Advance warning... this is going to be a long first post.

ElMaverickUK said:
a few months have gone by and due to a.. shall we see protracted conclusion to a long-term relationship, my plans are slightly up in the air. Visiting Canada in September for a few weeks, and then looking at venturing out to N.America in April (birthday present to myself) for as long as one can muster, would like to sort of work as I go. Possibly camp America as a first point then move onwards from there. Is not going to be a pool centric trip but anywhere along the way I can get involved in some tournaments then all good.

will need to pick me up a set up to be getting on with as am starting from scratch (excuse bad punnery) but that should be ok. played a GB9 a while back, and got my *** handed to me, but had fun with it, and got one round off of money a couple of times against some decent rated players this side of the pond, so not a completely lost cause, although if I don't win a game out there, as long as I meet some good people, experience the 'real' States rather than just hiking from one tourist trap to another (not being down on it, just not my thing, I want to experience the diversity of it all)

as far as travel goes, looking to pick up a car at beginning of trip and see just how far through the Americas one can make it... I may have blown it all inside 2 weeks and jumping on a plane home, but who knows eh? one way to find out... I will update as I go, and if you know anyone with a barn or garage to rest my head (always got the car) then let me know haha, but best way to do it I imagine will be to get my butt out there and talk to people.

anyways, enough rambling for now. May the rolls be with you all.

ElMav
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I would consider renting a car, maybe even a used car.

Some new car rental places have great pricing on rentals, sometimes as low as $19 per day. You might have to pay close attention to the mileage thing to determine that you are getting a good deal.

Fun weekly tournaments can be had all around the U.S. In New Orleans (Metairie, LA) Louisiana, Buffalo Billiards has a free Tuesday night, handicapped 9 ball tournament that will pay for your night's stay if you win it or maybe your drink tab. ($125 for first $75 for second $30 for third $20 for fourth place). Many people enjoy wagering, so bring a fat wallet to attract prospective customers.
 
Joey,

that is one of the discussions I am having at the moment, one of my friends is planning on coming out to join me at the tail end of next summer (september/October time) think we will invest in a second hand car of some sort (and with our plans possibly encapsulating central and south america.. maybe even some kind of camper type thing... maybe)

thats the sort of tournament would be good to play, Im not a rich or well off guy, and I don't have the resource to go on the road (would get beaten down anyway am sure) but perhaps not against the odd challenge :)
 
ElMaverickUK said:
Joey,

that is one of the discussions I am having at the moment, one of my friends is planning on coming out to join me at the tail end of next summer (september/October time) think we will invest in a second hand car of some sort (and with our plans possibly encapsulating central and south america.. maybe even some kind of camper type thing... maybe)

thats the sort of tournament would be good to play, Im not a rich or well off guy, and I don't have the resource to go on the road (would get beaten down anyway am sure) but perhaps not against the odd challenge :)
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You may want to rethink some of that central and south america travel. Not too sure if that is the best move for someone not from those areas. But hey, if you have your bases covered and a buddy to watch your back, you should be ok. There's plenty to see in North America and with the dollar shrinking like it is, your Euro will go a long way here.

I might opt for a vehicle in very good condition. It's no fun getting stuck out on the road with an accent and a broken vehicle. Most travelers have a bullseye painted on their backs to begin with. Being at the mercy of the mechanics is just another obstacle to deal with.
 
there are bad spots all over the world, and the places I have visited I have not had even one problem (again touch wood) I am not so naive to think that it is all going to be plain sailing, but there is a lot of beauty in the world

but north america is first on my list, and there is a great deal to see... my "euro" is actually the good old GBP, something that Maggie did well to steer us clear from it would seem.. hopefully it retains its "strength" (for lack of a better term in this current climate) I don't know how viable it is to find work as we go (I initially thought that with the language thing down pat and having a broad skill set it would be easier in North america, but im getting mixed reports on that thus far)
 
After the us open 10 ball you could make your way up to Fargo Nd. There is a tournament the called summer shootout at Fargo Billiards. Must see this room it is awesome.
 
barber23 said:
After the us open 10 ball you could make your way up to Fargo Nd. There is a tournament the called summer shootout at Fargo Billiards. Must see this room it is awesome.
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Lots of work in North Dakota, too.
 
UKMav,

Thanks for keeping us up to date on your road trip.
Here in Denver there should be some good tournaments coming up, so if you travel to Colorado call or pm me.

Regards / Ted
 
Ted, thank you for your gracious offer, anything that helps point me in the right direction I would be most grateful, and colorado is a definite on my list, so you certainly have me bothering you at some point :)

I really want to get involved in tournaments, as I enjoy testing myself. I dont have a good enough consistency atm, but only one way to learn right?

thanks for all the comments, (and the work tip Joey) I don't want to go getting on the wrong side of the law, and I am not sure of the specifics of finding paid work once im out there.. I know a couple of agencies from here but that is more going to help me get from certain places in the world (cruise ship working from one port to another, asia>>>Oz/Nz as an example) I have done many things so could turn my hand to a lot of things. and tbh, Id be happy to do a hard days work just in exchange for a hot meal and a bed for the night, even more so if it meant I was helping people. On that note I am keeping my eye out for any charity work /community projects I can help with along the way, I am happy to volunteer, obviously if I can help anywhere on the pool scene, just by being an extra pair of hands, well I am going to be travelling all over the country, a good way to see it all :)

Is an exciting prospect, has been a not so enjoyable time of my life, but things are gettign back on track, and I have a goal now.. is just working my butt off and acheiving it.. and I really am grateful for any help/advice I can get, the first beer (or drink of your choice) is on me :)

Dudley (elMav)
 
well hi again all from the briefly sunny side of the pond, I hope this all finds you well... just a 'brief' update

the prolem with making plans would seem to be their ease of change... so I am currently deciding between the following courses of action; (due to one of my best friends who lives in Vietnam getting married next October)

May/June - come out to the US/Canada for 3/4 months, and either work (enquired after Camp america scheme, but if anyone knows a better route... or indeed if anyone will find themselves in need of help with anything) or just hit the road and see where it goes... then fly across to Asia, then back up through China, south Korea and Japan... then follow it up and round to alaska and back down and through Northern america to central and south, then back up... that should take at least a few months... this may shoot my carrying a cue with me in the foot, i guess I could always leave it in storage for when I leave the US, due to rapidly changing humidities and everything.. again any thoughts on that most appreciated

or....

leave here in June/July, and start in Asia (maybe Japan, and do it in reverse) before going from the easiest point in asia across to the West coast (perhaps a little cruise ship work from tokyo (the anagram lovers Kyoto... love that Futurama quote.. just reversed it) but I digress... I have always been awful at making decisions, plus would really like to come to states first, although I intend to be there for such an amount of time it should be fine either way round.
 
Good to hear from you Mav

Mav, I was looking at your possible schedules and I have a question. Are you talking about next year? Not sure exactly how it works on your side, but on this side of the pond May and June have already come and gone for this year.

Anyway, whichever route you decide to take, when you hit the States just keep posting here where you are and which way you're heading. I think you may be surprised how many fellow members may want to meet you during your travels. They could be a big help in finding you weekly tournaments, etc. in their area.
 
hello again house buddy, thanks for stopping in; alas May and June have gone for us too :P

hehe, yes I am indeed talking about next year, is probably a bit far off to be talking about it, so I apologise to anyone who thinks it irrelevant.

I do intend to soak up as much local knowledge as possible, from my experiences it is a better way of seeing a country, and I find people react better to you if they don't see you as some kind of tourist (which I undoubtedly am). i am well aware of how some of my fellow islanders have gotten quite the reputation from not being... as respectful as one should be in anothers' 'home'. anyone that would wish to meet me along the way, I would be most happy to do so, it is a major part of my trip, and everyone has a story to tell.. hopefully mine will be enjoyable too :)
 
oh how plans can change...

well well, it would appear my first little outing to North America (Canada) may now not be going ahead, and I find myself with one month off work beginning in 27 days....

...any suggestions?, was considering maybe doing a coast to coast drive over a few weeks... I am an Englishman without a destination.... can anyone help?
 
Turning Stone.. worth a look?

I was checking out the upcoming tournaments and saw this. Obviously a tournament with pedigree, would you recommend this to come and watch? is perfect timing and would start me on one of the coasts to set me up for a jaunt across... flights are reasonable too..
 
M HOUSE said:
Mav, I was looking at your possible schedules and I have a question. Are you talking about next year? Not sure exactly how it works on your side, but on this side of the pond May and June have already come and gone for this year.
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You gotta be kidding me!!

:smile:
 
ElMaverickUK said:
well well, it would appear my first little outing to North America (Canada) may now not be going ahead, and I find myself with one month off work beginning in 27 days....

...any suggestions?, was considering maybe doing a coast to coast drive over a few weeks... I am an Englishman without a destination.... can anyone help?
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Alone, newly single, loves pool, cashed-up...get to asia mate. Try Bangkok and Manila (definitely Bangers first).
 
have done Thailand buddy, was awesome indeed :), and Asia is going to be getting 6 months+ of my time next year, my buddy is getting married in Vietnam in October next year, so will go from there (thailand/cambodia/laos/vietnam/phillipenes/china/Korea/Japan)

always meant to get to the states, but never gotten around to it, now seems a good a time as any
 
Ah, ok. Will be interesting to see where the dollar goes after this week's bail out. The £ is still knackered and will be for years, I suspect.
 
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