Thanks Jozie...

Our trip wouldn't be that great if not because of Jozie.  All those weeks could have been dealt with Excel and JDE instead. Jozie is a "kababayan". One of our colleague, Arpee, is an INC member.  And since Jozie was also on the same group in Utah, they cross along each other.  Gratitude to our dear Arpee as well, the goodness was extended to us. She would roam us around the area every now and then.  And introduce us to shopping areas near the place such as ROSS, Walmart, Target, Staples, etc. .  Aside from the free service catered to us by Marriot for places 5 kilometers away from the hotel, Jozie also give us ride which made our stay more convenient. She's my frequent visitor in my room.

She would also usually cook dinner for us and bring us to her place.  We loved playing with her two little angels.  More about Jozie's hospitality in my next blogs.

with gracie dear

thanks arpee and jozie

Good Morning Utah...

Continuing reminiscence of our US experience...

Right after we arrived at the Marriott in Sandy, I already fixed my things and put them in their designated storage. We'll be spending almost three months in this state so I have lots of personal stuffs with me.  I love the simplicity of my room yet elegant.  Checking around, everything I need is in.  It was fully equipped. Plus the following amenities:

• Buffet breakfast, complimentary
• Coffee in lobby
• Coffee/tea in-room
• Evening reception
• Foreign exchange, nearby
• Grocery shopping service

• Housekeeping service daily
• Laundry on-site, coin operated
• Local restaurant dinner delivery
• Newspaper in lobby
• Phone calls: toll-free
• Vending machines

Waking up from a sound sleep in a soft comfy bed with a morning breeze of a different ambiance is really delightful.  What do we have for breakfast?

eggs and potatoes

sausage, pancakes, and croissant

bread choices

fruits, yogurt, and syrup

variety of coffee

It's a Sunday morning and it's our first day there, so we decided to look for a Catholic church to attend mass and give thanksgiving for our safe arrival and ask for guidance as we go along for the rest of our stay.  Requesting for a cab from the lobby was our option to look for the nearest church.  It costs $35 one way but we were charged by the driver $5 cheaper and taught us other transportation option, the train.  Thanks to that Filipino looking driver.

while waiting for the cab

love that snowy mountain view around Utah

 We reached downtown in 30-40 minutes.  He introduced Cathedral of Madeleine to us.  It was located at 331 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City. The Church structure seems historical from Romanesque exterior to Gothic interior. It was solemn.  The mass starts on time and almost everything flows the same as the usual mass in the Philippines. The only difference I noticed is the choir.  They would walk along with the priests, knights of the altar, lectors and commentator while singing the entrance hymn same during the recessional song.  They are also seated at the altar behind the priest chair.

While looking for Utah Trax Arena Station, we enjoyed exploring around downtown. There are few people walking around though it's weekend.  The place was so calm and peaceful.

cherry blossom trees

Need to be back in Marriott to check out what would be for dinner.

Travel at the other side of the planet...

While browsing my files, I happen to click an album of my escapades in previous years. And to top them all, my travel in US was the most unforgettable.  From the screening and selection process done by superiors in our company to the US visa application, it was really getting in to my nerves.  Praying that I would surpass them all and experience the land of my dreams one day was all that I can do.   All smiles after I learned that my US visa was approved, so with my colleagues travelling with me.

From Manila airport, to Hongkong to Los Angeles via Cathay Pacific; it was really tiring but exciting at the same time.

During our transit in Hongkong, we checked on the Starbucks near our boarding gate going to LA.

It’s quite a long plane ride, for about 16 hours sitting there enjoying the music and movies available.  And checking our exact location from time to time.

This is what we have for dinner, braised beef stew with roasted celery and thyme brown sauce, mashed potato with green pees.Then orange chiffon cake for dessert was served. And over flowing tea and coffee was available all throughout the travel.

For brunch, I chose seasonal fresh fruit, yogurt, omelette with creamy mushroom and parsley, grilled chicken sausage, broiled back bacon, and baked tomato with herbs, croissant with fruit preserve and butter, and coffee.

Before we knew it, we’re nearly landing on the airport.  And this is what LA looks like from above.

 The very moment I get off the plane, I felt the air was humid and cold.  Finally, this is it.  We’re in USA.

Upon arrival on Los Angeles, we checked on our flight schedule going to San Francisco before roaming around the area.

At 6:21 PM, we’re off to San Francisco via United Airlines.  It was already dark when we reached SF.  Ghirardelli was the store in mind we want to visit.  It was know for good tasting chocolates.

So while waiting for our next flight at 9PM going to Utah, we took advantage of talking to people whom we thought are Filipinos, and so they are.

Our final destination, Salt Lake City Utah…the adventure is just starting…