Today was the day I met my Indianapolis epal for the first time. There was a bit of confusion for the meeting spot. The hostel is basically a residential house used as a hostel. The location of the hostel is on the corner of an intersection. The hostel entrance and parking spaces are located on one side, whereas the residential front is located on the other street. Anyway, we were both waiting (INpal at the front while I was waiting at the side) until INpal called wondering where I was waiting. With the confusion settled, we were on our way.The first stop was the Downtown Visitor's Center. INpal suggested we go to the White River State Park. Since Inpal was driving and being the tour guide, I paid for the park passes. The cost was $84 for two adults. With the passes, we received about a 25% discount of various attractions.
1st stop was the NCAA Museum. Although I'm not a sports person, I said it was okay to start at this museum. I knew INpal was a sports fan, so I thought he would enjoy this museum. The museum was interesting. Basically, the various displays gave information about that displays college sport (including the uniform of the player). It was interesting.
2nd stop was the National State Museum. I enjoyed the museum.
3rd stop was at a sports bar/restaurant called "Champs". Since INpal was driving and being tour guide, I picked up the check (about $20+tip). The food was very good. Oh, on our way to the bar/restaurant, we noticed a crowd in front of a hotel across the street. It turns out the Dave Matthews Band was leaving. Someone nearby explained this to us. The guy also explained that each member of the band had his own tour bus. To be honest, I had to Google the name.
4th stop was the Eiteljorg Museum (A Native American Museum). This museum was also very nice. (except for museum guard incident). After being in the museum for about 30 minutes (upstairs). The guard approached to tell me that I wasn't allowed to have a backpack on. He wanted me to return to the entrance and check it. I reminded him the museum was closing in about 5 minutes. The guy was persistent! Finally, he suggested that if I wore the backpack over only one shoulder, then there shouldn't be a problem. INpal? He was off texting. Actually, I have to say that I thought INpal was a real trooper. I got the impression that INpal was bored from time to time from finding him around the corner at each of the museums sitting and texting. But, I was glad he really didn't show boredom. Sorry, the episode with the museum guard put me in a bad mood.
5th stop was to INpal's classroom. Yep, he's a fellow teacher. I was extremely impressed with his classroom. It's like the classroom's you see of TV but you don't really think exists in the real world. Everything was new, and clean, he had space and loads of supplies. Walls could be decorated anyway the teacher wanted. He had access to his classroom 24/7. It was a lot like a DoDDS classroom. I had forgotten about the "variables" to teaching locations. The guy had a very nice classroom. It was also nice that INpal wasn't showing off. Basically, INpal showed me his classroom and talked about the pluses and minus and that was it. Very nice. Oh, and he mentioned enough "minuses" to remind me that grass isn't always greener on the other side. The classroom visit put me in a good mood.
6th stop. INpal took me to something called a "Battlefield Game". Sorry, I tried to Google the name, but I only received a video game. The game INpal showed me was a game that tries to teach students cooperative skills and team building. It was interesting. Each team has members armed with foam batons. The object is to use the baton to hit your opponent. Once hit, a person is out (or in limbo). The objective is to get to the "king". Think of it like the game "Capture the Flag" played with foam batons.
7th stop. We decided to go for dinner (after a quick stop at a war memorial). I suggested a place called the Spaghetti Factory. Sorry, The Old Spaghetti Factory. I picked up the tab, but I don't remember the cost. Anyway, the meal was very good. I took what I didn't eat back to the hostel with me.
* The attached photo is the hostel I said at during my time in Indianapolis.
Post Date - Thursday, August 3, 2009 9:29PM
2 comments:
Ha! That's funny that you thought I was bored--I wasn't at all. I'm just constantly in contact with everyone. This is an unfortunate byproduct of knowing a lot of people. Most of the contacts are something boring, like tutoring contacts about the upcoming week. I tried hard not to be rude and text in front of you, so I hope it didn't come off as rude! I was never bored--to the contrary, playing "tour guide" was a lot of fun.
And thanks for the compliments on my classroom. Right now it's a bit of a mess, though! And your visit made me remember just how lucky I am to teach where I do. I told my kids about your reaction to my classroom, and I think it made them think twice as well.
Hello Jeff. I'm glad I was wrong, I enjoyed the touring.
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