sylvar

I'm really enjoying my trip so far. I was sure that I'd get my bag searched, what with all the wires and gadgets, but security was a doddle. While waiting for the plane, I managed to catch a few good photos (as you may have noticed).

Unfortunately, the ballyhooed satellite radio was missing from the Boeing 717-200 that took me to Minneapolis. I wish their amenities were as predictable as their safety record, but I was at least pretty comfortable, and that's a noteworthy accomplishment. I had help from SeatGuru in figuring out which seats were the best on that particular plane.

I took Metro's Hiawatha Line from the airport to downtown. Instead of waiting around for a bus (they come every 30 minutes on Sunday, but much more often in weekday rush hours), I hoofed it about half a mile to the hotel. My fingers were pretty cold by that time, but I managed to sign in and check out my swanky room. Doesn't every hotel room need a king bed and a hot tub? And doesn't every hot tub need a champagne bucket?

A couple on the train told me about Seward Co-Op, where anyone can shop and members get discounts and profit-sharing. It's a good place to find organic groceries, and I stocked up for the week. I stopped next door to get pizza, but settled for miso soup to go as the kitchen was already closing. Guess it's more of a breakfast-and-lunch place.

My bus driver on the way back was the same friendly Cameroonian-American guy who, on the way out, had been talking to a Somali traveler in French and English. The driver also speaks German, but I was satisfied to say je suis un tourist and manage to be understood despite my total lack of classroom education in French. I didn't even catch the guy's name, but Metro driver 64054 was a great welcome to a city that's not nearly as Scandinavian as a Garrison Keillor fan might imagine.

Now, back in the hotel, I'm having dinner: half a baguette with fresh mozzarella and "cranberry 'n' stuffing" flavored Tofurky, and a noodle bowl. I'm hoping to get enough protein to support a walk on the treadmill, but I think I got a pretty good workout walking around downtown -- a mile or so, anyway. I tried to find a geocache but didn't see it (presumably under lots of freshly fallen leaves). Perhaps some morning I'll try a webcam cache, which requires the help of a friend to take my picture. Anyone willing to take my picture some morning this week when I phone you? I don't think I've done a webcam cache before, so this should be fun.

I'll keep posting photos, though probably only two or three per day. If you want more, you'll have to look at my Flickr page.