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USA 2014

August - October 2014
  • Trotting the Globe
A 54-day adventure by Trotting the Globe Read more
  • Trotting the Globe

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  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 17, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Caught the subway to World Trade Centre to go to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial this morning. Watched a short movie that had some different footage of the spread of the smoke and debris from the attacks and it really emphasised the horror people must have felt at the time. We spent about three hours there. It's a very respectful museum that covers every aspect of before, during and after the attacks. Some of it is quite emotional and confronting and by the end of it I felt I couldn't take any more. They have preserved many pieces of the original structure, many, many artefacts/personal effects and several emergency vehicles and all with great respect and acknowledgement as only Americans know how. Some of the most confronting exhibits were the recordings of people on the planes who called home to tell them what was happening and that they loved them. The Last Column, with the names and tokens of rememberance attached to it is very symbolic of the Memory of thise killed and of hope for the future. The thought that has gone into every detail of this Museum is a credit to all involved in it's development and design and it must bring great comfort to the victims' families. While this is an iconic American monument commemorating an attack on the United States, it is an important reminder to us all of how tragedy can unite people and ensure that evil forces do not win. A very moving but emotional experience.Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 17, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    After leaving the WTC we crossed the road and found another memorial, which we discovered was on the wall of the Fire Station across the road. An African American gentleman was polishing the copper bas relief-style memorial that honours those from that station who died in the attack. There was a poster with photos of the officers from that station who died and there certainly were a lot of them. All the while the man polishing was relaying facts and information about the attack. As the anniversary of the attacks was last week there were still wreaths and bunches of flowers at the base. This was a less formal but just as poignant a memorial.Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 18, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    After leaving the WTC we had to ask an Officer for directions to the subway (once again we were going in the wrong direction). The 7 day Metro Cards we had bought two days ago were problematic because mine worked but Ron's didn't. Once you swipe it if it doesn't work you have to wait 18 minutes before you can re-try swiping it!! So we bought single-trip tickets and hoped that the other ticket would still work later. The subway is not always intuitive but it does help to know whether you are going uptown or downtown!!! We wanted to get to the High Line so got off at 14 St and when we came out we were in Union Park, Chelsea (Meatpacking District) and there was a market on in the square. It had a West African/African American feel with drums/music and was very lively and vibrant. We were on 5th Ave and had to walk across to 10th Ave and although it was a long way it was very pleasant and interesting. There were some very old brownstones with fire escapes (just like in the movies) and some VERY upscale stores along the way. It was different again from anywhere we have been so far. We reached the High Line and walked along it until we got to 30th St. It's a fantastic walk along a converted elevated railway line. There were lots of benches along the way, people reading or sunbaking, a couple drumming, and a few carts selling popsicles. One section was closed off and appeared to have tables beautifully set for a dinner. It really is an oasis of calm in the middle of the city and it's no wonder it has become incredibly popular. Either side of the concrete walkway was planted with a variety of plants the entire length of the Line. After eating tonight we ventured into TImes Square again and retired with very aching legs from all the walking we had done!Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 18, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Caught the subway to Brooklyn Bridge stop and walked across the bridge. The approaches to get onto it and off it were almost as long as the bridge itself. Fantastic views of Manhattan and the Freedom Tower rose like a beacon above everything else. Could see the Statue of Liberty clearly in the distance. Once off the bridge we walked under it until we found Grimaldi's Pizza for lunch. Lovely thin crust pizza that was huge but we still managed to finish it!! Walked back to the subway and caught the train to Grand Central Terminal, had a look around and then walked back to the hotel. We were both pretty tired after all the walking of the last two days so we had a rest before the Social. It's the last one for the week so we'll make the most of it. Decided to see a show tonight - a toss-up between the musical Matilda the Musical and Les Mis. Matilda won and we are so glad it did. Its based on a Roald Dahl story and starred a large group of children aged about 8,9,10. They were amazing - all the cast were amazing and the special effects were incredible in the small Shubert theatre. It's a beautiful intimate little theatre and at one stage it had four swings on stage and the cast were swinging out towards the audience. We had fantastic seats at a pretty "fantastic" price but it was well worth it! A great end to another great day!Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 19, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Did a practice run to Penn Station to see how long it takes, in preparation for Monday. Once we get there we find the "Red Caps" and get them to look after the luggage and make sure we make it onto the train. After regrouping we walkd across town from 8th Ave to 5th Ave ( they're wide blocks) and uptown along 5th from 42nd St to 59th St (not so wide blocks) to Central Park. The wind was cold in the 5th Ave canyon!! Passed all the enormous flagship stores -
    It has a pretty impersonal feel to it because the buildings are all so high. Got to the Park about lunchtime and made our way to Tavern on the Green for lunch. It's an old building that's just reopened after extensive renovations and was a nice place to eat. We gradually made our way to parts of the Park we hadn't seen before but we still didn't get to all of it - missed Belvedere Castle. It is absolutely enormous and almost impossible to see it all in a day. The paths meander all over the place in all directions and a map is useless! We even saw a cardinal but didn't get a chance to take a photo before he hopped away. Squirrels were everywhere and we came across one that let us get very close while he munched away. The most popular dog in Central Park today was the golden retriever - there were lots all over the park. On our way out we passed the Zoo - we'd never even come close to it on previous visits! Walked back along 6th Ave and as it was about 5 p.m. the traffic was chaos. Everyone wanted to cross intersections quickly so vehicles were halfway across on red lights - in all directions - and horns were honking furiously. At one intersection one car's horn just honked continuously. We really admire the drivers and don't know how they drive here. To date we have not seen one accident anywhere. The only sound that rises above the car horns is a police vehicle horn, which is a very short sharp noise. Had dinner at Don Giovanni, a small Italian restaurant a few blocks away. The food was lovely and the service outstanding. One of the best things about this city is the accessibility of everything at all hours. We didn't book for Matilda the Musical or for the restaurant tonight but had no trouble getting into either and both ended up being pretty full.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 20, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Decided to visit the Tenement Museum on Delancey Street in the Lower East Side today. The museum offers four different tours in an 1863 tenement building that had been occupied by Jewish immigrant families. We chose the "Sweatshops Tour" that followed two families who lived in the actual tenement building, starting in 1863. The building has been preserved and has had little done to change it from its original condition. Some of the walls were covered in burlap that was moulded with caulk to make it a bit more "fancy". Living conditions were very cramped and tough and the first family we heard about operated a "factory" in one of the three rooms they occupied. The father had been a tailor in Germany and continued his trade in his new home. The parents had three children and employed three other people to work making clothes in one room. It was very sobering seeing/hearing where/how they lived and hearing about what they had to sacrifice when they immigrated to the United States over 100 years ago. Our guide was excellent, very well-informed and as he is Jewish he provided lots of relevant first-hand information about the religious lives of the immigrants. We had lunch in Delancey Street and then decided to go to Coney Island as we were so close. Some of the rides look rather tired but the boardwalk was great as it was a lovely sunny day. The beach is surprisingly wide and white and the breeze was very refreshing. Had to have a hot dog at Nathan's and it was actually very nice!! Caught the subway back and the trip took about an hour back to 42nd St. Bought some food at Dean and Deluca and ate in the room tonight - all the walking we've done is beginning to catch up with us!!Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 21, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Went for a walk to have a look at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market after breakfast. Continued to Broadway and came across the Broadway Flea Market and Auction. There were rows of tables from arts/theatre/actor-affiliated organisations selling show memorabilia and baked goods. Tyne Daly was serving behind one of the tables.
    People's Climate March
    Decided to head to 6th Ave/42nd St to wait for the marchers. Got there about 12.10 and the first marchers came by about 12.40 after leaving Central Park at 11.30. There were musicians, floats and thousands and thousands and thousands of marchers across the spectrum of ages, professions and ethnicities. One of the most stunning groups was the Indians from Ecuador. They were dancing wearing feathered headdresses and playing traditional instruments and they stopped right in front of us, but on the other side. There were school students, nurses, people in wheelchairs, mothers with children in prams as well as many, many other groups and individuals. There were some great banners and placards but my favourite was "There is no Planet B". At one stage an Officer came and asked us to move our backpack, which we had put on the ground at our feet. She asked us to put it between our legs in case someone saw it and thought it was a bomb!! We spent quite a while talking to a Police Officer on duty near us and he said there were about 1000 officers on duty today. He estimated more than 250,000 marchers and said it was definitely the biggest march he had seen in the city. There were Police of all rank on duty near us ( we were at the turning point into 42nd St), including on motorcycles and with sniffer dogs, as well as Secret Service men. On seeing the news it appears that Al Gore and Ban Ki Moon were also there. We watched for two hours and decided to go and have lunch. When we walked back to the hotel about 5 o'clock there were still marchers coming down 42nd St!! On the way past one of the theatres we saw about five black cars with darkened windows with signs saying Ghana in the front window - UN delegations are clearly in town. Decided to go back to the hotel, start to pack and go to bed earlier tonight.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York City

    September 22, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Last breakfast here. Left early to walk to Penn station, trying to beat the rush of workers! Made it to the station easily - only downside we had a 90
    minute wait! The station has the best/clearest public address system I've ever experienced. There would be no excuse for missing your train here! Red Cap service is fantastic and well worth the tip - they take your luggage and escort you to the correct train & carriage. There's a military rather than police presence here at the station, probably because the UN is in session this week.
    Thanks for the memories NYC, it's been lots of fun.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    New York to Boston

    September 22, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    On the Amtrak Acela to Boston. Enjoying pretzels and coffee in First Class and about to order lunch! Very comfortable train with free WiFi.
    In the first photo you can just see, in the distance, the Freedom Tower on the left, with the Chrysler and Empire State buildings to the right.
    First stop Stamford, Connecticut then New Haven, CT, Providence RI and Route 128 MA & Back Back, Boston before reaching South Station in Boston. Second photo is somewhere in CT. There were lots of bays along the way with beautiful clapboard houses lining the waterfront. The leaves are starting to turn and some were very red. Arrived at South Station and caught a cab to the hotel, unpacked a bit and then took the subway from Airport Station to State Station in downtown Boston. The Airport Station was big and modern (and above ground) but State was very small and dark and quite a different feel from the NY subway. A short walk to Faneuil Hall and Quincey Market but as it was about 4 p.m. things appeared to be winding down for the day. Third photo is Faneuil Hall in Boston. Bought some food in Quincey Market and a bottle of wine on the way to the subway. Decided to come back tomorrow and go for the free guided walk with a Park Ranger along the Freedom Trail. Back to the hotel for wine and pizza and a good night's rest.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeTravelerUSA 2014

    Boston, Massachusetts

    September 23, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    After breakfast we caught the subway into Boston - we needed help almost every time we caught the subway - it's not as easy as NY. Went to the JFK Museum stop where we caught a free shuttle. Spent almost four hours at the Museum dedicated to the legacy he left to the nation. There was one very brief video display of the assassination because the museum is about his life and legacy not about his death. There were video recordings of many of his speeches - all very inspiring. There were items of furniture, gifts presented to Jackie Kennedy and lots of information about and original documents of the President. There was a special exhibit about the Cuban Missile Crisis, with many original documents on display, including the CIA's psychological assessments of Kruschev and Castro. The building was designed by I M Pei and is absolutely striking, especially as it is on the waterfront, with JFK's boat on display on the grass. Bought a ticket for the Old Town Trolley tour in Boston but decided to do that tomorrow when we have more time. Back to the hotel to change into warmer clothes before the baseball. Caught the subway again, with several line changes and finally got to Fenway Park. Security check of the backpack and person and then into Yawkey Way. Bought a t-shirt and cap and then got to our seats. They were fantastic - front row on the fourth level and gave us a very clear view of everything. We asked the couple behind us tonexplain what was happening and spent ages talking with them about all sorts of things. He took some photos of us from higher up and they bought Ron a Samuel Adams. The game was pretty slow but when things livened up it was very exciting. However it is hard to believe that the Red Sox won the Championship last year. Apparently they are near to the bottom this year!! The Tampa Bay Rays won, adding insult to injury for the Red Sox! The subway was PACKED on the way home and we didnt het back to the hotel until almost midnight.Read more

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