Tat’s Bizarre Travels

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Philadelphia, PA - So, the world’s largest piñata isn’t really a travel destination as much as it is/was an event, but it’s still giant so I’m going to write about it.

The plan, concocted by Carnival Cruise Lines, was to built the world’s largest piñata and crack it open so that 8,000 pounds of candy would shower a parking lot of onlookers. It didn’t really happen that way, thus disappointing all that had come to watch… and nearly causing a riot. All in attendance were hugely disappointed, and although I was sad, there were some highlights that made it worth while.

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Fremont, WA - Under the Aurora Bridge in Fremont stands the Fremont Troll. He’s a large fellow with an apparent dislike for Volkswagen Bugs, or possibly a childish love that makes him have to possess them. Either way, he’s truly awesome…yet another of the great sites to see when wandering through Fremont.

The Fremont Troll was constructed by four local artists and was sponsored by the Fremont Arts Counsel. It’s quite a sight to behold and people flock to get a closer look, or just hang off of him (or out his nose). While I was there the troll went from being virtually alone to having at least 20 people gathered around at one time. Both kids and adults clamored around the beast to have their pictures taken. It was almost like Christmas the way the troll get’s everyone having a good time.

I’ve got to say, I especially love the big guy. Not only is he somewhat of an artistic masterpiece, I love how he’s hidden away under the bridge. It’s not a far trek from the hart of Fremont, but it’s still very close by to a bunch of residences. If you get a chance stop by, he’s right on (you guessed it) Troll Road.

Fremont, WA - You may wonder, as you walk through the streets of the free and democratic Fremont Washington what on earth is a statue of Lenin is doing there. And I don’t mean the Beatles Lenin (which may seem a bit more likely in this odd Seattle neighborhood), I mean the father of the Soviet Union. The man who helped to tear down the tyranny of the Russian monarchy and brought rise to even more tyranny, and a cold war, and now misplaced nuclear war heads. And why, you may wonder, is he standing in front of the Taco Del Mar in Fremont, WA? Well, as with all of the other awesomely bizarre treasures on the Fremont walking tour, you can read all about it.

Apparently Lenin was brought over by a Seattle resident who happened to be teaching English in the former Soviet republic. The statue was on the verge of being melted into scrap when he rescued it from becoming any number of classy Russian chachkies. After spending a whopping $13,000 for the statue and an even more impressive $41,000 for the shipping Lenin finally came to America. The owner passed away before he could enjoy the artwork he spent a small fortune on and so now the statue is on exhibit (and sale by the former owner’s estate for $250,000) on the corner of North 36^th Street.