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americxn · 4 years ago

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hii! congrats on 240 followers, you deserve it!! I was wondering if you could write a little fluff on the reader and jpm going out somewhere in town (on halloween since he can only go out then) and just exploring the city. the rest is up to you but I think it’d be sweet!! :)

Yes yes yessss, I absolutely love this idea. Thank you for requesting, I hope this is okay <3

word count: 1.4k

“Hi.” You smiled breathlessly as you walked hurriedly across the hotel foyer, James stood waiting for you by the large doors of the entryway. A jolt of excitement rushed through you as you beheld him, his usual former attire having been replaced by a simple pair of black denim jeans and a light grey hoodie. He stood slightly awkwardly, his feet splayed out beneath him at the tightness of the jeans that he wasn’t accustomed to. You mentally cooed at his appearance, at how cute he looked with the hood of the large sweater gathered about his neck. This outfit he reserved for one night and one night only: halloween. He held out his arm with a gracious smile, your own slipping into place, entwining with his as you instinctively leaned into him. “Sorry,” you began breathlessly, “I needed to sort something quickly. Please don’t ask questions.” You added at the inquisitive look he shot you, his eyebrow cocking up slightly. “Are you ready?” You prompted, bouncing excitedly on the balls of your feet. “Yes, dearest. Although it seems as if you’re more excited than I am.” He observed fondly. You nodded absentmindedly, your hand itching to wrench open the doors and drag James out onto the night-bathed street beyond. “You look good, by the way.” You commented quietly, a dazzling smile appearing on James’ lips as he held out a sweater-clad arm, the door beginning to open under his touch.

The cool night air was soft against your face as you and James wandered the block surrounding the hotel, then the next, and the next, talking quietly and pointing out the stars as they appeared one-by-one in the night sky. James’ occasional content sighs from beside you was all the confirmation you needed to allow him to soak up the night sky, the quiet streets and the occasional car that drove idly by. “I love the night sky.” James admitted quietly from beside you after several minutes of silence, his neck craned at an uncomfortable looking angle to take in the expanse of crawling night above you, it’s surface littered with constellations and swirls of galaxies. Your heart cracked slightly at the hidden longing on his face, creasing the corners of his mouth ever-so-slightly, but you forced yourself to huff a small laugh, determined not to bring a single ounce of negativity into James’ night in the city. “I’ll take note. We can watch them from the roof of the hotel next time they’re this bright.” You suggested, squeezing his arm lightly in yours. He tore his gaze from the dark sky momentarily to offer you a loving glance. “My darling, you are too good to me.” You waved a hand with a grunt, your lips opening. James interjected before you could speak. “I mean it, my life meant nothing until I met you.” You had to force your feet to keep moving at the sincerity in his tone, your heart singing from within the confines of your chest at his words. “You always say that.” You began, looking up at the stars with him, neither of you paying any heed to where you were walking. “But I don’t think you realise that it goes both ways.” You finished, patting his hand that had sunk into the large sleeve of his hoodie, just his knuckles and fingers exposed to the cold night air. “Anyways,” you moved the conversation quickly ahead, the next phase of your plan beginning. “I reserved us a place at my favourite cafe. It does the best pancakes.” You gushed, picking up your pace, James tearing his gaze back down to earth as you dragged him along. Half an hour later, the two of you sat knee-to-knee in the corner of the little cafe, your table situated right by the window. A half-eaten stack of pancakes lay between you, your fork scooping into the mess of batter, whipped cream and strawberries for the fortieth time. You brought the forkful up to James mouth, your other hand cupped beneath the large mouthful of desert to ensure that none fell. “Here, try some with the chocolate sauce.” James opened his mouth compliantly and he hummed as he chewed, his eyes bright. “It’s good, yes?” He nodded, swallowing before answering you. “Delicious dearest. Almost as good as Miss Evers’ cooking, dare I say.” You nodded in agreement, picking up another forkful of food and allowing yourself another delectable bite. “I’m getting so full though.” You mumbled. James looked at you in adoration as you chewed your mouthful. Your eyes flicked to his. You thinly avoided choking on your food as you forced yourself to swallow, a loud laugh coming from you. “What is it?” James inquired, his eyes curious and his mouth bent upwards in amusement. You pointed at the white substance smeared across the corner of James’ thin, dark moustache. “You have cream in your moustache.” You giggled, lifting off of your seat as you stood slightly to reach across the table, your thumb gently swiping the cream from his lip. “Ah,” James muttered, running the back of his hand self-consciously across his upper lip. “It’s okay, I got it.” You chuckled, watching as a soft blush lit up the apples of his pale face. “What is it now?” He asked warily, eyeing up your expression. “Nothing,” you replied, your attention turning back to the beloved stack of pancakes before you. “I just don’t think that I’ve ever seen you blush before.” Midnight came around quickly, the pancakes sitting like a stone in your stomach as you hurried along the streets, James’ hand clasped around yours as you checked the time on your phone once more. Turning the corner onto the next block, you reluctantly slid your hand out of James’ warm hold. “Okay, wait here.” You ordered, eyeing up the large ornate building that towered before you, glancing back at James whose attention had already been drawn across the street to a group of rowdy, clearly drunk, teenagers dressed in cheap halloween costumes. You smiled excitedly behind James’ back, suppressing a squeal as you turned on your heel and took the steps to the entrance of the building. When you returned five minutes later, James was still stood on the sidewalk, a strange glint in his eyes as he surveyed the world around him. “James.” You called, waving him towards you. His head snapped to you, a smile spreading across his face at your re-appearance and he took the steps quickly, falling into place at your side. “Okay.” You began, pausing before the large double doors. “I know you don’t like surprises.” He cut you a wary glance. “But,” You ignored his look, pushing open one of the doors and gesturing for him to enter as you continued. “I wanted to do something special for you.” James stepped inside the foyer of the building, his arms clasping behind his back as he entered in silence. The door clicked shut behind you as you followed him inside. The hard marble clicked beneath your feet as you went ahead of James, turning in a circle with your arms raised above your head. He met your gaze, a look of understanding spreading across his face as he surveyed the space, the signs and pictures that littered the walls of the room answering his question of “where the hell have you taken me.” James had a little bookshelf in the corner of your shared rooms of the Hotel Cortez, a majority of his beloved books being about evolution and natural science. It was a specific interest of his that he often rambled about when you were eating dinner, or lying in bed in each other’s arms on the verge of sleep. So, you had hired out the natural history museum in your area. It had taken a fuck ton of money to convince the owners, but the look of utmost reverence that James now looked at you with made every penny worth it. “Come on,” you encouraged, James seemingly rooted to the spot at your surprise. “We have the entire building to ourselves until four in the morning.” You explained, James’ footsteps slow as he made his way to you, his head moving to survey the tall ceiling and the many rooms that branched off of the large marble reception. “Our only rule: we can’t break anything.” You finished as James finally reached your side, the force with which he moved in to press a kiss to your lips almost knocking air from you, his smile against your mouth obvious.

#american horror story #ahs #hotel #hotel cortez #james patrick march #james march #fluff

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denmarkduringthefall-blog · 7 years ago

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Study tour in western Denmark

Last week, for “core course week” I got lots and lots at practice at sketching buildings. My “core course” here at DIS is Architectural Foundations, observing sketching buildings is one of the foundational skills they would like me to work on while I’m here. Monday, I practiced sketching at DIS with all the other architecture students. Above is a page from my sketchbook. I drew a “serial vision” of what it looked like to talk down Strøget, a shopping/walking street near school.

Tuesday, I went back to the Open Air Museum with my architecture class. It was even more rainy this time... Here is one of my drawings from that visit, of a house with a green roof and an old beehive that was out front.

I had the day off Wednesday and went on a tour of buildings in western Denmark from early Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon.

I have included some pages from the program for that trip here. Each one has some pictures and some info. If you would like to read more about any of the places that I went, you can click on the name of the place as I have linked each one to its website. I have also included a few more pages from my sketchbook.

Thursday: Kolding and Skanderborg

1. Trapholt Art Museum (Kolding)

Though small, this museum was cool because the building was designed to blend with the natural space around it. It sits among some small hills, right on the edge of a fjord. The museum had one central corridor with smaller galleries branching off from it. I liked this design because I felt sure I had gotten to see everything. The drawing below is looking into one of the galleries from that central corridor. It seems that we got there in between major shows because a few of the galleries were closed at the time. That being said, the art that was up and visible was pretty cool. I especially liked “Think Bigger” a show by Michael Kvium, and a bunch of chairs they had on display from various famous architects and designers.

2. Koldinghus (Kolding)

Koldinghouse is a fortress that partially burned in 1808. After the fire, the inside was given a modern renovation. Now it is a museum about the history of the fortress and the town. When we visited, they had a temporary exhibition called Beyond Icons. It was arranged by design students, each one chose an “iconic” object that they appreciated and made a small display for it. I really liked this show, and the inside of the fortress was a beautiful mix of old and new.

3. SDU Student Center (Skanderborg)

Though I saw some cool stuff at each of the museums, This building was absolutely my favorite of the day (possibly of the entire trip). The student center is shaped like a triangle (and you will find more triangles everywhere you look, from the skylights to the window shades) with a central open area that is also shaped like a triangle but is turned a few degrees on each level (shown in orange on the diagram below). This is difficult to imagine unless you are in the space, but it has a very cool effect on the space. The railings of each level crisscross each other when you look down from the top, and this means that much more natural light can make its way onto the various floors (compared to how it would be if the open area in the center were the same on each level). There are also outdoor balconies with plant-walls and modular furniture. It is definitely a place where I would be happy to study and hang out.

(Above: View from the top floor in SDU campus center )

We stayed in a hostel in Skanderborg for the night. We ate at a restaurant called Nicoli Café, which was also an art house cinema. The food was very tasty but sadly we didn’t watch a movie there.

Friday: Århus

Åarhus is the second largest city in Denmark. This year, it is one of two European Culture Capitals (the other is Pafos, Cyprus), which means there are a lot of events and things going on there. I really liked Århus, and I hope that I get a chance to go back.

4. DOKK1

Our first day in Århus, we went to DOKK1 library and citizen center. This was a really cool, multi-functional space. The first floor is a library, and throughout there are areas to work, relax, or play (there are many different play spaces and toys that accommodate kids of all ages). There are also offices and various spots for exhibitions of art and other projects. The building itself had an interesting but somewhat confusing layout.

2. Dome of Visions

After DOKK1 we got to explore Århus on our own for a little bit. I went to the Dome of Visions, which sits right on the harbor. The Dome of Visions was just transported to Århus after spending two years in Copenhagen. Surrounded by community garden plots and made mainly of glass, it is hard for me to imagine a structure I would have liked more than this. It was sunny and cozy at the coffee bar inside, filled with lush plants and comfy couches. I would love to build something similar in the near future. I didn’t draw it, but I took lots of pictures!

4. Skanderup Kirke

Skanderup Kirke is a little church on a hill, it is one of the oldest churches in Denmark (built in 1050) . From its location, you can see out over much of the town and a large lake. It’s quite lovely. The inside of the church is almost as lovely as the view. It is made of a soft white chalk and it is decorated with hand-drawn patterns in nice warm browns and reds. I felt very calm and comfortable in there.

Friday night, we stayed in a hostel on the edge of the lake that we could see from Skanderup Kirke! I went canoeing for the first time ever there. It was raining a little when we set out, but it cleared up fairly fast, and we got to see a vibrant rainbow stretched over the shore. Our cabin was cute and the dinner at the hostel was very tasty. After dinner, our group had a bonfire and made Snobrød. Snobrød is like the Danish version of s’mores in that you traditionally cook it on a stick over the campfire. That is where the similarities stop. It’s just bread dough which you wind in a spiral around your stick, nothing overly sweet.

Saurday: Århus

1. City Hall

Saturday morning we headed back to the Århus. Our first stop was city hall. It is a really beautiful art-deco-like building from the 40′s. We didn’t get to go up in any of the upper floors or in the clock tower. But we did get to spend some time in the main event hall. It is a large open room with one full wall of windows on one side, and a collapsible wall made of brightly colored textiles on the other. The lights are these cool hexagonal boxes made of brass and glass which hang from the balconies of the upper floors. The room has a high vaulted ceiling with yet more windows in it.

2. ARoS Art Museum of Modern Art

ARos is a fantastic museum. The layout made it easy to be certain that I saw everything, but I would still like to go back for a second visit. The building itself is supposedly designed to represent a trip from hell to heaven. There is an exhibition called 9 spaces (a reference to the 9 circles of hell) in the basement. You then travel up a huge spiral staircase through the museum, until you reach the roof terrace and the rainbow halo on top which is meant to represent heaven. The designers clearly liked playing with contrasting elements like this. The outside of the building is a red cube while the inside is all white curves.

I loved so much of the work that I saw at ARoS that it would be hard for me to pick a favorite. I did, however, think that the 9 spaces exhibition was particularly cool and unique. I also think that they have organized the art throughout the museum very well.

After the museum, we stopped by the Århus street food center to grab some lunch (I got a pulled duck sandwich, it was o.k.) and headed home.

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lethaderr-blog · 6 years ago

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How to spend an incredible weekend in Albany, New York.

Before traveling to Albany, I really knew very little about the city. Sure, I knew it was the capital of New York State, but that was about it. However, I love exploring new towns and cities. Since I’ve been pleasantly surprised and fallen in love with other cities in NY (oh hi, Buffalo!), I thought it was about time I made it out to Albany. I recently embarked on a road trip from Toronto to Portland, Maine to attend the Women in Travel Summit. As it happens, Albany was right on the way. Of course, I had a total blast discovering the history, culture, and natural spaces of the city. Who knew there were so many fun things to do in Albany NY?

I’ve put together an Albany itinerary for you, designed so you can spend the perfect weekend there. While 2 days in Albany isn’t enough time, you’ll be able to check out many local attractions and get a good feel for it. There are tons of Albany attractions to check out, so I’ll write down my favorites (and give alternate suggestions where possible). I’m sure you’ll have such a fun weekend in Albany that you’ll want to return again in the future!

ALBANY TRAVEL GUIDE

WHERE TO STAY IN ALBANY: I loved staying at the centrally located Washington Park Inn. You can book your stay here [and read more reviews here]. Hotels are very affordable in the city. Feel free to compare prices between hotels as you plan your holiday. To have your own place in Albany, browse the available listings on Airbnb.

GETTING AROUND ALBANY: Albany is a very walkable city, especially if you’re staying right in town. You can also rent bicycles by the hour or day through the CDPHP Cycle App, which you’ll find all over the city. I also recommend having a car when you visit Albany, especially if you want to visit the nearby State Park. Be sure to rent a car if you don’t arrive by car.

MORE THINGS TO DO IN NY: For all of the best things to do in New York State, check out all of my other blog posts.

PHOTOS OF ALBANY: Check out our entire photo album of pictures from Albany to inspire your trip. You can also purchase prints, housewares, and all sorts of gifts made from any of our photos – just click the “buy” button on any picture.

Day 1 in Albany: For the History Buffs

Albany is one of the oldest cities in America, established in 1614. In fact, it’s not only the capital of New York, but it’s also the oldest city in the state. The English took control of the city in 1664 and named it after the Duke of Albany. With such a rich history, there are many Albany attractions that provide enlightening learning experiences. Let’s start our day by learning more about Albany’s history. A few of these places make for great rainy day activities in Albany, too!

Breakfast at Stacks Espresso Bar

Before your busy weekend in Albany begins, you’ll want to fuel up with some coffee and a bite to eat. Stacks Espresso Bar describes themselves as a cafe and community space where they feature coffee from various roasters. In addition to coffee and espresso beverages, you’ll find a small menu that’s ideal for breakfast or a snack. In terms of vegan offerings, they have bagels with Earth Balance spread, as well as a few vegan treats.

The Discover Albany Visitors Center

First things first, head straight to the Discover Albany Visitors Center to learn more about Albany. There are permanent exhibits about Albany’s history with lots of fabulous details and insights. There’s also a gift shop, an artist exhibit space, and an information desk where you can ask questions about the city and your trip.

If you happen to be traveling to Albany on the third Saturday of the month, you can check out the Saturday Star Show at the Henry Hudson Planetarium right on site.

The Empire State Plaza

As Albany is the capital of the state of New York, you’ll find an impressive collection of buildings and monuments at The Empire State Plaza. Most notably, be sure to check out the magnificent New York State Capitol building. Home to the New York State Legislature, the structure was built in 1899 for $25 million dollars (equivalent to $753 million by our current standards), which made it the most expensive government building of its time. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places; in addition, it’s a National Historic Landmark.

I recommend walking a complete circle around the New York State Capitol to view it from every angle. You can also take a guided tour of the New York State Capitol building. On weekdays, you can walk in and join a tour without any reservations. On Saturdays, there are a limited amount of tours and you will need to make reservations in advance (you can make reservations online). It’s also possible to take a self-guided tour with an audio guide on weekdays. All tours are free.

There are several other amazing buildings at the Empire State Plaza. One of the most unique buildings that I’ve ever seen is The Egg. It’s a center for the performing arts, and you can even look into catching a show while you’re in town. The Egg looks more like an artistic sculpture than a building, and it appears as though a giant egg shaped structure is balancing on a small stem. However, the building actually transcends six stories down into the earth.

For one of the best views of the city, visit the Corning Tower Observation Deck. You’ll be able to see the Plaza, city views of Albany, the Hudson River, and the foothills of the Adirondacks and the Catskills off in the distance. Unfortunately, the observation deck is closed on weekends, so you’ll have to plan your trip on a weekday to check it out.

Facing opposite the New York State Capitol, the New York State Museum features all sorts of exhibitions that showcase brilliant and unique aspects of New York State. While I didn’t have time to visit, it’s one of the best Albany attractions and a worthy addition to your travel itinerary. Feel free to make time for it during your 2 days in Albany, especially if it ends up raining and you need to cancel one of the outdoor activities.

Albany Institute of History & Art

As it was raining for a short while during my visit, I decided to take a trip to the Albany Institute of History and Art. Guys, this museum is awesome! I expected that it would be a pleasant trip with some interesting exhibits, but it seriously exceeded my expectations. There were intriguing and inspiring displays that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It’s definitely worth adding to your 2 days in Albany itinerary. I don’t normally visit a lot of museums on my travels, but this is certainly one of the most fun things to do in Albany NY. Here are a few of the exhibits on display when I was there. These are always changing and rotating, so it could be an entirely different experience when you visit. I’ll put the closing dates of each exhibition in the section to avoid disappointment.

Bejeweled and Bedazzled: Jewelry and Personal Adornment

Until June 9, 2019

On display from the collections of the Albany Institute and private collections, you’ll see more than 100 works of jewelry spanning four centuries. It’s truly fascinating to see jewelry throughout the ages, whether it’s purely decorative or has some distinct purpose. Some luxurious pieces highlight a person’s affluence, while others serve in memory of a loved one. There are even works made out of human hair (it sounds gross, I know, but it’s actually quite fascinating).

Shape and Shadow: The Sculpture of Larry Kagan

Until June 9, 2019

I wasn’t expecting this unique exhibition, but I was really wowed by the sculptures and design of artist Larry Kagan. Using acrylic, scraps of discarded steel, or other found items, he manages to play with light and shadows to create mesmerizing art. His acrylic sculptures from the 1970s reflect and refract light using interesting means. In the 80s and 90s, he uses found pieces of steel and uses their patterns and textures to create new works of art. And then most recently (and what I found to be more fascinating) are his shadow pieces that use bent steel rods to sculpt light. It results in innovative shadow art on the walls, taking shape as various items and images of people.

Heavy Metal: Cast Iron Stoves of the Capital Region

Until August 18, 2019

I never would have thought of cast iron stoves as art until I saw them in person. However, these furnaces were not only functional, but they were beautifully designed. Many of them are influenced by Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Rococo motifs and intricate floral designs. Even though these were a staple in American homes in the 19th century, they were also designed to make the home more stylish. These stoves were produced in Albany and the nearby city of Troy, New York. They were among the largest producers of cast iron stoves in the entire world.

Ancient Egypt

Ongoing

I love anything relating to ancient Egyptian artifacts. To my delight, there are a couple of rooms at the museum that are all about Egypt. This exhibit makes the museum a worthy addition to any Albany itinerary, and all of the other rotating exhibitions are icing on the cake. There’s a 3000 year old mummy, a priest named Ankhefenmut. You can view this mummy, his coffin base, his coffin lid, and his robe. There’s also a partially unwrapped mummy that’s captivating (and a tiny bit horrifying), and there are even animal mummies (the cat mummies are quite cute!).

Rain or no rain, I urge you to add the Albany Institute of History and Art to your weekend in Albany plans. It’s one of the most fun things to do in Albany NY, whether you’re traveling on a solo trip, with your partner, or with your family and friends.

Lunch at Raw Juice Bar

I’m sure you’re pretty hungry by now, so it’s time for lunch. Head over to the Raw Juice Bar (454 Madison Ave) for a healthy and tasty meal. While their juices and smoothies look delicious, I opted for an acai bowl as my meal. There are delicious toppings, like banana, cacao nibs, coconut chips, walnuts, and peanut butter. Mine was bursting with flavor and was more filling than it looked. You can customize your bowl as you like it, too. Raw Juice Bar also sells kombucha and bars, in case you need to stock up on any snacks.

Bike Ride at Historic Washington Park

After you’ve refueled, it’s time for a bike ride around the city. I suggest taking your set of wheels around historic Washington Park. It’s easy to rent a bicycle in Albany. There are CDPHP Cycle stations with bikes all over the city. Download the CDPHP Cycle app to your phone. You’ll be able to load it up with money and see where there are bikes available in advance. It’s quite ingenious: the app will show exactly how many bicycles are left at each station. That way, you won’t visit a particular bike rack to find that they’re all in use. You can rent by the hour, the month, or even the season. With the wind in your hair going sightseeing by bicycle, it’s one of the most fun things to do in Albany NY.

Washington Park is a beautiful place to visit, and you should definitely make at least one visit over your 2 days in Albany. Calvert Vaux and Frederick Olmstead designed this 81-acre park in the 1870s-80s. Of course, they are famous for New York City’s Central Park. You’ll see statues, fountains, basketball courts, a skateboard park, picnic areas, playgrounds, and historic homes. During the summer months, there are free plays at the Park Playhouse at the Washington Park Lakehouse almost every night. When I visited in the spring, the tulips were just about to bloom. It’s such a peaceful and gorgeous area of the city.

Half Moon Market

When I traveled to Albany, it was a happy coincidence that I was there during the Half Moon Market. It’s a bi-annual handmade marketplace at the Washington Park Lakehouse. There are 40+ vendors selling handmade goods, bath and body products, clothing, pottery, yummy treats, and so much more. I happily browsed the beautiful wares, created by talented artisans and small business owners. Be sure to pop by if it’s happening while you’re in town.

Dinner at Berben & Wolff’s

If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet (or you’re looking for delicious plant-based eats), head directly to Berben & Wolff’s. You might even want to visit more than once. It’s that good! It’s a vegan deli with a focus on quality food, originality, and ethical consumption. You’ll find so many of your favorite meaty eats, re-imagined entirely plant-based. On the menu, there are tasty dishes like a Popcorn Mushroom Po’ Boy, a Seitan Philly, and BBQ Pulled Jackfruit.

I ordered the Buffalo Wing Burger: buffalo breaded fried chicken style seitan, shredded carrot, celery, and ranch on a sesame seed bun. It came with a side of chips and a pickle. Oh em gee. It was so, so delicious. One of the best burgers of my life? Yep!

They also have delicious sweet treats to try after your meal, as well as salads for takeaway. You can even buy some of their vegan deli meat so you can prepare some of your favorite dishes at home. I was also delighted to realize that the seitan wings that I’d later order at The Hollow Bar & Kitchen are prepared by Berben & Wolff’s, so it’s wonderful to see their plant-based foods being used around town, too.

Capital Repertory Theater

After dinner, it’s time to check out a performance at the Capital Repertory Theater (known locally as theREP). It’s the only professional theater in the Capital Region. While I was in town, I watched a live theater performance of Shakespeare in Love, adapted for the stage from the screenplay. It was a riveting rendition of this romantic comedy that I’d known from the movies. Stay tuned for more upcoming performances in 2019, such as The Fully Monty and It’s a Wonderful Life. Seeing a live professional performance is one of the most unique and fun things to do in Albany NY.

Where to Stay in Albany NY

Now, it’s time to rest your head after an exciting and fulfilling day of exploring Albany. I stayed at the charming Washington Park Inn, a Victorian mansion built in 1884. The inn is a stunning home where I am certain you’ll have a cozy, comfortable, and delightful overnight stay. After spending two nights at the Washington Park Inn, I wasn’t ready to leave!

I adored my spacious room, which included many of the original structural details like the fireplace. The bed was very comfortable and the room was very quiet for a restful night’s sleep. The room and bathroom are quite roomy, and you can enjoy many modern amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and hundreds of channels on TV.

Feel free to help yourself to the complimentary coffee and tea in the shared kitchen space. There are also lots of other beverages and breakfast food items to enjoy. I really enjoyed the common areas throughout the home, like the dining tables and couches. There’s even a small office upstairs should you need to use a computer. The owners at the Washington Park Inn have truly thought of everything to ensure that you have a memorable stay.

The location of the Washington Park Inn cannot be beat. You’re right across the road from Washington Park and a short walk from Lark Street and many Albany attractions. When I wasn’t leaving town completely, I left my car at home and walked everywhere from the accommodation. There’s lots of free parking spaces for your vehicle in the parking lot and driveway beside the home.

When you travel to Albany, be sure to book your stay at Washington Park Inn. You can also read more reviews from fellow travelers here. Book early when you can. This place books up fast because it’s just so lovely!

Day 2 in Albany: For the Nature Lovers

On your second day in Albany, I recommend taking an excursion outside of the city for the late morning or early afternoon. There’s a nearby state park with hiking trails, beautiful scenery, and waterfalls. You’ll spend the rest of your time in Albany wandering around the historic streets and staying active with a class. And of course, you’ll be eating and drinking the culinary delights of the city!

Brunch at Iron Gate Cafe

Head straight to Iron Gate Cafe for a delicious start to the day (ooh, that rhymed!). They have a whole vegan section on their menu, perfect for a filling breakfast or lunch. There’s the Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Sandwich, a Tofu Scramble, a Buffalo Seitan Wrap, a Black Bean Burger, the TLT (Tempeh Lettuce Tomato), or what I ordered, the Vegan French Toast.

I was never a fan of French toast when I used to eat dairy and eggs, but I thought I’d give their vegan French toast a try. Oh my goodness, this dish turned me into a French toast lover! Made with almond milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this was absolutely delish, especially when topped with strawberries and crunchy granola. The maple syrup on top pleased this Canadian girl, too!

John Boyd Thacher State Park

Just 30 minutes outside of Albany, the John Boyd Thacher State Park will provide your daily dose of the great outdoors. High atop the Helderberg Escarpment, you can hike over 25 miles of trails and enjoy panoramic views of the county. Hiking at Thacher State Park is one of the most fun things to do in Albany NY.

Stop by the Visitors Center to take a peek at their geological and historical exhibits about the Helderberg Escarpment. Then, grab a map and hit the trails. It’s always a good idea to chat with a staff member at the center to learn about what trails might be closed or less ideal for hiking, depending on the time of year. As I traveled to Albany in early spring, one of the trails was closed and one was very muddy. I’m glad that I gained that insight before heading out on my hike.

I ventured down the Paint Mine trail, which connected to several other loop trails on the way. I enjoyed scenery of the river and two waterfalls on the way. Funny story: it actually started to snow while I was hiking! I was there at the end of April and I thought that the icy weather was gone (I mean, the tulips and flowers were starting to bloom!). As Thacher State Park is high up on the escarpment, it might be a little windier and cooler than down below. Needless to say, I forged ahead with my hike as the snow only lasted for a few moments. It was rather funny to have bits of ice and snow landing in my hair and staying on the ground for a few minutes.

Before you leave the park, drive over to the scenic overlook to catch glimpses of tree tops and mountain ranges off in the distance, like the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. It’s super pretty up there, and definitely a key place to include on your 2 days in Albany itinerary.

Coffee Break at 3Fish Coffee

In need of some caffeine? Make a pit stop at 3Fish Coffee for some of the best coffee in town. The coffee shop is located inside a renovated former garage of next door neighbors, the Downtube, a local bicycle shop (that’s also owned and operated by the cafe owners’ parents!). They brew coffee from Irving Coffee Roasters in Millerton, who have been roasting for 20+ years and source directly from local farmers. If you’re hungry, there are some treats and desserts available, too. I spotted one square of chocolate cake there that’s vegan. Make yourself at home at this cozy little cafe or take your beverage away with you.

Lark Street and Center Square

One of my favorite and most fun things to do in Albany NY is simply walk around and explore the city. I recommend taking the time to wander around Lark Street, as well as Center Square / Hudson-Park Historic District. Walk around the city blocks between the Empire State Plaza and Washington Park. You’ll feel like you’re walking around a quiet area of New York City or Boston with some of the most brilliant architecture in the city. But, you’re not in NYC or Boston; you’re in beautiful Albany. In comparison to the bigger cities, Albany is so underrated for its charming homes and neighborhoods. I’m so pleased to shine some light on this wonderful city.

Many of the homes were built between 1850 and 1900. They’re eclectic and colorful, ranging from elegant cottages to brownstone mansions. I adored walking around and admiring the homes and architecture, as well as watching the people of this neighborhood go about their days. Even though I’m completely an outsider, I got the impression that this was a vibrant community of homeowners and renters alike, making up a vibrant community of residents and business owners.

At the center of it all, the Lark Street Village is home to so many small businesses, cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s easy to spend a good part of your day walking up and down the streets, popping into nearby coffee shops and stores when the mood strikes you. It’s an incredibly photogenic area, so don’t forget to pack your camera. Lark Street and Center Square is definitely a space you don’t want to miss when spending 2 days in Albany (or longer!).

Lark Street Yoga

After a long day of wandering and exploring, it’s time to unwind at Lark Street Yoga. It’s a yoga and wellness center providing a peaceful space for students of all levels to practice yoga. I popped in for their Happy Hour Core Flow yoga class, which was unlike any yoga class I’ve ever tried. It combined elements of pilates and yoga for a workout based on core strength exercises, along with vinyasa style sequences. It was a great way to stretch and get rid of any stress that I had. Furthermore, it was set to upbeat music, which really inspired my movements.

There was a strong sense of community in this yoga class, as I got the impression that many people attended on a regular basis. Even though I was only visiting, I was warmly welcomed into the class like everyone else. I’d love to return to try some more yoga classes there in the future as it’s one of the most awesome and fun things to do in Albany NY.

Dinner at The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

Last but not least, head out for dinner at The Hollow Bar & Kitchen in downtown Albany. The Hollow Bar and Kitchen has amazing food, an energetic atmosphere, and live music. The restaurant serves an absolute ton of vegan and vegetarian items, including meals featuring farm fresh ingredients.

While it was really difficult to choose, I went with the Seitan Hot Wings to start (the seitan is sourced from Berben & Wolff’s vegan deli), which were pretty hot and spicy in the best way possible. It came with a side of veggies and vegan ranch dressing. For my main course, I tried the Tempeh Reuben sandwich, which consisted of vegan Russian dressing, ale-braised tempeh, sauerkraut, and vegan cheese on marbled rye. All of the flavors paired perfectly with one another for a super yummy and memorable meal.

And there you have it! I hope that you’ll take my advice and head directly to Albany, New York, for some exciting days ahead. It’s the perfect destination to spend a few days or a weekend. You can use Albany as a base for exploring other regions in the Hudson Valley, too. I’ll be writing about my adventures in nearby Dutchess County very soon, so stay tuned. Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have in the comments below. Otherwise, please enjoy all of these fun things to do in Albany NY. I thoroughly loved my time in Albany, and I can’t wait to return again in the future (maybe next time with Justin in tow!).

PLANNING A TRIP TO NEW YORK STATE?

Book your accommodation, Airbnb rental, or rental car.

Browse tours and excursions around the city for fun day trips.

Check out my 10 essential items to pack for a day hike.

Research even more with New York guidebooks to help plan your holidays.

Read the rest of my New York blog posts for the best trip ever.

Thank you so much to Discover Albany for hosting my stay.

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Have you ever visited Albany? What are your favorite areas of the city? What would you most like to see if you haven’t gone there yet?

The post Fun Things to Do in Albany NY – 2 Days in Albany Itinerary for an Amazing Weekend appeared first on Justin Plus Lauren.

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theolivechickken · 6 years ago

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Game of Turons

May or may not be missing Filipino food at this point..

April 1

Quick day-trip to Mostar. It’s so beautiful here! We had a fresh little taste-tour of homemade and local cheeses paired with bread, paprika spread, and salami. We had the chance to try a bitter cherry drink (I thought it was pretty sweet and tasty) and also this syrupy cookie. Basically a lunch. We weren’t entirely hungry afterwards, so we grabbed a cone of gelato and sat out on the ruins of the original bridge (Stari Most) and watched as bridge jumpers collected money from tourists and took the plunge. Sugar mama Craven also needed to spend those marks, so she treated everyone to some fine souvenirs. We all got matching bracelets (yay friendship) and also got some matching copper earrings (sorry pat). I could finally see the appeal of shopping since I just had money to throw around and get rid of.

Holy hell it is hot out. A toasty 80-ish degrees. How am I going to survive when I come back home to So-Cal and Phoenix?? I used to think anything below 90 degrees was cold and now I’m perfectly warm and comfortable in 45-50 degree weather. We had an afternoon tour to learn about the history of Mostar and visit a mosque and Kajtaz house. We were also able to climb the museum tower next to Stari Most and talk to a local who had been living in Mostar at the time of the wars and helped to rebuild the new bridge despite the fact that he was held captive in the war, used as a human shield, and lost some mobility in his left arm. He was very friendly and open about his experiences.

Uno ruins friendships. We played an almost endless 2 hour game on the bus ride to Dubrovnik and the only reason we stopped (besides the fact that we were already over the game) was because the sun was going down and we couldn’t tell yellow from green anymore.

April 2

Game of thrones who?? Yeah so I still have yet to finish the show. Please no spoilers and I’m sorry that I might not be able to fully understand the settings here that were used in the show. BUT I WILL SOMEDAY.

I’m in love with Dubrovnik. I love the ocean and the sea. Basically any body of natural water. I love the fresh air and the warm sun and the salty breeze. I love the orange rooftops and the FREAKING castle in the middle of town. I love the cliffsides that are inviting us to dive into the freezing cold water.

I got wet. We went down to the rocky cliffs and I wanted to get close enough to dip my toes into the water. Welp, I did. But then the waves were excited to see me too and just whipped my legs, soaking my pants from the knees down. No worries though. There’s still enough time in the day to lie out on the rocks and let them air dry. And that’s what I did.

Please sir let me go kayaking. We still had time to kill and figured why not? It was such a challenge to figure out how to get down from the castle and streets level to the pebble beach area. We finally got down and the guy was like please don’t, I’m trying to close up shop for the day. It was 3:30pm. There’s still plenty of “day” but I guess he’s the boss of his own hours. We sat on the little pier overlooking the water and watched as the last few kayakers paddled back to shore and turned in their gear. We also saw Patrick at the top of the tower across the water! He came down to meet us at our spot. We also saw a youngish teenage boy rowing this girl to shore. Hi can I steal your boat? It was super tiny and could barely fit the two of them in it, but I tried imagining how to fit all four of us into it. We observed as he spent the next 10 minutes helping the girl out of the boat and then rowing to his parking spot, securing his boat to the ropes, and then nimbly climbing out to the pier deck. He made everything look so easy and we enjoyed playing with the idea that we’d all fall in the water or get stranded 5 minutes into rowing.

We took the world’s slowest taxi back up to the hotel, but at least he was a safe (unless driving too slow is dangerous?) driver. We changed into our swimsuits, excited to spend time in the pool at the hotel. I think it was old people hour though? I hope we didn’t disturb them too much. Our plan was to hang out in the hot tub but the water was lukewarm?? We sat in somewhat cool water and had jets attacking our limbs from every angle. Not really a grand time but definitely an interesting one. At one point, we gathered hands and prayed to the jacuzzi gods for the 2 seconds of warmth that would happen when the jets would first start up. 100% worth it for those two seconds.

April 3

I like the long bus rides- they are comfortable and prime time for introspection (#feeling inspired). Today’s extended pitstop is in Zadar. Home of the beautiful sunsets, Monument to the Sun, and Sea Organ. In the early afternoon, Patrick, Raine, Aubree, and I walked to the grocery store to pick up supplies for nutella and banana sandwiches (since there was no jelly). We also met up with Kaya and Sara and joined them at McDonald’s for lunch (fun fact: their cola weirdly tasted like bubblegum??)

We had Sara’s sparknotes cool-aunt version of a tour, which ended with us soaking up the sun, watching the rough waves roll and crash, and listening to the wondrous and unique song of the sea organ. We took a snack break to bring back pizza to eat while watching the red-dot sun set behind the voluptuous blue-purple clouds. The sun honestly seemed to slip away so quickly. Live it in the moment, folks. Sometimes it’s not worth it for the instagram. It’s worth it to be present.

We’re addicted to crazy 8 at this point and itching to head back to the hotel to connect to the wifi and destroy friendships. But first, gelato. Since it was late in the evening, our guy piled scoops into our cones.

April 4

Took a lovely nature stroll through Plitvice Lakes National Park! So many waterfalls gracefully cascading down. Such a pretty sight and I could never get tired of it. I just took my time walking through the paths, and at one point Sara encouraged us to spend 10 minutes sitting by ourselves in the sounds of nature. Blissful.

We had lunch outside and tried to not get dust blown into our food or get blown away from the strong winds. We let our food digest as we took a ride on the world’s slowest boat. It didn’t even feel like we were moving- the ride was almost too smooth.

When we arrived at Hotel Park, SaVanna’s mom (and her mom’s best friend) came out and surprised her in the lobby. We all couldn’t help but feel a little butt-hurt because 1. we were all on our periods (maybe Patrick too) and just emotional wrecks in general and 2. we hadn’t seen any of our loved ones for MONTHS and she had received a lot of love via care packages and letters from friends/family, her boyfriend visited her for spring break, and now her mom was here to surprise her for the weekend. Super happy for her but salty that we got slapped in the face with it.

Anyways, hello Ljubljana! Weird full circle. It’s like a combination of everywhere that I’ve visited. It’s got hints of Salzburg/Vienna/Budapest with its architecture, Amsterdam (with its bikes), Berlin (with it’s energy). Feels hip and fun. Had beers, burgers, and bomb conversations for dinner. Such a great time hanging out with the squad along the river and laughing about some of our most embarrassing stories. Afterwards we went back to the hotel and passed ouuuuut (rip crazy 8, maybe we’ll catch ya next time).

April 5

Ljubljana walking tour with another lovely guide! He was such a warm and welcoming soul, and he was very excited to show us around even though it was a wet and stormy day. I had an umbrella, but I still managed to get wet. Nike? More like yikes. Tried to keep my shoes dry but then the puddles continued to rise and my feet were already wet so might as well just go all out and step in the puddles. At the end of the tour, we had a river cruise, which turned into a champagne (booze) cruise courtesy of Katharina showing up to surprise Sara on her birthday :)

Had the most amazing falafel wraps in my life. Went back to the hotel to rest for a bit. Raine took a nap, but I just relaxed in the comfort of my dry, warm bed and watched youtube videos for a few hours.

Later, we ventured back out for dinner (at the same place that we visited the night before) and ended up staying out with the rest of the crew since they were at the same restaurant as us :)

April 6

Goodbye Ljubljana! At least it’s not raining today. One last stop before we return home: Postojna Cave. This cave is HUGE. We had to ride a little tram into the walkable parts of the cave, and I swear it was a 15 minute ride in a little cart on train tracks. It was jerky and weirdly close to the walls and I felt like I was going to hit my head every 10 seconds. Also got carsick on the ride, so it wasn’t the best tour of my life. Still, the caves were pretty impressive. How can rocks look like paper sometimes?? Our tour guide also had fun surprising us and at one point she went to the generator and turned off the lights and it was PITCH black. I’ve been in darkness before, but nothing compares to those few seconds in complete blackness. Everyone was talking and trying to find each other (even as we were standing next to one another to begin with) and I still felt like I was the only one in the area and everyone else was so far away.

At the end of the tour, we walked into a little cave room area where our photographs were up for sale. So that’s what those people were doing when we entered the tram entrance! They were literally all up in our faces with their flash photography and I thought they were trying to capture some famous person behind me or trying to get a picture of my face to document every individual who enters in case there’s a tragic emergency and they need evidence of who went in and didn’t come out, but turns out they were just trying to catch us as off guard as possible for the worst photos in the world lol

Back on the road again = back in my sleepyhead dreamland

We said our final goodbyes to our lovely bus driver Benny (rip cause these goodbyes were so short too). I’m gonna miss that Mr. Bean soul.

Yay for being home before the sun goes down for once! And hello spring in Salzburg! So excited to be here while the weather gods kindly bless us.

#Salzburg Semester #Studying Abroad #balkans #Bosnia #Mostar #Croatia #Dubrovnik #Zadar #Plitvice Lakes #National Park #Slovenia #Ljubljana #Postojna Caves #Salzburg

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travelingtheusa · 8 years ago

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ALABAMA

8 Mar 2017 (Wed) – We took a tour of the Mercedes-Benz factory today. It is the second largest production facility in the world (the first is in Germany), and this plant is the only one in North America. They produced 300,000 cars last year. The guide said that was between 800 and 900 cars a day. There were robots operating all over the place. Our group of 25 visitors followed a guide all around the plant. It was so amazing to see how everything has a place and the cars move down a line that zig zags back and forth across the floor. And, yet, there were many people working on the cars as well as the robots. It was a very interesting tour.

We arrived in Tuscaloosa a little after 10 a.m. but our tour wasn’t until 12:30 p.m. We went to a historic house for a tour only to find it closed. Tours are by appointment only. There was a second old home in town that was the same. Aggravated, we gave up and toured the U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse to look at murals that were painted on the walls. Next, we went to lunch at a diner called Rama Jama. It sat in the shadow of the Bryant Denny Stadium. Every available space on the ceiling and walls was decorated with some kind of sports paraphernalia.

After lunch we tried to find Capitol Park, which is located on the campus of the University of Alabama. There were no signs and the campus was huge. After a couple of wrong turns, we gave up and went to the Mercedes factory for our tour. After the tour, we went back to the visitor’s center where there were some models on display. The Smart Car was here and I excitedly lifted the hood to see how much storage there is. Unfortunately, it set off an alarm. The security guard was very annoyed with me. She just had to pull the cable off the battery but she just stood around. I guess they had to call a tech from the plant to come over. I slinked out the door leaving her to cope with the beeping car.

We stopped at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark back in Birmingham. It is a huge facility that was once a large pig iron producing blast furnace. After operating for 90 years, it closed in 1971, sat for several years exposed to nature and graffiti artists, and was rescued by a group of citizens who wanted to preserve its history. The furnaces have been restored and is the first industrial site (and only blast furnace) in the U.S. open to the general public. There are two furnaces. One is open to tour; the second is used by a metal arts program. The place was humongous. Much of it is falling down and dilapidated (I don’t know how they can claim it’s been restored), yet we were allowed to wander in and out of different buildings with placards telling of the various functions of each part of the plant. It was a very educational and interesting stop.

When we got back to the Elks Lodge, we went into the lounge and had cocktails.

7 Mar 2017 (Tue) – We drove into Birmingham today to go to the National Civil Rights Museum. When we arrived, we found a sign on the door saying the museum was closed for renovations. Arrrrrggghh! Too many places in Alabama have been closed when we went to visit them.

We walked across the street to the 16th Street Baptist Church. Four young girls were killed in 1963 in the basement of the church when the Ku Klux Klan set off a bomb. It is still a very active church. We looked around the basement where there were dozens of pictures from the 1960s and included such personalities as Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverend Jesse Jackson. We then went upstairs to the sanctuary and balcony to admire the stained glass windows and furnishings. It is a beautiful church with a rich history of love and faith.

We left the church and walked across the street to explore the Kelly Ingram Park. It was a large park with lots of sculptures depicting the civil rights movements and telling the story of police abuse. At first, the adults demonstrated for equal rights. When things began to wane and it seemed like interest in the movement was fading, the leaders solicited the children to demonstrate. Pictures of children being hosed, attacked by dogs, beaten by police, and arrested created outrage among the general populace. More and more people joined the demand for equal rights for blacks.

It was lunch time, so we drove to the old part of town to eat at Café Dupont. It turned out to be a not so good choice. The menu was very eclectic and the menu choices were quite limited. There was duck, and quail, and octopus. Stuff like that. I found a chicken dish and Paul had a pork tenderloin meal. The food was very good but everything was expensive. We wound up paying $88 plus tip for lunch.

After lunch, we walked up and down the block, admiring the many old buildings. Sadly, there are many empty store fronts and boarded up buildings. Birmingham is trying to revitalize but is having a hard time. It used to be called the “Magic City.” This was because the three items needed to produce steel – iron ore, limestone, and coal – are all conveniently located in the area. Because the three resources were close together and easy to obtain, the city seemed to grow up overnight. There were several steel mills, rail heads, and mines in the area. Many of the canons and other weapons produced during the civil war and later during WWII were made right here. Birmingham is the most populous city in Alabama. About one-quarter of all Alabamians live in Birmingham.

We left the city and drove up to Vulcan Park. There is a large statue on a 50 foot high tower. The statue – Iron Man – was built for the world fair of 1904. It is the largest cast iron statue in the world and named Vulcan after the mythical Roman god of fire and forge. After the fair, it was moved to Birmingham and put up on Red Mountain in the 1930s. We went up the tower to the observation deck and looked out over the city of Birmingham. Then we went into the museum next door and read all about the statue’s history.

When we came out of the museum, the sky was growing very dark and thunder was rumbling in the distance. The skies opened up during our drive back home and lightning split the sky. It was quite a ferocious storm.

6 Mar 2017 (Mon) – We drove to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. We were not enthused about going there. We have seen plenty of displays of antiques cars and bikes and didn’t expect much. This museum was listed as the #1 attraction out of 88 so we decided to give it a look. Wow! It turned out to be the most amazing collection of rare and one-of-a-kind motorcycles and other vehicles. There were five floors of vehicles – most of them motorcycles and scooters. They claim to have over 1500 motorcycles in the inventory with just 700 on display at any one time. It was so amazing to walk along the displays and read the stories of so many (there were too many to read every one). There was even a section dedicated to Lotus racing cars.

After the museum, we drove to a nearby Bass Pro Shops for lunch. The drive in was very Disneyesque as it wound through the woods, followed a creek, and had lots of animal cut outs with signs along the way. We had sandwiches and then wandered around the store.

When we got back to the camper, we grabbed Sheba and took her to a veterinarian. Her bottom lip has been swollen for a week. She didn’t seem to be in any pain. She’s had no problem eating, cleaning herself, or playing with string. Since the swelling hasn’t gone down, we thought we should have a doctor look at her. The vet said her lip was infected. It could have been caused by an insect bite. He gave her a shot and prescribed an antibiotic. We have to give her a dose twice a day for five days.

Once we got back, we went into the Elks Lodge to have a cocktail and see if we could get access to their wifi. It worked well when we were in the lounge but when we got back to the camper, we couldn’t pick up the signal. Oh, well.

5 Mar 2017 (Sun) - We left Montgomery at 9:35 and drove to Bessemer, a suburb of Birmingham. We are parked in a lot next to the Elks Lodge. It is a weird set up. There is a pole in the center of the lot with two 50 amp outlets, and four double 20 amp outlets. Their website says they have ten RV sites but we are at a loss to see how just one RV fits in. We pulled up on the side of the pole set up. We have electric and water hook ups. There is a dump station in the corner of the lot but no rinse hose. We’ll see how that goes. The lot itself sits on the corner of a busy intersection. Traffic is almost constant. There is also a train track nearby and the train seems to blow its horn continuously as it passes by. This is a very noisy place with no privacy at all. It feels like we are on display for everyone who passes by. We will be staying here for three nights. I hope it goes fast.

After set up, we went into the lodge and paid for three nights lodging. After buying a couple of drinks, we went to WalMart to pick up a few groceries. We do not have good access to the Internet here. My phone cannot connect to wifi so we can’t use Apps to check out attractions in the area. That is so annoying.

4 Mar 2017 (Sat) – We drove into Montgomery to the River Front for lunch. It turned out to be rather small and without any restaurants. There was a series of storyboards that told the history of the city. A band shell sat on a grassy area and a historic Union Station sat right next to the park. A tunnel passed underneath the railroad tracks.

We called up a list of restaurants on Trip Advisor and then took off on a walk to find one of them. The first one we came to was Jalapenos in the Alley, a Mexican restaurant. The food was very good and the drinks were quite large.

After lunch, we drove to Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park. The state park had a recreated French fort and a couple of Indian homes. Further into the park were a series of breastworks that used to be an American fort that was built under orders from General Andrew Jackson for the War of 1812. It was also a replica and not the real thing.

We returned to the campground and enjoyed a wonderful campfire. The day started out cool – 48 degrees – but it warmed up nicely.

3 Mar 2017 (Fri) – It was just 38 degrees this morning. Brrrrrrrr. That was cold!

It was something of a disappointing day today. We drove to Tuskegee where we stopped at the visitor center only to find it closed. We then drove to Moton Field, home of the Tuskegee Airmen. There were two hangars with exhibits detailing the story of the flight training and accomplishments of the 1,000 black men who became pilots in the Army Air Corps. There were also descriptions of the terrible discrimination they suffered. It was an inspiring story of their efforts to overcome prejudice and segregation. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to return home after fighting a war, earning the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Silver Cross and the Distinguished Unit Award, only to be met by someone who told you to stay in an area designated for coloreds.

We then drove to the Tuskegee University. There is a National Parks office on the campus. It is the only National Parks presence on a college campus anywhere in the U.S. The Booker T. Washington House was closed. A sign on the door said there were tours on the hour, but visitors had to meet at the George Washington Carver house. That is closed for renovations. We tried to find a visitors center on campus but it eluded us. We left in aggravation looking for someplace to have lunch. Trip Advisor said McDonald’s is #1 of 20 places in Tuskegee. We left Tuskegee.

On the way back to the campground, we stopped at WalMart to pick up pet food and DEF for the truck. We got off I-85 at exit 11 and followed a sign to Cracker Barrel. We were puzzled. All the wait staff were black. Except for one table, all diners were white. With all the emphasis on civil rights and equality in this area, we thought we’d see a better mix of blacks and whites.

When we got back to the campground, we had a delightful campfire.

2 Mar 2017 (Thu) – We drove to Selma today. What a historical place! This is the birthplace of the civil rights movement. First stop after we crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge was the Selma Interpretive Center. The story of the march from Selma to Montgomery was told in great detail. After the center, we drove to the Old Depot Museum. There wasn’t much about the railroad. There was a collection of very old artifacts – civil war type stuff. In fact, canons were made in Selma during the Civil War.

We then drove down and looked at the two churches that figured prominently during the early efforts to achieve voting privileges. First was the First Baptist Church then the Brown Chapel. Neither building was open so we just read the story board posted outside. Next we stopped for lunch at Side Porch Sandwiches where we both had a pulled pork platter.

We drove out of Selma to the ghost town of Old Catawba. This used to be capitol of Alabama before they moved it to Selma. In 1815, Catawba was one of five counties names the wealthiest in the nation. Things went south for the town and it was eventually abandoned. Today, there are two or three hulks left in the town with storyboards to tell what happened.

1 Mar 2017 (Wed) – We threw the laundry in the machines first thing this morning. They only cost 75 cents each. There probably won’t be any machines at the next campground so we took advantage of the cheap ones here.

We left the Air Force Base at 9:50 and arrived at the Gunter Hill Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) in Montgomery at 10:20. The campground is on a lake and the sites are well spread out with lots of trees. Unfortunately, there is no wifi and the jet pack doesn’t work well either. We drove around looking at the campsites and found some fire wood, which we promptly claimed. We were able to have a nice campfire tonight.

We drove about 25 miles west to the Lowndes Interpretive Center which is about 30 miles east of Selma. This is a national historic site that recounts the story of the march from Selma to Montgomery. It took three tries before the march took place. It started with the wrongful death of Jimmie Lee Jackson during an attempt to register to vote. The minister of the church, Rev. Bevel, said he was going to take Jackson’s body to Montgomery and lay it at the capitol steps. That idea grew into a planned march. The first time they tried to march from Selma to Montgomery, the group was turned back by club wielding policemen. The second time, the marchers walked across the bridge, stopped on the other side, knelt and prayed, then walked back over the bridge. President Johnson called out the National Guard and members of the Army to protect the marchers. On the third try, about 3,000 marchers left Selma and walked for five days over 50 miles to Montgomery. I-80, the route the marchers took, is designated the Selma to Montgomery Historic Route. They were joined by other people along the way until there were 25,000 demonstrators by the time they arrived on the capitol steps in Montgomery. A couple of months later, the black community was given the right to vote. Not only was the demonstration successful, it also brought national attention to the plight of the African Americans in Alabama. It also launched Martin Luther King as the leader of the civil rights movement.

28 Feb 2017 (Tue) – We drove into Montgomery this morning, stopping at the First White House of the Confederacy. It was a lovely home furnished entirely with period items. The décor was elegant and befitting a presidency. Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson Davis only lived in the house four months before the capitol was moved to Richmond, Virginia.

We had to move the truck (we wound up parking at a meter limited to just a half hour). We found a meter that allowed parking up to two hours and parked there. Across the street was the Alabama Capitol Building. As we crossed the street, we passed the Alabama Assembly Building with a group of people gathered in front. Someone was speaking and there were TV cameras. We asked a woman what was going on. She told us that when a jury decides not to recommend the death penalty in a case tried in Alabama, the judge as the power to override that recommendation and send the accused to death row. The speaker was calling on the group to let their legislators know they wanted that judicial power removed.

The capitol building was lovely. There was a three story cantilever stairway in the front lobby. A security station scanned visitors and the guard took my pocket knife away. He dropped it in a waste basket where I could retrieve it when we left. The third floor was an observation deck for the rooms below. One wing looked down on the Senate Chamber; the other wing looked down on the House of Representatives. We went into those rooms on the second floor. A rotunda in the center of the hallway had beautiful painting on the ceiling. There were pictures painted around the rotunda walls depicting historical moments in Alabaman history. The first floor had working offices that were open to peek into. There was also a large room with story boards depicting different personalities in Alabaman history. We poked around the gift shop and picked up a Christmas ornament and patch.

We walked across the street to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. What a great experience! Wanda, our tour guide, was very enthusiastic. The tour started in the basement where there was a mural painted on the wall depicting the service of Dr. Martin Luther King from his first assignment to that church through his assassination. King’s first (and only) assignment as pastor was to the Dexter Avenue church. He was just 24 years old. The following year, the bus boycott (inspired by Rosa Parks) took place. He discovered his calling in being made the lead coordinator for the boycott, and later went on to become the leader of the civil rights movement in America. We stood at the very same pulpits where Dr. King gave his sermons and call for action. I had goose bumps!

After the church, we walked down the street to Chris Famous Hot Dogs. This was the favorite restaurant of Hank Williams. It was a shotgun style building – very narrow but deep. The place was dirty and it looked like the grill had never been cleaned. The hot dogs came to the table dripping with sauce, making it very messy to eat. But we didn’t get any silverware to eat it with. The place was rated #9 of 453 restaurants. That was a bad evaluation!

On the way back to the car, we discovered a building built over a building. The old judicial building was going to be torn down but residents wanted it saved. So the architect put a glass front over the face of the building, so that it was a building in a building. The outside was the modern looking glass and steel façade but the inside was the historical curving staircase with lots of marble and tile. It was strange.

On the way back to the base, we stopped at Gunter Hill Army Corps of Engineers Campground to see if they had any available campsites. There were a few vacancies and we stopped at the gate to see if we could reserve a site. They can’t make any reservation less than two days out because their online system is also making reservations. It avoids an overlap. So we will just drive over tomorrow and hope we can be accepted as walk-ins.

When we got back to the base, we made a quick stop at the commissary to pick up a few groceries then returned to the camper.

27 Feb 2017 (Mon) – We left Fort Rucker at 9 a.m. and headed out to Montgomery. About half way through the trip, we ran into a rain system coming into the area. The weather forecast for this area is calling for severe weather today and tomorrow. The temperature dropped to 52 degrees. We were cold and wet when we arrived at Maxwell-Gunter AFB FamCamp. We wanted to stay a week but they only have two nights available. We asked to be put on a waiting list but will look around to see what else is in the area just in case they can’t find a site for us here.

After lunch and set up, we drove into the city to the Rosa Parks Museum. It was quite interesting and very informative. It started out with a video in an outer room. When it was done, a set of doors automatically opened and you walked into another room with a life size bus. A voice narrated the story of how Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus and was arrested. From that one simple act, the civil rights movement was born. Reverend Martin Luther King got his start right here with the city wide boycott of the Montgomery bus system. The boycott went on for 13 months and brought the city to its knees. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the peaceful protestors and bus segregation ended (but all other segregation continued). There was an incredible exhibition in tribute to the slaves. It started with a set of drawings depicting the hundreds of ships that brought the slaves to the colonies. In the corner were 15 life size statues shackled to the ground with sheaves behind them. It looked like they were growing out of the ground. The display was called “Cash Crop.” The 15 statues depicted the 15 million men and women who were stolen from Africa and sold into bondage.

After that museum, we walked two blocks down and over to the Hank Williams Museum. It was a small museum and a bit overpriced. Williams was a prolific song writer. He sang and wrote hundreds of songs in his short 29 years. The museum had hundreds of record covers along with costumes, guitars, Hank’s Cadillac, and story boards describing his career in detail. His music was being piped throughout the museum.

We discovered the center where Commerce and Market Streets cross. There was an island with a water fountain and lots of historic signs posted around the area. We are in a very historical area. Lots of things have happened in this city over the years. I am looking forward to exploring Montgomery.

We went to dinner at Dreamland Bar-B-Q. It was rated #2 of 453 restaurants. The ribs and banana pudding were very good.

26 Feb 2017 (Sun) – We spent most of the day hanging out around the campground. We took a walk down the road to an old graveyard. There was a sign in front identifying it as one of three cemeteries on base and the name of the family but no details of who those people were or how they came to be connected with Fort Rucker. After lunch, we ran out to get some propane. Later, we had a campfire. The weather was delightful, the campfire was comforting, the day was a good one.

25 Feb 2017 (Sat) – We went back to the disc golf course this morning and played the second 9 holes. Again, I threw 2 discs to Paul’s every one. Guess it’s just not my kind of game.

We drove to Dothan, Alabama, afterward. We went to the George Washington Carver Interpretive Center. It was disappointing. The place was small and dedicated to highlighting all the “firsts” invented or accomplished by African Americans. I expected to see the history of Carver’s activities. At least some kind of story line about his life. But there was nothing. I read his biography when I was in junior high and it turned me onto biographies ever after. I was so looking forward to hearing his life story.

Across from the center were several buildings with murals painted on their sides. They were pretty good. We then drove to the smallest block in the world. It was just a triangular piece of grass in the middle of three cross streets. Another gimmick.

We drove into town and had lunch at La Parilla Mexican Restaurant. It was excellent. When we returned to the base, we did the laundry.

We discovered a very interesting fact last night. While sitting outside listening to the tree frogs, Paul realized it sounded just like the giant ants in the movie, “THEM!” I looked up the sound effects for the movie and found that they, indeed, filmed a movie in the desert using the sounds of southeastern tree frogs to mimic ant noises. Later, we watched the movie again. The sounds are unmistakable. Now when the frogs start singing, I expect to see giant critters coming through the woods. Creepy!

24 Feb 2017 (Fri) – We played disc golf here on Fort Rucker this morning. It was an 18-hole course but we only played 9 holes. Paul was pretty much on par but I had an average of 2 strokes to Paul’s one.

We drove to Enterprise, Alabama, this morning. It was a small town with little to see. There was a statue in the middle of Main Street – a woman holding up an insect. It turned out that the statue was erected in honor of the boll weevil. It is the only monument built to express appreciation for an agricultural pest. We discovered that the boll weevil infected the cotton crops in Alabama. Farmers switched to growing peanuts and became wealthier than if they stayed with cotton. Accordingly, they attribute their good fortune to the boll weevil infestation. If they hadn’t ruined the cotton crops, the farmers never would have planted peanuts.

Next stop was at the Enterprise Depot. It was a former railroad depot that had been added on to. The inside was dingy, dirty, and cluttered. There was very little about the depot. The place was full of donations of old stuff from the residents of Enterprise. Most had signs saying what they were, but there several with no sign and no idea what they were. It was cash only admission ($2 each) but the girl couldn’t make any change so Paul dropped $5 in the admissions box. The girl then pointed at the donations box and told us we could make a donation. I told her we just did. She then told us we were getting a personal tour of the place. I think it was just her following us around to make sure we didn’t touch anything. She really didn’t know as much about the “collection” that you would expect of a tour guide. It was a disappointing stop.

We then walked up to Main Street and strolled along the sidewalk. After a while, we stopped in the Milky Moos for lunch. It was a small café with a cow theme. I had a salad and Paul had a soup and sandwich. It was OK.

When we got back to Fort Rucker, we went food shopping at the commissary. There was a cute display in the produce area with a helicopter made with pistachios. Later, we went to dinner at the Landing Zone. It was Steak & Date night and they were having a two for one special. A class of soldiers graduated today and there was a party going on in the party room down the hall. All the military personnel were in dress blues and the women were in gowns. It looked very formal.

23 Feb 2017 (Thu) – We left Marianna, Florida at 9:35 a.m. The sky was partly cloudy but at least it wasn’t raining. The drive was only two hours and we arrived at Fort Rucker, Alabama, at 11:45 a.m. The campground is deep on the base next to a lake. There are many cabins along the lake front. Our campsite is next to the lake, too. We have 50 amp and water hookups but no sewer. There is no Wifi at the campsite but they told us it was available at the rec room. I cannot even get internet access on my phone. The jetpack does not work well either.

After set up, we drove to Outdoor Recreation and paid for four nights. Then we drove to the Army Aviation Museum on base. It was nicely done with lots of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. They even had replicas of the very first planes used in the military, including a model of the Wright Brothers plane.

Next, we stopped at the Class VI store and picked up some wine. Then we drove to the MWR Center and bought tickets to Disney World for us. We did not buy tickets for Travis yet because he told us on the phone the other day that he is having some money problems and might not be able to go to Disney as planned. We’ll hold off on buying their tickets until it’s certain they will take the trip.

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positive-infinity · 8 years ago

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Let me just say this out loud: SOUTH KOREA IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a person who watches Korean drama a lot, this was really a dream come true for me. My friends planned this trip last March 2016. I remember getting excited about this when we booked our flights. I remember cramming my visa requirements. I remember finally making the itinerary once I knew my visa was approved. I remember my pre-travel panics and overthinking episodes. But after all that, the trip finally happened. So if you want to read more about my trip, please click the link below! :)

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Planning the trip was challenging, taking into account that November and December were busy months last year. We only booked our accommodation and submitted our visa requirements a month before the trip. We started to actually plan and make our itinerary later than that.

Now, whenever I get to plan a trip, I always make a very detailed itinerary. While planning our Hong Kong trip last 2015, I remember spending a whole day researching about the country and made a 100-slide power point with my friends. I did the same for this South Korea trip. It really helps a lot if you get to know the country beforehand - its transportation system, basic language, etiquette, and of course, the places to be visited.

Anyway, here is an overview of our itinerary for the trip.

DAY 1 - Arrival & Myeongdong DAY 2 - Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Insadong Market DAY 3 - Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheong-dong, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Namsan Tower DAY 4 - Nami Island, Petite France, The Garden of Morning Calm DAY 5 - (Shopping Day) Lotte Department Store, Yongsan Electronics Market, Namdaemun Market DAY 6 - Departure

We stayed at a lodging place called 88 Guesthouse in Myeongdong. The location was excellent because we only had to cross the street to go to the shopping area where they sell a lot of Korean makeup and streetfood. The owner was very nice (and cute), too. They also had EXCELLENT transportation system. The subway stations were very tourist-friendly and you could easily find your way if you learn how to read the signs. We had no trouble getting to places.

For some of the places we visited, here is a brief description of each of them based on experience:

Myeongdong

It’s paradise for all the makeup lovers out there. Salespeople will lure you to the stores with their freebies. Almost all of the stores were redundant, however. For example, if you encounter an Etude House store when you enter, you will likely encounter it again if you walk a few more blocks. Also, different kinds of streetfood were being sold outside the stores. It was in our bucketlist to taste everything, so we tried and got almost all of them. They were a bit expensive though compared to Philippine streetfood (~3,000 KRW = 120 PHP for each) so we only bought one of each and shared. If you’re here, go visit the Myeongdong Cathedral also, because they they have a lot of lighted flowers great for taking pictures.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

This was the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty. We witnessed the “Changing of the Guards” ceremony which happens every hour. The place was very beautiful and it really captured the traditional side of Korea. We got to appreciate the place more by joining the guided tour which was for free. We really learned a lot - about palace rules, roles of the royalties back then, where they live and even trivial information like how they heated their floors during winter and the symbolism about the designs we got to see.

Changdeokgung Palace

This became a temporary palace during the Joseon Dynasty when the Gyeongbokgung Palace was destroyed. According to articles, the structures in this palace were closer to the actual ones in History. In Gyeongbokgung palace, since it was destroyed in history, only 10% of the buildings were preserved and the rest were restorations. In Changdeokgung, we availed The Secret Garden tour which provided us beautiful sceneries of nature. We also joined the free guided tour for the rest of the palace and we enjoyed that, also.

Insadong Market

Favorite market so far! Insadong street was lined with shops with unique gift items and souvenirs. There was a point where we literally stopped at a shop whenever we spot a cute item, only to walk away later on because we were afraid to run out of money. The prices were reasonable, we just didn’t want to spend a lot because it was only our second day.

Bukchon Hanok Village

In this area you can find the Korean traditional houses (”Hanok”). I’ve encountered these houses only in K-dramas so it was really amazing to finally see one in real life. It’s a great place to take pictures and just walk around. However, this tourist spot is also a residential village so it’s important to minimize your noise. We went there early in the morning so there were less tourists around and we got to take lots of pictures.

Samcheongdong

This area is very near Bukchon Hanok Village. I decided to include this in the itinerary because it was home to different coffee shops and dessert cafes. We tried a Churros cafe and another hipster-like coffee shop here. It was a great place to rest since we walked/hiked a lot in Bukchon Hanok Village.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Another tourist spot to visit as suggested by different travel blogs. It’s a natural stream between two highways. It perfectly contrasted the modern cityscape and nature. This place is perfect for an afternoon stroll. We observed different people doing different activities. We enjoyed watching several children trying to catch a water bottle that was flowing though the stream.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

This was not part of our original itinerary but we decided to insert it in our schedule because we had a lot of time to waste before we went to Namsan tower. This was mostly for appreciation for architecture and sculptures. We also got to see the inside but we didn’t enter the museum or the like.

Namsan Tower

Another iconic place if you’re fond of Korean dramas!!! We took a cablecar to the place. There were a lot of tourists then so we had to line up for a long time. The place was very cold at night since we were on a mountain. I remember wishing I put more than three layers of clothes and my fingers were going numb. This is also the place where you find the “lovelocks” where couples write their names on padlocks and lock them on bars as a symbol of commitment. We also went to the observatory deck at the top of the tower to see the Seoul skyline.

Nami Island

FAVORITE PLACE EVER! I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE THIS PLACE WITH WORDS. This place gave me the most nature-y feeling. Walking on lanes with tall trees beside you or walking beside the river was just so refreshing! One of my highlights was riding a bike freely on the island. It gave me the feeling that I could go anywhere in the world with that just bike. I really treasured my experience in Nami Island and hoped to visit that place with my future significant other if I get to have one hahaha.

Petite France

I first knew of this place as a shooting location in the K-drama “My Love from the Stars”. Petite France felt like a theme park with French-style buildings and decorations. We mostly spent our time eating food and resting here. My friends and I agreed that we would have enjoyed that place if we were a lot younger hahaha.

The Garden of Morning Calm

I did not expect this place to wonderful. I just thought it was a simple place where trees and plants were decorated with Christmas lights. But I was wrong, this place was WONDERFUL. There were a lot of surprises and there was one point where we didn’t know where to go next because the lights have different designs per area and all of them were beautiful. This became our favorite place for photoshoots because it was both fun and challenging to find the perfect lighting for the photos.

Our fifth day was actually supposed to be a buffer day wherein we decide on the spot where to go. We spent that day shopping for pasalubong. One notable store was the Alpha store in Namdaemun market for all the stationery and office-supplies lover. They have five floors, I think. We spent more than an hour in that place.

For the anon who asked me about the budget, here was our estimated budget before the trip:

Our estimated budget didn’t include the plane tickets, food, and pocket money. Our plane tickets cost 10k each for roundtrip (it’s relatively cheaper since we booked almost 9 months before the trip). We could’ve cut cost in accommodation also but we booked only weeks before the trip. I really recommend Airbnb if you’re looking for cheaper alternatives :) Pocket wifi is also optional since wifi in Korea is almost EVERYWHERE. Hehe hope this helps! :)

Anyway, again, the trip to Korea was really memorable for me. I was so thankful for this opportunity. I’m thankful for my travel buddies (Justine and Reg) for being great companies and for being patient with me whenever I push them to model for the photos HAHA. I’m thankful for my parents who agreed to this and even encouraged me by asking where my next destination was and urged me to save up for it again. All in all, I am really thankful that amidst the busy and demanding life of a med student, I get to see the world outside to remind me that there is more to life than by just letting it pass. I really hope that someday I will still have the chance to travel the world, take beautiful photos to capture moments, and fall in love with every place I go to :)

#words #travel #south korea #travelblog #personal #life

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life-in-every-limb · 5 years ago

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Growing up in Tennessee, New York City was to me the epitome of everything frightening about Up North: crime, noise, crowds, and unfriendly people. Two stops in the Port Authority bus terminal while in college confirmed all my worse fears. I had very little desire to see more of the place.

John had several friends in college who were New York natives, plus he grew up in Baltimore, which is only five hours away, so he had been to the city several times and rightly thought I was silly. He thought taking the kids there for Fall Break last year would be a great idea–they very much wanted to go–and he was right.

Typically, I took about a million pictures, and that is what most of this post will consist of, with some travel tips and deep thoughts sprinkled throughout.

Travel tip #1: Have friends in New York who let you stay with them for free.

Mandi, Sameer, and their three kids live in this beautiful home in an historic Brooklyn neighborhood and they were the most welcoming and generous hosts ever. Mandi is John’s stepsister’s daughter which I guess makes her my step-niece by marriage, but she just says we are cousins which is a lot easier and more accurately reflects our actual relationship. We had fun spending time with them and we could not have been more comfortable.

We could have taken the subway, which was right around the corner, but we blew all the money we saved on lodging by Ubering everywhere instead because we are wimps. Our very first Uber driver spoke only Chinese and did not know how to get to the ferry for the Statue of Liberty, which we all agreed should be our first destination. We made it though!

Travel tip #2: Allow each traveler to pick a couple of must-visit attractions, since there is no way to see everything in one trip. The Statue was one we all agreed on.

Travel tip #3: City Pass. We bought these in advance and it guaranteed us tickets to all the things we most wanted to see and saved us money and time in lines.

There is a park where you wait for the ferry, and this sculpture of immigrants to to the United States is prominently displayed there, a visual reminder of the “tired and poor . . . huddled masses . . . and wretched refuse” welcomed for so long by Lady Liberty.

We were grateful for no rain as we approached the island, but sad that visibility was not that great.

Y’all, I may have gone a little crazy taking pictures of the Statue, but you know what? I don’t care. I could have stayed there with her all day. This was by far the most meaningful part of our whole vacation to me. We didn’t book early enough to get to go inside the Statue, but we listened to the audio tour, explored the gift shop, had lunch, and walked everywhere we could. I might have cried a little, thinking about what Lady Liberty stands for and how far our country seems to have strayed from those ideals. I did not want to leave.

Finally we said good-bye and boarded the ferry for our next stop, Ellis Island. If I had known there was so much to see there, I might have left the Statue sooner. There was room upon room of exhibits, full of information about the history of the Island and the people who were processed there on their journey to America.

This is the room where the initial processing of new arrivals took place

Lorelei and William rest on an original bench where immigrants sat waiting to be called

We took one last trip on the ferry back to where we began, and got a good look at the monument below to American soldiers who died in the Atlantic during the Second World War.

It was getting late and we wanted to squeeze a few for sights in before heading back to Brooklyn, which leads to Travel Tip #4: Visit sites in the same general location on the same day. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but it requires figuring out where things are in advance if you are in an unfamiliar place. The walking directions that Siri provided were helpful in getting us quickly to our last stops of the day, one specifically requested by William and one by Lorelei.

Here is what William wanted to see, and you can tell how happy it made him!

Lorelei wanted to visit the graveyard of Trinity Church to see the grave of Alexander Hamilton, since she was (and nearly a year later remains) obsessed with the musical Hamilton. Sadly, the churchyard was locked for the evening, but we still got a decent view.

And after that we headed back to Brooklyn to rest up for the next day’s adventures!

We spent the majority of our second day at NYC at Ground Zero. And yet I did not take nearly as many pictures as I did the other days. There is something about the 9/11 Museum that demands reverence and attention. It’s a place I wanted to fully immerse myself in rather than stand outside of and evaluate. Most of the images below were probably taken within the first hour we were there, then I stopped until we were at the outside portion of the memorial.

The flowers indicate a birthday. We were especially moved that unborn children were commemorated.

The new World Trade Center building, Freedom Tower, is impressive:

We didn’t go up to the observatory, though–we had different skyscraper plans, as you will see. We ended day two with dinner in a neighborhood Italian place in Brooklyn.

Bright and early the next morning we got up, ate, and went outside to wait for our Uber. We had a long day ahead of us.

The Natural History Museum was our first stop. We spent several hours there. It wore me out. I don’t know why but as much as I enjoy them I find museums exhausting.

I am just going to dump a lot of pictures below as I believe they will speak for themselves.

As you can see, we spent most of our time with the dinosaurs. I have just a few more pictures of some other things we saw:

We walked to our next stop, which was less than a mile away. We didn’t have time to walk through Central Park but at least we caught a glimpse:

Here’s another famous landmark we happened to pass and were excited to see, which I will admit we all recognized because of Moonstruck, my favorite movie of all time:

Our actual destination was the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle. This is the Mother Church for the Missionary Society of Saint Paul the Apostle, otherwise known as the Paulist Fathers, the priests who have staffed my parish church since I was a very little girl. Our former pastor, Father Joe Ciccone, who baptized Lorelei, was the pastor at Saint Paul at the time, although we had slight hopes of seeing him given that it was after five when we arrived.

We took some time to wander around and pray inside the church. Travel Tip #5, for Catholics anyway, if there’s a cathedral or other notable church where you are vacationing, spend some time there. It will be beautiful and it’s free!

While the kids and I were wandering around, John made a call and discovered that the office was still open so we decided to go around the corner and see if Father Joe was still around.

He was! We had a short visit with him–the reason he was still there was that he had a dinner engagement nearby–and then we proceeded to our next BIG event!

I won’t lie–the crowd was big and the lines were long, although our City Pass helped. But it was worth it!

Wow, that was a long day. We got home late and exhausted, but we still pressed forward the next morning with more big adventures in store.

Our first stop on our last full day in New York was by William’s request. William has favorites of many things, and that includes a favorite building, the Chrysler Building. For many years he has talked about what a beautiful building it is, and we had promised we would make sure to include it in our trip. The evening before he had already seen it all lighted up from afar as we stood on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, but he wanted to see it up close.

VERY close.

Just see how happy he is!

Unfortunately you can no longer go upstairs in the building unless you have legitimate business there, so we had to content ourselves with spending time in the lobby.

We thought we were humoring William, but the truth is that we were grateful for his obsession because it truly is a beautiful building and we were all glad we got to see it.

After a final good-bye to the Chrysler Building, we headed for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

You know a person could spend days in here, right? So we knew we would have to choose where to concentrate our efforts deliberately.

William wanted to see the Egyptian displays, and they were close at hand, so we started there.

Lorelei and I wanted to see paintings. William did not want to leave Egypt. So we left him there with John and headed upstairs.

Lorelei was especially interested in seeing the Van Gogh collection.

I cannot express what it is like to be absolutely surrounded by fabulous and famous works of art. In every direction were works that were very familiar to us.

We were especially excited to see the painting below, a replica of which hangs on our family room wall!

At one point, Lorelei and I sat down in a random room just to rest and when we got up to leave we realized we had been sitting in a room full of priceless Picasso paintings without even noticing!

Having accomplished our main goal, we headed back downstairs to reunite with John and William, get a snack in the museum restaurant, and view some of the medieval collection.

Most of this collection had religious significance of course and we were mesmerized both by that and by the age of some of the pieces which were over 1000 years old.

Then it was sadly time to go back to Brooklyn and pack up to leave the next morning.

John had one final surprise for me. We made a detour to Queens as we left the next morning and stopped to take a picture of this:

This is the Castorini home in the movie Moonstruck which as I have already mentioned is my favorite film of all time and which also holds special memories for us as we saw it on our first “dating anniversary” in February 1988.

We drove home by way of Baltimore. John and the kids spent time with his mother while I was fortunate enough to attend a Catholic blogging conference nearby. It was a magnificent trip and I cannot believe it was already a year ago!

The post Fall Break in New York City appeared first on Life in Every Limb.

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tripstations · 5 years ago

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Five Must-Dos in Toronto | Traveldudes.org

Are you planning to visit Toronto soon? Here are five suggestions of fun things to see and do.

Visit The Bata Shoe Museum

Anyone who loves shoes will be like a kid opening multiple gifts at Christmas when viewing this more than 13,000-strong collection. Picture yourself giddy and unsure where to focus first and dying to unwrap each lovely package!

Founder Sonja Bata and her team spent years curating this world-renown exhibition that takes you on an evolutionary journey into the design and production of shoes over many decades.

There is an interactive Design-A-Shoe display, 17th century glass shoes from Holland, silk covered shoes from Korea and Barbie bite-sized footwear collection. I also saw Treccani Milanos, 19th Century Turkish bathhouse sandals, gold-leafed slippers of Asante rulers, plastic thong sandals worn by the Dalai Lama, and much more.

Many of the artifacts are fascinating. If you’re strapped for time, go see Standing Tall: The Curious History of Men in Heels or the Traditional Artic Footwear sections first. They put an entirely different spin on shoes as we know it. The cost for adult entry is CA$14.

Walk through Kensington Market

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto and west of Spadina Street, Kensington Market is a multi-colored and multi-cultural neighborhood that is a mix of residences and shops that sell food, drinks, spices and clothing. Here’s another plus: its brightly painted buildings and graffiti-outfitted walls will form picture-perfect backdrops for your Instagram and Facebook feeds!

If it’s cold when you’re there and the weather gets too chilly, don’t despair. Super cozy cafes are likely to beckon with steaming cups of hot chocolate and energy-rebooting expressos or soothing lattes. After a warm-up cuppa something, tiny alleyways leading to throwback 19th century cottages that sit on close lots will entice you to explore more. There is no entry fee.

Time travel at Casa Loma

From the minute you step across Casa Loma’s threshold you are ushered into a time of no-expense spared splendor. Buildings of this size and grandeur were unequivocally the domain of the rich and indulgent.

It is the former home of Sir Henry Pellatt, a little known stock market investor who just happened to build a house the size of a castle then walk away from it when he ran into money problems 10 years later. It has 98 rooms and reportedly took 300 men and three years to build.

The ‘castle’ is now a much-visited museum and landmark but on occasion, it also is the place to be for private events. Regular visitors can enjoy far-reaching views of the city from the towers, gaze unabashedly at the ornate and intricately built period furnishings or see a small antique car collection. Music lovers will appreciate the magnificence of the piping system for a 3/15 model Wurlitzer Theater organ that was added after the owner died and young kids can enjoy a bite or two in the on-site restaurant.

Everyone who has the luxury of life without knee pain, will be tempted to explore the secret passageways. Phew. Those stairs are not just narrow; they’re STEEP. The stables and carriage house are connected to the main building by an 800-ft. tunnel. Entry admission is $24 per adult.

Take the required pilgrimage to the CN Tower

Imagine racing to the top of the world (well honestly, a tower) at 15 miles per hour! Sounds thrilling, doesn’t it? Well, the city scenes that rush by serve as the precursor to the full-spectrum of your CN Tour experience – if you decide to brave joining all the winding queues. There is an Outdoor Sky Terrace where the natural breeze whips through your hair; a SkyPod observation platform; an EdgeFloor and an EdgeWalk.

There’s also my personal favorite, the Glass Floor. Entry to this level is free if you dine at the 360 Restaurant. Made of glass that was built to withstand the weight of 35 moose, you can stand on it and see the street below you, a toe-curling 342m (1,122’) straight down.

Yes, you may get a little queasy or your mind might trick you into thinking it will crack beneath you. But it won’t. Personally, I think it is a whole lot safer than taking the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ledge encircling the top of the Tower’s main pod. Now, that is outside at 116 storeys above the ground! (Never mind my weary heart, if you opt to try that, trained guides are with you all the way).

Ride a streetcar

Whether you think streetcars are ‘a remarkably efficient way of moving people’ or ‘as obsolete as the horse and buggy’, you cannot visit Toronto and NOT ride on this unique type of transportation. Operated on an intricate layer of overhead cables, the streetcars are an inexpensive way to see the city and the best part is, you can cover what you want to see at your own pace.

ENJOY your trip!

Travel tip shared by My Travel Stamps www.mytravelstamps.com

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stoneleet · 6 years ago

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From Quebec City to Halifax was a very long and uncomfortable train ride. The train car seemed warm to me, and I was on an aisle seat instead of a window. Once the sunset I guess that wasn’t a big deal, but trying to sleep proved more difficult than my trip a few years ago on Amtrak. I just think Amtrak seats are more comfortable for sleeping in a chair. But I did learn my lesson, a sleeping car on over night train trips in Canada would be worth the crazy price you have to pay; plus dinner/breakfast are include and you get access to a special observation car at the very end of the train. But enough about the train… On to Halifax…

Halifax Train Station

The train pulls into the Halifax Train Station at 7:06 PM local time takes a bit of time to get luggage, because unlike the previous trains the luggage is unloaded and put on one of those conveyor belts like at an airport. And since I learned my lesson in Quebec City, I ordered a taxi and get to the hotel by 7:54 PM. I check in, drop off my luggage and then head right back out to see the water front. The whole time on the train getting into Halifax the sun had been shining and the day was bright, but it seems a fog rolled into Halifax just ahead of the train so visibility was down to quarter of a mile, maybe?

Its now around 9 PM and I’m hungry. The turkey sandwich from the train had been hours ago. So I try to find some place to eat, in what is really a tourist area. It is a late Monday evening, and the I believe the fog had everyone moving in doors earlier then normal. Or it could be that the area is always kind of slow on a Monday evening. I did find a pub on the docks that was open, The Lower Deck. They served fish and chips and I am a fan.

After dinner, I go walking around a bit more, but there are very few people out and the fog has made everything damp and a bit chilly so I head back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow’s adventure.

It is now Tuesday, July 3rd and I have a free morning. My bus tour of Halifax and then to Peggy’s Cove is not until 12 PM. I decided to eat the breakfast buffet in the hotel. It was $20 but you get to eat a little bit of everything than just a larger amount of only a few things. They did serve an interesting egg, broccoli, bread thing that I went back for seconds. Breakfast all done I head back down to the docks to redeem my voucher for the ticket for the bus tour. By 9 AM the fog has cleared off and you can see across the bay.

After a short walk along the board walk, I decided to head east into Halifax and visit the Museum of Natural History. I head up along Salter Street toward Barrington Street, but half way only my trek I have to make a surprising detour. Like in each of the other cities I’ve visited, lots of construction is going happening. I’m not sure if the construction worker are responsible or if it was just a bad fire hydrant, but water is gushing into the air a good 12 feet and running down the street about 3 inches deep. How do I know? Well, I stepped in the water and soaked my right shoe.

I continue on my way as another police car arrives to block traffic from going down the street. So I finally get back on course and head up Sackville Street and I notice the Halifax Public Gardens.

From the number of pictures I took, I think you can deduce I didn’t make it to the Museum in time. I did go back to the Museum on Wednesday and looked around. It was a very small museum, but it had an interesting exhibit of artwork created by some of the local tribes of the First People, what Canadians call Native Americans, that visualized the impact of Europeans on the lives of these people. And remember these are basically the same Europeans that are moving into the America’s and Mexico so when I say things didn’t work out well for the First People, I am making a huge understatement. And some of the repressive laws continued into the modern era and if I’m remembering the date correctly, it wasn’t until the 1960s before a woman of the local tribes no longer lost her tribal status with the Canadian government if she married a non tribe member.

The museum also has a mascot. His name is Gus, and at night when the staff is closing up the museum he is allowed to roam his museum.

The museum also has a bee hive behind glass inside the building with a pipe that allows the bees to come and go as needed. It also has some good displays of the various types of rocks and minerals found in the area along with bones and some fossils of animals from the past and present. It was a nice museum to visit, and gave me about 45 minutes out of the unusually warm day (The museum visit was on Thursday, July 4th)

After leaving the public gardens, after another quick walk through I walked around one of the edges of the Halifax Citadel National Historical Site. I didn’t visit, but this is a raised area over looking the lower portion of the city and the harbor where a military fort had been built to defend the port. From the level I was on it just looked like a huge grassy hill, but when you got to on of the roads leading up, you could see the fort’s structures.

The time is now 11:30 AM and I need to be at the departure point by 11:45 AM which is out side of the nautical museum. I didn’t visit the museum so I can’t say anything about it, other than its location. The bus leaves a bit late, around 12:!5 PM, and I am off to Peggy’s Cove which I knew nothing about before my trip and I only booked it because there was a lighthouse. It’s almost an hours drive out to the location and our tour guide has many stories to tell mostly about tragic events that happened on the ocean. Halifax was the closest port to the location where the Titanic sank so many of the survivors were taken to Halifax along with the dead that were able to be recovered.

Peggy’s Cove is a fishing village that mainly traps lobsters. On the docks of all the little houses, I saw many lobster trap. The fog found me again here at the cove, but it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t get some good pictures of the lighthouse and surrounding landscape. I even had time to grab a “lobster roll” for lunch. Why the quotes, well it was lobster meat, but the “roll” was just a hot dog bun. Still it was good, better than any lobster I’ve had at Red Lobster.

Another hour drive back into Halifax, with some more local stories that I don’t remember because honestly I didn’t really care. I just wanted to see the Atlantic Ocean and the light house and I was looking forward to my next tour, The Halifax Distillery.

The Fermentation Pot

The Distillation Pot and Tower

The caskets for aging

The Halifax Distillery is a very small rum distillery located on Lower Water Street. One of main people responsible for running the distillery gave the tour. In the pictures above you can see the pot where the mash is fermented. They only use molasses for their rum and I didn’t know this, but as rum is fermenting it is producing so much heat that they have to cool the pot. That explains the dimples in the outside of the pots. They run water between the outside and inside layer of the pot to cool the mixture other wise it would boil and kill the yeast and end the fermentation. My beer takes about 6 to 7 days to finish its fermentation process, rum is done in 12 hours. Because of the heat produced by the fermentation the distillery only runs during the winter months when it is much cooler and their are less people wanting to take tours. After those 12 hours are up, the liquid is transferred to the pot and column still where it is heated and the alcohol is collected. It is than aged for 3 years in old bourbon and whiskey barrels. Many of those being used here are from Buffalo Trace. One of the other guests asked how many times a barrel can be reused, and the answer was up to 5 times before it starts to leak too much. I personally am not a fan of drinking rum, even in a cocktail, but the dark rum here was pretty good. I even bought a bottle of the Rum Cream which is basically like Bailey’s Irish Cream, but made with golden rum and not whisky. Overall, this was a very good tour, and I learned a few things I didn’t know. It also helps that the business is still small enough that they owners are the people running the place and giving the tour.

After the tour I head back to the hotel keeping my eye open for a place to eat dinner. I run across, The Old Triangle. Maybe subconsciously the math teacher in me is drawn to the word triangle or the fact its an Irish Alehouse either way, that is where dinner will be.

This is Tuesday night, around 7:30 PM and the place is pretty empty. I over here the bartender and one of the waitress discussing that fact. About 20 or 30 minutes later after I get my food the manger even lets the waitress go home earlier because she isn’t making any money on tips, because their is no crowd and the place is over staffed. It seems I decided to visit between the arrival of the cruise ships. Which is very good for me, I didn’t realize that Halifax was one of the major destination ports for cruise ships. The harbor is deep enough that the ships can dock without issues. I thanked my good fortune and sit back and enjoy the live music coming up from the lower section of the Alehouse while I wait for my meal.

Dinner was pan fired Haddock with potato leek soup. And dessert, which I didn’t really have room for but decide to just go for it anyways was this awesome Guinness Gingerbread cake. If all desserts tasted that good, I would always save room.

Since the sun is setting so late, it is still pretty bright out when I leave the restaurant at 8:44 PM. I walk back to the board walk and get some really good pictures of the docks and harbor with my phone using the landscape and sphere setting. Sadly they don’t upload well here and only look good on a phone.

And it is back to the hotel for some sleep.

It is now July 4th; the train back to Montreal doesn’t leave until 12:30 PM. I take one final walk along the board walk, and then head up to the public garden again. As I mentioned before I visited the History museum today.

I get a taxi to the train station and board the train and get a window sit on the single seat side of the train. Here are some pictures I got while traveling from Halifax.

Halifax – 2018 From Quebec City to Halifax was a very long and uncomfortable train ride. The train car seemed warm to me, and I was on an aisle seat instead of a window.

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hidekiuriel-blog · 7 years ago

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Iwakuni

岩国

It’s been awhile since I’ve update my #TravelWebsite and since it’s #Christmas & the #HolidaySeason; I’d like to take this opportunity to share with all my readers about a really spacial place in #Japan where i personally find that it’ll be amazing to spend #Xmas here during wintrer. Iwakuni not too well known as a tourist destination but it’s full of history and trust me when I say it’s stunningly beautiful and definitely worth a visit. Think of it as a rare hidden gem that’s really worth experiencing. One can easily spend entire there and that still wouldn’t be enough to experience everything the place has to offer! I’ll let the pictures do the talking! #MerryChristmas & #HappyHolidays everyone!!

#Iwakuni is situated in the easternmost part of #Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the west coast of the Sea of Aki in the Seto Inland Sea. It is closer to Hiroshima city rather than the other cities in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is located about 40 km southwest of #Hiroshima.

By the way, if you’d like to, check out our previous posts on Iwakuni, HERE!

Iwakuni has been the important place of both land route and sea route, there stood a town in ancient times.

In the 17th century, Iwakuni Castle was built, after which it soon developed as a castle town.

The nostalgic old town is located about 5 km west of the central Iwakuni city, across the majestic bridge of #Kintaikyo.

Nishiki River lies in-between with clear water flows, with many sightseeing spots all surrounding the area.

The Nishiki River running through the city is spanned by Kintaikyo Bridge, the symbol of Iwakuni. Measuring about 200 meters in length and 5 meters in width, this wooden, quintuple arched bridge is a unique assembly of timbers built without the use of a single nail, and is known as one of Japan’s three great bridges.

Kintaikyo Bridge

Kintai Bridge or Kintaikyo; in Japanese, is a wooden arch bridge across Nishiki River. The exact length of Kintaikyo is 193.3 meters and its width measures at 5 meters. It has five arches.

The original bridge was built in 1673 to connect Iwakuni Castle and the castle town. To construct the bridge resistant to flood, an arch bridge in China was the source for inspiration and gave the designer and idea for the structure.

After its completion, this bridge has managed to continue standing for a long time since then, thanks to periodical maintenance.

However, signs of neglect eventually showed as it was washed away first in a massive flood by a typhoon in 1950. It has been said that the reason of the washout was neglect, due to World War 2 attributing to lack of manpower.

Since World War 2, it was then finally restored in 1953.

This amazing bridge is assembled elaborately, primarily made of wood, without a single nail.

Currently in an effort to preserve the bridge, as maintenance each arch will be scheduled for replacement once every ten years.

Kikko Park

Across the majestic bridge, you’ll be greeted by an old small town with Kikko Park stretching out behind it. On top of the mountains above, Iwakuni Castle can be seen mystically through the thick fog.

Kikko Park, which is located just across Kintaikyo, is famous for Cherry Blossoms, as well as azaleas, irises, and other colored foliage to everyone to enjoy the beauty of natures’ seasonal changes.

Demonstration of matchlock guns and the march of daimyo also will be held in the park during periods of Kintaikyo festival in the spring. Because the park is located on the way towards the Iwakuni Castle Ropeway from Kintaikyo, people can enjoy the beauty of seasons.

At the foot of the mountain with Iwakuni Castle high above, the ropeway station is at the other end of this park, with the White Snake Park; an observation house of White Snakes just beside.

These White Snakes are actually Japanese Rat snakes without pigment and is the result of mutation. Since old times, the locals in the area have treasured the snakes as a messenger of God. Now only hundreds of snakes live in the area.

As Iwakuni is the habitat of the White Snakes, these’re rare species and have been designated as a natural monument of Japan, which can be seen in the White Snake Park, about a 15 minute walk from Kintaikyo Bridge.

Also in of Kikko Park, the site of the feudal lord Kikkawa’s former residence, is dotted with ditches and plaster-walled buildings surrounded by mud fences that show you how the houses of the samurai of those days looked. In the park is the substantially built Iwakuni Historical Art Museum.

Also worth visiting is the Iwakuni Choko-kan Museum, built during World War II, in which exhibits, artifacts, and documents relating to the Kikkawa family are on display. Not to forget mentioning, the Kikko Shrine is in the vicinity too.

Iwakuni Castle

Iwakuni Castle was built in 1608, by a warlord of the Kikkawa family, at the beginning of the Edo Period. The site of the castle was chosen for its natural defensive advantages on top of Mount Shiroyama while being half surrounded by a natural moat, the Nishiki River. The castle keep is four stories high, and looks out onto the city 200 meters below.

Probably a source of considerable frustration for those who built it, the original castle lasted only slightly longer than the time it took to construct it. Being built over the course of five years, the castle was torn down by decree of the Tokugawa Shogunate a mere seven years after its completion.

The present reconstruction dates from 1962, and has already outlasted the original castle by a considerable factor. The castle tower was restored based on the illustration of an old picture map. It is a ferro-concrete construction, and inside displays samurai swords, armor and other items related to the castle’s history. There are also displays on Kintaikyo Bridge and other famous bridges across Japan.

You can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Iwakuni from the observation deck, up on the top floor of the castle tower.

To #Visit and #Travel to the castle, Iwakuni Castle can easily be accessed simply by ropeway from the foot of the mountain. The station of the ropeway is located at only about 400 meters away, from Kintai Bridge.

Transportation to and around Iwakuni

(How to get to Iwakuni from Hiroshima)

The vast majority of #Travelers will approach Iwakuni from Hiroshima by either local train or shinkansen.

Shin-Iwakuni Station is a station along the JR Sanyo Shinkansen, but only kodama trains stop at the station. The one way trip from Hiroshima to Shin-Iwakuni takes 15 minutes and costs 1620 yen for a non-reserved seat or around 3000 yen for a reserved seat.

Alternatively, Iwakuni Station can be reached by frequently departing local trains along the JR Sanyo Main Line. The one way trip from Hiroshima takes 50 minutes and costs 760 yen. Miyajima is located about halfway in between; approx. 25 minutes, from Iwakuni Station

(Transportation Around Iwakuni)

Iwakuni has two main railway stations, Iwakuni Station, which is served by local trains in the city center and Shin-Iwakuni Station which is only served by shinkansen; in the outskirts of the city. As a rough estimate, Kintaikyo Bridge is located in between the two stations, about five kilometers from either station, and best reached by bus or taxi.

From Iwakuni Station, buses depart every 5-15 minutes in direction of the bridge, and the one way ride takes about 20 minutes and costs 250 yen. From Shin-Iwakuni Station, buses depart every 20-40 minutes in direction of the bridge, and the one way ride takes about 15 minutes and costs 290 yen.

All of Iwakuni’s other main attractions are located within walking distance of the Kintai-kyo Bridge, while a ropeway lifts tourists to Iwakuni Castle.

P.S. On a side note; It’s definitely more convenient to come to Iwakuni via driving there by car, compared to taking public transport (Especially if you’re a family with kids). You’ll understand what I mean if you decide and choose to visit this beautiful place someday!!

I hope you did enjoy this post and found it informative.

Feel free to follow me via GFC, Google+, Bloglovin’ etc.. And also, please do ‘Like’ my official Facebook Fan Page above!

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お願いします！

~Thanks for reading!!~

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A bridge in Iwakuni - http://joshuahideki.com/a-bridge-in-iwakuni/ ‎ Iwakuni 岩国 It's been awhile since I've update my #TravelWebsite and since it's #Christmas & the #HolidaySeason; I'd like to take this opportunity to share with all my readers about a really spacial place in #Japan where i personally find that it'll be amazing to spend #Xmas here during wintrer.

#Asia #Chugoku #hiroshima #Iwakuni #Japan #Kintaikyo Bridge #Shinkansen #shiroyama #travel #yamaguchi

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cityglows · 7 years ago

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our jeju island trip passed by in a blur of green mountains and blue waters. coming fresh from two weeks in the busy seoul city, seeing the sprawling hills, farms, and meadows of jeju was not only refreshing - it was much needed. instead of using public transportation, we had our own bus for all three days, and I spent much of the bus time in the window seat, watching the island pass by. trees, flowers, and earth - words couldn’t explain how I felt at peace in these precious three days away from the metropolitan world.

as we visited the various museums, gardens, and sites of jeju, I started noticing how intertwined all the manmade artifacts were with nature. even corporate offices like kakao were built right into the hills, with mellow brown bricks and wall-climbing ivies blending the buildings right in with the landscape. in this post, I’ll be reflecting on the three highlights of intertwined design I observed at jeju: the kim younggap photography museum, spirited bunjae garden, and kakao headquarters.

sunday, august 27th // kim younggap museum

kim younggap spent over half his life photographing the natural beauty of jeju island, starting in 1982 until he passed away in 2005. his overwhelming dedication to capturing the island’s wonders is evident in his beautiful landscape photography: one can hear the wind whistling through the trees and follow the clouds dancing across the sky at sunset just by looking at his work.

kim dedicated his life to capturing perfection. the gallery that houses his prints is as raw as his works. made from a renovated old elementary school, the walls are a calming cream color, accented only by piles of volcanic rocks, allowing his photos to truly shine. surrounding the gallery is a whimsical garden filled with small clay statues in pensive postures - some sitting and appearing to be contemplating life; others, like the one above (my favorite), meditating in their own little world.

today, photography is very much a digital art. with an abundance of cameras and smartphones in the market, it’s become easy for any person, young or old, to point and shoot. my parents used to go to our local drugstore to print out boxes and boxes of film, but today they just share their photos on wechat, a social network and messaging application. last year, I bought a polaroid camera to physically save some of my most treasured memories, but most of the time I reach for my phone. it’s easier than ever to capture, upload, delete, and repeat, resulting a cycle that emphasizes the temporary rather than permanent.

seeing kim younggap’s photos, unfiltered and untouched, were a stunning yet humble reminder of the tangible beauty of our world, and the importance of archiving our memories. one could say that his photos live where they were taken, coexisting with the nature within and around.

monday, august 28th // spirited bunjae garden

bunjae (분재) is the korean word for the bonsai tree. I don’t know what I was expecting of this garden, but I know that I left feeling more inspired, pensieve, and at peace than ever. this garden was truly the most beautiful one I have ever been to; there is so much more to it than just the trees. throughout the path, there are various panels with information not only about the history and care of bunjae trees, but also tidbits of life lessons and food for thought.

walking through this garden, I felt strongly that us humans and trees have so much in common. one of my favorite panels had these instructions on how to appreciate bunjae:

The type of tree and age are important, but what determines a true masterpiece is the overall posture and beauty in its entirety.

and another:

Do not offer thoughtless criticism: even the same person can have different views depending on the state of mind.

reading this reminded me of our temple stay, where our sinim gently reminded us that we are not better or worse than each other; just different. bunjae come in many forms, each of which reflect the personality of the gardener: some are short and stout, some blossom with fruit, some have small leaves, others have large trunks. there is no bunjae that is more beautiful than the other, all exist within the same earth and grow in their own way.

one of the panels had a collection of five thoughts about the spirited garden, taken from famous authors, activitists, and pioneers.

Trees have divine nature. Potted plants and gardens are elegant convergence cultural art of the mankind. - Baekbeom / Kim Gu, independence fighter, writer, and politician

bunjae lie at the heart of intertwined design between nature’s gift and mankind’s culture. most importantly, this garden reinforced my belief that we cannot continue to destroy and force nature away as if we were the superiors; we were born from nature, and all that we have were given from it. just like bunjae illustrate an intertwined, convergent design, we need to create in harmony with nature.

tuesday, august 29th // kakao headquarters

kakao has two offices, one in pangyo, the silicon valley of south korea; the other, housing the headquarters, is here in jeju island. the presentation content we received at jeju was very similar to that of pangyo, so I want to focus on the architecture of the office instead, which could not be more different than its city counterpart.

when we first arrived at kakao headquarters, I didn’t even know that, well, we had arrived. while the pangyo office was at the top of a skyscraper (among all the other skyscrapers), the jeju office was a modest, brown brick building, its curved lines and natural surroundings a stark contrast to the symmetrical glass structures of pangyo. we would later learn that there are two kakao buildings in jeju actually; space.one (where we toured), and space.two (which we were not allowed to visit - that’s where the top secret work gets done!)

pangyo’s office actually won the highest korean architectural award when it was built, and it’s easy to see why. these are a few highlights:

the arched ceiling mimics the mountains behind (it reminds me of a modern palace!). actually, there was so much soil left over from the construction that there is a manmade hill behind the office looking like it came straight from a windows vista wallpaper.

spaces are very open: large stairs leading outside, a community garden, and high ceilings all create a very free, sprawling environment that mimics the outdoors, which has no walls.

there is a dol hareubang statue at the front using a computer, called hareubang that uses the internet. this was the perfect example of intertwined design, where traditional meets modern age.

a towering inflatable ryan (pictured) oversees the building - he even lights up at night! sitting in a bed of ivy, this lion looks a lot more at home than amongst the white and gray walls of pangyo’s interior.

in fact, the architecture of kakao headquarters deliberately reflects why the office is located in jeju island in the first place. this was an idea started by the daum ceo prior to the merge, that work should be in an area that’s both relaxing and productive. a business as successful and modern as kakao can be equally humble against the landscape of jeju island, and its architectural design seamlessly reflects the intertwining of technology and nature.

if you’ve made it so far - thank you for reading this incredibly long post, and I hope you took away some insights about the coexistence of mankind and nature on jeju island.

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