The problem with not updating regularly is that so much happens that you then wonder how you'll talk about it all. I've figured it out though.. headings. Headings are the key to this blog post... along with condensed versions of each issue.. lol .. so.. here we go.
Travelling Karma
I've always said that I've got good travelling karma... what does this mean you wonder? Things go well for me when I'm travelling... whether it be short distances (e.g. home to work) or long distances (e.g. T&T to USA) I don't usually have issues with delays... or transportation... or crazy people. There are of course the rare instances when there are no taxis.. or there is flooding or rain or election rallies.. These instances are few and far between though. Usually, I can get a taxi in a relatively short time.. or I'll get a friendly/helpful taxi/bus driver.. customs and immigration and such have never been a problem.. I usually get to where I'm going when I want to get there...
My recent bit of adventuring has made me realise just how much I like travelling. Perhaps this is why I've got good travelling karma in the first place? Perhaps it's the I'll get there when I get there attitude? Or that I like meeting people and/or maccoing people for brief spaces of time? Whatever it is... Travelling = Fun. It's exciting and energising (..until you stop - then you need a few days off to recuperate). I must do more of it. So what if it impacts horribly on my finances? As my mom says .. it's about the experience... not the funds. I'll figure out a way.
New York
Have you heard the song "Empire State of Mind"? It's by Jay-Z
featuring Alicia Keys so I'm not sure how many of you would have or could have.. The first time I heard it, it brought back such memories of a weekend I spent in NYC with my brother... I think it perfectly captures all that goes on in NY... and the chorus constantly played in my head last weekend as my mom and I were there.
Chorus (for those who don't know the song):
"In New York, concrete jungles where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York
New York, New York"
We took the bus from Great Barrington, MA to Port Authority, NY... almost the same ride though going to MA we went to Stockbridge. Going to MA there was a sense of calm building.. like when you've been away from something for so long and you know you're returning... which in essence is what it was - the feeling of homecoming though? Deeper than I can explain. Going to NY there was a sense of excitement building. From my first visit - way back in 1999 - I've been thrilled to be there. It is such a super-charged place... so different from what I'm accustomed to and yet I find that I can fit in seamlessly... it is a rush.
We took a taxi from Port Authority to our hotel... Yea.. we stayed in a hotel near the airport.. AND we took a taxi to get there.. it's about the experience - not the funds! (I'm trying to keep that in mind now that I've returned and am faced with my credit card bill). Honestly though? Good thing we did. We're not such fabulous travellers that we can take the subway with luggage. Next time I travel all that's going with me is a backpack... and maybe one of those little suitcases that can fit in the overhead compartment of the aeroplane. Seriously. Lol..The hotel... fabulous. It's different staying at a hotel than staying with family or friends or acquaintances.. there's a certain feeling of indulgence that it brings. I strongly advise at some point in your life.. stay at a hotel.. preferably a posh one.. even if it's just for one night - stay at a hotel.
The next day (Saturday) we went to Manhattan.. via subway and bus (No luggage = Can travel on subway).. We took photos like the tourists we were. We went to B.B. Kings Blues Club and Grill for Strawberry Fields (A Saturday Afternoon With The Music of The BEATLES & A Delicious All-You-Can-Eat Brunch Buffet!!! - took this from their site...). It was an experience.. lol. During the planning stages of our trip, when I realised it was just gonna be mom and I and NY, I looked for something to carry her to... a musical maybe? something on Broadway? I personally was thrilled to see Phantom of the Opera the last time I was in NYC. After much consideration though I decided on the Beatles brunch.. interactive.. it's music.. there'd be food (if you read this regularly you probably know that food's important... I get that from my dad). So..that Saturday found us at the Beatles Brunch... persons visiting NYC that like/love the Beatles? I recommend. Food was good... Band was better.. Costume and wig changes? Awesome.. lol.. After we limed in Manhattan a bit. I got a discount on a key-chain from a Bangladeshi store owner cuz I called mom "ma"... An Asian (Chinese?? idk :S) guy was inspired by my photo-takeouting. We tried not to spend money in a store that was having a Bead Blow-Out Sale! It was a good day... and we figured out how to get back to the hotel. Did we get lost? Nope. Did we take multiple means of transport? Yes. We rule. That's all it is. :) The next day... ahh Sunday.. return to Trinidad day.. was most glad that the hotel had shuttle service to JFK. Suitcases ready to go? Check. Are we ready to go? Hmm. We left.. got to the airport on-time.. found where we had to be.. soon found ourselves waiting to board. I'd have blogged from there but.. unlike Piarco, JFK has no free wifi. Alas.. and there's a point against you JFK. A girl sat next to us that did not stop talking on her phone from the moment she arrived till the moment we got on the plane. I wonder sometimes about people and their ability to be with themselves. We were quite horrified when we got on-board that she was in the seat directly behind us but luckily there was no one for her to talk to. Apart from some turbulence flight went well and soon (ok .. maybe 5 hours isn't 'soon') we were back in T&T.
Election Fever
We arrived in time to vote. Our politics and what's been happening with our government and such is another post to come but know that we arrived in time to vote. It was a big worry for my mom. - would they have elections before we got home? would we get home in time?? Personally, I'm pretty glad to have missed all the rallies and the constant talk about who to vote for-what are they saying-who's doing what-what's happened now? I think any person living here should have already known who they would vote for and why. Can campaign promises sway me? nope.. and I don't understand how it can sway persons either. It was pretty black and white for me. No shades of gray in this issue. Time for a change cuz what is .. what was .. just was not working. And so there's the choice. Stay with what you know that's not working... or go for what you don't know and hope it works.
Trinidad and Tobago now has a female Prime Minister - Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Historic event? Yes.. it's our first female PM. As of today.. yesterday really as it's now early a.m. we've got a whole new Cabinet. It looks good so far. Fingers crossed that they will do what the populace hopes for. We all strive to be the best we can be. Here's hoping that they do the same.
peace,
Rtr
