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My 1994 thanksgiving in USA
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Posted by: Jutman

Since its 10 years I had the pleasure of having Thanksgiving in USA, I will tell about it here..

Start: I was an exchange student in Iowa, Cedar Falls at University of Northern Iowa. My plan was actually driving around for 12 days, from Thursday before Thanksgiving and until Tuesday after. However the schedule at the University did not allow that. But I still has the plan to go to St.Louis, see it quickly and then on to Memphis. However this did not happen.

I start Wednesday before thanksgiving. I drove and drove south and made just few stops to eat and get gas. It took about 7,5 hours and I enter the suburbs of St.Louis around 7PM and must turn the headlight on. Soon my car start makes trouble. I quickly get off the hi-way and stopped at a MacD (I learned in was in the suburb of Manchester). With a little help I got a towing company to come and take me to the Hostel. I used all my cash. During the driving I chit chatted with driver of the towing truck and he though it was stupid that the city used 200 mill. For a stadium when they did not have a football team. Of course today I am not sure he will say that with the success of the rams.
I came to the hostel and register and must make a small down payment. Now I had no money, so I asked for direction to an ATM and he asks: WHAT? You wanna go? It’s dangerous. Well, he was nice and took my in his car and stopped at a drive-in burger bar so I could eat. It turn out that he had a pen pal in Denmark and was maybe therefore extra helpful. Anyway it was late. I just dig in the sleeping dorm, actually a little cold but economical.

Next day I get up and was of course most concerned about my car. With help from the owner of the Hostel we locate the problem to the generator. Well, it was thanksgiving and not much to do about it. So I just walked to the center, but the parade just finished. I saw few cars driving away and it was interesting for me. But generally everything was closed, so I just walked around and then returned. The Hostel was maybe 1 to 1˝ mile away from the center and a distance there is absolutely no problem for an ex-dragoon soldier. Back the Hostel there was a small attempt of creating a thanksgiving. The wife made a cake and really not remembers if I tasted or not. Anyway I tried to talk with some of the other guest, they were from New Zeeland and South Africa but with little luck. However I had more luck with the Germans and we had actually a good time. Another man I talked to was a man from New Jersey.
Later I was hungry and ordered a pizza. After 75 minutes I called and asked where is my pizza and they gave me and answer I never will forget: Sorry, but we not deliver after sunset in that area. THANKS; what about tell me that when I called. I really not remember how I got something to eat.
I agreed to meet the German man at an Irish pub close to the Hostel and it was just fantastic. I went there every night the rest of the time I was in St.Louis.
Quickly I start talk to the German man and he was already talking to a local and when the man learned I was from Denmark, he went home. He came back 35 minutes later with a bottle from the freezer. The bottle was from Denmark, with snaps (Danish drink with 45% alcohol made on potatoes and has the same name as my city: Aalborg). Normally I don’t drink his and in America you use 1-Ľ ounce glasses or almost the double as in Denmark. Anyway I had to drink and made a big ARRRG so everybody in tavern could hear it, even the 3 musicians from Ireland, and all laugh.

Friday it was still holiday, so down to the center. I wanted of course see the Arch, but I was told there was a 3-hour line. Forget that. I saw of course the exhibition; I took a trip at the Mississippi and went to the Union Station. Wow, what a fantastic place. And for me, I saw something that time I never see before. Like 3D arcade machine. Today they are common, but not that time. Anyway I was impressed.
Later that day I said okay to an invitation from the man from New Jersey. We went to eat and talked about many interesting things. He working in the State department for public transportation and for some reason we talked very good even he was 20 years older. He wanted me to show me the Blueberry Hill but I was rejected to my International driver license do not have a picture. But we had a good time and I saw a little of St.Louis by nite.

Saturday. I had to get the parts for my car. So with public transportation trough St.Louis even with some changes. But I made it, even the first time. However it was a little uncomfortable feeling, because II was a tourist and all could see that. Secondly I was worried about make it before the scrap yard close. I made it and got their last one, I needed. Home to the Hostel and made an agreement with the owner.
I helped him with making his roof and he will help me change the generator. So I have a roof in USA I helped put up and in return he fixed the car. The evening was just at the Irish pub; maybe it was McGregor or something like that. Not far from the brewery.

Sunday. I had the car, but just went to Union station again. Later I went to the park where the Worlds fair in 1900 were held. Here I saw an omnimax movie, unfortunately the most boring so fare in my life about the oil fire in Kuwait during the war against Iraq in 1990-91. Home and off to the pub.

Next day was a day of travel and I was a little surprised that it took my 1hour to get out of St.Louis. The biggest city I ever had seen, that time in my life. At my way home, I went trough Hannibal but did not stop. I took about 1 hour at the Illinois side of river, so I ended with been in 4 states, long or short time. (Minnesota, in-out flight, Missouri, and as mentioned above Illinois and of course Iowa.). I drove more less non-stop home and came home to the dorm with the feeling t was a good holiday. Not what I planned for, but interesting and something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Posted by: BradIL

Mighty Jutman--- Brian I am lit up by this story--- very good!!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Jutman: Now I had no money, so I asked for direction to an ATM and he asks: WHAT? You wanna go? It’s dangerous.

Still true. You walk anywhere from 3-4 blocks north of the Edward Jones Dome, or Laclede's Landing, and its definitely unfriendly territory.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: Later I was hungry and ordered a pizza. After 75 minutes I called and asked where is my pizza and they gave me and answer I never will forget: Sorry, but we not deliver after sunset in that area. THANKS; what about tell me that when I called.

That's St. Louis for you. Anyone is happy to take your order, but will anyone deliver it. Its not the cooking staff that betrayed you, when the delivery drivers see those addresses THEY REFUSE TO GO.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: Anyway I had to drink and made a big ARRRG so everybody in tavern could hear it, even the 3 musicians from Ireland, and all laugh.

Oh man you fit right in! There is some of the most God-awful home brewed hooch/liquor that mysteriously gets served in the bars here. You are a St. Louisian now.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: Friday it was still holiday, so down to the center. I wanted of course see the Arch, but I was told there was a 3-hour line. Forget that. I saw of course the exhibition; I took a trip at the Mississippi and went to the Union Station. Wow, what a fantastic place.

It still looks pretty good. One of the better rehabilitation projects this city has ever completed.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: He wanted me to show me the Blueberry Hill but I was rejected to my International driver license do not have a picture. But we had a good time and I saw a little of St.Louis by nite.

Blueberry Hill is pretty good. Well I recommend anyone passing through STL to see any of the establishments on the University City Loop (U-city loop in the local venacular). Its also great in the spring to stroll through the Central West End during the day.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: The evening was just at the Irish pub; maybe it was McGregor or something like that. Not far from the brewery.

This Irish pub you visited is probably McGurks. John McGurks Irish Pub at 12th & Russell. Friendly staff, pretty good patrons. The brewery is within 5-6 blocks. The interstate was probably behind the pub--- very close. Brian this is the Soulard neighborhood in STL. Now it may look like there's plenty of room, but during Mardi Gras those streets are CRAMMED! McGurks is the center of all the fun. STL probably has the 2nd biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the US after New Orleans. You can't drive to it, you must take public transport in & out of Soulard, anymore.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: Next day was a day of travel and I was a little surprised that it took my 1hour to get out of St.Louis. The biggest city I ever had seen, that time in my life.

For a metro of 3.5 million it is surprising how STL sprawls, especially in Missouri. A good example of 'urban sprawl' that's discussed so much in the US. Of course, its nothing compared to the sprawl of LA. I'm sure Khashyar can vividly describe that.

Quote:

Jutman also writes: At my way home, I went trough Hannibal but did not stop. I took about 1 hour at the Illinois side of river

Quaint little town. There are a number of them that border the mississippi river north & south of STL. Historical attractions, etc., it can make an interesting day trip just circling the metro. If anyone passes through, consider stopping in Sikeston, MO south of STL. Not far from the interstate you will find Lambert's Restaurant. Food served family style that's pretty good, but its unique for serving "throwed rolls". The freshest rolls you will ever have. Several restaurants in Southern Missouri & Southern Illinois featured throwed rolls, but Lambert's really got the trend going.

Great story Brian. Many thanks for posting it. ---Brad///