#Grand Central Air Terminal

[ajl1963]

Deco Doings - May, 2024

Spring by William Welsh, 1930. Image from Pinterest. Let’s tale a look at what Deco doings are happening this May. Bard Graduate Center Sonia Delauney: Living Art (In Person Exhibit)      February 23, 2024 – July 7, 2024, 18 West 86th Street, New York, NY      Center Hours: Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Box, 1913. Oil on wood. 20…

[sunsetschloe]

live for me - natasha romanoff fic

summary: if there's one thing Natasha learned from it all, it was that everyone dies alone. but that's okay, because if you truly lived, if you meant something, anything, to someone, if you found the strength to love through the pain, then you're still living in the memories of the people you loved.

chapter one: clint

Budapest was so much emptier without Natasha. 

The streets of Budapest were still bustling with merchants selling their crafts, calling out to the tourists that traversed the city, looking for the best spots for group selfies.

But Clint wasn't here for relaxation. As soon as he got off the plane, he headed straight to the nearby bus stop, where he got in line to buy a shuttle ticket. The line moved fast, and the couple in front of him left without tickets because of some "currency exchange issue."

"One ticket to Keleti Station." 

"One way?" The man in the booth peered at him over his shades. Clint nodded in response. "2200 forints." 

Clint handed him the bills he had prepared beforehand silently. "In five minutes," the man explained as he slid the ticket to him, and Clint murmured a quiet thank you before he left.

The entire bus ride, he looked out the window at the familiar sights he last saw in 2003. 

Keleti train station was big, and hard to navigate. Nothing compared to Grand Central Terminal, but the signs in Hungarian didn't give much information. He weaved through the crowd, trying to locate the ticket counter.

As a solo archer, he wasn't sure why him being alone felt so...off. 

He boarded his train half an hour later, and they arrived at his destination within twenty minutes.

"We have arrived at Budapest Nyugati Station," a bright voice chirped from the speakers. "To transfer to Deli Station, please exit from the right for metro line 3 or M3, or..." Clint tuned out the station broadcast, drawing his jacket more tightly around his body as he walked briskly from the train tracks.

He still knew these paths by heart.

Towards the end of the exit, he spotted the vent cover they escaped into last time. He was tempted to just open it right there and then, but it was broad daylight, and he didn't want to cause a fiasco by climbing into the air duct in front of all these people. 

He slipped into a hall by the main area, where another vent cover sat on the ceiling. Glancing around anxiously, he scaled the wall, hauling himself into the vent.

The vent was smaller than he remembered. He crawled along awkwardly, occasionally glancing upwards at the little drawings Natasha made, next to their sad attempts of tic-tac-toe to amuse themselves.

He eventually stopped at a turning point of the vent, and started digging through the cracks of their old hideout, where candy wrappers and empty bottles remained. His hand caught on something loose, and he pulled it out, stuffing it into his pocket without a glance.

The vent felt weirdly suffocating.

He crawled forward to the next exit of the vent, opened the cover with a slight squeak that made him wince. Making sure no one passed by the empty hallway, he jumped down quietly, closing the cover with his motion.

He stopped before making it out of the hall and back to the main station, retrieving whatever he found from the pocket of his jeans.

It was a photo of him and Natasha in front of Liberty Square, eyes squinting at the camera. He wasn't sure how he got her to agree to the picture in the first place, but he wasn't about to dwell on it. He found the picture, and it was all that mattered. 

He flipped the photo to reveal a date hastily written on in permanent marker: April 24th, 2003.

"We were so young", he muttered to himself. He turned back to the side with their picture, and inspected their faces. He was smiling broadly, stance relaxed, while Natasha only gave a slight grimace. "I hope you're in a better place now." 

He pocketed the photo with a sigh, and left without looking back.

~

ao3 link if y'all wanna leave some kudos <3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/61978525/chapters/158489269

[crownedstoat]

Ground crew member loading luggage into a Fokker F-32 aircraft at Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale.

[posttexasstressdisorder]

WhatMatters

Your guide to California policy and politics

By Lynn La

January 24, 2025

Presented by Alibaba, Californians for Energy Independence and Uber

Good morning, California.

CA earmarks $2.5 billion for LA fire aid

Gov. Gavin Newsom holds signed bills to support wildfire response and recovery efforts for Los Angeles during a press conference at Willard Elementary School in Pasadena Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Frederic J. Brown, AFP via Getty Images

With President Donald Trump bound for Los Angeles today and once again threatening to withhold wildfire aid to California unless the state abides by his water policies, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills Thursday to provide $2.5 billion in state funding for wildfire response and preparedness, writes CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal.

Newsom, at a press event in Pasadena: “People feel helpless, but not everybody feels hopeless. This is about distilling a sense of hopefulness.”

State and local agencies can use the money for a variety of recovery efforts, such as providing shelters, removing hazardous waste and testing air quality. It also includes:

$4 million for the Department of Housing and Community Development to help local governments speed up building permits;

$1 million to rebuild schools;

$250,000 to the Division of the State Architect;

$750,000 to the Office of Public School Construction.

Funds for the relief package will be drawn from the state’s reserve fund specifically earmarked for economic uncertainties, which had about $8.3 billion as of Jan. 10, according to a California Department of Finance spokesperson. State officials say the $2.5 billion should be reimbursable by the federal government. Hours before receiving the governor’s signature, the bills passed the Legislature unanimously in both chambers. The mood was somber, and while legislators acknowledged the urgency of the matter, some also stressed that the state should carefully track where the money would go, and that vulnerable communities should be prioritized.

Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, a Los Angeles Democrat: “Fire does not discriminate. But what can discriminate is how we rebuild. … It is crucial to do so ethically and equitably.”

The wildfires that broke out earlier this month have killed at least 27 people, and displaced tens of thousands of others. New fires continue to ignite in Southern California this week, including the 10,000-acre Hughes Fire in L.A. County that began Wednesday. Also Thursday, Newsom's office was left trying to discern the details of Trump's planned visit to the fire zone — and the White House seemed just fine to leave the governor hanging. It's unclear whether the two, whose relationship is frosty at best, will appear together as presidents and governors normally do at disasters scenes. CalMatters' Alexei Koseff previews what could be an awkward day in LA in this story.

Wildfire newsletter: CalMatters is teaming up with PBS SoCal, LAist and KCRW to offer a free newsletter that delivers new and accurate information about the Southern California fires. Read an edition and subscribe.

Focus on inequality: Each Friday, the California Divide team delivers a newsletter that focuses on the politics and policy of inequality. Read an edition and subscribe.

How will Trump’s second presidency affect your corner of California? CalMatters is working with public radio partners to gather perspectives across the state. Share your thoughts here.

Other Stories You Should Know

 OpenAI under investigation

Open AI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman (center) speaks at an artificial intelligence event at Grand Central Terminal in New York City on Sept. 23, 2024. Photo by Bryan R. Smith, Pool Photo via AP Photo

OpenAI’s intentions to go from a nonprofit organization to a for-profit corporation is raising a few eyebrows. That includes those from the California Attorney General’s office, which has opened an investigation into the possible business restructuring.

As CalMatters’ Khari Johnson explains, the California-based creator of ChatGPT launched in 2015 originally as a nonprofit. But in December, it confirmed it was considering a plan to set up a for-profit public benefit corporation. Though the artificial intelligence company currently has a for-profit arm, profits from this sector are capped, creating a barrier for fundraising and conflict between its nonprofit and for-profit branches.

Critics of the proposal, including tech competitor Meta, also argue that this could set a dangerous precedent that allows startups to reap the tax benefits of nonprofits, while intending to become highly lucrative businesses.

Read more here.

 

CA and the ‘wind thing’

Turbines at the Block Island Wind Farm off Block Island, Rhode Island coast on Dec. 7, 2023. Photo by Julia Nikhinson, AP Photo

“We’re not going to do the wind thing.”

At his inauguration Monday, Trump reiterated his pledge to end the U.S. offshore wind industry, and quickly followed up with an executive order banning new offshore wind leases, reports CalMatters’ Julie Cart.

The ban doesn’t immediately affect plans that are already underway for large wind farms located in two areas off California’s coast. But they could be threatened in the near future, since Trump also ordered “a comprehensive review” of “terminating or amending” offshore wind leases.

Industry officials and environmentalists argue that Trump’s decree is a big blow to an industry that is just starting to gain momentum. Offshore wind is also key for the state’s goal to electrify its grid and go carbon neutral by 2045.

But Trump isn’t the only critic: Many residents and local officials in Morro Bay, where one of the two major wind farm projects will be located, have raised concerns that the turbines will harm their community’s environment and economy.

Read more here.

 

And lastly: CA youth shifting right?

Students and voters wait in line to cast their ballots at Modoc Hall at Sacramento State on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Compared to 2020, Trump made small gains in the November election not only among California’s general voting population but voters ages 18 to 29 as well. Find out why from June Hsu of CalMatters’ College Journalism Network.

California Voices

CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: With its economy and population size similar to Canada, should California breakaway from the U.S. and become its own country?

Other things worth your time:

 Some stories may require a subscription to read.

 Amid fires, LA needs housing and downtown’s empty office towers have appeal // Los Angeles Times

What LA schools can learn from Northern CA districts that survived wildfires // EdSource

What will happen to LA’s palm trees? // The Guardian

CA’s 250,000 federal employees await fate as Trump roils civil service // The Mercury News

How will Trump’s anti-trans executive order affect Californians? // The Sacramento Bee

CA prepares for battle with Trump on immigration raids in schools and hospitals // San Francisco Chronicle

Stanislaus farmers could lose vital workers from Trump’s mass deportations // The Modesto Bee

New recall effort targets Newsom, citing CA’s rising costs, policies // KTLA 5

How the latest US court ruling impacts Central CA’s DACA recipients // The Fresno Bee

Sonoma State University faces backlash over deep cuts to faculty and programs // The Press Democrat

 

See you next time!

Tips, insight or feedback? Email whatmatters@calmatters.org. Subscribe to CalMatters newsletters here. Follow CalMatters on Facebook and Twitter.

 About Us· How We're Funded· Subscribe· DonateCalMatters 1017 L Street #261 Sacramento, CA 95814 United States

[strictlyfavorites]

Stand by Me cover

The beautiful Dassault Mirage IVA 2

A 354FS A-10C Thunderbolt 2. (t. mcbride)

Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000 D

RAAF Mirage A3-2 (Dassault Mirage III)

The SR- 71 was not only the fastest air-breathing airplane in the world. It was also the most photogenic. 3

TWA

Pan Am's big rival was Trans World Airlines. Its HQ from 1962 was the TWA Flight Center, a futuristic terminal dubbed the "Grand Central [Station] of the jet age" that will soon reopen as a hotel. 

sexy_flight_attendant_6

[deancasbigbang]

Title: Sleepwalk

Author: Bees

Artist: natmoose

Rating: Mature

Pairings: Dean/Cas John/Mary Lee/Lisa

Length: 27000

Warnings: graphic depictions of violence, period typical homophobia

Tags: 1950s, coming of age, eventual HEA, Beat literature

Posting Date: November 6, 2023

Summary: Set during the 1950s in the small town of Hays, Kansas, Dean's got it all: great family, friends aplenty, and he's star of the basketball team, a real popular fella. But something's missing, he feels like he's sleepwalking, like nothing's ever enough, so he dreams of a life of adventure outside the confines of his hometown. Then one day, in strides Cas, this blue-eyed bohemian from NYC, and things start changing quick like a jackrabbit. They set out to explore their true selves and identities—Cas becoming a catalyst for the change Dean would like to see in himself—all while wanting nothing better than to make it through their final year of school.

Excerpt: Dean stands on the dock panting, out of breath from fear and rage and he screams. He screams at the water and listens to it bounce back, echoing and mocking, his voice but not his own.  When he can't scream any longer, he takes another breath and lets it all out again, hysterical. Dad finally catches up, pulling Dean close, embracing him with his giant arms. Dean sobs into his perfectly starched and pressed uniform, the hand-stitched Sheriff's badge soaking up his salty tears and blood. He feels like a small child again, engulfed in that embrace after a night of bad dreams, rocking gently and soothed with a tender hand through his hair. "I fucked up, Dad." John strokes his hair again and kisses his head, replying, "I know." It's not an accusation, just acknowledgment of truths that need to be spoken, things that could destroy them if they weren't true to themselves. A simple understanding that none of them are perfect. "I know, kid. So did I." --- --- --- Dean steps foot off the platform and makes his way through the winding tunnels of the dingy terminal and up through the beautifully tiled main concourse and out the wide, gaping doors of grand central station. The streets of Manhattan are dirty and packed and filled up with cars. Horns honk and the air smells stale, nothing like the fresh small-town air he is so used to. He’s never smelled anything so liberating. He closes his eyes and tips his head up to the sky, letting the sun soak into his skin as ladies in ermine stoles and gentlemen in fine fedoras skirt past him, rushing to get back to their hectic city lives. He stands there for what must be mere moments, but to him an eternity of perfect harmony within his soul. He floats above the city and stares down from the heavens. His whole life, his dreams, his hopes, never had any of these things prepared him for the absolute sense of bittersweet finality, a family left behind—and of the pure joy at the thought of a new family about to begin. A future yet lived, a future with Cas. It is there with the chill breeze of springtime on his cheeks that his old life ends, where life truly begins, and it all begins with one simple phrase in a lemon whiskey voice: “Hello, Dean.”

DCBB 2023 Posting Schedule

[the-outer-topic]

1934 Classics at the Air Terminal - Stan Stokes

Stan Stokes, in his painting, 1934 American Classics, beautifully portrays a Hollywood movie star and her pet dog embarking on a chartered Ford Trimotor from the Grand Central Air Terminal (owned and operated by Curtis-Wright) in California. Probably bound for a weekend visit to San Simeon, the palatial retreat of the publishing magnate, William Randolph Hearst, the trip to San Luis Obispo will take only ninety minutes. The early afternoon rains have left puddles on the tarmac, but fair skies have returned to the San Gabriel mountains, and the trip should be a smooth one. During the Great Depression the Packard Company introduced some of its most stunning and high performance automobiles. The 1934 Packard LeBaron Speedster, pictured in the painting, was one such machine. Costing nearly $8,000 the Packard LeBaron Speedster was about two to three times the price of a nice three bedroom house. Only the very wealthy could afford such luxuries during the Depression. Note that the Speedsters fenders are reminiscent of the wheel covers on racing planes during the era of the Thompson Trophy Air Races. The Speedster was powered by a 160 HP V-12 engine which displaced 445 cubic inches. Around this time it is believed that among the Hollywood notables that owned Packard Speedsters were both Clark Gable and Douglas Fairbanks. The Ford Trimotor was introduced in 1926 and between 1926 and 1933 Ford produced approximately 200 of these capable aircraft. Ford Trimotors remained in service long after they were made technically obsolete by more modern aircraft, and it is reputed that one aircraft built in 1928 was still in regular service as late as 1970. Admiral Byrd utilized a 4-AT version of the Trimotor for his 1929 Antarctic expedition. The Ford Trimotor played an important role in introducing commercial aviation to the general public during the years of the Great Depression. The basic model carried eleven passengers and a crew of two, had a cruising speed of 107 MPH, an operational ceiling of 16,500 feet, and a range of 570 miles. Due to its corrugated metal exterior skin the Trimotor was affectionately known as the Tin Goose. The Tin Goose had a wingspan of nearly 78 feet, and was fifty feet in length. In 1930 Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) began the first coast-to-coast commercial service utilizing Ford Trimotors. The trip took only thirty-six hours, if the weather was cooperative

[mezimraky]

What's your favorite poem?

i thought long and hard about this. i started out my response to this ask three times, with different answers planned. i think i finally figured it out, though. don't get me wrong, it's been nice, revisiting some things that struck me. through my poetry tag, or memory alone. wondering if and how i could ever approximate czech poetry to you, and if it would even be worth it to try. i read the poem by my friend that i keep on my fridge for the first time in a few months and cried, because i'd forgotten it was there. i wanted to choose one so desperately but at the same time i didn't want to choose just one. so instead, here's something else. an extract from an interview i'd read a few years back, one that i return to sometimes.

"The hunger for poetry is real. I feel as if, if we made more poetry more available to people. If it were as available to people as CNN or billboards, I think people would just love it. What we did in New York was we put poets at Grand Central Terminal, which is a large place where trains come and go, all the subways come and go. It’s the intersection of New York City. We put tables with poets, but we domesticated the spaces. So if you had table, you would have a desk and a chair and a chair next to you, and a lamp and a rug and a typewriter and carbon paper and a little bell. It’s something I originally created for my daughter’s fair at school. But remember with Peanuts the Doctor is in, Lucy’s booth? It was like that. The poet is in. [laughter] So all these poets from different places with tables and lamps and typewriters, we invited the public to come and have a poem written for them, really with them. We had no idea what would happen. We thought, you know. The line formed quickly and within minutes the wait was two and a half hours. Two and a half hours people stood with strollers, with briefcases, with all sorts of things, waiting to sit down with the poet. And then the poet would ask questions, questions that would engage them and provide images from their deepest life. “Tell me a dream you’ve had more than once. Tell me an article of a toy you used to love. If there were a door in the air right now, and what you longed for was behind it, [phone dings] what would it be?” And people said things like, “My dead daughter’s shoes, my grandmother.” And then the poet would take this and transform what the poet heard using language and silence and musicality. But take what the person had given them, transform it, type it out, sign it, and then read it to the person. Everybody wept. The poets wept, the people wept because it was their own lives given back, if you will. But put through this whatever, when we’re being writers, this imaginative language, silence, place that gave them back something. I wish we could do it every week. I wish there could be a permanent installation at Grand Central Terminal and everywhere around the world where people could experience the transformative act of poetry."

-- marie howe, in can poetry save the world?

it contains poetry, without really speaking it. it's not that important how those singular poems went, they weren't meant for us the crowd anyway. but the sheer fact that this happened, that these people got their hands on a poem reflecting their own lives. well, it means the world to me. in a way, that's what i hope to do with my own poetry. though i cannot hope to contain anyone's life within it besides my own.

[sonatine]

Highlighting some important passages below:

“To help encourage New Yorkers to do that, public facilities shut down and events were canceled. Theaters, beaches, stadiums, and zoos closed, sure. But so did public libraries, vital indoor gathering places for the unhoused. And so did some public schools, leaving thousands of kids in apartments and houses that might have been overventilated, letting the toxic air in, and unfiltered, leaving it there. What were people supposed to do? Where were they supposed to go?”

The government would be providing a million of them, the good kind, N95s, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. But this is a city of 8.5 million people. The masks were not available when the air-quality index hit its peak—the worst air ever recorded in the city, the worst air in the world at one point in time. Plus, to get the masks, folks would have to travel, exposing themselves to the grotesque air. Who was going to schlep to Grand Central Station or the Port Authority Bus Terminal for the chance of picking one up? Would the masks even be there?

Everywhere needs to be prepared for everything. That is another takeaway. The climate catastrophe is screwing with the weather and the seasons. It is amplifying unpredictability—ginning up freak storms, early fires, unexpected mudslides, sudden heat waves. By the time a crisis hits, it is too late for places to plan, and the results will be what they always are: Everyone is rendered vulnerable, though people with money have options that people without money do not.

[kocamaaanbirkucukkiz-blog-b-blog]

SHORT NY GUIDE

Bloguma hepiniz hoş geldiniz. Beğendiyseniz butona basmayı ve arkadaşlarınızla paylaşmayı, beğenmediyseniz yüzüme söylememeyi unutmayın lütfen, iyi eğlenceler :) 1- GEZİLECEK GÖRÜLECEK MÜZELER Hepsi için online bilet alıp önceden rezervasyon yaptırmak gerekli, sitelerinden kolayca yapılıyor. Pazartesileri genelde kapalı oluyorlar, gitmeden mutlaka sayfalarını ziyaret edin. Kendi öncelik sırama göre hazırladım, ilgi alanlarınıza bakıp hoşunuza gideni seçebilirsiniz. - American Museum of Natural History (28 $) (12:00-17:30) https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit - Solomun R Guggenheim (Modern Art) (25 $) (11:00-17:00) https://secure.guggenheim.org/ - Metropolitan Museum of Art (30 $) (10:00-17:00 – Fri/Sat 21:00) https://www.metmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit#tickets - The Morgan Library & Museum (22 $) (10:30-17:00) (Cuma gğnleri 5-7 arası FreeFriday var, rezervasyon yapılırsa gidilebilir, bahçesi güzele benziyor) https://www.themorgan.org/visit - 9/11 Memorial Museum (29 $) (9:00-19:00) https://visit.911memorial.org/WebStore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=tickets&C=museum#740747 - Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (8$) (10:00-17:00) https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit - Skyscraper Museum (Free) (12:00-18:00) https://skyscraper.org/visit/ - Museum of Modern Art MoMA (25 $) (10:30-17:30) https://tickets.moma.org/orders/198/calendar?cart=true&eventId=5ef36ac25eeba32ee256c78d&ticketsga=1684388127&_gl=1*s4az7m*_ga*Mjc1MTg1NDU2LjE2ODQyMTgwMjY.*_ga_8QY3201SLC*MTY4NDM4ODEyMy4yLjEuMTY4NDM4ODEzOC4wLjAuMA..&_ga=2.225957082.1134058564.1684388124-275185456.1684218026 - Museum of Ice Cream (33-49$) (9:30-11:00) – Çılgın bi deneyim, değişiklik sevenler deneyebilir :) https://www.museumoficecream.com/new-york-city?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmZejBhC_ARIsAGhCqneF7t-hp2mSETALTiFGi97NywX0Pd8Fuico72mp1QnBTxCmZ-yoc1YaAnNPEALw_wcB - New York Public Library - St Patrick Cathedral

ÇATI VE MANZARALAR - Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) (40 $) https://www.rockefellercenter.com/attractions/top-of-the-rock-observation-deck/#ticket-offerings - Empire State Building (44-74 $) https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets - The Edge (Hudson Yards) (35 $) https://www.edgenyc.com/en/buy-tickets - SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (42-62 $) https://summitov.com/tickets/ - One World Observatory (44-64 $) https://www.oneworldobservatory.com/buy-tickets/ - Liberty Statue and Ellis Island (Ferry 25 $/person) https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/search-result/?destination=Reserve%20Ticket&date=20230620 ÖNEMLİ: Şöyle bir kampanya var Newyork City Pass bileti alarak yukarıdaki yerlerden 5 tanesini 138 $’a ziyaret edebiliyorsunuz. Tavsiyem, eğer manzaralardan birine çıkacaksanız bu bilet çok avantajlı, diğer gezeceğiniz yerleri de hemen belirliyorsunuz ve bir rota oluşturuyorsunuz. https://www.citypass.com/new-york PARK, BAHÇE VE YAPILAR - Central Park - Bryant Park /atıştırmalık ve içecek alıp yayılmalık, öğleden sonra dinlenmesi için sosyal bi ortam) - Brooklyn Bridge - Brooklyn Bridge Park (gün batımı için) - High Line (Hudson River) - Times Square - Wall Street - Soho - Harlem - Grand Central Terminal - Broadway - 5th and 6th Avenue - Manhattan - Manhattan Bridge - Chelsea (Özellikle Chelsea Market’e gidin, hem yeme-içme hem alışveriş için ideal bir ortam, keyifli olur) - Madison Square Park 2- YİYECEK-İÇECEK ROTASI Öncelikle belirtmeliyim ki iyi yemeğin köpeğiyiz, sizin için kabalaşmayacağım ama iyi yemeği sevdiğinizi biliyorum. Roof Bars & Local Pubs Bir roof barda imza kokteyllerini içmeden gelmeyin bence. Eğer yukarıdaki “çatı ve manzaralar” bölümünden bir mekana giderseniz bence kokteyl dahil fiyatı değerlendirin, avantajlı olabilir. - Bailey’s Corner Pub - The Sky Room - 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar - Harriet’s Rooftop - Westlight - The Crown NYC - McSorley’s Old Ale House - pub - The Dead Rabbit - pub Güzel mekan önerileri için şu siteyi de kullanabilirsiniz. https://mybartender.com/places/best-pubs-nyc/ Mesela Beer Gardenlar: https://mybartender.com/places/best-beer-gardens-nyc/ Bagels and Sandwiches - Katz Delicatessen – tercihler şunlar olabilir: All beef hotdog, Jewish snacks and deli, pastrami sandviç – Hiçbi yere gitmezseniz buraya mutlaka gidin pastrami için) - Russ & Daughters - Lox sandwich – somon fümelidir dikkat - Numpang - sandviç türevleri Vietnam işi, denenebilir. Bu yukarıdaki ikisi Yahudi restoranı, et konusunda çok rahat olabilirsiniz inek ve türevleri. - Absolute Bagel - Murray’s Bagels - Hudson Bagels - Ess-A-Bagel Burada plan şu, bi öğleden sonra yorulmuşsunuz ve bagel/sandviç+drinklerle birlikte Bryant Park’ta oturuyorsunuz. Sonra bana fotoğraf atın, sad story. Burgers and BBQ - Shake Shack (zincir ama gidin, yerlisi bile bayılıyormuş) - Taim (Falafel tarzı zımbırtılar var, alternatif) - Minetta Tavern (30 $ bandında fiyatlar, kendinize jest yapacaksanız gidin, abartılmış olabilir bilmiyorum.) - Hometown Bar-B-Que – “et yiyeceğim ben klasik Amerikan iteminin tadına bakacağım” diyenler için gidilebilir, her türlü et var. Food Trucks Food Truck deneyimi yaşamak lazım. - Wafels + Dinges - Kimchi Taco (kore + meksika mutfağı, ilginç olabilir) - Coolhaus (çok acayip bi dondurmacı gibi duruyor, gidilebilir, al-götür park yapılabilir.) - The Halal Guys (baya uzun yıllardır hizmet veriyormuş, et yemek isteyen helalcilere alternatif) Desserts - Levain Bakery - cookie masterlarmış – yer fıstıklı ve chocolate chip walnut gibi tarzları övüyorlar. Hiçbi tatlıcıya gitmeyecekseniz buraya gidin. - Crumbly – Crumb Cake - Magnolia Bakery (yerinde iyiym şu banana pudingi diyorsanız, bi şans verin, İstanbul’da da açıldı, esprisi kalmadı diyebiliriz ama hala popüler mekanmış) - Dominique Ansel Bakery – The Cronut (ödüllü şef, bi bakılabilir) - Little Cupcake Bakeshop – Banana Nutella Cake - Jacques Torres Chocolate - çikolatacıymış, şöyle bir bakılabilir, abartılmış olabilir. - La Maison du Chocolat - çikolatacı, antin kuntin şeyler var, sarmayabilir sizi ben olsam bi bakardım. - Sugar Sweet Sunshine – yani rastlarsanız bakarsınız bi aman aman değil. Strawberry Cupcake with PB Buttercream diyorlar, değerlendirilebilir. Doughnut (Amerika’nın National Item’ı :) ) - Doughnut Plant - Dough Ice-Cream - Ample Hills Creamery - Il Laboratorio Del Gelato - Big Gay Ice Cream (arkadaşlar salty pimp veya Bea Arthur meşhur diyorlar, çok acayip tatlar varmış, külahınızı mutlaka biscoff veya nutellaya batırtın diyorlar) - Morgenstern’s Ice Cream Pizza - Joe’s Pizza – dilim pizza ve ikonik-gidilir. - John’s of Bleecker Street – dilim pizza, bu da ikonik. - Fernando’s Focacceria (bakın burada asıl riceball yiyorsunuz, değişiklik olsun güzel bir İtalyan tercih gibi) - Mama’s Too (Doyurucu, İtalyan tarzı sandviçleri de var, öğlen yemeğinde de gidilebilir) Breakfast - Lunch-iesh - Dinner - Ruby’s Cafe - çok iyi duruyor ve aşırı ucuz, kahvaltı da yapılabilir, öğlen veya akşam da yenebilir. Tavuk burgeri iyimiş. AŞIRI UCUZ, F/P. - Balthazar – kahvaltı mekanı ama biraz pahalı, karar sizin. Gereksiz gibi, daha verimli harcanabilir para. - Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe – sabah gidin alın alacaklarınızı, parklardan birinde piknikle başlayın güne. Tercihen aşşırı gezdiğiniz bi günün ertesi günü olsun. Veya gün batımında aynı senaryoyu uygulayın. Zaten Hudson kenarı yakınındasınız, nehir kenarı keyfi yapılır gün batımında hem drink hem pastry, tatlı olur. - Sunday in Brooklyn – kahvaltı-brunch veya öğle yemeği. Ucuzdan biraz pahalı. - Crif Dogs - hot dog cenneti, öğlen gider bence. Parka al-götür de yapılır, local beerla bi denersiniz. - Clinton Street Baking Company – tatlı da var, yemek de fena görünmüyor. Kahvaltı da yapılabilir gibi. Ucuzdan biraz pahalı. - Vanessa’s Dumplings – çin mutfağı severler için mantıları güzelmiş. (öğlen) - 12 Chairs Cafe (akşam yemeği) - Jack’s Wife Freda (öğlen veya akşam) Fine-dine tarafına hiç bakmadım, isterseniz bikaç alternatif bakarız. 3- KONSER & ŞOV Gönül isterdi ki Broadway’de şov izleyin ama biletler 250 $’dan başlıyor, çok da güzel şovlar var karar sizin. Güzel bir konser veya festival de bulamadım o tarihlerde, Temmuz’da başlıyor güzel konserler. Şansımıza küselim. Yine de: HAFTALIK KONSER TAKVİMİ İÇİN: https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/7644-us-new-york-nyc?filters%5BmaxDate%5D=06%2F22%2F2023&filters%5BminDate%5D=06%2F18%2F2023 Benim tercih edebileceğim Bebe Rexha (R&B-fiyat göremiyorum) ve The Blaze (elektronik – 70$dan başlıyor) var, gerisi çok açmadı. Bir de şurası var bakabilirsiniz. https://www.jambase.com/concerts/us/new-york/genres/hip-hop-rap-concerts?date-first=20230618&date-last=20230622

[neverfadeaway-rpg]

▬ Chronologie de NIGHT CITY ▬

TW ; Guerre, nucléaire, morts.

▬ 1994 ; Fondation de la ville _ Née au cœur de la Californie en tant que Coronado City, la ville est renommée en 1998 en Night City, en hommage à Richard Night, son fondateur.

▬ 1996 ; les USA s'effondrent _ Le gang des 4, un groupe formé par des agents du FBI, de la CIA, du NSA et de la DEA, s'applique à infiltrer le gouvernement et à tout détruire de l'intérieur. On appelle l'événement The Collapse, littéralement la chute des USA ; la bourse mondiale disparaît et le dollar s'effondre, les américain·e·s vivent une des périodes les plus sombres de leur histoire. ▬ Du fait de leurs statuts spéciaux et importants, les corporations trempent partout dans le monde en politique, dans les gouvernements, tirent les ficelles... Ce qui ne pouvait mener, à un moment ou à un autre qu'à un conflit, d'une envergure aussi grande que l'influence des corporations : une guerre. ▬ La 1ère guerre des corporations a éclaté entre Euro Business Machines et Orbital Air en 2004 - un de ses deux principaux affrontements a lieu en orbite - tandis que la 2ème guerre corporative a débuté en 2008 et a opposé deux géants du pétroles, SovOil et Pétrochem. Ces guerres n'ont pas eu un impact véritablement mondial mais ont démontré aux puissant·e·s que ce genre de pratique était "une façon de faire du commerce et du business tout à fait viable". C'est ce qui a entraîné des conflits beaucoup plus importants, comme la 3ème et la 4ème guerre des corporations.

▬ 2016 ; 3ème guerre corporative _ Aussi appelée Guerre du Net, cette guerre a eu une ampleur énorme en opposant plusieurs corporations mineures mais dans un combat de netrunners sur le NET. Elle se termine lors de la même année, et elle entraîne la chute du NET tel qu'on le connaissait à l'époque. 80% du world wide web est détruit.

▬ 2022 ; 4ème guerre corporative _ Opposant les deux mégacorporations Militech et Arasaka, cette guerre-là a directement impacté Night City lorsqu'en 2023, une équipe de la première corporation a posé une bombe dans la tour de la seconde, en plein centre de la ville, détruisant une partie de la place centrale, Corpo Plaza, dans le City Center. Arasaka perd cette guerre et est exclue hors du territoire. ▬ La bombe qui a détoné dans la tour a tué 15k de personnes sur le coup, et on estime qu'avec les radiations, l'effondrement des buildings autour et toutes les conséquences qui s'en sont suivies... le nombre de victimes tourne autour des 100k. Pendant plusieurs années, le centre de Night City a été nommé "Hot Zone", n'étant rien d'autre que des débris, des radiations et des ruines. ▬ La reconstruction de la Corpo Plaza dans City Centre est entreprise en 2030 et dure des dizaines d'années. ▬ Entre 2025 (fin de la guerre) et 2040, les NUSA prennent forme et deviennent les Nouveaux USA.

▬ 2070 ; Guerre d'Unification _ Night City devient une cité-état, en signant un traité d'indépendance avec les NUSA. Arasaka ayant apporté son aide dans cette entreprise, la corporation est autorisée à revenir sur le sol américain. Les états indépendants continuent de tenir tête au gouvernement pour garder leur statut, encore de nos jours, les NUSA cherchant perpétuellement à revenir à une unification complètement.

[ spoilers du jeu pour 2077 ]

▬ 2077 ; Attaque de la tour Arasaka _ La nouvelle a fait grand bruit, donnant aux citoyen·ne·s de la ville une impression de déjà vu ; un·e mercenaire s'est attaqué à la tour d'Arasaka et a détruit Mikoshi ; la data fortress qui servait à Arasaka pour stocker les âmes avec leur programme relic.

[ fin des spoilers ]

▬ 2078 ; début d'année, date encore inconnue, 21h43 _ il se passera un truc, probablement _ vous le saurez très bientôt, promis;

Voici pour la cinquième annexe dévoilée, tournée autour de la chronologie de Night City. N'hésitez surtout pas si vous avez des questions, notre ASK est ouvert, et vous pouvez également nous retrouver sur notre discord !

[jamieleicurt]

A Tourist's Guide to New York City's Hidden Gems Best Seen In The Winter

Ice skating rink in New York City.

New York City in winter has a unique charm—twinkling lights, crisp air, and a distinct coziness in every neighborhood. While landmarks like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Central Park are must-sees, the city holds plenty of hidden gems that offer a more intimate experience during the winter months.

From quiet nooks to vibrant cultural hubs, here’s a guide to NYC’s lesser-known attractions that will make your winter visit unforgettable.

Hidden Gems in Manhattan’s Winter Wonderland

Manhattan is full of secrets, and winter makes its hidden spots even more magical. These hidden gems in Manhattan offer cozy escapes from the busy streets and reveal a quieter side of the city.

1. The Elevated Acre  

This hidden park in the Financial District is like a peaceful oasis above the bustling city. Located on a rooftop near the East River, The Elevated Acre is a small, tranquil space with a beautiful view of the waterfront. In winter, the park transforms into a frosty, serene getaway. Wrap up in a warm coat and take in the views of the city’s twinkling skyline from one of its benches.

The Elevated Acre, Manhattan, New York.

2. The Mysterious Grand Central Whispering Gallery  

The Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal is one of NYC’s lesser-known wonders. This unique acoustic spot allows you to whisper in one corner and have your voice heard clearly in the opposite corner. Visit it on a chilly day to experience the magic with fewer crowds around. It’s especially enchanting during the winter when the station’s holiday market fills the terminal with seasonal cheer.

3. Museum of the American Gangster  

For an unconventional indoor activity, this quirky museum in the East Village tells the story of New York’s Prohibition-era gangsters. The Museum of the American Gangster occupies a former speakeasy, making it an ideal stop for history lovers who want to escape the cold and learn about NYC’s grittier past.

Queens: A Cultural Winter Escape

Queens shines in the winter, offering cozy spots and vibrant cultural experiences. The borough is known for its diversity, and winter is the perfect time to dive into Queens tourist attractions that reflect its multicultural essence.

1. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park  

While most people flock to Central Park, Queens’ largest park is a hidden gem. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is home to the iconic Unisphere and numerous cultural institutions. In winter, you can explore the Queens Museum and its Panorama of New York City, a model that captures the entire city’s layout. You’ll also find plenty of authentic food options nearby to warm up with after a chilly walk.

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York.

2. Astoria’s Cozy Cafés and Bookshops  

Astoria is famous for its community of artists, musicians, and food enthusiasts. The neighborhood’s charming coffee shops and bookshops, like Kinship Coffee and Astoria Bookshop, provide a cozy refuge from the cold. Spend a quiet afternoon here, sipping on hot drinks and browsing local books, surrounded by Astoria’s vibrant energy.

Brooklyn’s Winter Art and Culture Scene

Brooklyn becomes even more atmospheric in winter, with its historic brownstones and snow-covered streets. The borough is also packed with hidden cultural experiences that add to the city’s seasonal magic.

1. Green-Wood Cemetery Winter Tours  

Green-Wood Cemetery is a 478-acre historical cemetery in Brooklyn with Gothic architecture and sprawling grounds. The cemetery offers winter tours where you can learn about the notable figures who rest there, including famous artists, politicians, and musicians. It’s an unexpectedly beautiful, quiet spot that holds a lot of history—perfect for those seeking a unique, contemplative experience.

2. The Brooklyn Museum  

This well-loved museum becomes a peaceful retreat in winter, where visitors can explore art collections that span ancient to contemporary periods. The Brooklyn Museum often holds special exhibitions, and in winter, it’s less crowded, offering a perfect environment to appreciate art while escaping the chill.

The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York.

3. Williamsburg’s Winter Markets  

Williamsburg is home to a variety of winter markets that pop up around the holidays, including artisanal goods, crafts, and local foods. These markets are usually open-air, so bundle up and enjoy unique handmade gifts, vintage finds, and seasonal treats.

Exploring Staten Island and the Bronx: Off-the-Beaten-Path Winter Wonders

Winter is a fantastic time to venture beyond the usual attractions and explore Staten Island and the Bronx, two boroughs that often remain under the radar for tourists.

1. Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island  

Snug Harbor on Staten Island is a historic site that combines museums, galleries, and botanical gardens. In winter, the gardens take on a quiet, magical quality, and the center often hosts seasonal exhibitions and performances. It’s an ideal day trip for those looking to escape Manhattan’s hustle.

2. New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show  

Located in the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show is a family-friendly winter attraction featuring model trains weaving through miniature replicas of NYC landmarks. The show brings holiday magic to life and is especially enchanting during evening viewings.

New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.

Embrace NYC’s Winter Magic with VisitNYC.com

For an unforgettable winter adventure, VisitNYC.com is your essential New York City travel guide. Discover hidden places in New York and uncover hidden gems in Manhattan’s quieter neighborhoods.

Whether you're interested in last-minute Broadway tickets NYC locals snap up or a unique sightseeing tour New York offers in winter, VisitNYC.com has everything you need to explore.

Plan your perfect winter itinerary and see NYC like a true New Yorker. Head over to VisitNYC.com today and start uncovering the best of winter in New York City!

Contact them to learn more.

About the Author  

A true New Yorker, Alex Bennett knows every nook and cranny of NYC’s bustling streets and serene corners. From hidden speakeasies to quiet parks, Alex’s passion for revealing the city’s secrets makes every visit feel like an adventure.

[yoonwithmyowneyes]

Bangkok Beyond Kitsch | 20240801-04

May 2017. That was the last time I travelled alone. Has it really been seven years? Through the bus terminal-like part of SYD that I never knew existed, and after some delays, I was finally onboard QF295, the Finnair dry-lease that I wasn't expecting (but it's nice to actually see what you had worked on), and the feeling that took over me wasn't exactly an excitement, but rather a sense of familiarity - just like riding a bicycle after many years, I felt like I was right back in my element.

Despite being in the middle of the wet season, BKK was impressively busy. With the very best smile on for the immigration, I was on the ARL in less than an hour. The view outside was expectedly lush with green and watery landscape, as this megacity of 17 million people occupies the Chao Phraya River delta.

I wanted to make the most of my three days in Bangkok, and do what I most enjoy while travelling - talking to local people. With hopes of meeting the everyday Bangkokian, I opted to join a Meetup socialising event. I generally avoid these things like a plague, but time was of the essence, and honestly it's been so long that I had forgotten what they are like. The Meetup did not disappoint, and was full of 'expats' and a few locals who were largely looking to hook up. I did manage to get a little glimpse of what life is like here and what their interests are, but one consistent topic was 'money'. There seems to be an insatiable appetite for either making a lot of money or meeting someone with a lot of money. With some interesting and mostly dull conversation behind, I headed to my hostel in the very residential but centrally located Sam Yot and went to bed hoping for more quality interactions for the rest of my time in the city.

I predictably woke up too early the next morning, and started walking towards the palace for a pre-booked tour. I came across a queue in front of this mobile cafe, asked for what everyone else was having. The espresso was poured into iced soda with lemon and honey, and it was a perfect drink in this muggy morning. Coffee seems to be THE drink in Bangkok, and I saw many good cafes around the city. Of all the great food and drinks I will have in Bangkok in the next three days, I will keep thinking about this refreshing brew.

Food stalls open in early mornings to lure commuters looking for a quick breakfast. The fried chilli permeated the air and I had to work hard to not sneeze on all the lovely food on display.

The Grand Palace, despite being too hectic with selfie sticks for my liking, was gorgeous indeed. It blended the traditional Thai architecture with 19th-century European styles as well as Buddist motifs.

I carefully asked the guide, a soft-spoken gentleman, about Thai people's sentiment towards the revered monarch. I had noticed the portraits of the king displayed all over the city. I knew about the severe punishment against any criticism towards the king. And I also knew the current Maha Vajiralongkorn drew a lot of controversies in his private life. The guide mentioned that the once deeply-rooted love for the monarch is dissipating with the younger generation. I sensed almost a dictatorship-like control by the fear of speaking out against the king.

I also met a friendly Italian couple who are primary school teachers in Rome. We lunched and walked around for a few hours after the palace tour ended. We talked about Thailand, travel, the world in crisis and the immigrant kids they were teaching in a rough neighbourhood. It's been many years since I spoke to fellow backpackers and it was a delight.

The famous 46 meter long Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho

Of the countless small and large Buddhist temples around Bangkok, there always seem to be Thais and monks in prayer. They seem to be some of the most religious, if not spiritual, people that I have ever come across.

A group of Western family listening to their local guide

I enjoyed seeing these wooden houses along many canals running across the city.

This was the first time I spectated combat sports. Rajadamnern stadium had a very modern setup completed with large screens and pop music, and it was definitely geared towards overseas tourists. It was still good to see some ceremonial aspects of Muay Thai performed by the fighters, and there were some exciting moments there including a couple of TKOs.

The Buddhist monks would walk around in the morning and the people would donate food. I have a vague memory of the similar practice by Korean buddhist monks from my childhood. Apparently it's a thing that some of the 'corrupted' monks would break the rule and stand in one spot to ask for donations, and the 'monk police' would patrol the known areas to apprehend and punish the naughty monks.

To make up for the first night's failed attempt of a community engagement, I joined a cooking class. The instructor was energetic and delightful. I had a great time cooking some classic Thai dishes which turned out ok.

The class was a mix of solo travellers and mums with kids. I chatted with an Italian lady with a young boy. She was happily divorced and tried to travel with her son as much as possible to get him to experience the larger world.

Presentation 1/5 Taste 5/5

After some interesting conversations about food with the instructor, she asked 'so, do you cook at home?' which I answered with a big 'nope' and we just laughed. It was good to learn some of the core ingredients of Thai cuisine and their basic approach to cooking. One small surprise for me was that there seems to be a lot more Chinese influence than I realised.

A gift from the Portugese embassy! It was a pleasant surprise to see the azulejo again only a few months after my visit to Lisbon.

A typical juxtaposition of skyscrappers and traditional residences along Chao Phraya River

This is NOT a floating market. It's the food court of the popular ICONSIAM shopping centre. Shopping centres are typically popular in many Asian cities, but it feels even more so in Bangkok. I came for the kitsch and stayed for the air-conditioning.

I also managed to see the famous KSR. It was pretty much what I expected - getting menus shoved at my face and almost being dragged into bars/clubs. I didn't mind the kind of sillyness and farce, but there were a few too many sunburnt tourists in Singha singlets and thongs, and I promptly made my exit.

I headed to Chinatown where the hippest bars of the town are located, and had some excellent cocktails at TEP BAR while listening to the traditional Thai music performed by young musicians.

I enjoyed the outstanding cocktails from friendly bartenders. As I was leaving the bar, a heavy thunderstorm flooded the street and it became impossible to book a Grab. The $2 poncho I had bought from 7/11 came handy and just managed to keep me dry. The metro station was packed with people waiting for the rain to pass. It was the time to call it a night.

On the third and last morning, I visited Wat Arun ("Temple of Dawn") which I had seen from a ferry ride the day before. Bangkok isn't exactly full of outstanding architecture, but this temple was absolutely stunning.

I arrived just as the temple opened for visitors, and I got to enjoy the serenity of the place for a little while before the tour groups started pouring in.

After checking out of the hostel, I decided to make Chatuchak Weekend Market my last stop before getting to the airport. The market was mostly for bootlegs, cheap souvenirs and food stalls, but there was one alley with shops selling hip/retro goods.

As I was eagerly waiting for my last meal of the trip, the flight load that I was on standby suddenly vanished. In panic mode, I just got up and ran straight for the airport, and by the time I got there, the load came back to normal. It must've been a temporary system glitch. I felt a little disappointed that my last hours were rushed, and missed the chance to savour the last bit of the country that I started to grow fond of.

I came to Bangkok on a whim, without being sure of what to expect. While the stereotypes of maddening metropolis and tacky places like KSR were real, what touched me was the tenderness of the people and culture I got to see during my short visit. It made an impression on me like no other SE Asian countries that I visited did, and I genuinely look forward to exploring more of Thailand in future.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 9.11 (after 1970)

1970 – The Dawson's Field hijackers release 88 of their hostages. The remaining hostages, mostly Jews and Israeli citizens, are held until September 25. 1971 – The Egyptian Constitution becomes official. 1972 – The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit system begins passenger service. 1973 – A coup in Chile, headed by General Augusto Pinochet, topples the democratically elected president Salvador Allende. 1973 – JAT Airways Flight 769 crashes into the Maganik mountain range while on approach to Titograd Airport, killing 35 passengers and six crew. 1974 – Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashes in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing 69 passengers and two crew. 1976 – A bomb planted by a Croatian terrorist, Zvonko Bušić, is found at New York's Grand Central Terminal; one NYPD officer is killed trying to defuse it. 1980 – A new constitution of Chile is established under the influence of then Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, which is subject to controversy in Chile today. 1982 – The international forces that were guaranteeing the safety of Palestinian refugees following Israel's 1982 Invasion of Lebanon leave Beirut. Five days later, several thousand refugees are massacred in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps by Phalange forces. 1989 – Hungary announces that the East German refugees who had been housed in temporary camps were free to leave for West Germany. 1990 – A Faucett Boeing 727 disappears in the Atlantic Ocean while being flown from Malta to Peru. 1991 – Continental Express Flight 2574 crashes in Colorado County, Texas, near Eagle Lake, killing 11 passengers and three crew. 1997 – NASA's Mars Global Surveyor reaches Mars. 1997 – Kurkse tragedy: Fourteen Estonian soldiers of the Baltic Battalion are drowned or die of hypothermia during a training exercise in the Kurkse Strait. 1997 – After a nationwide referendum, Scotland votes to establish a devolved parliament within the United Kingdom. 2001 – The September 11 attacks, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks killing 2,977 people using four aircraft hijacked by 19 members of al-Qaeda. Two aircraft crash into the World Trade Center in New York City, a third crashes into The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and a fourth into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 2007 – Russia tests the largest conventional weapon ever, the Father of All Bombs. 2008 – A major Channel Tunnel fire breaks out on a freight train, resulting in the closure of part of the tunnel for six months. 2011 – A dedication ceremony is held at the United States National September 11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York City, and the memorial opens to family members. 2012 – A total of 315 people are killed in two garment factory fires in Pakistan. 2012 – The U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya is attacked, resulting in four deaths. 2015 – A crane collapses onto the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Saudi Arabia, killing 111 people and injuring 394 others. 2023 – The Libyan city of Derna experiences catastrophic floods after Storm Daniel causes two dams to collapse, killing over 11,300 people.

[bu1410]

Good afternoon TUMBLR - June 6th - 2024

“Mr. Plant has owed me a shoe since July 5, 1971.”

Gazoducto Samalayuca - Sasabe. Mexico - Nuevos Casas Grandes - Chihuahua.

Part 1

Six months had passed since my final return from Iraq, when I was contacted by the Chief of Personnel of SICILSALDO, a Sicilian company operating in the construction of pipelines. I had already had a first contact with this company in 2009, when I met the owner at the Crown Plaza hotel in San Donato Milanese. The topic then was a possible assignment in a project in Algeria, under sub-contract to SAIPEM: nothing had come out of it, and I had even forgotten the existence of this company. I was therefore somehow surprised to hear HR Manager Giuseppe Verdone's voice again, 7 years after the last call. After a quick all-retour to Gela, the Company's headquarters for the signing of the contract, December 7th - a Milan's patreon holyday of Sant'Ambroeus - I was already on the Alitalia Boeing 777, heading to Mexico City. It's a long flight from Italy to Mexico, like 12 hrs and 30 min, but I was a little worried when I saw on the screen in front of me that the plane was definitely heading North and after a couple of hours we passed over the vertical of Dublin, and then continued on to Greenland, Labrador, New York, and finally heading South, flying over Miami and the Gulf of Mexico. Compared to competitors such as Air France or KLM, the average flight time on the Europe - Central America route with Alitalia is almost an hour longer. The service on board – at least in Business class – is still decent. However, after more than 12 hours I finally landed at Benito Juarez airport. Once the entry formalities were completed, I took the internal train to the domestic flight terminal to continue the journey onto Chihuahua. To the final destination, Nuevo Casas Grandes, from Chihuahuha it would have taken another 4 hours of travel on a company van the next day.

Flight to Chihuahua After an infinite wait (which could have been avoided - for me like all the other Sicilsaldo employees coming from Italy simply by staying overnight in one of the hotels right outside the airport, but it was too difficult to make those who managed the flights and logistics in this Company) I boarded the plane to Chihuahua. A flight of just over two hours, and after having already spent 12 on another plane, it's really stressful. I asked the elderly Aeromexico stewardess where Mr. Davide Caracciolo - Comany Country Manager - was sitting, explaining that he was my Director, but that I didn't know him personally. She looked at me amazed and told me that for security reasons the names and seats of the passengers were not revealed, and she left. After about an hour of flight, the same stewardess, walking in the corridor and looking at me, made a sign with a finger on the head of a gray-haired gentleman: ''El…el…''. So I called Davide, who was sitting 3 rows ahead of me. He turned and said:

''Ahhh…thank goodness…here you are!!!''

And where was I supposed to be?

But how… I call hoe office, it seemed like you were still in Rome!

Really…. We landed in Chihuahua and it was already night, the taxi driver booked by the company had gotten tired of waiting and had left the airport. Luckily there were others, and so I realized that we were a group of 10 people. In addition to Mr. Caracciolo and myself, there were 8 Italians welders who would reinforce the teams on the gas pipeline. After an hour we arrived at the hotel on that sort of urban highway called Peripheral de la Juventud.

En route to Nuevos Casas Grandes The next early morning I met Miguel, the driver who with his Toyota minibus would take us to Nuevos Casas Grandes, located more than 300 km North of Chihuahua, along the highway through the Sierra. Quite a boring journey, we stopped for a rest in Flores Magon, when we were about 120 km away from our final destination.

We arrived at NCG – as it was commonly called by the natives – in time for lunch. I entered the Hacienda hotel for the first time, the location that would be my home for the following 3 years. The hotel itself wasn't bad, but it certainly needed extraordinary maintenance in the common areas and rooms. It had never been renovated since it was built in the 1970s, and you could see it with the naked eye.

Typical Mexican structure with two floors, with a large internal courtyard onto which the rooms overlooked, a useless swimming pool (the water was perpetually dirty and in 3 years I never set foot in it). Two restaurants, a pub and a recreation room. We ate lunch served by one of the most tired and listless waiters I have ever met. Mexico seemed to confirm its most common stereotype.

People looks perpetually tired and just want to sleep, especially in the early afternoon. I quickly realized that NCG didn't offer any decent apartments or houses to rent, and for safety reasons it was much better to live in hotel. I took possession of my spacious room, with two queen-size beds, bathroom and sitting area: I didn't know it yet, but I would sleep there - eventually with interruption for holydays - until May 8, 2019.

The Project Mexico is an oil and gas producing country but with a serious corruption problem. The state company Pemex is the typical expression of this contradiction whereby Mexico produces hydrocarbons, but must import them from abroad - mainly from USA, especially the refined products that its economy needs to function. The refineries managed by Pemex on the national territory are either closed or are operating at 50% of their capacity. Maintenance is not carried out, or carried out just to keep the few systems still capable of running. In the winter of 2017-2018 there were very serious problems of lack of fuel throughout the country, with a protest movement called ''gazolinazo'' during which ordinary citizens and gangs of criminals caused numerous accidents throughout Mexico.

The Samalayuca – Sasabe project fits into this perspective: a gas pipeline financed by US banks, which will bring the gas extracted in Texas to Mexico – the Americans financed the project with a dual purpose:

Sell gas to Mexico

After 600 km in Mexican territory, the pipeline re-enters the USA and the gas not consumed in Mexico will be sold to consumers in Arizona. So the Texans - by paying a fee for transportation to Mexico - will essentially find themselves selling gas to Arizona with a negligible transportation cost and with a pipeline paid for by Mexico. The final customer of the gas pipeline is Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), while the contracting company is GRUPO CARSO, the conglomerate owned by the Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. The consortium set up to carry out the work was called CAFIG and was made up of CARSO, FCC Espana and Italiana Ghizzoni, a company of SICILSALDO group. So on paper it was quite a mess, because two out of three companies were in clear conflict of interests, being at the same time the contractor (CARSO - Ghizzoni) and the executor of the work (SICILSALDO). In reality everything turned out for the worse, at least as far as SICILASALDO is concerned, as the modus operandi of the Mexicans (I am the master and you are the slave) has resulted in so that the Italian company has been subject to continuous injustices and unbelievable pressures from the Mexican and Spanish management of the project. The management of the project was – to put it mildly – ​​disastrous. A gas pipeline, in principle, should be built starting from one point, ending at the other end of the route (unless you want to attack the route at multiple points). Conditio sine qua non is the total availability of the corridor - the so-called ROW - where the pipe must laid down. Well this basic condition was never respected during the project. Not only were the sections made available late, but they were always fragmented, forcing us to move the complex machinery used for the works (heavy vehicles, automatic welding, personnel, transport, etc.) from one end of the route to the other - sometimes at hundreds of kilometers from each other. And always on rough tracks, which put men and vehicles to the heavy test. (There were thousands of punctures and tires changed, especially in the section where the tube was installed at the side of the old route of a disused railway. (In the end the bill for tire replacement will reach the monstrous figure of 176,000 USD).

Furthermore, the route - chosen on GOOGLE Earth with the criterion ''the shortest line from one point to the other'' favored a route of incredible difficulty. Deserts, impassable mountains with slopes of over 60%, 40+ km of rock trenches that had to be opened with explosives. And the Customer who clung to the smallest contractual quibble to deny any type of compensation for the major difficulties, the constant travel, the frequent stops of activities due to the impossibility of accessing the work areas.

[sawasdeerpg]

Bangkok

Bangkok, la capital de Tailandia, es una ciudad vibrante y diversa conocida por su bulliciosa vida callejera, templos ornamentados y deliciosa comida callejera. También es un importante centro económico, cultural y turístico del sudeste asiático. Conocida como "La Ciudad de los Ángeles", Bangkok ofrece una mezcla única de tradición y modernidad, donde rascacielos futuristas se alzan junto a antiguos templos budistas. Además, Bangkok es famosa por sus mercados flotantes, su animada vida nocturna y sus lujosos centros comerciales. Con una rica historia y una cultura fascinante, Bangkok atrae a millones de visitantes de todo el mundo cada año.

Lugares de interés

Silom: El distrito de negocios central de Bangkok, con imponentes rascacielos, bulliciosos mercados y una variedad de empresas y lugares de entretenimiento. También es famoso por su vibrante vida nocturna.

Gran Palacio y Wat Phra Kaew: Este complejo impresionante es el símbolo más emblemático de Tailandia. El Gran Palacio alberga el Templo del Buda Esmeralda (Wat Phra Kaew), que es famoso por su estatua de Buda tallada en una sola pieza de jade.

Templo del Amanecer (Wat Arun): Situado a orillas del río Chao Phraya, Wat Arun es conocido por su impresionante prang (torre) decorada con mosaicos de cerámica y conchas marinas.

Barrio Chino (Chinatown): Explora el colorido y animado barrio chino de Bangkok, lleno de mercados callejeros, templos antiguos, tiendas de oro y joyerías, y restaurantes tradicionales.

Khao San Road: Este famoso vecindario es el epicentro del mochilero en Bangkok, con una gran cantidad de hostales, bares, restaurantes, tiendas de recuerdos y una animada vida nocturna.

Mercado de Chatuchak: Con más de 8,000 puestos, el mercado de Chatuchak es uno de los mercados al aire libre más grandes del mundo, donde puedes encontrar de todo, desde ropa y artesanías hasta plantas y mascotas.

Centros Comerciales: Bangkok es conocido por sus enormes centros comerciales, como MBK Center, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld y Terminal 21, donde puedes disfrutar de compras, restaurantes, cines y más.

Río Chao Phraya: Da un paseo en barco por el río Chao Phraya para ver los famosos templos y palacios de Bangkok desde una perspectiva única.

Parque Lumphini: Este oasis urbano ofrece un refugio tranquilo del bullicio de la ciudad, con amplias áreas verdes, lagos, senderos para caminar y ejercicios al aire libre.

Rascacielos y vistas panorámicas: Disfruta de las impresionantes vistas de Bangkok desde rascacielos como el Baiyoke Sky Hotel, donde puedes visitar su mirador en la planta 77, o desde el bar Sky Bar en el Hotel Lebua en State Tower.

Museos: Bangkok alberga una variedad de museos que ofrecen una visión única de la historia, la cultura y el arte de Tailandia. Algunos museos destacados incluyen el Museo Nacional de Tailandia, el Museo de Siam, el Museo del Rey Rama IX y el Museo Jim Thompson House.

Barrios locales y mercados: Explora los barrios locales de Bangkok, como Thonglor, Ekkamai y Ari, donde encontrarás una mezcla de cafeterías boutique, restaurantes de moda, tiendas de moda independientes y una vibrante escena nocturna.

Parque Acuático Siam Park City: Este parque acuático es uno de los más grandes de Asia y ofrece una variedad de toboganes, piscinas y atracciones acuáticas para todas las edades.

Patpong: Uno de los barrios que llega a ser más propenso a la delincuencia o problemas de seguridad es Patpong, especialmente durante la noche. Es conocido por su vida nocturna y sus mercados nocturnos, pero también puede atraer a personas que buscan oportunidades para actividades ilegales o engaños.

Vecindarios Residenciales: Bangkok es una ciudad diversa con una amplia gama de vecindarios residenciales que ofrecen diferentes estilos de vida y comodidades. Aunque menos comunes en el centro de la ciudad, hay áreas en Bangkok donde encontrarás casas unifamiliares y vecindarios tradicionales. Estas áreas pueden ofrecer un ambiente más tranquilo y comunitario, con calles arboladas y parques locales.

Comunidades Extranjeras: Bangkok es el hogar de una gran población expatriada, y hay áreas en la ciudad que son populares entre los expatriados y sus familias. Estas áreas suelen tener una variedad de servicios orientados a los expatriados, como escuelas internacionales, supermercados internacionales y clubes sociales.