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Show Page 7 April 14, 1999 brooksinfowest.com Tips on how to Become a Savvy Vagabond By Alex McAfee Special to the Sun It was the summer of 1995 and I was just an innocent kid from Minnesota heading out into the world. I had a backpack full of climbing gear, a pocket full of graduation money, and a Greyhound ticket to Eugene, Ore. I had just walked down from the Budget Motel my friends dropped me at the night before. The last few days were spent climbing Devil's Tower in Wyoming. I was a little scared about jumping headlong into the great West all alone, but I knew life out west was better, the girls were prettier, and the rocks were taller. Rumor had it riding the Greyhound was cheap and easy, but also full of shady characters and rundown stations. This station in Rapid City didn't live up to my expectations, it was new and clean, and the only people around me were a couple of Native Americans on their way to Sioux City. The part about it being cheap was also wrong. I just spent across $200 to be taken Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington, all just to get to Oregon. The lady at the counter says it takes a good two and a half days of nonstop driving with only two, one-holayovers. The part about life on a bus being easy is like calling life in prison a day at the park. I was young and inexperienced in the art of traveling Greyhounds solo. I hope these tips for riding around the country among sketchy characters will help take the stress out of leaving the nest and catching the next bus. Dress down. Try to blend in. You can usually pick out a nice traveling outfit for around $4 at a thrift store. Keep an eye on your bags. Not just because they can get stolen, but also lost. Whenever you transfer busses, be sure your bag transfers busses with you. Beware of people being too nice. Is that guy really going to show you around town, or does he just want to get down your pants? Bring some entertainment. Books are great, if reading gives you motion sickness try a book on tape. Nationwide truck stops often rent tapes that can be returned to their other stations. You've got two days and nothing to do, why not learn a foreign language on tape? Bring your own food. Stop at a grocery stop at layovers. Try items like to buy canned and pasta, don't bagels forget a travel spoon and can opener. Buying food from the grocery store will usually cut the largest hunk out of your travel budget. Money, you don't have any. At least that's what you should tell everyone. I usually say I've spent the last of my money on the ticket and food, and I might have a new job lined up at my Not all travelers destination. are bad. Veteran vagabonds are usually the best source of information on a bus. They will often know the transfer points, where to stash a pack at night and safecheap places to sleep. They often have wonderful stories about life on the road. Sleep. When it comes down to it, this is the biggest time killer. I like to bring a down jacket to stay comfy. A mask to cover your eyes and some earplugs makes sleep during the day bearable, just don't miss your transfer! Since many of the longer layovers will be at night, sleep during the day will give you the energy to actually leave the bus and walk around. These are just the basics. To become a savvy vagabond takes experience, both good and bad. Hopefully, these tips will get you started and keep you thinking safely. Life on the road solo is lonely at first, but eventually you will make enough friends to guarantee you a bed in every town. Good luck. le Red Hills are Alive with The Sound of Music By Brooks Shelton brooksinfowest.com For the past two weeks, St. George's red hills were alive with The Sound of Music. Presented by the St.George Musical Theater, The Sound of Music was performed at the Opera House. For two months, a selected cast memorized, practiced and rehearsed the musical. Bryan Stephenson, who played the part of Kurt Von Trapp said, "It's really fun but it gets kind of tiring." The Sound of Music is a story about Maria, played by She's a Amanda Gardner. trying to young woman become a nun but because of her flighty ways, is sent to be a governess for the seven children of Captain Georg Von Trapp. Maria is unlike any other governess the children have had before. She's full of life, energetic and sometimes disobedient to the captain's rules. She also teaches the children to do something they've never done before, sing. During the musical number, "Do-Re-Mi- ,"' CARISA HUNTINGTONTHE DIXIE SUN The St. George Musical Theater presented The Sound of Music at the Opera House. This selected cast played the children of Captain Georg Von Trapp. the children finally begin to feet and singing along. In fact, the audience was encouraged learn what music is all about. Producer of the show, Kristine Bennion said, "We think they're the cast fabulous, that's why we chose them. They've all worked very hard." The performance was complete with all the classic songs. From "My Favorite Things" to "So Long, Farewell," each song had the audience tapping the to join in and sing. The show was so entertaining that according to Bennion, it had been sold out all week. Steve Hanna, who saw the musical Thursday night said, "I thought it was wonderful. Beautiful voices, everyone did It was very a fantastic job. impressive." Pixie College CsLEBPm Concert Sekps Presents The Original Ite Broihsrs Four Monday, April 19, 1999 8:00 pm Center Cox Performing Arts Theater Dixie College Avenna Tickets now on sale at the Cox Box Office For additional information ) L & call 652-799- 4 |