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no more updates for here.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
iTravel
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Hopefully this was worth the wait.
I am still filling in details, but at least the places are in.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
lack of photos explained...
Ok, so lately you may have noticed the especially long gap of photos being loaded.
This is due to the fact that my macbook has run out of space for any more photos.
Meaning that the photos are still on the camera's card, which currently holds more room than i have free space.
Risky situation.
I am in the process of acquiring more storage, but until then go visit Sondre's online gallery. He has more photos since Easter, and he gives you another persons view of here.
http://gallery.mac.com/sondreskarsten
This is due to the fact that my macbook has run out of space for any more photos.
Meaning that the photos are still on the camera's card, which currently holds more room than i have free space.
Risky situation.
I am in the process of acquiring more storage, but until then go visit Sondre's online gallery. He has more photos since Easter, and he gives you another persons view of here.
http://gallery.mac.com/sondreskarsten
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Day 4 in Panama - By Alexis Lanza
Thursday in Panama...
had to make up for the very inactive wed. After being cooped up in the hotel for an entire day, we decided to catch that boat to the beach. Jono was excited about the idea of a boat to an island, and so was Kari. I... just hoped I’d be able to walk. Even though the doctor had recommended that I try not to use my foot for the remaining two days, Jono and Kari were not giving me much of a choice.
It was our last day in Panama thus we had to pack our bags. Luckily, the hotel had agreed to hold our baggage even after we had checked out, so we would not have to worry about dragging them around all day. We all awoke at 9am that morning. It took a while to actually drag ourselves out of bed and get dressed, but we managed I’d say.
By the time we caught a taxi to the boat docks, it was 10 am. Kari caught the line as Jono and I sat near the refreshments area waiting, it was a bit hot, but we weren’t complaining. Before long we heard the line sigh and realized that they were sold out. We weren’t getting to the island. Refusing to let our day be a waste, we quickly chatted up a taxi man and asked about other possible attractions in Panama. He suggested we go see the actual canal. $8 an hour....
We are bargaining experts now!
Eventually got a taxi to take us to the canal for $6. Once there, we bought entrance tickets and walked around the museum that was inside. We even got to see a short movie in a little theater about the canal. VIP’s only, yes a whole mini theater with just the three of us, and maybe 4 other people. After we watched the “movie” we made our way up to the fourth floor and watched the canal in work. Jono recored it all with his new camera, so I’m sure that shall make it even more interesting.
Having done all we could do and see at the canal, we then caught another taxi to the bus terminal. Kari and Jono had decided that they wanted to see the real Panama, the real city, so to do so, we would all catch a random bus and ride it around the city. Sounded like a nifty plan to me, but this meant some adjustments to the bandaged ankle I limped around with. Jono was kind enough to document this with his camera as well... much to my disapproval I might say.
Yes, so all 3 of us boarded a random bus and set off. It took about 30 min before we got to some other destination. Yes it was yet another shopping centre. Kari suggested we go buy some snacks for the trip back, so we did. Coco Milk, biscuits, crackers, high lighters, an ice tea. Yes, this trip was certainly verging on rivaling “Super Size Me” and you know what, it’s not to say we didn’t enjoy it. Not too long after, we caught another bus back to the city.
Once there, we explored our hotel’s neighborhood and shops in search of an alarm clock for me and .... well whatever else we could find that would be interesting. The key was to find an alarm clock that would ring loud or annoyingly enough to work. By 6:10pm we were back at the hotel to pick up our bags and head over to the bus station.
Albrook Mall, I believe it’s called, is across from the bus station, so we were going to go watch a movie in order to kill time because the bus didn’t leave until 11 pm.
Quickly finding the movie theater, we were forced to settle on our second choice movie, 10,000 B.C. There is so much to say about that movie, but anyhow. We bought our tickets for the 7:40 showing, and the cool staff at the theater agreed to hold our bags for us until after the movie.
Lots of time to kill before the movie, I suggested we go into the arcade. There was some discussion about wether or not playing arcade games vrs gambling at a casino was worse or not seeing as how in one you might actually regain some money and in the other... well, you don’t. I think we unanimously decided that arcade games enhanced some .. random skill, but I can’t recall which.
After the arcade, we bought movie snacks and went to watch our movie. The movie was....
Okay, let me quote some of our reactions instead: “ha.. ha ... ha... wait are they serious?”
“Can we go into another theater?”, “This is so.... corny”
Now some random, though probably not entirely correct, lines from the movie: “That star represents the feelings in my heart for you”, “Your father was a great man”, “She may not have been there, but her spirt never left their side.”
We left the theater after, got our bags back, changed into warmer bus clothes, and set off for the bus station. Jono wanted postcards, but it was already late and all the shops seemed to have been closed. He and I walked around for a bit in search, but it was pretty clear we weren’t going to find any. We hoped instead to snag some at the Border when we stopped at dawn.
Yup, so at about 10:45 pm we boarded the bus, got reassigned to new seats in the middle of the bus, and were off.
3ish am. Jono seemed to be unhappily sandwiched between his and the person in front of him’s seat. Kari, sitting next to me, was freezing, and I... gave up sleeping. Grabbing the toilet paper in my bag, I handed it to kari and showed her how Jono and I had stuffed up the AC vents on the trip to Panama. A while later, Jono and I traded seats so he could actually “move.” I was just fine in the seat he was in because it felt warmer, but maybe that was the effect of the reclined chair in front that created a warm...nook?
Friday....
At sunrise we arrived at the border of Panama and Costa Rica, watched dogs sniff our bags, checked our passports, then continued our journey to San Jose. There, there were no busses running, so we caught a taxi back to school. It sucked going from paying $2 for a ride to $12. Alas, I guess this is Costa Rica for you. At about 3pm on friday afternoon (march 21st) we were back at school. Yeay?
had to make up for the very inactive wed. After being cooped up in the hotel for an entire day, we decided to catch that boat to the beach. Jono was excited about the idea of a boat to an island, and so was Kari. I... just hoped I’d be able to walk. Even though the doctor had recommended that I try not to use my foot for the remaining two days, Jono and Kari were not giving me much of a choice.
It was our last day in Panama thus we had to pack our bags. Luckily, the hotel had agreed to hold our baggage even after we had checked out, so we would not have to worry about dragging them around all day. We all awoke at 9am that morning. It took a while to actually drag ourselves out of bed and get dressed, but we managed I’d say.
By the time we caught a taxi to the boat docks, it was 10 am. Kari caught the line as Jono and I sat near the refreshments area waiting, it was a bit hot, but we weren’t complaining. Before long we heard the line sigh and realized that they were sold out. We weren’t getting to the island. Refusing to let our day be a waste, we quickly chatted up a taxi man and asked about other possible attractions in Panama. He suggested we go see the actual canal. $8 an hour....
We are bargaining experts now!
Eventually got a taxi to take us to the canal for $6. Once there, we bought entrance tickets and walked around the museum that was inside. We even got to see a short movie in a little theater about the canal. VIP’s only, yes a whole mini theater with just the three of us, and maybe 4 other people. After we watched the “movie” we made our way up to the fourth floor and watched the canal in work. Jono recored it all with his new camera, so I’m sure that shall make it even more interesting.
Having done all we could do and see at the canal, we then caught another taxi to the bus terminal. Kari and Jono had decided that they wanted to see the real Panama, the real city, so to do so, we would all catch a random bus and ride it around the city. Sounded like a nifty plan to me, but this meant some adjustments to the bandaged ankle I limped around with. Jono was kind enough to document this with his camera as well... much to my disapproval I might say.
Yes, so all 3 of us boarded a random bus and set off. It took about 30 min before we got to some other destination. Yes it was yet another shopping centre. Kari suggested we go buy some snacks for the trip back, so we did. Coco Milk, biscuits, crackers, high lighters, an ice tea. Yes, this trip was certainly verging on rivaling “Super Size Me” and you know what, it’s not to say we didn’t enjoy it. Not too long after, we caught another bus back to the city.
Once there, we explored our hotel’s neighborhood and shops in search of an alarm clock for me and .... well whatever else we could find that would be interesting. The key was to find an alarm clock that would ring loud or annoyingly enough to work. By 6:10pm we were back at the hotel to pick up our bags and head over to the bus station.
Albrook Mall, I believe it’s called, is across from the bus station, so we were going to go watch a movie in order to kill time because the bus didn’t leave until 11 pm.
Quickly finding the movie theater, we were forced to settle on our second choice movie, 10,000 B.C. There is so much to say about that movie, but anyhow. We bought our tickets for the 7:40 showing, and the cool staff at the theater agreed to hold our bags for us until after the movie.
Lots of time to kill before the movie, I suggested we go into the arcade. There was some discussion about wether or not playing arcade games vrs gambling at a casino was worse or not seeing as how in one you might actually regain some money and in the other... well, you don’t. I think we unanimously decided that arcade games enhanced some .. random skill, but I can’t recall which.
After the arcade, we bought movie snacks and went to watch our movie. The movie was....
Okay, let me quote some of our reactions instead: “ha.. ha ... ha... wait are they serious?”
“Can we go into another theater?”, “This is so.... corny”
Now some random, though probably not entirely correct, lines from the movie: “That star represents the feelings in my heart for you”, “Your father was a great man”, “She may not have been there, but her spirt never left their side.”
We left the theater after, got our bags back, changed into warmer bus clothes, and set off for the bus station. Jono wanted postcards, but it was already late and all the shops seemed to have been closed. He and I walked around for a bit in search, but it was pretty clear we weren’t going to find any. We hoped instead to snag some at the Border when we stopped at dawn.
Yup, so at about 10:45 pm we boarded the bus, got reassigned to new seats in the middle of the bus, and were off.
3ish am. Jono seemed to be unhappily sandwiched between his and the person in front of him’s seat. Kari, sitting next to me, was freezing, and I... gave up sleeping. Grabbing the toilet paper in my bag, I handed it to kari and showed her how Jono and I had stuffed up the AC vents on the trip to Panama. A while later, Jono and I traded seats so he could actually “move.” I was just fine in the seat he was in because it felt warmer, but maybe that was the effect of the reclined chair in front that created a warm...nook?
Friday....
At sunrise we arrived at the border of Panama and Costa Rica, watched dogs sniff our bags, checked our passports, then continued our journey to San Jose. There, there were no busses running, so we caught a taxi back to school. It sucked going from paying $2 for a ride to $12. Alas, I guess this is Costa Rica for you. At about 3pm on friday afternoon (march 21st) we were back at school. Yeay?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Day 3 in Panama - By Karina Fernanda Rodriguez
Well... after the whole adventure in the hospital last night -"bandaging" Lex's feet-, the plan for wednesday was uncertain. Proposals of going to Taboga (an island), or to see the "aquarium-shark" place where around. But at 11 a.m. and each one of us in bed still, it was ovbious that we were not going anywere at that moment.
Personally, my only concern was to find a drugstor to buy some medicines for Lex's feet. And food, of course. Every single day, some different kind of fries were part of our unhealthy diet. Today, no plans and hurted feet included, we were going to follow the tradition.
Finally, after 30 minutes more or less, I got ready to go hunting a Mannak... hmm, no, inside joke xD. Took monney, took recetas (receaipts) and went to adventure by myself, through Panama City. As soon as I got out, i noticed the "excess of clouds". i claimed for my umbrella by telephone, and a direct delivery from Alexis (throwing it from he 4th flour's window) was the answer.
To the adventure! I love walking around the city. Specifically, downtown, surrounded by the hectic movement of a weekday. Panama City was in that mood. I followed the way I remembered of last night to find a drugstore. But after 7 minutes and more, I could not stand it anymore. I went to some unknown street. I found a drugstore, I got the medicines, I went out, the rain started. Opening the umbrella, I was surprised by the discover: I was in the main point of an encounter of important-colonial buildings, mixed with a modern touch of reovery and people rushing around - running away from rain.
"Now what?". Easy: find a McDonald's!. Alexis was kind of... tired, let's say, of so much junk food. But neither Jono nor me were. "What do you want to eat, guys?" I asked before leaving. "McDonald's?" I said, hoping to receive a positive answer. A prototypical modern man (laying on bed, remote in hand, computer, no activity for the day) answered enthusiastically "yes! there's oe down the street. " Now my mission was to find a McDonald's.
On that search, I ended up in the other side of the city, literally. I found an interenet cafe, talked to my mom, checked mails, checked McDonald's adress in the city. Ha, a block and a half from our hotel. It was not a long way - only 10 or 12 blocks. But it started raining! And this guy that was woring in our hotel started following me! How could I get rid of him? He was just a boy, being nice (he was respectful) and I was the arrogant tourist who didn't want to play attention to him. What kind of social injustice woul I pretend to denounce if I was ignoring someone at a human level?. Hmmm, too much thinking, it was raining and I was scared. =) I rushed to the McDonald's, ordere three sets of cheeseburgers+coke+fries and came back, grabbing the bags as a mother protects a baby of getting wet under the rain.
I got back exactly in the moment in which Alexis wanted to take a shower -muahaha-. We ate, we chilled ou, we attempted to leave the room but it didn't work. Instead, we planned thursday (our last day). We enjoyed the cable option as much as possible - with memorable moments such as watching Arrested Development, and night came.
TV, chill out, McDonald's, plans. Food was necesarry again!. The option? What a question! This tiem, Jono came with me. Lex was doing better, and she asked only for a milshake. Canguro and me get to the McDonald's then, and chat a while about the impact of McDonald's in our lives (he worked there, I helped for a day with a masquerade fundraising operation). In the end, two big macs, a pechuga crispy, and sodas and ice cream after, we went back to the hotel.
"What do we do now?". "Watch TV until we fall asleep?". So we did. Was it a waste of day?
... not for McDonald's xD
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Day 2 in Panama - By Karina Fernanda Rodriguez
Second day, yes. But it seems like the 4th one already. The mall+taxi driver+basic beach adventure added a lot of points to the "time usefully spent" rank. But there were no excuses to low it on tuesday. So, guided by our characteristic "adventurer spirit" (we previously asked the hotel lady were to take the bus), we got to got to this place called "Panama Viejo" (Old Panama).
I don't know what was I expecting for, but Lex's dissapointment was obvious. She was looking forward to see the "Panamenian-Mayan Ruins". There wasn't such thing. Our beloved ruins were some random shapeless pieces of history, broken, spread around and divided by a semi-highway. Nevertheless, the bus trip (in a typical Panamenian engangering-lives bus), the artcraft store that we found and the interaction with some natives of the place made it a nice moment. I personally like to walk around shapeless ruins and read their story. But if you are sleepy, and you had to pay 2$ to see such thing (we were planning to sneak in through a hole in the fence)... well, I think you reader understand my intention =).
The interaction thingy deserves a special mention. We met this lady (saying that she was pissed is implicilty understood), who made us pay the entrance and yelled at us when she thought we attempted to do it without paying. The other lady we met (oh, wow, she was not pissed!) was the lady of the juices. What a wonderful juice she made!. Lex chose the watermelon/pineapple, Jono got a melon/pineapple and I went for the banana/pineapple (I'm not that sure those were the elections). The last interaction was with this guy sitting next to the juice place, who told us about beaches and ways of getting there. We got to know that to get to an island we needed to get a plane for 50$ or a boat for 4 hours. Other option were the in land beaches, an hour bus from the city.
From there we came back (again, by bus) to the airport for busses. We ended up in the mall, had burgers, went to an Anime Store =) and to this toy place. Lex and Jono got there this interesting mind reader toy, and it's helping them with their spanish more than myself. After this, we decided to take a cab to the "Cosway" place: a pathway that enters the canal and has some nice restaurants and places to spend time in. Helped by our recently adquired taxi-skills, we got a ride until there for 4 dolars.
The place was very, very nice. We looked for boats to see if it's possible to get to Contadora Island, but we found the Taboga option for less dolars and less time (6$, an hour away). Then we got to know of the existence of this "aquarium-shark" place and we found this intresting bikes. Jono got a personal one, Lex and Me a double. We had an hour to ride, and we did with the sunset. It was beatifull... until we met the "other" Panama group. Some other students that came here for easter and distracted me when they yelled at Jono and came runing to embrace us. The consequecnce was Lex's foot accident: it got trapped between the pedal and a wall. From there on, we had to get a taxi and come back to hotel, given that she was not feeling god ("How bitter is Pez!").
Sleeping, eating. A couple of hours later, the foot was not better. I took Lex to the hospital and it was the highlight of her night. We got a wheelchair and she had a radiography a=in this freaking cold place. Everything was alright, in the end, but she can't walk for like two days. Will there be beach and aquarium place and everything else? We'll see... but it was a perfect excuses to chill out, anyway.
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