BootsnAll Travel Network
Add this blog to: MyYahoo, Google, Bloglines, RSS


Archive for January, 2006

« Home

No Longer Active

Wednesday, January 25th, 2006

I started this blog as a way to keep in touch with people that lead busy lives and for the point of shaking the malaise out of time spent in those lives. Honestly I think it would be cool to keep in touch with people who are not immediately on the radar and am trying to get a feel if that is plausible. What I think would be the best way for this to work is if people could use this thing to find other people to bounce ideas off of concerning trips, new ideas for what they are trying to do, or just to stay somewhat connected with people. A jumping off point for those in search of new things. Other ideas are also welcome. If you like this idea or have a suggestion then leave a comment with what you are up to or what you would like to be up to and I will keep working on how to make this work. Got a good restaurant, place to stay, or job that you know of? Going on a trip and found a cool spot? What’s the coolest place you’ve been? What’s the last cool place you’ve found? Leave a comment and I will post it so this thing isn’t all about me!! So if right now you are reading this and think it might be a cool thing to be a part of then leave a comment and I will keep the idea going. If not stay chill and catch you on the flipside!

Jon Jared is planning on continuing his education and finding a job working for a non-profit overseas. This blog doesn’t pertain directly to that and will have to wait.. If there is one thing I would like to teach people it is to jump on opportunities when they appear. It makes such a difference! Have fun.

Case and point.. An hour after posting this I got a job in Breckenridge working for a company for two months. I get paid weekly, get a ski pass, and they put me up!! Now I’m off to check out a school I want to go to in Olympia, Washington. Those who are wondering how jumping on a good job opportunity in the mountains can relate to continuing my education it will help pay for some of the expenses of doing so.

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment »

A Spot to Hit in Chicago

Tuesday, January 24th, 2006

 

http://suburbs.centerstage.net/bars/volo.html
After returning home from Ecuador I found myself looking for a job in Chicago and at the same time finding a whole new world in the familiar surroundings that I had grown up in. 

Taking the train became an experience because of my new perspective gained from traveling in Latin America. The barriers that I had once only seen in a peripheral sense, those of language and culture, were no longer there. Instead the warm, friendly, casual ways of the Latin American people I experienced in Ecuador were now all around me on the redline train to downtown Chicago.

This new perspective led me to search out a new job. I found a man named Jon Young who was opening up two new restaurants. Jon had spent a few years in Mexico working and living. He has a vision for what a restaurant should be based on his experiences there. Jon’s philosophy is that his restaurant should be “a place where the social lifestyle is centered around the meal.” Not being in the habit of recommending restaurants to people, I find that I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend Volo to people visiting Chicago. It is a one of a kind place that will feed not only your body but nourish your appetite for living as well.

Steven Dunne and Jon Young are the partners who make this place special. They are both the kind of people one would hope to meet in another country when you are low on money, are having trouble with the language, and just need someone to treat you like you know what you are doing. (Not that they will pick up your check or anything)

The food at Volo does something different than ordinary fare. Steven Dunne is a chef that has trained without going to school. His food hits you sort of the same way that finding a work of art that you appreciate would. It’s good food to start with but there is something else that is satisfied that isn’t immediately identified. After thinking about it while I’ve come to the conclusion that it must be something Steven thinks about while riding his Harley, which sits outside, and then brings that with him to work which is then somehow infused in his food.

I’ve seen Steven offer to serve someone who wandered in his restaurant on his day off with the kitchen shut down while he was trying to find some peace and quiet. Jon, who speaks fluent Spanish, goes out of his way to make sure that your meal is to your liking. At one of his other restaurants I have watched him walk back into the kitchen on a busy day and personally remake a customers order and then take it to him while waiting to make sure it tasted right.

Volo is definitely a travelers spot. Steven has spent time cooking in France while Jon is rooted in South America. They both are passionate about great food, hospitality, and travel. If you have been to South America you might find something familiar and refreshing when you go. You can find links to a review of Volo at the top of the page and to the restaurant website at the bottom.

 

Steven Dunne
www.volorestaurant.com
 

Posted in Chicago, Travel | 1 Comment »

The mountains were calling my name

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006
                                          hippie van.jpg Last summer I finally realized a long standing plan of mine to travel with my friend Joel. During those travels I finally got ... [Continue reading this entry]

Posted in The Grand Lake Lodge, Travel | No Comments »

Bio

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006
I believe that travel and experiencing new things keeps one fresh and aware of the possibilities that life offers. Considering that I almost died in a car accident that included mountain roads and hospitals, I feel that it is important ... [Continue reading this entry]

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment »

School essay draft

Friday, January 13th, 2006
The plan has been under revision for a while. It was origionally to go back to school and finish my degree. I went back to school and as it turned out the school didn't work out ... [Continue reading this entry]

Posted in The Plan | 3 Comments »

Protected: The Free Blanket

Friday, January 13th, 2006

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Posted in Travels with Joel | Enter your password to view comments.