My Travels

Where In The World Has James Ketola Been?

I haven't travelled extensively yet. Mostly, I have been to a few major cities in the United States and various places in the midwest. However, I have also been to France, the UK, Italy and Canada, and hopefully a country or two more per year. Here are some logs of my travels. All cities are in the United States, unless otherwise noted.

Paris, France An excellent city. People say it is dirty, but it seemed no dirtier than any big city. People are said to be rude, but not as much as most big American cities. Plus, there is so much to do. I can't believe how much I did while I was there, while still leaving so much more to do.

London, United Kingdom An excellent city. It is very busy, but the people are friendly and there are many things to do. Unfortunately, it seems rather difficult to find good food there.

Chicago I live here now, but it might as well have an entry. A nice city, with unique neighborhoods, although I only visit a few of them with any regularity (or at all). Has plenty of Architecture, Restaurants, Theatres, and Museums, so I'm happy.

New York A wonderful city, although it never stops changing. Of course, if it did, it wouldn't be New York

Québec, Canada Clean and friendly, with a wonderful European feel. However, its relatively small size means it isn't as rich in activities. However, it is a very relaxing and enjoyable city.

Toronto, Canada A fun city with lots to do and good food.

Capri, Italy A calming, beatiful island with lots of food and shopping, but a few too many tourists

Rome, Italy Very busy, but great food, and rich history.

Montréal, Canada A dirtier Canadian city due to its size, but the people are still friendly, and there are many things to do. The old town area is very enjoyable.

Philadelphia A surprisingly enjoyable city, and much larger than I thought it would be, although the Colonial aspect becomes kitschy after awhile.

Vancouver, Canada A clean city with friendly people and a small town feel.

Washington D.C. Lots of museums and great architecture. While I didn't have a very good dining experience while there, I think that might not be entirely typical. A little pricey, and not the best driving or public transit, but still very decent.

Angers, France Angers is quite a big city, but the beautiful town center has a small town feel, and people are so nice.

Minneapolis I lived here for a few years at the end of the boom (actually, I only lived downtown for a year and then moved to Brooklyn Park). It's a nice place and there are many things to do. Just make sure that you have a car.

St. Paul I was born here. It has some nice classic areas, but mostly just in pockets.

Madison I went to college here. Very classic college town. Great place to learn and/or party.

Milwaukee I grew up in a suburb (Greenfield). It used to suck, but it has improved quite a lot.

Spring Green The American Players Theatre isn't technically in Spring Green, but it is close, and is my favorite place in Wisconsin.

San Diego Nice city. I hear the weather is great almost all the time. Of course, that "almost" would apply towards my visit. Anyway, it is a fun place to visit.

San Francisco I found San Francisco to be surprisingly cultured while maintaining a smaller-town feel. The biggest drawback seemed to be the endless homess people.

Tampa/St. Petersburg A fun city, just big enough to have things of interest, such as the Dalí Museum, but still friendly.

Cocoa Beach My favorite FL beach town and home of Ron Jon's.

Atlanta I haven't spent much time here, but it seemed nice, especially around Peachtree. =)

Las Vegas Worth a visit, although it has a "Hollywood Set" feel nowadays, where everything tries to be something it isn't. However, it does have some good shows and excellent resorts. If only it wasn't so wasteful of electricity and water. I recommend taking side trips to see the region, such as going to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon. They are surprisingly close and quite a pleasant change of pace.

Orlando Good place for a vacation. Just don't expect too much originality. Creativity is good, as long as it is 90% conformity.

Dallas The downtown is experiencing the Ghosttown-syndrome that American cities are prone to. The government is trying to change that, but it hasn't succeeded yet. However, the arts district is very nice.

Naples, Italy A bustling, crowded, dirty city, but with a few jewels of culture, particularly of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the bay-front is enjoyable.

New Orleans Dirty city, but it is a good place to drink.

Miami Very fashion conscious, but it comes off somewhat fake for all of the effort.

Fort Lauderdale Somewhat disappointing, although that could be due to the weather during my visit. Not much of a city, mostly just resorts.

Columbus Very Midwest. The area around the university just north of downtown on High Street seems like a cool area, but I didn't get to spend much time there.

Janesville Neo-Industrial midwestern city. Not much of note. Has a nice parkway and a beautiful pubic garden, which is unfortunately right next to a shooting range. That says alot about this city.

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Paris, France	An excellent city. People say it is dirty, but it seemed no dirtier than any big city. People are said to be rude, but not as much as most big American cities. Plus, there is so much to do. I can't believe how much I did while I was there, while still leaving so much more to do.
London, United Kingdom	An excellent city. It is very busy, but the people are friendly and there are many things to do. Unfortunately, it seems rather difficult to find good food there.
Chicago	I live here now, but it might as well have an entry. A nice city, with unique neighborhoods, although I only visit a few of them with any regularity (or at all). Has plenty of Architecture, Restaurants, Theatres, and Museums, so I'm happy.
New York	A wonderful city, although it never stops changing. Of course, if it did, it wouldn't be New York
Québec, Canada	Clean and friendly, with a wonderful European feel. However, its relatively small size means it isn't as rich in activities. However, it is a very relaxing and enjoyable city.
Toronto, Canada	A fun city with lots to do and good food.
Capri, Italy	A calming, beatiful island with lots of food and shopping, but a few too many tourists
Rome, Italy	Very busy, but great food, and rich history.
Montréal, Canada	A dirtier Canadian city due to its size, but the people are still friendly, and there are many things to do. The old town area is very enjoyable.
Philadelphia	A surprisingly enjoyable city, and much larger than I thought it would be, although the Colonial aspect becomes kitschy after awhile.
Vancouver, Canada	A clean city with friendly people and a small town feel.
Washington D.C.	Lots of museums and great architecture. While I didn't have a very good dining experience while there, I think that might not be entirely typical. A little pricey, and not the best driving or public transit, but still very decent.
Angers, France	Angers is quite a big city, but the beautiful town center has a small town feel, and people are so nice.
Minneapolis	I lived here for a few years at the end of the boom (actually, I only lived downtown for a year and then moved to Brooklyn Park). It's a nice place and there are many things to do. Just make sure that you have a car.
St. Paul	I was born here. It has some nice classic areas, but mostly just in pockets.
Madison	I went to college here. Very classic college town. Great place to learn and/or party.
Milwaukee	I grew up in a suburb (Greenfield). It used to suck, but it has improved quite a lot.
Spring Green	The American Players Theatre isn't technically in Spring Green, but it is close, and is my favorite place in Wisconsin.
San Diego	Nice city. I hear the weather is great almost all the time. Of course, that "almost" would apply towards my visit. Anyway, it is a fun place to visit.
San Francisco	I found San Francisco to be surprisingly cultured while maintaining a smaller-town feel. The biggest drawback seemed to be the endless homess people.
Tampa/St. Petersburg	A fun city, just big enough to have things of interest, such as the Dalí Museum, but still friendly.
Cocoa Beach	My favorite FL beach town and home of Ron Jon's.
Atlanta	I haven't spent much time here, but it seemed nice, especially around Peachtree. =)
Las Vegas	Worth a visit, although it has a "Hollywood Set" feel nowadays, where everything tries to be something it isn't. However, it does have some good shows and excellent resorts. If only it wasn't so wasteful of electricity and water. I recommend taking side trips to see the region, such as going to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon. They are surprisingly close and quite a pleasant change of pace.
Orlando	Good place for a vacation. Just don't expect too much originality. Creativity is good, as long as it is 90% conformity.
Dallas	The downtown is experiencing the Ghosttown-syndrome that American cities are prone to. The government is trying to change that, but it hasn't succeeded yet. However, the arts district is very nice.
Naples, Italy	A bustling, crowded, dirty city, but with a few jewels of culture, particularly of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the bay-front is enjoyable.
New Orleans	Dirty city, but it is a good place to drink.
Miami	Very fashion conscious, but it comes off somewhat fake for all of the effort.
Fort Lauderdale	Somewhat disappointing, although that could be due to the weather during my visit. Not much of a city, mostly just resorts.
Columbus	Very Midwest. The area around the university just north of downtown on High Street seems like a cool area, but I didn't get to spend much time there.
Janesville	Neo-Industrial midwestern city. Not much of note. Has a nice parkway and a beautiful pubic garden, which is unfortunately right next to a shooting range. That says alot about this city.