Art and Music

Hey hey

So Thursday was a day for seeing some of the art side of Minneapolis. 

We went to the Walker art gallery which was really nice to see. I didn't take any photos inside but there was one piece I found really interesting which was dog tags hanging off a section of fence creating a map of Afghanistan. With it was a list of names of people who had served. 

We had lunch at the Cafe before having a really quick look at the sculpture garden. Where Naomi showed me Minneapolis' spoon bridge piece. 

As it was raining we decided to go home and hang there until the music concert in the evening. 

As my first music concert, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was two folk musicians, Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell. I really enjoyed the night and the music was awesome. It was interesting that Naomi, her friend Medha and I definitely sat below the age demographic. But the evening was still heaps of fun. 

Minneapolis. 

Justine 

Out, About and Around

Hey hey! 

So this morning we rode to Lake of Isles and back and I must admit it was probably the longest rise I've done resulting in about what Naomi estimates as a 19.5km ride. But definitely worth it as it gave me the opportunity to see the twin cities front the Greenway (bike highway). Incredibly brilliant idea and a pretty easy ride. Plus I had an awesome time being able to just catch up with Naomi and talk about a whole range of subjects. 

In the afternoon Naomi had work so I used the time to make my way to the Mall of America, thus beginning the journey of Bilbo the Butterfly. 

So the mall has had a massive build up of reputation in the lead up to my trip. It once being the largest mall in the Northern Hemisphere (I don't think it still holds that title). But it sure was massive. I needed new shoes to ensure my feet don't die in the next two months, but it makes it more difficult to find some when there's 400 shops and of those, 30 different shoe stores that all have a very large range. 

The center of the mall is called Nickelodeon Universe which has at least 3 different rides. Like a roller-coaster and a log ride. 

 

Plus there's a Lego store 

So after a few hours I'm pretty sure I managed to walk past every shop. But there's every possibility I missed a few when the map looks like this. 

P.S they changed the name of the theme-park-like area. 

Oh I'm now a master of the twin cities metro light rail system. Yay!

Quiet night tonight, feeling a bit sore after today.

Minneapolis. 

Justine

Back to School

Hey hey

Tuesday was Naomi's graduation day!!! I joined Naomi for her last day at school. We went to the farewell assembly and a there was a whole moving forward ceremony which was really awesome to watch and made me think about people who have been around me while I was still at school. 

Seeing Naomi's school was super interesting. People were really lovely and I got to meet a few of Naomi's friends. People are super friendly in Minneapolis. 

After school we went and had lunch before going to a grad party. 

Graduation was in the evening and I sat with Naomi's mum. 

Each of the (50) graduating students did a 60sec speech and it was really cool to hear what people were thankful for and what they had learnt that they would take with them from the school. 

Dinner was Ethiopian food. Which is a first for me. Very good very interesting. :) 

But I don't know if it beats my breakfast. 

Minneapolis. 

Justine

Initial Observations

Hey hey,

So I've had over a full day here in Minneapolis now. Everything is going really well. Jet lag isn't too bad and I slept pretty well other than the confirmation that I do have a mild reaction to cats. Yay. So that's fun. 

But today has been pretty good, had a few errand to run after getting up I then spent most of the afternoon with one of the many contacts I have been so graciously been put in touch with.

Haven't done any sight seeing, that will probably come later in the week. In total I've walked about 3.5km today which I know is only going to increase over the course of my trip. But the public transport of the twin cities is fantastic. Lots of catching the light rail and buses are so regular, plus bikes are super popular here. People are super friendly and I'm looking forward to meeting more people.  

Couple of pics from my not so exciting day, but the root between where I'm staying and the light rail station is lovely so here we go. 

Minneapolis. 

Justine

Arriving in the USA

Hey hey. 

So as I type this (obviously with no internet so I'll post later) I've already been on a plane for around 9 1/2 hours I think. Canberra time would be 7:30pm, LA time is 2:30am and by brain has no clue but is sitting somewhere in the middle... I think. 3 1/2 more hours to on this plane before my transfer to Minneapolis. 

It's been a pretty good flight, I've slept a fair bit, watched a few movies and there's been no one in the seat next to me so I've been able to get a little more comfortable. There's been more food than I expected which is good. 

Everything is still pretty surreal at the moment. First time travelling by myself and it hasn't quite hit me that my family isn't at the other end of the flight. 

On the screens tracking our flight, land is now actually in the corner so we're not just surrounded by ocean heading towards only ocean. 

LAX was better than expected. Customs was quick, all went well. Biggest issue at stop over 1, took me a long time to open the SIM card slot in my phone. But after that, and managing to contact parents saying all was well, had a few hours on uncomfortable airport gate seats, but I'm on the flight to Minneapolis. Mainly been reading Song of Ice and Fire. Played Bejewelled on the other flight but the touch screen on this one is terrible. So I gave up. 1 1/2 left and I think I'll nap. 

Minneapolis!!! Here! It's really started. 3 years and I finally got to see the wonderful Naomi :D 

Met a few of her friends, walked a fair bit and hand some repeated discussions about the differences in language that confuse us both a little. All in all, absolutely fabulous to be here. 

No photos today sorry. 

Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean

In the air over USA

Minneapolis

Justine

One Week

It was around April 2012 that I decided I would travel to the USA during my gap year. I hoped and planned and dreamed of having the opportunity of actually following through with my decision. One week today and I'll be on a plane on my way to the other side of the world. 

Am I excited? Incredibly. Am I nervous? Absolutely. 

As part of my trip I hope to document, on a semi-regular occurrence, details and stories of my adventure. This is where that will be happening. Now, I've never done this before; I've never travelled by myself at all. So this may become a ramble of thoughts about the States in general, who knows?

Welcome to my travel blog. These next couple of months should be super exciting and I hope you'll check in to see what I'm up to. 

Still in Aus but not for long. 

Justine