Thursday 31 May 2007

Taxi to the Cotopaxi!!

We have been to the Cotopaxi today which is one of the countries highest volcanoes.
It was an organised trip that we booked through a tour agent, you are assigned your own English speaking guide for the day and the group can be anything from 2/8 people, well luckily for us it was only two people on our trip.
The guide was supposed to turn up at 8am but because of some confusion at their offices he didnt actually arrive until 9.30 as he had been sat waiting outside a different hostel at the other side of town, not a great start.
To make matters even worse the weather was lousy, it has been raining and grey all day, despite it been their first day of summer tomorrow (you see it's not just the English weather)
At one point he advised us that it may be a good idea not to go as there wouldnt be much to see due to very poor visibility, but us been tourists and "we've paid our money" we insisted to brave it out.
We were in a 4x4 (yes I know I slagged the yanks of for their use of them but this was a justified cause)and the road through the National Park was no more than a mud track, a very rocky one at that, many times we were almost jostled out of our seats!!
It continued to rain all the way up there and at one point even started snowing, so we werent able to see or do much, we also struggled with the altitude as we were so high up.
The effects are light headedness, a kind of tight feeling around your brain (difficult to explain) and breathlesness, not ideal.
We took lots of pics anyway and when Matt is up he will post them onto the blog (it's all a bit too technical for me)
Next week we are planning on a trip into the jungle, there are all different ones to chose from, depending on the duration you are available for.
Well me been the freak that I am were spiders and insects are concerned has agreed to the 4days and 3 nights one, even that will totally freak me out, but we cannot come all this way and not visit the Amazon, so I am going to grit my teeth and get on with it.
Obviously I will give you all the details when we get back!!!
Jo just read your comment about the pics, Im not the most photogenic person and if Matt had his way I'd be on a lot more of them, everybody knows what I look like and that Im enjoying myself why do they need to see pictures of me to prove it?!?!?
Plus you'd be smiling too if you had 10 months off work to travel round the world!!!
Its the official start of the Ecuadorian summer tomorrow woo hoo, we hoping to get to the coast once we've been to Otovalo and then into the jungle, I reckon I'll need some R&R after that ordeal.
I'm a tourist get me out of here!!!!

Wednesday 30 May 2007

Quito (New Town)

Well yesterday we walked into the new part of Quito and it was totally different from the old town.
There are lot's of shops, bars, restaurants etc (as you'd probably expect) it's also not quite as hilly, which is always a bonus for ex office workers!!
Before we came travelling we went to see Steen and Nicola as they had travelled extensively through Sth America so we got lots of tips and stuff, Steen told us about a scam they often pull on backpackers, wherby somebody squirts mustard/ketchup on your back pack, which makes you take it off to clean it up, then somebody runs up and snatches it off you and runs off with your stuff.. well Im sorry to say that we fell victim to this scam yesterday, although because we knew what they were trying to do, we kept the back pack on and kept walking (it was only a day pack with our jackets in and a drink)
The guy that we think was involved tried to grab hold of Matt by his pack and pull him into a shop on the street to clean himself up but we just told him politely that we were ok.
When I looked Matt had tomato ketchup all up the back of his trousers, all over the pack and up his t'shirt, I had it on the back of my legs and trousers too, no real harm done, we are just glad that we knew what they were trying to do, he was an oldish guy too, not young thugs.
At the time we were looking for the local cinema, we were going to watch Spiderman 3 (hoping too) when we eventually got there it was a spanish kind of theatre and no trace of Spiderman 3, they'd never even heard of him!!!
We have decided to stay in Quito a couple more nights, we are still getting acclimatised as we are so far up in the mountains and it can be dfficult to breathe when you're climbing hills and stuff, were in no rush to be anywhere, it's not like we have to be back at work next week, or the week after he he!!
On Saturday we're going to a place North of Quito called Otovalo, they have the best market on the continent apparently, but very little else.
We will get the bus up there on Friday morning which takes about 2 hours.
There are still lots of beggars and stuff in the new town and you see small children about 3/4 years old with their parents begging for money in the street, this gorgeous little girl came up to us yesterday and started following us down the street with her hand out, Matt was just going to walk past but me been the soft touch told him to give her some money, when he gave her 50c her face lit up and she ran off to her mum, its 25 pence to us but a lot more to them, that was our good deed for the day.
Last night we went out for a few beers into the new town, we found a crammed bar full of locals, but it was really friendly and the owner soon got us a couple of stools at the bar making us feel right at home, we then headed off to the Thai restaurant for some food, it's the first Phad Thai Ive ever had with parsley?!?!?!
It was lovely, not as good as the one on the High Street in Ricky though.
We had a massive storm just before we went out last night, it absolutely pi$$ed down for about 2 hours, it has been doing the same this morning too, but the sun is now out and it looks to be another nice day.
Yesterday it was 25c, which is pretty cool compared to the temperatures we were experiencing in the USA.
It's so cheap here it's criminal, I just feel like were ripping everybody off, it is difficult to spend money, not that were complaining.
There are quite a few Brits and obviously Ozzies in out hostel but we haven't really got chatting to anybody yet.
It seems like the Ozzie bird is acting tour guide for everybody in here as she is fluent in Spanish (as you would expect from an Ozzie) I dare say that even if she wasn't she would still be organising everybody's day for them.
Any road.. the sun is shining and you've got work to do (most of you) so I'll be off.

Tuesday 29 May 2007

Don't know we're born!!


Well Quito is certainly an interesting place, and very hilly!!! The Ecuadorians are also really small and more often than not the whole family are all the same height.
There is so much poverty here, and everything is so cheap, I just want to go round handing everybody a dollar (that's a lot of money to them)
Yesterday we were sat in a sqaure people watching and I saw this little bloke, and I mean little, he was at least 70 years old, strapped to his back he had a load of flat packed cardboard that even I would struggle to carry, he had it tied to his back and he was doubled over it was that heavy, and he was carrying it up this really steep hill, it brought tears to my eyes to see him.
Me and Matt then got onto the conversation about our country and how people sit at home all day claiming unemployment benefit, and invalidity benefit from the state when there is actually nothing wrong with them they are just too damn lazy to work.
It is such an eye opener when you come to places like this, it's just like Cuba, maybe not quite as poverty stricken.
There is women about 60 years of age sat in the street selling a dozen apples, and they just sit there all day trying to make a bit of money, probably to buy their meal for that day.
The children are beautiful too, but dressed in dirty clothes and just sat out in the streets while their parents try to beg money or shoe shine somebody's shoes.
But on a more positive note, there are some funny things I've seen too, they have electrical shops where you can buy a cooker, a tv and wait for it.... a motorbike!!
"Yeah wrap the cooker up I'll take it home on the back of the bike"
There was also a shoe shop with loads of shoes in the window, mens, ladies, kids and then they sell ornaments too, oh yeah and there was also an iron for sale in the window.
We were in the old town yesterday and today we are going to head into the new town where all the restaurants and bars are.
We went there by taxi last night for some food and I saw a hostal, it was called "Tittisee Hostal"
Hmmmm!!
Hope you all had a good Bank Holiday weekend and are enjoying your first day back at work!!
Adios.

Monday 28 May 2007

Lost in translation

Well we've arrived in Ecuador, after an extremely long day, has anybody seen the film Terminal with Tom Hanks??
Our Hostel is great, nice and clean but an extremely basic room with private bathroom, and up to now no creatures!!
Internet access is really cheap here, its $1 for an hour!! so expect a lot of posting!!
On the flight here we were served one of those in flight meals, when we actually booked our RTW tickets we did state that a veggie meal was required for one passenger, the meal on the flight here was a chicken sandwich or a beef sandwich... hmm, I can feel the weight coming off already and we only arrived yesterday!!
I did manage to have a coffee and on the cup it said "please be careful, the contents of this cup are extremely very hot", the pilot also apologised for the late take off of our plane due to one of the passengers been ill and having to be carried off, he said "I appreciate your comprehension in this matter"
Steen beer is 90c a bottle here, I dont know why I've singled Steen out on this cos I know we all like a drink!!
Anyway it's just a short one today to let you know "we're here".
Off out now to see some sites, will get some more pics on soon.

Saturday 26 May 2007

This Post May Contain Traces Of Nuts...

Just back in Boston long enough to use the Internet (the decent Internet Cafe with nice shiny Macs) before getting the bus back to NYC and then flying to Ecuador. I can honestly say this first 3 weeks in the States has been a great start and we've had a really relaxing time. The people are really friendly, if a little loud, and obviously as it's English speaking it's easy to get around, ask for rooms, order huge portions of dinner. Which leads me on to the subject of this post...

Now we all know the rumours of the portion size in America, the general laziness of the inhabitants and the size of the waistlines. Well I'd like, once and for all, to categorically confirm that all these rumours are TRUE!! Godammit!

I'll start with the waistlines; i'd say that 50% of Americans have BIG waistlines, or to put it bluntly are fat. Now, having been aquainted with 2 at Comet (where I work, or where I work when I'm at home) one who I sat opposite in Ricky who was lean and fit (actively fit, not fit in a gay way) and the other who worked in Hull who was/is a BIG lad to say the least. Now we've just come from the beach this morning and some of the people; men,women and kids are absolutely massive and when you see what they shove down their throats you can understand why (N.B. bear in mind that today we've eaten fish and chips for breakfast/lunch and a Dunkin' Donut for lunch/dinner!).

Now the labels on all the food detail (in a great deal of detail) the breakdown by Carbs, fibre, salt, trans fat, unsaturated fat and god knows what other kind of fat even telling you the percentage your allowed for each one daily. I reckon Americans are illeterate too, either that or they just don't @#%*ing bother to read the labels. One other thing; you all must have seen the labels on food at home saying "This may contain traces of Nuts" to warn those weirdos who can't eat nuts. Now on a carton of milk in the first place we stayed in New York it actually had written on "Milk*" at the top; underneath in small print it said "This contains Milk". What the hell else is it going to contain?!??!

Right this is turning into a bit of a rant about Americans and it's not supposed to be that so i'll leave it there. On a positive note, as I said before, we have had a great time here, the people are REALLY friendly, the food is REALLY good (if a little too much of it) and there is some fantastic scenery (mountains, rivers, lakes) and probably one of the best cities in the world (New York). I would recommend everyone pushing aside their misconceptions of "the US of A" and pay a visit (just bring a stomach pump!)

Adios (next post will be in Ecuador!)

p.s. one other thing, the size of the cars over here is also big. The four wheel drives (or SUV's as they call them) are as big as our old flat. Mind you I suppose if you have a BIG family of fat b@stards your average Vauxhall Corsa ain't gonna be able to carry 'em!

Bye Bye to all that American Pie!!

Well were back in the City of Boston after our jaunt in the Mountains.
We have dropped the hire car back and are now just waiting to get the bus back to NYC at 8pm this evening (takes about 4 hours) we then fly to Ecuador from JFK (via San Jose) at 6.30am (Sunday)
We have had an AMAZING time in the U.S and enjoyed every minute of it.
Last night we stopped off at a beach resort Hampton Beach about an hour from Boston, it was just like a sea side resort in the U.K, full of yawping chavs and pikys, all grossly overweight wearing ill fitting cheap clothes, with lots of kids covered in flies, loads of barry'd up motors too.
The beach was swamped with people and litter (or garbage as they call it over here) people just floating about in the Atlantic amongst dunkin donut cups and Mcdonald wrappers!
Matt enjoyed it though as there were also lots of scantily clad females parading about in their bikini's ;o)
On the way back to Boston today we stopped at another beach resort, Salisbury Beach, that was exactly the same but more run down and less scantily clad women.
We did manage to get Haddock and Chips yesterday though, what a treat to get proper fish and chips when your miles away from home!!
Yesterday was a bit of an eye opener for us both to be honest, it was a really really hot day (above 90c) and really humid, there were just hundreds of Monster Trucks bumper to bumper trying to get parked in this beach resort, imagine a large 4x4 in the U.K and times the size by 3, that is the average size of an American vehicle, nobody drives cars.
Then there was all the food that goes to waste, and believe me as much as the U.S love their grub, they also throw so much away, and they don't bat an eye lid, NOBODY recycles (I know I've already mentioned this) but it's unbelieveable to think that a country seemingly as intelligent and clued up as they are can be so oblivious to Global Warming and the damage they are doing to the environment they live in.
Everything is on a MASSIVE scale here, you have to see it to really believe it, anyway rant over...
Having the car has been great, we have been to so many places and obviously it's great to not have to carry your ruck-sack about, that said I have got the packing of it down to a fine art now, and I could quite easily have packed all the stuff that I wanted to bring but couldnt fit it in as I hadn't packed it properly (a blessing in disguise)
Last night we had to get the maintenance guy in as our bathroom door had locked itself and we couldnt get in, he asked us if there was anybody in there?!?!?
On Wednesday we did a 11 mile hike (it should have been 5.5 miles) we were under the impression that it was a round trip (which it said on the leaflet we picked up) thinking that it was one of those walks where you finish up where you started, well that would have been perfect, but we read it wrong (what was that I was saying about been a proficient map reader??) and what it meant was that it was a 5 mile round trip i.e 2.5 miles there, 2.5 miles back, durgh!!
Needless to say we weren't impressed with ourselves, can you imagine having walked over 5 miles thinking you must be "nearly there" only to be met with a sign post that says "back that way loser and it's another 5 miles back"
I could have cried, my legs were scrathed to pieces when we got back, and after we'd had a bath and gone out for some food we were walking like Frankenstein we were so stiff!
Im not sure if anybody knows (apart from those closest to me) about my absolute fear of creepy crawlies, when I say creepy crawlies I dont just mean spiders, I mean flies, ants, wasps, earwigs, beatles, moths, butterflies.. you starting to get the picture??
I am terrified of anything that's alive and moves that comes near me that isn't human or an animal.
Up to now it's been pretty tame with only a few hysterical outbursts, for instance an ant has passed me in the street (Im not that bad) but I know that Sth America is going to be alive with "creatures" and Im dreading it.
I have sat down with Matt and explained in great detail my fears, and try to make a comparrison with something he is afraid of (flying) I have also told him that he is not to lose his temper with me if I suddenly lose the plot if something lands on me, I have also asked him not to tell me if he finds something in our room, but just to remove it and not alert my attention to it.
I will keep you updated...
We bought another phone card yesterday, they only had a $20 one so we had to buy that, which is ok as we can also use it in Sth America, when you dial the number you want to ring you get a recorder message that tells you how much credit the card holds and how long it will permit you to talk, so in an American accent it said to me "you can talk for 1 day 8 hours", now dont get me wrong I love to talk but even I would struggle to talk for that long!!
Well were three weeks in now and it's all going just great, were getting on really well despite been with each other 24/7 and I only hope that the rest of our trip is going to be as enjoyable as the last 3 weeks have been..
Ecuador here we come!!!!!

Tuesday 22 May 2007

Woodstock, New Hampshire

Woo hoo, we have found an internet cafe with more than 1 computer!!
Today we have driven to a place called Woodstock which is just past Lincoln where we were planning on staying, again we are staying in a motel and it's cheap as chips.
We picked up a local map to get our bearings, it is a kind of fun map though with no actual scale on it.
We saw this internet place and decided we would walk there as it's a lovely sunny day and it didn't look far, well it's about 2 miles, but hey what do we care, it's not like we have to be at work tonight, or up early tomorrow :o)
It is a cafe type place and there are tons of 2nd hand books so I will be having a rummage through there when I've finished surfing.
Apart from the above I am now a proficient map reader (well at least I think so, Matt may have something to say about that) you don't realise the importance of them until you do something like this and rely on one every day.
I also bought Matt a watch for Christmas with a compass on, that has also come in really useful, and we really would have been lost without it (no pun intended)
The weather is scorchio today which is good news for us and it is going to get hotter as the week goes on.
It is a holiday weekend for the Americans this week (it probably is for you too actually??) so it is the official start of the U.S holiday season this week, which means that hotel rates start to go up, luckily for us we fly to Ecuador on Sunday, and we have just booked a hostel for $17 a night including private bathroom!!
Can't believe I'm having so much fun, I thought I would be more unsettled/homesick but there is just so much to do everyday (or even not if we chose)
The small towns out of the big cities are really strange places, everybody wears dungarees and I can't help but think that everybody is just a little bit backward, or to put it politely just not quite as forward as us!?!?! although just about everybody we've met has been friendly and hospitable.
People are also very religious over here, churches everywhere.
We filled the car up with petrol on the way to New Hampshire, it cost $26, which is about 13 quid, needless to say we think it's an absolute bargain, however the Americans are going mad at the moment about the massive increase in petrol prices, that said EVERYBODY drives around in a monster truck.
They really do need to get greener over here and be more accountable for the environment, the packaging you get when ordering a coffee and a dunking donut is just silly and it all gets thrown in the bin, they are not into recycling over here, or at least not on as bigger scale as they need to be.
So what am I missing most about home..
My family and friends obviously, but as far as the things you cant get into your ruck sack go I'd have to say:
1) My never ending supply of toiletries and perfume
2) A decent hairdryer
3) All your clothes and shoes that are there whether you wear them or not (here Ive got a pair of trekking shoes, a pair of dodgy trekking sandals (that I wouldn't be seen dead in at home) and a pair of flip flops)
4) A handbag (as strange as that sounds, it's weird going out every day without one, girls will understand)
5) A hot curry, we have had a few lovely Thai meals and we even had an Indian in NY but none as hot and spicy as you get back home.
All things to look forward too when we get back!!

Monday 21 May 2007

Now then!!!


Hey all, we are now in the Lake region of New Hampshire, we drove up from Cape Cod yesterday, the rain was horrific all the way here, and to make it worse the Americans do not drive with thier side lights which made visibility even worse, was not a very pleasurable drive, it took us about 4 hours.
We came straight to a place called Meredith, which is a little resort on Lake WinnIpesaukee, with NO accomodation, even though our guide book said that it had loads (ok so the guide book is Steen's and from 1999), anyway we had a drive round the place, in fact we probably went round three or four times just to make sure we hadn't missed anything, once we were sure we hadn't we agreed to head for a place called Lincoln, which is further North and in the White Mountains.
Just as we were heading out we came across a myriad of Motels, B&B's and other such types of accomodation, so we booked in at a little motel (it is not sleazy, I dont know about anybody else but I always associate Motels with sleaze, maybe from my childhood when I used to watch Crossroads and Miss Dianne was having it away with Benny from the garage!!), so this motel is lovely, it cost us $118 for 2 nights (which is less than half our budget for one night) and it even has a swimming pool right outside our door!!
Today we took the ferry across the Lake, it was lovely and scenic as you would expect and we will upload some pics soon.
Internet is very difficult to find out of the big cities, so apologies for any unanswered emails but its difficult to update the blog, answer emails, book accomodation, check weather, upload photos etc.
We stayed in a lovely place in Yarmouth Inn at Lewis Bay we were really spoilt, home baked muffins for breakfast and home made cookies every afternoon. If anybody ever decides to comer to Cape Cod, you should stay here (if it's good enough for Gordon Brown)
The only down side was that it never stopped raining all the time we were there so we couldnt do much :o(
Tomorrow we are driving up the Kancamagus Pass which is through the White Mountain National Park we will be snap happy there and post some pics ASAP.
Right that's it from me as Matt is itching to get on (only 1 Internet terminal in the whole of Laconia)
Thanks for all your emails.

P.S Not missing work at all!! (just in case you forgot)

Saturday 19 May 2007

Have a nice day!!

Just found a library in Provincetown with FREE internet access which is a result as we have searched the length and breadth of Cape Cod for internet and not been able to find any.
It was GREAT to see so many comments, it really has made my day, and almost brought a few tears!!
ANYWAY, enouugh of the fluffy stuff..
It hasnt stopped raining since we left Boston on Thursday, we have hired a car and driven to Cape Cod where we are staying at a place called Yarmouth in a cosy Bed and Breakfast, a lovely home from home.
Tomorrow we leave and are heading up to the mountains, Matt wanted to drive up to Canada (approx 7 hours) but I managed to talk him out of it as we only have another week in the U.S before we fly out to Ecuador on Sunday (next week)
You would think with us been tourists that we would always be asking directions and stuff, but its not the case, in fact most people ask Matt, what subway do I need, what plane do I catch, how do I find..., its really funny.
We went to a bar the other day and Matt got asked for I.D, he didnt have any with him so he had to havea coke, he he, I said take it as a compliment I wish theyd have asked me!!
We were in a bar in Boston on Wednesday night and they had over 70 varieties of bottled beer, needless to say we sampled a few, I had a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale too :o)
It is also frowned upon to signal when in the car in Boston, its regarded as giving information to the enemy, apparently even the locals have trouble finding their way around, one way streets, parking etc.
Every other shop here is a nail/waxing salon, yet there are still lots of hairy women about ;o)
We have been listening to the radio in the car and there is a station called Pixy FM, on the LCD it looks like its PIKY FM, we think its funny.
Dont forget America runs on dunkin doughnuts, dont we know it!!
Anyway thats about it for now, I think Matt may be posting too.
Keep the comments coming :o)

Pikey FM

Well i thought i'd better post as it's been a while; plus Michelle seems to be hogging the blog a bit! We're in Provincetown on Cape Cod which is possibly the Gayest place I have ever been in my life! It's full of 'em! There are also lots of Fudge shops for some reason, seriously, if anyone needs a job fudge packing then this is the place. Still, it's a nice town with plenty of weird shops and art galleries. It's a shame it's been raining here really.

We've got a hire car now so are a bit more mobile and as the weather's not been that great, we've been driving up and down the Cape. The town's seem to repeat a bit every 5 miles with a stretch of Dunkin' Doughnuts, KFC and McDonalds and you get a touch of Deja Vu; "haven't we just driven past this?" but i seem to remember it being similar in Phoenix, Arizona.

The best thing about having a car though is being able to listen to all the "middle of the road trashy American (so-called) Rock Music" on the radio. On the way down from Boston we were listening to a radio station called Pikey FM (it's actually called Pixey FM but on the radio display it looks like Pikey). I was expecting lots of gypsies playing pennywhistles and bongos but all it plays is 70's Rock and American Rock (e.g. Foriegner, Chicago, Michael Bolton). The recipe for these type of bands/songs is below:

Recipe for American Rock Number 1 Song:

1.At least 4 long-haired (fe)males with perms. (it doesn't matter if you have boys or girls as noone call tell the difference - think BonJovi, Europe, Def Leppard, RightSaidFred)
2.Nice guitar sound with just a touch of chorus.
3.Bridge section of song with a semitone key change.
4.Thumping chorus where each band member sings in a slightly different key (think Flying Pickets - ba da ba dum, ba da ba dum, ba da da dum - you get the idea)
5.Second Verse and Chorus.
6.Final Chorus - half an octave higher to fade (this is the bit when Westlife all stand up from the chairs and take a step forward).

Well I'm running out of time now so best be off , I won't need to come back home as I'll be writing a series of chart-topping number 1 singles for the rest of my life of here in the US.

p.s. Keith, if your reading, haven't heard any Slayer yet!

Tuesday 15 May 2007

A bit of waffle...

We have just been to see 28 weeks later at the cinema, urgh, it's a bit bloody, but a good film, again the Americans were heckling, it's obviously the norm over here!
Last night we went to an Irish Bar in the Northern Quarter which is predominantly Italian, you are expected to tip bar staff and waitresses 15% of the overall bill. Last night we got 2 Magners (Irish Cider) and it came to $9, Matt only had a $20 bill so he gave her that, to which she asked "do you need change from that" I wouldnt mind but she only brought us two bottles of beer and plonked em on the table, it's hardly going above and beyond the call of duty is it??
We then went to a great Italian (www.aldenteboston.com), one of the best Italians we've ever been to is in Prague and we were introduced to it by Steen and Nicola, but I have to say this one came pretty close last night, it was yummy, we had 2 courses each and drinks and it only came to $70 (inc of tip), it's like Hull prices!!
Matt is uploading some more pics to the blog today, lots of Times Square, some of the Empire which may be a bit blurred and then lots of Boston, hope you enjoy.
We spoke to our parents yesterday for the 1st time since we've been away , we got a phone card for $5 and managed to talk for almost an hour, it took us almost as long as that to actually figure out how to use it.
I meant to say when we went to the Empire Building on Saturday we saw a 7 year old James Brown lookalike, he was a dead ringer for him, with a mass of black hair, we found it really amusing and got the giggles, then everywhere we were, he seemed to be too, you had to be there to appreciate it.
We spent a lot of time in the Hells Kitchen part of New York when we were there as it's right near where we were staying, it used to be really rough there years ago, but it is a really bohemian kind of place now.
Anyway I can feel this post getting less and less interesting so I'll go check my email instead...

Monday 14 May 2007

Bustling Boston


Well we arrived in Boston yesterday, thanks to Peter Pan, no we didnt fly here it's the name of the bus company! I worked it out, it's 217 miles, almost like the drive from Ricky to Hull!!!
Well as you know on Saturday we were heading for the Bronx Zoo, well what a school boy error that was!, we emerged from the subway into what I can only describe as the Lions Den!, it was a bit intimidating to say the least, talk about standing out like a sore thumb. We couldnt find the zoo either so we asked a cop where the nearest subway was (so we didnt have to go back the dodgy way we came) and jumped back on the subway to Central Park.
Saturday night we managed the Empire Building, we queued for about 90 minutes so when we actually got up there it was just getting dark, it was absolutely amazing, we've both been up before but during the day, the view by night really is something else. Apparently it attracts 35,000 visitors a day, the fee to get in is $18, I'll leave you to do the maths!!, there are also 16,000 employees who work in there.
It was sad leaving New York, it was a fantastic kick off for our travels and we are both really glad we built it into or trip.
So as I said we arrived yesterday by bus and then got the train to our "new hostel", well it can only be described as something out of a Scooby Doo movie, the one where everything creaks, everything is dusty, its dark and dingy, oh yeah and it smells fusty, luckily we are only booked in for 4 nights, the guy who booked us in is also a Hell's Angel (good job there's locks on the doors). It is fully booked up at the moment and last night it was really noisy, so much so we were tempted to go out and tell everybody to shut it!! we never though ;o)
In the guest book somebody has signed in as Phil Mitchell, address:Albert Square.
Today we did a walk called The Freedom Trail, it takes in 16 locations that played a part in the city's colonial and Revolutionary history which is linked by a three mile red painted path., we have walked miles since we've been here, it certainly beats been sat at a computer for 7.5 hours a day!
Matt had fish and chips last night, Icelandic Haddock, they don't have it in newspaper with loads of salt and vinegar like we do though!!
Tomorrow we are going to the Harvard University for a nosey, at the end of May its graduation for all the students, so all the accommodation gets booked up really quickly as all the "mooooms and daaaaaads" come to see their kids, luckily we will be leaving for Ecuador by that time so will miss it.
Matt is just booking us some luxury accommodation in Cape Cod, we reckon we deserve to sleep in a clean bed in a place run by "normal people" for a coupla nights at least, plus because the pound is so strong against the U.S dollar we are well within our budget, so we can afford to lord it :o)
We will upload so more pics later this week.
Before I go I just want to say well done Amanda for completing the 5k run on Sunday for Cancer, go girl Im proud of you!! and Anna, not sure if this is an Omen but there is a pub here called "Mother Annas", I hope it is an omen, I will have my fingers crossed for you and RRB :o)

Saturday 12 May 2007

Everything's BIG in America!

Just a quick update.. Were off up to the Bronx Zoo today, apparently there are 4000 animals in there, should be fun. Tonight we are going up the Empire as we still haven't managed to get up there yet. Last night we went to Greenwich Village (kind of like Camden in London) we had a few beers with the locals :o)
We got speaking to a local the other day in Central Park, he told us that 71% of New Yorkers are single, that's because they all work in the City and take their careers so seriously. He lives in the same block as Kevin Bacon and his wife too (apparently) It was really interesting to speak to somebody who knows so much about the place and the people etc. Everybody hates George Bush here too! It's going to be 31 Celsius here on Tuesday according to the BBC weather, thank God were going to Boston where its only going to be 23!!!!

Friday 11 May 2007

Hot in the City

It is so bloody hot here it's uncomfortable. We had a massive storm at about 4am and it kind of cleared the air for a while but now it's as humid as ever, it's not so bad when you're laid on a beach somewhere but when you're chasing round NY trying to see and do everything it gets a bit much.
Yesterday we booked our bus tickets to go to Boston, we leave on Sunday and are gonna be there for 2 weeks, taking in Cape Cod too which is a popular tourist spot with the locals, we will probably hire a car to get around. We have booked a hostel for the first 4 nights but having read some reviews about it, it sounds even more horrific than the one were in now (not possible)
Yesterday we went to Times Square, it is just a mass of hustle and bustle, it was amazing (will upload some more pics next week) we also went to the Cinema while we were there and watched a film (oh it's great been off work) it was really funny in the cinema as the yanks clap and shout out through the film, almost like heckling at a comedy club!!
Everything is MASSIVE here, the portions are overwhelming and so are New Yorkers waist lines, although you can tell they are trying to get their act together from a health perspective as everything is sold as non trans fat, contains antioxidants etc. The cars are also huge, not just your average four wheel drive but summat like you would see in Monster Trucks, and every body has got one, and EVERYBODY gives it plenty on the horn, it was quite amusing at first but now were just sick of hearing it.
We went to the launderette this morning and did our first load of washing, everything in together, ooh it makes me cringe to put my whites in with my coloureds!!!
Anyway I've 60 seconds left so Im outta here, night y'all!!

Wednesday 9 May 2007

Aint she pretty, whadda guy!!

Hey y'all, how y'all doing?? Well were having a great time as you would expect!!, thanks for all your posts, keep em coming.
So were three days into our long haul and we are getting into the swing of things with seemingly no hassle, I suppose a lot of that is to do with the fact that were in America!!, it does ease us in gently though.
On Sunday we leave NY and are getting the train up to Boston for a week or so, and then up to Cape Cod which is a popular holiday resort with the yanks. We have booked a hostel and only hope that its cleaner than this one.. I wont go into detail, just use your imagination.
On our 1st day we went into Central Park which is right on our doorstep and watched a Baseball team having a practice, it was great, Ive never took much interest in the game to be honest but I really enjoyed it. After that we staggered back to our digs and collapsed as we had been up since 5am and it was now about 2am the next morning. I'm still struggling a bit with the time difference but Matt seems to be ok. On Monday we walked down to Manhattan, it was great, taking in the whole NYC and the atmos etc, it is surreal walking down the street and just been a part of it (probably sounds strange to anybody that has never been) we then stumbled upon the most amazing deli bar, Olivia's, there is every kind of sandwich, salad, fruit, drink that you could wish for, if you went in every lunch time for a year you still wouldn't have got through the entire menu! After that we walked to Ground Zero, they are building a new sky scraper called The Freedom Tower, still in the very early stages though, we then went and sat by the Hudson River chilling out, it's great knowing that time is on your side and that you don't have to rush back home, back to work etc, it is such a good feeling knowing you can do what you want when you want if you want!
Yesterday we took the subway to Brooklyn Bridge, and walked back across it, the view is amazing, we managed to take lots of pics and when we get to Boston next week we will get some on the site. We also went back to Olivia's for our lunch and then went and sat with the locals in City Hall Park, which is right in front of the Woolworths Building (NY's first Sky Scraper) We went to the Metropolitan Art Museum in the afternoon which was ok if you like that kind of thing, we did manage to go up on the roof terrace though and get some amazing views over Central Park, we also got our 1st pic together!
Today we are going to walk to the Trump Tower, then to Grand Central Station to hopefully book our train tickets to Boston, this evening we are hoping to go up the Empire Building, we've both been up there during the day so thought it would be good to see it by night.
Breakfast is free at the hostel (well it's not really when you consider it's costing us $100 a night to stay here!! it consists of Cheerios and toast with peanut butter or jam. Cheerios are lovely, Ive never had em before. There is a Japanese girl staying here and Matt said he saw her yesterday making some peanut butter and jam sandwiches to take out with her. I know we are on a budget but I couldn't live on peanut butter sandwiches!!
Oh by the way did I happen to mention... Im not missing work in the slightest!!!

Tuesday 8 May 2007

Manhattan

Hi Y'All. We spent about 5 hours yesterday walking round Manhattan and I managed to get sunburnt on the first day of our trip! Not bad, i thought we'd at least get to South America first. I've added a few extra things to the blog, the CountUp (as opposed to the Countdown) and a flag of where we are. Best be off, as I'm running out of time again!

Sunday 6 May 2007

How y'all doin?

Well we've got here at last after what seems like years of waiting, leaving do's, saying goodbyes and travelling. It's 3.30pm here, god knows what time it is back there, and we're just off out into the Big Apple. The hostel is right in the centre of Manhatten on the edge of Central Park and is actually not too bad, shame on all those people who wrote bad reviews on Trip Advisor (i don't know how cigarette burns got in the bath though so i'll give you that!). Anyway i've got 1:28 seconds left before my free 5 minute internet runs out so night y'all!

Time to go...

Well it's finally here!, feeling so nervous it's unreal. Just waiting for Stew to pick us up now to take us to Manchester, we fly at 10am, hopefully I'll be asleep by 10:05. I had to take some Natrasleep last night as I could not get to sleep, which is not like me at all, then when I did manage to sleep I had really bad dreams ALL night!
Anyway its just a short one to say, TTFN, hopefully the blog will now start to get more interesting!

P.S I was in Asda yesterday and the tragic life section is actually called "tear jerkers" in there!!

See you all soon

M & M

Wednesday 2 May 2007

Tragic Life Book Section

Afternoon, we're up in Droitwich (Worcs) for a few days seeing my parents and friends before the weekend! We went out with Cookie, Natalie, Ben and Dan last night for a few ciders (it's what they drink round here) and to watch the footie. Tuesday nights in Droitwich aren't renowned for being lively but it was quite a good turnout in the end; got a bit rowdy when Liverpool had a goal dissallowed but it turned out for the best as they won the game on penalties.

We headed out for a walk this afternoon and I showed Michelle the sights; she gets quite annoyed with my running commentary on how things have changed or the history behind places. "That house there used to be an offlicense and they had a really good deal on Breakers lager when we were 17". "Really dear , how interesting!" "Yeah and this road here ; we were in my mum's Talbot Samba and got chased by a couple of bikers for calling their girlfriends slags back at the Esso garage over there." "Oh". Still I suppose everybody likes recapping on their youth and the places they were brought up; maybe they should either do it alone or with people they grew up with!

Anyway, the title of my post is regarding my visit to WH Smith in Victoria Square in Droitwich (pop in if you're in the area as I'm not making this up!). I actually went in looking for a spanish phrase book which we need for South America. My spanish is very limited, I can probably get away for asking for 2 beers and a double room for the night (although not necassarily in that order) so I thought this would be a valuable purchase. Now most bookshops have clearly marked sections "Travel", "Cooking", "Biographies",etc. This shop did have a few of these but what caught my eye was the "Tragic Lifestories" section. I thought it was a joke at first and expected to find books on Paul Daniels, Vanessa Feltz or that bird who used to sing on cruise ships. But no it was a real section with real tragic life stories. I picked one up called "The Boy called It" which was about a kid who had an abusive mother; a sad story indeed, but do you think a whole section of a book shop needs a whole area devoted to these kinds of books. Just goes to show what people like reading (or people in Worcs. anyway)

That's enough ranting from me, hopefully we'll put some pics from Switzerland up tmw when we get to Hull.

Adios

(p.s. I still didn't find a spanish phrase book)