visited 27 states (12%)
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Monday, 5 January 2009
Sunday, 10 August 2008
USA Trip
We stayed at the Chelsea Star Hostel on West 30th on 8th Ave. A great location, close to Macy's, Kmart and many, many more stores. I mention Macys and Kmart speifically as Andrea and I spent two days trying to get to Macys and couldn't get past the bargains at Kmart!
Our neighbourhood has a great corner shop which caters to all our needs from water to alchopops and fruit to bacon and sausage rolls. The staff, of unknown origin, are abrupt at their best but Andrea managed two marriage proposals within a couple of days. My biggest danger in this area is a wheelchair bound homeless man who seems to be on a mission to try and crash into me every time he sees me. On one occasion I walked past him, thinking he was asleep, only to have him fling his arm out at me, scarring me half to death and providing endless entertainment for Sharon and Andrea.
We made the trip to Century 21, which on this occasion only resulted in a few purchases, a stunning roundabout from the usual.
Another haunt in our neighbourhood is the Stage Door Restaurant. We ate there on our first night and Andrea and I had salads which were huge. The plan is to return there tomorrow to finally have pancakes for breakfast.
I finally made it to Macy's when desparate for a toilet, which resulted in a half hour wait in line... Andrea and I spent an obscene amount of time picking out delightful purchases at Paperchase in Borders, all adding greatly to the weight of our suitcases.
The weather in New York has been very hot and muggy (although it's raining right now) and although the sun has shone, the sky scrapers block out the sun and I stayed resolutely white, other than a puffy red face from the heat. As hot as it was above ground, waiting in the subway was unbearable.
We eventually opted to take the Amtrak to Boston where we stayed at a hostel in South Boston. They state in their reception that the Prescott International Hostel was awarded best hostel in 2003. This may be so, but I'm guessing they're using the same sheets to this day. The next morning we met Daniel Sabin, a high octane individual who sung and played the piano for us, his only available audience.
We then travelled by Amtrak to Providence and then by coach to Hyannis. We had frantically searched for accommodation before we left New York, eventually finding the Cascade Motor Lodge, which looked right out of Supernatural (even with very cute boys a couple of doors down). Finally we each had our own bed and space to spread out! The manager, Jim, was a constant source of information, keeping us up to date on the weather and telling us off for shopping too much...
We had a verandah from which we spent hours watching other guests and a spectacular girl fight which involved lots of hair pulling, pushing into bushes and shouting and a few hard punches. Most entertaining.
On one day we went to Martha's Vineyard, which remains as beautiful as I remembered and I finally caught the sun on the ferry over, although my legs remained startingly white, acting as a reflector for Sharon and Andrea.
On another day we took the bus to Orleans, stopping at a small mall with a TJ Max. We had planned on a very short visit to the store before heading back to the very quaint main street. However, true to form we were there until the last bus, burdened with a ton of purchases. On another day Sharon and I decided to get back on the bus and visit a huge jewerely store we'd passed. Unfortunately we missed the stop and ended up at another shopping centre where we purchased a massive amount.
Andrea was the only one of us to make it to the beach ... on her second visit, out running, she got caught in a thunderstorm and came back drenched. The first thunderstorm was just after we returned from Martha's Vineyard. We had found a great food mart that did Caribbean food, which was where we were when the storm struck. Thankfully two lovely ladies gave us a lift back.
There was a family staying below us at the Motor Lodge who were staying there due to a fire at their home. We were constantly entertained by the four very vocal children. I thought I was rescuing Jim's cat when I let the cat escape from the children into our room, only to find out that it was their cat, Muffin, who was an absolute sweetheart.
We're now back in New York for tonight and tomorrow. Sharon's cousin Helene is visiting tomorrow, with food. At the start of the holiday Sharon, Robert and Richard visited her and she cooked up massive amounts of food and sent them back to Andrea and I with leftovers, which we gobbled up with joy. We even had enough to share with the lovely guy in reception. He was very thankful and wanted to know what restaurant it came from. He was very happy to see us checkin today and asked after Helene! and was well impressed to find out that she'll be here tomorrow. We used this knowledge shamelessly to get the best possible room!
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Wimbledon 2008
OMFG how amazing was that!!!!!
I wanted Federer to win but who can begrudge Raffa that?
I've done nothing with my Sunday but watch tennis and sleep and feel incredibly drained. Andrea and I have been screaming our heads off at the tv, with Andrea supporting Nadal and me supporting Federer.
What Nadal said at the end of match was lovely, but still ...
Roll on 2009. Andrea and I will be pitched out in the tent for the first Saturday!
Friday, 25 January 2008
Sierra Leone
Last week myself and three work colleagues went to Sierra Leone on a needs analysis trip following the successful bid with the TUC which will enable 80 women members of the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union to be trained in basic ICT skills, based on the programme that I work on in London. Also involved in the meetings were Sarah Mansaray and Kathleen Charles, former NUT sponsored Chevening Scholars.
Sarah and Kathleen were brilliant to us throughout our visit, they greeted us with welcome hugs as we arrived in Freetown via a seven minute helicopter ride from Lungi Airport and spent all of Saturday with us showing us the sights of Freetown.
Predictably our first stop was at Aberdeen Beach on the Atlantic coast where we splashed about in the ocean before driving to Leicester Peak, giving stunning panorama views of the bay and the surrounding mountains. We also visited Fourah Bay College, the oldest university in West Africa, founded in 1827. We headed back into the city centre for a photo opportunity with a famous landmark in Freetown, the huge cotton tree, which is permanently adorned with hundreds of bats.
We visited the crowded street market and following a close call with would-be thieves we moved on to a craft market where wood carvings, fabrics, jewelry and ready made shirts were available. Outside we witnessed the apprehension of a thief who was caught stealing shoes from outside a mosque. I’m sure he was relieved to see the Police arrive as street justice was delivered on him.
We returned to Aberdeen Beach for the remainder of the day and watched local fisherman who were happy to chat with us whilst the net was untangled, prior to heading back out to sea.
For me the highlight of the trip was visiting Kathleen’s school, the Freetown Teachers' College Practicing School, where we spoke to each class briefly and joined them for their break. The year 1 class had 73 pupils, who were incredibly well behaved. The nursery class performed a song and dance, which we joined, in our own uncoordinated way.
Since the end of the Civil War in 2002, and the election of a new President in December 2007, Sierra Leone is still struggling with the basic need for electricity, with power cuts common throughout the day and night and the telephone services remain in disrepair. However, there were many signs of development, with the skeleton of several hotels in Aberdeen, which will give stunning views of the beach and sunsets.
Sarah and Kathleen were brilliant to us throughout our visit, they greeted us with welcome hugs as we arrived in Freetown via a seven minute helicopter ride from Lungi Airport and spent all of Saturday with us showing us the sights of Freetown.
Predictably our first stop was at Aberdeen Beach on the Atlantic coast where we splashed about in the ocean before driving to Leicester Peak, giving stunning panorama views of the bay and the surrounding mountains. We also visited Fourah Bay College, the oldest university in West Africa, founded in 1827. We headed back into the city centre for a photo opportunity with a famous landmark in Freetown, the huge cotton tree, which is permanently adorned with hundreds of bats.
We visited the crowded street market and following a close call with would-be thieves we moved on to a craft market where wood carvings, fabrics, jewelry and ready made shirts were available. Outside we witnessed the apprehension of a thief who was caught stealing shoes from outside a mosque. I’m sure he was relieved to see the Police arrive as street justice was delivered on him.
We returned to Aberdeen Beach for the remainder of the day and watched local fisherman who were happy to chat with us whilst the net was untangled, prior to heading back out to sea.
For me the highlight of the trip was visiting Kathleen’s school, the Freetown Teachers' College Practicing School, where we spoke to each class briefly and joined them for their break. The year 1 class had 73 pupils, who were incredibly well behaved. The nursery class performed a song and dance, which we joined, in our own uncoordinated way.
Since the end of the Civil War in 2002, and the election of a new President in December 2007, Sierra Leone is still struggling with the basic need for electricity, with power cuts common throughout the day and night and the telephone services remain in disrepair. However, there were many signs of development, with the skeleton of several hotels in Aberdeen, which will give stunning views of the beach and sunsets.
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
Merry Christmas
I'm just recovering from breakfast at the Bests. Margot, Mike and Sasha have spoilt me again this year - YAY!
I can't describe how wonderful it is to just chill out after a very hectic couple of weeks and of course the move on Sunday (WTF was I thinking?).
A huge thank you to Kat, Sharon and Andrea for all their help.
I'm going to have to whinge about that fact that Nic not only didn't help me load the van, but she also left 4 bags of rubbish behind - thank you very much!
Nevermind, I'm chilled now, really I am.
Sasha has gotten oddles of presents and he's a bit confused about what he should be playing with but at the moment the Roary and Chris are winning, along with the DVD that goes with them. I very cleverly got Sasha and Andre's presents mixed up so Andre will have a lovely coat that's way to small and Sasha was a lovely red jacket which is way to big.
OK, I have a couple of hours to recovery before Christmas dinner - yummy - can't wait!!!
Have yourselves a merry little christmas.
Jane xxxxxxxxx
I can't describe how wonderful it is to just chill out after a very hectic couple of weeks and of course the move on Sunday (WTF was I thinking?).
A huge thank you to Kat, Sharon and Andrea for all their help.
I'm going to have to whinge about that fact that Nic not only didn't help me load the van, but she also left 4 bags of rubbish behind - thank you very much!
Nevermind, I'm chilled now, really I am.
Sasha has gotten oddles of presents and he's a bit confused about what he should be playing with but at the moment the Roary and Chris are winning, along with the DVD that goes with them. I very cleverly got Sasha and Andre's presents mixed up so Andre will have a lovely coat that's way to small and Sasha was a lovely red jacket which is way to big.
OK, I have a couple of hours to recovery before Christmas dinner - yummy - can't wait!!!
Have yourselves a merry little christmas.
Jane xxxxxxxxx
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