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John Koen

22 Blog Entries
9 Trips
135 Photos

Trips:

Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
Bulgaria
Summer '07
12 hours in Minneapolis
Asia Tour 2008
2011 European Festivals Tour
John Koen's Travel Blog
Summer 2011
John Koen's Travel Blog

Shorthand link:

http://www.blogabond.com/johnkoen




back home

Philadelphia, United States

United Airlines running massively late, so they switched us to American (through Dallas), lost my phone in the rental car, and got back to Philly more than an hour later than should have.

permalink written by  John Koen on June 9, 2007 from Philadelphia, United States
from the travel blog: Summer '07
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International Society of Bassists

Oklahoma City, United States

Week-long convention for bassists. I brought my cello and practiced. Oklahoma City was not a bad town. I actually rather enjoyed it.

permalink written by  John Koen on June 4, 2007 from Oklahoma City, United States
from the travel blog: Summer '07
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by the riverside

Camden, United States

main thing is we forgot the camera, so no pictures (also, it's not quite as exciting taking pictures of just around the corner). Rossen Milanov conducted this one. We did Tchaik. 5 (like on tour), but of course a different interpretation. Many of the principals didn't show up. Weather wasn't bad, actually (quite a breeze on that waterfront). I didn't play the Camden outdoor concert last year, so I thought it was in the same place as in 2005 and I could just take PATCO (subway between Philly & S. Jersey). Turns out I had to get off at Camden City Hall stop. Walked outdoors and 'Oh my God'. Rossen came and rescued us in his car.

Rossen's Tchaik. 5 was really good, by the way. Sound system sucked (have to look into that--what's the point of playing outdoor concerts if the audience can't hear half of it because the sound is screwed up?).

About to practice now (11:45 p.m.) Haven't had my good cello since Tuesday in Seattle. I expect to also practice tomorrow morning before the 11:50 a.m. train to D.C.

permalink written by  John Koen on June 2, 2007 from Camden, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
tagged Camden, Tchaikovsky and Milanov
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washing clothes

Philadelphia, United States

practicing on the Orange cello, getting reacquainted with the kitties, getting the air conditioners going (it's up to around 90 during the day), and getting repacked for the next trip, Oklahoma City for the International Society of Bass convention.

permalink written by  John Koen on May 31, 2007 from Philadelphia, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
tagged Cats, Cello and Packing
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We officially like Seattle

Seattle, United States

First time on the tour it was really sunny! Of course, that's unusual for Seattle, but it was great. I even sunburned my left elbow. Good espresso wasn't as easy to find as it used to be (lots of Starbucks and fully automatic machines :(

Went bar-hopping after the concert (and lavish party by Maestro Eschenbach) on Tuesday until 4:30 a.m. No further details will be forthcoming.

Wednesday evening took a really nice sunset cruise in a sailboat. Will bring a jacket next time!

Got upgraded to first class for the return flight to Philly, so that was pleasant for 5 hrs. Of course, it's probably because all their Chairman's Preferred and Platinum members skipped over to United, but I'm getting upgraded a lot, so I'm pretty happy with US Air!

permalink written by  John Koen on May 28, 2007 from Seattle, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
tagged Seattle and Sailboat
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deciding what to do in San Diego

San Diego, United States

Again, advance planning helps. Scheduled an afternoon flight late enough to do things in San Diego and still have time for San Francisco this evening, but Sea World doesn't open until 10, and is $60, but we'd have to leave around 1 to get to the airport with our luggage, and the whale sighting just stopped. There are some other things to do, but those were the best two. Maybe just a short city Harbor boat tour for an hour (and time to write something on the blog).

I was alternate for the concert, so I just put some dirty clothes in the orchestra trunk and came back to wander around the gas lamp district and have dinner. Then came back and uploaded tons of pictures from Omaha, Las Vegas & San Francisco.

permalink written by  John Koen on May 24, 2007 from San Diego, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
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Disneyland

Anaheim, United States

up at the crack of dawn to get to Los Angeles, then drive to Disneyland. They close at 11 p.m.…

Found out it's best to do a bit more research before visiting Disneyland. California Adventure park closed at 6, and the main park at 8.

permalink written by  John Koen on May 21, 2007 from Anaheim, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
tagged Disneyland
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arrival in San Francisco

San Francisco, United States

Took the subway (BART) from the airport, checked into the hotel (Mark Hopkins Intercontinental, very nice), found a place for lunch, went down to Union Square and walked back in time to get ready for the bus trip to UC Davis.

permalink written by  John Koen on May 19, 2007 from San Francisco, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
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practice

Davis, United States

I took a good nap on the bus from San Francisco to Davis (about 1 hr. 45 minutes). Because I hadn't played since leaving Omaha, and I didn't really practice there (just warmed up), I spent about an hour before the concert practicing. Definitely worth it. Then I chatted a bit with colleagues during the Mozart (Goerne, the singer canceled). Then we did another Berlioz, so I saw nothing of UC Davis. I even forgot to take pictures of the concert hall. Chatted with colleagues on the bus on the way back. Terrible traffic in Oakland heading into San Francisco.

permalink written by  John Koen on May 19, 2007 from Davis, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
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Caesar's Palace

Las Vegas, United States

We stayed at Caesar's Palace. Had a great lunch there, at Rao's. Amazing salmon on black lentils with Moroccan spices. Explored the hotel, picked up tickets to the Celine Dion show ("A New Day…"), took a nap (I got up at 5:30 a.m. to fly from Omaha). Then checked out the Bellagio next door and a little shopping. Show was really great, then dinner at "Noodle" in the Bellagio.

permalink written by  John Koen on May 18, 2007 from Las Vegas, United States
from the travel blog: Philadelphia Orchestra U.S. Tour (2007)
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