Monday, October 10, 2005
In Boston for the week. Because of timing with conferences and airfares, decided to go up by Greyhound, taking almost 20 hours.
Suggested Greyhound motto "We hate our customers and it shows". Employees just making fun of us for getting in lines instead of explaining what was going on.
Uncomfortable buses so didn't get much sleep. At least was able to buy flashlight and pillow at Richmond Greyhound store, which had lots of affordable and useful stuff--even started Christmas shopping with cheap books. Couldn't resist pink hippo though passed on anorexic stuffed greyhound.
Got to Boston an hour early because of connections so wandered shopping strip (the original Filene's basement) and Boston Commons. Church for homeless, got invited in but declined. Couldn't get ahold of Cecilia so went to Beantown hostel. So-so, $30 for really shabby place on third floor above Hooters. A little noisy with TV and smallish with no windows and only one bathroom stall. Never really ends up feeling like bargain when calculate that was rooming with 5 other people in room. Overall not worst place I've stayed, but seemed overpriced for what offered--even had to pay extra if wanted towel.
Suggested Greyhound motto "We hate our customers and it shows". Employees just making fun of us for getting in lines instead of explaining what was going on.
Uncomfortable buses so didn't get much sleep. At least was able to buy flashlight and pillow at Richmond Greyhound store, which had lots of affordable and useful stuff--even started Christmas shopping with cheap books. Couldn't resist pink hippo though passed on anorexic stuffed greyhound.
Got to Boston an hour early because of connections so wandered shopping strip (the original Filene's basement) and Boston Commons. Church for homeless, got invited in but declined. Couldn't get ahold of Cecilia so went to Beantown hostel. So-so, $30 for really shabby place on third floor above Hooters. A little noisy with TV and smallish with no windows and only one bathroom stall. Never really ends up feeling like bargain when calculate that was rooming with 5 other people in room. Overall not worst place I've stayed, but seemed overpriced for what offered--even had to pay extra if wanted towel.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Last week NYC weekend
Had been hoping to go to Kelly's wedding for a while, was extremely lucky to find webfare that week in order to make last minute arrangements. Ride there from roomie and got oriented pretty quickly with maps at airport. Picked up "Time-Out" at airport and decided while on bus to go see Off-Broadway play, "No Foreigners Beyond this Point". Worked out well--started at 3 so had time to explore the neighborhood on Bleeker street. Story about two American ESL teachers who come to China just after the Cultural Revolution, in Guandong province. Interactions with students, with suspicious administration and spying maids. At end, she stays he leaves and as they reunite 20 years later, she mentions reading books on post-traumatic stress to help them, asks "Do they even realize their empire is declining?" referring to US and mentions time in winter when "inside" and "outside" expression became one.
Very powerful play.
When let out, took train to Grand Central station and gaped around at buildings as I walked to hotel. Ceremony went by quickly since vows in front of judge followed by reception with much food and dinner-dance with band. Hunter found me before ceremony and Penny was bridesmaid so joined us at reception afterwards. Much 30s singles angst between them about finding "the one". Bouquet went to Japanese guy who Kelly wildly missed but obviously was trying to throw to.
Afterwards was late so Penny let me stay with her at hotel. Was an adventure--we walked several blocks there, waited in line only to find they had overbooked since she hadn't checked in yet. So then phone calls to find other hotel room since it was guaranteed. Taxi to hotel.
Morning--brunch across street--banana pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice at small place. Walk to Central Park. Many runners from morning "the cure" event for breast cancer. Also many dogs and baby carriages. Stopped into historical society and natural history museum. More green cutting through park. Music and people starting folk dance lessons in the park. MET museum much too big to see all, but felt good about what saw. Walking back through Upper East side to see architecture. Was very nostalgic for Chicago. Went into Trump Tower and St. Patrick's cathedral as well as American Girl's and Disney Store. Got souveneirs at latter while found out about new Native American character at former. Wrapped up evening with Times Square, with lights, very much akin to Tokyo. Got some pictures, chatted with Latvian immigrant and t-shirt guy gave me his cell phone number. Train to Flushing to stay with Mary Pat. Wee ones woke me up early so rather groggy, but amusing experience with them in the morning. Meep's husband stays at home with kids.
Finally got out, first to MOMA. Went to Design place across the street which had Native American exhibit. Then got caught up in gift shop, which had postcards for all the paintings I wanted to see and really wonderfully designed household items like kitchenwares and appliances(would have been great for Kelly's wedding registry). More wandering, walked to Empire State Building and went to top. Long lines, gorilla, a little overcast but could see a lot. Next to City Hall where walked to Ground Zero. Strange feeling--just concrete surrounded by gate and hard to see where there was even space for two humongous buildings like that. St Paul's chapel nice contrast nearby--surrounded by older graves which somehow seemed appropriate even though they were totally unrelated. Luckily next to subway station which ended up working perfectly to get to airport on time. Though flight ended up delayed by over an hour! Oh well....
Had been hoping to go to Kelly's wedding for a while, was extremely lucky to find webfare that week in order to make last minute arrangements. Ride there from roomie and got oriented pretty quickly with maps at airport. Picked up "Time-Out" at airport and decided while on bus to go see Off-Broadway play, "No Foreigners Beyond this Point". Worked out well--started at 3 so had time to explore the neighborhood on Bleeker street. Story about two American ESL teachers who come to China just after the Cultural Revolution, in Guandong province. Interactions with students, with suspicious administration and spying maids. At end, she stays he leaves and as they reunite 20 years later, she mentions reading books on post-traumatic stress to help them, asks "Do they even realize their empire is declining?" referring to US and mentions time in winter when "inside" and "outside" expression became one.
Very powerful play.
When let out, took train to Grand Central station and gaped around at buildings as I walked to hotel. Ceremony went by quickly since vows in front of judge followed by reception with much food and dinner-dance with band. Hunter found me before ceremony and Penny was bridesmaid so joined us at reception afterwards. Much 30s singles angst between them about finding "the one". Bouquet went to Japanese guy who Kelly wildly missed but obviously was trying to throw to.
Afterwards was late so Penny let me stay with her at hotel. Was an adventure--we walked several blocks there, waited in line only to find they had overbooked since she hadn't checked in yet. So then phone calls to find other hotel room since it was guaranteed. Taxi to hotel.
Morning--brunch across street--banana pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice at small place. Walk to Central Park. Many runners from morning "the cure" event for breast cancer. Also many dogs and baby carriages. Stopped into historical society and natural history museum. More green cutting through park. Music and people starting folk dance lessons in the park. MET museum much too big to see all, but felt good about what saw. Walking back through Upper East side to see architecture. Was very nostalgic for Chicago. Went into Trump Tower and St. Patrick's cathedral as well as American Girl's and Disney Store. Got souveneirs at latter while found out about new Native American character at former. Wrapped up evening with Times Square, with lights, very much akin to Tokyo. Got some pictures, chatted with Latvian immigrant and t-shirt guy gave me his cell phone number. Train to Flushing to stay with Mary Pat. Wee ones woke me up early so rather groggy, but amusing experience with them in the morning. Meep's husband stays at home with kids.
Finally got out, first to MOMA. Went to Design place across the street which had Native American exhibit. Then got caught up in gift shop, which had postcards for all the paintings I wanted to see and really wonderfully designed household items like kitchenwares and appliances(would have been great for Kelly's wedding registry). More wandering, walked to Empire State Building and went to top. Long lines, gorilla, a little overcast but could see a lot. Next to City Hall where walked to Ground Zero. Strange feeling--just concrete surrounded by gate and hard to see where there was even space for two humongous buildings like that. St Paul's chapel nice contrast nearby--surrounded by older graves which somehow seemed appropriate even though they were totally unrelated. Luckily next to subway station which ended up working perfectly to get to airport on time. Though flight ended up delayed by over an hour! Oh well....
