White House Christmas Decorations (VLOG)

Another VLOG Episode

 

Gates to the White House

Getting Ready:

Touring the White House is always exciting.  No matter what you think of the resident at the time of your visit.  I have been living in the area for a few years now and I have visited under three different presidents.  There are couple of different tours you can take.  You may have seen an earlier post, in which it was just a garden tour.  Will this post is about the Christmas Decorations.  

You must have a ticket and go through a background check.  When you receive the invitation, be sure to read it, all of it, and the small print.  It is constantly changing, so the rules may be different than the last time you visited. 

When should I go?

My wife and I like going during the week, in the middle of the day.  Parking is always a challenge.  The Metro can get you close, and is not a bad ride.  However, recently the crime spree in DC has cautioned me to recommend the Metro Rail.  If you travel in a group, you should be fine.  But the other issue with public transportation, is there is no where to store you stuff (backpack, purses or camera bag) while you are touring.

With all of that in mind, I drove.  I paid for parking at the Willard hotel.  Just across the street from the entrance.  I did have to return to the car once prior to the tour.  This is because of the small print, I mentioned above,  My wife and her friends thought they could bring in their clutches.  But you cannot.

Christmas Tour

During the Christmas time, you can see how the "House" is decorated for the holidays.  each room is a little different.  I believe, but I am not sure, the First Lady is un charge of decorations. This year was a great a tour, as you can see from the video.  It was a great day, a little on the cool side, but clear.  Our group was able to take a few minutes before the tour and see the Williad Hotel Lobby decorations. The hotel lobby is always a breathtaking adventure.  

Plan your visit

To arrange a tour, visit the White House web site.  Follow the directions.  Make sure you read any restrictions on what can be brought into the White House.  If you drive, parking will run between $30-$50 in a garage.  I recommend spending the money on parking.  

You will have to wait outside for a 30-50 minutes, once you make it past the first line ranger checking you invitation/ticket.  Depending on how many people are visiting, you could be waiting outside the compound for close to an hour.  I would arrive in plenty of time, maybe an hour and half prior to your time slot.  They will let you in early, but I am not sure about how late (past your time slot) they will admit you.

Take a moment to view the history while you are there, not just Snap a picture and move on.  Do not be afraid to ask the staff, posted through out the tour questions.  In my experience they have all been very informative to the visitors.  

Salutations:

Thank you for visiting the site.  You will find the video is hosted on Rumble, if you don't Rumble you should try it out.  

Happy Veteran”s Day

 To all the US Armed Forces Veterans on the Internet.

Thank you all for your service.  I wear my Cruise Jacket to remember the time I spent on board a Navy warship.  This year, I ask everyone to share pictures of their time in service.  Let us remember the sacrifices our veterans make, elevating this to the best darn country in the world.

I am a Navy Veteran,  There is a part of my personality and soul connected to the US Navy.  My father and grandfather both retired from the Navy.  Along life’s path, I have met and still hang out many veterans.  Many of us have a humorous side that only veterans understand.  Tomorrow is November 11, a day set aside to remember our veterans who have served.  The original intent of the holiday was to mark the end of the World War I.  (Oddly enough the war was called the war to end all wars).  Referred to Armistice Day until it was changed to Veterans Day.  

I only spent a short time in the US Navy, serving on the USS Monterey (CG-61), which was recently retired.  Here is a video of the ship and a few snap shots of when I was in the service. 

Vlog Episode 4: fishing adventures

 

Where the Rhine begins

 

The Rhine River

The Rhine river runs throughout Europe through several countries.  During our trip, we were able to stop off at the beginning.  At least that is what our tour guide said.  These are the Rhine Falls.  A great place to visit and spend a couple of Swiss Francs.  The River is about 760 miles long and goes through Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands (and three other countries).  I have read it is the longest river in Germany.  I myself have seen it in several German cities on my travels.  

As our tour bus pulled into the parking area, the quick pace of our tour allowed for a 30 minute visit.  Turns out this is a great amount of time.  We were able to see the falls, walk around a little, grab a quick bite and and take a few pictures.  Have no fear, I will add a few more photos in the coming days.   I am a nature person, but when the crowds are present, the quick stop was just the right amount of time.  

In all my adventures, I have visited a few famous falls.  Niagara Falls , Great Falls and Black Forest to name a couple.  Check out those posts if you have a minute.  

As I work to produce additional updates for the site, keep coming back.  I really appreciate the feedback.  There will be more posts from our recent adventure.  This will include some reviews of the products Sunshine and I used, information from the tour company we used.  The different hotels we stayed in, and the overall value from our investment in our vacation.  

German Food

 The food is always good.

Whenever I travel, I feel it is important to try the local food.   This is a quick shout out to the German cuisine. I really like the sausages they offer here in Germany. Thiss time I had one of the bigger sausages. Covered in a sauce similar to barbecue sauce back home.  In the past I have had a frankfurter on a bun. Which is also a treat.   Served on a plate, eaten with a knife and fork, was also a delight. To wash it down I enjoyed a refreshing ginger ale. 

If ever in Germany you should try the sausages. 

Budapest

 The Castle District

Although currently being renovated, the views are spectacular. Our tour bus drops us off at the back side of the castle. The Hungarian government has build an elevator to take you to the top. There are still several steps, but the elevator helps

Walking through the district there are a couple of sites to see. The Presidential Palace, fisherman’s bastion and St Mathias church. Round trip was about three miles. 

This is definitely worth a visit next time you are around Budapest 

London in a Day

 A couple of hours in London

Sunshine and I are off on another adventure. I’m not going to sugarcoat this for my readers. I’m posting from my cell phone with a few Wi-Fi locations I can access. So these posts will be short   Hopefully you will enjoy them. 

We had an overnight in London as we head to our tour. Even after a very long delay at immigration/passport control we were able to knock a few things off our list of things we want to do 

Ride the Tube and Mind the Gap

Heathrow airport is not in the middle of the city, they do have a train from the airport to downtown. The “Elizabeth” line was a straight rude to paddington station.  I don’t know if the train is considered the “Tube” but it did get us under ground

The hop on off

A good way to see a lot in a short time   Several cities offer the hop on off bus.  I would recommend. I have used it in Barcelona, Washington DC, Berlin and now London.   It will get you to the main sites with little fuss. I recommend riding it around once, then pick your spots. The best deal is to get on it when it starts. 

That’s all for now. 

 

The National Shrine Grotto

Located in Emmitsburg Maryland, the Grotto is a site to visit if the opportunity presents yourself.  Check the weather and the schedule, I can get busy and parking is limited.  We have visited on Mother's Day, and parking was difficult.  

The Shrine is about one and half hours from Casa de Tronster.  Sunshine and I have been there on two occasions, both for birthday celebrations.

The Shrine is associated with the Mount Saint Mary's University.  I am not catholic, but i do enjoy the outdoors and i have an appreciation for this shrine.  There is a loop you can walk along and visit several sites with different themes, built at different times.  Highlights include Grotto Cave, Corpus Christi Chapel, Our Lady of La Vang, stations of the cross, and several others. The shrine does host services, which can be found on their website. NS GROTTO

if you want to use the picnic area, be prepared to get there a little early.  There are only a few tables, and they can fill up quickly.  

This is a short post, to provide a little advice for an adventure

VLOG Episode 3 : Christmas decorations

 

VLOG Episode 1

A note from Berlin

The time has come for us to separate from our friends for a couple fo days.  They have been great.  Shuffling us around Germany.  However, the next part of our adventure we will undertake solo.  

We finish our breakfast in Munich, and head to the Train stations.  Munich was a great city, our next stop is Berlin.  Before leaving home (the USA) we purchased our train tickets.  The ride will last about 5 hours with a few stops in between.  According to our host, the ICE trains have the fewest stops, which is why that is what we booked.  The upgrade to 1st class was not high, so we sprang for first class.  In addition, i signed us up for the quiet car.  Mainly to keep from having to listen to someone else’s phone conversation.  When they speak German, i don’t understand it anyway. 

The Munich train station was pretty easy to navigate. finding our train was a piece of cake.  Getting in the right car was also not that difficult.  With the newer train we were riding, everything was labeled on the outside, and i easily found our seats.

 After about 2 stops, which were very close, we presented our tickets without any issue.  Every hour or so, a conductor came by and provided us with chocolate or gummy bears.  

I finished reading a book on my Kindle.  Its an old-school kindle.  But it still works.  I brought along a couple of books to read on this trip.  With my Prime membership. the books do not cost anything, and some are the first in a series.  I will get to that later.  

Our accommodations in Berlin was the Motel One, directly across the street from the main train station in town.  Which was very easy to get to from the train.  Disembarking and navigating to the hotel only took about 10 minutes.  I immediately noticed how much bigger the Berlin station was compared to Munich.  The city itself, also seemed busier.  It was Sunday afternoon, and there were a lot of cars on the road, and people moving about.  I am not sure if this is normal, or just my observation this day.  Our room was cozy, with a bed, bath and desk.  Not a big room, but clean and well appointed.  All we could ask for in a place to sleep for one night.  We had some ideas of what we wanted to see, so we started our walk.

Navigating to the major sites in downtown Berlin is not very difficult.  The walk started around the corner from the Train station.  We headed toward the Brandenburg Gate.  Made famous many times over during the history of this city.  Stay tuned to see more highlights from the trip.  

 

The Jeepney

Welcome back to tronster.net (pronounces Tronster dot net).  When Sunshine and I travel, we like to take in the sites, and experience local culture.  In the Philippines, that includes riding in a Jeepney. 

The Jeepney is a form of public transportation in the Philippines.  It is said to be the most popular form of public transportation.  While traveling to visit family in the Philippines, I was able to ride in a few of these wonders of transportation.  

History:

Avery good article on the Jeepney can be found on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeepney

5 thoughts on the Jeepney:

1. Cost

The cost to ride a Jeepney is very economical.(can you say cheap)  However, do not hop on one of these mini-buses and expect to pay with a credit card.  I would also suggest you always keep some small denomination of the Peso with you.  The driver (and sometimes with an assistant) will provide you change.  

2.  You are all in this together

Jeepneys can get very crowded.  Based on the time of day.  If you have reservations about being close to someone you do not know.  Opt for a cab or other mode of transportation. Additionally, if you sit towards the front.  You will be expected to pass change and fairs between passengers and drivers. 

3. Routes

The routes for a Jeepney are painted on the side (most of the the time). First and last stop. Sometimes, there is a sign in the front window with the final stop for the route.  If you need to be dropped off before then, you will have to let the driver know.   If you are unfamiliar with the area you are traveling, especially in Manilla, this can be confusing.  I would suggest looking at a few maps.  Many of the drivers can assist with directions, but I would not rely on them understanding what you are asking.

4. The Ride

I am of average height.  The classic Jeepneys are not very tall.  When I sit in one, I cannot see out the window.  (if you want to call it that).  The head room clearance I have is very limited.  While riding in the Jeepney, I believe i hit my head several time going over slight blemishes (understatement) in the road.  

5. The Look

Jeepneys can be extravagantly decorated.  Even if you never ride one, you should definitely pay attention to the decorations.  I was amazed at the different looks of Jeepney.  Bible versus are common, but so are superheroes and pop culture. 

Final thoughts

The Jeepney as it is none today, could be facing significant issues or challenges, in the future.  They contribute a lot to the local traffic congestion, and they are not very planet friendly.  Also noted is their reliability problems.  You will find new e-jeepneys all over Manilla now, and they are not as cheap to ride.  The compete with Trikes and other forms of transportation in the Manilla metro area.  If you have the opportunity to visit the PI anytime in the next few years, take an opportunity to ride a Jeepney.  They may be gone before too long. 

Thank you for visiting Tronster.net.  I hope you have been entertained.