Yesterday and today have been a lot of fun. We've not seen much of the city but from the news and other tourists we've basically gathered it's not really worth trying on this particular weekend... due to the fact that the Montreal Grand Prix brings in the single most amount of tourists then any other event to Montreal... very different then the US Grand Prix was in Indianapolis. Here it seems like everyone is living and breathing for Formula 1... oh wait, not those in downtown who live here and are just trying to go about their daily business but are being subjected to throngs of tourists who don't know what they are saying, or where they are going!
One thing I have already "missed" about Columbus is having to deal with smoking. It seems like everyone smokes be it Cigars or Cigs, either way it's yucky & smelly! I miss the smoking ban in public places!
We walked a little less today then we did yesterday though it feels like the same amount, or maybe more! And we're not done yet... we're going to go to Hard Rock Montreal for dinner, after some mistaken meal choices yesterday (i really think instead of chicken i got a veggie burger) we need a good meal and so we are heading to a place where at least we'll know what to expect. And I've already given into the fact that we're tourists, we look like it so may as well act like it!
Yesterday we were looking for lunch and walked and walked looking for something, we settled on a local pizza place. Only to find out after we ate and left that the place RIGHT NEXT DOOR was Schwartz's (which apparently is a Montreal favorite). So if we'd walked a few steps further we would have found it... maybe next time :)
Tomorrow we'll get up, pack and check out of the hotel... go to the race, come back to the hotel pick up our baggage and high tail it to the airport to catch our flight to London! (yay for going to an English speaking country... even though it's a little different type of English). We'll do some laundry and rest a little before spending our weekend at the 24 hours of Le Mans.
We stayed at an Econo Lodge here in Montreal and what they lack is 5 star hotel qualities of super pimp accommodations they have made up for in service, sometimes it seems like the more you pay for something the less you really get... but this has been a good case of the opposite.
Back to a little race discussion before i end my ramblings, it was AWESOME to watch qualifying with the grandstands packed as much as they would be for race day! Everyone was fully in it and respectful fans made it a great experience. . . I can't say I'm happy that Lewis is on pole, would have been nice to see Kubica (who came out so strong after his crash here last year) on pole, but you can't say Hamilton didn't do a great job to got on pole, fast laps in practice and just consistently putting the pedal to the medal... ok gotta stop sounds like i might like him or something! I have to wonder if Ferrari didn't expect the rain that hit us about 15 minutes after qualifying ended to come sooner and thus have their cars set up for that because their showing was not their usual domination... I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings, there is a slight chance of rain, otherwise it will be HOT hot HOT!
We did a walk around the infield of the track to make sure we weren't missing anything, enjoyed a honda booth that had the 9 difft gens of civic on display in an air conditioned space! Lots of stuff for sale, and lots of ways to spend money... we basically resisted the urge for now because anything we buy now would have to be lugged around for the next 28ish days. We also visited the Casino Montreal, which was very nice, we should have tried our hand at winning some of the funds back from our trip ;) but we weren't feeling the luck at the time.
The last thing I can think of before I stop to check ourselves into our flights for London (which we can hopefully get seats together) is I really do prefer watching tv in English as opposed to French :p
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Last minute things gathered up at our place, then up and off to the airport to hurry up and wait. hopped aboard a pond skipper and headed for Cleveland. Arrived there and did some more waiting. Checked passports, and made the cramped trip to Montreal. My seat was near an exit row, and wouldn't recline. Ugh. In Montreal to grab a $35 taxi ride to our hotel. Econolodge check in no issues.
Right in downtown, and a block away from St (that's Saint, not Street) Laurent. We headed down St Laurent, which was a street that was closed with dozens of restaurants, shops, etc. all spilling out their goods onto the streets. Lots of people, all makes and models. Did some walking and found a pizza place. Paper thin crush pepperoni pizza, perhaps better on the very hungry mode than one would think. Walked some more then made way to the underground subway and purchased passes good for 3 days. Figured out the color system, which line to take, and headed to the race track.
Arrived right during the start of the Ferrari 430 Challenge. Great sounding cars, and made our way to our bleachers seats. Prime seats on the outside of the Casino Hairpin right at the apex. Watched the 430s then the 997 Cup cars. Sound great too, with one taking too much rear brake at the hairpin, and sliding in the grass, and hitting another Cup car. Swack, and broken parts, and oil and coolant. Finished the Cup car spectacle, and made way up to some of the tents, gazebos and party atmosphere around the circuit. We headed back to the subway, then two stops onboard, a change over, and walk two blocks back to the hotel. Laid down for about 45 minutes to get a pit stop, then went to a "burger" place. Eh, it was alright, burgers are an American thing. Did some more walking, found basically a 7-11, and got some weekend snacks to finally return home for relaxation.
We walked over 16,000 steps just one day one of this vacation. Montreal is very French, and lots of signs, and French speaking people. Should be a primer for the weekend coming up in Lemans.
Saturday brings lots of pictures, and enjoying qualifying, and maybe some more of what the city can offer.
Day one down, 30 to go.
Right in downtown, and a block away from St (that's Saint, not Street) Laurent. We headed down St Laurent, which was a street that was closed with dozens of restaurants, shops, etc. all spilling out their goods onto the streets. Lots of people, all makes and models. Did some walking and found a pizza place. Paper thin crush pepperoni pizza, perhaps better on the very hungry mode than one would think. Walked some more then made way to the underground subway and purchased passes good for 3 days. Figured out the color system, which line to take, and headed to the race track.
Arrived right during the start of the Ferrari 430 Challenge. Great sounding cars, and made our way to our bleachers seats. Prime seats on the outside of the Casino Hairpin right at the apex. Watched the 430s then the 997 Cup cars. Sound great too, with one taking too much rear brake at the hairpin, and sliding in the grass, and hitting another Cup car. Swack, and broken parts, and oil and coolant. Finished the Cup car spectacle, and made way up to some of the tents, gazebos and party atmosphere around the circuit. We headed back to the subway, then two stops onboard, a change over, and walk two blocks back to the hotel. Laid down for about 45 minutes to get a pit stop, then went to a "burger" place. Eh, it was alright, burgers are an American thing. Did some more walking, found basically a 7-11, and got some weekend snacks to finally return home for relaxation.
We walked over 16,000 steps just one day one of this vacation. Montreal is very French, and lots of signs, and French speaking people. Should be a primer for the weekend coming up in Lemans.
Saturday brings lots of pictures, and enjoying qualifying, and maybe some more of what the city can offer.
Day one down, 30 to go.
At the Airport!
In Columbus :p
At least it has free Wi-Fi & it's actually one of the place that has plugs available around the areas for when batteries die on laptops. I hate the airports that aren't passenger friendly like that.
So we're waiting to catch our flight out of Ohio and I fear we may have a little too much "paraphernalia" but we'll find out when we get through the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, and if in fact we decide we do have too much we can unload some in London and leave it there for the duration of the trip.
I'm really sleep so not much else to update at the moment.
At least it has free Wi-Fi & it's actually one of the place that has plugs available around the areas for when batteries die on laptops. I hate the airports that aren't passenger friendly like that.
So we're waiting to catch our flight out of Ohio and I fear we may have a little too much "paraphernalia" but we'll find out when we get through the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, and if in fact we decide we do have too much we can unload some in London and leave it there for the duration of the trip.
I'm really sleep so not much else to update at the moment.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Having people asking me if I'm nervous. I'm really not feeling it, but thinking "should I be?" People ask me if I'm excited. Um, nope. I'll happily stay in Ohio. Of course! Just super busy at work right now, otherwise, I could write a big message about nothing at all. Hahah.
Back to work until Thursday at 4:30pm.
Back to work until Thursday at 4:30pm.
Organization...
Last night we spent some time organizing all our paper work, tickets, money, etc!
One step closer. We still have to throw all the random things we have accumulated across the house into luggage, but I think that might be the easy part. Wishful thinking I wonder?
All day today I have been bombarded with random musings from Aaron of different automobile related locations he's being told about /researching that seem like they would be good to go to, YES AT THE LAST MINUTE! ;) We'll see how we can fit it in with all the regular sightseeing I want to do and all the races we'll be hitting. Our schedule might be a little tight but I don't think it's unrealistic at all! The more we see the more we'll have got bang for our "buck."
I had a few moments of apprehension this morning, but I think it's just cause of all the random loose ends left to tie up. Once I wrap those up tonight I should feel much better. Currently other then knowing I'm doing it, I don't feel like I'll be out of the country for a month in two days!
One step closer. We still have to throw all the random things we have accumulated across the house into luggage, but I think that might be the easy part. Wishful thinking I wonder?
All day today I have been bombarded with random musings from Aaron of different automobile related locations he's being told about /researching that seem like they would be good to go to, YES AT THE LAST MINUTE! ;) We'll see how we can fit it in with all the regular sightseeing I want to do and all the races we'll be hitting. Our schedule might be a little tight but I don't think it's unrealistic at all! The more we see the more we'll have got bang for our "buck."
I had a few moments of apprehension this morning, but I think it's just cause of all the random loose ends left to tie up. Once I wrap those up tonight I should feel much better. Currently other then knowing I'm doing it, I don't feel like I'll be out of the country for a month in two days!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Blog Intro...& Itinerary
I wanted to create one place where we can update the details of our trip as it's happening and one place to let everyone know to reference while we're away.. so it looks like this will be that place!!!
Date PM Location Activity
6/5/2008 - Columbus - Work, Pack, Move Suneet out of her dorm and last minute frenzy!
6/6/2008 - Montreal, Canada - Fly from Columbus to Montreal / Sight See
6/7/2008 - Montreal, Canada - F1 Qualifying
6/8/2008 - London, UK - F1 Race
6/9/2008 - London, UK - Land In London
6/10/2008 - London, UK - Sight See
6/11/2008 - Le Mans, France - Train from London: Paris: Drive to Le Mans
6/12/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Practice
6/13/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Qualifying & Parade
6/14/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Race
6/15/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Race Finish
6/16/2008 - Paris, France - Drive from Le Mans to Paris
6/17/2008 - Paris, France - Sight See
6/18/2008 - Paris, France - Sight See
6/19/2008 - Paris, France - Sight See
6/20/2008 - Nevers, France - Train from Paris to Nevers: F1 Practice
6/21/2008 - Nevers, France - F1 Qualifying
6/22/2008 - Nevers, France - F1 Race
6/23/2008 - Nuremberg, Germany - Train to Nuremberg
6/24/2008 - Nuremberg, Germany - Sight See
6/25/2008 - Nuremberg, Germany - Aaron Track Day
6/26/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/27/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/28/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/29/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/30/2008 - ??? London, UK - Train from Germany to London
7/1/2008 - London, UK - Sight See
7/2/2008 - London, UK - Sight See
7/3/2008 - Oxford, UK - Sight See
7/4/2008 - Oxford, UK - F1 Practice
7/5/2008 - Oxford, UK - F1 Qualifying
7/6/2008 - London, UK - F1 Race
7/7/2008 - Columbus, Ohio - Fly Back to Columbus
7/8/2008 - :( Work
(Sorry for the crappy formatting!)
As you can see, for the most part we know where we're going, and more importantly where our head will go at the end of the night, and how we're getting from point a to point b!
We're excited, nervous, looking forward to going, and NOT looking forward to coming back!
Stay tuned as we undertake our journey! :D
Date PM Location Activity
6/5/2008 - Columbus - Work, Pack, Move Suneet out of her dorm and last minute frenzy!
6/6/2008 - Montreal, Canada - Fly from Columbus to Montreal / Sight See
6/7/2008 - Montreal, Canada - F1 Qualifying
6/8/2008 - London, UK - F1 Race
6/9/2008 - London, UK - Land In London
6/10/2008 - London, UK - Sight See
6/11/2008 - Le Mans, France - Train from London: Paris: Drive to Le Mans
6/12/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Practice
6/13/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Qualifying & Parade
6/14/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Race
6/15/2008 - Le Mans, France - Le Mans Race Finish
6/16/2008 - Paris, France - Drive from Le Mans to Paris
6/17/2008 - Paris, France - Sight See
6/18/2008 - Paris, France - Sight See
6/19/2008 - Paris, France - Sight See
6/20/2008 - Nevers, France - Train from Paris to Nevers: F1 Practice
6/21/2008 - Nevers, France - F1 Qualifying
6/22/2008 - Nevers, France - F1 Race
6/23/2008 - Nuremberg, Germany - Train to Nuremberg
6/24/2008 - Nuremberg, Germany - Sight See
6/25/2008 - Nuremberg, Germany - Aaron Track Day
6/26/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/27/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/28/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/29/2008 - ??? Heidelberg, Germany - Sight See
6/30/2008 - ??? London, UK - Train from Germany to London
7/1/2008 - London, UK - Sight See
7/2/2008 - London, UK - Sight See
7/3/2008 - Oxford, UK - Sight See
7/4/2008 - Oxford, UK - F1 Practice
7/5/2008 - Oxford, UK - F1 Qualifying
7/6/2008 - London, UK - F1 Race
7/7/2008 - Columbus, Ohio - Fly Back to Columbus
7/8/2008 - :( Work
(Sorry for the crappy formatting!)
As you can see, for the most part we know where we're going, and more importantly where our head will go at the end of the night, and how we're getting from point a to point b!
We're excited, nervous, looking forward to going, and NOT looking forward to coming back!
Stay tuned as we undertake our journey! :D
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