#CJintheUK

As I prepare for my 40th birthday holiday through the British Isles, I remember that I never posted this entry about my September vacation.

I microblogged my trip through Europe using twitter and foursquare, even creating my own hashtag for the vacation, #CJintheUK, and tweeted happily along (usually when I could find abundant free wifi.) I think that it makes an amusing travelog to follow - complete with foursquare check ins, twitter conversations and selected uploaded pictures. (I am including the time and date stamp which came from the backlog in HootSuite, which is presented in Eastern Time.)

I didn't really edit the tweets, except for an occasional misspelling which I caught, a foreign word needing to be italicized or if a tweet needed a little clarification. I left in the hash tags, probably to the chagrin of some of you, though I thought that it could be interesting to see what topics or words I was tagging in order to make my tweets searchable.  For those of you who don't know why tweeters employ hash tags, a hash tag is a way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic. For example, if you search on #beer, you'll get a list of tweets related to the beer that tweeters have marked. 

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In 24 hours, to #Europe I will go. #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 04, 5:20pm via HootSuite)

heads 2 #Stockholm, then #Manchester, #Edinburgh, #Inverness, #Glasgow, #Llandudno, #Cardiff & #Dublin Suggestions? #travel (IrishWombat Sep 04, 5:50pm via HootSuite)

thanks @garrisod for the #Stockholm city hall tour tip: "Quite interesting given the #Nobel connection." (IrishWombat Sep 04, 8:40pm via txt)

@ChippyLyn Ydw! We leave Glasgow and head to Llandudno then, via Snowdonia, to Cardiff & lastly on to Manc for the flight home. (IrishWombat Sep 05, 12:17am via txt)

will be following this sage advice for mobile phone use in #Europe ow.ly/dtYOW #travel #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 05, 10:57am via HootSuite)

is checked in and ready for adventure. #travel #CJintheUK (@ Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) w/ 54 others) 4sq.com/OXY70T (IrishWombat Sep 05, 3:37pm via foursquare)

waits for the trip to #Stockholm. #CJintheUK (@ Gate B62) 4sq.com/NMQI7T (IrishWombat Sep 05, 4:13pm via foursquare)

touched the side of the plane before boarding - like always. That's for Liz! BTW, on SK0904 for all you flight tracker out there. (IrishWombat Sep 05, 4:55pm via HootSuite)

landed safely in #Sweden. #CJintheUK (@ Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) w/ 8 others) 4sq.com/OVy2Of (IrishWombat Sep 06, 1:12am via foursquare)

#Europe is so civilized. There's free #Wifi on the express airport train to #Stockholm. #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 06, 1:37am via HootSuite)

can't believe I'm here in Sweden. (@ Stockholms Centralstation w/ 6 others) 4sq.com/RbJNW1 (IrishWombat Sep 06, 2:00am via foursquare)

Um, #Stockholm smells like Acqua di Gio and cigarette smoke. #FirstImpressions (IrishWombat Sep 06, 2:02am via HootSuite)

made it to the world's smallest Summer Olympics stadium. #CJintheUK (@ Stockholms Stadion) 4sq.com/Tla3Om (IrishWombat Sep 06, 3:00am via foursquare)

What a ship! (@ Vasamuseet) 4sq.com/P2snt0 (IrishWombat Sep 06, 5:10am via foursquare)

landed safely in England - first accurate #CJintheUK tweet. (@ Manchester Airport (MAN) w/ 9 others) 4sq.com/QdJeeu (IrishWombat Sep 06, 1:10pm via foursquare)

Ugh! No #wifi. Must we discrete with the Internet. #CJintheUK. (@ Jurys Inn Manchester) 4sq.com/QoZCql (IrishWombat Sep 06, 3:00pm via foursquare)

walked into the lobby and #Madonna 's "Masterpiece" was playing. :) #CJintheUK (@ Jurys Inn Manchester) 4sq.com/QixGGT (IrishWombat Sep 07, 8:56am via foursquare)

has to come out to the station for good free #Wifi to use. #CJintheUK. (@ Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station (MAN)) 4sq.com/Ql7R3b (IrishWombat Sep 07, 9:21am via foursquare)

"All coffee is a £1. Lattes, americanos, etc." @ Carluccio's: 4sq.com/UxEQpp #foursquare (IrishWombat Sep 07, 9:27am via foursquare)

Greek façade, Banksy and West African Art, all in one. #CJintheUK (@ Manchester Art Gallery) 4sq.com/Q410PI (IrishWombat Sep 07, 10:19am via foursquare)

I just reached Level 5 of the "Warhol" badge on @foursquare. I’ve checked in at 20 different art galleries! 4sq.com/Q410PF (IrishWombat Sep 07, 10:19am via foursquare)

enjoys a brisk day. #CJintheUK (@ Manchester Town Hall) 4sq.com/NYUncK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 11:32am via foursquare)

found the bar and ordered a Beartown Ginger Beer. Quite good. (@ The Molly House) 4sq.com/OWHtOP (IrishWombat Sep 07, 4:07pm via foursquare)

"Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle... I'm sexy and I know it." #ILovMCR #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 6:36pm via HootSuite)

wants a Strongbow! #ILovMCR #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 6:52pm via HootSuite)

The bar is playing "Sexyback" and I just did Jenn and Lisa's *shackle* move. #ILovMCR #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 7:20pm via HootSuite)

@kylieminogue abounds at Churchill's in Manchester! #ILovMCR #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 7:35pm via HootSuite)

"How Will I Know" by Whitney is playing at the bar #ILoveMCR #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 8:42pm via txt)

OMG Fish and Chips = Protein and Carbs + fat! #Yum! #ILoveMCR #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 07, 9:31pm via HootSuite)

hates to leave, but will be back in less than a fortnight. #ILoveMCR #CJintheUK (@ Jurys Inn Manchester) 4sq.com/PQHoeL (IrishWombat Sep 08, 2:40am via foursquare)

I'm at Angel Of The North (Gateshead, Tyne and Wear) 4sq.com/QtZkP4 (IrishWombat Sep 08, 7:58am via foursquare)

I'm at Scotland/England border - Coldstream (Coldstream, Scottish Borders) 4sq.com/U1HDF6 (IrishWombat Sep 08, 9:10am via foursquare)

finally made it to #Edinburgh. #CJintheUK (@ Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa) 4sq.com/O2gdMx (IrishWombat Sep 08, 11:56am via foursquare)

is grabbing a pint with the locals. #CJintheUK (@ Tiles) 4sq.com/PSaFG7 (IrishWombat Sep 08, 4:22pm via foursquare)

ordered a Caledonia Best #beer #CJintheUK (@ New Town Bar) 4sq.com/QpJ4Rf (IrishWombat Sep 08, 5:15pm via foursquare)

gets a little God in #Scotland. #CJintheUK (@ St. Mary's RC Cathedral) 4sq.com/RrC1Ye (IrishWombat Sep 09, 5:30am via foursquare)

finally got his hands on an IRN BRU #Scotland #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 09, 10:10am via txt)

waits for #Edinburgh Riding of the Marches on the Royal Mile. #Scotland #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 09, 10:32am via txt)

Taking in the sites in #Scotland with Dad. #CJintheUK. (@ Edinburgh Castle w/ 2 others) 4sq.com/RAme3J (IrishWombat Sep 09, 1:36pm via foursquare)

watches the @London2012 #Paralympics Closing Ceremonies in Festival Sq in #Edinburgh #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 09, 3:49pm via txt)

Fantastic. #Coldplay is playing at the @London2012 #Paralympics after a #steampunk themed spectacle + fire! #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 09, 4:25pm via HootSuite)

Now, #Rihanna joins #Coldplay at the #London2012 #Paralympics. Never liked the song til now! Great performance! #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 09, 4:47pm via HootSuite)

"Open Up Your Mind" The @London2012 #Paralympics have ended. So bittersweet! #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 09, 5:55pm via HootSuite)

#Edinburgh Castle on an overcast day #CJintheUK ow.ly/i/V5NU #travel #photography (IrishWombat Sep 09, 7:31pm via HootSuite)

was robbed! The Sheraton only served vegetarian #haggis this morn at breakfast. #CJintheUK #travel #food (IrishWombat Sep 10, 4:53am via HootSuite)

has limited #wifi up here, but going to Loch Ness tomorrow. #CJintheUK (@ The Kingsmills Hotel Inverness (Scotland)) 4sq.com/NWjlzB (IrishWombat Sep 10, 4:13pm via foursquare)

All Scottish eyes are on Murray at the US Open. #CJintheUK #tennis #travel. Go Andy! (IrishWombat Sep 10, 5:45pm via txt)

"Cause I don't want to be lonely I don't want to be scared And all our friends are waiting there Until you're safe and sound" #NeverForget (IrishWombat Sep 11, 12:01pm via HootSuite)

was here much earlier, but alas no #Wifi. #CJintheUK. (@ Loch Ness) 4sq.com/OnPRdR (IrishWombat Sep 11, 12:30pm via foursquare)

I just ousted @tuminds as the mayor of The Kingsmills Hotel and Kingsclub on @foursquare! 4sq.com/bPQv2f (IrishWombat Sep 11, 12:51pm via foursquare)

I just ousted @tuminds as the mayor of The Kingsmills Hotel Inverness (Scotland) on @foursquare! 4sq.com/cv40sZ (IrishWombat Sep 11, 12:51pm via foursquare)

was also here earlier but didn't have #Wifi. #CJintheUK (@ Urquhart Castle) 4sq.com/QLhPLB (IrishWombat Sep 11, 3:29pm via foursquare)

hopes someone can translate "humped pelican crossing" from #British to #American #English Cheers! #CJintheUK #travel (IrishWombat Sep 11, 4:29pm via txt)

You better believe I've been walking through #Scotland listening to this. #CJintheUK youtube.com/watch?v=x6ugPs… (IrishWombat Sep 11, 4:38pm via YouTube on iOS)

tuminds: @irishwombat enjoy your stay at the @KingsmillsHotel Will return tomorrow morning to claim my Mayorship back! ;) #Rotarymeeting

@tuminds Can't we just share it? It was my first mayorship in the UK though. :( Enjoy your #Rotarymeeting tomorrow. (IrishWombat Sep 11, 4:41pm via Twitter for iPhone)

needed to get a pint here. #CJintheUK (@ Hootenanny) 4sq.com/UI49oB (IrishWombat Sep 11, 5:01pm via foursquare)

just got to watch Sir Tom Jones chug a pint on the Rob Brydon show on #BBC2. I love the UK. #CJintheUK #travel (IrishWombat Sep 11, 6:50pm via Twitter for iPhone)

safely made it to Glasgow. #CJintheUK (@ Millennium Hotel) 4sq.com/SEetAE (IrishWombat Sep 12, 10:25am via foursquare)

Yum! #Haggis for breakie. #CJintheUK #food #travel pic.twitter.com/3liszFmi (IrishWombat Sep 12, 11:36am via Photos on iOS)

You can take the boy out of Jersey, but you can't tell Jersey out of the boy. (@ St. Enoch Shopping Centre) 4sq.com/QjB6oE (IrishWombat Sep 12, 12:29pm via foursquare)

is having a lovely early dinner. #CJintheUK (@ Browns) 4sq.com/RS6TQD (IrishWombat Sep 12, 1:10pm via foursquare)

enjoyed an Innis & Gunn - a delish oak aged #beer. #CJintheUK pic.twitter.com/IpgJy6an (IrishWombat Sep 12, 2:40pm via Photos on iOS)

wanted to get some #Whisky in #Scotland. #CJIntheUK (@ The Underground Bar) 4sq.com/SFk1ej (IrishWombat Sep 12, 5:19pm via foursquare)

starts with a Caledonia's Best #Beer. It will be an early night. #CJintheUK #Scotland (IrishWombat Sep 12, 5:32pm via Twitter for iPhone)

drinks the peaty wonder that is Laphroaig! #Scotland #Whisky #CJintheUK A perfect nightcap #travel pic.twitter.com/5bw364gj (IrishWombat Sep 12, 6:42pm via Twitter for iPhone)

Laphroaig

didn't have #wifi there, but the view was amazing. #Scotland #CJintheUK (@ Stirling Castle) 4sq.com/TXHrtf (IrishWombat Sep 13, 11:36am via foursquare)

thought to give his place a gander. #CJintheUK (@ Merchant Pride (candle bar)) 4sq.com/ShuE0t (IrishWombat Sep 13, 3:29pm via foursquare)

had a pint here, too. #CJintheUK (@ Waterloo) 4sq.com/Q6eW8M (IrishWombat Sep 13, 4:22pm via foursquare)

I just ousted Chris Q. as the mayor of The Underground Bar on @foursquare! 4sq.com/bMSny5 (IrishWombat Sep 13, 5:01pm via foursquare)

Noticed a #Glaswegian wearing the same outfit as last night. I have my hols as excuse if I did that! Wot's his? #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 13, 6:05pm via Twitter for iPhone)

finally made it to "Old North" #Wales. The original is as charming as the newer one. #CJintheUK. (@ Llandudno) 4sq.com/PiwyiG (IrishWombat Sep 14, 12:04pm via foursquare)

Oi, Case! What's occurin'? I'm in #Wales, Ness. #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 14, 3:36pm via Twitter for iPhone)

All throughout my time in Wales, I was making referencing to the British show, "Gavin & Stacey," which unfortunately my parents have not heard of and they may have grown a bit weary of my quips, especially seen in one of my later tweets.

swears he just saw a blokey tween Rocco Ritchie at the hotel in Llandudno. #CJintheUK #Wales (IrishWombat Sep 14, 4:37pm via Twitter for iPhone)

garrisod: @IrishWombat you going to be near Snowdonia or Conwy Castle tomorrow? (5:12pm, Sep 14 from Twitter for BlackBerry)

@garrisod Uni of Bristol then off through Snowdonia for Cardiff. (IrishWombat Sep 14, 5:13pm via Twitter for iPhone)

garrisod: @IrishWombat Imma be in Snowdonia on the peak then at Conwy Castle (5:14pm, Sep 14 from Twitter for BlackBerry)

@garrisod I'll be in London next month for a Penn event. (IrishWombat Sep 14, 5:15pm via Twitter for iPhone)

garrisod: @IrishWombat I haven't been in London in 10 years :-) but will be there next month with my parents and Charles (5:16pm, Sep 14 from Twitter for BlackBerry)

@garrisod Wow. It's a small world, eh? Like ships passing through the night. (IrishWombat Sep 14, 5:17pm via Twitter for iPhone)

@tuminds How was the #Rotarymeeting ? (IrishWombat Sep 14, 5:17pm via Twitter for iPhone)

found the cwrw, @ChippyLyn! (aka #beer) pic.twitter.com/WGnhMRk2 (IrishWombat Sep 15, 3:48am via Twitter for iPhone)

@ChippyLyn Llandudno now, off to the Uni of Bangor, through Snowdonia to Cardiff at night. (IrishWombat Sep 15, 4:40am via txt)

leaves for #Cardiff, he might see @garrisod en route! #CJintheUK #Wales. (@ Llandudno) 4sq.com/QNI3Au (IrishWombat Sep 15, 4:55am via foursquare)

has yet to learn the nuances of #Welsh vowels. Right now muddling through using schwas. #CJintheUK #Wales. (IrishWombat Sep 15, 8:10am via HootSuite)

I just reached Level 5 of the "Great Outdoors" badge on @foursquare. I’ve checked in at 20 different outdoor spots! 4sq.com/UWinCz (IrishWombat Sep 15, 8:12am via foursquare)

just missed Catherine and William! #CJintheUK #Wales (@ Anglesey Island) 4sq.com/UWiq13 (IrishWombat Sep 15, 8:12am via foursquare)

ChippyLyn @IrishWombat a beautiful language mate try saying llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch it's a small village in N Wales (ChippyLyn Sep 15, 8:13am via Twitter for iPhone)

@ChippyLyn We passed by that! I'm trying to manage the 'll' sound, too. Beautiful language, tough to learn. (IrishWombat Sep 15, 8:39am via Twitter for iPhone)

has made it to all 4 home nations' capitals now! Hylô, Caerdydd! #CJintheUK #Wales (@ Hilton Cardiff) 4sq.com/TXNMGD (IrishWombat Sep 15, 4:08pm via foursquare)

got caught up in a fog machine in a Cardiff bar. #CJintheUK #Wales (IrishWombat Sep 15, 6:56pm via Twitter for iPhone)

is getting to see the aftermath of several #hen and #stag parties in the streets of Cardiff, right now. #CJintheUK #Wales (IrishWombat Sep 15, 8:04pm via Twitter for iPhone)

will try to understand God in #Welsh. #CJintheUK #Wales (@ St David's Metropolitan Cathedral) 4sq.com/UZmHAR (IrishWombat Sep 16, 5:42am via foursquare)

lunches on a chicken sweetcorn sandwich & the rest of the #haggis flavoured chips. #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 16, 10:39am via Twitter for iPhone)

visited the Roman ramparts recreation at the castle and saw this: (@ Cardiff Castle) 4sq.com/QRCeSq (IrishWombat Sep 16, 3:35pm via foursquare)

Having some #haggis flavoured crisps. #CJintheUK pic.twitter.com/W3gCJyqN (IrishWombat Sep 16, 3:58pm via Photos on iOS)

What a beautifully tiled bar in and out. #CJintheUK #Wales (@ Golden Cross) 4sq.com/OuUEVi (IrishWombat Sep 16, 5:14pm via foursquare)

enjoyed a Brain's Black: Welsh Stout. Like choc milk with a sweet & bitter finish. Yum! #beer #CJintheUK #Wales (IrishWombat Sep 16, 5:39pm via Twitter for iPhone)

The "Gavin & Stacey" reference that I made too many times with my folks:

I just wanna shout "Smihffy!" while I'm in Cardiff. #CJintheUK #Wales (IrishWombat Sep 16, 5:50pm via Twitter for iPhone)

CollyFromWally: "@IrishWombat I just wanna shout "Smihffy!" while I'm in Cardiff. #CJintheUK #Wales"<---what i="" occurrin="" s="">(5:53pm, Sep 16 from Web)

.@CollyFromWally Oi, Sahrr, what's occurrin'? Cheers! #CJintheUK #Wales (IrishWombat Sep 16, 5:57pm via Twitter for iPhone)
starts winding down his trip throughout GB. Dubs, tomorrow. #CJintheUK #England (@ Hilton Manchester Airport) 4sq.com/Qg4rjq (IrishWombat Sep 17, 11:56am via foursquare)

heads in the city for one last beer with mates in GB. #CJintheUK #England (@ Manchester Airport Railway Station (MIA)) 4sq.com/QwVT8m (IrishWombat Sep 17, 2:29pm via foursquare)

enjoys his pint with Sean at a lovely bar. #CJintheUK #England (@ Via Fossa) 4sq.com/RkORCj (IrishWombat Sep 17, 4:36pm via foursquare)

OMG! The best late night snack ever. ow.ly/i/WwPS Jaffa cakes & choc milk. #CJintheUK #England (IrishWombat Sep 17, 6:39pm via HootSuite)

waits for his flight to Ireland. #CJintheUK. (@ Manchester Airport (MAN) w/ 5 others) 4sq.com/S1wH8C (IrishWombat Sep 18, 2:03am via foursquare)

queues and queues. #CJintheUK (@ Gate 9) 4sq.com/PmY9zv (IrishWombat Sep 18, 2:30am via foursquare)

made it to #Ireland. #CJintheUK (@ Dublin Airport (DUB) - Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath w/ 4 others) 4sq.com/Pn7OWR (IrishWombat Sep 18, 4:18am via foursquare)

finally had a soup of the day in #Ireland that wasn't veggie! Bacon Chilli ( #CJintheUK ) (IrishWombat Sep 18, 8:03am via txt)

took pics! (@ The National Museum of Ireland - Natural History) 4sq.com/Rp7Xaw (IrishWombat Sep 18, 8:53am via foursquare)

This #Dublin Starbucks is playing Sinéad O'Conner's "Emperor's New Clothes" #Ireland #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 18, 9:15am via HootSuite)

athtrasna: @IrishWombat ahem....Casey darling...did you just mention Dublin and being in the UK in the same tweet? Have you caught Lady Gaga-itis? (9:16am, Sep 18 from TweetDeck)

@athtrasna No, the hash tag for THIS holiday was #CJintheUK. I used it for the 8 hours is was even in Stockholm. Last year was #CJinIreland. (IrishWombat Sep 18, 9:18am via HootSuite)

athtrasna: @IrishWombat phew! Lady Gaga made a reference on Saturday night..didn't go down too well. Hope you're having fun in our cold city! (9:19am, Sep 18 from TweetDeck)

@athtrasna It was 30 C when I left the US. This is pleasant. I'm just glad to be able to visit Dubs when I can. :) Cheers! (Poor Gaga btw!) (IrishWombat Sep 18, 9:21am via HootSuite)

posted one last postcard and visited Cúchulainn. (@ General Post Office (GPO)) 4sq.com/OClqk1 (IrishWombat Sep 18, 9:46am via foursquare)

picks up some #Jaffa cakes for the trip home. #Ireland ( #CJintheUK ) (@ Dunnes Stores) 4sq.com/NzXFHZ (IrishWombat Sep 18, 11:37am via foursquare)

ordered #curry chicken & aloo methi. Heard it's the best place in Dubs for curry. (@ Madina Desi Curry Co.) 4sq.com/NAmsvx (IrishWombat Sep 18, 2:32pm via foursquare)

meets up with a friend for a drink. #Ireland ( #CJintheUK ) (@ The Front Lounge) 4sq.com/S2XcdG (IrishWombat Sep 18, 3:15pm via foursquare)

runs last minute shopping errands in City Centre #Ireland ( #CJintheUK ) (@ Mary Street) 4sq.com/Pz5fkd (IrishWombat Sep 19, 5:23am via foursquare)

plans to head home. :( #Ireland ( #CJintheUK ) (@ Dublin Airport (DUB) - Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath w/ 10 others) 4sq.com/QBtE8z (IrishWombat Sep 19, 7:15am via foursquare)

Of course one can get a beer at a BK in IE. #travel (@ Burger King) 4sq.com/OEwqxy (IrishWombat Sep 19, 7:49am via foursquare)

Rest assured, Steve, #redheads are thriving in the British Isles. #Ireland #CJintheUK (well, over the pond now.) (IrishWombat Sep 19, 7:59am via HootSuite)

picked up a few of the Cooley collection. (@ The Irish Whiskey Collection) 4sq.com/S5Q2uJ (IrishWombat Sep 19, 8:09am via foursquare)

leaves #Ireland for good now this trip. (@ Usa Pre Clearance) 4sq.com/PzxwXT (IrishWombat Sep 19, 8:13am via foursquare)

Wanted to let you know, @thorntonmh, that it's #Donegal & #Mayo in the #GAA final this Sat! #Ireland ( #CJintheUK ) (IrishWombat Sep 19, 8:17am via HootSuite)

It's about 1:35 pm in #Ireland and everyone I know is in the same day! ow.ly/i/WOlB (IrishWombat Sep 19, 8:36am via HootSuite)

knows you've missed his postings. Now landed in the US. (@ Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) w/ 54 others) 4sq.com/QCIdbR (IrishWombat Sep 19, 5:48pm via Twitter for iPhone)

is home safe and sound... and nestled for bed #CJintheUK (@ Route 13 Outpost) 4sq.com/PBHhF3 (IrishWombat Sep 19, 9:41pm via foursquare)

naps to fend off the gripe of jetlag. #travel (@ Route 13 Outpost) 4sq.com/ROZj5l (IrishWombat Sep 22, 3:34pm via foursquare)

After my trip to the British Isles, I realised how much I appreciate those countries: the history, my ancestral connection, the people I met and how my interactions with them made my holiday different than just touring around with a group. I was longing for it. I started listening to "Soul Cages" to transition being back home and I would seek out British pop stars on the jukebox when I went out. Other songs just struck a chord about the trip and I tweeted some of the lyrics that resonated with me. Finally, I would just reach out to the twittersphere to make a connection back to that great British experience.  These following tweets are corollaries to my vacation; I've added them for fun.

Bring down the angels
Cast them from my sight
I never want to see
A million suns at midnight
(IrishWombat Sep 22, 6:32pm via HootSuite)

pre-games with the peaty Connemara #whiskey by Cooley - an Irish whiskey with a hint of a good Scotch. 4sq.com/PVbi1p (IrishWombat Sep 22, 9:14pm via foursquare)

shares pictures from #Sweden and #Stockholm ow.ly/dWPAn from the epic #CJintheUK vacation. #travel #photography (IrishWombat Sep 24, 11:57am via HootSuite)

wonders why he always has expensive tastes: ow.ly/dYxND #Edinburgh is the 2nd most expensive city in Europe. #travel (IrishWombat Sep 25, 10:23am via HootSuite)

was convinced after vacation the Scots *were* the beer-drinkingest folks on the planet. ow.ly/dYE8w #travel #beer (IrishWombat Sep 25, 12:36pm via HootSuite)

So while you're here in my arms
Let's make the most of the night
Like we're gonna die young.
(IrishWombat Sep 26, 12:42pm via HootSuite)

just devoured the last of the shortbread fingers from #Scotland :( Le sad. (IrishWombat Sep 26, 9:20pm via HootSuite)

It's been a month since I've blogged, but I hope this picture of #Scotland makes up for it ow.ly/e2lQu #travel #blog #photography (IrishWombat Sep 27, 10:35am via HootSuite)

The priest has said my soul's salvation
Is in the balance of the angels
And underneath the wheels of passion
I keep the faith in my fashion
(IrishWombat Sep 27, 12:31pm via HootSuite)

shares a @Penn-centric travelogue of his trip to #Wales and #Scotland (& beyond) ow.ly/e2yUm #blog #CJintheUK (IrishWombat Sep 27, 1:16pm via HootSuite)

US Anglophiles, can anyone recommend a good place for a fry-up in #Philadelphia? #food #travel (IrishWombat Sep 29, 9:16am via HootSuite)

When you're in unfamiliar places
Count on me through life's changes
Crash into me
We can collide, we can collide
(IrishWombat Sep 29, 12:00pm via HootSuite)

And I am a weapon of massive consumption
And it’s not my fault it's how I'm programmed to function…
(IrishWombat Sep 29, 10:30pm via HootSuite)

I'll look at the Sun and I'll look in the Mirror
I'm on the right track, yeah we're on to a winner
(IrishWombat Sep 29, 10:31pm via HootSuite)

It's official. I'm heading back to the UK. This time, #London, from October 19-23, then on to #Paris. (IrishWombat Oct 01, 1:05pm via HootSuite)

misses the #UK. (@ Pret A Manger) 4sq.com/PBowjh (IrishWombat Oct 04, 4:29pm via foursquare)

Thank you for the indulgence. 

Not yet named travel entry: Dartmouth College

It's been a while since I posted on my own blog, but here is an entry that was originally posted on Frankly Penn (the University of Pennsylvania Alumni blog) on June 27, 2012. I have made minor edits.

For those who don't know my day job, I work in Alumni Relations. Not everyone understands what I do on a daily basis.

Baker Library, quintessential Dartmouth

Alumni relations professionals advance the mission of their institutions and serve and support its alumni - graduates of an educational institution - reflecting the values of the institution. We reinforce the principles of honesty, integrity, and trust, which form the basis for long-term relationships and engagement with the school. For the majority of us, we manage and direct the work of alumni volunteers who are promoting the image of the College or University to their school peers.

Annually, the Alumni Relations groups of the 8 Ivy League Universities as well as MIT and Stanford gather for the Ivy Plus Alumni Relations Conference, or Ivy+ for short. It is three-day forum at a peer institution where were meet our colleagues who do the same work we do in order to hone our craft. This year, the conference was hosted by Dartmouth College.

Dartmouth Hall, the original college building

Nestled in the town of Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College sits as an idyllic institution of higher education. So perfect is the image, Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 said “this is what a college is supposed to look like.” It is quite charming and, if Penn didn’t exist, I would agree with Eisenhower (for the record, I think that Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford and Yale are all what college is supposed to look like.)

The Dartmouth Alumni Relations staff dazzled us with their school pride and shared with us their traditions like the Dartmouth Outing Club First-Year Trips, the Salty Dog Rag, the Winter Carnival, and Homecoming. From D-Term to Animal House, from Sophomore Summer to Occom Pond, we were taken on a crash course of all that is Dartmouth. By the end, several of us were seeing green – Dartmouth Green.

Christine Tempesta, Director, Strategic Initiatives, delivering her TEDx-style speech (note the ice sculpture of a beaver – MIT’s mascot)

Each of my colleagues found our specific conference track – focused on our area of expertise, including Affinity Groups and Shared Interest Groups; Alumni Education and Travel; Classes and Reunions; Clubs and Regional Associations; Marketing, Communications and Technology; Student and Young Alumni Programs; and Volunteer Management and Alumni Boards. In these sessions, we discussed best practices and shared success stories that we can hopefully adapt at our home University. The intent is that when we return to our campus, we follow up and continue the conversations started at Ivy+. I've already been in touch with my wonderful peer at Dartmouth, and I'm working on my follow up to my presentation, "Are Small Clubs Dying?" to the attendees.

Vijay addressing the Ivy+ crowd

Outside of our tracks of expertise, we had daily plenary sessions. Two of these featured Christopher Trimble, adjunct professor of Business Administration and Vijay Govindarajan, the Earl C. Daum 1924 Professor of International Business, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College – the authors of The Other Side of Innovation. During Ivy+, their discussions were based on our pre-conference reading (a.k.a. homework), How Stella Saved The Farm: A Wild and Woolly Tale About Making Innovation Happen, a fable based on their business best-seller. The discussions revolved around how to change the way we think about the planning for the future (where will the firm be in 20 years and what products or services will being the firm there) and addressing the need of mutual respect for the business’s production engine and its innovation team (both of which will be in conflict with each other).

The Tower Room, in Baker Library – the statue is a tribute to the original mission of the College

The other plenary discussion was from Peter Post, Director, The Emily Post Institute, and a follow Penn alumnus, who discussed the etiquette of tough situations. Peter annually comes to Dartmouth during their sophomore summer for a lunch which pairs the current sophomore class (the Class of 2015) with the matching 50th reunion class (the Class of 1965). The lunch is a wonderful opportunity for the two classes to make connections and discover each others class, while learning (or refreshing) their table etiquette. For us, though, Peter focused on what the contemporary meaning of etiquette is while being true to his great-grandmother’s mission: etiquette is the relationship between two people that is respectful, considerate, and based in honest. In remembering these three tenets, Peter assured us that we would have proper etiquette in the business world. He finished his talk with some role play to manage some of the most challenging interactions in today’s social world.

The Steam Tunnel Tour (picture from the Ivy+ Facebook page)

We talked shop, but we had fun too. On Wednesday, we had the options of a tour of the Hood Museum of Art for the show – Nature Transformed: Edward Burynsky’s Vermont Quarry Photographs in Context, a walking tour of campus led by Dartmouth sophomores or underground steam tunnel tour. On Thursday, we had a Dr. Seuss-themed Oh, the Places You’ll Go! excursion (Theodor Seuss Geisel is a Dartmouth Class of 1925 alumnus), which mirrored the Dartmouth Outing Club First-Year Trips, to the Connecticut River for either canoeing or kayaking, to King Arthur Flour Store and Bakery, to Simon Pearce – glassblowing and pottery studio, to a guided hike along the Connecticut, to the Hood Museum for the presentation “Ancient Art, New Media: Bringing the Past to Life,” or to the Harpoon Brewery. I opted for Harpoon in neighboring Vermont.

I am enjoying my excursion at Harpoon

At the end of the three days, the conference ended with a handful of TEDx-styled talks from our peers, including our own Elise Betz. They were charming, informative, evocative and emotional. The motivational chats moved the audience and summarized the amazing experience of getting to spend 3 days with our Ivy+ peers, sharing our skills, brainstorming ideas and meeting such impressive people who love their alma mater! Ending on a high note, we announced that Penn would be hosting Ivy+ in 2013. It’s a lot of work, but we’re looking forward to it. 

For your information, Peter Post’s guidelines for good business lunch etiquette

Not yet named travel entry: Bayou City and Treasures from Ancient Eygpt

I have visited Houston on a few occasions, but I never really explored the place.  The first time I was stuck out in the suburbs of Humble and my returns to the Space City have had me out in the Galleria area for the day or two that I was working.  This time, I was able to drive around and see more of the city and get to be a part of the daily life.

The monument at its full height

I won’t claim to understand H-town.  Without a guide, I couldn’t find the bustling downtown area.  Yet, I can drive to the Galleria area from the airport blindfolded and I did find the lovely Museum District, around Bissonnet Street.  After a delicious crawfish po’boy lunch at Calliope's Po-Boy, I headed out to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, leaving the 610 loop eastward toward La Porte, Texas.

After the twenty mile drive from lunch, I turned off the highway and drove down Independence Parkway, through massive drum-shaped oil containers and the Texas-themed banners.  Off in the distance, I could spy the large column monument as I noticed scenes of the Texas War of Independence painted on the sides of the containers.

I arrived that the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. The site commemorates battle of San Jacinto which after the Battle of the Alamo and “Runaway Scrape” in Washington-on-the-Brazos cemented Texas’ independence from Mexico.

Sam Houston and his poorly trained Texans were at a strategic loss after these military defeats and could not continue against General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, and his troops without an advantage.

Advantageously, Houston and his men arrived at Buffalo Bayou around the location where the loop 610 currently crosses the waterway.  There they learned that Santa Anna was camping further downstream, separate from the bulk of the Mexican army, and Houston and the Texas troops were able to capture Mexican provisions to provide desperately needed supplies.

A close up looking up the column

Upon his arrival at nearby San Jacinto, Santa Anna tried to draw the Texans into battle and subsequently learned that Houston’s men outnumber his after a few skirmishes that night. Then began a few days of psychiatric warfare – Houston played a waiting game with Santa Anna – the Mexican troops were tired from staying up all night to be prepared for a Texan attack at first light which never happened.  In turn, Houston’s men rested and ate up for strength.

After three days on April 21, 1836, about 500 more Mexican troops arrived in the morning, Houston sent men to destroy a bridge to delay any reinforcements. That afternoon Houston assembled his troops and sprung the frontal assault using the element of surprise, while two other group of Texans flanked the Mexican camp. The Texans advanced to within 300 yards of the Mexicans before they hollered "Remember Goliad! Remember the Alamo!" and the battle ensued. By the end of the day, Houston was wounded and nine Texans and 630 Mexicans died or were mortally wounded.  Houston had handed Santa Anna a tremendous defeat, though the Mexican President had managed to escape. Not risking Santa Anna’s regrouping with the remaining Mexican army, Houston sent out scouts and they captured the President who was disguised as a private by noon the following day.  With his capture, Santa Anna ordered his troops to withdraw from Texas, securing independence for the Republic of Texas.

Today, at the battle site, the over 567-foot high column stands to commemorate this decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. It is the world's tallest monumental column and is home to the San Jacinto Museum of History, which focuses on the history of the Battle of San Jacinto and Texas culture and heritage. The monument has an observation deck located immediately below the 220-ton Lone Star of Texas which offers northern, western and southern view including vistas of Houston, the USS Texas and the Houston Ship Channel.

Outside the MFAH

However, Texas history was not the impetus for my visit; the main drive behind my travel was the King Tut exhibit in town.

Harrison Ford welcomes you with a narration introducing Tutankhamun - the Golden King and the Great Pharaohs. Anxious and excited, I can’t wait for the reveal.  After Ford’s preamble, the exhibit is opened to us and we enter in awe.

Hours before I sat in a lecture with David Silverman, the Eckley Brinton Coxe, Jr. Professor of Egyptology and Curator of Penn Museum's Egyptian Section.  He is one of the leading authorities on ancient Egypt and its civilization.  Dr. Silverman was the national curator, advisor, and academic content creator for the blockbuster exhibition "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, ” and he was also responsible for the curatorial content in the original 1977 "Treasures of Tutankhamun.” This man knows his Egyptology.

He addressed the small group of us on work as the curator of Tutankhamun - the Golden King and the Great Pharaohs and we followed onto his an additional lecture about the Curse of the Pharaohs.  His thought and grand scheme that went into planning the exhibit was beyond compare.  While it’s obvious that a great exhibit has a compelling story and good layout, this was an extraordinary exhibit.  The attention to detail was impressive. 

This is the behemoth statue

The entrance into the show with Ford’s monologue set up the anticipation.  The open space of the exhibit lends to better maneuvering throughout the exhibition and having 360° of access to the items, like being able to examine the backside's hieroglyphics, adds a richer dimension.  The presentation of the artifacts staged in position alludes to the design and the interior of the tomb.  The exhibition is a voyage from Egypt’s pharaonic history to the contents of Tutankhamun’s final resting place.

The division of the show between the accounts of Tutankhamun’s father, Amenhotep IV (later Akhenaten) through to Pharaohs beyond and the drama of entering Tut’s tomb to learn about the phenomenal articles found in the burial chamber is set up by Bill Kurtis’ exhilarating reading that represent you virtually with the sixteen steps into Tut’s tomb.

The exhibit hosts many wonders from ancient Egypt including a behemoth statue of Tutankhamun standing about 17 feet tall from his tomb (that eerily looks like Michael Jackson a la "Remember the Time."); King Tut’s golden sandals; the funerary mask of Psusennes I, an amazingly detailed golden mask covering the head, chest and shoulders of the mummy of Psusennes; and the collar of Princess Neferuptah, a wide collar of 6 rows of alternating feldspar and carnelian beads finished with two falcon head fastens discovered on the body of Neferuptah, daughter to Amenhotep III.

Funerary mask of Psusennes I

 After seeing these remarkable artifacts, the exhibit finishes with a replica of King Tut’s mummy.  National Geographic, a partner in the exhibition, displays the science behind the show.  Medical doctors have examined his mummy extensively and diagnosed him with a litany of maladies including an under bite, a club foot and fracture below the knee.  The break in his leg has led some scientist to postulate that a blood infection due to poor healing may have caused his demise.

While the mysteries of Tut may have not all be answered, the treasure of Golden King and the Great Pharaohs leave an indelible mark on the visitor.

Tutankhamun pictures courtesy of Dr. David Silverman. 

Not yet named travel entry: A wondrous weekend West

I spent a lovely weekend before my birthday in San Francisco where my fellow traveler and I went there to celebrate a friend's son's first birthday.

Party planning always includes a foray to the beach
(Aiden, Brigid and Hilary)

We knew that we would be heroes if we could figure out a way to get out to San Francisco for the little one's birthday.  When the save the date came out, about 6 weeks before the party, the airfares were outrageous - $400 round trip.  However I was determined to get there; I missed Brigid's (the mom) visit for Hilary's (the follow traveler) birthday in early February because of a long standing commitment in Killington, VT. So, I wanted to make things right with the world. 


I'm an avid fan of Airfarewatchdog. I've signed up for their alerts for many different trips: San Diego, Austin, Boston and always San Francisco. About 10 days before the party, an alert came through for  $248 tickets round-trip to San Francisco for the weekend on Delta. Within 30 minutes for getting the notice, I confirmed with Hilary that she still waned to go and bought the tickets.

Happy 1-year old baby faces.

We flew in on Friday afternoon and red-eyed home on Sunday.  We landed in time for a nightcap at our hotel, the Palace Hotel, on Market Street. (My home away from home in San Francisco.)  We made sure that we touched based with Brigid to help plan for the party.

San Francisco is always on my favorite places in the world, and during the first weekend of March this year, it was also incredible warm. Days were in the 70s, which meant, Brigid's mandatory evenings at the beach.  Not that it was any hardship.

The days were clear and sunny.  Such a treat for March in San Francisco!  We could see with our unaided eyes the Farallon Islands which are usually enshrouded in fog. As there was no weather approaching, just clear skies, we each took turns from assembling the cupcake picks and passed the binoculars among us to spy on the islands in better detail.

The Sunset is a great show at a birthday party

The party was such a fun event. It was a "one-year-old's birthday for adults," with grilled chicken and burgers and lots of local wine and beer. There were a handful of little ones to play with and plenty of grown ups to chat with. Our hosts were thrilled to have their house full of friends and loved ones, while the man of honor was a champ and held up though the party with aplomb.

One of the rare treats on a March day like this in the Outer Sunset was the ability to actually watch a sunset.  The western wall of the apartment is mostly windows, opening out to the houses behind and the beach beyond. Friends stood side by side to chat as parents held their kids u, all to watch the sinking golden drop melt into the sea at the horizon. Though I didn't capture it on film, we did see the green flash of lore.

The next day, I caught up with a college friend of mine who lives in the bay area.  We settled on Olea in Lower Pac Heights/Nob Hill for brunch before we ran down to the Mission for Ice Cream.  As I expect from San Francisco eateries, the food was sourced locally, organic and fresh.  The setting was a casual bistro and it was quintessentially Californian - like refined salt of the earth. In addition, they serve Blue Bottle Coffee - the only other coffee that I will drink in San Francisco outside of Peet's.

The moon in the East.

The next day's sunset.

After brunch, we walked back to the hotel to plan the rest of the day.  We were on a mission to go to the Mission, and it was all about ice cream. I would have been remiss if I didn't get some of my beloved Secret Breakfast from Humphry Slocombe. However, Brigid is a Bi-Rite devotee, and we needed an ice cream off to settle this.

My unofficial winner of the CaseyFest 2012 Ice Cream off

As we hop on the BART, Karen, my college friend, remembers that my birthday is upcoming, and turned our quest for ice cream into an impromptu CaseyFest celebration. We were going to get a pint of Secret Breakfast and a pint of Bi-Rite's Salted Caramel to bring back for the ultimate taste test. I had to sacrifice my El Farolito burrito this trip.  I would have been trying to pack 10 lbs of sugar in a 5 lbs sack.

After running around through the Mission, we head back to the Palace Hotel.  Brigid picked us up with all of our belongings and we return to the beach for a nice picnic celebration.  It is amazingly warm and we have crudité, hummus, olives and crackers while enjoying drinks.  It was a lovely afternoon spend with wonderful friends.  When the sun set this day, it got cold fast.  We returned from the beach and got ready for our trip out to the airport.  It was tough to have to start saying good bye when we had felt that we had just arrived.

Pete and Brigid were amazing hosts for our stay and Karen is always a good sport when I'm come to visit. This is what these trips are all about, seeing people you can about and spending that quality time in very uplifting local ways.  Everyone was on the beach because it was so lovely out, and we chimed right in. So I left a little melancholy, but I know that I'm only a six hour flight away from seeing everyone again. 

Hils & I on the beach

Karen & I on the beach

For more images from the weekend, please visit my facebook page.

Not yet named travel entry: Raleigh – cultural and celebration

No photos were allowed in the exhibition.

For New Year’s Eve, I traveled down to Raleigh again with my favorite traveling companion, Steve, to enjoy the city and the Rembrandt exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art.  We had picked Raleigh for the holiday, since we enjoyed the trip last year and Rembrandt in America was a big plus.  Thankfully, we were able to get into the city a day earlier to explore at a leisurely pace.

Kneeling Angel

Rembrandt in America is the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings ever presented in an American exhibition, the focus of which is the exploration of the collecting history of Rembrandt paintings in America. In addition to the Master’s works, the show also delves into the ideas of authorship and attribution.  Several of the pieces in the exhibition were originally thought to be Rembrandts, yet through advanced scholarship, they have been identified as either pieces started by Rembrandt and completed by others in his workshop or the work of his protégés.  Though, not works of Rembrandt directly, they still capture the style and traits of the Masters and have made an impact on the history of art collecting in the States.

Roxy Paine, Askew

More than five years in the making, the show is in its last weekend before moving on to the Cleveland Museum of Art, February 19 through May 28.  The Raleigh stop at the NCMA is the only East Coast venue for this show. The works have been assembled to include some of the finest paintings residing in American collections. NCMA Curator of Northern European Art Dennis P. Weller serves as a co-curator of this see exhibition, which has been. The show will continue on to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for the last stop, June 24 through September 16.

After the Rembrandt show, we visited the permanent exhibits at the NCMA, including Egyptian artifacts, Contemporary art, pieces by well known names: Pissarro, Monet, Titian, Raphael, Rubens and Govaert Flinck – a contemporary of Rembrandt, as well as a collection of Rodin sculptures. (More photos from the permanent exhibits below.)

Jan Burger & Donovan Zimmerman of Paperhand Puppet Intervention, Rhea

Fireworks at City Plaza after the Acorn Drop

Later in the evening, we headed to Raleigh’s First Night Celebration. The highlight for us is the Children’s Celebration with features crafts, performances and interactive activities. From the Ferris Wheel to the street food, from the giant Lite Brite Board to the circus acts on the street, the culmination of the celebration is the People's Procession. As a metaphor for the end of the year, the Children's Celebration ends and the evening entertainment begins, this passage of time from afternoon to evening, like from old year to new year, is heralded in through a fun, colorful parade for children of all ages.  The NC State University Pipes & Drums leads the parade with music and rhythm from the Capitol and down Salisbury Street into the street fair as folks cheer on the appearance of Rhea, a giant puppet named after the Greek mother of the gods and designed to represent the landscape of North Carolina.  The finale of the parade is the giant Acorn drop at City Plaza (for the children who can’t stay awake to usher in the New Year, and the city repeats this at midnight for those who can stay up.)  

The combination of amazing cultural activities and vibrant revelry kicks off any New Year with the spirit of hope for the potential and possibilities that lie ahead. Energized by the night, we head off to the get dinner and to the bars to ring in 2012.

Additional photos of the NCMA permanent collection

Aaron Douglas, Harriet Tubman

A bust of Aphrodite

Not yet named travel entry: Lauderdale before Christmas

Warning, this one is long so I added a lot of pictures to make it go quickly.

A picture of our approach, Jupiter is the white dot in the upper left corner

I jetted off to Fort Lauderdale last weekend for some fun in the sun before the Christmas holiday. I had two free nights from Starwood Hotels and on a whim I picked Florida as the place to use them.  I thought that would be nice to get a bit of relaxation before the end of the year holidays completely kicked in.
Friday, I left work a little early for the airport. I breezed through security, got a cup of Peet’s, boarded my flight, miraculously scored a row with an empty middle seat, settled in my flight and lost myself in the pages of a book to pass the time. Finally my attention waned from the book when that captain announced our initial approach to the airport – high visibility, very few clouds, 76°F.  It was dusk and I could see the sunset over the clouds in the distance; Jupiter was high and bright in the sky. I remenisced about my last pre-Christmas vacation, a trip to Abu Dhabi, where I tried to get a picture of the Emirates Hotel with Jupiter high in the sky.  With a minor jolt from our final approach, I focused out the window to see Miami about 30 miles away south of the airport.

My ocean-view from my hotel room

I took a cab to my hotel, a 6-mile trek that cost about $20 with tip. (I was surprised to see that most of the cabs I took weren’t equipped for credit cards.) I checked into the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel and got a room in the Marina building (there three different building in the complex) which was across Seabreeze Boulevard (A1A) via a skywalk. The hotel touts a multi-million dollar renovation. Its investment is evident inside; the lobby is a tasteful decorated with wicker and sea shells in cooling colors of teal and sky blue, evocative of the beach just outside. My room was painted in blues and creams; it was spacious with a king-sized bed and offered great views of the ocean and the marina. The sea is brought into the hotel through the halls and rooms with simple beach and water themed art and photography. I found it easy to get settled and quickly changed into shorts to match my vacation mindset.

I decided to get my lay of the land and googled maps of the area and yelp reviews for places to eat.  I found Coconuts, up the road. While the reviews ranged from okay to excellent, it seemed like a good enough place to belly up from some grub.  The location can’t be beat – sitting on the Intercoastal Waterway.  As a solo diner, I was able to get a table on the deck and take in some of the water traffic.

Sorry, I already hopped in for a nap before I took a picture

I had ordered the conch fritters and the rib special.  The conch fritters were fine, though I have to admit that they were light on the conch.  The dough was a little sweet with a hint of corn and they were fried a good golden brown.  The rib special was a 10oz of pork ribs, in a dry rub of salt, pepper, dried rosemary, oregano and thyme, grilled to fall-off-the-bone perfection and drizzled with a balsamic vinegar reduction. The two dishes complimented each other well, from the light, sweet and chewy appetizer to the rich, succulent pork with good acid finish.  I partnered my meal with a Monk in the Trunk Organic Amber Ale.  It was a nice malty, spicy smelling beer and had a mild spice flavor, with a little bit of earthiness from the yeast.  The beer changed in sweetness first bite of the fritter. All in all, it was a fine meal.  Yet, the location brings Coconuts to the forefront for me; it was a delight to dine by the water.

A tour boat on the Intercoastal Waterway decked out for the Holidays

After dinner, I looked for a watering hole. Again I used the internet to find a bar and learn bus system, but I learned that they end around 10 or so.  Crestfallen, I decide to tackle the one thing that had been bugging me since I decide to visit Fort Lauderdale - the street naming and number system. After reviewing the maps for the buses, I noticed that the city is laid out as a grid; the intersection of Broward Boulevard (x-axis) and Andrews Avenue (y-axis) serves as the zero-point. All numbered streets and courts go east to west and all numbered avenues and terraces go north to south. Each numbered street gets a directional (SE, SW, NE, NW) based on their direction from Broward and Andrews. However the named streets get a cardinal directional depending on which axis they intersect. This seems to be the general model for most of Broward County.

Art, downtown

With that piece of information unlocked, I choose to go to the Cubby Hole, the closest bar to the hotel. I took a cab and a $14 ride to a quiet stretch of US Route 1. The bar is in a strip mall and I tried the door.  It was locked, and it took me some effort to figure out that the entrance was off the parking lot in the back.  I entered; it was a typical-looking neighborhood dive bar - the smell of stale smoke lingered in the air.  Yet, the music was fun.  I looked for a seat, ordered a beer and tried to take in the atmosphere.  However, I couldn't figured anything out because my bartenders were good, friendly fellows.  Recognizing that I wasn't from here, they introduced themselves.  I like when I can pony up to the bar and chat with the bartenders, I can learn a lot about a place doing that. One of them, John, asked me if I had been to Wilton Manors; he described it as their Castro. As the night drew on, the music got more fun.  I had 1/2 a beer more than I should and agreed with the bartenders that the bars don't need to be open until 3am on the weekend in Fort Lauderdale. With that said, I ended up closing down the bar, promising to be back, and getting a cab back to my hotel, but I was armed with the idea to check out Wilton Manors.

Nurmi Isles

The next morning started too early for me.  I thought that I had made my hotel room impervious to light however there was a sliver under the door that was oozing sunshine. It was made worse when the occupants of the room across from me would exit, the sunlight from their open room assaulted my door and burst through that little crack that aimed for my face. Then this attack was punctuated by the slamming of their door. Yet, I lazily stayed in bed for as long as I could, but, eventually, I would need to do things - visit the bathroom, drink water, crave coffee and eat. To bide my time, I ran to the lobby and got a big chocolate chip muffin.  The sweet treat stopped my stomach from growling and that was the reason for getting it in the first place.

Las Olas Isles

I looked up venues to go that night and Bill's Filling Station got some good reviews.  It seemed like it would be more my speed and less likely a dance-a-teria. With my evening places confirmed, I finally figured out the bus system in Broward County to plan the rest of my stay. However, the bus system didn’t have me figured out. I made it to the bus stop to take a ride to downtown and I waited, sitting on the bus stop bench. I wondered if I had missed the bus since I can tend to be late. I looked down on my phone to check the schedule while still sitting on the bench when the bus, on time, sped past me. Annoyed, I decided to walk and I scratched off a hike in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park from my list. I strolled up A1A to Las Olas; turned left and walked.

Sophy Curson, Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia

Eventually I knew that I would run into the Stranahan House, an important building on the National Register of Historic Places, which roughly sits on the intersection of SE 6th Avenue and Las Olas. It’s been herald as the birthplace of Fort Lauderdale. Yet, I was on a walk and took in the sights. Spanish for the waves, Las Olas runs from the beach to the center of town. After crossing a drawbridge, I walked through the Idlewyld, Seven Isles, Las Olas Isles, Colee Hammoock and Beverly Heights neighborhoods. The road is interlaced with canals and waterfront homes. Boats were docked by houses like cars in driveways. By the Beverly Heights neighborhood, the canals and boats give way to the commercial area which is alive with bars, clubs, bridal stores, shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and hotels in a clash of culture like South Street meeting Rittenhouse Square.

One of the Stranahan House's Christmas Trees

I made it to my destination, the Stranahan House. This unassuming structure served as the second trading post built by Frank Stranahan and today is the oldest building in Fort Lauderdale. Its history is, for the most part, as only slightly older than the city, which celebrates its centennial this year. Not too much in known about Frank but he was originally from Ohio, outside of Youngstown. In 1893, he heard word through acquaintances that there was a need for a ferry operator for the New River crossing to connect Lantana to Lemon City, now North Miami in 1893. The location on both the river and the new road, which eventually became US Route 1, created an epicenter of active.

The Stranahan House

The New River was a source of commerce for the city. Seminoles from the Everglades would travel down to the New River Settlement to trade their pelts, feathers and native crafts and art for sewing machines, canned goods and tobacco. The Native Americans’ goods were in such high demand since women’s fashion at turn of the century was very lavish, utilizing fur and feathers. At the same time, the original journey between Lantana and Lemon City was a $10 stagecoach ride that took two days. Travelers camped overnight in wooden-floored tents. It was a wise decision to move the trading post from up the river to the current location. Stranahan acquired the surrounding land, over 10 acres for around a $1 an acre. The confluence of people and the ample acreage of the homestead contributed to Stranaham's early success.

The New River from the Stranahan House

During its history, the building also served as the town hall and post office before it became his home in 1906 when he completed the renovations of the existing structure for his wife, Ivy, whom he married six years prior. Mrs. Stranahan was Fort Lauderdale's first teacher; she was a Florida native, born in North Florida who moved with her family to Lemon City trying to avoid the frost line. Ahead of her time, Mrs. Stranahan was a vegetarian, practiced yoga and provide for the less fortunate – including funding the first African-American school in town.

In the late 1920’s, the Great Depression hit as well as two hurricanes, the 1926 Miami Hurricane and the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. These disasters, coupled with Frank’s diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer, pushed him to take his own life. After Frank’s death Ivy Stranahan kept the house, but rented out the first floor to a restaurant known as the Pioneer House to make ends meet. Mrs. Stranaham died in 1971 and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church sold it to the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society in 1979. In 1981, a non-profit corporation set up to preserve and maintain the house for all to visit.

A pink house in the Tarpon River neighborhood

After my tour, I strolled throughout the downtown area and returned to my hotel via bus.  Finally I was getting the hang of it and by the end of the trek, I had logged over 4 miles of walking.  I picked up a cubano sandwich and a Key West salad at a cafe on A1A.  The cubano was simply delicious; it could have been because I was famished. Though I attribute it to the spicy and honey mustard slathered over a pile of thinly sliced ham and thick slices of pork, pressed together and bound by gooey melted Swiss cheese lined with sweet, crunchy, tart pickles. The mayonnaise-dressed salad would be saved for dinner since I was going back to the hotel for a disco nap.

Fort Lauderdale Centennial decorations

Refreshed from my siesta, I enjoyed the crab meat and shrimp salad with celery and green onions and filled me up for the night on the town.  I showered, dressed and noticed that I had gotten a little sun kissed from my long walk. I was happy to have a slight healthy glow. I finished dressing and headed to Wilton Drive via the bus. I saw a lot of the city and its Holiday decorations, seemingly out of place - snowflakes and snowmen, but I was charmed.  I made it to the Drive and headed toward Bill's Filling Station. While not as over the top as the Castro, I understood what John meant by his comments the last night.  It is the area's gay ghetto.

I was really on A1A

I entered Bill's and was surprised at the low density of the crowd; there were only two scores of folks. It was 11pm on a Saturday night and the bars are open until 3pm on the weekend.  There was a raffle going on from some charity, so volunteers were asking the patrons for donations.There was a lesbian cover band, dressed mostly in stereotypical attire – flannels and sports jerseys – though the bass player was more forward dressing; she simply wore black.  I heard them playing Melissa Etheridge, Adele and Green Day. While I appreciated their rendition of "Come To My Window," no-one can sing like Adele but Adele. After a $5 bottle of Miller Lite, I used my iPhone to find what other places lay around.
 
George's Alibi, or Alibi for short, read like the aforementioned dance-a-teria that I feared, but a different site gave it a more favorable review. It was also in a strip mall, but it took a huge footprint of the mall, complete with outdoor seating for dinner and for smoking. I walked in to find it cavernous. I walked to the far side of the main bar and the bartender smiled to ask me what I'd like.  Nothing too special was on tap, except there was Yuengling. I paid my $4.75 for the pint and enjoyed the crowd and music. Two beers later, I noticed someone I knew. Steve from Atlanta had moved to Fort Lauderdale and landed a gig as security for the bar. We caught up and I realized that I was having fun, yet by 12:30 the crowd thinned. I hailed a cab and headed back to the Cubby HoleI to finish the night with my newly minted bartender friends.

The beach, taken in HDR

I cabbed it back to the hotel after closing the bar down again only to fall quickly asleep. Yet again, the sunshine pummeled me awake and, though I fought it, I succumbed to its power.  I took the opportunity to get to the beach and enjoy the sun, the warmth, the sand and the sea.  I knew it would only be a matter of hours before I boarded back on a plane coming home. I would be ready for Christmas. I didn't know that I was going to be greeted by 34°F weather when I got home.

For a more complete album of the trip, visit here.