Charles, Miami, Florida, United States

Katie Posted Oct 25, 2011, 9:02 am	Hello Guys, My name is Charles and I `m a brown bear. I live close to Stuttgart. Stuttgart is in the south of Germany. Last weekend I decided to go on a big world tour, to meet new friends all over the world. Last night I told Mum. We talked the whole night about this, but now she agreed. I always have to care about myself, but that is easy - I guess. I hope I will find nice hosts and we can have some fun, especially the holiday season is near! Bye for now, Charles
Katie Posted Oct 27, 2011, 9:46 am	Hi, I am very excited because today it will be the day.... Later on, Mommy will bring me to the post office and then I will start my travel into the USA. I hope I will arrive safely. I am so excited about my host and her family and I guess we will have a great time together. Now I am eating my last German breakfast for a while. I schould eat  a bit more because the travel takes soooo long.  Bye for now Mommy, I promise I will be ok there. Love Charles
klubwerks Posted Nov 4, 2011, 2:17 am	I arrived in Oklahoma City late in the night, along with Myka the panda. We received a very warm welcome from Amelia (our host), and TV's Toki, Masataku, and Paul. Early Friday morning, we are traveling to Kansas for the Emerald City Steampunk Expo for the weekend.
klubwerks Posted Nov 4, 2011, 3:03 am	My host, Amelia, loved my letter. She said it was sweet. We cut it out in a lovely pattern and put it in the memory book. Amelia keeps a book that is filled with memories, such as concert tickets, convention fliers, stickers, CD's and other things. I felt special having my own spot in her book. I even helped add some other things into the book with the other TV's. Also, I met Toki's friends Mully (Mulvane the lion), and Fleece (a pez dispensing sheep). They don't travel. They stay here at home and keep  visiting TV's company. They are like a welcoming couple and extra hosts to have fun with!
klubwerks Posted Nov 7, 2011, 6:17 pm	The Emerald City Steampunk Expo was fantastic! There are several digital camera pictures of me and my friends at the convention, but my favorite is the professional photos I got to take part in. Cpt. Cedric Greyhawk Whittaker of Airship Isabella and Ambassador Mordecai Hale posed in a professional photo with me and the other Toyvoyagers who went to the Expo with me. Airship Isabella are wonderful people! They make and sell really awesome Steampunk items. Not only that, but they share resources! They are more than happy to answer questions, give you advice in making your own stuff, and love seeing what you can make. They take commissions on a lot of various Steampunk related things. I highly recommend checking out their website and forums. They were such a highlight to meet!
klubwerks Posted Nov 13, 2011, 11:07 pm	My hosts are going to be having a Steampunk Christmas this year, both in decoration and in presents under the tree. It'll be very interesting and I can't wait! We've only just started making the xmas ornaments and they are turning out quite lovely.
klubwerks Posted Nov 19, 2011, 3:09 am	Today, my host made me a Christmas hat, vest, and tie. I must say that I feel very distinguished right now!
klubwerks Posted Nov 22, 2011, 1:56 am	I helped wrap a Christmas present for my host's husband. Ta da!
klubwerks Posted Nov 25, 2011, 4:39 am	My host told me about Thanksgiving Day. A long time ago, Pilgrims came to America, from England, to get away from religious persecution and the Native Americans helped them survive on the land and taught them many things. Religious persecution is the mistreatment of people because of their religious beliefs. The Pilgrims actually thought that this was India, which is why they called the Native Americans "Indians". There was a big feast that the Pilgrims and "Indians" had together in late November, but no one knows exactly when, so now Thanksgiving Day is on the fourth Thursday in November. There was more history in this time including the Native Americans being forced off their land. Oklahoma is part of the Trail of Tears where Native Americans were marched into reservations and many of them died. This part of the history is quite terrible and sad. However, they still celebrate Thanksgiving Day in America and it's all about giving thanks for what you have and being with your family. I got to enjoy Thanksgiving with my Host Amelia and several other TV's and we all helped out with making dinner... Jinny's Masataku Mischa's Paul MamiTig's Myka Ina's Schnattchen Xadrian's Drashuven Mellialida's Mr.Shawn GubbL's Kalso Klubwerks (my host) Toki, Mulvane (Mully), Fleece, and Chico
klubwerks Posted Nov 26, 2011, 10:56 pm	We've decided that a white Christmas tree will make it easier to see the details on all of the beautiful Steampunk ornaments. So my host agreed to get one. We had fun dorecating the tree, but now we're going to have un-decorate it and mvoe all the ornaments to the new tree! Twice the fun if you ask me. Also, I met Chico. He's my host's oldest toy. He's a pretty cool mouse. He's quiet, patient, and very nice. He and I are becoming very good friends.
klubwerks Posted Dec 5, 2011, 12:18 am	Things are pretty relaxed around here. We're working a lot on making xmas stuff and just enjoying ourselves.
klubwerks Posted Dec 10, 2011, 2:16 am	Amelia, my host, introduced me to several of her toys today, and a few of her holiday toys. I met Starshine (smaller snowman), Holiday (bigger snowman), and Caboose the moose. Then there was Benton (xmas bear in blue), North 9smaller polar bear), Derren (black xmas bear), and James (brown bear). James was named after the Bible verse that was on his tag. My host isn't religious like that, but she felt the name suited him well. I, also, met some carebears from a 1980's cartoon. There was Tannen Bedtime Bear (the small blue xmas bear), Friendbear (the glow int he dark orange bear), Ruby Love-A-Lot (the shiny pink one), Cheerbear (the one with a stain on her muzzle), and Slumber Cheerbear (the giant pink bear). Many of the carebears ended up with special names prefixing their original cartoon names, because Amelia wanted them to not all have the same names. I say it adds individuality to them! While in the middle of taking photos, my host's husband came in with gifts. He had bought two xmas outfits for two of her toys - Robin the bear and Spangles the cat. They looked dashing in their clothing! Robin and Spangles are restuarant vending machine toys. And then there was Charlie. He's a "dead bear" (the multicolored bear). They are made for a rock band called the Grateful Dead. Technically, he's Amelia's husbands bear. He used to collect them when he was younger and Charlie was the only one that survived the flood. He's a special and old bear. And I like his name too ;-)
klubwerks Posted Dec 11, 2011, 7:23 pm	Our host let myself and Mr.Shawn open one of her presents today. We found a bath toy in the bag! We named him German after all the German TV's that are visiting. German, Mr.Shawn, and I got to eat some Flipz chocolate covered pretzels. We played with her new socks HA HA HA! We also played with her new little guns. She's been wanting a small gun to mod (turn into something Steampunk). Now she has three! We had fun playing in with the presents. Amelia also says that we're going to put up the new xmas tree today too!
klubwerks Posted Dec 17, 2011, 4:22 am	We decorated the Christmas Tree today. My host Amelia made all the ornaments herself, with the exception of a few sentimental ornaments. Tannen the Bedtime Bear ornament is one of the toys that lives here. I got to meet all of the xmas toys that live here too. I posed in Jane's Hat, from the tv series Firefly. Then I helped make some treats called "Puppy Food". It's not really puppy food and it's really yummy!
klubwerks Posted Dec 24, 2011, 4:27 am	The household decided to open presents early this year. They wanted plenty of time to play with thier presents over the weekend. Everyone in the house caught a terrible cold, so presents made everyone feel better too. So, we toyvoyagers decided to open presents too! I have already received several handmade presents before xmas, such as my tie, vest, and xmas hat. The present I got today just complimented my growing wardrobe. It's a very lovely deep green crocheted scarf. It makes me miss home! I miss you mom and Merry Christmas! Oh, and it's supposed to snow this weekend. We'll see!
klubwerks Posted Dec 27, 2011, 3:25 am	I had lunch at Bill's Island Grill today. It was interesting food. On our way out the door, there was a gift. My host's husband bought her roses for the holidays. So thoughtful!
klubwerks Posted Jan 13, 2012, 6:12 am	Oklahoma had it's first snow of the season tonight. It was a lot of snow flurries, but by morning it was all gone. Ah well!
klubwerks Posted Jan 30, 2012, 3:24 am	We played with a bunch of Steampunk stuff and we had fun! They have a more western style steampunk here in Oklahoma. They like pistols, flintlocks, and the worn "old" look... poker cards... that sort of thing. It's pretty neat!
klubwerks Posted Feb 26, 2012, 8:08 pm	Before I left Oklahoma to travel on, I did get a chance to go to Buffalo wild Wings to watch the Ultimate Fighting Championship. We had a lot of fun. I also helped my host organize some of her memory books. I had just forgot to update this to my travel log!
tarepanda Posted Apr 30, 2012, 2:15 am	Hi Mom, I have arrived in Florida!  It is very warm here indeed!  I promptly removed my scarf. Faschi is nice enough to accompany me, and he will spend a week here before heading out to where he is supposed to go.  For me, I am staying to enjoy some sunny warm weather!
tarepanda Posted May 15, 2012, 3:34 am	Well, it's about time Faschi travel on, and we treat him to some bubble tea. Look, they have some interesting goods on the shelf too! We get the bubble tea with lychee tea.  Bubbles are tapioca balls that are chewy in texture.  It is a bit sad to see Faschi leaving, but my new friends assure me that we will have a lot of fun places to see and things to do.
tarepanda Posted Jun 26, 2012, 6:13 pm	Today we go visit the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.  It is a designated National Historic Landmark. Biltmore was opened in  January 1926, after a ten-month construction and a $10 million dollars expense.  In its heyday, The Biltmore played host to royalty, both Europe's and Hollywood's. The hotel counted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Al Capone and assorted Roosevelts and Vanderbilts as frequent guests. Franklin D. Roosevelt had a temporary White House office set up at the Hotel for when he vacationed on his fishing trips from Miami.  It served as a hospital during World War II and as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami medical school until 1968. It became a hotel again in 1987. The lobby looks very beautiful indeed. Look, what an exquisite bird cage! Hi birdie! The architecture borrows heavily from the Granada style in Spain. What a beautiful courtyard! At one time the swimming pool was the largest pool in the world.  It does feel like Spain, doesn't it? While the palm trees make it feel very Floridian.
tarepanda Posted Jun 26, 2012, 7:30 pm	Today we visit the Gulfstream Park.  First opened on Wednesday February 1, 1939, it held the first Florida Derby in 1952 and today continue to be an important horse racetrack, and has a casino and shopping area.  There is no horse racing today, and we cannot go in to see the race track.  But we explore around the place a bit. We go around to visit the shops.  There are quite a few shops and restaurants in the complex.  The architecture is again very typical Florida style, with the tropical palm trees and Mediterranean influence buildings. Look who we bump into!
tarepanda Posted Jul 1, 2012, 3:35 am	Today we learn to make Vietnamese style spring roll.  I don't get to visit Asia yet but at least I get to try an Asian dish! First, we chop up the ingredients.  As I am the biggest and strongest, I get to do all the chopping. We cut up the carrot, then the mushrooms and wood ears (it is a type of fungi that grows on wood). Next we cook the ingredients in the wok. I have to stir fry them so they cook evenly and won't get burnt. We continue to add more ingredients as we cook.  Now I add the bamboo and rice vermicilli noodles too.  We also season with soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar. Now we prepare the wrapper.  We add a little water to the rice paper to soften it, and place a bit of cooked ingredients on it. We roll them up nicely.  Now we fry them in the pan.  Usually it's deep fried, but as we do not want to use too much oil, we have to fry one side then the other.  Next we prepare the sauce.  We chop up the garlic, then add vinegar, chili sauce and sugar to it. Now lunch is ready!!  We put a spring roll on a leaf of lettuce, add a little sauce and enjoy!  It's very delicious!
tarepanda Posted Jul 2, 2012, 6:57 am	Today it's cloudy but at least it stop raining.  We decide to go visit a park. I almost thought we go to the zoo! There is some fitness equipment for people to work out. This one you can sit or stand and twist, to strengthen your ab and improve your flexibility. And this chin up is certainly not easy!! Look, there is a bench.  Let's rest a bit.  We are all tired after the work out! Let's go to the dock and take a look! There is a boat which can take you around the bay, for a day or evening cruise.  A lot of boats are anchored in the bay.  I wish one day I can get on one of them and sail the world!
tarepanda Posted Jul 10, 2012, 5:12 pm	Today we go to try out some food trucks.  It is really popular now.  Let's check them out!  This one sells burgers. This one has tacos. This one has arepa (corn pancakes) with cheeses. Ah we find what we are looking for, Ben and Jerry ice cream!!  Their truck goes around different cities to give out free ice cream.  Today is its last day in Miami, so we make sure to seek it out and find out where it goes today. Oh I am feeling hungry already!! Hmm what flavor should I pick? We get a cup of raspberry frozen yogurt. Yumm! There are some tables under the shade there! We enjoy our fish taco at the table.  The tacos are made with corn tortilla.  We squeeze on a little lime juice and hot sauce.
tarepanda Posted Jul 12, 2012, 3:53 am	My host tells me that I will be traveling soon.  Before I leave, we decide to go visit the zoo. Look at the pretty bird! This is a different kind of pretty bird! There are some pelicans by the pond. They are kind of far away, but can you see a patch of pink back there?  They are a flock of flamingos.  They are very beautiful birds. Look at the beautiful lotuses! These ibises are around the picnic area trying to find food.  Sorry but we don't have anything to share. It gets a bit rainy, let's check out the gift shop instead. I see a lot of African drums and music instruments.  Maybe we can do a dance and pray for the rain to stop? I say hi to some black bears. Sadly the rain gets heavier, so we cannot continue our visit.  However, we pick up a little souvenir, to remember my trip of Miami by. Farewell my dear friends!  It is sad but I look forward to some new adventures.

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