Travelling - Cities and Towns II
Categories: holidays
Date: 16 January 2009 03:16:57
After visiting Yellowstone, I passed through two towns before heading back to San José: West Yellowstone and Belgrade.
I had 6 or so hours to pass in West Yellowstone while waiting for my bus up to Belgrade. I grabbed a nice lunch in a diner to escape the snowfall and cool temperatures, before taking a look around town. I also had a quick walk around just before my bus left.
To fill in the rest of my time, I watched an IMax movie of the history of Yellowstone National Park [and got to see photos and footage of places I didn't, or couldn't, get to in winter as well as seeing it in different seasons] and also visited the interesting Grizzly and Wolf Disovery Center. While wandering I happened upon them both at the south [I think!] end of town and thought they'd both be good ways of spending some time. The Discovery Center was particularly interesting as not only was there a great deal of information but there were wolves born in captivity and some very playful rescued bears outside!
I had hoped my luggage, lost for almost four days, would be waiting for me at West Yellowstone. It wasn't. When I reached Belgrade late than night, in hope it was there, it wasn't. I decided, having from numerous previous phone conversations known it was at Bozeman Airport, to go there myself and ask for it -- which I did. The poor beleagured and stressed fellow at United did a stirling job in helping and I left back to my hotel with my luggage, and leisurely showered and changed into clean and fresh pyjamas after four days in the same clothes.
There was more airline drama awaiting me the next day, and I am sorry to say I lost my cool at one point and yelled and shouted quite a bit -- and even let drop a four-letter word I do not usually use nor like. No excuse: I was upset and frustrated and let it get to me. I had had fun lining up though -- there were two entertaining young ladies in front of me, one of whom's sister was studying in Sydney, and our fun conversation helped the time pass. The issue was with my flight I booked and changed in Australia from Bozeman to San José -- the leg from Denver to San José wasn't there despite the fact I had a confirmation e-mail and had selected my seat. After tears, yelling and frustration, I paid for a new flight [thankfully *only* US$130 including taxes and fees] and made my way back. This sign gave me a bit of a laugh though; not used to seeing signs for hunters anywhere let alone airports!
But I got ahead of myself. I walked around Belgrade in the freezing [in Celcius :)] temperatures having a look around. A large number of casinos were in evidence over a very small area: interesting to me as we [as far as I know] only have one casino per state/territory: and they are in the capital cities.
I walked to one of the supermarkets, again a giant complex of not only food but also a bank and Post Office, and wandered back to the hotel in time for my shuttle to the airport. I will remember the "light" from my time in snowy surrounds; it truly does have a unique and different character -- particularly when filtered through fog or clouds -- compared to the often harsh light we get down here.
I was leaving the snow for good this trip and heading back to the warmer temperatures of San José. I had seen more than I had hoped for and had the most wonderful time -- particularly in towns and cities I was merely passing through. Unexpected sights, conversations and experiences all helped to make a very enjoyable trip.