First Trip into Yellowstone National Park

30 July 2008; 2330hrs Bozeman, Montana (USA)

I went to Yellowstone National Park with Jarek today. It was very nice; really enjoyable. The sights were wonderful, and there were many scenic views of rivers and lakes, and many geysers and hot springs. They were all so beautiful, but numerous to the point that I became numb to their beauty.

We also managed to catch Old Faithful blow its top. It was nice to have experienced that, but I left thinking, “That’s it?”

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves (in Facebook).

I wonder what my next trip to Yellowstone would be like…

End of the First Workshop

30 July 2008; 0600hrs Bozeman, Montana (USA)

The first workshop concluded yesterday with a group dinner. I really enjoyed the course. It was extremely meaningful. At the very least, I came to the conclusion that my reactor and experimental design were fine and do not need to be changed. YES! I CAN GRADUATE! The dinner was at this pub/bar/restaurant called Ale Works. It was… how should I put it… like any other typical American small town restaurant we see in the movies. The setting was a tad dim, with brick walls. I guess that’s what people call atmosphere. And the portions were definitely American. They were HUGE! So much so that I only managed to scrape the top before I gave up trying to eat. So much so that the waitress even asked if the food was to my liking. It wasn’t that the food was bad, but neither was it fantastic, it was just that the portion they served me was enough for four meals!

On our way back, I saw the most beautiful sunset. Seriously, it was the most amazing one I had ever seen in my life thus far. It was so beautiful and fiery red. With the rays just streaming pass the mountain tops, and the sky burning up. It was a sight to behold. It did make me miss having some person by my side so that we could share this moment together.

But I’m trying to be strong. Note to self: Don’t think about people who are bad for me!

Anyway…

Do you know why the sky was so red? It’s because of all the pollution in the air. We were told that smoke pollution from the forest fires in California caused such a scene, while usually the sunsets were more yellow. It’s really sad to know that such a beautiful sight was caused by pollution.

In the end, it was still something amazing and I was glad to have seen it.

First Day at Bozeman (in English)

I was asked to type in proper English. So, I'm making good of my promise to do that. Below is the England version of my last post.

29 July 2008; 0545hrs Bozeman, Montana (USA)

I’ve been awake since 0200hrs! It must be jet lag. I don't feel tired at all now. But I usually fall asleep towards the middle of the day.

The first day I arrived at Bozeman was a real cultural shock. Public transportation in this little town is virtually non-existent. There’s a Bozeman bus that doesn't cause anything to board, but nothing else goes anywhere. And the bus services only ply routes within town. When I took a taxi from the airport to get to town, the driver told me that there is only one taxi in the entire town! How can that be true?

Given the miserable public transportation situation here, how am I going to get to Gardiner for my Yellowstone tour? The only viable option is by taxi. But it costs US$200 each way! If I request for a return trip, from Bozeman to Gardiner and back, the cost is much higher. I was quoted US$550 for that! Oh goodness! How am I going to pay for that? It's really amazing.

It's really lucky that the people I met at the workshop are extremely nice! One of them actually offered to drive me to Gardiner the day before my tour, and I have to find a hotel and stay there for a night. And another offered to drive me back to Bozeman after my tour at Yellowstone National Park. Thank God I met them. I'm not going to break my bank for this trip to Bozeman!

Now, I have to figure out how to get to the other scenic place - Lewis and Clark Caverns. It's about 100 km away from Bozeman. Looks like I have to get another taxi ride.

One will die here without a car. I really wonder how people with no cars survive America.

The workshop, itself, was great. I learnt a lot and hope to be learning more about the software that I'm using for my research. They even gave us a textbook! But right now, I'm wondering how I'll be able to transport the textbook and all the printed powerpoint slides they gave us.

I bought some souvenirs at Salt Lake City International Airport. It's really amazing! On top of my plate that I always get, I bought a salt snowflake. It was naturally cultivated from the lake there!

I had lunch while at the airport. It was a cinnamon bun called Cinnabon Classic. It's from a world famous bakery! At least that's what they claimed on their box and signboard. I just had to try it. Naturally. It's a very rich, high calorie lunch. All the frosting on top of the bun made it so sweet. Surprisingly for such a 'world famous' thing, it was amazingly ordinary. In any case, the bun was also so huge that I couldn't finish it. But I was left wondering why it is world famous. I hadn't heard of it before I saw the stall at the airport.

I have to figure out where to stay at Gardiner. I can't possibly sleep on the streets in the mountains, can I?

Montana Hall, MSU

The Noodle, EPS Building (MSU)

Salt Snowflake from Salt Lake City

World Famous Cinnabon Bun

with frosting on top

Is this better now?

First Day at Bozeman

29 July 2008; 0545hrs Bozeman, Montana (USA)

I’ve been awake since 0200hrs! Guess it’s jet lag. Oh well…

The first day I arrived at Bozeman was a shocker. Public transportation is virtually non-existent. Sure, there’s the free Bozeman bus but nothing else goes anywhere. And the bus services only ply routes within town. There’s only one taxi (claimed) in the entire town!

So how am I going to get to Gardiner for my Yellowstone tour? By taxi… But it costs US$200 each way! If I ask them to drive to Gardiner (in Montana) to get be back to Bozeman after the tour, the charge would be much higher! Freaking shocked, I tell you.

Good thing the people I met at the workshop are nice. One offered to drive me there the day before. I’ll stay there for a night before the tour. Another’s driving me back after the tour. So… Excellent! Thank God.

Now… must try to figure out how to get to the caverns. Otherwise just hermit lor. No car will die here.

The workshop was nice. Learnt a lot. Got textbook some more. Plus all those powerpoint slides they printed out. How to carry home man…

Bought some souvenirs at Salt Lake City International Airport. Really cool. Of course I had to get a plate to add to my collection. But this… A salt snowflake. Naturally grown from the salt they got from the lake. How cool is that?

Had a cinnamon bun for lunch. It’s called Cinnabon Classic. It’s world famous, can? So must try! Amazingly… ordinary. Very rich, high calorie food. With frosting on top some more… Couldn’t finish it… Really ordinary what. Why is it so famous? World famous meh? Never heard of it before I got to the airport.

Oh well… better figure out where to stay at Gardiner. Don’t want to sleep on the streets. Haha…

Montana Hall, MSU

The Noodle, EPS Building (MSU)

Salt Snowflake from Salt Lake City

World Famous Cinnabon Bun

with frosting on top

I Finally Made It To Bozeman!

27 July 2008; 1655hrs Montana Time

Finally made it to the dorm at MSU. This was extremely tiring. I’m dead beat. The final leg of the journey from New York to Bozeman (Salt Lake City to Bozeman) was in a small tiny plane that shook so violently during takeoff and landing.

My dorm room at Montana State University, North Hedges Residences

This is really a 鸟不生蛋 place. Seriously I can’t seem to find any networks on my mobile. So that means no handphone. Even the internet… I just can’t seem to be able to connect to it. I don’t know why. Too tired to troubleshoot right now.

Even the shower didn’t perk me up. I’m still sleepy. Think I’ll skip exploring today and try to get some rest first. Eyes are too heavy. Must also see why cannot connect online tomorrow. Hope can solve. If not… I’ll really be uncontactable then! Hahah…. Hermit le.

Sunrise view from my room

Unique Urinals