Let's talk about me and travelling

[Osterbaum]

So here's the deal. My mom works for the local airliner, Finnair, and that means that as a family member I get cheap(er) tickets than I otherwise would. Unfortunately I am valid for these tickets only until I turn 24, which will be next year. Before that happens I figure I really should use these tickets to make a few trips seeing as once I lose this advantage I propably wont be able to afford to travel anywhere further than Sweden and Estonia.

There are several places around the world I'd like to visit. Among those is North-America. That is where I would like to go this summer for a (relatively) short trip since I've been long overdue for such a voyage. Finnair has direct flights to Toronto, New York, Miami and I am told soon Chicago aswell.

I am looking for suggestions, help, invites, advice, whatever you've. I'm interested to hear from both people who live in North-America and others who don't but have visited. All the details of my trip are open. Which also means that nothing is a 100% at this point. All I can say for sure is that this would be during the summer and that I couldn't possibly make a trip that lasted for more than say two weeks. Would maybe propably have to be less than that.

Some of you might recall me doing a similar thing a few years back (I think) and that didn't happen. This time however I am urged also by the fact that these will be the last months I'll really be able to make any trips worthwhile with these cheaper tickets, as I am going to spend the better part of next semester doing and exchange program in Spain and propably wont be doing any travelling during that time.

I guess this thread can be used for anything travelling related aswell. Also all of you mofo's need to visit Finland.

[TDK]

I'll visit the shit out of Finland. And I'll learn Finnish, natch.

Anyways: I would recommend Miami, if you're choosing one of those, although what I would ACTUALLY recommend would be start in Miami and cruise up the east coast visiting NPFers and having adventures, ending in Toronto where you would fly out from.

Miami is much nicer than New York in my opinion as New York smells terrible and is dangerous and has giant rats and all sorts of unpleasant things. Miami has beaches and stuff and is moderately less dangerous. The weather is also considered to be much nicer. Also: Bitchez.

And, well, I guess there's Toronto if that's your thing. You're from the frozen north so I guess maybe Canada might be more your deal.

[Seil]

I'd head out to New York if you're interested in things like theater (Broadway) and shopping and eateries and stuff. If you wanna have a good time rather than going for a reason, NY is the place.

Or Vegas.

'Cause what happens in Vegas... haunts you 'till the end of your days.

[Bells]

How fast can you plan this trip? Because, if this is a one shot thing and will take a LONG time before you get another... right now i would say the hottest ticket would be New York this year for the 4th of July. Not only will be very festive, but this year you're bound to see it as american as it possible gets.

A week in NY and then a Week in Disneyland, and you're done. C'mon...

Also, i hear the USA has an extensive selection of Flavors for Doritos, something else to look up for.

[mauve]

How fast can you plan this trip? Because, if this is a one shot thing and will take a LONG time before you get another... right now i would say the hottest ticket would be New York this year for the 4th of July. Not only will be very festive, but this year you're bound to see it as american as it possible gets.

A week in NY and then a Week in Disneyland, and you're done. C'mon...

Also, i hear the USA has an extensive selection of Flavors for Doritos, something else to look up for.

The United States of America: Doritos are Better Here.

[Fenris]

The United States of America: Doritos are Better Here.

Can you think of a better selling point?

[mauve]

Can you think of a better selling point?

The United States of America: Valve Software is based here?

[Nikose Tyris]

Canada: We have Ketchup Chips.

But yeah I always have a spare bed for weary travellers, if you can tolerate mess, cat, and such.

I'm based in Toronto and not the worst guide.

[phil_]

Don't visit me; I'm a terrible host. I'll make you walk four miles in the heat and then drive me to pay my rent.

[RickZarber]

Don't visit me; I'm a terrible host. I'll make you walk four miles in the heat and then drive me to pay my rent.
Hahahahahahaha! And yet, my brother and I agree, it was the best day we've had in months!

Oster, if you find yourself in or around Washington DC at any point, I'm certainly willing to play host! There's basically anything you can think of to do downtown, plus all the, y'know, US landmarks and stuff. Plus the various Smithsonian museums, if that's your bag at all. If nothing else, I offer beer and a pull-out couch to crash on.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Fuck US. Scotland is where its at We've got like massive seagulls. And kilts. Kilts are awesome because part of the kilt is a knife so you can carry a knife around with you. Then you got to hide it cunning places to get into bars cause they always search you.
And all the cities are right next to each other. Glasgow to Edinburgh will take you 40 minutes. None of this drive all day bullshit.
Actually we're a shit hole. Go to Austrlia and fight a crocodile=best holiday.

[Osterbaum]

I'll visit the shit out of Finland. And I'll learn Finnish, natch.
Weren't you learning swedish?

...New York this year for the 4th of July...
I don't think I could stomach that.

The United States of America: Doritos are Better Here.
Yeah... I've never really had Doritos, they don't sell those here.

Overall I'm seeing some good suggestions here and all have been taken into consideration. Keem 'em coming. Also thanks for the offers to play guide, I will keep those in mind.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Scotland- also has doritos! I don't see what the deal is... they just pretty normal chips.
Scotland has Irn Bru, killer of men!

[Osterbaum]

Yeah, aren't doritos like basically nachos or something?

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Yes.

[Azisien]

You'd be insulting proper nachos by calling Doritos the same thing really...

[Bobbey]

You could always come to Montreal in the summer; we have a huge series of festivals, including the International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs, Fantasia (a geek movie festival), Othakuton (geek festival) and a buttload of others. We're basically ALWAYS in some kind of festival during the summer, so it's a huge cultural discovery at the same time. Plus, I'll be happy to be your guide around town, there are tons of sites to see: Olympic Stadium, the Casino, Downtown, la Ronde, Mount-Royal, museums, the largest underground shopping district on the planet, all the freakin' videogame companies that are here now, our small yet cute china town. Also, you'd need to eat poutine. I cannot let you leave Québec without eating a poutine. And Tim Hortons. Ice caps are soo yummy.
Only thing is I can't host you at home, mostly for the lack of space (I live in a 1 1/2 with my boyfriend...no space), but if I had an extra room, I would've been happy to host you.

[CABAL49]

Actually a trip up the East Cost sounds like a good idea. There are some really nice places to Georgia and Virginia, but also really terrible places. There are four states you should never visit: Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and West Virginia. I've Austin, Texas is really nice so I am not discounting Texas. But those other four don't really have anything nice.

In North Carolina, I have been told by Europeans our weather is similar to Germany except more sun. We have a nice variety of really good beaches to awesome mountains. Raleigh and Charlotte are nice small cities that can tickle whatever you fancy. Virginia is a really beautiful place, but...not very happy. Washington D.C. is like New York, but clean.

[TDK]

Weren't you learning swedish?

ICH STUDIERE VIELE SPRACHEN. :|

[Osterbaum]

I hope you know that's not swedish.

[Osterbaum]

Sorry for the double post, but I thought I'd let all of you know that my plan would involve flying to New York and then going up north to Toronto or down south to Miami from there.

So I guess all that really means is that Chicago is out, even though I would've loved to see it. Just can't afford to go everywhere, I can barely afford to go anywhere to start with. Also Toronto seems a more likely candidate than Miami right now.

[Nikose Tyris]

All Toronto Based Forumites Representin'.

[Nique]

Man, the east coast get's all the Osterbaums. :(

[Azisien]

If you go to Toronto in late August we could all hit up Fan Expo together! Yeah! Nerds!

[Aerozord]

actually azisien more or less suggested what I was going to, only more exacting. You are on the NPF so I assume you are a nerd. So visit one of America's big cons. I understand the sheer magnitude puts those of other nations to shame.

[Osterbaum]

I have never been to a con ever. The ones we have in Finland are pretty small and I haven't come across one that I felt I had to go to.

Also, there's a difference between a geek and a nerd, right? Atleast a subtle difference. I think I'm more of a geek. Atleast if the term "nerd" presumes some sort of above average technical knowledge.

Man, the east coast get's all the Osterbaums.
I guess you chose the wrong coast!

[Aerozord]

Cons are more about a mindset, best way I can describe it is, you know the forum, and how we shift radically from serious discussion of a series plot to being amused by random captions? Cons just a live action version of that.

[Azisien]

Well you don't HAVE to go to a con, though their atmosphere is pretty unique and I recommend it. It would be a time I'll be in Toronto for sure though. Toronto NPF meet-up! We'll go get dim sum!

Score some crack!!

[Nique]

I guess you chose the wrong coast!


Man, the West Coast used to be cool. Like, in the 90s probably.

[Bard The 5th LW]

There are four states you should never visit: Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and West Virginia. I've Austin, Texas is really nice so I am not discounting Texas. But those other four don't really have anything nice.


:(

W-we have horses! Those are cool right! Right? The radioactive Ohio River is also pretty decent for sightseeing.

[mauve]

Man, the West Coast used to be cool. Like, in the 90s probably.

The West Coast is still cool in certain places.

[pochercoaster]

Any idea of around what time you're going?

Also, I take credit for bringing oster to the east coast, because I suggested New York and Toronto to him. >>

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Last chance: Scotland- our national dress costume involves a big fuck off knife

[Osterbaum]

Scotland isn't in North-America. Scotland I might be able to visit even without my magical cheap tickest, via inter-European cheat airliners.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Scotland is like a pirate ship! It floats around!