Westgate Resorts Expands Member Benefits Through Partnership with Arrivia
–>
Westgate Resorts and Arrivia have announced that they are both extending and enhancing their partnership to provide Westgate Resorts owners with an incredible selection of travel benefits at unbeatable prices. Through this, Westgate owners will have full access to the Westgate Cruise and Travel Collection, powered by arrivia.
Westgate Resorts owners will also be offered a Cruise Exchange option where they can deposit their weeks for World of Westgate Experience Points. These can be used to pay for all or part of a cruise vacation on any cruise line with no blackout dates. This new capability uses arrivia’s cruise inventory supply and flexible loyalty currency platform. This will serve as a great benefit for Westgate owners using their vacation ownership.
“We’re excited to extend and enhance our longstanding partnership with Westgate Resorts and offer its timeshare Owners the most innovative travel solutions,” said Mike Nelson, CEO of arrivia.
Enhancements to the platform, such as the integration of AI features, the extension of personalization options, and an updated user experience, are underway. These updates make it easy for Westgate owners to use the platform and engage with the many benefits and travel offerings.
“The enhancement of our partnership with arrivia will ensure that all Westgate Resorts timeshare Owners have access to the best deals in travel and add an innovative benefit that provides them with the ability to use their new World of Westgate Experience Points toward a cruise vacation,” said Jared Saft, Chief Business Officer of Westgate Resorts.
Learn more about Westgate Resorts on the brand’s website.
Go World Travel is reader-supported and may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this piece.
Samarkand is well-known as the historical and cultural center of Uzbekistan, a double land-locked country in Central Asia which the historic Silk Road used to cross through. For the big national New Year of Nawruz, I took advantage of the long weekend and headed over the Uzbek border from Tajikistan, the neighboring Central Asian country where I currently live.
At the Charbagh bus terminal, just north of the Tajik capital city of Dushanbe, amidst a horde of taxi drivers fighting to fill their car first, I found Akmal who agreed to bring me to the Uzbek border for 150 Tajik somoni (approximately $13.67 USD).
With a family of five stuffed in the back of the car and a dozen plastic bags of fresh, round bread, we set off along the windy mountainous roads.
A Journey Through Tajikistan’s Roads
The first time a car in the opposite direction flashed their headlights at us, I assumed it was someone Akmal knew. However, when he immediately stepped on the brakes, all of us lurching forward in our seats suddenly, I began to suspect otherwise.
Sure enough, after a few seconds, a policeman in front of his car with a speed gun aimed at us appeared and we had to pull over. Akmal fished out some coins from his pocket, went to meet the officer, and as we watched curiously from the rearview window, they shook hands, and Akmal returned without the coins.
10 minutes later, it happened again. This time, a policeman flagged us down with a red baton and as before, Akmal immediately dug out some change and came back empty-handed. He heard our chuckles, and shrugged his shoulders, “Tajikistan…!” and continued driving.
Halfway to the border, we entered the Anzob tunnel which I later on learned is (half-jokingly) referred to as “the Tunnel of Death”. For over three miles, in near pitch-darkness, we barreled down the dusty tunnel under the mountains, twisting and turning dangerously close to the walls, and oncoming traffic blinding us through the exhaust build-up.
A Straight-Forward Border Crossing
The traditional stamps (mukhtars) are usually handmade with wood and nails to create the pattern. Photo by Annie Elle
Finally, we reached the land border crossing in one piece, and I bid farewell to Akmal. On the other end of several checkpoints, I jumped in a marshrutka, the tiny minivans that serve as public buses, for 40,000 Uzbek soum (around $3.17 USD) to Samarkand. Passing white Chevy after white Chevy, I finally asked the driver if there was a reason for their ubiquity.
Via Google Translate, he responded that Chevrolet had been nationalized years ago, and a heavy tax was intentionally imposed on all other car brands. In addition, the color white was chosen to market the cars to Turkmenistan, where the president has infamously banned non-white vehicles in the capital. Then, the driver went back to casually scrolling TikTok videos of deadly snakes in Australia while flying down the highway.
The Shakhi Zinda Necropolis
The author in front of Guri Amir, the mausoleum for Amir Temur, the great military commander and leader. Photo by Annie Elle
In town, across the road from my accommodation was my first destination- the magnificent Shakhi Zinda necropolis. Known for housing the tomb of the prophet Muhammad’s cousin, these towering structures are covered in glazed blue terracotta which shone brightly in the sunlight.
At the top of the stairs, after paying the entry fee of 40,000 soum, I paused to borrow one of the floral head scarves available for female visitors. When the cashier saw me struggling, she graciously came out from behind the desk to wrap it securely around my head like an expert.
Inside each tall building were high ceilings with every inch covered in elaborate tilework. The other tombs were for such historical figures as the mother, wife and sisters of Amir Timur, sometimes called Tamerlane, the most famous military commander and leader in Central Asia.
His regional influence is still so great that any association with him warrants recognition- I grinned when I walked past a caption identifying the tomb of his wet nurse.
Plov in the Bazaar
The author in front of the Sher Dor Madrassa, well-known for its two tiger images with the human faces peeking out. Photo by Annie Elle
Down the street, the entrance to the major marketplace – the Siyob Bazaar – faced the major pedestrian street, Tashkent Street. Tables lined up in rows under a partial covering were filled with ceramic Uzbek figures, magnets, and colorful fabric.
Another section featured canvas sacks piled high with colorful spices, herbs, cardamom, saffron, grains and beans. I meandered through the busy crowds, ignoring the cries of “девушка! Девушка!” (meaning “young woman”), and followed my nose until I found the food section.
I imagined that normally, around lunchtime, it would have been packed and bustling with hungry customers and couples resting from all the shopping. However, because it was Ramadan, there were just a few other tourists and families feeding their young children who aren’t old enough to fast yet.
I ordered the traditional rice dish of plov, featuring lamb, carrots, chickpeas and raisins, while I waited for my friend to arrive. Since the massive pot of plov had been prepared in advance of the lunch rush, a steaming plate arrived on my plate within seconds.
Patiently, I continued to wait for my friend, though a low murmuring behind me drew my attention. I looked up to see the waiter and the cook, watching me with grave concern.
“No eat? Plov fresh! No like?”
I obligingly ate a few bites until they seemed reassured the delicious food wouldn’t be eaten cold.
Uzbek Artisans
A madrassa museum depicts scholars studying science, geography and astrology. Photo by Annie Elle
After my friend arrived and ate, we set off for the traditional handicraft market. The two-story space had an open courtyard and every type of artisan imaginable. A leatherworker and his assistant pounded holes into freshly tanned belts.
A silversmith proudly showed off finely crafted earrings and bracelets in a glass case. However, Zuhrob, a painter, was the most excited to engage with us.
Many years ago, he visited the “Sumatina” museum, which we understood, after a few minutes, was the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. “Then we go to Santa Fe, big international fair there. I show my ceramics, so many people from different countries”. It reminded me that I had, in fact, heard other artisans mention that fair before.
“We get idea for Christmas tree ornaments from there. See, in shape of national fruit.” He held up some thin pomegranate-shaped paper mache ornaments with ribbons, finely painted in blue curlicues.
“They are only fruit to have corona, you know?”
I paused and looked at my friend, seeing the same thought run through her mind – It’s possible for animals to get COVID-19…surely, fruits can’t get it too?
Seeing our confusion, he repeated, “Corona, corona. This.” He pointed at the blossom end of the pomegranate, and it clicked. “Oh! The crown…!”
“Yes, and it’s so special, the seeds inside are many, you can’t count. Like your money! That’s why it’s national fruit.”
An Iftar for Ramadan
The entrance to the two-story artisanal center in town. Photo by Annie Elle
He waved us off as we rushed to get ready for dinner that evening. My friend’s colleague had invited us to join their combined iftar (the breaking of the fast during Ramadan), Nawruz (Persian New Year, celebrated the week of the Spring Solstice) and birthday celebration for their grandfather. We knew it’d be important to be on time since every minute mattered for fasting.
We arrived at the restaurant to find two long tables, segregated by gender, in a semi-private room. Everyone greeted us with the same mix of curiosity and shyness, placing a hand to their chest and giving a small nod, as is customary in this region.
On the tables, we looked around in awe at the display of dates, soup, fried eggplant, samsas, fruit platters, salad and more.
Cultural Insights and Celebrations
Our host tasked her young English-speaking niece, Iroda, to sit at the end of the women’s table with us. “I spent a few months in Paris, and I liked the experience but honestly, I wouldn’t want to live there long term, or raise my kids there. People show so much of their body and it smells like weed everywhere…!”
After the shashlik (skewered meat) came out, starting with the oldest male guest, each person gave a toast, varying in length to the birthday boy.
The four male cousins, aged 18, 20, 25 and 26, got a big laugh with their speech, and we asked Iroda to translate what was so funny – they’d promised to get married this year as a gift to their grandfather.
After the birthday cake, Iroda invited us to an iftar the next evening at their uncle’s home, since it was his muchal. In the Uzbek tradition, every year has one of 12 repeating animals in a cycle, not dissimilar from the Chinese Zodiac, with the exception of a fish or crocodile instead of the dragon.
Each Nawruz (the beginning of a new year), someone celebrating their muchal (turning 12, 24, 36, etc.) would host a big gathering at their home and treat their family and friends.
Grand Finale at Registan Square
Traditional skullcaps (doppis), on sale in the Siyob Bazaar, are worn by both men and women. Photo by Annie Elle
We excused ourselves from the dinner to make the final stop of the day, the most photographed site in town, Registan Square. I understood immediately what all the fuss was about.
The three massive madrasas (a Muslim school) featured enormous azure grandiose facades, and the largest stood 184 feet wide by 266 feet. Tall, thin minarets accompanied each one, and the whole surface was covered with tiles, golden trimming, mosaics, and images such as animals, sun gods, and stars.
The nightly light show began at 8 pm sharp, and traditional songs blared out from speakers placed all around the plaza, some about the city of Samarkand itself, as a rainbow of colors flashed across the front of the madrasas.
The viewing platform and steps in front of the plaza were jam-packed with international and local visitors, vendors selling light-up and heart-shaped balloons and clumps of kids flying their kites.
I breathed in the fresh air and sounds of rattling party bikes on the stone road in the distance, mentally ingraining the “Nawruz Mubarak!” projection into my memory.
If You Go:
Download Yandex Go, the most popular taxi order app in the country. Taxis don’t use a meter, so you would need to bargain. They’re fairly good at reading a map, though if you want to be safe, put in the closest landmark to your location.
Keep in mind that the currency goes into the thousands, so locals shorthand prices to say “35” if they mean to say “35,000 soum”.
Many nationalities still need a tourist visa, obtained beforehand to enter the country. Beware that when you’re uploading the necessary documents into the portal, the photo specifications are precise and unforgiving. There are particular photo quality and size requirements as well as proportion specifics that must be met.
Author Bio:Annie Elle is originally from Los Angeles, though currently lives in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. She has lived overseas since 2011, working in various aspects of international education. Annie enjoys playing volleyball and exploring new foods and art forms in her free time.
Go World Travel Magazine is a digital magazine for world travelers. Our editorial content is produced by a dedicated team of travel journalists who know the regions they cover. We cover travel in more than 90 countries.
Latest posts by Go World Travel Magazine (see all)
If you’re a timeshare owner wondering, “Is it a good time to sell my timeshare now that the COVID-19 Pandemic is winding down,” Timeshares Only is here with everything you need to know. While the World Health Organization (WHO) still calls COVID a pandemic, they have ended their public health emergency. The timeshare industry is back in full swing, and people are more eager than ever to start traveling again. Thus, if you’re a timeshare owner looking to sell your timeshare, now is a great time to do it. Whether you just don’t use your timeshare like you used to or you’re having trouble affording your maintenance fees, Timeshares Only can help. As ARDA’s recommended resale marketplace, with 30 years of success and an A+ rating by the BBB, Timeshares Only has the credentials and experience you need to confidently advertise your timeshare on the resale market.
Selling My Timeshare Now
If you’re wondering, “Should I sell my timeshare now,” the answer is it depends. But if you’re sure you want to sell, now is a good time for selling timeshares. Demand for timeshare properties is rising, with the market size is projected to reach USD 29450.88 Million by 2028. That’s a growth rate of 7.28%. As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to subside, people are more eager than ever to travel. In fact, 40% of Americans plan to travel more in 2024 than in 2023. And considering that Gen Z and Millennials now make up half of the timeshare sales market, these lifetime products are showing every sign of remaining popular far into the future. Finally, it should be noted that as the resale market grows in size and becomes more strictly regulated, timeshare resales are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy.
Of course, whether or not it’s a good idea to sell your timeshare now really depends on your needs. Every timeshare owner is unique and has different motivations for selling. We recommend thinking about what is motivating you. Have you not used it in recent years? Are your maintenance fees becoming too much? Maybe you want to experience new vacation destinations (we recommend vacation exchange). Not to worry though—we’ve come up with some of our best tips to help owners decide, “Should I sell my timeshare now?” Afterward, we’ll dive into the process of how to sell your timeshare when you are ready.
Review your Options Before You Sell
Perhaps you feel like you’ve seen it all already and are tired of visiting the same resorts with your points. If you haven’t already joined a vacation exchange program, you are missing out on thousands of other travel opportunities available to you as a timeshare owner. Trading platforms such as RCI or Interval International give owners the ability to trade their weeks or points for other brands and resorts around the world.
Timeshare Rental: Rent Your Timeshare With Timeshares Only
Many timeshare owners don’t realize they can rent their timeshare. If you love your ownership but need help paying maintenance fees or can’t plan a trip for a while, you can rent your timeshare and put the money you get toward those fees. And, if you’re current on your fees, you can always just save the extra money for a rainy day. In recent years, timeshare rentals have become popular among competitors. Not to mention, renting your timeshare to a family member can be a great gift until you decide to sell. As ARDA’s Recommended Resale Marketplace, Timeshares Only has thousands of visitors searching our site every month, and we can get your timeshare seen by interested renters from around the world.
Rent out your timeshare with Timeshares Only!
How to Sell Your Timeshare Now—Safely and Legally
During the pandemic especially, unscrupulous exit and cancellation companies preyed upon owners who were looking for a way out of their timeshare. You probably heard their ads over the radio or saw commercials on television. Other common timeshare resale scams include unsolicited phone calls, as well as shell companies with a “motivated buyer.”
Red Flags to Look Out For
It is possible to sell your timeshare now, especially with the right help. Tighter regulations have made the resale market safer than ever. However, there are still a few warning signs you should look out for. These include:
Companies that tell you to stop paying your maintenance fees or mortgage. If you are trying to sell your timeshare now, stopping payments will interfere with the closing process should you find a buyer. If you stop paying your maintenance fees, you will default on your ownership, and it will stay on your credit report forever.
Timeshare exit or cancellation. The truth is, there is no simple way to just “get out” of your timeshare. Owning a timeshare is much like owning a house—you can’t just cancel your home ownership. Unlike a house, however, the resale value of timeshare units rarely appreciates. Companies that claim they can get you out of your timeshare by canceling or exiting normally charge thousands of dollars upfront. The reason so many people have been okay with paying is because they also offer a “money-back guarantee” if they are unsuccessful. However, many owners have not been able to get refunds successfully. In fact, some timeshare exit companies are under close scrutiny in Washington from the State Attorney General.
Unsolicited phone calls. If a company reaches out to you without your permission, be wary. It is illegal for a timeshare resale company to contact you unsolicited. If you get one of these cold calls from a company that claims they have a motivated buyer, it is likely a scam. A legitimate timeshare resale company will never contact you without your permission.
Call Your Developer Before Selling
When an owner calls and says, “I want to sell my timeshare now,” our first question is always, “Did you call the developer?” Did you know major timeshare brands have in-house exit solutions for owners? The American Resort Development Association created an entire coalition that supports these programs and others like it. Developers understand that things change and are available to help their owners find the best way out. With all of the timeshare exit teams and scams out there, we recommend contacting your developer first. Companies like Wyndham Destinations have in-house teams designed to refer owners to the best-selling solutions.
How Can I Sell My Timeshare Now?
There are a few legitimate timeshare resale companies out there. At Timeshares Only, we pride ourselves on offering legitimate solutions to sellers on the resale market. We are members of ARDA and have been in business for 30 years. To get started selling your timeshare now, we can help you post it online.
We work hard to market your timeshare to the right people. Not to mention, we have industry partners that work with us to find sellers more solutions each year. If you’re ready to sell your timeshare now, contact us at [email protected] or give us a call at 1-800-610-2734
Once you agree to our services, we’ll create an online advertisement for your timeshare for sale. Thousands of vacationers who are looking for timeshares like yours access our resale marketplace. When an offer comes in, we recommend using Fidelity Real Estate to close the deal. As a fully licensed real estate brokerage, they can take you through the whole sale process once you find a buyer. Or, you can close the deal by yourself.
Sell Timeshare Now
Advertise your timeshare now on the resale market!
Hilton Grand Vacations was recently honored at the 2024 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Awards Program with eight prestigious awards. These ARDA awards celebrate top-rated resorts, teams, and individuals in the timeshare industry.
HGV has earned two coveted ARDA Circle of Excellence (ACE) Awards for the second year in a row. These awards represent the highest level of excellence within the resort industry. Elara, a Hilton Club was recognized with the esteemed ACE Project of Excellence accolade. Furthermore, the company was presented with an ACE Philanthropy and Community Service award for its significant contribution to the relief efforts following the destructive Maui wildfire.
“We’re enormously proud of our company’s ARDA Award winners, along with the 20 finalists who were honored for their incredible work and ongoing commitment to excellence,” said Mark Wang, CEO at Hilton Grand Vacations. “Our team members truly embody our mission of ‘Putting People First,’ and I’m thrilled to see their hard work, dedication and extraordinary efforts being recognized by ARDA year after year.”
A full list of Hilton Grand Vacations’ ARDA Awards winners include:
ACE Philanthropy and Community Service Award – Maui Wildfire Relief Efforts
ACE Project of Excellence – Elara, a Hilton Club
Marketing Team – Sunrise Ridge Marketing Team
Business Administration or Operations Team Member – Ryan Moon
Business Administration or Operations Team – Asset Recovery Team
Training and Development Professional – Kyle Anderson
Resort Department Manager – Lou Ching
Maintenance Team Member or Manager – Peter Simonelli
For this year’s ARDA Awards, winners were selected by industry experts and judges outside the industry. In prior years, Hilton Grand Vacations has been recognized in categories such as ACE Employee of the Year, Resort General Manager, Resort Operations Team, Sales Team, Digital Magazine and Interior Design, displaying the hard work and success of the company’s team members.
Learn more about Hilton Grand Vacations on the brand’s website.
With a black marker, I write ‘Dead Guy’ on a piece of cardboard in big, thick letters.
The sign will earn me a hitchhike ride up winding Boulder Canyon to Nederland, Colorado, a tiny mountain town hosting what is called the Frozen Dead Guy Festival.
Every March, Nederland, Colorado loses its collective mind with the promise of the Rocky Mountain snowmelt.
Small-town winter isolation yields to spring, and a cathartic event is warranted. And yeah, there’s really a dead guy.
The Frozen Dead Guy Festival
Coffin racing at Frozen Dead Guys Days in Nederland. Flickr/Faucheux
The Frozen Dead Guy Festival is a rowdy celebration of weirdness, centering on the novelty of a real, live, frozen, dead guy interned in a Tuff Shed a few blocks from the main drag.
Bredo Morstoel, a Norwegian outdoorsmen, died of a heart condition in 1989, and according to his wishes, was frozen.
His grandson, Trygve Bauge, brought him to Nederland, in hopes of establishing a cryogenic facility. Thanks to blankets, foam, and a lot of dry ice, the Morstoel family has maintained -60°F ever since.
Burning Man Festival
While the festival features games such as coffin races, the Newly Dead game, and a parade of hearses, the event is an irreverent celebration of life similar in spirit to the Burning Man Festival. I’m excited.
My ride up the canyon is uneventful to the point of being disappointing. I’m picked up by a polite group in a late-model car who are attending the festival as well.
I make tactful conversation to disarm some awkwardness: the split second decision to pick me up was probably not made by consensus. These are nice people.
I was hoping for someone more interesting, someone who would make me feel uncomfortable, wildly alive, and inspired to write, someone who would offer me the type of drugs I wouldn’t want to partake in.
All the same, I appreciate the ride.
Visiting Nederland
Train car restaurants in Nederland, Colorado. Flickr/Brown
Nederland is the type of mountain town that’s dear to my heart – just one paved road with houses branched off into dirt rectangles, usually no more than three deep, with a few homes climbing into the trees above.
Heavy, rusted equipment sits on the outskirts, memorializing the mining enterprises that established the town in the 1870’s. Storefronts along 1st street look like the set of a spaghetti western, except this weekend they’re crowded with a carnival.
I stop to ask where the Frozen Turkey Bowling event will be taking place, and the man behind the desk at the info booth says he can’t remember.
“My memory’s crap,” he says, “I didn’t smoke enough pot when I was younger – but I’m making up for it now.”
This doesn’t really make any sense, and he’s strangely eager with the information. But he’s friendly, so I ask where the frozen dead guy’s located.
“Can’t say. It’s a secret. They don’t want us telling people. They had some kids up there trying to mess with him.”
I step out of the info booth, and a woman who overheard us casually says, “Yeah, he’s over there, just a few blocks up.”
She motions with her head. I love the unpretentious practicality of the American West.
Events at the Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival
The Polar Plunge at the Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado. Flickr/Faucheux
I have no actual intention of seeing the Tuff Shed, and the frozen turkey bowling starts in five minutes. I figure the turkey bowling is the most photogenic happening of the day, since I missed the polar plunge costume party.
But the bowling event isn’t where it should be. After asking around, I’m confident of where it’s held, but it plainly isn’t happening. There’s a crowd just up the street though, circling a man with a top hat and a megaphone.
It’s the frozen T-shirt contest. It seems these events happen in a casual sequence, not at the scheduled time.
Every contestant is given a T-shirt, folded and frozen solid. To win they must put on the T-shirt – this is a task easier said than done.
After a countdown, participants begin frantically beating their T-shirts on the ground, prying them with their teeth, and eventually attempting to get an arm through one of the holes.
One guy gets his head through the opening, but struggles with the arms, grimacing. The eventual winner looks uncomfortable, yet delighted.
The crowd moves down the street to some event involving long beards, shirtlessness and drinking a beer very quickly. I’m uninterested, so I walk around.
Street Kids
There are real-deal ‘street kids’ here. ‘Street kids,’ as they call themselves, aren’t exactly hippies, and aren’t exactly homeless, though I’m describing them in terms of hippiedom and homelessness.
They’re nomads, not necessarily youths, roaming from festival to festival, concert to coastline, eating when they can, crashing on the couches of kindred spirits or sleeping under the stars.
Their homelessness is quasi-intentional, and while it may be a romantic lifestyle, I don’t think it’s enjoyable or healthy.
Boulder is a hot spot for this kind of 60’s throwback counter-culture, and the festival is a natural destination. These are the people I was hoping to hitch a ride from.
The Wonky Kids
There’s a wonky street kid playing guitar: ski goggles, a trucker’s hat, face tattoos, festival makeup, and a ratty fur coat. He and his girl are singing their hearts out, sounding terrible.
These are the picture-perfect festival goers. Another fellow with a DSLR camera is circling him, taking prize pictures of the freak.
He’s being objectified as a character, a piece of scenery, and this bothers me. I’m coy, though I want his picture badly. I walk by with my camera once, then twice.
“That guy’s funny looking,” he says, pointing at me, conscious that I too want his picture.
This is right on point: it’s not polite to stare. I’m indeed funny looking, wearing a big faux fur hat and bug-eyed, glacier glasses with leather side shields. I ask if I can take their picture: see below.
I notice he has a slingshot in his back pocket. It’s not the novelty Davey Crocket model, but a competitive marksmen’s slingshot, for killing things, and quite possibly eating them. I’m impressed.
The Frozen Turkey Bowling
Turkey Bowling at the Frozen Dead Festival in Nederland, Colorado. Photo by Jack Bohannan
The Frozen Turkey Bowling does not disappoint, though I’m a little upset that the turkey is wrapped in its store-bought plastic rather than in the buff.
Six pins are arranged on a plywood plank about 20 feet away from contestants. The men bowl with a large turkey; women and children are offered a smaller one.
Three throws cost $5. The used carcass is “donated to Ed’s dog,” or so says the program guide.
Planning a last-minute trip to Colorado?
Top Experiences and Tours in Colorado:
Where to stay and transportation in Colorado:
The first boy topples a total of four pins with his three throws. The next man is tall and brawny, yet falls short with the heavy turkey on his first throw, then second.
But the third throw has all the force of his embarrassment behind it: the turkey nearly clears the pins altogether, knocking down four of them and smashing into the shaky, metal barricade protecting the crowd.
The remaining two pins wobble and fall. I wonder about the liability issues of hurling a 25-pound frozen bird.
I’m now covered in a spray of slush, and if you’ve seen one man bowl a strike with a frozen turkey, you’ve seen them all, so I walk back up the street to a coffee shop.
The Mesmerizing Environment
The air is phenomenal. It’s thin and impossibly clean, purified by the high-altitude, blue-spectrum sunlight, then infused with pine. The coffee shop is pine too, paneled top to bottom in the warm texture of natural wood.
Nederland is nice. I sit, drink my coffee, review my pictures, and enjoy being alone in the crowd.
Bands will play into the night, but my suburban life and domestic responsibilities call. I must go, so I write ‘Boulder’ on another piece of cardboard.
Then I trudge back out to the road, and stand, hoping for a ride with someone crazy enough to make me to feel wildly alive. Then I ride back to Boulder with a dentist in a sedan.
If You Go to Nederland
Should you attend the Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival, be sure to checkout the 1st Street scene and then wander west and have coffee at the New Moon Bakery and Café.
Make sure to save time for the concerts that happen in the evening, particularly whatever band is headlining Saturday night.
Read More:
Author Bio: Jack Bohannan is a freelance writer living in Denver, Colorado
Go World Travel Magazine is a digital magazine for world travelers. Our editorial content is produced by a dedicated team of travel journalists who know the regions they cover. We cover travel in more than 90 countries.
Latest posts by Go World Travel Magazine (see all)
