Float Trip 06/25/05

Hector came over our house yesterday and prepared some awesome pasta with great taste chicken. After dinner they hang around and chat while me em and mauricio went and took the rental car. We all went to bed around 2 am. Woke up about 5:30am this morning. Emir, Ahmed, Sara and Aymen came over about 5:45 and we only manage to leave the house about 6:15am. Went over Mallards to pickup Maria Rhumer, Anis and Boryana and we head 64/40 - 270 - 44. After 3 wrong turns (led by non other than Mr Speeding Ticket Emir S) we finally arrive at the campsite at about 9:55am. Apparently they took the same camping spot as the year before. Chad, Bulent, Simone, Lula, Riadh, Shady and Holly. We made a convoy of 3 cars to the boat office. After paying the boat rental and putting on loads of sunblock, our bus came and we were on our way up stream. Its pretty amazing cause its our first time riding on a school bus in US. They towed the boat to the back of the bus. Exit highway EE we head North on Highway 19 and took exit KK. Reach the drop off point....tooks loads of picture and we were on our wayyyy..... Me, Em and Mauricio shared a boat while the rest had 2 on each. After we all got on board i realise that the boat was not easy to handle. Easyly tip over and we were trying our best not to tip over. Maneuvering as not easy and we kept hitting the river banks. At certain point the river was to shallow and we had to push it. We had our first stop over after 30 mins. We stop at a sandy bank of the river and some of them went for a swim, sun bathing, little snack and ball game. As we were resting there were other people that we also boating. Some brought along their dog, stereo, their own tube or monkey floatee. Some even brought along their own, rubber boat with a mini engine.The sun was really shinning today and we are getting sun burn all over. Its was rather tiring rowing the boat and we manage to tip over the first time when we decided to pickup a sandal that we saw laying by the banks. Everything fell into the water and the whole boat was filled with water.We had to unload everything, leave the stuff on dry land, bring the whole aluminium boat up to clear all the water away,and load them back. All for a half broken sandal. At one point we tied 4 boats together. Bulent's boat was the safest because he had the stereo and all the beer. We came to one point where they tied a rope to a tree that has it branch grown out into the water. The have made "tarzan" swing out of it. Did it once but the had hurt real bad. We continue on after me and mauricio each had 1 attempt at the "tarzan" rope. Down the river...more crazy things people do...as 75 feet wall and people are diving from the top into the river....Then came the highlight of the day. One part of the river ,the left side of the river is shallow and the only way was to go on the right. But the river way was small so all the water. On the right side there is a huge log sticking out from the banks. We went straight towards the log and somehow the whole boat tip over. The water was rushing and soon everything was floating away. Apprently there were lots of people before us that had the same mishap. They were all ready by the banks waiting to catch our floating things. As we try to turn over the boat.....more boats came over and more people get tip over from the logs. More things to save. I had to save a drunk lady from drowning. She was heavyyyyy.....and drunk.She could not even stand and i had to step on the rocks with bare feet and face the rushing current while trying to hold her up. After saving the lady there were more boat and things heading our way from the "trap". I think we help like 7-8 boats and then we decided to save ourself and head on our way. After that it was another 1 hours of rowing and....i was so happy to see all the school bus parked at the river banks. We are finally there!!!....after nearly 5 hours or boating....we finally reached the campsite. It drizzle a little and Me, Em, Jus, Hector, Maria and Sara we left first on Justin van as we work tonite.

Sunny and wet day on float trip.....

Friday BBQ outing and Norton Farewell

After we promise Andrea Banana since last week and also we have long wanted to organise a BBq at the park...finally come the day we get to delivery our promise. I came home about 10 am after traded the nite for Sabina's wedding previous week. Went to bed at about 11am. The phone rang at 1pm. Its A.Banana!!!.....its time to bbq. While I continue my journey down dreamland Em prepare the stuff for BbQ. At about 1.3opm the bed started shaking. A. Banana was jumping on it and picture taking begins. We went to the St Peters City Hall park. In the beginning it was just the 4 of us...Me Em Mari and Andrea. Its really nice. Kinda lil family outing. Then Elma came and the family was bigger. More life now. We eat and joke and look at the pics in the p.c and listen to song. Me and Mari kick around. Then Vanessa, Alessandro and Walid came. Coincidently David Uy arrive at the same time. Introduction time.!!!! Then the BBQ party was alive!!! totally!!!......then Alessandro went to pickup his friend Mike who is from L.A who did a traineeship in Czech. Interesting guy. One of the few American that actually went for traineeship. We finish about 8.10pm (when it was still Bright!!) went home took and shower and we were on our way to Jamile/Noron place for the farewell party for Norton who is leaving to San Francisco and later back to Brazil. We went to the party at about 9.30pm and Shady, Min, Jamile, Norton...and the rest were all there.
The guys left for downtown about 10.30pm while we stayed on to chit chat, samba a little. Went home about 2am ...drunk.

Another great day for BBQ while a sad farewell for Mr Norton....

Sabina Wedding - day 2

We woke up about 830 am today. I was the first one to wake up today and woke up everyone for the "nice" breakfast today from the hotel. Went down only to be disappointed but the "deluxe breakfast" serve by the hotel. Orange juice, coffee, bread, muffin and waffle. After breakfast the guys played some pool while the girls chi chat a little then we hang out in the room while the rest went out to do last minutes shopping at Wal Mart. We all only started preparing about 12.30pm and by 1pm we panic and some how we were all out of the hotel at 1.15pm and we were on our way. North Sioux City which is located in South Dakota but if we drive 3 mins south we are in Iowa again but this morning we are going Neraska which is only about 30 mins drive. Kinda amaze with this hotel. Right infront of our hotel were already corn field. Although we sort of have the idea how small the town going to be but somehow we were not prepared for what we were about to experience. We pass by the town of Vermillion South Dakota which we were suppose to stay. Its really a small town but it has McD Burger King, Pizza Hut and thats it. Then we drove further about 15 mins towards the town of Newcastle in Nebraska. First impression was kinda scary in the begginning cause there wasn't anything but corn field all around the lil'town. There was a white color sign board greeting us "Welsome to the town of Newcastle" as we drive pass. The name Newcastle remind me of the city of Newcastle in England where the famous team Newcastle United is and this lil town is really far from that. As we drove into the town on th Anniee search for the St Peters church and somehow we miss it and we went straight to the Main st. Just 2 rows of shops and not all of them are open. i think there were like 3 bars and a sundry store. There were also a USPS post office at the end of the shops and a old bank building standing with the name "Bank" proudly at the front of the building. There was also a war veteran memorial situated next to a play ground. As we turn around back to Annie St and the St Peters church was located at the end of the st. Parked our car outside the church and the happiest couple of the day Sabin and Matt were standing there waiting for the arrival of their guest. Hugs and kisses and hangshakes everywhere. After a million pictures we head into the church to wait for other people to come. Sign the guest book and got ourself a copy of the program book and we were sitting on the left side of the church. When we arrive there were not many people in the church. After more pictures and video in the church and waited for about nearly and hour later the church were finally filled. I think that we over dressed for the occasion as I notice the the other people on the hall were either in t-shirt and jeans or short sleeve checkered shirt with tie while the women wore dresses. Then was the ceremony. The father that handle the ceremony was kinda funny and at one point the answered from the guest of how long was the ceremony by saying that he as using the short version and its would last about 1 hour but usually it would take about 3 -4 hours. We could see during the whole ceremony that Sabina and Matt the deeply in love and they were so happy. Sabina was smiling all the time. Matt shed tears when he took his vow. The whole ceremony was smoothly done. After the ceremony the newly wed couple move the front of the church while the guest line up and head out of the church to congratulate them and we were given each a stock of carnation flower. We form two rows outside the church forming a archway with the flowers as the couple walk out from the church. They head towars their "limo" made of a tow truck with benches and a tin cans hanging at the back with the sign "Just Married" at the back. After that everyone head to the common hall located next to the church. The food was not prepared yet so everyone took a drink at the bar while waiting for the food. As the newly wed made way into the hall everyone gave a standing ovation. They head to the cake cut the cake and head to the main table. After that was the sharing session where everyone of Matts brother gave a speeches. Sabina's mom to gave a speech in Romanian while Sabina translated for her. Lavinia spoke on behalf off all the trainee from MC. Then was the "makan" time.!!!...the food was good but its was kinda weird for a wedding occasion. Fried chicken, bun, coleslaw, french fries, corn and bake pork. After the dinner it was about 6pm and they made annoucement that the dinner and dance will be at 8pm while meanwhile we could hang around the area while people could go for mass at 7pm. We head outside and trying to decide where to go in a lil town of 3 street. Hmm...after a hard fought decision we decided to head towards a hill outside the town to the top of that hill for a overview of the area. After a few lost turn and we lost Alfredo while the rest of us ended up on the top of the hill. Cows and corn field were covered the whole area till the horizon and we couldnt see any town or building. We took some pictures and hang out a little to enjoy the breeze at the top of the hill. Then later we head back to town looking for someplace to wait for time to pass. Some of us decide to try to check out the few bars on the Main St but in the end we decided to save $ and head to the play ground. We played some basketball there while the girls hang out in the car. After that we did a few rounds around the town and ended up at the church. I slept in the car while some of them including Em went and mingle around a little with the people at the wedding. At about 8:15pm when its was still bright...Emir came and woke us up and we went into the hall again. At first we didnt really want to dance because the songs we kinda outdated. At some point we decided to take over the dance hall and Emir brought the Romanian dance song and brought Sabina's parents to the dance floor. After that were just dancing and taking pictures till about 11pm. At about 11.30pm we all decided to leave. Hugs, kisses, hang shaking and picture taking with Sabina and Matt were on our way back to the hotel slept about 2.30am.

Sabina's Wedding - Day One

Traded the working hours today to 1am so that can leave for Sabina wedding today. Came to work with Mauricio as he also trade his hours so that we can leave in the afternoon. After work went home and slept till about 1pm and left home with Mauricio to Thrifty to pickup the car. Mauricio register his name because he had CC and also he above 25. He took the minivan while i head to Eng's place because I left the cellphone at his place the nite before after collecting the video cam from his place. Met up with him and the rest at home. It was Me, Em, Mauricio, Maricel, Emir and Sara. We took I-70 and head West. We stop by at Wentsville and wait for Alfredo and Daniel with Ana and Lavinia. We went for Burger King while Emir went for Taco Bell. After the meal we decided to stop by Steak n Shake for some dessert while waiting for the 2nd car. After we bought the dessert we decided to go ahead. We met the guys along the highway. Emir was driving... so along the way we drove like 100 miles/hour and amazingly we manage to arrive at the Econo Lodge hotel without any ticket. It took us about 7 hours and 20min to arrive. Amine and Zuzana were already waiting at the hotel compound when we arrive as the reservation was under Maricel's name they could not check into the hotel. Me and Maricel went and took our keys and get into the room. Me, Em, Emir and Mauricio shared one room while Zuzana Amine Maricel and Sara Rmich and Daniel Ana, Alfredo and Lavinia.

Long and speedy drive in a minivan...........

East Coast Trip Day 3 Washington DC - NY

We woke up at 2.30am today took shower and return the key and were on our way to New York City. This trip would take us approx about 4 hours 20 min to reach New York. I drove this morning. We reach New Jersey about 6 am this morning and from the industrial area we could see the skyline of New York from here. We drove through the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River and came out at the Bronx area. We drove straight to Washington St where we try to look for the parking. We park our car and walk across the st the Battery Park where we are suppose to board the ferry ride to Statue of Liberty. There was a long line at the entry point because of security check. Statue of Liberty was actually made of copper instead of solid of concrete and its green in color because copper turn green from the sea breeze just like the other building in NY skyline. We walk one round the statue, took pictures, read about the history of the statue, bought some souviner and Dana and Ana bought some food and we were one our way back to the jetty to board the ferry back to NY. On the way back we stop by at Ellis Island. When we board at the jetty at Battery Park, we walk straight to the bronze bull statue located along broadway and wall st. Then it was the NYSE and Federal Hall where the Bill of Rights were written and George Washington was install as the first president of america. After that we walk to the Trinity Church and the 9-11 site. Then we walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. As usual the bridge has awesome view of the whole NYC. Rest a little in the middle of the bridge and then we head the the subway. We came out at Grand Central Station. Next was the United Nation building and then we walk all the way to Rockafaller Center amd 5th Avenue. Then we head towards the Central Park and met up with Karin. After a brief chat with Karin, she had to leave 10 min b4 5 as she had to work at 5pm meanwhile we went on our way to the Natural History Museum. We arrive at the museum at about 5.10 pm and we had only like 20 mins to see all the exhibit. We rush into the museum without paying ...hehehe....and rush to the 4th floor for the dino exhibit. Took loads or picture until the annoucement saying that the museum will be closing at 5.35pm. We took the subway to Columbus Circle..where Ana decided that she wanted to rest at the Starbuck Cafe. So Emily followed Ana into Starbuck to rest while me and Daniel continue on our little journey in NYC. Next was the Broadway, where we pass by the David Letterman Studio and continue on to the middle of Times Square. It was about 6pm when we arrive in the middle and there in the middle they were shooting the Ashley Jude sister's commmercial. We waited about 45 mins to see someone that we dont really know and we continue on down Broadway towards the Empire State building. We arrive at the Empire State building at about 7pm and tooks some pictures. We were about to walk to Madison Square Garden the ladies called us on the phone and we took the subway to meet them. We met up at the Starbuck Cafe we left them earlier, bought come coffee and we were on our way to hunt for dinner. After a really long search we somehow settled into a Japanese/Chinese restaurant near Times Square. After dinner we walk to Times Square to enjoy the lights there. The 3 of them got some coffee from Starbuck while I head to McD for nature call. After that we hang out a little at Times Square and took pictures and we took the subway later to our car park. Took our car, change a little and paid $36 for the parking fee and we were on our way back to Detroit. Its a 11 hours drive and this time I drove first. Took the Holland Tunnel again and this time we got lost. After long drive somehow we found our way back to the higway and we were on our way again. After 2 hours driving, we sitch driver and Daniel drove till about 4 am. We switch dirver again and I drove into Detroit and after a short stop at the gas station we return the car to Avis and we were on our back to the Metro Aiport to catch our plane back to St Louis.

Short drive to NY, Long day and long walk in NY to catch back all the photos and a long long drive back to Detroit...........awesome trip.

East Coast Trip - Day 2 Washington D.C

At about 4 am while we were all dead asleep in the car and somewhere in the middle of Penslyvannia, Daniel hit a tree that was lying in the middle of the highway. We stop at the side of the road and check the car. The mud guard of the car was broken but somehow after a few punch from Daniel and myself the car is working again. Daniel shared his experience that before he hit the tree he notice that there were lots of dead animal before hitting the tree..probably it was a warning for the tree or maybe there was a thunder storm. Then...Daniel continue to drive until about 2.30am then when we reach a gas station with a McD. Bought some breakfast and we were on our way again. This time I was driving. At about 5am nearly 6 am we enter the Washington DC area. Its amazing that people in DC really gets up early to get to work. There were already small small traffic jams along the way. We arrive at the about 6 am at the hotel. Motel 6 is located right next to the Andrew Airbase and there was a security check in order to get into the hotel area. We found out that our reservation was not in the hotel system and we had to make the hotel reservation again. But this time we only had to booked the hotel for one night. We check into the hotel...got our room....fall dead to sleep. ZZZZZ...
We woke up about 9 am . Wash up got ready for the day. We went a Greece maybe Itaian looking diner named Jiffy Place. Its really a family run diner with awesome food. Inside the diner it show off approval from all the air force service man...with poster of Blue Angles...pictures of planes. After breakfast, we drove to the capital. First insight was the Capitol building. Its was kinda rainning. Then its was the Congress library and the Supreme Court. Then its was FIB HQ, White house and Lincoln Memorial....we cross the river and head to Arlington Cemetry. Its a nice place and looks just like in the movie. We went to Kennedy cemetry and there was loads of students. Next we drove our car to Iwo Jima memorial and they had preparation for up coming event and there were soilder having their practice. Then we had down the highway and somehow come to the Pentagon. We were not allowed to stop or even take pictures here...but we took a drive at the car park went cross the river back to city center. Parked our car next to river and walkt to the Lincoln Memorial. Located next to it was the Korean War memorial, then we see the reflecting pool with the Washington Memorial at the other end. Then we went to the Lincoln Memorial...its was kinda raining. Then we had to Vietnam war Memorial and then we walk along the reflecting pool to the other end where the World War 2 memorial is located. Tooks loads of picture and right next to it is the Washington Memorail but it was closed. Then we walk to the White House. Its really an awesome building with no back or front door...at least that was what we got from the guy who was working at the White House visitor center. The white house visitor center was really interesting showing off everything from the history of the construction of the building to the people living in it...that presidents....and the people working in it. Then we walk down the st to the FBI HQ. At this point we can see poor Ana who is dead tired and Daniel was dragging him along. Then we cross the st and had to line up. The FIRST line in Was DC!!!!...but it was worth it. It was for the National Archive Museum. This is where the Declaration of Independence is kept. Also here was the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Its was long line in a dark room. After that we walk to the Capitol took pictures at the reflecting pool and walk to the Supreme Court and the Congress Library. Then we took cab and head back to our car. Took our car and drove to the T.Jefferson memorial. Along the way we stop by at George Mason memorial and then drove north to Georgetown. Apprently this is where it all started and Washington DC as actually a piece of farmland belongs to George Washington and he donated to the US gov to build the admin place for US. Kinda cool history. Then we drove back to our hotel. But some how along the way we got really lost in until about 930 and we just drop by at a Chinese Buffet place and eat like doggsss....hahahaha...but before we could finish we got "chased away" as the buffet place was closed. Then somehow find our way back to the hotel and clean up and went straight to bed.......zzzzzz..

Really cool building, tired legs with a rainy day...awesome experience at the capital of the world.

East Coast Trip - Day One N.Fall - Was D.C

We finish working this morning and we rush home in Maricel's car and pickup Mauricio. Left home at 7 am then rush to pickup Daniel and Ana K ar Mallard Landing and heads to the airport. When we arrive at about 7.45 am the airport the agent told us the the gate was suppose to be close but somehow they are not. He manage to check us in but the Daniel has a single big luggage that could not be consider a hand luggage. So we had to he had to check in and again the agent told us that it is not a guarantee that the luggage will arrive in Detroit in time. After checking in we had to rush through the security check and somehow arrive at the gate A3 10mins b4 plane takeoff. But Daniel were nowhere to be seen. He was stop detained at the security check becuase he accidentally brought his swiss army knife along and he had to surrender to the airport authority. We were the last one to board the plane. 1hour and 40 mins later we touch down at the Metro Airport in Detroit. Went straight to the rental car bus pickup area. Its rather impressive airport with internal train ride in the terminal itself!!!...NWA is a rich company..Actually the terminal that we came through was only for NWA alone. They even have a nice indicator board for the train that has only 3 station. So....we went on a Avis bus arrive at the Avis rental car office while on the way there I was searching for the Alamo rental car company. It was a backup plan just in case Avis dont accept Debit cards. Somehow lady at Avis bought the idea and took my debit card and everything went well and we were on our way to Niagara Falls on our new 5k mile Hyundai Accent. We head south on I 275 join I-75 join I-80/90 till we reach Buffalo / Niagara Falls. As we reach the city of Buffalo, notice that there is lots bridges around this city and lots of tol to pay too. We can see the mist from the falls from far and we can tell we were near when we saw the tower restaurant on the Canadian side of N.Falls. We arrive around 5.30pm and we found out the last boat for Maiden of the Mist just left. We were late!!...arghhh. Parked our car and walk on the N. Falls park towards the river. Its was a awesome view. The current of the river was strong and lots of rapids. At this point we start the crazy picture taking session. We walk along the river banks till the edge where the American and Bridal Veil is located. We were able to stand right next to American falls and could see "our" last Maiden of the Mist boat leaving the port 175 feet below. Then we walk across the river to Goat Island we see Bridal Veil falls. Then we bought our ticket, put on our little yellow poncho and free N.Falls sandals and heads towards Cave of the Winds and took a elevator and went down 175 feet. At the bottom,we had our short safety briefing surrouded by millions of sea gulls and after the briefing we walk towards the walkway right underneath the Bridal Veil falls. Amazing experience. Hurricane deck was the nearest we could get to the falls....actually if right where the whole water falls. Ana got her wish of a shower after a long drive from Detroit. After that we walkt towards the Horseshoe Falls which is the biggest among the 3 falls in N.Falls. Its really huge and we could really get a clear picture due to the mist that raise up from the amount of waters that fall from the H.Falls. We are amaze but the amount of water fall per/sec for falls. After a brief stop at the souviner store and "currymuncher" restaurant...we continue our 8 hour journey to Washington D.C.