New York

Yesterday I started my day at the United Nations and then just wandered back to my hotel.  Along the way I passed a couple of street markets and Grand Central Station  which is one of the iconic buildings in New York.  One of my nephews had asked about Madison Square Gardens so I decided to do a tour.  It is a truly magnificent stadium with a 'playoff' hockey match on tonight.  Another Australian couple on the tour had bought tickets to this game and they were 400 each ticket.

Today I walked the Brooklyn Bridge which is so crowded tuat you literally have to stop if someone is taking a picture.  There is a bike lane and a walkway and there in reality is not enough room for both.  It also does not help that there are also police cars parked on the bridge as well.  Also there are lights protuding from the bridge and people have for some  reason attached padlocks to them.  I did another small walk aroind Brooklyn which just confirmed how pretty it is with the storybook  hoises painted in  quite  pretty colours.  After this I went to Fraunces Tavern in the  Wall Street district which is the tavern  where Gorge Washington held his farewell dinner after the British had left.  It is quite a strange feeling standing in a room that George Washington has stood in.  I then headed to the building where  he was sworn in as President. 

Oh that pesky hop on hop off tour I did - well they said it was good luck to rub the Bull at Bowling Green - of course I think  this is nonsense - but I still race down and rubbed it!

New York 3

Was intending to go to the Dakota Apartment block today - but then remembered I never really liked John Lennon anyway -so headed to Brooklyn instead.  Brooklyn is now very fashionable and home to the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker.  It is a truly lovely place and the pier is lovely for just relaxing and taking in the skylight of Manhattan.  The real purpose of my trip, however, was to see the New York Transit Museum - which must be the best value tourist attraction in New York.  The Museum has two levels - the top one where all the photos and interactive items which I must admit I found quite beyond me  but the kids there had no trouble with at all.  There was a history of how people paid their fare - which sounds really boring but was fascinating.  The real gems were downstairs where they had rzilwzy carriages dating back to the 1900's - one of which even had fans on the roof to keep passengers cool.  The main difference that I noticed was the comfort of the seats of the older trains.  One of the carriages was that old that you had to all enter at the end of the carriage via one door.  It is truly amazing to sit on seats that someone sat on so long ago.  I could have spent much longer there but wanted to find the Brooklyn Promenade - which sadly was elusive albeit I saw it for miles when on the bus!  This was the last day of my hop on hop off tour today which I must has proved unreliable at best.

New York 2

I decided to walk back to the hotel which was quite a bit longer than I thought - and 1 and  a half hours later I finaly arrived - however the good thing was that I found the Wholefoods supermarket and bought some delicious ribs for dinner with actual  cooked veges.

Tomorrow I am off to Upper New York to see Strawberry Fields and where John Lennon was killed.  I don't think I will try walking back from thers though!

New York

I have been in New York for two days now and am very happy not to have to pack up again apart from coming home.  I am staying at The Seafarers International in East 15th Street.  This must be the bargain of New York as for an ensuite room I am only paying US 125 a night -and it and the area seem very safe.  It is just near Union Square where a few times a week there is a market where the farmers , bakers and artists bring things to sell - I went yesterday and it was great fun.  I am on the hop on hop off tour for three days - the comany gave me a free river hop on and hop off pass for nothing - I don't know whether this was because I complained that much about the wait to change over my voucher or they gave them to everyone.  I went to Ground Zero and saw the Freedom Tower - which is partially occupied and they are opening the top three floors as an Observation Deck next week.  I must while this is a beautiful building and the view from the top floors would be magnificent I would not feel comfortable or safe going up to these floors.  The actual memorial is very beautiful and the water makes it strangely peaceful.  There is a little church just near Groung Zero where there is a memorial - aparently parts of the planes and even photocopiers from the offices landed in the graveyard of this church.  There is a particular part in the  hurch whers the photos of those who xied have been placex which is truly sad.  At the museum one father tellz the story of his two sons, one  policeman and the other a fireman, who died durng the attack.

Today I dix my free hop on hop off tour on the water and it was lovely relaxing with a glass of red watching the sights and hearing the commentary.  While we were on the water President Obama's helicopter took off - apparently he was in New York last night.  After the cruise I headex of to the American Museum of Finance and saw all the really old bank notes and heard about the history of Wall Street and the market - I was in my glory.  Interestinvly Wall Street got it's name because a wall was placed around the area as protection against invaders - presumably British - and people would walk along the road and it became known as Wall Street. 

I decided to wL

Chicago 2

Today I visited the Federal Reserve Bank of Chcago.  This is free and justwonderful.  Yoi actuall see the bank notes from the start of currency on the US - they actuall had ones fo one tenth of a dollar etc.  Also you can t your photo taken with a briefcase with a million dollars in it - well that was just heaven for me.

Oh there are some shops near me that you have to make an appontment to shop in and they check your worth beforethey accept you into their shop.  Even if you on't buy anything you still have to pay somthing.

Off to New York tomorrow.

Chicago

WellI have spent the last three days in Chicago - a truly  beautiful city.  I came down on the Amtrax - in the business class sectiom which is threet times more expensive than th ordinary ticket price  - but in reality there is little difference to economy travel - a better seat, a cup of coffee and a newspaper. 

I am stayng at De Witt place in a studip flat.  The flat is lovely and I can see Lake Michogan from my window.  This is in the Gold Coast area whch is one of the most expensive ares of Chicago and one of the safest.  I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone plannng to visit here.

Things that have surprised me about Chicago are the taffic - on Saturday it was the same as peak hour in Melbourne and the fact that I have seen signs on buildngs prohibiting people bringing guns into the building.  Also the amount of homeless people in the  city - and these do not look like the normal homeless in that they are clean and tidy and from their signs are just down on their luck.  Actuall the Mayor was sworn in today - he is a continuing mayor - and I walked outof a building at lunch timeto see police cars surroinding the intersectin with protestors in the middle of the stret - the lady next to me said it was  protest aganstthe cuts he had made.

I have been on the hop on hop off tour for the last three days.  I have been amazed at the beauty of this city and Lake Michigan which is due in large partto the beautiful art deco buildings.  On the tour we went past Obama's house which is largelu hidden by trees but in  a very expensive neighbourhood.  I also saw the school his children went to which is just a short walk from his house - although one imgines they will not be able to so this again.  Chicago does not make a big deal about this connection - the tour pointed out his favouite restaurants but that is all.  Also the secret service have his street barricadedoff at both ends and have agents posted at each end at all times -which must go down well with his neighbours.  I also saw the place wher th tavern stood whereLincoln announced his candidacy,  where he practised law and where the convention was held making him the candidate.

I was looking for Route 66 - where it starts and had been looking for ages when I literally turned around and almost bumped I to the sign.

The kindnessofpeople

I have had the most wonderful day of my holiday so far.  I might have mentioned I was meeting up with my friends Amy and Andrew in Detroit Well this morning Amy collectedme from the hotel to spend the day together.  We went to the Motown Museum where the likes of the Supremes, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder have all recorded -we actually stood in the studio wherethey all recorded - it was just magical.  We then headed off to lunch at aLebanese reataurant where thefood was just delicious.  In the afternoon I got to see the suburbs of Detroit - which confirms to me what an intriguing place this is.   While there are clearly some very poor areas here which are the parts that you hear abot, today I saw the other side od Detroit - the  very wealthy parts.  Amy showed me around these beautiful family areas so rather than just see the place that tourists do I actually saw how people live including the schools they go to, where they shop etc. Thebest part of the day however has been spending time with Andrew, Amy and their captivating children Drew and Addie.  They have been so kind to me while here it has been the best part of my holiday by far.

More Detroit

Ihave spent quite a bit of today on the People Mover which is a raised rail that circles the city for 75c.  You just get off wherever you want.  I spent most of the dy at the riverside centre.  Detroit is a truly intriguing city -you can streets in a main city with no people walking down the streets which I just don' think you could see anywhere else - and this is for street after street.  Yet it has some of the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen in it and the Riverside section of town is truly beautiful.  Yet even this section of town is heavily policed.  Tonight I had dinner with some of the lovliest people that I have ever met - I actually met this famiy in Wonthaggi when they were visiting relatives there and they were kind enough to take me to dinner tonight.  Amy's parents joined us and they were just so welcoming and such good company  - it is lovely meeting up with people when you are travelling alone. 

Henry Ford Museum

Went to the Henry Ford Museum today.  I was lucky in that the hotel zhas drivers that you pay to take you to places as it is a long way from downtown detroit and I don't know that I would have felt safe just hailing a taxi on the street.  Clearly a day at this museum is not sufficient.   I particularly wanted to see the Kennedy limousine -the one he was assasinated in - Aand it was amazing looking at an object that was so associated with history.  The gentleman who took the museum tour I went on actually worked on this car after the assasination when they were securing it - he said there was a secret service man at all times with the limousine and any work he did on the car was double checked by the security service man.  Apparently this car was used by three subsequent Presidents.  At one time Jackie Kennedy was offered a ride in it to something she was attending and she simply refused to get in it - understandably.  There were three other presidential limousines there right back to when it was a horse drawn carriage.   The museum also has the rocking chair that Lincoln was sitting when assasinated.  The bus where  Rosa Parkes refused to vacate her seat is also in the museum -I actually sat in her seat - which was a strange feeling.  Her action led to a ban by negroes on using the buses and as they were 75% of the people who used the service this was so important to the civil rights movement being successful.  You  can also see documents signex by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and George Washington.  It is truly amazing seeing these original signatures.  There is also the letter written by Benjamin Franklin at the time of the War of Independence.

It is quite a sad day in Detroit - apparently there are a lot of forclosurex taking place today for non payment of State taxes -so my driver said there would be a lot more homeless people today in Detroit.  He also said there were a lot of people living without water which had been cut off due to non payment of their bills.  It appears quite dire here for a lot of people. 

Hello fom Detroit

Well have the dulcet tones of Elvis and have arrived in Detroit.  Memphis was just wonderful and uch more interesting than I imagined.  Did the town tour on Saturday and found iut some interesting facts - for example you can stay in the Housing type accommodation that Elvis and his family lived in when they moved from Tupelo   to Memphis for a mere 2500 a night with a minimum stay of 2 nights - it is quite q good address now but I can't imagine paying that much for anything.  Also saw the Peacock Hotel march - this is quite famous and the crowds that go to watch it and quite incredible.  Apparently this march is over 100 years old.  The ducks live up in the Penthouse floor and at 11am  and 5pm they are brought down in the lift and waddle along the red carpet and climb the stairs into the water fountain.  The proceedings go for at least 15 m7nutes in the build up to the waddle down the red carpet.  One of the people on the tour asked what happens to the ducks at the end of the three m8nths and the tour guide said they are retired - when pressed as to where he said he thought the word Pecking was in the site!   I enjoyed a Missippee Riverboat cruise which was very relaxing witha nic3 glass of red.  I sampled the famous barbeque ribs of Memphis and they were as fabulous as people have said.  I actually went back to Gracelands on Sunday afternoon and the experience could not have been more different than my first visit - on this second visit I was the ony person in both the lounge and dining room - I felt as if it was just me and Elvis!  
Travelled to Detroit today - we were delayed taking off in Chicago because the pilot was late arriving at the airport!  The airline thanked us for our patience after we had boarded and I thought it was not really patience when you are locked in an aeroplane.  I must admit while there is a lot on the internet abot how unsafe Detroit is I went for a bit of a walk when I arrived and felt quite safe.  Off to the Henry Ford Museum tomorrow to see the Kennedy assassination limousine.
J

Hello from the Heartbreak Hotel

Well the shuttle drove down Lonely Drive and I found myself outside the Heartbreak Hotel.   This hotel is just the best fun - we have breakfast to Elvis singing and dinner to Elvis videos - and then when we walk over to Gracelands Plaza the music follows you.  Went to Gracelands today while I thought I would be able to just wander aroung it was very regimented.  After collecting my pre booked ticket I was allotted a courtesy bus time to go across the road to the mansion and then we all went through the huse as a group - in reality there was little time to just stand and look at rooms and items.  I had read on the internet that people were surprised at how small the house was - but I was the opposite and thought it rather large.  It is indeed very 60's and not to everyone's taste - but I thought it rather lovely and thought I could settle in there quite nicely!   The numbers that visit must be seen to be believed.  His planes are equally as individual in taste and very luxurious - gold seat belt buckels etc.  The costumes from his concerts are truly magnificent but they must have had them pinned at the back because he could not have been that thin.  As I was wondering around I thought how could someone who had earned all that money in his life die with so little - but then you hear about his extravagant lifestyle - for example fying his plane to Denver for peanut butter sandwiches and you understand how this could happen.  I thought well he needed to be on a good budget.

Off to do a Memphis tour tomorrow and a River boat tour.

Interesting facts I have learnt in Washington

Yesterday I did a tour of the Capital Building.  This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington and is where the President is sworn in.  They now use the Mall side for the swearing in ceremony whereas the Presidents like Kennedy were sworn in from the back of the building.  Also it is used for lying in State which I thought was of right when Presidents died in Office but this is not the case it has to be approved by Congress.
When I first visited this building it was open to all in that you  just wander in and walk around at will - but now it is bytour which have to be booked and there is security checks etc.  This was as a result of two policemen being shot there in 1998.  The tour was very informative - for example I stood on thw spot where John Adams had his desk.  The tour also included the original paintings of the signing of the Declaration of Independence etc.  The Library of Congress is known as the most beautiful building in Washington and it certainly is.  I then got a ticket to the Senate procedings which was interesting - one Senator wanted cost cutting and evidenced a grant given to research whether if rabbits were massaged on the shoulders it would relieve stress - which in the end di not matter any way as they were euthanized after the massage.

I was supposed to go to Mt Vernon today but the tour was cancelled - I must say though after hearing George Washington had only one tooth he is a much less appealing figure to me.

Also a guide at the Ford Theatre explained at the time of Washington people could just goand knock on thedoor of the White House.  Even at the time of Lincoln he would see people in the White House  usually between 9pmand12 who would just wait in thehalls of the White House.

Further news from Washington

Yesterday was the first weekend of Passport Washington where a lot of the Consulates open their doors and show you a little of their country.  I was surprised at how different the standard of each Embassy was.  There were some very uxurious with beautiful chandeliers etc and some that were very plain indeed.  A few of them had conveniences available and others si py refused to make these available -the lady in the line behind me said this was ike inviting someone to your house for dinner and not letting them use the toilet all night -she was quite correct  T he crowds were just unbelievable -some actually went for a couple of blocks - one man coming out of the Bahamas Embassy said he could have flown to the Bahamas quicker!  The first one that I stood in line for was the Indonesian Embassy - well when I learnt this I just turned to leave and the lady behind me asked why I was not staying and when I told her it was my personal protezt against the execution of our two citizens she said she would have done the same.  Most of the Embassies gave out food and drink and ittle pressies - I have no idea what I ate but it all tasted lovely however the first Embassy I went into - around 10.30 had a lovely drink - well after I had 3 drinks I commented how lovely  and asked what was in it - and it was alcoholic!  Next weekend the European Union Embassies open their doors which I was told is even busier!

Today was the Air and Space Museum and The Ford Theatre.  The Museum is just extraordinary with the exhibits they have - I only had half a day there but could have spent the whole day easily.  They had airoplanes of Amilia Airhart and the Lindbergs but the most impressive area to me was the Space section.  I actually touched a iece of moon rock - which is quite dark in colour and very smooth.  There a lot of original outfits of the astronauts and the utensils they used .  It was just extraordinary.
I am clearly still suffering from jetlag - while I was waiting to go into the Museum there was an American guy wziting there as well - I have also been wondering what to tip the maidsmin the hotel - so I thought I would seek his advice - however my first comment to him was - 'I am staying in a hotel in Washington' - to which he got a quizzical look and raised his eyebrows  and said he had never had a conversation opened with that line - then I realised what I had said and we both had a laugh about it. 
It is amazing the coincidences in life - we got talking and he was from New York and said the plumbing in his building broke down the night before the 9/11 attacks and the guy who lives in his building worked in the Trade Centre above where the planes hit but did not go to work that day as he could not have a shower. 

The Abraham Lincoln exhibition is just amazing and actually incudes the coat and top hat he was wearing the night he was assasinated and also the contents of his pocket - the latter seemed quite sad as I don't know that any of us would like our privacy exposed like this.  There was also a blood stained flag and the gun used to shoot Lincoln.

There was also a huge walk and run here today for research into brain cancer.

The Kennedy Homes Tour

Today I headed off to Georgetown to do the Kennedy Homes Tour.  I was hoping to collect a map from the tourist bureau in Georgetown but apparently it is now closed.  Never mind I had made up my own list of addresses.  Georgetown is one of the most exclusive suburbs in Washington and is one of those cutsie pie ones with the picturebook houses etc.  It was not always like this and used to have a lot of quite smelly industrial areas in it.  President Kennedy lived in numerous addresses in Georgetown - but most of these were of the same Federation style and clearly very expensive.  Well it took me all day to walk around all the houses.  The people who lived in the houses must have found it quite strange having someone take photos of there houses - although I suspect this is not unusual for them as on my walk I met up with an English couple talking outside one of the addresses and they knew the circumstances of when Jackie lived in the house.  Kennedy used to eat in Martins Tavern - a very old and well established business.  Apparently there are five former Presidents that have eaten there reguarky.  Anyway apparently Kennedy proposed to Jackie in one of the booths - which is marked witha plaque.  Well one of the waiters let me in early and took photos of me in the booth - so when I went back there for lunch I gave him a 50% tip - the people at the next table could not believe it.  The food was delicious old fashioned cooking and I actuall got vegetables rather than potatoe chips and coldslaw.   The other exciting thing that happened today was that I actually found a Safeway supermarket - I was so excited I bought lots of fruit and yogurts etc - I really miss these when I am travelling.   The hotel I am staying in is wonderful as it is so close to all the attractions but there are not supermarkets close.

Tomorrow I am off on the Embassy tour - each May there are free activities in Washington - how many I actually see will depend on the line waiting to get in.