Rat's Around-the-World Adventure on Semester at Sea: February 2017

R.A.T. Your Rodent Around-the-World Traveler (a.k.a. Raz)

Hi, My name is R.A.T., which stands for Rodent Around-the-World Traveler (I like to think it stands for Rodent Adventure Traveler), but everyone here calls me Raz for short. I would love to share my adventures with you. I left my rat family in early January to seek adventure. Everyone said "head west young rat," so that is what I did. I headed west to San Diego, California where I ran out of land and had to hop on a ship to continue my journey. It turns out that the ship I found was going west around the world--a dream come true! The MV Explorer is home to the famous Semester at Sea study abroad program. My shipmates include 629 college students and about 150 faculty, staff, lifelong learners, and family members. Things are really busy here on the ship and even busier when we are in port. Come follow me vicariously as I take this incredible journey. Yours, R.A.T.

P.S. I had such a great time on the voyage that the adventure continues!!!!

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Minnesota

Hi,

Sorry that I have been out of touch for a while. Just visited the frozen north. Fortunately, it wasn't too cold. I did appreciate my fur coat though.

We miss you Mary. You meant so much to so many of us. I know I'm going to make it after all. Too bad Dayton's, no I mean Marshall Fields, no I mean Macy's is not. Very sad.

Here is the home of WJM-TV where Mary Richards worked.

I then checked out some of the skyways. They allow you to go from building to building without going outside in the cold!

I then stopped at the IDS Building.

Inside is the beautiful Crystal Court. Mary Richards had lunch in the restaurant on the upper floor balcony.

I also visited one of the old flour mills along the Mississippi River. This is where millions of pounds of flour were processed every day for many years using power from St. Anthony Falls.

I then went next door to check out the Guthrie Theatre, designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel.

The theater is named after Sir William Tyrone Guthrie.

It has this really cool cantilever.

I then went to check out the Walker Art Center. This part of the building was designed by the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.

It has some interesting spaces inside.

They only want you to use your eyes to experience the art.

I couldn't touch it even if I wanted to!

Looks like someone touched these works--Wasn't me!!!

This looks like an interesting work.

I'm not sure what all of this means . . .

But I like the designs the forms make.

Now for some low brow culture - Mall of America! Hmmm Apple vs. Microsoft.

I like the light fixtures--they have that kitschy 1970s feel.

Lots of rides in the atrium!

Watch out for flying hotdogs (and sponges)!

My favorite place in the Mall!

Cool things all made out of Legos!

Including a really large dragon!

Time to pick some bricks!

Cool picture. Someone picked a lot of tiny bricks to create this.

I also made it to St. Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol building, which was designed by Cass Gilbert.

It's been beautifully restored.

Last stop--Minnehaha Falls. brrrrrrrr!!!

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