TRIP'S USA TRIP

[Cramulus]

Perhaps it is a good idea to rent the house a.s.a.p.? Otherwise it WILL be taken on Memorial Day. Just saying. Who is going to organize this? And when/where do we pay for this stuff anyway? On the weekend itself or in advance? Since in America one pays everything with a creditcard, how do you split money? If it's in advance, will somebody be in charge of collecting the money?

More important: are we staying one (29/5 - 30/5) or two (28/5 - 30/5) nights?

I'll be happy to reserve the house. What I need is a list of who's definitely in for this idea.

Because I suspect the logistics of this might take up some space, I started a thread for it here

[Luna]

I'm in Providence, and this sounds like a blast.  I've got couch and floor space for a couple-few people if needed (though no place to park cars for free).  This sounds like a blast.

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

I will have May 26-30 or 31.

All I need to know is who will be where on those dates and then I can set my itinerary.
I'm not too keen on staying in Butt-Town Providence for too long, so ... I'd like to see Boston? Always NY, still in for the place in Cuntneticurt.

[Triple Zero]

I will have May 26-30 or 31.

What does that mean? You can get the days off, but you have to pick between either 26-30th or just the 31st?

In that case, I'd go with the longer option

All I need to know is who will be where on those dates and then I can set my itinerary.
I'm not too keen on staying in Butt-Town Providence for too long, so ... I'd like to see Boston? Always NY, still in for the place in Cuntneticurt.

Sounds like it's time to make some sort of who-will-be-where-when-and-what-shall-we-do calendar thingy?

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

Oh sorry. I meant I will have from the 26th until either the 30th or 31st. Not sure which one yet, as those days aren't technically available and I will have to use my boss' suggestion of calling out sick. "Sick".

Yes, a calendar of who-will-be-where-when sounds good 

[Suu]

Things I was told to bring up for you to know:

Make sure you get an adapter for our plugs, or alternate power supplies for things like cell phones and laptops. North American outlets are different, but I'm sure you knew that.

IN AMERICA, OUR TOILET AND SHOWER/BATHTUB ARE IN THE SAME ROOM. My German professor last night made the point of having me tell you guys because it's not the norm in Europe and can often be shocking. This is why we will say "have to go to the bathroom" instead of "have to go to the toilet/WC", even in public places where the restrooms are just WCs.

For even more weirdness, our washer and dryers are not in our kitchens and for the most part not in our bathrooms (I have seen a couple of houses like that). I don't even own a washer or dryer, I have to go to a laundromat, so you'll have to expect to do the same for clean clothes. Fortunately our local place is pretty cool and has nice TVs and wifi to keep you sane.


Also, I'll need to know what dates people are planning to convene in Providence, whether we get the house in Connecticunt or not. This is so housing can be arranged (And Squiddy once you get dates we'll find you a hotel). I'm planning on a futon in the living room, but not sure if it will be single or double yet, but I do have a queen sized airbed that I'm using right now that is actually pretty comfy.

[Suu]

Oh, and my classes will be on Monday and Wednesday. Apparently I've been told it's a bad idea to do 2 summer classes during the same 5 week session...let's see if they can break me.   I will have Memorial Day off all day, and I may be eligible to work all day, but I can take whatever time off I need.

[Triple Zero]

Hey--help us decide, we're still busy booking the flight cause the previous cheaper one was gone when we tried to book it (stupid site ) but no worries cause they're still plenty cheap.

Except we got a crazy idea because a bunch of those flights have in-between stops for more than 6 hours, so why not check out that place. Our options are:

* We leave Amsterdam Airport at 8am, stopping on the way and have paella and mojitos for lunch in Madrid, before resuming our flight to NYC/JFK.

* On the way back, we leave June 11th--which happens to be our 3 year anniversary--from Boston at 21:30 in the evening, four hours later the plane lands for some serious mid-night chilling the fuck out in a hot geyser pool in Reykjavik -- even though it's broad daylight there at that moment, but they only got 3 hours of darkness that time of the year anyway. Another option is a bunch of hours earlier on a friday night which would allow us to watch the sunset, have some drinks, watch the sunrise, and get on the plane again! [if we hurry, sunset's 20 minutes after landing]

* Third option, either on the way to NYC or the trip back, we can spend an afternoon in Philadelphia chillin' out max, and relaxing all cool, shooting some b-ball outside of the school or whatever it is they do over there.

wheeeeeeeeee decisions decisions

actually all the numbers and times and days and dates and timezones are dancing in front of my eyes now, fortunately, Ms.Torte is able to make some sense out of it, and I trust her to pick something cool and affordable.

(also I secretly worry whether I'll have the energy to actually enjoy a between-stop on such a long trip, but since it doesn't cost any extra, why not?)

[Suu]

Philadelphia is very historical, it's worth the trip. They have things there like the Liberty Bell!

http://www.visitphilly.com/


Also, are you going to be able to leave the airport(s) on layovers? And do you REALLY want to deal with security that often? Think about that.

[Suu]

Oh, but whatever you do, DO NOT FLY INTO/OUT OF/LAYOVER IN PHILADELPHIA. That airport is a nightmare.

[Eater of Clowns]

If you're in Philly, skip terrible cheesesteaks (or if you MUST, do Tony Luke's) and go to Reading Terminal Market - eat at Dinic's Roast Beef and order a Yeungling on draught nearby.

[Suu]

No. Cheesesteak from a street vendor or GTFO. If you're going to have one, do it in the most filthy way you can. That is the correct Philly cheesesteak motorcycle.

[Eater of Clowns]

No. Cheesesteak from a street vendor or GTFO. If you're going to have one, do it in the most filthy way you can. That is the correct Philly cheesesteak motorcycle.

I SPIT on your fluorescent orange cheese.  Sharp provolone or nothing.

[Suu]

This reminds me, important cliche foods of note, for your gastronomical pleasure:

Philadelphia - The cheesesteak. Shaved steak, yellow American cheese, and typically onions. They probably have about 3000 calories a piece, but to get one IN Philly is a treat.

New York - There's not just one think in New York that is awesome, but while you're there, any corner $1 a slice pizza place is worth it, and for Chinese food, go to Mott St. in Chinatown and eat at Wo Hop. It's nothing special, but it's probably the best "American" Chinese food you will ever have.

Providence - We're more famous for our fine Italian dining, but gems to hit are Ricotti's for grinders (what these here locals call sub sandwiches), and a trip to the beach for clam cakes and New England clam chowder from Iggy's. I will take Benedryl for the sake of Iggy's chowder even if it means sleeping the rest of the afternoon, if that tells you something. Stay away from clear Rhode Island chowder or bakery pizza strips. I still haven't figured those out. If you want to do clams, we'll go to the docks and get them fresh or from our friend Enzo. Heck, we could do a clambake in his back yard on Memorial Day if the house-thing doesn't work out.

Boston - Cannolis and gelato from Mike's Pastry in the North End are one of my favorite "touristy" things to get. I don't do baked beans, but I'm sure there's someone on this board that can tell you where to get an awesome batch. I can show you where "Cheers" is, but it's not worth eating there.

[Suu]

No. Cheesesteak from a street vendor or GTFO. If you're going to have one, do it in the most filthy way you can. That is the correct Philly cheesesteak motorcycle.

I SPIT on your fluorescent orange cheese.  Sharp provolone or nothing.

SHUT UP. I DON'T WANT THAT GOURMET SHIT, WHEN I WANT A CHEESESTEAK IN PHILLY, I WANT THE FUCKING CHEESE WHIZ.


However, places that put mayonnaise on them need to DIE.