Journal #7881

Posted 12 years ago2012-07-12 18:01:09 UTC
As you may or may not have noticed I sort of announced in a previous journal, I will be visiting the city of New York very soon. I will also spend a few days in Florida before that.

My father has been telling me we'll see New York since before I was born. Twenty four years later, he honours his promise.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to this. As with every visit to a new country, I am sure there will be a whole lot of new experiences, sights, smells, and tastes. Unlike with other countries, however, I sort of know what to expect this time. I have had Hollywood shove all these ideas down my throat for over two decades, so naturally I can already imagine what some might be like. Everything I've seen in movies, all of it and more, will be there in a way or another, waiting for me to taste it*. "American Cars", "American Breakfast", "American Everything". It feels surreal... I can already imagine it, almost artificial. I figure that is a side effect of it being a world I have only seen in movies. There is so much to see, especially for an architecture student and photographer. My mouth waters at the thought of it. The landmarks, the cityscape, the subway, every bit of city life. And of course, the B&H store. Goodbye, savings! I may also meet Tetsu0 one day.

There is one thing I am not looking forward to, however, and that is my body cavities being invaded at the immigrations desk. DO NOT WANT. I can only hope it doesn't happen.

All in all, it looks very promising. Despite certain... inconveniences (such as the above, or the lack of a certain bathroom installation of French origin) I am sure it will be an amazing experience and I will definitely post photos when I return.

As a side note, I'd really like a Raspberry Pi for the trip. Portable and inexpensive, good to check mail and download photos to my portable hard drive. Sadly they are on mega back order. I'll probably end up going for a cheap netbook instead.

*not literally - licking parking meters is not in my plans

8 Comments

Commented 12 years ago2012-07-12 18:18:12 UTC Comment #62398
Lucky.

I so want to visit the big apple. Hell, I'd be happy just visiting America, I'm not fussy where I go. :P
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-12 21:28:57 UTC Comment #62399
Man, you're going to love it. I need to go again soon, last time I went I was pretty young. It's a shame because I live just a couple of states over. Be sure to eat the food street vendors sell instead of going to a fast food joint. Also eat at little mom-and-pop owned restaurants whenever you can. Going to a Yankees game would be a heck of an experience too. If you do just remember to shout that they suck for me. (it's a Boston thing)

I spent a week in Florida a couple of years ago, also in the summer like you're going to. It's HOT. And it stays light until night time. Also there are these little tiny lizzards e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. Like, everywhere. Lizzards. A few days there sounds a bit more enjoyable than a week :P

Also, you don't need to worry about getting your bum-bum touched by a TSA agent. Just go through the motions quickly and be polite, remember to take all of your metal and shoes off before you go through the detector, and you'll be past them in 30 seconds.

They only hassle people that look shady, sketchy, seem pre-occupied, or are brown. Individuals cause trouble, not families. If you're with your family and on vacation you're totally fine.

Have fun bud, next time you go to the states you should visit Boston! There's a lot of history there. You can see hundreds of years old, gigantic, wooden warships and things like that.
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-12 22:21:52 UTC Comment #62400
LOL, You shouldn't have any trouble at immigration ;)

NYC is pretty cool. I would very much recommend hitting times sqaure and see a show if you're into that. (Very much like picadilly circus if you've been to london, just bigger)

There are some cool clubs/lounges in the east village to check out and lots of great shopping opportunities, but i would caution not to buy any souvenirs until you've been around a little to get the best prices.

Other than that, i personally find ny pretty boring.

Now Florida on the other hand there are many cool things to do in orlando if you're gonna be around there. Research around to find the things that will suit your tastes best, so you can maximize your fun time.

I would say it's a no-brainer to go to disney while you're there, but idk; if it's going to be really hot and really busy there, you might consider avoiding it this trip, rather than spending your whole time sweating balls and waiting in long lines (rim may be the guy to ask about this since he lives close to orlando i think).
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-13 04:09:37 UTC Comment #62404
Well. Tickets for Disneyworld were mandatory. I'd rather not spend my whole time sweating balls and waiting in long lines, but I had no say over that. 3 days there, even. Brain will beg for mercy.

A day trip to Boston is under consideration. It's not too far, but my father seems reluctant. Probably because he never was there. I'll post any news on that.
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-13 15:46:19 UTC Comment #62401
In that case make the most of it and upgrade your tickets to the fullest you can, so you can spend less time waiting.

Are you staying in the park at one of the resorts?(y/n) if y, which one?
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-13 17:37:13 UTC Comment #62403
"All in all, it looks very promising. Despite certain... inconveniences (such as the above, or the lack of a certain bathroom installation of French origin) "

Wait, what do you mean by a French bathroom? (honest question)

"As a side note, I'd really like a Raspberry Pi for the trip. Portable and inexpensive, good to check mail and download photos to my portable hard drive. Sadly they are on mega back order. I'll probably end up going for a cheap netbook instead."

Holy shi- a TWHLer that is interested in the Raspberry PI! Awesome!

I think you are confused though. That thing isn't meant to be portable... at least to normal users(you'd have to hack some diy portable monitor for that). And you can only install Debian, archlinux... basically it's for enthusiasts, it's not going to make your life easy. You should get a tablet instead of that if you don't want to be a pack of nerves in your trip :P.
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-13 20:05:48 UTC Comment #62402
i would definitely pm rimrook and ask him for fucks to give about advice for your florida trip, since he lives really close...
Commented 12 years ago2012-07-13 21:27:00 UTC Comment #62405
@Capt. Yes I am staying at one of the park resorts. I can't remember which right now, but it was amongst the cheaper ones. I suppose I'll give Rim a nudge but I'll be out of there before I know it. So unless he wants to join me at the park, sweating balls in mile long lines... I figure there wouldn't be a lot to discuss.

I also hope it's not like in Itchy and Scratch Land where the mile long line leads to a complaints desk. :P
*bonus

@Striker: The french invention is called a bidet. You probably have one too, and bad news: There is no such thing in the US. And the fun in the RPi was that I wouldn't need to lug around a monitor or screen, and instead use the television sets already available in hotels.

RPi = $35
Power adapter = $20?
Rubber keyboard = $20?
Total = $75

It is a shame because they are on super back order. The cheapest netbooks are around $250. But oh well, they come with a battery and their own screen. Will be good for the long flights.

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