UPDATE!!! - 16th April, we're just about to leave for the US, but I;ve created a Map of all the places you will need, in one single palce, thanks Google, and Dad. Link here

I've had a question about getting a mobile phone in the states, this is probably for UK peole mostly, but here are the fruits of my research. You will need a handset that works in the US, Different frequency, look for tr-iband in the specs. Also a pay as you go SIM card, with number. Renting is easy, but can be relativley expensive, try Rentacell they want a 800$ refundable deposit! or PlanetOmni both have 'packages' which suit the temporary traveller well. Secondly buying a pay as you go phone outright is relatively cheap, but you would need a US bank account and an address in the US, T-Mobile have a phone for 80$.

UPDATE - 1st April . I've just added a new image to flickr, with pretty much all of my family noted on roll over notes, just so all you Americans know who people are. Might even help with some of my family.... picture is here. A preview here:

UPDATE 8th MARCH! - Also the deadline for reserving the reduced rate at the hilton is approaching, the 27th March is the deadline.

Update 7th March - wow, its been a while! but its all been going on, the invites went out, and you should be receiving they soon, or may have already received them, please RSVP, or no pudding! you can RSPV to Kris, Buffys' mom/mum or to me at ben@bpawson.co.uk Kris and I talk so we will share the information, just as long as you let us know.

UPDATE!! 21st Jan - I just found the Minneapolis tourist information website, looks good, especially the map section, we will get a load of paper maps, for all our out of town guests.

UPDATE 16th Jan, the link was not working, and seems odd, please try clicking or copy/pasting this into your browser if the below link does not work, sorry this is such a hassle: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/mspmhhh_gor/index.jhtml

UPDATE 15th Jan- The Hilton website had a glitch and reported the block booking full, its not, please try again, and drop us a line if you have problems.

UPDATE - The Depot is also reserved on a block booking, it's two blocks from the Missisippi at the other side of the downtown area from the Reception. Rates from 129$ a night, see below for more.

UPDATE - The Hilton block book website is up and running, click here for rooms at $149 per night.

UPDATE - We are considering organizing a trip to see the Minnesota twins play a baseball game on the Wednesday night before the wedding, we'll take a straw pole later on to see how many people are interested.

Car Hire:
There are all the major car hire companies at the airport, we have a block booking, and a group discount (details to come later), the website is here and the reference number is (coming later) for a week around the wedding the cost should be reasonable.

Maps:
We will have a free map available with all the relevant places marked, this should be good enough. For pre-travel research we have marked the following map sites with markers of all the major places involved in the wedding.


Google Maps

Our Lady of Victory Chapel - St Paul- Ceremony- Intersection of Randolph Avenue and Cleveland Avenue South.

Cafe Lurcat - Reception - 1624 Harmon place, Minneapolis.


Yahoo maps

Our Lady of Victory Chapel - St Paul- Ceremony- Intersection of Randolph Avenue and Cleveland Avenue South.

Cafe Lurcat - Reception - 1624 Harmon Place, Minneapolis.

There are a number of options, depending on your preferences:

We have a block reservation at the Hilton Minneapolis from Wednesday, April 25th until Sunday, April 29th, with a standard room rate of $149.00 per night.Tthe block reservation will be held until March 27th and you can reserve the rooms online here!

Another block booking was kindly organized by Buffys' friend Jess, who is GREAT!!, it's at the Depot, which is located two blocks form the Missipippi and a 20 minute walk from the reception venue, looks funky, and they are offering us a group rate of 129$ a night, you can call 00 1 612 375-1700 for reservations, mention the Gorrilla/Pawson Wedding room block, or email Heather Mentzos at hmentzos@csmcorp.net or Rachel Baribeau at rbaribeau@csmpcorp.net to make a booking.

Another idea, for groups, might be www.homeexchange.com or www.homelink.org. Where you can swap a week in your house for a house in Minneapolis.

Hotwire also do hotel rooms, and I just checked and they have prices from $39 to $129 a night for downtown hotels.

Oh, where to start....

	The Walker Art center, with a recent extension by Herzog and DeMeuron, lots of tip top quality Modern art, with a capital M
	The Walker Sculpture Garden, home of the cherry thing, and other groovy stuff, if you like your art busting up natures party... not me, white cube only thanks!
	Minneapolis Skyway... a whole network of bridges and internal passages that stretch from one end of the town center to the other, for when its cold, really cold, a whole grid of alleyways, and indoor shopping above the streets below
	The Mill City Museum, don't know much about this, but it looks hella cool...
	The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, with a name like that it can't be bad!
	The Weisman Museum, A Frank Gehry extension, and a weird place, good art inside, but the building is worth a visit alone, hung over the side of the Mississippi
	The Basilica of St Mary, lovely church, great organ, amazing setting, just down the road from the Walker art center.
	The Mississippi (I aim to spell it a different way each time I write it, because Buffy refuses to teach me the rhyme to spell it) its a big ole' river, lots to do on, around and over it, just don't go in it unless accompanied by an adult. The river font district is very nice, old (well American old) buildings and lots to do!

Your presence is present enough, but if you would like to we have registered at MACY'S and Williams Sonora