#Adventures in Adventuring: What's up Seattle & Tampa? (NW to SE in 12 days)
A hoi hoi nerderinos!! HOLY CRAP!!! I JUST BOOKED MY TICKET TO SEATTLE!!!
I. am. happier. than. a. pig. in. shit. LITERALLY.
So, here's how and why this trip is going down.
See, when I was OMW back from Philly after my epic date with host of Vh1's Tough Love, Steve Ward, I stopped off in NYC since the only way I could get back on the Southwest passes was through La Guardia. I popped on a Megabus, hung out in the city for the night (had the BEJESUS scared out of me while filming) but met up with my friend Rishe who told me ALLLLL about this ah-mazing new startup she was working for called InBed.Me. I was all, what's that? She goes - gimme your iPad. I did, and then she pulled up this video:
You had me at hostel.
This video resonated with me, because when I've traveled in hostels before - I was the lone ranger. I was all OMMMGGG I've had this happen to me!!! This is a true problem with travelers!! She was all, oh! I know!! The dudes that started it are travelers and saw a need. Then, I was all, this is GENIUS!!! I want to be involved.
She then did an email intro, one of the founders and I had a skype, and now a few weeks later - ladies and germie men, I present to you all my first trip sponsored by InBed.Me.
Since I started traveling, I have always. always. ALWAYS. wanted to go to Seattle, but never had a sponsor that made sense, or a true reason to go. When these guys and I decided to work together - this was SUUCCHHHH a no brainer!!!
So, now next Wednesday I will be taking an amtrak up the coast for 34 hours from Los Angeles to Seattle - and DURING those 34 hours I will be writing the proposal for "A Nerd's Guide to Being Unapologetically Awesome." (The book based on the origin of this site, click here to watch the lecture from CSUF)
THEENNNNNNNNN, I get in at like 9pm on Thursday the 1st, so I'll have time to kick it all through that Monday morning, staying at the Hi Hostel in Seattle.
But here's the kicker ... while I'm there, I'm only going to have $50 a day to do the following:
- Have a solid meal (no beef jerky and powerade)
- See at least 1 touristie thing
- Grab a beer with new friends
That's not a lot of money to get all of those things done - but I wanted to show you guys how FREAKINGGGGG CHEAP it can be to travel. You. Just. Have. To. Do. It.
Oh yeah, and did I mention that I'm not renting a car either? I'm relying solely on public transportation - so that has to be included in the $50.
Bat shit!
BAT. SHIT!
It's going to be a lot of fun, and then on the way back - I'll hopefully ::fingers crossed:: finish the rest of the proposal - and after 69 (hehe 69) hours on a train - not only will I be able to see the entire western seaboard, but I'll have something to give my lit agent to hopefully be able to sell!! YAYYYYY LIFEEEEEE!!!
THENNNNNNNNNN!!! When I get back to LA, I am going to take a $7 Fly away shuttle and head over to LAX, cop a squat in the airport for the evening (like I am so used to doing) and at 8am catch a flight back east to see my parental units for my birthday!!!
Yep, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it home for Christmas, (so. freaking. expensive. I iz poor.) so my parents are at least flying me back for my birthday!! SO STOKED!!!
I'll be in Tampa, Florida from Wednesday the 7th - Sunday the 11th. I'll be primarily spending it with the familia, but I'll for SURE do at least one meet up somewhere in the area if anyone is down to kick it.
So, one last time - travel dates are:
November 30th: in transit
Night of December 1st - 4th: SEATTLE
December 5-6th: in transit
December 7-11th: Tampa, FL
I live life without a schedule so if you wanna kick it, all you have to do is hit me up on Twitter @JenFriel. Show me what's good!! I am at your mercy!! Let's do cool shit!!
#nerdsunite
Very very very special thanks to InBed.Me for this trip. This is a HUGGGEEEE bucket list item for me, and I am UNBELIEVABLY excited to see the city of Seattle. Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! Dudes, isn't getting to do what you love every day ENOUGH?!?! You mean there is MOORRREEE AWESOME?!?!?! wowzahs!
Do.
What.
You.
Love.
Always.
