Chicago

Deserves the name Windy City. But it is much more than that. A city proud of its many achievements and the achievements of its sons and daughters in many fields of human endeavour. One of the cities my father lived in when he was in the States.

I stayed at Leong Seng, a friend of my sister and I from high school. On the first evening I went up the Sears' Tower, for nearly thirty years the tallest building in the world until the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers pipped it by an 'ornament'. Amazing night views froms Sears'. The KL Towers must have a good view too but I've never been up there.

Also visited the Field Museum with its anthropological collections and dinosaur skeleton exhibits including 'Sue', the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Also went to the Art Intutitute of Chicago which houses Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and American Gothic amongst thousands of other priceless works. But the American Gothic was away on loan in Washington DC.

My highlight of the trip however was birds (what else?). Went to Lincoln Park north of the city, specifically the 'Magic Hedge', which was really a magic place for spring warblers migrating north.

Montreal

Drove to Montreal with my brother. Bilingual city in French speaking Quebec. Feels rather odd driving into the city when suddenly all the road signs are in French only. In the rest of Canada signs are in both English and French. But everyone we came across spoke very good English mostly with a North American accent and I presume French with a French Canadian accent.

It was raining the whole time we were there. We still went out anyway without raincoats or umbrellas. My brother umcomplainingly accompanied me to Mount Royal for my bird watching. Still managed to see a few new ones for me despite being rather cold and wet.

We walked around the Old City which reminded us of Brussels, Belgium. The highlight of it was the Notre Dame Basilica (big important Catholic church). The altar bit is quite magnificent. We even attended the light and sound show which really showed the Basilica off. Definitely recommended. When the curtain concealing the altar fell towards the end of the light and sound show, a lady sitting behind us exclaimed rather loudly, "Jee-zus!" . Was that inapproprite swearing? Or spontaneous rapture? I was trying hard not to laugh at the irony.

Toronto

Stayed with my cousin David, a maxillo-facial fellow with the Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids. He repairs cleft lips and palates and 'funky heads' as he puts it.

My brother joined me from Vancouver too.

Just a relaxing time, didn't do that much tourist things apart from CN Tower. The tallest human built free standing tower (or something like that). I thought the best part was the glass floor they had where you can see over a thousand feet to the ground. Whoohoo! Of course the view of the surrounding area was great too.

Toronto is another diverse multicultural city where I had my first Caribbean food. Jerk chicken is the best known.

Albany, NY

In contrast to the trip back to New York City, the train trip to Albany and the day I spent there was much more civilised.

The ride on the Maple Leaf train along the Hudson River was scenic and had air of serenity. Ah, the serenity. A bit boring perhaps but there was the serenity. Now say it again, Ah the serenity.

The train arrived punctually and I was picked up by Ken(my sis' boyfriend)'s parents. Went to their beautiful white house in rather rural Burnt Hills near the historic and spa town of Saratoga Springs (where rich New Yorkers spend their summers). Their backyard is amazing. Imagine lawn with bird feeder and hammock, woods in spring green just beyond and lawns of baby blue forget-me-nots. Tea and cranberry muffins. Ah...

And lots of visitors to the bird-feeder.

Then it was off to Saratoga Historic National Park. Historic for being the battle fields in the American War of Independence around 1777. And now rolling green hills and groves of trees. The Iharas also showed me their various secret spots in the Park. Each was different but a gem. Secluded clearings, expansive vistas over the Hudson River flood plains, hillocks with flowering lilacs. And good birding. And a good sandwich lunch.

Albany to New York City 2

Continuing, meanwhlie Bill and Fred, who have been drinking continuously since that morning (actually probably since they turned 14 years old), were drunk as skunks. Bill, sitting by the sidewalk after he secured the limousine, gets questioned by the police for drunken behaviour in public.

And Bill was not a happy chappy. "I'm an American citizen. Nobody tells me what I can or cannot do on the sidewalk in my own country." "I know my rights. I read the Constuh-tooshun!"
Police person,"I can get you behind bars you know."
"Yeah? How?! How?!"

I thought, I'm not going to go anywhere today...

But in the end the police thought that it was not worth dealing with this harmless guy. So we got into our limo. Me, I was hoping for a nap all the way back to the Big Apple. I wasn't so lucky.

For the next solid hour and a half in the car, ranting and raving, was a none too sober Bill about how he can do what he F-ing wants in his own country. How he he's read the F-ing Constuh-tooshun. How he'll make a formal complaint. "No 22 year old kid is going to tell me where I can or cannot f-ing stand in my own country."

"My name is William X. And I'm an alcoholic. And I admit it. But I know my F-ing rights, ....etc" And on and on it went for nearly the whole trip.

Limo chauffeur, "Have you been to meetings (ie Alcoholics Anonymous) ?"
Bill, "No."
Limo guy, "Well, then you're not an alcoholic. You're just a drunk."

Fred and Bill were going on about other things too. Like how Fred was going abroad for the first time the next day, to Thailand, to see some fifty-dollar hookers. "Yep, half my bag's full or rubbers". And how Bill only has one testicle (a bit too much info, i know). "And I'm protecting it very well. Whadda ya tawking about?"

And "Hey, Tsunami (that's what Bill calls me), get a hat next time. Your bald spot is blinding me!"

Going to New York City in a limo isn't that glamorous afterall.

Albany to New York City

At the stroke of midnight, arrived at my friend David's apartment in a black limousine, an Executive (a foot longer than the Standard) Lincoln Town Car with plate number: New York CELBRTY2. Left Albany (capital of New York state) 150 miles away earlier that night. All for just US$60. When the train ride (economy class) in the other direction cost me US$45.

Back-track: Train back to New York City was delayed by at least a couple of hours. Two guys , lets call them Bill and Fred, approached me in Albany-Rosselaer railway station to see whether I would share a cab with them.

"How much?"
"US$410."
"No way. Not interested."

They went off to re-negotiate with cab driver. US$350.

"Not interested. I'll just wait for the train. I've already got a ticket."

They looked up the Yellow Pages. Called up a limousine company. US$270.

"You only have to pay US$50. And your train ticket can be fully refunded. Not sure when the train is really arriving. It's 8pm now."
"Really? I'll think about it."

New York 2

Liberty Enlightening the World. That's the original name of the Big Lady better known as the Statue of Liberty. She is perhaps the most well recognised symbol of America and has greeted immigrants coming through New York from the sea especially late 19th and early 20th Century.

After the September 11th tragedy she was closed to the public and was only recently reopened but allowing visitors only to the base not all the way to her crown.

Also visited Ellis Island, the ex-immigrant processing centre that saw millions of immigrants come through to the USA. Many interesting and moving stories presented.

Emma Lazarus' poem is integral in understanding the significance of the Statue and Ellis Island.

The same ferry that took me to the Statue of Liberty also stops at Ellis Island. Good views of Downtown Manhattan and the Statue.

TIP for visitors: Book your ticket online (US$1.75 processing fee). It saves queing up at least for one queue. Lots of lining-up especially with security checks, for ferry, for elevators etc. AND get the 'Monument pass' to get to go up the base of the Statue. The 'monument pass' cannot be obtained on the Island and there are limited if you get it from the ferry terminal ticket booth. Online it needs to be booked at least 24 hours ahead. www.statuereservations.com

New York

Arrived in New York with not much sleep at all from Vancouver as I stayed up very late packing. Got to the airport OK but didn't realise that I had to 'go in' immediately after checking in as U.S. customs and immigration clearance is done in Vancouver Airport before boarding.

Staying in friend David's apartment above the New York Univeristy Medical Center. David's doing his PhD here doing biomedical research. Have not seen him for about ten years! Just realised he is one the oldest friends I have, known him since kindergarten!

Been mostly indoors over the last few days as I was attending a course. The course was good but I think the weather was better.

So far been up the Empire State Building last night and walked around Times Square and Central Park today. Also spent an aftenoon at the MoMA gawking at Picassos and Pollocks. Dali's The Persistence of Memory is also there. And of course the immortal Starry Night. Brought tears...

Also had a 'traditional' New York hotdog. Most vendors are of Middle eastern origin now. Still tastes the same I suppose. And I walked and walked around Manhattan. My feet are rather sore now. Will update a bit more later.

Vancouver Island

Also went to the west coast of Vancouver Island with my brother. An island off the coast from Vancouver. Lots of 'nature' tourism stuff. We (actually my brother) drove there and we crossed to the Island by ferry from the mainland.

The views on the Island around the Pacific Rim National Park were beautiful. Lakes and mountains, many of them still snow capped. Vast wind swept beaches ringed by conifer forests. Post card perfect. Stayed at a youth hostel in Tofino, a pretty seaside town. The hostel has a beautiful view of the bay and islands. British Columbia (the state in Canada where Vancouver is in) is a state of beautiful views.

We arrived late the first day and had to scout around for a place that was still open for dinner. It was a 'fine dining place' with 'fine dining prices'. I think the most expensive meal I've had so far this trip. But the local wild salmon was yum and my brother said his seafood pasta was delicious. And I had my brother's good company too. So perhaps it was worth it. Besides we had no choice other than to go hungry.

We managed to book a last minute kayaking day trip to the Broken Islands. Sounds so fantasy-like doesn't it? We were with a couple on their honeymoon and the guide. We kayaked through some remote feeling places. Sheltered bays and coves which made it feel like kayaking on lakes rather than a body of water connected directly to the Pacific Ocean and Japan many many miles away. Almost the whole time we were alone with nobody else around except for the sea-lions (Californian and Stellar's) and the birds. Also saw Grey Whales! And harbour seals. And interesting sea invertebrates.

Quite magical. But also tiring, being so unfit and not having kayaked for more than ten years. Getting old. Really enjoyed myself though. Hope my brother did too, as this was supposed to be his belated birthday present. Happy Birthday!

Vancouver

Spent some time in Vancouver where my brother is studying. Stayed with him at his student apartment. Must have one of the best student apartment views. A view across the sea to Vancouver Island. Snow-capped mountains in the distance. Sea-spray enveloped sunsets. Bald Eagle sitting on top of conifer at eye level. Million dollar view. Students really shouldn't be pampered with views like these.

Also met a friend of mine from Ormond College , Dewi Schrader. We had Soup & Stew in this place called Burgoo (I think) in the trendy suburb of Kitsilano (pronounced "Kitslano"). Not seen her since graduation. Also met up with her parents too at their home nearby.

Walked around the large Stanley Park with a local birdwatcher, Cathy Aitchison who does a monthly birdwalk there. Saw many birds of course.

Vancouver, voted most livable city in the world, and I can see why.

Sober lesson: Go to the airport early. Vancouver to USA destinations: US immigration and customs clearance done in Vancouver airport. So have to 'go in' immediately at check in.