Travel diary
29th April 2011.
From this high up the sea looks as still as a rock.
It's tempting to think that I made the wrong decision ending things with Gray, even though I know I was right. I couldn't continue in that relationship, I just wish I could share this experience. The thing is, he probably wouldn't experience it in the same way, he wouldn't be as enchanted by the spectacle and the magic I feel from thiss, so I would've ended up more frustrated and less able to really enjoy it for myself.
The flight's probably half empty. It's nice when that occasionally happens.
The impossible has come to pass - the in-flight meal was not only edible, it was appetising!
When I fly, I feel actually transported in a very real, spiritual sense. It's not just a method of transport, getting from A to B, a nearly inconvenient necessity. It's moving above the clouds, it's the realm of dreams, it's making a reality of the concept that anything is possible. This is the magic for me.
Later - on the ground.
I'm amazed at how comfortable and "at home" I feel here. Everything is very different than home of course but still I feel that I have a space here. I'm looking forward to much to seeing everyone.
I think I'm getting too old for family holidays now. I'll work otu something else for next year and The Future (that big terrifying concept!)
30th April 2011.
I am still officially Maureen's baby girl!
At Folly today and the magic persists. There's a bird nesting at the front door, and sunset last night had a positive rainbow around it. Skip and Maureen are babysitting little Ava for the weekend, she is now 7 months old and wow she's a chubby little thing! Starting to crawl (nearly) and also trying to work out this standing thing. Spent the day exploring local villages, I got a couple of beautiful hand-embroidered table linens - one to go on the coffee table in the lounge, and one in the library. Ended up in New Bedford at the whaling museum which was really fascinating - and gave great insight into the difficulties whalers faced on a daily basis.
Rick and Libby arrived this afternoon, and Skip took us out for dinner (Maureen staying with the baby). Skip got the restaurant to sing happy birthday to me, very embararrsing and great fun. Skip and Maureen's main birthday present to me was $200.
Onwards to Schenectady tomorrow. Wonderful!
1st May 2011.
Drive to Schenectady was about 4 hours, pretty smooth going - of course I wasn't driving! Maureen gave us breakfast first, it took her about 4 hours to cook. We went out for dinner, had to try 3 different places to find somewhere that was open though. Skip and Maureen gave me money as a birthday present and ignored my protests that it was too much. I spoke to Sam - briefly - on the phone. He's not good on the phone! "Did you do anything fun today?" "Yep." Andy and Giza's place is lovely, dogs are very affectionate but just a touch stupid. Very lovely though.
2nd May 2011.
Ballston Spa and Syracuse today - absolutely lovely. We found an antiques store in Ballston, where I got 3 hand-embroidered tea towels and saw a beautiful embroidered fire screen which would never have made it back in one piece. Syracuse was very picturesque, they're famous for their horses and racing so horses are absolutely everywhere - in sculptures, in benches, in artwork! Just about everything in Syracuse closes on Mondays apparently... met Sam in the evening, played kickball, chess (by Sam rules), did some drawing, played some legos, and read to him in bed. He's a wonderfull lad. Got some good pictures.
Osama bin Laden is dead - buried at sea - naturally people are sceptical because they haven't seen his body. Most seem to be celebrating though. I find it difficult to condone the celebration of a man's death but I think people are also celebrating that they can move forward.
3rd May 2011.
Went to the Irriquois American Indian Museum this morning, got some nice pictures (with permission) and learned a lot. So much fot the theory that White Americans don't celebrate their native history - the whites got absolutely slated! In the afternoon we went to the Albany Shaker site, which is the oldest Shaker site and is where Mother Ann Lee is buried. Got an arrowhead necklace at teh Irriquois museum and some earrings at the Shakers - then Any and Giza and Sam gave me a necklace and earrings and bracelet (all silver and turquoise) for my birthday. Lots more playing in the evening, we were drawing and apparently what we were drawing was closely related to a Civilisation-style game he plays. He's a great little boy. Monday night I read to him in bed, tonight I just gave him hugs and then he was sleepy. Promised to get up and have breakfast with him in the morning.
I wrote to Bryan tonight. I miss him, but I'm not incapacitated by it. I just hope I can share this with him in the future.
6th May 2011.
Busy couple of days! Set off from Schenectady as planned after breakfast with Sam. Stopped at a mall for the fun of it (big - similar in feel to Bluewater) and at FDR's home (very intersting, the man was absolutely driven in every aspect of his life, and terrified of fire). We had planned to arrive at Linda and John's at 6pm, we arrived at 8. Miscommunications and stress in the car which I sat in back and pretended not to see. Yesterday we walked around NYC. No chance to get close to Ground Zero because the President was laying a wreath so crowds and security were insane. Got some pictures of the media frenzy though. We walked the Brooklyn Bridge, had lunch (more miscommunications there, Dad and Sarah unhappy with each other) then did a Native American museum until we were all sore - my feet and knees, Dad and Sarah's backs. Bought a beautiful picture from a street artist on the bridge. Had dinner with Linda and John and David, then on the way back to the car found a guy helping a dead-drunk girl. First aid training came through, he's training to be an EMT so between us I reassured her and monitored levels of consciousness while he sorted emergency services. She was conscious and responding, they'll probably make her throw up (more!) then send her home with a lecture and a hangover. This moring, we're heading down to Cambridge for the last leg of the holiday.
Linda and John's dog is a chocolate lab, Guinness. He thinks my toes are the tastiest things in the world, silly dog.
9th May 2011.
Home again.
I was keeping the diary in a puzzle book, and ran out of space!
The drive to Cambridge took about 4 hours, not counting the stop at the New York bontanical gardens (so beautiful) and the stop at Sturbridge village, which is a living museum. Similar to Plimoth plantation but the actors are just dressed in period clothing, they act as normal 21st century people and give tours around and stuffs. Then down in Cambridge we went out for dinner with Skip and Maureen again. Maureen and I were talking about Liz and about mum, so then she felt that she had to leave. She didn't give any indications of being upset but she went home and then later we went back too and played with the Jessie dog, who was a very happy dog to have all that attention.
On Saturday, as it was our last day there, we went to Quinsy market for a bit of shopping and Dad and Sarah did a bit of history. Well, I went round the State building too which was nice, but mostly I was just in it for the shopping. Went to a reception for To Kill A Mockingbird where the Boston children's theatre presented the annual Elizabeth Atkins memorial award to a kid who wouldn't otherwise have a chance in theatre. Saw Siobhan there and had a really nice talk with her. She had to go out to the movies though because it was her friend's birthday and she'd come from NY to visit so that was fair enough. Kirsten then came round to Skip and Maureen's house with Ava, but had to leave before we had dinner. She's as beautiful as ever. Mary Chitty did come over for dinner, great to see her, then she found some old pictures of me and emailed them over so I've picked them up this morning.
The plane ride back yesterday was uneventful - lots of fun, again - then the bus back up was...well, it was 10 minutes late leaving because a couple had too many bags and hadn't paid the extra so were given time to go and pay the extra for the extra bags, then somehow it was a good 30 minutes late getting in to Leicester. It was nearly midnight, on a Sunday night. How bad can the traffic be? The taxi I got home brought me the longest possible way back home, which was irritating but I had more than enough money to pay the fare so not a problem. And now I'm home! I have a bottle of wine and some maple candy for Louise, because she's been looking after Sooty while I was away. Got some salt water taffy for people at work as well, because I'm in a meeting with them all the day after I'm back in work and that will emphasise that I've not been around and will stop them (I hope) from bitching about souvenirs.
I managed to switch off the fridge/freezer before I went away. I was planning on defrosting it anyway, but wasn't planning on losing all the food. Ah well, it was half empty anyway. The fridge was completely empty, the freezer was half. No great loss really. I was planning on going grocery shopping this morning anyway, just ended up spending a little more than I was going to.
Back to the real world now. Well...a couple more days off, then back. I can live with that.
Photos!
From this high up the sea looks as still as a rock.
It's tempting to think that I made the wrong decision ending things with Gray, even though I know I was right. I couldn't continue in that relationship, I just wish I could share this experience. The thing is, he probably wouldn't experience it in the same way, he wouldn't be as enchanted by the spectacle and the magic I feel from thiss, so I would've ended up more frustrated and less able to really enjoy it for myself.
The flight's probably half empty. It's nice when that occasionally happens.
The impossible has come to pass - the in-flight meal was not only edible, it was appetising!
When I fly, I feel actually transported in a very real, spiritual sense. It's not just a method of transport, getting from A to B, a nearly inconvenient necessity. It's moving above the clouds, it's the realm of dreams, it's making a reality of the concept that anything is possible. This is the magic for me.
Later - on the ground.
I'm amazed at how comfortable and "at home" I feel here. Everything is very different than home of course but still I feel that I have a space here. I'm looking forward to much to seeing everyone.
I think I'm getting too old for family holidays now. I'll work otu something else for next year and The Future (that big terrifying concept!)
30th April 2011.
I am still officially Maureen's baby girl!
At Folly today and the magic persists. There's a bird nesting at the front door, and sunset last night had a positive rainbow around it. Skip and Maureen are babysitting little Ava for the weekend, she is now 7 months old and wow she's a chubby little thing! Starting to crawl (nearly) and also trying to work out this standing thing. Spent the day exploring local villages, I got a couple of beautiful hand-embroidered table linens - one to go on the coffee table in the lounge, and one in the library. Ended up in New Bedford at the whaling museum which was really fascinating - and gave great insight into the difficulties whalers faced on a daily basis.
Rick and Libby arrived this afternoon, and Skip took us out for dinner (Maureen staying with the baby). Skip got the restaurant to sing happy birthday to me, very embararrsing and great fun. Skip and Maureen's main birthday present to me was $200.
Onwards to Schenectady tomorrow. Wonderful!
1st May 2011.
Drive to Schenectady was about 4 hours, pretty smooth going - of course I wasn't driving! Maureen gave us breakfast first, it took her about 4 hours to cook. We went out for dinner, had to try 3 different places to find somewhere that was open though. Skip and Maureen gave me money as a birthday present and ignored my protests that it was too much. I spoke to Sam - briefly - on the phone. He's not good on the phone! "Did you do anything fun today?" "Yep." Andy and Giza's place is lovely, dogs are very affectionate but just a touch stupid. Very lovely though.
2nd May 2011.
Ballston Spa and Syracuse today - absolutely lovely. We found an antiques store in Ballston, where I got 3 hand-embroidered tea towels and saw a beautiful embroidered fire screen which would never have made it back in one piece. Syracuse was very picturesque, they're famous for their horses and racing so horses are absolutely everywhere - in sculptures, in benches, in artwork! Just about everything in Syracuse closes on Mondays apparently... met Sam in the evening, played kickball, chess (by Sam rules), did some drawing, played some legos, and read to him in bed. He's a wonderfull lad. Got some good pictures.
Osama bin Laden is dead - buried at sea - naturally people are sceptical because they haven't seen his body. Most seem to be celebrating though. I find it difficult to condone the celebration of a man's death but I think people are also celebrating that they can move forward.
3rd May 2011.
Went to the Irriquois American Indian Museum this morning, got some nice pictures (with permission) and learned a lot. So much fot the theory that White Americans don't celebrate their native history - the whites got absolutely slated! In the afternoon we went to the Albany Shaker site, which is the oldest Shaker site and is where Mother Ann Lee is buried. Got an arrowhead necklace at teh Irriquois museum and some earrings at the Shakers - then Any and Giza and Sam gave me a necklace and earrings and bracelet (all silver and turquoise) for my birthday. Lots more playing in the evening, we were drawing and apparently what we were drawing was closely related to a Civilisation-style game he plays. He's a great little boy. Monday night I read to him in bed, tonight I just gave him hugs and then he was sleepy. Promised to get up and have breakfast with him in the morning.
I wrote to Bryan tonight. I miss him, but I'm not incapacitated by it. I just hope I can share this with him in the future.
6th May 2011.
Busy couple of days! Set off from Schenectady as planned after breakfast with Sam. Stopped at a mall for the fun of it (big - similar in feel to Bluewater) and at FDR's home (very intersting, the man was absolutely driven in every aspect of his life, and terrified of fire). We had planned to arrive at Linda and John's at 6pm, we arrived at 8. Miscommunications and stress in the car which I sat in back and pretended not to see. Yesterday we walked around NYC. No chance to get close to Ground Zero because the President was laying a wreath so crowds and security were insane. Got some pictures of the media frenzy though. We walked the Brooklyn Bridge, had lunch (more miscommunications there, Dad and Sarah unhappy with each other) then did a Native American museum until we were all sore - my feet and knees, Dad and Sarah's backs. Bought a beautiful picture from a street artist on the bridge. Had dinner with Linda and John and David, then on the way back to the car found a guy helping a dead-drunk girl. First aid training came through, he's training to be an EMT so between us I reassured her and monitored levels of consciousness while he sorted emergency services. She was conscious and responding, they'll probably make her throw up (more!) then send her home with a lecture and a hangover. This moring, we're heading down to Cambridge for the last leg of the holiday.
Linda and John's dog is a chocolate lab, Guinness. He thinks my toes are the tastiest things in the world, silly dog.
9th May 2011.
Home again.
I was keeping the diary in a puzzle book, and ran out of space!
The drive to Cambridge took about 4 hours, not counting the stop at the New York bontanical gardens (so beautiful) and the stop at Sturbridge village, which is a living museum. Similar to Plimoth plantation but the actors are just dressed in period clothing, they act as normal 21st century people and give tours around and stuffs. Then down in Cambridge we went out for dinner with Skip and Maureen again. Maureen and I were talking about Liz and about mum, so then she felt that she had to leave. She didn't give any indications of being upset but she went home and then later we went back too and played with the Jessie dog, who was a very happy dog to have all that attention.
On Saturday, as it was our last day there, we went to Quinsy market for a bit of shopping and Dad and Sarah did a bit of history. Well, I went round the State building too which was nice, but mostly I was just in it for the shopping. Went to a reception for To Kill A Mockingbird where the Boston children's theatre presented the annual Elizabeth Atkins memorial award to a kid who wouldn't otherwise have a chance in theatre. Saw Siobhan there and had a really nice talk with her. She had to go out to the movies though because it was her friend's birthday and she'd come from NY to visit so that was fair enough. Kirsten then came round to Skip and Maureen's house with Ava, but had to leave before we had dinner. She's as beautiful as ever. Mary Chitty did come over for dinner, great to see her, then she found some old pictures of me and emailed them over so I've picked them up this morning.
The plane ride back yesterday was uneventful - lots of fun, again - then the bus back up was...well, it was 10 minutes late leaving because a couple had too many bags and hadn't paid the extra so were given time to go and pay the extra for the extra bags, then somehow it was a good 30 minutes late getting in to Leicester. It was nearly midnight, on a Sunday night. How bad can the traffic be? The taxi I got home brought me the longest possible way back home, which was irritating but I had more than enough money to pay the fare so not a problem. And now I'm home! I have a bottle of wine and some maple candy for Louise, because she's been looking after Sooty while I was away. Got some salt water taffy for people at work as well, because I'm in a meeting with them all the day after I'm back in work and that will emphasise that I've not been around and will stop them (I hope) from bitching about souvenirs.
I managed to switch off the fridge/freezer before I went away. I was planning on defrosting it anyway, but wasn't planning on losing all the food. Ah well, it was half empty anyway. The fridge was completely empty, the freezer was half. No great loss really. I was planning on going grocery shopping this morning anyway, just ended up spending a little more than I was going to.
Back to the real world now. Well...a couple more days off, then back. I can live with that.
Photos!