Category: All You Can Jet

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All You Can Jet

Day 7: SEA to JFK to Montauk in 12.5 hrs

Another day full of traveling. I was up by 530a, and heading to the airport by 6. Landed at JFK around 5p, and caught the LIRR out to Montauk at 617p, arriving at 907p. Nothing too exciting really. All I had during the entire day was an orange Tazo tea, a blueberry cranberry muffin, and a bag of Dorito’s mix, so I was pretty wiped out when I got to Montauk.

Since I stayed at the hostel, I was able to take the $2.50 Light Rail out to the SEA-TAC instead of a cab. I’m glad I did though because the traffic out there was almost as bad as the ridiculously long security line. I really got lucky on the flight though. Not only did I have a window seat with “even more legroom” in the emergency exit row, but no one was in the seat next to me either. I slept almost the entire 4.5hrs.

Next up, Montauk!

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All You Can Jet Lodging

Day 6: 11 Hours at the City Hostel in Seattle

City Hostel, 2327 Second Ave, Seattle, WA

This was my first experience at a hostel. Ever. I didn’t really know what to expect, but since I only needed a place for about 11 hours, I figured it would be fine. The people working at the hostel were great. Very friendly, and helpful. The place was constantly busy, something I wasn’t really expecting on a Sunday night, especially considering how dead the city seemed to be. Since living in New York, every smaller city I visit just seems like a ghost town when I don’t see people out and about at all hours.

The hostel had a lot of art on the walls that looked like it was for sale. There was a kitchen, library, computer room, and even a hot tub. Instead of paying the regular $35 fee, I went for the $38 all female suite which included a private bathroom. The room wasn’t for everybody, but it certainly provided exactly what I needed for the evening. There were four of us sharing the room on two bunk beds. The bathroom had a shower and a toilet, and the sink was in the main area. Nothing special, but there was hot water so I was happy. Two different times that I tried to enter my room with the electronic card, it wouldn’t work. I had to run downstairs each time and have them reprogram it.

Overall it was a good location as far as I could tell. It was downtown, within walking distance to the Space Needle. They serve a free breakfast around 8a, but since I had to check out at 530a I didn’t get a chance to grab some. The Light Rail was only a few blocks away, so taking public transportation out to the airport was extremely convenient and cheap. Only $2.50. They had free wifi, and if you’re interested in staying there, you can view all of their rooms on their website.

Inside room 305C

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All You Can Jet

Day 6: 15 Hours in Seattle

After about 3 hours of sleep, I woke up excited and energized to head to Seattle. Too bad I was the only one who wasn’t hungover. We didn’t leave Portland until around 1130, and while Jessie manned up and made the 3hr drive to Seattle, the guys & Maya passed out in the back seat. We got to Seattle around 230 and spent the majority of the day down near the Pike Street Market and the waterfront.

We were going to try some seafood, but ended up giving in to the sight of Mexican food at El Puerco Llorõn. Everything was handmade right in front of us, including the fresh corn tortillas. I ended up ordering two entrees because I couldn’t decide on just one.

Then they wanted to head back to Portland around 5 so they drove me out to a friend of a friend’s house, Shawna, that I was planning on staying with. I wanted to hang out in the city all evening, then walk back to her place later at night when I knew she’d be home around 10. But after realizing how far of a walk it would be from downtown to her place, the only option was to sit at a local bar near her place for 5.5 hours. Ruben told me about the City Hostel downtown that was only $35 a night, so I decided since it was still light out and I had a lot of exploring to do, I’d go check in there. I knew the cab fare from Shawna’s would cost me at least $35, so I figured why not spend that money to hang out downtown all night? I’m so glad that I did. I dropped my stuff off at the hostel and made my way over to the Space Tower before sunset. The view from there was gorgeous. I stayed up there for about an hour, snapping picture after picture until I got some really great ones. It cost $18.50 to go up the 520 feet to the top of the tower, which definitely wasn’t in my budget, but I knew I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t.

After that I walked back towards the hostel and stopped for some tea at Bedlam Coffee on 2nd ave and Bell Street. Cozy little spot with delicious blood orange tea.

And before I left for good, I managed to snap one more picture of Mount Rainier from above the clouds in the airplane.

Check out a ton more pictures on my Flickr.

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All You Can Jet

Day 5: Just Call Me David Lee Roth

After our walking tour of Portland, we went back to the apartment to rest up a bit, where I consumed the second half of my Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. We had dinner at the 5th Quadrant where I ordered more local beer along with a beer and cheese dip. It was a little more spicy than I’d expected, but delicious.

The night proceeded onward to a place called Alibi, where I got Shane to do karaoke for the first time in his life. Of course I did a Van Halen song— Ain’t Talkin Bout Love. The bar hated us. We were not good. At all. I jumped around and just yelled the lyrics, because at that point I was aT LEAST  15 drinks in for the evening. As if I weren’t sufficiently humiliated the first time, we decided to go back up a second time and sing “California Love.” Turns out, the only words both of us knew were “California loooove” at the very beginning. Full-length video to come!

We went back to the apartment with a case of PBR and finished the night New York style. Meaning we stayed up until about 5am. Probably not the smartest idea the day before a miniature road trip up to Seattle.

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All You Can Jet

Day 5: A Cheap Walking Tour of Portland

After eating what seemed like pounds of gooey, melted cheese, we went on a walk downtown to work off some of the fatty goodness we had just consumed. One of my “must-see” places was the Wieden + Kennedy headquarters, because I’m a dork like that. For those of you who aren’t aware, Wieden + Kennedy is an independently owned global ad agency based in Portland, Oregon. One of their founders, Dan Wieden, wrote the “Just Do It” line for Nike. More recently they’re responsible for all of those Old Spice ads with Isaiah Mustafa (I’m on a horse for those of you living under a rock). A guy standing out front of the agency told me that they were shooting a tv show all day, so I could at least peek my head in and see what the lobby looked like.

Then we walked over some bridges, and I took about 8347 pictures of the city. One of my favorite, cheapest ways to explore any city is by foot. You’l discover so many new places, and every step provides a new perspective for taking photos.

Finally, for the most beautiful view of the trip, we drove up to Joseph Wood Hill Park at Rocky Butte. The view of the city was gorgeous, but the views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens were absolutely breathtaking.

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All You Can Jet Food + Drinks

Day 5: So Much More Than Your Average Grilled Cheese

Saturday we started off the day in the most perfect way possible: enjoying the sunny skies while devouring some absurdly delicious grilled cheese. We went to The Grilled Cheese Grill which is yet another food truck in Portland. Except this one is way cooler. They have optional “indoor” seating inside of a school bus, and Trivial Pursuit cards to pass the time at each picnic table. For those of you in Portland, it’s located at 1027 NE Alberta Ave, at the corner of Alberta & 11th. I ordered the Gabby- four cheeses: cheddar, swiss, colby, jack, and mozzarella on white bread, and a cup of tomato soup.

Jessie & Shane both got the Jalapeno Popper with roasted jalapenos, colby jack, cream cheese, and tortilla chips on grilled white bread.

Jalapeno grilled cheese

Ruben got the Cheesus Burger, which was essentially a cheeseburger with two grilled cheese sandwiches on each side as the bun. I’m sure it’s been featured on thisiswhyyourefat.com. But if not, it will soon.

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All You Can Jet People

Portland People

So let me introduce you to the fine people who let me crash with them in Portland:

Jessie. I thoroughly annoyed her in 6th grade until she became my friend. Unfortunately I haven’t seen or spoken to her much since I moved to New York over four years ago, until this trip.

Jessie’s boyfriend, Ruben. I met him for the first time this weekend, and found out that he’s on track to becoming the next dog whisperer. And he likes AC in the car when he’s hungover.

Ruben’s brother and their roommate, Shane. I introduced Shane to the wonderful world of karaoke via Van Halen. Poor guy had never done it before in his life, and we certainly weren’t the crowd’s favorite.

Maya. The cutest little dog in Portland who can’t go more than four steps without someone stopping to pet her.

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All You Can Jet Press

Check Out Just Visiting at the AYCJ Launch Party

The people from jetBlue interviewed me during the AYCJ launch party at JFK on Tuesday, and included part of it in this video clip. Check it out above at 54 seconds!

 

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All You Can Jet Food + Drinks

Day 4: A Full Day of Food Under $10

Today I got a driving tour of Portland, along with a ton of awesome food. We took a walk through Washington Park, mainly through the International Rose Test Garden. I’m not really a fan of roses. I actually think they look extremely generic and boring. But it was free, and the air smelled ridiculously fresh so I had a good time.

We got lunch at a taco truck called Taqueria Los Gorditos at 4918 SE Division St (at SE 50th Ave). I got a gigantic burrito filled with beans, cheese, scallions, sour cream, and cilantro for $4.

Then we went and got some of the famous Voodoo doughnuts, where I couldn’t settle for just one doughnut. I had to get two. I got the Portland creme, which was basically an evil-looking boston creme, and the Dirt donut, topped with white frosting and Oreo crumbs. Jessie got the Voodoo donut, and we brought back a Bacon Maple Bar for her boyfriend Ruben. Yeah that’s right bacon lovers. It had strips of bacon on top, and I hear it was quite delicious. All four donuts were $7.50, and worth every penny.

We stopped by Pearl Specialty Market & Spirits for a bottle of wine and vodka, where I discovered Oregon has a huge selection of local beer and wine. Reviews on those to come! Right now I have to go change into some comfy clothes, because after a day of fatty eating like today, I’m about to pop the buttons on my dress.

Me & Jessie enjoying some Pinot Noir.
Me & Jessie enjoying some Pinot Noir.
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All You Can Jet

Day 3: 4 Airports

It’s day 3 of my 30 day journey, and I’ve already been to JFK all three days, which is an hour and a half commute (each way) from my apartment in Manhattan. After going to bed at 230a last night, I left my apartment this morning at 7a EST, and I won’t get to Portland until 9p EST. I just landed for a quick stop in Washington DC, then it’s on to Long Beach, and finally a transfer to Portland. Oh, and did I mention I have a middle seat? It’s going to be a long day, with a very sore neck. But I’ve never been to Portland or Seattle before, so I’m very excited! Plus, three different flights means three rounds of free snacks and drinks. That’s great news for someone whose food budget is basically a bag of quarters.

The Long Beach airport was a joke. Seriously I think there were about 3 gates, all seated in the same area. We had to walk outdoors to get to the ramp up to the plane. There were two brown sparrows hopping around that apparently “lived” in the airport. Bizarre. I think my parent’s 3 bedroom, 1 story ranch was bigger than this portion of the airport.

The Long Beach area from the airplane.