The VG's have been living the life of luxury over the past few days and are definitely going to miss the AC and clean sheets when we depart the resort tomorrow.
Particular favorites have been the swim up pool bar, the pool chairs that are partially submerged in a pool, and the amazingly warm water in the Pacific Ocean. I've actually never touched or been in the Pacific Ocean so it was really fun going in on our first day. The weather's been fantastic - two gorgeous days and today was just a little cloudy but still very warm. The evenings feel perfect. Everyone, without fail, has gotten sunburned. I was both surprised and upset, though, when two painful, red shoulder pads started appearing on the first day because I've lathered myself in enough 8$ sunblock to sedate a mid-size bull-shark. Seriously I should not be sore and itchy right now! But the large red masses aren't enough to taint our experience here.
Last night as we dined at the Italian restaurant at the resort and Charles Dyer gladly doubled up on wine glasses at Simon's expense, (I proposed the deal, no worries) we were approached by a gentleman who'd seen our trendy t-shirts over the past few days and asked us if we were, indeed, an A Capella group. We answered affirmatively and then he asked us if we could sing Happy Birthday to his friend. We obliged and serenaded the pair and their wives and the birthday boy left heaping praise on us and telling us that he'll never forget this one. After we finished "Happy Birthday", a table of middle aged women (bingo) sent a representative to tell us that one of their members was also celebrating a birthday. We gave them a little helping of "Can't Help Falling in Love" and then sat back to finish our meal. Later that night, we found out that the table of ladies were actually all travel agents who were being hosted by the hotel. The resort was so grateful and pleased with our performance that they've invited us to do a set in about an hour. So I leave you all now with a message of help: If we don't make it out alive, send a SWAT team to raid the travel agents' rooms!!
Check back soon!
Love from all of us to our families, friends, pets and people we only kind of like,
-Simon and the VGs
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Panama City Day 5
In our last full day in Panama City, the group headed off to see the Panama Canal and the Miraflores Locks. We took cabs over and once we got in we met a really friendly security guide/host who apparently knew someone from Virginia and started announcing us as the group from Virginia over and over again. He was very friendly and showed us where we could get the best view of a freight ship coming through the locks. After that rapid and exciting process (please understand the sarcasm here) we went in and watched a rocking video of the canal.
In all seriousness, the engineering involved in just the transport process of each barge is very interesting - we took bets on which of the two barges we saw would get through first (John D. lost) and at how the mechanism worked (John D. won). Jordan was particularly attached to the boat from Italy. The canal authority is planning a massive expansion, adding locks to both sides to boost the amount and kinds of ships that can pass through.
After touring the canal, we drove into the Metropolitan Park for a little slice of rainforest. Jordan explored his wild side as the group shuddered and moved away from him and we got a great lookout from the peak at Panama City.
Now we're off to dinner at a highly regarded Mexican restaurant. Quesadillas anyone?
Sorry no photos today, the internet is being a little chippy. We're off to Breeze's resort tomorrow morning.
Check back soon!
-Simon
In all seriousness, the engineering involved in just the transport process of each barge is very interesting - we took bets on which of the two barges we saw would get through first (John D. lost) and at how the mechanism worked (John D. won). Jordan was particularly attached to the boat from Italy. The canal authority is planning a massive expansion, adding locks to both sides to boost the amount and kinds of ships that can pass through.
After touring the canal, we drove into the Metropolitan Park for a little slice of rainforest. Jordan explored his wild side as the group shuddered and moved away from him and we got a great lookout from the peak at Panama City.
Now we're off to dinner at a highly regarded Mexican restaurant. Quesadillas anyone?
Sorry no photos today, the internet is being a little chippy. We're off to Breeze's resort tomorrow morning.
Check back soon!
-Simon
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Panama City Day 4
The group split up today and saw a bunch of really amazing sights in Panama. An early group left to see Monkey Island while the later group took a cab out to the Amador Causeway. This low, palm-tree lined crossing offers amazing views of the downtown skyline and also beautiful glimpses of the Panama barrier islands.
When we got there, we rented bikes with no shifting gears and biked up and down the island. Simon took a tumble and went head over heels for biking but escaped completely unhurt (no idea how...)
During lunch the group kept getting encircled by an aggressive pack of black birds which didn't help my irrational fear of birds at all. Some of our tricksters kept putting fries on the back of my chair and attracting the winged monsters.
After lunch we rented a 4-person bicycle and offered Tre the opportunity to learn how to drive for the first time. He drove with maniacal smile of a 7 year old who's been handed the keys to his father's Subaru for the first time. After some swerving and screaming, Tre got us to our destination safely and we took turns steering the surprisingly heavy contraption. (Note: our fearless leader doesn't yet have his license so this was a great opportunity for him to practice for his driving test.)
We also found ourselves quite inadequate when compared to the Hercules who is known to cross the street in Panama.
After taking a cab back to Casco Viejo on we had dinner (not at Bennigan's to Paul's chagrin) and are now planning to serenade the Brit-heavy hostel crowd with our Beatles Medley and Paperback Writer. Stay tuned for their response! Additionally, I met likely the only hockey fan in Panama (though he's a hostel resident from Montreal so that makes sense) and we talked about the Olympics, Sidney Crosby, why Quebec would beat the rest of Canada in a hockey game if it were to ever secede, David Perron (wunderkind!), the Belarusian Kostitsyn brothers and their mafia ties, and Montreal riots.
Love to all our friends and families! Check back soon!
-Simon
When we got there, we rented bikes with no shifting gears and biked up and down the island. Simon took a tumble and went head over heels for biking but escaped completely unhurt (no idea how...)
During lunch the group kept getting encircled by an aggressive pack of black birds which didn't help my irrational fear of birds at all. Some of our tricksters kept putting fries on the back of my chair and attracting the winged monsters.
We also found ourselves quite inadequate when compared to the Hercules who is known to cross the street in Panama.
After taking a cab back to Casco Viejo on we had dinner (not at Bennigan's to Paul's chagrin) and are now planning to serenade the Brit-heavy hostel crowd with our Beatles Medley and Paperback Writer. Stay tuned for their response! Additionally, I met likely the only hockey fan in Panama (though he's a hostel resident from Montreal so that makes sense) and we talked about the Olympics, Sidney Crosby, why Quebec would beat the rest of Canada in a hockey game if it were to ever secede, David Perron (wunderkind!), the Belarusian Kostitsyn brothers and their mafia ties, and Montreal riots.
Love to all our friends and families! Check back soon!
-Simon
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Panama City Day 3
Today we all enjoyed some quality sleeping in and rolled out of bed, like clockwork, at 11:45 to try and catch the free pancakes before they were taken away at noon. Some of us were successful... others were not.
Our hostel is such an eclectic place. There's a full bar completely underneath the hostel and it opens up to a really cool courtyard. Upstairs there are rooms with hammocks and many, many couches and computers and lofts and a balcony with a great view of the skyline. But there are all these people from all over the world too. Just yesterday, I talked to a guy from New Zealand, Arizona and Southern England and some other girls from Israel (right out of the IDF) and London who got some music from our laptops.
At two we hiked over to the bus stop and then took Panama's public transport to Panama Viejo, the Old City and the oldest part of pre-Spanish Panama. While there, Tre, Jordan and River mapped out the VGs conquest of Panama.
Our bus over was a converted schoolbus that most closely resembled Dr. Robert's party bus from Across the Universe.
After we got to Panama Viejo, we toured the cultural center and then walked by the coast to the old city. We climbed up to the tower and took in some breathtaking views of Panama. Afterwards, we descended and then hopped taxis to get back to downtown Panama for dinner.
Before our taxi ride, though, some of the guys engaged in the time honored ritual of chicken-fighting. Guess who won? (Hit: The answer is Gravity)
Taxis here are so cheap - it's fairly standard that $1 per person will get you from anywhere in the city to anywhere else. The danger though is that you find a cab driver like the one we had today. We're pretty sure he's a legitimate pimp since he kept offering us Colombian women and massages for $100 or tabling dancing for $20. He looked stunned when we passed on his "generous" offer. The bus was only 25 cents but we timed it pretty badly and ended up riding to Panama Viejo with a bunch of school kids on their way home.
After dinner, we serenaded the hostel residents and sang House of the Rising Sun, Brandy and Bad Romance to a great response.
Now we're finishing up some spades games and getting read to take in the Panamanian night life. Check back soon!
-Simon
Our hostel is such an eclectic place. There's a full bar completely underneath the hostel and it opens up to a really cool courtyard. Upstairs there are rooms with hammocks and many, many couches and computers and lofts and a balcony with a great view of the skyline. But there are all these people from all over the world too. Just yesterday, I talked to a guy from New Zealand, Arizona and Southern England and some other girls from Israel (right out of the IDF) and London who got some music from our laptops.
At two we hiked over to the bus stop and then took Panama's public transport to Panama Viejo, the Old City and the oldest part of pre-Spanish Panama. While there, Tre, Jordan and River mapped out the VGs conquest of Panama.
Our bus over was a converted schoolbus that most closely resembled Dr. Robert's party bus from Across the Universe.
After we got to Panama Viejo, we toured the cultural center and then walked by the coast to the old city. We climbed up to the tower and took in some breathtaking views of Panama. Afterwards, we descended and then hopped taxis to get back to downtown Panama for dinner.
Before our taxi ride, though, some of the guys engaged in the time honored ritual of chicken-fighting. Guess who won? (Hit: The answer is Gravity)
Taxis here are so cheap - it's fairly standard that $1 per person will get you from anywhere in the city to anywhere else. The danger though is that you find a cab driver like the one we had today. We're pretty sure he's a legitimate pimp since he kept offering us Colombian women and massages for $100 or tabling dancing for $20. He looked stunned when we passed on his "generous" offer. The bus was only 25 cents but we timed it pretty badly and ended up riding to Panama Viejo with a bunch of school kids on their way home.
After dinner, we serenaded the hostel residents and sang House of the Rising Sun, Brandy and Bad Romance to a great response.
Now we're finishing up some spades games and getting read to take in the Panamanian night life. Check back soon!
-Simon
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Panama City Day 2
Greetings from sunny, humid Panama City. The guys and I woke up today (begrudgingly) at around 8:15am but had a little incentive since the hostels offers free pancakes and bananas for breakfast in the morning. We all lined up outside the kitchen and individually poured batter for pancakes. (Tre was quite proud of his first pancake). The bananas in Panama are incredible. I don't know if there's an "in season" for bananas in central America but we must have hit it if there is.
We met up after breakfast and headed out to see Casco Viejo, the district of Panama City that our hostel is in. It was getting hot really quickly and we wanted to go out on the town before the heat became too much. Our hostel has a great location but we still ventured out pretty far to get to the coast and get some views of a large obelisk greeting boats coming in to port. On the way we saw the Plaza Bolivar named for Simon Bolivar (excellent first name), and hopped into some churches (Danny, Simon, Fish and River are ok, don't worry).
We've quickly become aware of some of the safety/regional demarcations around Casco Viejo. Namely, do not go to streets or alleys behind the hostel - this is affectionately known as the "kill zone" and might play a part in some encumbrance activities in the future... but I've said too much.
We came back from our morning sightseeing and mellowed out at the hostel with some (lots) of spades. It's quickly becoming the official card game of the Virginia Gentlemen (even though I have no idea how to play). I think at one point we had three games going at the same time with 12 players. We get more guys to play spades than to some of our Darden gigs! We're thinking of lining up a spades tournament and crafting a bracket so stay tuned. Fish and Dyer also turned some heads with their ping pong games - namely because they made a habit of hitting the ball into the fan and then seeing how far it would fly and what carnage it would wreak on its path.
We then went out again for some lunch and a bunch of us went to an excellent restaurant, Cafe Aguiar, and got discounts because of our hostel bracelets (win). Now, well fed and sleepy, we're enjoying the time honored Central American tradition of Siesta. River and John are strumming some chords on borrowed guitars, other guys are still slinging the cards in spades, and the rest are either reading or hunched over drooling over their books.
Panama has been very interesting so far. The tourism industry obviously knows English very well and our global hostel communicates in English as the primary language (signs and posters are almost exclusively in English) but very few people in the main city know English. This isn't surprising except for the fact that the primary accepted currency is actually the dollar. It goes a little farther here than in the US so we're enjoying that. Also the power outlets and voltage are the same as in the US so we're also taking advantage of these conveniences as well.
Right then, siesta time and I'm going to try and get back to Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent. Check back soon for more updates.
-Simon
We met up after breakfast and headed out to see Casco Viejo, the district of Panama City that our hostel is in. It was getting hot really quickly and we wanted to go out on the town before the heat became too much. Our hostel has a great location but we still ventured out pretty far to get to the coast and get some views of a large obelisk greeting boats coming in to port. On the way we saw the Plaza Bolivar named for Simon Bolivar (excellent first name), and hopped into some churches (Danny, Simon, Fish and River are ok, don't worry).
The statue at Plaza Bolivar
While we were out, we also saw some workers on strike and protesting in the square. We thought about helping their campaign with a rendition of "On the Turning Away" or "Help" but decided against it while they marched on. You can see them all huddled together in the center of the Gazebo. Fight the man.
We came back from our morning sightseeing and mellowed out at the hostel with some (lots) of spades. It's quickly becoming the official card game of the Virginia Gentlemen (even though I have no idea how to play). I think at one point we had three games going at the same time with 12 players. We get more guys to play spades than to some of our Darden gigs! We're thinking of lining up a spades tournament and crafting a bracket so stay tuned. Fish and Dyer also turned some heads with their ping pong games - namely because they made a habit of hitting the ball into the fan and then seeing how far it would fly and what carnage it would wreak on its path.
We then went out again for some lunch and a bunch of us went to an excellent restaurant, Cafe Aguiar, and got discounts because of our hostel bracelets (win). Now, well fed and sleepy, we're enjoying the time honored Central American tradition of Siesta. River and John are strumming some chords on borrowed guitars, other guys are still slinging the cards in spades, and the rest are either reading or hunched over drooling over their books.
Our Three MDs
Panama has been very interesting so far. The tourism industry obviously knows English very well and our global hostel communicates in English as the primary language (signs and posters are almost exclusively in English) but very few people in the main city know English. This isn't surprising except for the fact that the primary accepted currency is actually the dollar. It goes a little farther here than in the US so we're enjoying that. Also the power outlets and voltage are the same as in the US so we're also taking advantage of these conveniences as well.
Right then, siesta time and I'm going to try and get back to Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent. Check back soon for more updates.
-Simon
Panama City
We flew in to Panama about an hour and a half ago. Flying into Panama was absolutely beautiful. We descended below the clouds and got an amazing view of the Panama City skyline. All the skyscrapers are outfitted with neon lights that kept going on and off and the flight path descended right in front of them all. The airport itself is across from the downtown district so we got to go right through the city when we drove in from the airport across a causeway.
Our hostel is a renovated mansion and we're rocking the bunk beds and free wi-fi (love it). Right now we're meeting in the hostel's theater which is basically completely home made. They built stadium seating meets Aladdin satin cushions.
We got a lot on our plate now and are discussing our entire trip so I'm signing off but check back soon!
Hours in Airports: 3:50... Reagan National, Miami, Tocumen International (6:35 Total)
Hours in Airplanes: 6:20 (9:53 Total)
Our hostel is a renovated mansion and we're rocking the bunk beds and free wi-fi (love it). Right now we're meeting in the hostel's theater which is basically completely home made. They built stadium seating meets Aladdin satin cushions.
We got a lot on our plate now and are discussing our entire trip so I'm signing off but check back soon!
Hours in Airports: 3:50... Reagan National, Miami, Tocumen International (6:35 Total)
Hours in Airplanes: 6:20 (9:53 Total)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Charlottesville, VA
I got a little over three hours of sleep after packing, repacking and making sure that I brought everything with me and woke up at 3:45 this morning to make my 5:55am flight to Atlanta. It was definitely tough to leave my family after such a short time but I had a great time with family and friends in my brief week in St. Louis - the Birds played well for us and it was great catching up with everyone I could.
I've never seen this many people in the airport this early - the Delta parking lot was full and the lines inside were even worse. Thank God for e-check in otherwise I would've definitely been typing this from St. Louis. My 35 Liter (why do they measure it in liters) carry on hiking backpack successfully made it through security and onto two planes as "carry on". Simon 2, Airport Gestapo 0. I've been decked out in VG attire all day since I'm too afraid to open my luggage and unpack the delicate job within and we have a gig tonight. Then on to our banquet and more VG festivities. Congrats to our newly initiated VG brethren from last night - John Anderson, River Bennet and John Dreyzehner. Mother VG must've favored the front of the alphabet with this crop.
Excited to be back at Mr. Jefferson's University. Our flight into Cville flew right over UVA and I spotted the football stadium (duh), the Lawn and, most importantly, the Lambeth Amphitheater and my old apartment. I don't think we've ever flown in that way; it was a really unique view.
Hours in Airports: 2:45... Lambert St. Louis International, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Charlottesville-Albemarle. (2:45 Total)
Hours in Airplanes: 3:33 (3:33 Total)
I've never seen this many people in the airport this early - the Delta parking lot was full and the lines inside were even worse. Thank God for e-check in otherwise I would've definitely been typing this from St. Louis. My 35 Liter (why do they measure it in liters) carry on hiking backpack successfully made it through security and onto two planes as "carry on". Simon 2, Airport Gestapo 0. I've been decked out in VG attire all day since I'm too afraid to open my luggage and unpack the delicate job within and we have a gig tonight. Then on to our banquet and more VG festivities. Congrats to our newly initiated VG brethren from last night - John Anderson, River Bennet and John Dreyzehner. Mother VG must've favored the front of the alphabet with this crop.
Excited to be back at Mr. Jefferson's University. Our flight into Cville flew right over UVA and I spotted the football stadium (duh), the Lawn and, most importantly, the Lambeth Amphitheater and my old apartment. I don't think we've ever flown in that way; it was a really unique view.
Hours in Airports: 2:45... Lambert St. Louis International, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Charlottesville-Albemarle. (2:45 Total)
Hours in Airplanes: 3:33 (3:33 Total)
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Itinerary
Here's the gameplan for the summer.
On May 21st 2010, I fly out of St. Louis, MO, USA, my hometown, and arrive in Charlottesville, VA, USA to meet up with the Virginia Gentlemen, my A Capella group.
On May 24th 2010, the VGs fly from Washington, DC, USA to Panama, Panama.
On June 4th 2010, Wayne Dell and I leave for New York City and arrive on June 5th, early, early in the morning.
On June 5th 2010, Wayne and I fly out to London, via Shannon, Ireland. We get to London, UK on the morning of June 6th.
On July 2nd 2010, Paul Michel, Matt Pesesky and I are getting from London to Paris, France somehow (either Chunnel or cheap flight).
On July 7th 2010, we take the train to Barcelona, Spain. On the 12th, we take the train to Sevilla, Spain. On the 15th, we head to Madrid, Spain and we finally go to Lisbon, Portugal on July 20th.
On the 22nd, I'm flying to Frankfurt, Germany to catch a flight back to New York on the 23rd and am staying with my cousin for a bit.
Jam on.
On May 21st 2010, I fly out of St. Louis, MO, USA, my hometown, and arrive in Charlottesville, VA, USA to meet up with the Virginia Gentlemen, my A Capella group.
On May 24th 2010, the VGs fly from Washington, DC, USA to Panama, Panama.
On June 4th 2010, Wayne Dell and I leave for New York City and arrive on June 5th, early, early in the morning.
On June 5th 2010, Wayne and I fly out to London, via Shannon, Ireland. We get to London, UK on the morning of June 6th.
On July 2nd 2010, Paul Michel, Matt Pesesky and I are getting from London to Paris, France somehow (either Chunnel or cheap flight).
On July 7th 2010, we take the train to Barcelona, Spain. On the 12th, we take the train to Sevilla, Spain. On the 15th, we head to Madrid, Spain and we finally go to Lisbon, Portugal on July 20th.
On the 22nd, I'm flying to Frankfurt, Germany to catch a flight back to New York on the 23rd and am staying with my cousin for a bit.
Jam on.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Purpose --
So I'm about to enjoy the most amazing and privileged, lucky summer of my life. I'm so humbled to be traveling the world and want to document my journey for my friends and family around the world.
Brutally honest, painfully humorous - those are the guidelines I'm sticking to.
This summer I'm searching for what the globe is passionate about. It's a World Cup summer so the Beautiful Game will be on everyone's mind, but I want to see what Panamanians, the English, the French, Spaniards and the Portugese love and what gives their lives meaning.
To capture this, I'll be armed with my Macbook, some journals, ONE big backpack of quick drying clothes, my phone and essential travel docs, and a camera TBD.
I'd be honored if you joined me - talk to you soon!
Carpie Diem!
So I'm about to enjoy the most amazing and privileged, lucky summer of my life. I'm so humbled to be traveling the world and want to document my journey for my friends and family around the world.
Brutally honest, painfully humorous - those are the guidelines I'm sticking to.
This summer I'm searching for what the globe is passionate about. It's a World Cup summer so the Beautiful Game will be on everyone's mind, but I want to see what Panamanians, the English, the French, Spaniards and the Portugese love and what gives their lives meaning.
To capture this, I'll be armed with my Macbook, some journals, ONE big backpack of quick drying clothes, my phone and essential travel docs, and a camera TBD.
I'd be honored if you joined me - talk to you soon!
Carpie Diem!
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