Here and There Blog

127 Hours . This was the one movie that I didn't want to see. The true story of a hiker (Aron Ralston) who ended up trapped in a canyon, pinned by a rock and then has to rely on himself to get free. If you know the outcome then you'll understand why someone might not want to watch the re-enactment. If you don't, well he doesn't move the rock or get help. The strength of the movie is James Franco. He deserves his award nominations because it can't be easy acting with only props and pretending your arm is stuck. Yet his performance conveys the sense of desperation and determination to stay alive. What Aron went through, well, most of us would be dead. Lesson for all solo hikers - let people know exactly where you are going. At times the movie drifted about, especially during the hallucination / flashback scenes. All that mattered was the canyon, the rock, and the arm. The movie runs for just over 90 minutes and that was the right pace. Any longer and we wouldn...

Sunday morning at the beach  

We're back to the category of "I saw it, so you don't have to." No Strings Attached has given me new respect for the people who make the movie trailers because that trailer is great. Sadly, all 30 seconds of fun are in that trailer and the remaining 107.5 minutes are a disaster. Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman star as two semi-acquainted people who decide to have a sex only relationship. We've got Kevin Kline as a disaster of a father who sleeps with his son's ex-lovers and an eccentric circle of friends on all sides that make for a mess of a movie.  The awkward sex dialogue makes me wonder how the actors didn't stab themselves in the gut with the pen that wrote the movie. No Strings Attached is a romantic comedy gone bad in every sense. Even worse, Cary Elwes of Princess Bride fame, the world's Westley had some loser doctor role. Another sad choice. I didn't have much to like about No Strings Attached . The dog was okay. The movie ended...

This week went by in a work blur. I had so much going on that each night I dreamed about work, which makes for a really  long day. Crashed last night for 11 hours of sleep and needed it! Today looks to be exercise and movie, oh and buy food since not much is in the house.  Return phone calls from friends who must think I'm off the planet.

Turns out that Haarlem has a beer tradition and one of the old styles "Jopen" is still brewed today.  I tried Jopen Hoppen which as you might guess, is full of hops. My second beer was the Leffe Dubbel, a dark beer and the better choice. This was Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm and the majority of the pubs and restaurants were closed. The one cafe that was open was packed as it was almost the only place to eat besides McDonalds.

Haarlem is  about 15 minutes away via train from Amsterdam Centraal Station. It's the place to go when you've seen all the usual sights and want to avoid tourism overload. The city has the main square, pedestrian walking, and the usual sights. The Grote Kerk (Great Church) being one of those sights.  The bell tower goes off every 15 minutes and loudly on the hour. It's impossible to not know what time it is.  The church really is this large. Old, impressive, the usual.  Don't forget to look up when strolling the side streets.  Fans of architecture of all styles will have something to look at in Haarlem.

What should one do after flying all night, little sleep, and no food? Go to the Heineken Experience as soon as it opens at 11:00 am of course! For 15 euro you get a fun, self-guided tour, and 2.5 beers! Oh, and the sample of wort.  Don't try it. Trust me. The great thing about going at 11:00 am is that you are not competing with anyone for photo ops. The group tours have not arrived and you can go as fast as you want to get to the beer at the end.  A ride?  "Brew You"? With a warning? Must do. Or not. No Star Tours ride this. A short video with some effects. Fun for kids except no kids on this tour. Skip it if the wait is long and go straight to the tasting room. After the tasting room you can move on and play some games or go to the end of the tour and have your two free beers. It was a great place to relax and for 15 euro, probably cheaper for 2.5 beers than going to a pub. Stadhouderskade 78 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands 020 5239222 www.heinekenexperience.com ...

Renaissance Marriott, near the Central Station, near everywhere. I am happy that Amsterdam is warmer than Vienna was back in November and for me, it's only a 3 layer outfit. This was the trip that was on, then off, then on, then almost canceled but due to United's computer malfunction, not canceled and well, here I am!

Carmen Miranda made out of plants?  A waterfall  Sun Sculpture  All this and an ocean view too! 

Sculptures are featured throughout the park and depending on your taste, you will like or dislike as you go. The early history of this park was that it was a farm, then home to a plant collector, Ruth Larabee. Larabee donated the property to San Diego. You can even picnic in the park but please, clean up your mess. (yes, people were leaving stuff everywhere)  I've never seen plant people like this before!  I figured I better throw in a Century Cactus before you forget this is a garden too.  Still here?  A Gaudi inspired sculpture in the banana tree section.

I live in a tourist city but like most people, have never been to many of the places that exist right down the road. Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas is one of those for me.  Opened first in 1971, the gardens have gone through various name changes and is now the San Diego Botanic Garden.  Over 35 acres, the gardens offer a good 90 minute walk that takes you off the busy San Diego streets and provides some quiet and nature. Flowers, trees, cactus, and even quail are found in the gardens and small sections are dedicated to places all over the world.  Today seemed to be flower day. I didn't pay attention to what country each was from. Today, they all seem to be SoCal locals.  I did make Aussie Mac get her photo taken in the Australian Garden. Even the weeds are looking good enough to be in a photo. Entry info:  $12.00 adults, parking $2.00. http://www.sdbgarden.org/

Hot weather led to some bug swarming at the beach which was not fun for walking but the birds seemed to enjoy some good eating. The water was clear enough that even at a distance the reflections of the birds can be seen in the water.  The downside of all of this is you gotta watch out for flying poopers!  

Back to Karl Strauss and the land of ever changing restaurant staff. Aussie Mac is in town and even at 7:00 pm we were able to get a seat at the bar and order food. Still, it was crowded and the food came out cold. Not such a great dinner (they did remake the food) but the beer was good and we left full.  Cheers!

I'm back to my usual haunt of the Garden Grove/Anaheim area for a while. The routine of people in/people out is going on. This week it's Canada and next week is Mexico. Costa Rica will represent in about 14 days. Somehow these are my easiest times but they are also early morning to late night. Blogging time gets limited. I'll make sure to get a beer photo in. By the way, am I the only one that feels like I'm being bounced around inside a pinball machine for the last week? What's been up with the New Year's crazy energy?

Going into Juarez is a bumpy ride - literally. The border has planks and blocks that discourage anyone from ramming their vehicle through. It's new since I was last here and a sign of the times. And this is just to enter Mexico. Once in the streets are empty. So are many shops, restaurants. and buildings. As the day progresses people go about their life the same as anywhere else. Mostly. Once the Federali's are in the area, it tends to clear out.   Only one area was hugely hard to get through. We went through around 6 security checks and passed an equal amount on the other side streets. Once a caravan of Federali's blazed down the road. Everyone slowed to gain distance between them and where ever they were headed. When the police escort and ambulance appeared, it was time to take another street.

Even with a 2 hour flight delay both me and my luggage made the connection. El Paso is cold! I am still frozen from the 45 minute wait for the hotel shuttle and now realized I am underpacked and will be cold for the next 36 hours. So here are the views from the hotel room.  

Almost.  For the first time in a couple of years I was able to fly from Carlsbad airport. And as usual, the flight was delayed due to weather. Not snow or rain but the dreaded fog that is the bane of all commuter airports in Southern California. Luckily, Carlsbad is the only airport when there is a delay I can go home for the 60 minute wait.  Of course if I miss my connection then I won't get into El Paso till late, late tonight so I have to hope for the best.