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Post by maxgregor on Jul 8, 2014 9:26:47 GMT -5
Fellow mobsters,
I'm landing in the United States of America in a few weeks, doing a little Tour of the South, including NC, TN, MS and LA. Maybe AL and GA. Never FL.
Specially interested in New Orleans, Nashville and the Mississippi Delta.
I have some practical questions and maybe you can help:
MOBILE CARRIER. I'm going to buy a SIM card for my cellphone (unlocked) in order to have data connection.
Which is the most reliable company in there? I'm willing pay 10/20 more dollars for good coverage in the middle of the Delta. Does everybody offer 4G? Where should I go to buy the SIM?
GAS - TOLLS - ROADS. Well, this is a minor issue. I'm used to expensive gas and continous tolls. Where can I check different prices within states? any reliable app? Is there much price gap (taxes?) between NC and TN and MS?
GUNS GUNS GUNS. I've never fired a gun and this is something I would like to do while in there. Can I just go to a shooting range? Do I need a license? Will they help me, rent me a gun/shotgun/automatic and provide ammo? Any specific reccomendation?
RELIGION. Should I be concerned? Is anybody going to ask/require my religious beliefs? Is this a topic to avoid at all costs? I don't have any and I don't care about any cult unless it affects my life, which normally does not.
SECURITY. If you come to my city, I'll tell you: "Beware of pick pockets! They will lift your thing in a blink of an eye, in the metro, in the street." What should I be aware of?
That's it for the moment. If anybody has any suggestion for visiting and/or lives in this areas, I'll be glad to hear it. I'm interested in music, food, craft beer, golf and planes.
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vipr9
Underboss
Posts: 2,106 
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Post by vipr9 on Jul 8, 2014 10:05:51 GMT -5
Why never Florida? You're missing out imo. The Keys, Fort Laurderdale, Miami and Disney World/Universal Studios, The Everglades +more
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Post by maxgregor on Jul 8, 2014 10:28:59 GMT -5
Yes, you are right, that was a lame joke. I would love to visit Vice City and cruise The Everglades on an hovercraft. It just didn't fit in the Tour, as days are scarce and I was somehow "forced" to fly to Charlotte.
BTW, any idea on doing the same on the Mississippi River Delta?
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Post by knapptime247 on Jul 8, 2014 12:32:41 GMT -5
I more or less travel the states for a living, so being Canadian I am in the same boat as you. Here's my experience MOBILE CARRIER. As long as you're going to be in metro areas and major roads, check out Ting. It runs off of Sprint's network, but the great thing is how you can build a plan for your needs (like unlimited texting and data, but zero talk minutes). If you'd rather go with a major carrier straight up, Verizon edges out the competition from an out of country travellers point of view, and they have better data plans if you're going to use a lot, and you wont have to worry about coverage. GAS - TOLLS - ROADS. Gas Buddy is a cool app to find cheap gas, but the website will also show you average gas prices for each state/city. I don't know of anywhere to look up the total Toll based on your route, but most navigation systems (including good ol' Google Maps) will give you the option to avoid tolls. You can A/B them, but generally I would just keep some change handy and take the toll roads and avoid the hassle. It can be a pain in places like the midwest (Chicago, etc), but in general it's not so bad. GUNS GUNS GUNS. There are tons of shooting ranges depending on where you go, and many will have instructional classes. Look up "gun training" in whatever city you'll be in and I'm sure plenty of results will pop up. RELIGION. It wont matter, intolerance is everywhere but as long as you're not intolerant yourself there is literally nothing to worry about. SECURITY. Same thing, really. Some cities are worse than others but use your head and you'll be fine |
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Post by LunchAtNoon on Jul 8, 2014 12:45:23 GMT -5
Guns.
Its the south, everybody has and loves guns. Most gun ranges have rentals you can use and have staff to help you with any questions.
No license or citizenship required
Religion
In my opinion hardly anyone nowadays is super religious or nosey about your religion. So cross that worry out of your mind.
Safety
Like knapptime247 said use your head. Try not to look out of place, so in other word go incognito.
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Post by knapptime247 on Jul 8, 2014 12:52:24 GMT -5
Also, craft beer is EVERYWHERE. I'm also a huge beer fan, and it's my favourite thing about travelling the states for work. Everyone makes fun of America for their beer, but you can find a beer that's new to you every time you stop at the gas station, and for the most part they're all great. Any bar/restaurant worth going to will also have a fair selection of local beers on tap too, just ask for a recommendation.
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Post by LunchAtNoon on Jul 8, 2014 13:13:20 GMT -5
ALSO!!!! Escort services are not for helping you around! They are legalized prostitution businesses.
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vipr9
Underboss
Posts: 2,106
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Post by vipr9 on Jul 8, 2014 13:43:26 GMT -5
Be ready for heat. It's gonna feel like hell in the south in August
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Post by Big Notch on Jul 8, 2014 13:44:13 GMT -5
I can tell you a bit about New Orleans being a native.
MOBILE CARRIER. - Boost Mobile? I'm not too sure about this one honestly. I've been with AT&T my whole life and don't know of anything different honestly.
GAS - TOLLS - ROADS. In New Orleans, Gas is relatively cheap, there are NO TOLLS for the roads, but you'll see why tolls are not such a bad thing when you drive down the roads there. Roads are absolutely horrible. Probably some of the worst in the country. The city is below sea level and the ground under the streets are always sinking, creating some serious potholes.
GUNS GUNS GUNS. In New Orleans, there are plenty of guns. You might even have one pointed in your face while you're down there. But legally, laws here are pretty strict on them because of all the senseless murders that happen in the city.
RELIGION. Nobody is going to care in New Orleans honestly. Half of them don't even believe in God to begin with. And the place is so liberal and open that talk of religion is looked at as petty
SECURITY. New Orleans can be a very dangerous place. 10 people were shot on bourbon street last week. And that's a very busy area w/ cops everywhere. But for the most part if you follow common sense, you'll be okay.
There is unlimited Alcohol in New Orleans. It's like the Amsterdam of Alcohol. The city has the most bars per capita. There is one almost every block. The contrary to popular belief, the BEST bars are Uptown and NOT in the French Quarters.
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Post by maxgregor on Jul 10, 2014 8:45:01 GMT -5
Thank you Knapp for taking the time. I more or less travel the states for a living, so being Canadian I am in the same boat as you. Here's my experience MOBILE CARRIER. As long as you're going to be in metro areas and major roads If you'd rather go with a major carrier straight up, Verizon edges out the competition This Ting looks good, but I need a shop to buy the sim and I need good coverage in rural areas. Looks like Verizon should be my pick. I found a shop in my first stop: Kenny Fucking Powers hometown.  I thought At&T was better company. This is what I need. But, as I said, comparing prices to my place, it is like they give away gas.  Same thing with tolls. I pay 16 dollars for a 40 miles highway round trip to visit my parents. |
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Post by maxgregor on Jul 10, 2014 8:48:39 GMT -5
Guns. Its the south, everybody has and loves guns. Most gun ranges have rentals you can use and have staff to help you with any questions. No license or citizenship required Grrrreat. It is a love&hate affair with guns. I'm quite concerned about gun use in the States but at the same time, it's something I'd like to experience. I've already learnt those four important rules.  |
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Post by maxgregor on Jul 10, 2014 8:57:13 GMT -5
Also, craft beer is EVERYWHERE. I'm also a huge beer fan, and it's my favourite thing about travelling the states for work. Everyone makes fun of America for their beer, but you can find a beer that's new to you every time you stop at the gas station, and for the most part they're all great. Any bar/restaurant worth going to will also have a fair selection of local beers on tap too, just ask for a recommendation. When travelling, I try to only drink local beers. I also prefer tap over bottle. Here in Barcelona, the craft beer madness is on the rise. Lots of dedicated bars, fairs and everything. Local producers still have to learn a lot, but decent beers are being made. I've researched and Nashville and Asheville look like Heaven. Lots of bars and brewers. There's one beer I hope to find on a remote gas station cooler:  I know it is from Texas but, hey, maybe I'm lucky enough. |
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Post by maxgregor on Jul 10, 2014 9:01:14 GMT -5
ALSO!!!! Escort services are not for helping you around! They are legalized prostitution businesses. SHIT, I already booked a guide. I thought 600$ was a bit expensive but, hey, they seemed nice. Luckily for me, humidity and heat are common in my city too. I'm used to it and prefer thousand times over freezing temperatures. Also, mosquitoes are my friends and never bite me. |
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Post by maxgregor on Jul 10, 2014 9:34:37 GMT -5
I can tell you a bit about New Orleans being a native. oh yes! This trip is mostly to visit New Orleans and we are going to be there one full week. So feel free to tell me anything about your city. IMO, the most interesting place in the US. Could you please reccomend me some areas/places Uptown? Or a guide/website with live music schedules? I plan to go to Preservation Hall two or three times, depending on who plays. Also Uptown Tipitina's for The Honey Island Swamp Band. Cocrodiles play Siberia on the 15th and I see there's bounce night (will I be out of place in there? I believe). Pinettes Brass band in House of Blues. Paa Kow at Howlin Wolf. Clockwork Elvis at Kingpin Bar. I'd like to find some small venues for small/new bands. |
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Post by knapptime247 on Jul 10, 2014 13:12:57 GMT -5
This Ting looks good, but I need a shop to buy the sim and I need good coverage in rural areas. Looks like Verizon should be my pick. I found a shop in my first stop: Kenny Fucking Powers hometown. :D I thought At&T was better company. Verizon or ATT are more or less the same, but I give Verizon the edge solely on the fact that they have better Pre-Paid smartphone data plans. I also find that their data is "faster" and doesn't seem throttled like ATT. |
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