Free Traveling

Today in Puerto Vallarta Michael and I took the bus into the city.  We found the blue and white bus and hopped on for 6 pesos, about $.50.  If you take a cab it runs about $5.00 each.  The route takes you along the beach and past many of the hotels on the beach.  These are not the all –inclusive resorts many tourists prefer but they are the closest to the town itself, if you like to eat locally. We got off at the river, which is at the south end of town and walked back toward the ship.  Puerto Vallarta has a wide malecon (boardwalk) with a lot of sculpture and tons of stores.  The town itself is very crowded with winter tourists so it is not easy to navigate the narrow sidewalks, back off the malecon, but the streets have some great restaurants and shops.  Several artisanal markets occupy corners but I was more drawn to the individual boutiques along the street.  Again I need to return alone so I can spend some time delving into them. The cathedral is smack dab in the center of the city, surrounded by commercial real estate of all kinds.  It is one of those things were you can’t see it until you are in front of it.  We have received several restaurants and we probably won’t be able to get to more than a couple but the Blue Shrimp and Oscars are 2 on the list.  I will report on the tasting experiences when they happen

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Britain’s road network has been hit by ice and snow, causing delays and road closures.

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from MTV.com: Slip on your Manolos and grab a Cosmo, girls, because the first  “Sex and the City 2″ trailer is here! The nearly minute-and-a-half trailer reveals few plot points, but the sequel looks like another fun- and fashion-filled romp, centering around a girlfriend getaway to the desert. The gal pals then hop on a plane and jet to the desert to “get carried far away,” which explains the foursome being  spotted in Morocco back in November

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The wedding has come and passed.  Housed in a huge hall, the wedding was a breath of fresh air from the cramped events that had preceded it.  Tables and chairs with silverware were everywhere, and your company wasn’t pushing you out of the way or tugging on your dress.

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Nuremberg A day of contrasts icy rain & warm spirits; Touring places full of Nazi history & christmas market; Ancient churches with unadorned trees nor Nativty scene & toy museums; hot gluehwein with sausages & Ginger bread with no Ginger; children singing with halos while booing an angel with a red nose; fancy dinner & local band-tuba, carinet, accordian singing Octoberfest songs at Christmas; 6′4″ dancing singing 18 year old hanging with a joyfully playful me ! The day began with a scrumptious breakfast then on to the city. We visited the museum all about Nazism and the Nuremberg trials. It is located in a huge collisium which was never completed

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We are supposed to be in Chicago right now, enjoying Christmas in the city.  But we are in Michigan instead.  Why?  I’ll tell you why.  The weathermen have been predicting snow, rain, freezing rain, sleet and rabid monkeys.

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Christmas shopping,  done.  Drinks or coffees or walking dates every day with friends I’ve neglected during the term, ongoing.  Syllabi for winter quarter, done.  Tree up and decorated, done.  Cookie bake off,  planned.  So it must be time to think about the 2009 MLA Convention: Which sessions will I plan to go to? Am I ready for my session? Which friends back east will I get together with in Philly?  Which cocktail parties shall I attend? Can I fit 3 fat novels, my netbook, winter boots, dressing pumps, running shoes, and actual clothes in my carry-on luggage?

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I’ve got Christmas songs in my head.  Mostly on repeat. I don’t love this but it is what it is.  I can’t ever sing enough of the 12 Days of Christmas to know how many maids are milking and how many drummers are drumming but what’s a girl supposed to do after a night flight across the Atlantic Ocean with minimal sleep

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The best car ride I had this year was, again, my trip to Minneapolis. I left after work and didn

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Christmas has become more of a hit in Thailand than I would have imagined.

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