15 hours on a plane…

Milan -> Amsterdam -> Minneapolis -> Seattle

I’m definitely not that religious guy, but I think I will pray in every single way I know to channel some positivity!

So after some Pater Nosters it’s time for some mantra practice

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic based on credit card, but to create the right trip mood I always have to get my hands on some good old banknote.
So I went to the bank this morning and I got 400 bucks to spend mostly on food and beer (yes, I am pretty much like Homer).
Since the amount wasn’t that high I didn’t have to make a reservation. Usually they ask for it just when you ask for more than a 1000 dollars.

The first thing that I thought when I held all these dollars’s been: “Hamilton? Jackson? Grant? Errrrr… Ehmmmmmm…” ;P
I felt so terribly ignorant that now I’m reading their biography on my encyclopedia (to completely repent I’m not using the wikipedia )

This is the final test: this video has been recorded, edited and published with my nokia n80. Initially i made an ending sequence using Final Cut Pro, but the resulting video was not editable by the n80. So i had to convert the music to AAC format, upload it (using bluetooth) to my cellphone, and use it as music channel. Well, the resulting effect is quite hilarious, because i wrote the texts on some sheets of paper and recorded them with the camera.

I like the final effect, i think i’ll buy a block notes and some pencils: this will be our titling platform

So monday 30th we will start our jorney at the 9.30 a.m. from Milano-Malpensa.
Our voyage is comprised of 3 parts:  Milano-> London. London -> Minneapolis. Minneapolis -> Seattle.

Of course some luggage will be delayed during the mid flight. Whatever. I just can’t wait any longer

I’ve never seen anything so crappy. 

I returned immediatly to the office and checked  my passport with another person: both the photos were horrible. (the girl i’ve asked, looked like a guest star from “day of the dead”). That’s no point denying it : the “so called” enhanced security is an hoax. How can the people tell it’s really me with such a poor imaging ? Is there a digital image stored somewhere inside the chip ?
Well, the time for rant is finished (at least now) … it’s time to plan some more!

• A valid passport: This is not my case. At the moment. I mean, in every civilized “first world” nation getting an identification document should be trivial and fast. Not in italy, including the cost of the process (about 85 euros = 115 dollars), i need 50 days to get my passport. FIFTY Fracking days… is that a miniate book handicrafted by monks ? There are a lot of lazy butts in the public administration but i won’t risk my beloved holidays for some good-for-nothing person! Starting from the 1st july i’ll phone each day to the passport office in order to have an answer about the status of my document. That’s Italy guys, if you really wanna something you have to scream louder and pester.
• Suitcase, appropriately sized: If you’re gonna do a long voyage like us and you are part of a group, it will be better to coordinate this step with the others. A trolley is ok, but if you are going to rent a car (like us) a suitcase will be easier to stack in the baggage of your car. I’m planning to buy a middle sized rigid plastic suitcase, any hints on models that you would recommend are welcomed.
• Nerdonics: The Nerdonics are tools and apparatus that could be replaced by common tools, but are way cooler and high tech. For example, a compact camera would be enough to take a lot of beautiful pictures. Nerdonics estremize this concept, either you have a humonogous megapixel camera that take pictures from mars or the swiss-knife of camera that excel in nothing but could do anything. I’ve got a nokia n80, it’s a swiss-knife: the photos looks good, the videos are ok, it has wifi support.
• Maps: I’m sure there are a lot of nice place between Seattle and San Diego, but i’d like to be back in Italy, not sooner, not later, but right in time. So getting “there” without getting Lost is very important, even though we appreciated the ABC Serial. (until the end of season two. I’ve found the third season quite disappointing. Uzzah for “Heros” but i digress too much.) Maps can be replaced with a GPS system (which will be included along with the rented car) but you never know… the california is a huge place and i’m sure that those devices have no-coverage zones.
• Insurance: I wish us and you all the best, but shit happens. And when you are abroad, getting health coverage could be painfully expensive. So Be smart and subscribe a time limited travel insurance and forget about it. Try world nomads (there a banner on the right part), they are sponsored by the Lonely Planets and their fees are very competitive!

It turns out there 6 things:

• Towels: Never go anywhere without one of them. Never