Sunday, December 18, 2011

Our Go to, maybe and never list

Over the past month we have been testing out many of the food & Drink establishments in Dickinson. During this we have developed a list of places we want to go back to, that we maybe will try again and those we will never go. This assessment is based on service, food quality, physical space and general chillness of the crowed.


The Go Back To List (in no order)

  1. Don Pedro's
  2. Donut Hole
  3. JD's Barbecue
  4. Papa Murphys
  5. Subway @ the T-Rex Plaza
  6. Bogies Diner
  7. Dairy Barn
  8. El Sombrero
  9. King Buffet 


The Maybe List

  1. Applebees
  2. Taco Johns
  3. Stanford's
  4. Upin -Thai
  5. A&W
  6. Pizza Ranch
  7. Domino's
  8. Pizza Hut
  9. Breakfast time at Mc. Donald's
  10. Pretzel Maker
  11. Food Court @ Prairie Hills Mall

The Never Go Back to List

  1. Taco Bell
  2. Perkins
  3. Hardees
  4. Dairy Queen
  5. Burger King
  6. Wal-Mart
  7. Lunch hour at Mc. Donald's
  8. Spur Bar
  9. ExPreso 





Sunday, November 20, 2011

Petrified Forest West Access Trail

Ventured once again to the Petrified Forest Loop Trail from the western edge access gate.


Starting Point : Petrified Forest West Boundary Access
West River Road Exit

Exit towards W river road. This is two exits west of the main Medora / Park exit. At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp you will take a right. It is about 7miles up this road. The road itself curves and branches quite a bit, when i went there were signs directing you the whole way. The road can be quite challenging in the spring when there has been a lot of wash out or if they have recently re-graveled. There are many oil wells along the road so the trucks have done a good job of packing it down

You will find a small parking lot just before the gate to access the trail. The trail starts off flat and than climbs for about 1/2 a mile till you reach a junction. We went to the left and after a a mile including an 1/8 mile drop we found ourselves in the forest. If you stay on the trail it will wind you directly through some amazing petrified trees. It is a large area and I found that wandering a bit off trail got me in groves that I would have missed staying on the path

The brown markers for this trail are about 6 inches across and 4 feet high. They are fairly easy to find. It looks as if they are in the process of putting in wooden post markers. In some places the wooden markers and the brown markers were up.


Bison, TRNP
Today we veered right or south as one might call it. After the initial climb to the fork it was vastly flat for the majority of the next 2 miles. The trail did dip down as we entered into the petrified forest about 3/4 miles after the fork. This collection of forest is smaller than the section further to the north, however equally as interesting. After about 1 mile of pure grasslands we ventured off path onto the ridges and had a picnic lunch overlooking the one tree trail.

We saw: 2 bison, 1 dead horse, crickets, 1 hawk, small unidentified birds.

As the seasons are changing the landscape is becoming much bleaker, even the sage is drying out. The wind was gusty and when it guested it was uncomfortable cold but overall a lovely day to be out in the park.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

400 Year Old Tree Alive in ND! what?!?!?!

About 25 miles east of Dickinson off of Hwy 94 is the Schnell Lake Recreation Area near Richardton ND. The following information can be found on the BLM web site: http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/north_dakota_field/schnell.html



Activities: Schnell is a non-motorized area with good opportunities for wildlife viewing, nature photography, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, camping, and environmental education. Dispersed primitive tent camping is allowed on the property except along an established 1.5 mile nature trail 

Facilities: Each of the six campsites has a fire ring, grill, picnic table, lantern holder, and garbage can. Potable water is easily accessible from every site but is only available from mid-April to mid-October. Three vault toilets are easily accessible from the camp sites. Grass, trees, and shrubs have been planted to reduce dust and to provide shade and a more pleasant surrounding. 
Please help to preserve the area--use only trash receptacles for your garbage.  Be careful with fire. Use the fire rings that are provided and make sure your fire is completely out when you leave. Use only dead and down wood for fuel.  Enjoy natural and cultural objects, such as rocks, flowers, and antlers, but please don't remove them.


Fees: $5 per campsite per night.  Payment of fee must be made within 30 minutes of occupying site.  All valid federal recreation passes are honored.


Season/Hours: Open year-round.


Location/Access: The Schnell Recreation Area is located in eastern Stark County approximately three miles northeast of Richardton, North Dakota.
From I-94 Richardton Exit #84, drive 0.75 mile north to Highway 10.  Turn right and go 1.5 miles east.  Turn left and go one mile north, following the curve to the right.  Go one one mile east to the headquarters.

Exiting off of Hwy 94 it is incredibly simple to find with great signage from prior to the exit till the parking area itself.






ND view

Schnell Lake Recreation Area Western Entrance 
Today's hike started at the Western Trail dead, about 2 miles south west from the main park entrance. This parking area is easy to find and looks like it will be a great place to cross country ski this winter.

Slater Pond Picnic Table 

Slater Pond
I started off to the left and within a 1/4 mile came across this stunning view. In another 1/4 mile I had arrived at Slater Pond.  Slater Pond is a small dammed up area that looks to be mucky in the spring or after a large rain, but was excellent in late October


At Slater Pond I headed to the right for another 1/4 mile to discover a whole new trail, the Bur Oak trail (1.5 miles total). 
Bur Oak Trail Crossing


Natural Chairs

Along the way there are several natural chairs and benches to sit and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. About 3/4 of a mile into the trail you come to a group picnic area. Just beyond this area is the official park entrance. 







Bur Oak Picnic Area
It so happens that today a truck was dropping off a house just outside the park entrance and I was able to get a snap of the house unloading. The house is still attached to the truck and is being slowly propped up on supports.

House Unloading





400 Year Old Tree

After watching the house for a moment, I spent some time looking at the park history kiosk and than continued on the Bur Oak Trail. Soon I came across a tree that they informational sign says is over 400 years old! The trail winded its way in and out of the creek grove and on back towards the trail crossing I had first come across. I passed by Slater pond and stayed to the right to bring me back to the parking lot on a different path. about 1/4 mile before I got back to the parking area I found a doe hiding in the brush eyeing me intently, and smartly so, its getting to be hunting season.
Deer in the brush


Thursday, October 13, 2011

Western Edge is overflowing

I am living on the western edge and it is overflowing. Jobs are in great abundance and everything else is in great demand. I am coming to the close of an epic search for a place to live. Starting with a basement in a family home at $1,100 (and did not really want to do that), moving on to a room in a single ladies home for $600 that I said I wanted and was given to a higher bidder.  My search than spiraled into chaos of exploring, unfinished basements, campers with heaters, buying land and putting up a yurt, sharing a house with an old man and even thought of buying a fixer uper 30miles outside of town.

I ended up living in the house of a board member for two weeks till a really wonderful woman rented me a bedroom in her 3 bedroom house for $550 a month all utilities included. I shared the home with three women and begun my hunt for a more permanent home.

I have put ads on line, put my name on LONG waiting lists, crossed my fingers that I would not need to live with the housing mob, looked at apartments where 10 other people had looked that same day and it had only been open since that morning. I considered month to month rentals and worried about being homeless in the middle of the winter and today signed a 6month lease for a one bedroom with washer, dryer, off street parking and all utilities included for the outrageous price of $950 a month. Will put $500 down tomorrow and I have my fingers crossed that no one out bids me before than.

And my experience is not abnormal, I am by far a lucky person, with old poorly maintained studios going for $1000 a month, I sometimes wonder if I am really in the same US that is having the housing market fall to pieces, ours cant build fast enough

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Petrified Forest West Access Trail


Starting Point : Petrified Forest West Boundary Access
Start of Petrified Forest Trail
Exit towards W river road. This is two exits west of the main Medora / Park exit. At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp you will take a right. It is about 7miles up this road. The road itself curves and branches quite a bit, when i went there were signs directing you the whole way. The road can be quite challenging in the spring when there has been a lot of wash out or if they have recently re-graveled. There are many oil wells along the road so the trucks have done a good job of packing it down

You will find a small parking lot just before the gate to access the trail. The trail starts off flat and than climbs for about 1/2 a mile till you reach a junction. We went to the left and after a a mile including an 1/8 mile drop we found ourselves in the forest. If you stay on the trail it will wind you directly through some amazing petrified trees. It is a large area and I found that wandering a bit off trail got me in groves that I would have missed staying on the path

The brown markers for this trail are about 6 inches across and 4 feet high. They are fairly easy to find. It looks as if they are in the process of putting in wooden post markers. In some places the wooden markers and the brown markers were up.

We hiked up out of the forest grove onto the grasslands and followed them for another 1/2 mile and turned back to our car. The grasslands kept going, my guess is for another 1.5 miles at least.
Petrified Forest from the east

I saw some great butterfly's and birds and lots of crickets.  We saw signs of larger mammals but did not encounter any. 6 other people were on the trail that Sunday, but we never felt crowded.   

Monday, October 3, 2011

Lesson Plan Outlines

And the search through my childhood ideas reveals another gem. I realize my blog has about 8 different subjects that it addresses and its almost like a journal not a useful public document. It is however slightly reflective of my journey in a life focused on community service, inclusive of those who teach.

United States of America

Writing (letters to)

  • The president
  • The Governor
  • Congress
  • Senators
  • Mayor
Put on a play
Song - star spangled banner 

Art
  • American Flags
  • Climate shoe boxes
  • punch out states
  • pie magnets
  • paint your neighborhood
  • collage america
Visitors
  • Mayor
  • Dem Rep
  • Rep Rep
  • Independent Rep
Supplies for this lesson:
carpet squares
construction paper
seed beads
bottle caps
tan felt
hot glue gun
paints
paint brushes
plastic bags (to cover desks)
tape
jars (to clean brushes)
white paper
old magazines
scissors  
Elmers glue (sticks ideal)
shoe boxes
manila envelopes 

Health & Wellness

Visitors
  • dentist
  • beautician
  • doctor
  • nutritionist
  • YMCA or Youth Summer Sports
Trips
  • Lense Crafters
  • park W/ big playground 
Art
  • Cut out & glitter teeth
    • mat them
  • paint with toothbrushes
  • pencil draw healthy foods
Supplies for this lesson:
pencils
pencil sharpener
glitter (silver)
glue
thick paper
(1) box cutter
tooth brushes
paint
white paper
colored paper
sharpie

Families

Writing
  • things I am good at
  • things my family is good at
Families visit

Community artist visitor

Trip to the senior home

Animals

Today is brought to you by the letter _______

  • Polar bear
  • pets
  • fish (get one for the classroom)
Songs
  • dog, cat, mouse, foggie
  • great big moose
Trips
  • visit zoo
  • humane society
  • pet store
  • vet office
Visitors
  • seeing eye dog
  • park ranger
Polar Bear

Song: grrrr I'm a bear

Writing:
  • P
  • B
  • F
Globe: where do polar bears live?

Crafts
  • snow flakes
  • cut out fish and decorate
Science
  • ice melting
  • fish hunt - with kids act out fish
Daily schedule

Pledge
Song
MJ dance party
free art
play ground
story
structured activity
writing
play ground
snack
math
story
nap
playground
science
lunch
playground
topic activity
play time

Youth Programming Brainstorm

Continuing my sort through my past and found this list of youth programming that my AmeriCrops State, Pillsbury Corps 2002-2003 generated


  • Publish a small zine (magazine) to see the results of their work
  • take field trips to see theater or museums of the kids' choice
  • go/ learn ice skating
  • go rock climbing /  bungee jumping
  • visit nursing home
  • do an obstacle course /  high ropes course
  • do sidewalk art
  • reading / visit library
  • drug free program
  • have an art show / poetry reading at the community center
  • visit animal farm / horse ranch / zoo
  • go biking
  • go scuba diving /  fishing
  • go to the Y
  • serve a community meal / volunteer at food shelf
  • Organize sports leagues/ tournaments
  • go on a nature hike / to a nature center
  • go on a scavenger hunt
  • play paintball / laser tag
  • go to a sporting event
  • have a derby/ build go carts
  • cook
  • sledding
  • build castles out of cardboard boxes
  • have a puppet show / go to the heart of the beast
  • plant a garden / flowers
  • make music / have a band
  • historical costume days / activities
  • go boxing
  • build mechanical things
  • ASK THE YOUTH WHAT THEY WANT TO DO!!!!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Petrified Forest Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest 



Petrified Forest
Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest
Petrified Forest


Petrified Forest

Sunday, September 25, 2011

To do in Dickinson ND

Medora Musical

1. Go to dairy barn and have a peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwich
2. Go to Bogeys Diner and have lunch
3. Bid and possibly buy at an auction like the ones held by Mid West Auctions http://www.midwestauctions.com
4. See the Medora Musical
5. Have a drink at the historic Medora Hotel
6. Spend as much time as possible in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Medora Musical 
7. See the Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10am
8. Walk around the Patterson lake recreation area
9. Taste crab apples at the NDSU research extension park http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/
10. See something with the Sneak Pique Productions team http://sneakpiqueproductions.com
11. Walk around young park
12. Catch a movie at the Carmike 3 theater
13. Dine at Sanfords
14. Coffee at the brew
15. Go to McDonalds early in the morning and observe the retiree breakfest groups
16. Shop Arc Aid
17. Admirer the intricate garden work in the developed neighborhoods
18. Recycle at the city Recycle lots
19. Spend some time at the library
20. Visit the dinosaur museum
21. Chateau De Mores Sate Historic Site, Medora
22. Thursday night Jazz at the Brick House Grill

Painted Canyon Visitor Center Access Trail & Western Upper Paddock Creek Trail

Starting Point : Painted Canyon Visitor Center

Exit towards Painted Canyon Visitor Center. You will see large signs and find yourself in an establish parking lot.

Upper Paddock Creek Trail
The center is a great place to start a hike, they have bathrooms, water fountains, snack machines and if you arrive during business hours the visitor center has an array of things. I stopped by the visitor center my first time in the park to get maps, hike advice and a local wildlife and plan update. The staff was very helpful and the maps they have are better than the ones I found on line.

Wildlife and Plants in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Bison are a relatively calm animal however it is advised that you give them their space, they are large and can be dangerous. The park is home to rattlesnakes, don't go sticking your bare hand into tall grass patches that's when they have the highest rate of bites. Beyond those two, things are fairly standard.

The access trail starts to the south west of the visitor center. Standing in the parking lot you will see an access road going off the western side, follow this road about 1/5 mile till you see a brown marker on your left side. Near the brown marker you will notice a foot path veer away from the road, this is the trail head.

The brown markers for this trail are about 6 inches across and 4 feet high. They are fairly easy to find.

The trail almost instantly heads into the canyon. Footing can be questionable during the decent due to the soft nature of the soil. There are several areas where the trail has caved in, as the canyon slowly grows. Keep an eye on your footwork and you will be fine.

There are a few places where small creeks cross the trail, I have gone in fairly wet times and been able to easily jump these creeks.

At the base of the Access Trail you come to a sign that point north/ west and south/ east. Both directions will put you on the Upper Paddock Creek Trail.

On this day I went north/west. I was interested in doing a 6 mile hike this day, 2 miles to get into the canyon and went about 1.5 miles west on Upper Paddock Creek Trail.

I saw some great butterfly's and birds.  I sat at a nice outcropping and read a book for about an hour and than returned back the way I came. This hike was very isolated, I did not see any people or mammals from start to finish.







Saturday, September 24, 2011

Talkington Trail



Starting Point: East fence gate.

Exit towards "Fryburg" If you are heading west this will be the last exit before the park starts, about 4 miles before the rest area overlook. If you are heading east this will be the firs exit after the park ends, its one after the rest area overlook by about 4 miles.

Head north about 100feet and you will encounter a small parking area and a side road. It looks like a frontage road. Road name is fryburg road.

Take a left heading west, follow this as it curves north and turns into 136th/ government creek road. Go about 1 mile and look for a gate in the fence on the west(left) side. The earth will be built up so that you can pull in and park at this gate.

When I visited the gate was locked but had space for a person to squeeze through. A larger person may have to climb the fence.

Talkington Trail
The start of the trail is quite hard to distinguish since it is all grassland and rarely used. Head west through the grass and look for a brown marker that is about 6inches across and 4 feet tall. As you near the canyon the trail becomes more apparent.

The day that I hiked this trail I encountered two groups of horseback riders, about 6 people per group. 3 day hikers. 1 heard of bison totaling about 20. 1 prairie dog town, as marked on the map, a very vocal and timid community.

I hiked till I reached the scenic drive and than turned back. My advice on this trail is to bring plenty of water and wear closed toe shoes, the park has snakes. Otherwise its fairly straight forward and enjoyable to walk. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Since moving to Dickinson ND I have been spending almost every weekend hiking in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  I have an array of comments on this experience.

  • The park is divided into two separated  areas the North Unit and the South Unit. 
  • The South Unit in along side interstate 94 
  • The eastern corner of this park is about a 20min drive from Dickinson.
  • You can access the park on foot from a variety of entrance points
  • To access the park by car you must enter at the Medora Visitor center and pay a $10 fee for a 6 day park access

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Systematic Support

National Grasslands, ND
I have begun working for a non profit in a small town and encountered amazing systematic support. When re-locating the Executive Director of the non-profit spoke with the board and had two members offer me space in their house so that I could move to town and than pick a place to live, over having to sign a contract sight un-seen. I am not sure that this type of whole person support exists in other sectors, but it reminds me greatly of the support that I received when working with AmeriCorps. Community members going above and beyond to help you be successful in your development objective in the community.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Former Staff as Volunteers

Welcoming former staff back as volunteers is a great way to keep connected and to access individuals who are skilled as well as have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of your operation. I have recently encountered a learning experience when our summer camp welcomed two former heads of departments back for a three week volunteering experience. 

Summer Camp
These volunteers had been involved in our camp for over 5 summer seasons, each rising to lead their respective departments during their time on staff. They came with the desire to give back to our community, intending to take on a large scale but relatively isolated project and to use their free time to help out in the departments that they had once lead. 


Very little was given to them in way of an induction of their volunteer process and they both eagerly jumped in to their former departments excited to begin to contribute. Their presence and understanding created challenges. In one department the volunteer took it upon himself to complete all of the "fun" jobs, depriving the staff who had been working towards these fun jobs the opportunity to participate in them. 

In the second department the volunteer entered in and took on a leadership role, undermining the authority of the pre-existing leader, causing feelings of degradation among the lower ranked staff, and making programmatic changes that created future challenges within the department.

The volunteers were oblivious to the negative feelings that had transpired and were under the perception that they were accomplished thier objective of giving back to the community they love.

The upper level management (who had welcomed their former employees back to the community) were un-aware of the conflict that was brewing within their departments.

After the negative feelings had begun to brew the two departments approached the upper level management and requested a conversation regarding the volunteers. During this meeting all members of the departmens affected by the volunteers as well as the upper management. A closed door meeting was held where everyone was given the opportunity to express their preception of the situation, propose their ideal situation as well as what they viewed as compromises. 

Following this closed door meeting the executive director met with the volunteers to discuss a plan for moving forward. The volunteers both felt quite badly about how things had transpired. One offered to dedicate his full efforts to the project they had originally come to work on and to no longer work in his old department. The other volunteer requested some time to think about this and to have a meeting with the department she was the former head of.

In summary, two former heads of departments returned to volunteer in the departments they used to run and approached the situation with strong personalities and a mindset that they were there to run the department again.

The take away learning from this is to have a conversation with returning staff members about how their are new competent people in their former positions and that their role is to follow the lead of the staff member, that their role is to be an assistant not a leader. Potentially working with current staff to carve out places for the volunteer to lead activities within the parameters set by the current staff




Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Computer Exploration Lesson Plan

I have been sorting through the boxes of my childhood and came across this lesson plan I must have made in middle school.... This is the typed version of it, trying to cut down on the amount of "things" and thought this could easily be saved and put digital =). I think at one point I probably had created all the material that is referenced here, but that has been lost in time. In general I just think I was a super cute nerdy child =)

Class Size: 4 or 6
Task Time: 30 Minuets
Break Time: 10 Minuets

Day 1
9:00 Take attendance
9:05 Introduce yourself (write on board, say, wear a name tag)
9:10 Students stand up and say their names
9:20 Color pictures from a coloring book
9:30 Break (go potty, get a drink of water)
9:40 Show Materials and answer questions
10:00 Hand out computer book
10:10 Break (same)
10:20 Do first activity
10:40 Quiet goal setting time, students make ribbons for when they meet their goals
11:00 Read story 1
11:10 Break
11:20 Chalk computer parts(students chose of computers)
11:40 Clean up room
11:50 Parents arrive

Day 2
9:00 Color 2 pictures from the book
9:10 do demonstration by showing computer their disassembling and the parts they have colored compare similarities of the pictures colored NOT THE DIFFERENCES
9:30 Break
9:40 Read about disk drive
10:00 do Journal #1
10:15 Give children hard disk to utilize (look at/ disassemble) in room
10:30 Break
10:40 look at different disk drives in pictures
11:05 Discussion kids ask questions and talk in a group
11:15 play "the way things work" in pairs on the computer section
11:50 end game parents arrive

Day 3
9:00 Game #1 Prep
9:30 Break
9:40 Snack
9:50 continue working on game 1
10:30 Break
10:40 keep working on Game 1
11:30 stop work and clean up
11:50 parents come

Day 4

9:00 finish prep on Game #1
9:45 Break
9:55 go into rooms and do journal #2
10:20 make 2 teams and race the clock assembling the 3d disk drive
10:50 go to computer lab and start assembling disk drive
11:20 Break
11:30 Continue activity from 10:50
11:45 Get ready to go
11:50 parents come

Day 5
9:00 work on disk drive (if finished pay with extra parts)
10:00 Break
10:10 Clean up (store drive in cabinet)
10:20 Paint ( Put on over head picture #1)
11:00 Break
11:10 Hand out mice parts to be assembled (let kids play with them)
11:44 Clean up
11:55 Parents arrive

Day 6
9:00Hand out picture #2 along with Picture #3 and a part book listing part names and uses
9:10 start assembling mince
10:00 Break
10:10 Do Journal #3
10:30 Break
10:40 Keep working on mice
11:40 Clean up
11:50 parents arrive

Day 7
9:00 pass around live mouse than pass around computer mouse
9:20 Journal #4
9:40 work on mice
10:20 Break
10:30 Bring out items and have students create a mouse oout of them (real or computer)
11:30 time in small room
11:50 parents come

Week 2
* during this week kids will be allowed to work more freely be sure to take pictures
* In each little room put all info needed for each part
     Room 1 - Keyboard and attaching mouse
     Room 2 - Laser
     Room 3 - Electric Motor
     4,5,6 - keep as quiet rooms

Day 8
9:00 give out Pict #4 and following to do list
- in room 1 you will find all info to put together a keyboard (parks in box on desk)
- On Art table you will find paper to pain a keyboard
- on the bored is the journal question #5
9:10 tell them they have 3 days and you will call breaks
10:30 snack and Break
10:50 start work
11:30 break
11:40 Clean up
11:50 parents arrive

Day 9
9:00 start working on list
10:30 Break

10:40 start work
11:30 break
11:40 Clean up
11:50 parents arrive

Day 10
(same as day 9)


Student Supply list
1 folder (no pictures)
1 Box of crayons/ colored pencils
1 box of water colors
5 1 subject notebooks

would like
1 box of crackers
juice boxes
2 liters of juice
klenex
paper cups
paper plates




Sunday, June 19, 2011

Returning to the USA

Ian and I have returned to the USA. This return was prompted by an array of factors, all of that could have been overcome, but deep down we were both feeling a little burnt out on Asia. Ian has started school in St.Louis and I am back in Minnesota sorting out what my next move should be. I have joined the un-employed highly educated young adults of America and after 3 weeks of it, I am board, ready for something to take my attention. I read the other day that the national average to find a job after becoming un-employed is 37 weeks, there is no way I can make it that long. I am thinking about taking a job at a summer camp, learning to make canoes and enjoying the great outdoors for the next two months

Monday, January 31, 2011

Victory Liner Customer Service

This is an email conversation between me and customer service at Victory Liner one of the main bus lines that operates in the Philippines. My original email has some exaggeration in the effect of how horribly it effected me and doesn't mention the fact that I live here. I was impressed with their response even though they didn't offer me any freebees.

To Whom it May Concern:

Due to your incorrect bus schedule posted on your website, my trip to the Philippines has been ruined. I traveled here from the U.S. with the intention of traveling to Zambales timing my arrival in Manila to make the Thursday 22:40 STA. CRUZ via CAMILING   as posted on your website schedule. Upon arriving to Victory Liner around 9:40pm on January 27th around 9:30 pm and were informed that the bus does not depart until 4am. This has completely ruined my travel plans for the weekend.

I am part of a fairly wide network of travelers and depending on what action is taken from me sending this email, I plan to effectively spread the word to avoid using your service when it can be avoided and not to trust your website (Which eliminates the usefulness of your website and that is money your organization is wasting by having the website developed and maintained) 

Ian Geiger
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Dear Mr. Geiger,
Thank you for bringing up the concern.
I have investigated the incident and found out that indeed bus number 811 was dispatched last night on 22.40 for the trip Sta. Cruz via Camiling.  I also checked if the manifest was fully booked, which could be the reason why the person you talked to said that the next trip was for 4am already.  However, upon checkng the manifest, I saw that the bus was not even fully booked.  There were seats and you should have been accommodated on that trip, sir.
Did you inquire at the dispatcher's booth sir?  Or at the ticket booth?  Or with a security guard on duty?  We are thinking, there is a possibility that that person may not have understood what you were saying, perhaps a different intonation or pronounciation.  If this were the case, we would like to pinpoint who this person is as it reflects on the quality of people we have out there.
Mr. Geiger, on behalf of Victory Liner, I would like to apologize for this confusion.  If you have urgent questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service desk, English speaking and fully able to answer and understand you.  The number is0917 8425463.
Sincerely yours,
Marivic del Pilar
Marketing Head
Victory Liner
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Dear Marivic, 
         Thank you for your response. I inquired at the ticket booth and with a security guard. Luckily everything worked out well enough. I went ahead and gave Victory Liner another chance and returned at 4am. It still was not as easy as it should have been.. when inquiring about the STA Cruz that the office told me was leaving at 4am they said it wasn't leaving until 6 and I then asked just about everyone in the station until finally a security guard understood that I was trying to get to San Antonio and guided me to the right bus that did indeed leave at 4am (the guard also informed me that a bus for sta cruz did indeed leave at 10:40). Again, thank you for your response and for looking into the manner.

Sincerely,

Ian Geiger

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your reply Mr. Geiger.  I am sorry, I think our frontliners are really having difficulty understanding and conversing in English.  We will move towards improving on this aspect.
Have a nice day!
Marivic del Pilar
Victory Liner
 




Sunday, January 23, 2011

Fuzion Smoothie on Katipunan

In my previous entry on Places to visit in Manila I said that the best smoothie I have found yet is a chain called Fuzion. I have seen them at SM North, GreenBelt and GreenHills. I am sure they have more locations than this.
 http://fuzionphils.com/fuzion/news_mediagallery.php

Fuzion Smoothie is still the best smoothie in Manila. They have recently opened a new location on Katipunan Av in Quezon City. The location is great, right across from Anteno University!

They are still working out a few bugs in the system so if you stop by soon expect to find amazing smoothies for peso 99 - 145! but do sit upstairs the blenders are too loud for conversation on the first level, and be prepared, the lids do not fit the cups =)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Lord Stow's Bakery Manila

I was quite excited tonight to discover that Lord Stow's Bakery, a high end bakery from Macau.
Macau Egg Tart

Egg tarts to Macau perfection at 40rs each
Delectable chewy cashew brownies for 145 a box. Made with real chocolate!

Their Tomas Morato location has an inviting aroma and a pleasant seating area.

They have other locations around Manila and should be visited if you are near one.

Check out their web site for more information http://www.lordstow.com/

On a more personal note, our taxi ride home this evening was one of the more adventuresome rides. Our driver did not know the area super well, however knew it well enough to use some side streets. With his side street use we ended up going way past our turn looking for a turn around, after pulling some very indirect turns we headed up the wrong way to the main road and got yelled at by on lookers, while having a slur of cars exiting the main road coming at us as we backed down a curvy exit ramp, Hitting the curb a few times and having to re adjust. 40 pesos more than normal we made it back to our home safely and a bit more familiar with "short cuts" in Manila.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Directions to the Indian Embassy Manila

After my adventure looking for the Indian Embassy in the Philippines, Manila. I thought I would post directions for any lost travelers.

Its not too hard!

You need to take the MRT to them Magallanes station

When you exit the station, exit on the side of the Southgate Mall

Less than a 5 min walk down the street, away from the mall you will find the main gate into Dasmarinas Village. At this point get ready for a real taste of what is to come.

Video immages of all who enter the gate
Sign a log book
sit on a bench and wait for a black van
get in the black van #8
drive around a maze of nice homes
Sign a van log book
get out of the van and go into an office
wait on a bench
go to a counter and pay p150
collect your recepit
get back in the black van
drive around a maze of nice house
listen for your driver to tell you that your at India
go in a gate
sign a log book
go around the side of the building into the first door (unmarked)
Stand around a bit confused
go to Window #1 to get a number
sit if you can find a chair
drink some water because its hot
wait for your number to be called
When your done, if your lucky you can convince the guard to let you walk out of the complex (its only 2 min walking) otherwise you must wait for the black van to come collect you

The address of the Indian embassy, Manila is 2190 Paraiso Street

Good luck and have fun =)