10 years - 6 months (1/2)

NYC/ view from the Empire State Building across Lower Manhattan
Originally uploaded by macchi.


Today remembers two major events, and I would almost say that they both have changed the world.

For both I still clearly remember where I was and what I was doing.

11 September 2001 - I was at home, on the phone with a friend talking about a newsletter we were publishing for our studentclub. At one point he told me out of the blue to turn on my tv - which was then showing images of a smoking WTC. In shock, we didn't talk much more about the newsletter. I had seen the movie Swordfish only a few days ago, it could've been that.

I was working part time at the local airport at that time, covering shifts at various restaurants in the area beyond the security checks. Only a few days after 9/11 I was working a shift at a steak restaurants - and serving steaks with plastic cutlery as anything different (which would actually be able to cut a steak) was prohibited at the airport.

I was also due to fly to Japan two weeks after. I remember people being scared about the prospect to get on a plane again.

The picture above is from my visit to NYC in September 2008 - I was there in the week of the 9/11 remembrance, which is why my set shows no picture of Ground Zero. It was inaccessible to tourists all week.

Since then, so many things have happened in the world - partly as a direct consequence of this day. And not usually for the better. I would like to think that such an event has made us think more about the type of society that we would like to be: one that is inclusive of others. However, I do not see that happening, at least at home. Maybe that is also because so many other crises have happened since then which has made people even more introverted and only thinking of themselves.

Three's

Highlights
* US Open Final
* Seeing whales do somersaults
* 25C weather 2,5 weeks straight.

Disappointments
* a non-public 9/11 memorial
* not seeing any non-city
* many many sites under renovation (mostly disappointed about the Congress and the UN Security Council)

Best dinners (not necessarily best food, though)
* at Annapolis wharf
* at Brighton Beach
* at The Garage

Surprising sights
* US network television
* Squirrels! Everywhere!
* a man praying in a nightshop

Most impressive sights
* the view from the Empire State Building
* the Guggenheim museum
* Library of Congress

Best shops
* Kenneth Cole
* Urban Outfitters
* St. Mark's bookshop

Huh, holidays?

This summer at work has been very busy. Getting used to a slightly changed position, suddenly having to work very closely together with a new colleague, still handling most things of my old position etc etc has meant that I haven't noticed anything of the so-called 'komkommertijd'. Non-existent in my line of work clearly.

It also means that I've really been enjoying my summer at work - and looking at all the things happening at my place of work, the timing of my switch couldn't have been better.

Now, I'm suddenly on leave for the next three weeks. It hasn't really set in yet, partly because I have one unresolved work issue nagging in my head. Should be dealt with by Monday, hopefully.

And then... I'm off to a whole new part of the world.
I don't really know what to expect of these 2,5 weeks in Northeastern USA. The organisation of it all hasn't been very relaxed, mostly because I don't usually organize but am now forced to. Timing is off, as I'm in the middle of Labor Day Weekend which seems to limit my options. And I want to rely on public transport as much as I can which seems to limit my options.

Next year - back to Asia/Eastern Europe/etc where I seem to be able to go without planning. Much better suited to my type of travel!

Expect stories about the craziness of the USA during the next few weeks though. Yay!

Travelquestion!

In a little over a month I'll be spending a short three weeks in the US. Finally. I've talked about wanting to go for a long time, but now I'm actually going. Can.Not.Wait.

But - I can't really make up my mind where to go. I will most likely be spending the first four days or so in Washington DC (but just heard that the friend I will be seeing will actually be here until around the day I was planning to leave the city - so those plans might still change), a few days (up to 5 days, I think) somewhere else and a week in NCY. The problem is those couple of days in between. I'm reading and researching but can't really figure out where to go, what would be good (I want something non-city) and what is accessible enough (I don't want to drive).

[edit, i just re-read a message from DC and apparently I have use of a car while I'm there. Not sure if this guys knows what he's getting his car into, and not sure if it's such a good idea for me, but it gives me some more options maybe]

So, I need your help. Vote, on the left-hand side, and let me know what you would do.

(There is a very vague option of going up to Maine, but I don't expect that to happen)