GM's thread about nothing (36 Viewers)

[phishphan]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

you're pretty worried about crime, huh? bad experience?

Yeah, kinda. Sorry, didn't know I was belaboring that point.

hell beat out of you and left in a ditch. correct?

 

[phishphan]

For Fuller

all I have is comment karma

 

[phishphan]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

Too many running QB's?

lolzI do love the city. Great place to visit. Very safe in parts. But - and I think this is especially true post-Katrina - it's got some problems with violent crime.

The #s are very high for sure...but it's one of those "know where to go and where not to go kind of places". Lived here all my life, and I can only recall one time where I was actually worried. Post kickball game (hi Stu :wave we all go to a bar that's in a neighborhood that's fine during the day but a tad sketchy at night. I park two blocks down on a main street in a bank parking lot right in front of the ATM. As I'm walking back (probably 10ish), I notice that there's a black guy (mid 30s I guess) walking up briskly behind me (faster than a normal walk). I'm in flip flops so I couldn't run, but I started walking fast to my car. Guy figures out what I was doing and said "I'm just going to the ATM to get money for some smokes":white guilt:

that is awesome

 

[phishphan]

I guess this is the wrong thread to admit liking Kid Rock......I obviously live in a different world...

it's OK to not be an elitist hipster.

 

[charvik]

Dumb Air-Travel Questions:

I've only ever flown non-stop internationally. My flight to Nicaragua tomorrow has a layover in Houston. So, is leg 1 is technically a domestic flight? If so, do I assume I'd have to do all of my international check-in stuff in Houston? Or will that be done in Washington (point of origin) since both legs are with the same airline?

Not a dumb question at all. When flying out, you will do all check-in in Washington, and send the bags all the way through. Very unlikely you will have to do anything at IAH, except change terminal.When coming back, most likely you will have to collect your bags, and go through customs, prior to checking your bag back in for your connecting flight to Washington.

(Nicaragua may have other rules, but this is otherwise standard procedure)

Thanks, charv. Luckily, I'm checking no bags so that variable is out of play. So, customs in Managua when I arrive and customs in Houston on the way back. I'm assuming I'll stay on the same concourse in Houston on the way down in between flights since both legs are United. That right?The reason I was concerned on the flight down is that I only have a 50 minute layover. Coming back, it's a few hours so I'll have plenty of time.

Regarding the bolded, that's unlikely. United has a lot of flights connecting through Houston, and you will most likely arrive at one of the domestic terminals (guessing D), and you'll have to get to the international one (E). There's a train connecting the terminals, so no worries about getting there fast, once off the flight. I would let the stewardess/check-in desk know in DC, and see if they can put you far up in the cabin to get out quick.ETA: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/IAH

IAH Terminal Map

ETA2: Judging by today's United flights from IAD to IAH, the arrival Terminal is C, and the outbound flight is from terminal E

ETA3: For today, the arrival is to C29, departure at E3, which isn't too far. If that's the case for you, on your travel day, I would walk between terminals, but if you arrive at C19 - C27 I would do the terminal link.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Dumb Air-Travel Questions:

I've only ever flown non-stop internationally. My flight to Nicaragua tomorrow has a layover in Houston. So, is leg 1 is technically a domestic flight? If so, do I assume I'd have to do all of my international check-in stuff in Houston? Or will that be done in Washington (point of origin) since both legs are with the same airline?

Not a dumb question at all. When flying out, you will do all check-in in Washington, and send the bags all the way through. Very unlikely you will have to do anything at IAH, except change terminal.When coming back, most likely you will have to collect your bags, and go through customs, prior to checking your bag back in for your connecting flight to Washington.

(Nicaragua may have other rules, but this is otherwise standard procedure)

Thanks, charv. Luckily, I'm checking no bags so that variable is out of play. So, customs in Managua when I arrive and customs in Houston on the way back. I'm assuming I'll stay on the same concourse in Houston on the way down in between flights since both legs are United. That right?The reason I was concerned on the flight down is that I only have a 50 minute layover. Coming back, it's a few hours so I'll have plenty of time.

Regarding the bolded, that's unlikely. United has a lot of flights connecting through Houston, and you will most likely arrive at one of the domestic terminals (guessing D), and you'll have to get to the international one (E). There's a train connecting the terminals, so no worries about getting there fast, once off the flight. I would let the stewardess/check-in desk know in DC, and see if they can put you far up in the cabin to get out quick.ETA: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/IAH

IAH Terminal Map

ETA: Judging by today's United flights from IAD to IAH, the arrival Terminal is C, and the outbound flight is from terminal E

Thank you, kind sir

 

[charvik]

Dumb Air-Travel Questions:

I've only ever flown non-stop internationally. My flight to Nicaragua tomorrow has a layover in Houston. So, is leg 1 is technically a domestic flight? If so, do I assume I'd have to do all of my international check-in stuff in Houston? Or will that be done in Washington (point of origin) since both legs are with the same airline?

Not a dumb question at all. When flying out, you will do all check-in in Washington, and send the bags all the way through. Very unlikely you will have to do anything at IAH, except change terminal.When coming back, most likely you will have to collect your bags, and go through customs, prior to checking your bag back in for your connecting flight to Washington.

(Nicaragua may have other rules, but this is otherwise standard procedure)

Thanks, charv. Luckily, I'm checking no bags so that variable is out of play. So, customs in Managua when I arrive and customs in Houston on the way back. I'm assuming I'll stay on the same concourse in Houston on the way down in between flights since both legs are United. That right?The reason I was concerned on the flight down is that I only have a 50 minute layover. Coming back, it's a few hours so I'll have plenty of time.

Regarding the bolded, that's unlikely. United has a lot of flights connecting through Houston, and you will most likely arrive at one of the domestic terminals (guessing D), and you'll have to get to the international one (E). There's a train connecting the terminals, so no worries about getting there fast, once off the flight. I would let the stewardess/check-in desk know in DC, and see if they can put you far up in the cabin to get out quick.ETA: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/IAH

IAH Terminal Map

ETA: Judging by today's United flights from IAD to IAH, the arrival Terminal is C, and the outbound flight is from terminal E

Thank you, kind sir

No problem. 50 mins should be plenty of time, as long as there are no delays. I'd still let them know, so they can call the MGA gate letting them know you might be slightly delayed to boarding.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

We doing the standard hookers and blow routine down there?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

We doing the standard hookers and blow routine down there?

Probably not. My heart would explode Len Bias-style with either, much less both.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

We doing the standard hookers and blow routine down there?

Probably not. My heart would explode Len Bias-style with either, much less both.

So, maybe fire up some CNN International and order some chalupas?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Lol

 

[Uruk-Hai]

We doing the standard hookers and blow routine down there?

Probably not. My heart would explode Len Bias-style with either, much less both.

So, maybe fire up some CNN International and order some chalupas?

Weather Channel and Ensure

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Does Casa de Krista provide boutique soaps? You might have to live blog this.

 

[Limp Ditka]

We doing the standard hookers and blow routine down there?

Probably not. My heart would explode Len Bias-style with either, much less both.

So, maybe fire up some CNN International and order some chalupas?

Weather Channel and Ensure

Once would have to assume that the Nicaraguan Weather Channel (If there is such a thing) has some serious talent

 

[Bogart]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

 

[phishphan]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

there's a lot of stuff on there. Try reddit.com/r/funny and reddit.com/r/pics for starters. Any NSFW links will have a warning.

 

[Bogart]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

there's a lot of stuff on there. Try reddit.com/r/funny and reddit.com/r/pics for starters. Any NSFW links will have a warning.

Because this site doesn't take up enough of my work day already?? TigerFan> NOLA music question: I am a huge Cowboy Mouth fan and have been for years, but how do native NOLA people feel about them?

 

[belljr]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

I'm not even sure I know what it's supposed to be. I tried following one of those ask me anything threads once and the formatting was so painful to sift through I bailed

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

you're pretty worried about crime, huh? bad experience?

Yeah, kinda. Sorry, didn't know I was belaboring that point.

I forgot about that story.It's good to be safe, but I don't get people who have never been victimized at all being terrified of pretty much any city (or black person). Suburbs seem to be full of these people in general.

 

[phishphan]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

I'm not even sure I know what it's supposed to be. I tried following one of those ask me anything threads once and the formatting was so painful to sift through I bailed

yeah, forget that. I just look at pics and stuff. It's where all the links Tanner and I post come from.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

At our department holiday lunch* today, I won tickets to the company suite for a Kid Rock concert. *Avid readers of my posts will recall that the company disallowed company-sponsored lunches this year and are allowing us to search for gnomes instead, but my boss paid out of his own pocket for our lunch for 50+ at a good restaurant. Pretty nice.

Saw Kid Rock play a few years back at a Mardi Gras ball....I didn't know what to expect, but he put on a fun show. Obviously a party atomosphere...so as long as you're expecting that, you could have a good time

Yeah, have you read Mr. Krista's posts on music?

No. Link?

I'd rather die in a fire.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

For Fuller

all I have is comment karma

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Does Casa de Krista provide boutique soaps? You might have to live blog this.

Hotel soap?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

I'm not even sure I know what it's supposed to be. I tried following one of those ask me anything threads once and the formatting was so painful to sift through I bailed

yeah, forget that. I just look at pics and stuff. It's where all the links Tanner and I post come from.

Shhh...that's supposed to be my ancient Chinese secret.

 

[phishphan]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

I'm not even sure I know what it's supposed to be. I tried following one of those ask me anything threads once and the formatting was so painful to sift through I bailed

yeah, forget that. I just look at pics and stuff. It's where all the links Tanner and I post come from.

Shhh...that's supposed to be my ancient Chinese secret.

sorry

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Does Casa de Krista provide boutique soaps? You might have to live blog this.

Hotel soap?

Cocaine is vitamins for hotel soap.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

I'm not even sure I know what it's supposed to be. I tried following one of those ask me anything threads once and the formatting was so painful to sift through I bailed

yeah, forget that. I just look at pics and stuff. It's where all the links Tanner and I post come from.

Shhh...that's supposed to be my ancient Chinese secret.

sorry

I get it now!

 

[Tiger Fan]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

 

[General Malaise]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

Too many running QB's?

lolzI do love the city. Great place to visit. Very safe in parts. But - and I think this is especially true post-Katrina - it's got some problems with violent crime.

The #s are very high for sure...but it's one of those "know where to go and where not to go kind of places". Lived here all my life, and I can only recall one time where I was actually worried. Post kickball game (hi Stu :wave we all go to a bar that's in a neighborhood that's fine during the day but a tad sketchy at night. I park two blocks down on a main street in a bank parking lot right in front of the ATM. As I'm walking back (probably 10ish), I notice that there's a black guy (mid 30s I guess) walking up briskly behind me (faster than a normal walk). I'm in flip flops so I couldn't run, but I started walking fast to my car. Guy figures out what I was doing and said "I'm just going to the ATM to get money for some smokes":white guilt:

I thought you lived in Baton Rouge for a spell? In any event, I know a lot of people who live/lived in New Orleans. Several of my fraternity brothers are from there. I've spent several weekends of my life there. Been to a couple Mardi Gras. Was there in 2010 with my wife. Was there in 2002 with my ex-wife. I love New Orleans.

But it's not the safest city out there, especially for tourists or people who are new to the city. I've told my story about getting car jacked, kidnapped, beaten with the back end of a gun and left for dead in a ditch outside of Alexandria (does that count as a bad experience, Rude?) when I was a freshman in college, but I also had to run for my life walking back to my hotel my senior year of college. We were down there for a huge fraternity gathering and as I was heading back from the bars alone, a car screeched up next to me, a bunch of thugs yelled "get his asss!", jumped out of the car and I had to sprint into the lobby of a hotel with these guys coming after me. Not real fun. Good thing I'm fast.

My little brother in the fraternity had his bachelor party down there a few years ago. Some of the guys were in the french quarter late getting some pizza. They got mugged, robbed and got the crap beaten out of them. I had another fraternity brother get abducted and beaten to a pulp in the back of a van when we were in college. All in New Orleans. All right on the cusp of the French Quarter.

It's a fun city. It's one of my favorites to visit. But you gotta be a little more careful there than you do in some other places. Well, maybe not downtown Detroit. I'd probably rather get lost in New Orleans than Oakland too.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

Confirmed.

 

[phishphan]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

Yeah, being from MS, people tell me I have an accent. I don't have an accent. All y'all are the ones with accents.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans. Wasn't disagreeing with you at all. Just remembered you talking up Portland in another thread recently b/c of how safe it was. I had forgotten about that story you had told. My bad.Being a victim of a random act of violence like that is messed up.Also, K4 is currently living in Memphis. I seem to recall the biggest reason people told her not to move there was b/c of the crime as well.

 

[General Malaise]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

The Greek Heritage and the New Orleans Blood cancel each other out.

 

[phishphan]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

you're pretty worried about crime, huh? bad experience?

Yeah, kinda. Sorry, didn't know I was belaboring that point.

hell beat out of you and left in a ditch. correct?

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

Too many running QB's?

lolzI do love the city. Great place to visit. Very safe in parts. But - and I think this is especially true post-Katrina - it's got some problems with violent crime.

The #s are very high for sure...but it's one of those "know where to go and where not to go kind of places". Lived here all my life, and I can only recall one time where I was actually worried. Post kickball game (hi Stu :wave we all go to a bar that's in a neighborhood that's fine during the day but a tad sketchy at night. I park two blocks down on a main street in a bank parking lot right in front of the ATM. As I'm walking back (probably 10ish), I notice that there's a black guy (mid 30s I guess) walking up briskly behind me (faster than a normal walk). I'm in flip flops so I couldn't run, but I started walking fast to my car. Guy figures out what I was doing and said "I'm just going to the ATM to get money for some smokes":white guilt:

I thought you lived in Baton Rouge for a spell? In any event, I know a lot of people who live/lived in New Orleans. Several of my fraternity brothers are from there. I've spent several weekends of my life there. Been to a couple Mardi Gras. Was there in 2010 with my wife. Was there in 2002 with my ex-wife. I love New Orleans.

But it's not the safest city out there, especially for tourists or people who are new to the city. I've told my story about getting car jacked, kidnapped, beaten with the back end of a gun and left for dead in a ditch outside of Alexandria (does that count as a bad experience, Rude?) when I was a freshman in college, but I also had to run for my life walking back to my hotel my senior year of college. We were down there for a huge fraternity gathering and as I was heading back from the bars alone, a car screeched up next to me, a bunch of thugs yelled "get his asss!", jumped out of the car and I had to sprint into the lobby of a hotel with these guys coming after me. Not real fun. Good thing I'm fast.

My little brother in the fraternity had his bachelor party down there a few years ago. Some of the guys were in the french quarter late getting some pizza. They got mugged, robbed and got the crap beaten out of them. I had another fraternity brother get abducted and beaten to a pulp in the back of a van when we were in college. All in New Orleans. All right on the cusp of the French Quarter.

It's a fun city. It's one of my favorites to visit. But you gotta be a little more careful there than you do in some other places. Well, maybe not downtown Detroit. I'd probably rather get lost in New Orleans than Oakland too.

I've gots mad notebookin' skillz

 

[General Malaise]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

Yeah, being from MS, people tell me I have an accent. I don't have an accent. All y'all are the ones with accents.

Where in MS?

 

[phishphan]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

Yeah, being from MS, people tell me I have an accent. I don't have an accent. All y'all are the ones with accents.

Where in MS?

Horn Lake (just south of Memphis, TN)

 

[General Malaise]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

you're pretty worried about crime, huh? bad experience?

Yeah, kinda. Sorry, didn't know I was belaboring that point.

hell beat out of you and left in a ditch. correct?

And took my damn shoes off too....that was the worst. It was a few days after Xmas and it was freaking COLD. Stole my jacket, watch, wallet, belt, shoes...SHOES! I had to take my button down shirt off, wrap it over my head to stop the bleeding and hobble in socks to the first trailer I could find...which was saturated by junk yard dogs who started to chase me! Scared the hell out of the lady who finally opened a door for me. Bloody, skinny, barefoot, white guy with a bunch of strange dogs barking at him in the middle of the night "hey, can I use your phone please"?

 

[General Malaise]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

Yeah, being from MS, people tell me I have an accent. I don't have an accent. All y'all are the ones with accents.

Where in MS?

Horn Lake (just south of Memphis, TN)

You ever go to the Blues Fest? Terrific memories there. Smoked a joint the size of George Foreman's forearm there once.

 

[General Malaise]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

there's a lot of stuff on there. Try reddit.com/r/funny and reddit.com/r/pics for starters. Any NSFW links will have a warning.

Because this site doesn't take up enough of my work day already?? TigerFan> NOLA music question: I am a huge Cowboy Mouth fan and have been for years, but how do native NOLA people feel about them?

They still around? These guys (along with Dash Rip Rock) were HUGE when I was at Millsaps. Saw them both many times. Both put on very fun shows. I like a band that puts the drummer out front. Maybe Kid Rock should try that.

 

[Tiger Fan]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

Too many running QB's?

lolzI do love the city. Great place to visit. Very safe in parts. But - and I think this is especially true post-Katrina - it's got some problems with violent crime.

The #s are very high for sure...but it's one of those "know where to go and where not to go kind of places". Lived here all my life, and I can only recall one time where I was actually worried. Post kickball game (hi Stu :wave we all go to a bar that's in a neighborhood that's fine during the day but a tad sketchy at night. I park two blocks down on a main street in a bank parking lot right in front of the ATM. As I'm walking back (probably 10ish), I notice that there's a black guy (mid 30s I guess) walking up briskly behind me (faster than a normal walk). I'm in flip flops so I couldn't run, but I started walking fast to my car. Guy figures out what I was doing and said "I'm just going to the ATM to get money for some smokes":white guilt:

that is awesome

I felt like such an ahole after.

 

[phishphan]

no offense

I don't have an accent. None taken.

Yeah, being from MS, people tell me I have an accent. I don't have an accent. All y'all are the ones with accents.

Where in MS?

Horn Lake (just south of Memphis, TN)

You ever go to the Blues Fest? Terrific memories there. Smoked a joint the size of George Foreman's forearm there once.

there's a few of them. One in Clarksdale, another in Greenwood. I've never been to any. Used to go to the Musicfest in Memphis all the time when younger.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans.

Remember when Harley was shot and killed right in front of Annie?

 

[General Malaise]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans. Wasn't disagreeing with you at all. Just remembered you talking up Portland in another thread recently b/c of how safe it was. I had forgotten about that story you had told. My bad.Being a victim of a random act of violence like that is messed up.Also, K4 is currently living in Memphis. I seem to recall the biggest reason people told her not to move there was b/c of the crime as well.

Oh, there's crime everywhere and I really am not that fearful of it and can recognize that there's bad guys looking to catch a fish in any corner of the world. But having the ability to walk around downtown Portland anytime of day with my family and not feel the least bit of concern on any block is pretty nice. There's only a couple of streets where the homeless and the drug addicts congregate here, but they would curl up in a fetal ball of fear if they were to take their act to New Orleans, Detroit or Oakland. All that said, Memphis has some incredibly nice parts to it, as does New Orleans. With great income comes the ability to buffer yourself from the elements. I doubt those that live in Germantown worry about being a victim of violent crime the way somebody living in an apartment in downtown Memphis would.

 

[General Malaise]

Does Nicaragua have good looking ladies?

 

[Tiger Fan]

I have never been on Reddit. Am I missing anything? I hear there are boobies on there, but I have other sites I go to for that.

there's a lot of stuff on there. Try reddit.com/r/funny and reddit.com/r/pics for starters. Any NSFW links will have a warning.

Because this site doesn't take up enough of my work day already?? TigerFan> NOLA music question: I am a huge Cowboy Mouth fan and have been for years, but how do native NOLA people feel about them?

Meh. I've seen them so many times now. I would never buy any music or voluntarily pay to see them..but if they're playing at a festival or something that I happen to be at, it's always an entertaining show. I would imagine most feel like me

 

[krista4]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans. Wasn't disagreeing with you at all. Just remembered you talking up Portland in another thread recently b/c of how safe it was. I had forgotten about that story you had told. My bad.Being a victim of a random act of violence like that is messed up.Also, K4 is currently living in Memphis. I seem to recall the biggest reason people told her not to move there was b/c of the crime as well.

Oh, there's crime everywhere and I really am not that fearful of it and can recognize that there's bad guys looking to catch a fish in any corner of the world. But having the ability to walk around downtown Portland anytime of day with my family and not feel the least bit of concern on any block is pretty nice. There's only a couple of streets where the homeless and the drug addicts congregate here, but they would curl up in a fetal ball of fear if they were to take their act to New Orleans, Detroit or Oakland. All that said, Memphis has some incredibly nice parts to it, as does New Orleans. With great income comes the ability to buffer yourself from the elements. I doubt those that live in Germantown worry about being a victim of violent crime the way somebody living in an apartment in downtown Memphis would.

Downtown is the safest part in all of Memphis.

Does Nicaragua have good looking ladies?

For the most part, no. That said, a few of my friends there seem to have done pretty well for themselves in the girlfriend department. Overall, because it is such an incredibly poor country, not good nutrition, dental hygiene, etc. which does not lead to a lot of lookers.

 

[Tiger Fan]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

Too many running QB's?

lolzI do love the city. Great place to visit. Very safe in parts. But - and I think this is especially true post-Katrina - it's got some problems with violent crime.

The #s are very high for sure...but it's one of those "know where to go and where not to go kind of places". Lived here all my life, and I can only recall one time where I was actually worried. Post kickball game (hi Stu :wave we all go to a bar that's in a neighborhood that's fine during the day but a tad sketchy at night. I park two blocks down on a main street in a bank parking lot right in front of the ATM. As I'm walking back (probably 10ish), I notice that there's a black guy (mid 30s I guess) walking up briskly behind me (faster than a normal walk). I'm in flip flops so I couldn't run, but I started walking fast to my car. Guy figures out what I was doing and said "I'm just going to the ATM to get money for some smokes":white guilt:

I thought you lived in Baton Rouge for a spell? In any event, I know a lot of people who live/lived in New Orleans. Several of my fraternity brothers are from there. I've spent several weekends of my life there. Been to a couple Mardi Gras. Was there in 2010 with my wife. Was there in 2002 with my ex-wife. I love New Orleans.

But it's not the safest city out there, especially for tourists or people who are new to the city. I've told my story about getting car jacked, kidnapped, beaten with the back end of a gun and left for dead in a ditch outside of Alexandria (does that count as a bad experience, Rude?) when I was a freshman in college, but I also had to run for my life walking back to my hotel my senior year of college. We were down there for a huge fraternity gathering and as I was heading back from the bars alone, a car screeched up next to me, a bunch of thugs yelled "get his asss!", jumped out of the car and I had to sprint into the lobby of a hotel with these guys coming after me. Not real fun. Good thing I'm fast.

My little brother in the fraternity had his bachelor party down there a few years ago. Some of the guys were in the french quarter late getting some pizza. They got mugged, robbed and got the crap beaten out of them. I had another fraternity brother get abducted and beaten to a pulp in the back of a van when we were in college. All in New Orleans. All right on the cusp of the French Quarter.

It's a fun city. It's one of my favorites to visit. But you gotta be a little more careful there than you do in some other places. Well, maybe not downtown Detroit. I'd probably rather get lost in New Orleans than Oakland too.

yeah BR for college/grad school....but parents were still here.Wow, those are some crazy stories! Really unfortunate...but I completely understand where you're coming from.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.

Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):

Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!

I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.

Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.

Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans. Wasn't disagreeing with you at all. Just remembered you talking up Portland in another thread recently b/c of how safe it was. I had forgotten about that story you had told. My bad.

Being a victim of a random act of violence like that is messed up.

Also, K4 is currently living in Memphis. I seem to recall the biggest reason people told her not to move there was b/c of the crime as well.

Oh, there's crime everywhere and I really am not that fearful of it and can recognize that there's bad guys looking to catch a fish in any corner of the world. But having the ability to walk around downtown Portland anytime of day with my family and not feel the least bit of concern on any block is pretty nice. There's only a couple of streets where the homeless and the drug addicts congregate here, but they would curl up in a fetal ball of fear if they were to take their act to New Orleans, Detroit or Oakland. All that said, Memphis has some incredibly nice parts to it, as does New Orleans. With great income comes the ability to buffer yourself from the elements. I doubt those that live in Germantown worry about being a victim of violent crime the way somebody living in an apartment in downtown Memphis would.

Downtown is the safest part in all of Memphis.

Does Nicaragua have good looking ladies?

For the most part, no.

 

[identikit]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

Sounds awesome!:jealous: