Key West: Hemingway House

As a Spanish major, I was required to love Hemingway.  Hell, I’d still love his work even if I had no interest in the Spanish culture.  I could drone on about how great his work is, but you’re here to read my writing.  Yes, a travel blog really does compare to a Noble Laureate’s masterpieces.  Whether you’re a huge fan or you’ve simply heard of him, it’s well worth the visit.  Be sure to go on a guided tour, otherwise you’ll miss out on all the great stories.


Speaking of which, there will be a lot of pictures featured in this post that will be somewhat esoteric.  You'll just have to go to Hemingway's house to listen to them yourself.  Or you can always ask us in person.

One of the many lavish chandeliers bought by his second wife.

The 40 some-odd cats, descendants from one that was a gift from a sailing buddy, are the second biggest expense at the historic house.  It looks like I caught this cat in a transient mid-stretch, but my camera was not that fast.  He’s a ham and kept that pose for a few good minutes.  That’s showmanship.

Another perspective.

This picture is so badass.  Hemingway reminds me a lot of my grandfather, who went on safaris in the 50s and 60s.  Somehow my father got a hold of two massive animal heads, just a few of my grandfather’s collection, and hung them in our house.  One of them was a kudu.  Seeing that picture fondly reminded me of home.

Joe, the owner of the still famous bar Sloppy Joe’s and one of Hemingway’s friends, told him living next to the lighthouse would help him find his way home after a night of drinking.

Our tour guide gets extra points for looking like Hemingway.

Hemingway’s writing room.  More animal heads!

The first in-ground swimming pool in Key West.  We won't get into details, but this was essentially a costly fight between Hemingway and his second wife.

They acted like petty children.

And their quarrels could not be more amusing to his friends or fans.

Just trust us and don't drink from this fountain.

 One of the many polydactyl, or many-toed, cats on the estate. 

Cats with extra toes on their paws are considered to be good luck to sailors.  I'm no sailor, but I'd want a cat with "thumbs" if I were hitchhiking.

Ayk with a banana tree.

Me with a polydactyl cat.

South Dakota: Day Two

 

Wall Drug

Before we headed to the Badlands on Saturday, we woke up and headed to Wall Drug – another tourist attraction you see billboards for almost 300 miles away.  

 

Badlands

Heading into the Badlands, I was a little worried after seeing a sign that said “Beware: Prairie Dogs Have Plague.”   Terrific!  What better time to catch a medieval disease while unemployed with no health insurance.  Ayk told me I wouldn’t have to worry unless I started playing with them.  Dammit, I really wanted one as a pet, too.

I got over that fear pretty quickly after being awestruck with the most spectacular view we had seen so far.  We both agreed it looked like Cappedocia, Turkey.  He's Turkish and has visited multiple times, and I visited once when I was 18.  His Turkish heritage is just one of the many reasons why he's so awesome.

Like I said, I wouldn’t have ever thought to come here during the winter, but seeing the landscape sprinkled with snow was breathtaking.

Mt. Rushmore

It might be a national treasure, but I still say it’s kitsch.  Don’t get me wrong – I get it.  It’s a timeless honor of our nation’s four of the greatest presidents.  It’s still rather gaudy.

Repping Maryland Pride

 Studying the maps intensely

The dumb chick who took this picture cut off George Washington's head, so here's a close up of him below:

Mt. Rushmore may not be the highlight of this trip, but it at least gives us some patriotic photos.

Chicago: Part 2 (Wednesday Day)

 Wrigley Field

On my first trip to Chicago, I made a point to go to every site featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – one of my all time favorite movies.  I made it to all of the sites except Wrigley Field.  It was too far away by subway.  With a car, it was a quick drive.

Hey, batta, batta, batta!

 

Harry Carey: the patron saint of hot dogs

Athenaeum

We wanted to see an architecture museum, and found the Athenaeum on Google.  Turns out it wasn’t an architecture museum, but an old theater.

In the end, I think this was a better than any museum.

Water Tower

The Water Tower is one of the few buildings downtown that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Inside this historic landmark, we got a friendly tour from Mike.  Ayk was more interested in the mechanics involved; I was more interested in the aesthetics.  Hence why I have pictures and no recollection of how the operation actually works.

Cultural Center

This building boasts the largest Tiffany window dome alongside intricate mosaic walls. 

Here we watched a classical cellist and pianist perform.  For free.  This is why Chicago rocks.

The Bean

Yes, it is as cool as it looks.

Art Institute

When I went in March, I spent 5 hours here.  I saw every exhibit.  This time, we only spent 1 to 2 hours there.  Initially, we weren’t going to go until we found out that weekdays at the Art Institute are free in January and February.  We got to see priceless works of art.  For free.  This is why Chicago rocks.