It's been an interesting few weeks around here...

For starters, Ezurbub here on LiveJournal a couple of months ago recommended that I try using Hospitality Club to broaden my horizons. Their simple concept attempts to connect people from around the world who have an interest in traveling and meeting locals. I was fortunate enough to have a fun couple from the Netherlands stop by for a day here in Monterey. Although both of them currently live in the Netherlands, they are actually from different countries -- he is from France and she is from Spain. So, my big challenge was to figure out where to take a couple from Europe who were going to spend less than 24 hour in Monterey. After thinking it over, we ended up walking along one of the beaches, went down to the Carmel Highlands, spent some time at the wharf, had a nice Thai dinner, and drinks in downtown Monterey. During our time together, we had some great conversations including a discussion about international politics, some difference between Americans and Europeans, and life in general. Since they have returned home, I heard back from them, and it sounds like they both had an enjoyable time here. Now I need to travel there!

The day after they left my friends James and Mansoor from Monterey came to town. Again I was playing tour guide, but this time we had two full days to plan out what to see and do. Thankfully both of them are explorers at heart (especially Mansoor) so we had a chance to trek all around the area. We went to the usual hot spots including the aquarium and wahrf, but we also went to some more "remote" places such as the beach near my apartment. The best part of the beach? Seeing James run in the water when the waves were low and then sprinting back to higher ground when he saw one of the large waves barreling down on him. Mansoor (again the adventurer) ended up crawling up one of the areas away from the trail and eventually talked us into following him. The view from that spot was breathtaking and extremely peaceful.

After they left, Daylon and I went to San Jose for a day. He is traveling for much of this month, so it was our only chance to spend a little time together. I found the downtown area to be a nice mix of commercial and high density residential buildings along with a good assortment of museums, parks, and neighborhoods. The day was capped off with a trip to the Cheesecake Factory.

Since that point, Daylon is now on his journey and I have been working a slew of shifts. I would love to talk about work, but it would probably bore all of you to tears.

This article clearly captures the difficulties Americans are having living abroad. As hard as it may be for many of us to travel overseas, the high prices as temporary since we will be heading back home. However, for those who live overseas, it's probably time to ask for a salary in Euros. I especially love this part:

Every euro now costs nearly $1.60. The two currencies were equal when the euro was born in 2001. Since then, the Iraq war, record U.S. deficits and now the credit disaster has sent it nosediving, and no one seems to know where it will stop.


When I get home at night I go onto my bank account online to see just how much those withdrawals are. That was 300 euros I got out, so that is -- yikes, it's $487.73. That's frightening.

By the way, the Euro is about ready to break $1.60 USD. Although that may not mean much to a lot of people, it has been a level of resistance that a lot of currency traders are watching. If it break that, $1.65 is the next target with $1.70 right around the corner.

 

The first one is for the Antiboredom campaign:





The second clip is for...well...you'll see. :-) 


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