We have never really known why they call New York City "The Big Apple" (have not really taken the time to google it). After a few days stay we certainly know why it is also called"the city that never sleeps." Summer days last until close to 9:00 P.M. when the sun sets. We all know how difficult it is to go to sleep before the sun has set! Then there is the heat, who can sleep when the only time you can walk around without the concern of a sunburn is in the evening/night?
Our stay in NYC, has been mostly a whirlwind experience, we get up, get ready, go out see, explore and come back to our hotel room exhausted from all the running around. It has been a wonderful and enriching experience to explore a city with such broad and diverse history. Since we could not leave without having New York style pizza, we decided to go to a place that was recommended by a local, "John's Pizza" (not to be confused with Papa John's). It was right next to Times Square. Very good pizza indeed, although we are comparing with California pizza so it's a little different.
Since the day we arrived the weather forecasters predicted rain. We are truly grateful that for once it has not rained on us even when it was predicted. A nice way to bid a great city goodbye. We love NYC, we promise to be back someday!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Uptown New York
Today we have have had much better touring experience than we did yesterday in terms of the hop on hop off. We had a knowledgeable tour guide that took us to the uptown part of the city. Yesterday we went to the statue of liberty (liberty island) and through different parts of downtown New York with a tour guide that was humming songs almost the entire time. She did not know what to say(and she demanded tips)! We decided to get off and get on a different buss but all of them were overcrowded and we ended up sitting on the bottom (which is useless because we could not see anything). Today we got to see Harlem, and Central Park as well as the Upper East side. Rain was predicted for today, but so far we have been fortunate enough to only have cloudy skies in the morning and really great weather afterwards. Our day is not over but we hope to go to the other side of the Hudson river later tonight, where we will be able to get good pictures of the New York skyline. Until tomorrow...
The Big Red (Puffing) Apple
On Thursday we had a wonderful day touring the big apple. The following is our top ten list for the day.
Things (people) we miss from CA
1. Our Family
2. Our Friends
3. The weather (dry and comfortable).
4. Our Bed
5. Our kitchen
6. The banned smoking areas almost everywhere!
7. 7-8 Hours of Sleep (specially Alec!)
8. Spacious streets, homes and buildings in general
9. Our couch (Alec's favorite)
10. You.
Things (people) we don't miss from CA
1. Our Jobs
2. Our Schedule
3. The 405 freeway
4. Work related phone calls
5. Sales calls and telemarketing calls at home at 8:00 A.M.
6. The Pizza
7. The diversity of food choices
8. Bills to Pay
9. Returning Phone Calls
10. WORK!!!!!
Things (people) we miss from CA
1. Our Family
2. Our Friends
3. The weather (dry and comfortable).
4. Our Bed
5. Our kitchen
6. The banned smoking areas almost everywhere!
7. 7-8 Hours of Sleep (specially Alec!)
8. Spacious streets, homes and buildings in general
9. Our couch (Alec's favorite)
10. You.
Things (people) we don't miss from CA
1. Our Jobs
2. Our Schedule
3. The 405 freeway
4. Work related phone calls
5. Sales calls and telemarketing calls at home at 8:00 A.M.
6. The Pizza
7. The diversity of food choices
8. Bills to Pay
9. Returning Phone Calls
10. WORK!!!!!
Do's and Don'ts
On Wednesday July 7th, we headed towards New York City our final destination of our vacation. Here is a list of our do's and our Don'ts based on our experience:
Don't
1. Ever take the Amtrak from any destination in the east to another city. They will cancel the trip and squeeze everyone into one train. Stop at every possible stop and take literally twice as long than originally expected! A 2 1/2 hour trip will be 6 hours including wait time. Is it really worth your time, while on vacation?
2. Don't go wait for the train on an empty stomach, it can be hours or days until your next meal.
3. Don't take the train!
4. Don't buy tickets to the gray line company (red buses) of the Hop on Hop off in New York City. They are overcrowded and run a lot less often than the Blue sightseeing Hop on Hop Off.
5. Don't take Amtrak!!!
Do
1. Pay whatever necessary for a good night stay.
2. Stay in a location that is centrally located in town. Everything will take a lot less time to accomplish.
3. Bring good walking shoes or lots of money for cabs.
4. Bring a good Umbrella, even if it's summer and sunny.
Don't
1. Ever take the Amtrak from any destination in the east to another city. They will cancel the trip and squeeze everyone into one train. Stop at every possible stop and take literally twice as long than originally expected! A 2 1/2 hour trip will be 6 hours including wait time. Is it really worth your time, while on vacation?
2. Don't go wait for the train on an empty stomach, it can be hours or days until your next meal.
3. Don't take the train!
4. Don't buy tickets to the gray line company (red buses) of the Hop on Hop off in New York City. They are overcrowded and run a lot less often than the Blue sightseeing Hop on Hop Off.
5. Don't take Amtrak!!!
Do
1. Pay whatever necessary for a good night stay.
2. Stay in a location that is centrally located in town. Everything will take a lot less time to accomplish.
3. Bring good walking shoes or lots of money for cabs.
4. Bring a good Umbrella, even if it's summer and sunny.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Smithsonian Memories
Someday everything we did today will be all gone, all but a memory. The memories we will retain will be meaningful and unique for all three of us on different levels. Our first stop today was the museum (strategically planed since it was 105 f. outdoors today). The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History was were we spent most of our time. Viewing dinosaurs (guess who's idea that was?) . Then we scheduled an appointment to view over 60 species of butterflies in their natural habitat. Wow, we had never been so close and in such proximity to so many beautiful butterflies! The tour includes walking into a chamber where the butterflies flutter around you, while you walk around plants and greenery. In some cases they even land on you (which the guide said is good luck).
After our amazing butterfly tour we had a chance to visit the Ford theater where President Abraham Lincoln was shot (he lived across the street). Alec had never visited so he really enjoyed the experience. Finally he (Alec) wanted us to post the fact that he was on the radio today. It turns out that our rental car is a Ford and since it is fairly new it is still under the free trial satellite subscription. One of the many many radio stations that it has is a station for kids. As Alec was listening they urged the listener (kids) to call in, say their name, where they were from, why they liked the station and then announce the next song. Because we have spent so much time on the road and traveling Alec thought that it would be interesting to do something different then playing his D.S. so he called in...got through, said his name, where he was from and announced the next song. A special version of the song from the movie "Wizard of Oz" "Somewhere over the rainbow" What a thrill that was! He almost forgot how old he was! Maybe because these are the last few days of being 9 years old...
All that walking and all those memories are enough to get anyone tired, so we are done for the day. We are now at our hotel, packing up for our train ride tomorrow to New York City, our last stop on our vacation. We hope we can blog while in New York, there is a possibility they may not have computer access. If not, we will update our blog upon our return home, if so then we will be back tomorrow at about this time. Good Night.
After our amazing butterfly tour we had a chance to visit the Ford theater where President Abraham Lincoln was shot (he lived across the street). Alec had never visited so he really enjoyed the experience. Finally he (Alec) wanted us to post the fact that he was on the radio today. It turns out that our rental car is a Ford and since it is fairly new it is still under the free trial satellite subscription. One of the many many radio stations that it has is a station for kids. As Alec was listening they urged the listener (kids) to call in, say their name, where they were from, why they liked the station and then announce the next song. Because we have spent so much time on the road and traveling Alec thought that it would be interesting to do something different then playing his D.S. so he called in...got through, said his name, where he was from and announced the next song. A special version of the song from the movie "Wizard of Oz" "Somewhere over the rainbow" What a thrill that was! He almost forgot how old he was! Maybe because these are the last few days of being 9 years old...
All that walking and all those memories are enough to get anyone tired, so we are done for the day. We are now at our hotel, packing up for our train ride tomorrow to New York City, our last stop on our vacation. We hope we can blog while in New York, there is a possibility they may not have computer access. If not, we will update our blog upon our return home, if so then we will be back tomorrow at about this time. Good Night.
Government For the People...
After a wonderful 4th of July we continued on our all American vacation in the capitol of our country, paying a visit to the Capitol Building. We had attempted to schedule a tour of the White House but that was not available so we were granted the opportunity to tour the Capitol Building. A unique and wonderful learning experience. The tour guide expressed it to Alec succinctly: "to travel is to learn and educate yourself" and learn we did. We stood in the exact room where presidents have been payed their last respects. We also got a chance to visit the Library of Congress. What a beautiful part of the building that is! (when we post pictures we will include some of that part of our tour) Everything that took place indoors was wonderful. Outside the thermometer was no lower than 95 f. all day! With humidity!!! Being the determined Americans that we are, we still walked up the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial monument and walked around the Korean war sculpture Monument. Our experience with the White House, was not as good because of all the possible threats, it is viewed from about 1/4 mile distance. The zoom of our lens was the only thing that made it possible to view it more distinctly. A significant difference from when we came in 1999 and were able to walk right up and get a tour of the inside without reservations! Times have changed without a doubt. We are still proud to be living in this country under God indivisible and justice for all.
Land of the Free
As suspected we were too tired to log on on Sunday July 4th. 2010. After the late fireworks and and some travel time to our hotel it was impossible to blog our day on Sunday. Monday we stayed at hotel that did not have a computer room so it was impossible to maintain our blog on that day as well, so here we are 2 days later, giving a delayed account of our holiday.
This fourth of July was one of the longest we have ever had. We got up at 4:00 a.m to get ready and be on time for our 7:30 a.m. flight out of Birmingham Alabama. Between returning our rental car and the shuttle from one place to the other and all the inspections at the airport, it was just enough time to catch our flight to Baltimore Maryland. We spent an hour and a half on the first part of the flight, an hour and a half in Charlotte N.C. (our layover) and another hour and a half from Charlotte to Baltimore, 4-5 hours for what should have been a 3 hour flight! Because the threat alert was high on the 4th, were searched intensely. Finally we arrived at 1:30 p.m. but because of the time change we lost an hour, again....despite all the time lost, we, all three of us concurred that it was one of the best 4th of July's we have ever spent. It was amazing to be sitting at the Washington D.C. Mall, looking out towards the Lincoln Memorial, right next to the Washington Monument commemorating the most American of holidays. Because the sun does not set until close to 9:00 p.m. the fireworks did not start until after 9:00 p.m., once again well worth it! We enjoyed the fireworks synchronized to music and would not exchange the experience regardless of all the idle time during the day. For us one of the best, we have ever had. There must of been hundreds of thousands of people in one place, with the liberty of doing whatever they wanted, yet respecting each other and their country! An amazing experience for anyone to be had.
This fourth of July was one of the longest we have ever had. We got up at 4:00 a.m to get ready and be on time for our 7:30 a.m. flight out of Birmingham Alabama. Between returning our rental car and the shuttle from one place to the other and all the inspections at the airport, it was just enough time to catch our flight to Baltimore Maryland. We spent an hour and a half on the first part of the flight, an hour and a half in Charlotte N.C. (our layover) and another hour and a half from Charlotte to Baltimore, 4-5 hours for what should have been a 3 hour flight! Because the threat alert was high on the 4th, were searched intensely. Finally we arrived at 1:30 p.m. but because of the time change we lost an hour, again....despite all the time lost, we, all three of us concurred that it was one of the best 4th of July's we have ever spent. It was amazing to be sitting at the Washington D.C. Mall, looking out towards the Lincoln Memorial, right next to the Washington Monument commemorating the most American of holidays. Because the sun does not set until close to 9:00 p.m. the fireworks did not start until after 9:00 p.m., once again well worth it! We enjoyed the fireworks synchronized to music and would not exchange the experience regardless of all the idle time during the day. For us one of the best, we have ever had. There must of been hundreds of thousands of people in one place, with the liberty of doing whatever they wanted, yet respecting each other and their country! An amazing experience for anyone to be had.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Different Kind of Saturday
Today was a very different kind of Saturday. We spent the night about a 20 min. drive from the Georgia Dome, which is where we had to be in the morning, but it was well worth it. Peace and quiet are worth every penny spent.
We arrived to find that it was full to capacity, parking and all! 75,000 people all under one roof! A significantly different experience from what we are used to on Saturday. The sermon was by Ted Wilson, the son of a former world church president. Very traditional, conservative, familiar in nature. The challenge came at the end...trying to exit the place with all those people! Well, we did and we even made it back in time to spend a few hours back there. Meeting up with old friends, and people we had not seen the first few days we were there. Once again we were happy to be able to see people we had not seen in 10-15 years, some even more.
We are now spending a few hours back in Birmingham, Alabama. We will be departing at 7:40 a.m. to Baltimore MD where we will drive to Washington D.C. for a very American, red white and blue 4Th of July.
Have a wonderful, safe, happy day tomorrow. Will be back (if not too tired) tomorrow night after the fireworks.
We arrived to find that it was full to capacity, parking and all! 75,000 people all under one roof! A significantly different experience from what we are used to on Saturday. The sermon was by Ted Wilson, the son of a former world church president. Very traditional, conservative, familiar in nature. The challenge came at the end...trying to exit the place with all those people! Well, we did and we even made it back in time to spend a few hours back there. Meeting up with old friends, and people we had not seen the first few days we were there. Once again we were happy to be able to see people we had not seen in 10-15 years, some even more.
We are now spending a few hours back in Birmingham, Alabama. We will be departing at 7:40 a.m. to Baltimore MD where we will drive to Washington D.C. for a very American, red white and blue 4Th of July.
Have a wonderful, safe, happy day tomorrow. Will be back (if not too tired) tomorrow night after the fireworks.
Friday, July 2, 2010
"Open Happiness"
Last night we stayed at a hotel with what seemed like the entire 75,000 attendees to the G.C. Not only was it crowded, but it was loud and not the usual quiet, clean, impeccable Hyatt that we are used to. We remained at the site because it was the only reservation that we had, but thank goodness we are at a new Hyatt tonight and very happy as usual.
We got up today and after our morning routine we headed to downtown Atlanta to meet up with our friends, the Sabot's. Little did we know that Atlanta has almost as much traffic as the 101, 405 or 10 freeway in Los Angeles. After a long trek we finally made it and met up to tour the Coca Cola museum (hence the title of our blog today). Although I am not a Coca Cola lover or drinker, we all had the opportunity today to sample over 60 different kinds of drinks made by Coca Cola (no we didn't drink full 8 oz. of all 60!). We also sampled, coke zero, cherry coke, diet coke, vanilla coke, etc etc (wow, we never knew so many existed!) finally an added bonus was watching a few movies in 3D and 4D (all relating to Coke of course).
Since we are here to attend the G.C., we did attend a little while after the Coke tour ;-)
We would say Good night at this time, but caffeine and sugar impaired our sleep, so we will keep writing until tomorrow morning ha-ha-ha just kidding
Goooooooooood NIIIIIIIIIIIGTT! (just a little hyper and O.D'ed today;-)
We got up today and after our morning routine we headed to downtown Atlanta to meet up with our friends, the Sabot's. Little did we know that Atlanta has almost as much traffic as the 101, 405 or 10 freeway in Los Angeles. After a long trek we finally made it and met up to tour the Coca Cola museum (hence the title of our blog today). Although I am not a Coca Cola lover or drinker, we all had the opportunity today to sample over 60 different kinds of drinks made by Coca Cola (no we didn't drink full 8 oz. of all 60!). We also sampled, coke zero, cherry coke, diet coke, vanilla coke, etc etc (wow, we never knew so many existed!) finally an added bonus was watching a few movies in 3D and 4D (all relating to Coke of course).
Since we are here to attend the G.C., we did attend a little while after the Coke tour ;-)
We would say Good night at this time, but caffeine and sugar impaired our sleep, so we will keep writing until tomorrow morning ha-ha-ha just kidding
Goooooooooood NIIIIIIIIIIIGTT! (just a little hyper and O.D'ed today;-)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Reunited
We finally reached our destination for this portion of our trip. After a good lunch in downtown Atlanta(which is beautiful!), we headed to to the Georgia Dome, where we were able to meet a couple dozen friends that we had not seen. Some in a looooong time and others quite recently. Some from as close as Los Angeles, around the corner from where we live, and others as far as Africa! Some we missed and others we could not even remember their names! But all in all a wonderful fun experience. Alec got to see his good friends Nicole and Jeremy Sabot so everything else was not as boring :-)
Tomorrow we have agreed to meet our friends for a tour of the Coca Cola museum. We are still looking forward to the peaches, hopefully before we leave.
Good Night.
Tomorrow we have agreed to meet our friends for a tour of the Coca Cola museum. We are still looking forward to the peaches, hopefully before we leave.
Good Night.
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