It’s greener than green surrounded by the bluest blue. The pictures speak for themselves. Maui is my favourite island. Less touristy. Nice and quite and still lots to see and explore. Just beautiful.
‘OMG’. Nick's friends Joe and Mike hosted me in Kihei. They were unbelievable nice and entertaining. Joe took me to some of the greatest places on Maui. And Mike was letting me sleep in his spare bedroom. Nick you have some really good friends and I will never forget them. I hope I will meet you someday.
Feb 23, 2008
Hawaii, Big Island (23. Nov. – 26. Nov.)
Different Island, different experience. I stayed with …. She introduced me to some Hippy culture. We went to this tribal places and happenings where people where dancing in the middle of the afternoon celebrating life. Some of them might have been a bit drugged but the bigger portion was sober. And yes I belonged to the bigger portion. So I thought let’s give it a try and do the Hippy Hippy shake for a while. I was surprised that you actually can dance without having had a drink or two. The only thing that was a bit strange was the smell and the looks. Some of the dancers didn’t seem to be using a lot of perfume or shaving gear. Just natural. But good to see that there is another kind of lifestyle.
Hawaii, O’ahu (20. Nov. – 23. Nov.)
The fact that she cares about the environment (guests included) makes her very likable person. She took me to different places on Oahu (Diamond Head and daytrip North Shore) and we had the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. Sara’s cool to chat with and I loved to paint with her. To sum it up she is a sweetheart. Always smiling, easy-going and right on!
There it was, the world famous Waikiki beach where I tried my first surfing. As soon as I got my board from the rental shack I crawled into the waves. I’ve been waiting around 45 minutes of my 1 hour rent for the perfect wave. And then there it was. It rolled it’s way towards me. I crawled, stood up and surfed the wave all the way back to the beach with a big and content smile on my face. Yeehaa.
There it was, the world famous Waikiki beach where I tried my first surfing. As soon as I got my board from the rental shack I crawled into the waves. I’ve been waiting around 45 minutes of my 1 hour rent for the perfect wave. And then there it was. It rolled it’s way towards me. I crawled, stood up and surfed the wave all the way back to the beach with a big and content smile on my face. Yeehaa.
LA (15. Nov. – 20. Nov.)
Before I went back to LA to drop off my rental car I went to see Sedona. There are several energy centers, or vortexes of subtle energy, located in the Sedona area. The energy from these vortexes saturates the whole area in and around Sedona, and can be noticed in a subtle but general way anywhere around town. If you actually go to one of the vortex sites, which is where the energy is strongest, it can be a very uplifting experience. Not for me though. I mean it was quite a quite place but I couldn’t feel anything. Anyway check out the pics of the place. Looks very much like Indian spirit.
Grand Canyon (12. Nov. – 15. Nov.)
If you are in Arizona there is no way around the GRAND CANYON. This is a must see. And I wasn’t disappointed when I first stopped the car, went up to that first fence to look down from that cliff. I don’t like to use this word but because I think it is over used but it was amazing. Seems like a tremendous cut into the earth crust, a never ending deep canyon. The total opposite of what the Alps are like. Just grand!
I stayed with the friendly couple Rob and Deb. I liked the whole family including the dog, the two cats and the birds outside.
I stayed with the friendly couple Rob and Deb. I liked the whole family including the dog, the two cats and the birds outside.
Phoenix (10. Nov. - 12. Nov)
Driving down that almost never ending road towards Phoenix was a bit of a pain. The last two nights were still in my blood. On the side of the highway through the desert there were a couple of foxes luckily not in front of my car. It was around 1 am when I met Larry.
If I would ever need parenting advice I would call him. He and his kids are so amazing. Everybody is taking care of each other and so do they with their Couchsurfers.
He’s taken me out to Superstition Mountain which made me feel like being in a real western town. Yeehaa. The mountains, the horses, the cactus, the dusty boots, the cowboy hats, the country, the music, the sunset. Feels like what I’ve seen on TV is real.
If I would ever need parenting advice I would call him. He and his kids are so amazing. Everybody is taking care of each other and so do they with their Couchsurfers.
He’s taken me out to Superstition Mountain which made me feel like being in a real western town. Yeehaa. The mountains, the horses, the cactus, the dusty boots, the cowboy hats, the country, the music, the sunset. Feels like what I’ve seen on TV is real.
Sin City (8. Nov. -10. Nov.)
After freezing my ass off in the Nevada desert, I tried to sleep in the car that night, I got up very early. The good thing about getting up early is that you can watch the sunset and a bad cup of coffee tastes so much better.
I left this little Motel in that little village in the big Nevada desert and tried to find my way to a city in the desert called Las Vegas.
The taste of sin is in the air. I think there is no other place where winning and loosing come so close together.
I was lucky to stay with a local. A real local. Shana the unstoppable bartender who is always up for a shot. We went to a fancy club called Tryst in the Wynn hotel and somehow sneaked ourselves in through the fast queue. The club styled throughout with a huge waterfall outside, the people shallow and a vodka red bull 18.- USD. Nevertheless it was good to see a bit of the real face of Las Vegas. Don’t go there and expect to meet your new best friend.
The next day I went to see the city and after that to the bar where Shana works. A life band was playing and after a couple of beers it was so easy to get up and dance before we started bar hoping until 6 in the morning.
Don’t go there and expect to win money and don’t go there to meet Sigfrid and Roy. And don’t forget the rule if you win run.
I left this little Motel in that little village in the big Nevada desert and tried to find my way to a city in the desert called Las Vegas.
The taste of sin is in the air. I think there is no other place where winning and loosing come so close together.
I was lucky to stay with a local. A real local. Shana the unstoppable bartender who is always up for a shot. We went to a fancy club called Tryst in the Wynn hotel and somehow sneaked ourselves in through the fast queue. The club styled throughout with a huge waterfall outside, the people shallow and a vodka red bull 18.- USD. Nevertheless it was good to see a bit of the real face of Las Vegas. Don’t go there and expect to meet your new best friend.
The next day I went to see the city and after that to the bar where Shana works. A life band was playing and after a couple of beers it was so easy to get up and dance before we started bar hoping until 6 in the morning.
Don’t go there and expect to win money and don’t go there to meet Sigfrid and Roy. And don’t forget the rule if you win run.
Yosemite and Bishop (6. Nov. - 7.Nov.)
I was ready to leave San Francisco. I took off early because I knew I would have a long trip in front of me and a lot to see today. I left SF with a good feeling and was ready for some more road tripping. The weather was with me, perfect. I arrived around lunchtime at the Yosemite national park. I have to say it was such a peaceful experience. Not only because of the El Capitan, the Yosemite Falls (they ran out of water at that time) or the Half Dome but also because of the fact that it wasn’t crowded at all. It was so tranquil that even the animals felt so.
I was standing alone in a meadow in the middle of Yosemite Park, surrounded by pine trees and giant granite rocks, in the distance the landmark called Half Dome. I went down on my knees to dig for some soil. I was concentrating on the ground for a while. I didn’t notice what’s going on around me but when I came up again I was surrounded by deer. Not only one or two. It was a herd grazing right next to me. They had no fear. They just appeared out of nowhere. It was an amazing surprise and a wonderful moment.
I arrived at 9pm in Bishop a place between Yosemite and the Nevada Desert where I could stay. My couchsurfing host was Cora. She didn't make it easy for me not to get a bit homesick. She was very welcoming. She loves her family and she only wants the best for all of the members, herself included. It's funny how quickly you can become part of them.
I was standing alone in a meadow in the middle of Yosemite Park, surrounded by pine trees and giant granite rocks, in the distance the landmark called Half Dome. I went down on my knees to dig for some soil. I was concentrating on the ground for a while. I didn’t notice what’s going on around me but when I came up again I was surrounded by deer. Not only one or two. It was a herd grazing right next to me. They had no fear. They just appeared out of nowhere. It was an amazing surprise and a wonderful moment.
I arrived at 9pm in Bishop a place between Yosemite and the Nevada Desert where I could stay. My couchsurfing host was Cora. She didn't make it easy for me not to get a bit homesick. She was very welcoming. She loves her family and she only wants the best for all of the members, herself included. It's funny how quickly you can become part of them.
If you're going to San Francisco (2. Nov. - 6. Nov.)
From LA I was driving up the coastline on the 101 where I passed Santa Barbara, Wineries and a terrific sunset. It was late when I arrived in a city with the most beautiful skyline I’ve seen so far. It was a clear night which predicted nice weather for the next day. I checked in a hostel which was more or less in the center of the city. Being in the middle of everything had the downside of finding a free parking lot without paying a fortune. Parking in this city is a bitch I thought so far before I learned being a rock star.
I called up Chrigi Stucki who was visiting San Francisco that weekend too with some students from Minneapolis so we met on Saturday night. We went to a cool club for a beer or two I can’t remember and listened to some good life music there.
The next day I was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge around lunchtime towards the Redwoods which are north of SF. They supposed to have the world tallest trees there. It was a clear day. No clouds, no fog, no nothing that could block the view. The locals told me that there are not many days like this. San Francisco bay is famous for its fog.
I was about to leave San Fran but there was this feeling holding me back there because I wanted to meet this girl from couchsurfing that I wanted to stay with but she had someone staying at her place already. I was impressed by her profile. So I checked in for another two nights at the hostel.
It was Monday night when Rachel and I met in this Noodle restaurant somewhere in the city. It was so easy to talk to her. She is a good listener. I told her my life story or at least parts of it. She told me a lot of her life too. And that she is feeling very happy to be herself. It’s your mind, it’s your thoughts. It’s what you think that is making you what you are and everything around you. It’s your conscious and unconscious state of mind that decides about what you have, what you can achieve and what you will be given. She gave me some very interesting aspects and inputs and a different kind of view on spiritual things. Thanks Rachel.
I called up Chrigi Stucki who was visiting San Francisco that weekend too with some students from Minneapolis so we met on Saturday night. We went to a cool club for a beer or two I can’t remember and listened to some good life music there.
The next day I was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge around lunchtime towards the Redwoods which are north of SF. They supposed to have the world tallest trees there. It was a clear day. No clouds, no fog, no nothing that could block the view. The locals told me that there are not many days like this. San Francisco bay is famous for its fog.
I was about to leave San Fran but there was this feeling holding me back there because I wanted to meet this girl from couchsurfing that I wanted to stay with but she had someone staying at her place already. I was impressed by her profile. So I checked in for another two nights at the hostel.
It was Monday night when Rachel and I met in this Noodle restaurant somewhere in the city. It was so easy to talk to her. She is a good listener. I told her my life story or at least parts of it. She told me a lot of her life too. And that she is feeling very happy to be herself. It’s your mind, it’s your thoughts. It’s what you think that is making you what you are and everything around you. It’s your conscious and unconscious state of mind that decides about what you have, what you can achieve and what you will be given. She gave me some very interesting aspects and inputs and a different kind of view on spiritual things. Thanks Rachel.
Nov 30, 2007
The City of Angels (30. Okt. – 2. Nov.)
Venice Beach baby!!! hang out get a tattoo shoot some heroin and eat out of a trash can. Thats the real L.A. experience. But that’s just one mass opinion ;) Definitely not mine.
I arrived late at John’s place in West L.A. around 1pm not because I couldn’t find the way (had my Tomtom with me) but because John came home late. No blame on you John it was my bad giving you such short notice and you were that kind to host me anyway.
Unfortunately I parked the car not LA like that night. Wrong direction and one tire at the sidewalk which was red collared. Not a good idea. In the morning I had a 110 Dollar ticket. Thanks LAPD for this nice welcome present. But not a problem I am still at the beginning of my trip and I still have money ;-)
It was the Halloween night when John, Davide (the Italian guy) and I went to the Westhollywood Halloween parade. Dressed up of course. Davide was a women’s doctor, I was the chef from hells kitchen and John was a condom. BTW Davide was responsible for our costumes ;-) It turned out to be a blast. So many people, girls, guys, gays, transvestites and other species. One of my best nights ever. I like.
I was told LA was pretty shallow, very not personal but my LA experience was totally different. John and Davide rock. They are more than just the nice guys from the neighbourhood.
I arrived late at John’s place in West L.A. around 1pm not because I couldn’t find the way (had my Tomtom with me) but because John came home late. No blame on you John it was my bad giving you such short notice and you were that kind to host me anyway.
Unfortunately I parked the car not LA like that night. Wrong direction and one tire at the sidewalk which was red collared. Not a good idea. In the morning I had a 110 Dollar ticket. Thanks LAPD for this nice welcome present. But not a problem I am still at the beginning of my trip and I still have money ;-)
It was the Halloween night when John, Davide (the Italian guy) and I went to the Westhollywood Halloween parade. Dressed up of course. Davide was a women’s doctor, I was the chef from hells kitchen and John was a condom. BTW Davide was responsible for our costumes ;-) It turned out to be a blast. So many people, girls, guys, gays, transvestites and other species. One of my best nights ever. I like.
I was told LA was pretty shallow, very not personal but my LA experience was totally different. John and Davide rock. They are more than just the nice guys from the neighbourhood.
Denver, Colorado (26. Okt. – 30. Okt.)
Conditions are perfect. Sunny, not too hot and Wes picking me up from Denver Airport. I had been working with Wes for a while back in London. We had some fun times back then at Smith of Smithfield’s London, in Boston and Paris (Dirty Bombs).
I liked the bicycle rides in Denver. It’s so nice to do that in fall with all the collared trees and dry leaves on the ground. The art pictures are from the Denver Art Museum. Great building and content. I’ve seen the Red Rocks with the most amazing open air stage I have ever seen. I will play there next time I am coming to Denver ;-)
Wes, thanks for letting me stay and become part of the family for a couple of days.
I liked the bicycle rides in Denver. It’s so nice to do that in fall with all the collared trees and dry leaves on the ground. The art pictures are from the Denver Art Museum. Great building and content. I’ve seen the Red Rocks with the most amazing open air stage I have ever seen. I will play there next time I am coming to Denver ;-)
Wes, thanks for letting me stay and become part of the family for a couple of days.
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| Denver 2007 Oct |
Nov 23, 2007
The windy city (24. Okt. – 26. Okt.)
The sky is blue, the sun is shining but it’s kind of cold. Not as cold as Minneapolis though. It was good to meet Lydia. She was the best couchsurfing host I’ve ever had. I don’t have to mention that she was my first couchsurfing host but she really was lovely. For those of you who don’t know Couchsurfing look it up on the internet (www.couchsurfing.com). It’s a great way to travel.Chicago is a beautiful city. Nice skyline and architecture (check out the panorama pics), lots of museums, art and places to see. Good music, nice bars, very clean and safe. Definitely a city worth seeing.
Touching the Cloud Gate aka 'The bean'
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| Chicago 2007 Oct |
Touching the Cloud Gate aka 'The bean'
Oct 30, 2007
Twincity (19.Oct.07 - 24.Oct.07)
Chri-gi Stucki, Chri-gi Stucki, Chri-gi Stucki du bisch die geilschti Sau. That was a very good idea to visit him. We’ve been to a football game, went to class together (is ethnicity really correlating with if someone’s hung?), went out all night long and cooked Roesti, finally some real food and before I forget we’ve seen the best band for no money, Dr. Mambo’s Combo which featured musicians that were once playing with Prince. If you ever make it up to Minneapolis check out the Bunker’s Grill and Bar on Sunday or Monday night. This Combo is off the hook.
We went to church in St. Paul the Twin city of Minneapolis the other day. Check out the video, hehe.
Thanks Chrigi for your hospitality and time even though you were in your midterm exams. How did you manage to do that? I had an awesome (business)time.
We went to church in St. Paul the Twin city of Minneapolis the other day. Check out the video, hehe.
Thanks Chrigi for your hospitality and time even though you were in your midterm exams. How did you manage to do that? I had an awesome (business)time.
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| Minneapoli |
The city that never sleeps (15.Oct.07 - 19.Oct.07)
I was checking in quite early for my flight to New York City. While standing in line I noticed Beat Noser who was surprisingly taking the same flight. So my wingman for this part of my journey was sorted.New York, what a city! I thought London was big but Manhatten beats it all. Very busy, too much traffic and far too much going on to check places out in just 4 days. I was sleeping in a hostel with 9 other guys in one room. That slightly was a more crowded experience than my usual hotel rooms during business trips. Welcome to the backpackers.
I was spending most of the day hoping on and off the double decked bus-tour bus taking pictures and listening to the information overflow about NYC.
During the evenings I went out with the Noser clan, Beat, Yanick and Cedric which made me feel not all alone in the big city. Thanks guys.
Thursday, my last day in NYC, I said what about breakfast at Tiffany’s. Kerry and I spent some fun time in Central Park and Tiffany’s and at the Couchsurfer meeting at Revival's before I was taking off the next day into the deep blue something towards Minneapolis.
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| New York 2007 Oct |
Farewell Party (13.Oct.07)
Hey Jungs und Maedels,
Vielen Dank fuer das geniale Abschiedsfest am 13. Oktober. Damit habe ich wirklich nicht gerechnet! Auch dass so viele so kurzfristig vorbeigekommen sind ehrt mich sehr. Cheers mates. Speziell moechte ich auch Sam und Alan danken fuer die Organisation und das Auto ;-) You are my men.
Vielen Dank fuer das geniale Abschiedsfest am 13. Oktober. Damit habe ich wirklich nicht gerechnet! Auch dass so viele so kurzfristig vorbeigekommen sind ehrt mich sehr. Cheers mates. Speziell moechte ich auch Sam und Alan danken fuer die Organisation und das Auto ;-) You are my men.
Oct 15, 2007
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