I like this doormat...really like it. I should have bought it home!!![selling at the Kitchen Kettle Village, Lancaster, PA]
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Shoo!
I like this doormat...really like it. I should have bought it home!!![selling at the Kitchen Kettle Village, Lancaster, PA]
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Once lost in... (part II)
Washington DC
Did the typical sightseeing...visited the Capitol, Washington Monument, the reflecting pool, a couple of Smithsonian museums (strongly recommend the Holocaust Memorial Museum)...
Georgetown - an industrial town reborn as a fashionable hangout place for yuppies. However, I much prefer the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Potomac River, away from the bustling streets which offers a more serene experience.
Old Town Alexandria, VA
A quaint historic town...and I particularly like the Torpedo Factory Art Center which houses galleries, workshops, studios where the artists, sculptors, photographers, jewelry designers, etc work and display their pieces.
New York City, NY
Indeed, the place is buzzing. Like what 叶子 says, it is truly a melting pot and a cosmopolitan city. I found myself loving the city more and more as the days passed. I enjoy its liveliness , though am not sure if I can live there over a long period of time.
I suppose the way to love this place is to explore the place by foot. I stumbled upon Strand Bookstore when I walked past the NYU. A must-visit for book-lovers. Customers can even bring their pets into the bookstore. How cool is that!
I went to catch a Broadway show (Avenue Q ) which is damn hilarious. Visited Harlem too....hmm yes, my skin colour definitely stands out but I still feel kinda safe when I was exploring the streets on my own during the daytime. The building landscape (low-lying historic buildings) is certainly different from the skyscrapers you see in downtown. I signed up for a walking tour whereby a Harlem-born-and-bred guide brought me and a few other tourists around the place and shared with us the history. The history may not be new to know, but it's interesting to hear it from someone who grew up in the neighbourhood, and to see/hear/feel his pride and passion he has for Harlem and of his identity.
Did the typical sightseeing...visited the Capitol, Washington Monument, the reflecting pool, a couple of Smithsonian museums (strongly recommend the Holocaust Memorial Museum)...
Georgetown - an industrial town reborn as a fashionable hangout place for yuppies. However, I much prefer the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Potomac River, away from the bustling streets which offers a more serene experience.
Old Town Alexandria, VA
A quaint historic town...and I particularly like the Torpedo Factory Art Center which houses galleries, workshops, studios where the artists, sculptors, photographers, jewelry designers, etc work and display their pieces.
New York City, NY
Indeed, the place is buzzing. Like what 叶子 says, it is truly a melting pot and a cosmopolitan city. I found myself loving the city more and more as the days passed. I enjoy its liveliness , though am not sure if I can live there over a long period of time.
I suppose the way to love this place is to explore the place by foot. I stumbled upon Strand Bookstore when I walked past the NYU. A must-visit for book-lovers. Customers can even bring their pets into the bookstore. How cool is that!
I went to catch a Broadway show (Avenue Q ) which is damn hilarious. Visited Harlem too....hmm yes, my skin colour definitely stands out but I still feel kinda safe when I was exploring the streets on my own during the daytime. The building landscape (low-lying historic buildings) is certainly different from the skyscrapers you see in downtown. I signed up for a walking tour whereby a Harlem-born-and-bred guide brought me and a few other tourists around the place and shared with us the history. The history may not be new to know, but it's interesting to hear it from someone who grew up in the neighbourhood, and to see/hear/feel his pride and passion he has for Harlem and of his identity.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Once lost in...
Skaneateles, NY
The bench (alone)
Surrounded by serenity and tranquility
Niagara Falls
What can I say...I couldn't witness the full falls despite going over to Ontario even. But I am contented with the winter sight of it, the wetness of the mist, the appearing and disappearing of rainbows...and brr...
Finger Lakes, NY
This is certainly hibernation...little or no activities are happening (it's a place for summer activities). Even some motels or inns are closed. Left untouched by human activities...you can judge from the snow pile-up on the picnic benches, wooden stairs...it's simply beautiful.
Lancaster County, PA
Experiencing the Amish culture and its heritage...by the way, Auntie Anne's Pretzels originated from here. And here's also where one sees Amish buggies as part of transportation, and not some touristy rides you see in Philly or NYC.
Philadelphia, PA
I was there on Christmas Eve. Almost everything and everywhere was closed. Disappointed? Absolutely not. I had my Philly's cheese steak. Ooo...you've got to try it! It's different from other states...taste much much better.
I had mine at one of those cheese steak stores where one will be warmly greeted by the grease and grilled smell in the air once stepped into the store, and can almost feel the grease on the seats, tables, everywhere...and 'admire' the art vandalism in the restroom (:
Shenandoah Valley, VA
Did I say I was lost in the mountains?
Mormon temple, VA
Experienced the nature, culture, food...so religion has to be one aspect of the journey too (coincidentally!). Visited a Swedish cathedral on Christmas Eve in Philly (because all places were closed), and then a Mormon temple in VA (because the architecture looks quite modern that it doesn't look 'religious' at all). Oh yes, I nearly stepped into the Scientology Church in NYC as well (but it was closed).
The bench (alone)
Surrounded by serenity and tranquility
Niagara Falls
What can I say...I couldn't witness the full falls despite going over to Ontario even. But I am contented with the winter sight of it, the wetness of the mist, the appearing and disappearing of rainbows...and brr...
Finger Lakes, NY
This is certainly hibernation...little or no activities are happening (it's a place for summer activities). Even some motels or inns are closed. Left untouched by human activities...you can judge from the snow pile-up on the picnic benches, wooden stairs...it's simply beautiful.Lancaster County, PA
Experiencing the Amish culture and its heritage...by the way, Auntie Anne's Pretzels originated from here. And here's also where one sees Amish buggies as part of transportation, and not some touristy rides you see in Philly or NYC.
Philadelphia, PA
I was there on Christmas Eve. Almost everything and everywhere was closed. Disappointed? Absolutely not. I had my Philly's cheese steak. Ooo...you've got to try it! It's different from other states...taste much much better.
I had mine at one of those cheese steak stores where one will be warmly greeted by the grease and grilled smell in the air once stepped into the store, and can almost feel the grease on the seats, tables, everywhere...and 'admire' the art vandalism in the restroom (:Shenandoah Valley, VA
Did I say I was lost in the mountains?
Mormon temple, VA
Experienced the nature, culture, food...so religion has to be one aspect of the journey too (coincidentally!). Visited a Swedish cathedral on Christmas Eve in Philly (because all places were closed), and then a Mormon temple in VA (because the architecture looks quite modern that it doesn't look 'religious' at all). Oh yes, I nearly stepped into the Scientology Church in NYC as well (but it was closed).
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Infatuated with...
Oh yeah, I still miss the mountains. Took this video clip (pardon my amateur filming) in Shenandoah when we were driving along the scenic path. The shadow of the car cast upon the cliff of the mountains...and a soundtrack of the Shenandoah Valley being played in the background.
And all of these were unplanned. Perfect unison :)
And all of these were unplanned. Perfect unison :)
Sunday, January 13, 2008
On wheels & on foot
I am back.
Did I come back rejuvenated? Did I ‘find’ myself there? Did I come back still the same old me? I shall let you judge. Here’s some bits and pieces of my traveling experience…
================================================================
During the first leg of my journey, I was literally traveling on wheels (many thanks to my aunt who took time off to travel together). The luxury of stopping by at places when we feel like resting, having desserts, or feel like capturing and savoring the sunset in winter (you have no idea how sunset-crazy we are!). Winter is beautiful in its unique ways, despite nature in its hibernation mode.
In the later part of my journey, I was on my own. Hence it was either on foot or taking public transport. Me being me, I walked most time. I walked like there’s no horizon. I took detours, I meandered through small streets, I stopped and rested in parks when the sun’s out and the wind less chilly. And yeah, I walked too much that my feet grew blisters. But what the hell, I carried on walking. It was therapeutic :)
Did I come back rejuvenated? Did I ‘find’ myself there? Did I come back still the same old me? I shall let you judge. Here’s some bits and pieces of my traveling experience…
================================================================
During the first leg of my journey, I was literally traveling on wheels (many thanks to my aunt who took time off to travel together). The luxury of stopping by at places when we feel like resting, having desserts, or feel like capturing and savoring the sunset in winter (you have no idea how sunset-crazy we are!). Winter is beautiful in its unique ways, despite nature in its hibernation mode.
In the later part of my journey, I was on my own. Hence it was either on foot or taking public transport. Me being me, I walked most time. I walked like there’s no horizon. I took detours, I meandered through small streets, I stopped and rested in parks when the sun’s out and the wind less chilly. And yeah, I walked too much that my feet grew blisters. But what the hell, I carried on walking. It was therapeutic :)
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