keep you all updated on our magical mystery tour. This is Nick at the moment, although Chris will be posting as well (Well make sure to let you guys know which one of us is posting for all of you who don't want to read Chris' excruciatingly awful posts. I know I won't be reading them).
Thanks to this sweet interactive map that I have adapted from Ron Jacobson's riveting South America blog (which I will be trying to live up to the whole trip), we will be able to keep you guys posted on exactly where we are and where we have been on the trip. Just to give a little preview, we will start out driving across the northern United States, then move up into Canada for a brief sojourn in Calgary and Vancouver, before heading back down the West Coast. Once we get down to San Diego, were going to head east across the South, then down into Florida, before coming back up the East Coast and finishing in New York on Thanksgiving (November 26 for all you Canadian followers).
Im ready to get this thing started already. After being unemployed all summer, I dont know if Ive ever been so restless in my whole life. Im literally chomping at the bit to get going and hit the open road.
Thats about it for now. At some point I will get into what this trip is really about for me and what im looking to see, but that can wait until were on the road and can better express these thoughts. Now ill just say that undertaking this journey has been a goal of mine for a long time, and what I really want to do is just see my country. What I am looking to find or what Id like to accomplish is still unknown to me. All I know is that I just want to hit the road and go where I go, see what I see. I will let the journey itself articulate my motives. Hopefully you'll stay on for the ride!
Keep it Real.
Nick
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