<< crossposted on the 'Loz in Translation' blog
My first 30HomeGames road trip was a short getaway with friends, an east coast jaunt at the start of 2015. I've just completed my second NBA journey, a month solo backpacking around Texas. On my first trip we rented a car and stayed in swanky accommodation. My recent outing was budget travel in the fashion I'm accustomed to, catching public transport and staying in hostels. It was quickly evident how impractical and atypical this was. Backpacker infrastructure in America isn't well developed, particularly outside the main metropolises. American road trips customarily involve rental cars and motels, a function of how ingrained car culture is in the States.
My maiden 2015 visit was a more traditional American road trip. Whilst saving on comfort costs as part of a collective, I conversely found it more touristic. I wasn't able to indulge in as many of my passions and go down weird rabbitholes having to conform to the whims of the group. This Texas trip was more like my previous backpacking adventures. Going solo opened me up to more opportunities and connections. I sought out comedy and wrestling, hung with locals at their spots and got to explore Universities and sit in on a megachurch. The clash of styles I experienced on my first two trips gives me perspective for future excursions and how to best balance the pros and cons.
Timing was crucial on this trip as I had a target of seeing all 8 Aussies in the NBA. I had a set itinerary of games to make which posed some restrictions. The 'ROH' wrestling show in Arlington were the only advanced tickets I purchased however so I wasn't beholden financially. Thankfully my calendar dovetailed nicely with several events. Notably Houston's 'Come and Take it' Comedy festival and 'Unelectable You' in Dallas. The latter a treat, realising the regional advertisements I'd heard on podcasts for months were suddenly applicable being in town.
Playing board games was a new pastime I'd picked up last year and it translated well on the road. On my first night stateside I attended a games meetup and made new running mates which opened the door to many local experiences. I attended several parties for halloween, experienced VR at a lavish house and finally participated in a Hash Run after being made aware of it years ago. I'd often tell people that basketball was great because while "you couldn't invite yourself over to dinner, you can with sports". The board game scene is similarly welcoming.
Whilst I value organic experiences, part of the 30HomeGames project is connecting with fellow hoopsheads and seeking unique fan experiences through social media. My first contact with the NBA was at Madison Square garden, the New York Knicks kindly hosting my friends and I to pre-game access. Whilst difficult to top, I was kindly welcomed by Rockets die-hard @00_rocketgirl and the 'Red Rowdies' cheer section to fire up the team. Particularly memorable as they're enjoying renewed success and celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a franchise. Olajuwon and the Rockets were my first love when I began watching the NBA as a kid.
Part of the reason I traveled during that time was to witness the outcome of a historic election. It gave the period a special sense of import. Austin, the only non-NBA destination for the trip was finally ticked off my bucket list being a big fan of local filmmakers Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez.
I'm undecided for my next NBA plan but with fingers crossed am plotting a quick return for the coming playoffs. With my modest means (work leave and money) I can only manage one stateside trip per season but I'd make special exceptions to watch my Grizzlies make a finals push. Prioritised for 2017 is AfroBasket in Congo-Brazzaville, which would complete the FIBA set. Having been to EuroBasket, FIBA Americas, FIBA Oceania and FIBA Asia biennial tournaments previously.
As for the NBA home games, 6 teams down and plenty more adventure to go :)
My NBA Trips so far:
East Coast 2015 (NYK, CLE, PHI)
- Coolspotting: 30HG '2015 NBA RoadTrip' Tip-off and Schedule (1 of 2)
- Coolspotting: 30HG '2015 NBA RoadTrip' Champagne and Campaign spots (2 of 2)
- LozinTransit in 2015: American Roadtrip, FIBA Oceania and Asia
- #30HomeGames in 2015: USA Roadtrip and being the Ultimate NBA fan
Texs Triangle 2016 (DAL, SAS, HOU)
- Texas Triangle 2016: NBA Roadtrip wishlist
- LozinTransit in Texas, 2016: Spurs/Rockets/Mavs. Comedy, Wrestling and the US Election
My first 30HomeGames road trip was a short getaway with friends, an east coast jaunt at the start of 2015. I've just completed my second NBA journey, a month solo backpacking around Texas. On my first trip we rented a car and stayed in swanky accommodation. My recent outing was budget travel in the fashion I'm accustomed to, catching public transport and staying in hostels. It was quickly evident how impractical and atypical this was. Backpacker infrastructure in America isn't well developed, particularly outside the main metropolises. American road trips customarily involve rental cars and motels, a function of how ingrained car culture is in the States.
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#30HGsouthwest Texas Triangle
Oct 27 - Nov 23, 2016
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Timing was crucial on this trip as I had a target of seeing all 8 Aussies in the NBA. I had a set itinerary of games to make which posed some restrictions. The 'ROH' wrestling show in Arlington were the only advanced tickets I purchased however so I wasn't beholden financially. Thankfully my calendar dovetailed nicely with several events. Notably Houston's 'Come and Take it' Comedy festival and 'Unelectable You' in Dallas. The latter a treat, realising the regional advertisements I'd heard on podcasts for months were suddenly applicable being in town.
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| I love these games |
Whilst I value organic experiences, part of the 30HomeGames project is connecting with fellow hoopsheads and seeking unique fan experiences through social media. My first contact with the NBA was at Madison Square garden, the New York Knicks kindly hosting my friends and I to pre-game access. Whilst difficult to top, I was kindly welcomed by Rockets die-hard @00_rocketgirl and the 'Red Rowdies' cheer section to fire up the team. Particularly memorable as they're enjoying renewed success and celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a franchise. Olajuwon and the Rockets were my first love when I began watching the NBA as a kid.
Part of the reason I traveled during that time was to witness the outcome of a historic election. It gave the period a special sense of import. Austin, the only non-NBA destination for the trip was finally ticked off my bucket list being a big fan of local filmmakers Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez.
I'm undecided for my next NBA plan but with fingers crossed am plotting a quick return for the coming playoffs. With my modest means (work leave and money) I can only manage one stateside trip per season but I'd make special exceptions to watch my Grizzlies make a finals push. Prioritised for 2017 is AfroBasket in Congo-Brazzaville, which would complete the FIBA set. Having been to EuroBasket, FIBA Americas, FIBA Oceania and FIBA Asia biennial tournaments previously.
As for the NBA home games, 6 teams down and plenty more adventure to go :)
My NBA Trips so far:
East Coast 2015 (NYK, CLE, PHI)
- Coolspotting: 30HG '2015 NBA RoadTrip' Tip-off and Schedule (1 of 2)
- Coolspotting: 30HG '2015 NBA RoadTrip' Champagne and Campaign spots (2 of 2)
- LozinTransit in 2015: American Roadtrip, FIBA Oceania and Asia
- #30HomeGames in 2015: USA Roadtrip and being the Ultimate NBA fan
Texs Triangle 2016 (DAL, SAS, HOU)
- Texas Triangle 2016: NBA Roadtrip wishlist
- LozinTransit in Texas, 2016: Spurs/Rockets/Mavs. Comedy, Wrestling and the US Election
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