Someone asked me recently whether I would be so keen on photography if I had perfect hearing. I found it rather hard to answer that question as I've been deaf all my life and have never had perfect hearing. We all do things in life, the things that shape us, through our own experiences, some that aren't of our choosing, and we all tend to bend towards those that we are good at or are easy for us. If we have some sort of ability for something in the first place, then we tend to hone in on that ability and perfect it.
I'd like to think that I would still be involved in photography if I wasn't deaf, but I can't help think that if I had hearing, my life woud be totally different to what it is now. If I were hearing I'd probably have a university degree, married with 8 kids, living overseas, and doing something musical.
All those things I'd have liked to do, but in some small way each one has been affected by my deafness. I didn't go to University because back then I wouldn't have heard the lecturers, and notetaking was considered a form of cheating.
I'm single because (amongst other things) the men I have met haven't been able to cope with deafness that well, and I tend to get the feeling that men would like their females to be perfect, even if they're not that perfect themselves. Thats fine by me, I'm happy with my own company and I would rather be single than be with the wrong person.
I'd have loved to live overseas, somewhere other than New Zealand, but the opportunity never really presented itself, and I wasn't confident enough because of my lack of hearing to uproot and try.
And lastly - I would have loved to be a music performer, as I played the piano well, but I realised from a very young age I would one day be totally deaf, so I didn't pursue it hard enough. Sure Beethoven was deaf, but remember he went deaf much later.
So I can say with certainty that deafness has shaped my life to what it is today, and part of that shape includes photography which I'm passionate about. In fact, I think deafness and photography go really well together and I'm surprised not more people in the deaf community aren't serious photographers.
Being Deaf/deaf/hard of hearing/hearing impaired (whatever you see yourself as), makes us very visually aware. We become in tune with our surroundings whether it is with a group of people we communicate with, with sign, or visual clues, body language and lirpeading, or whether we are in quiet surrounding with no one about. For the latter we then became aware, for example, not of the bird singing, but of it's movement and behaviour. We will often see what hearing people don't. A hearing person may hear the bird, but not look, just simply knowing that the bird is there. We will see the bird, and often watch it to see what it does.
I'm aware of two instances that are clear in my mind today, as if they happened yesterday, where I became convinced that people with good hearing, are simply oblivious of what is around them. The first was I was walking up our main street many years ago when it was busier than it is today. It was a summer evening and we had finished work and on the way to the pub for friday night drinks. I was with a group of my workmates, all with good hearing. In front of us, was a 'golden couple'. Impeccably dressed with expensive clothes (you could tell), the male and female had their arms around each others waists. She had a perfect figure, and was very tanned, and was wearing white shorts - very short shorts so you could see where the top of her legs ended and her backside started. We were all watching them as they walked in front of, each admiring the view that was personal to them, when the female reached around to her backside and scratched it. Yet I was the only one who saw it. I cracked up because the then 'perfect' scene was ruined. Not one of the others in my group had seen it, yet they were all 'looking'.
Perhaps I was the only one admiring that particular view which is a bit of a worry in hindsight!! But it was really mind boggling to me that no one else in my group saw it happen.
A few years later I was at the zoo in the New Zealand Rainforest Aviary. There was a rare NZ parakeet were feeding up in the tree right above the pathway, yet I was the ONLY one who saw it. The other people within the aviary were completely blind to the fact that they walked under a branch with one of these gorgeous birds right above them, yet they never saw it. As an experiment, I called one back showed them, and asked if they had seen it before then - but no - they hadn't and were grateful I had showed them.
So my photography is like that - I capture things that people aren't aware of, or they are aware of, but try and present it in a different way, or angle. Or maybe I take something that people see every day, and they take for granted, and I present it so they are able to see that something in a different light.
When out with my camera, I don't have to talk to anyone, or converse with anyone which is great - it's me and my camera, although more often than not, strangers will talk to me about my camera gear and email addresses might be exchanged. I will often be given a camera by complete strangers to take photos of them in the current surroundings, these people are nine times out of 10 Japanese and no words need to be exchanged to what they want.
Photography doesn't come easy to me. I look back at the images I took ten years ago and cringe, but then remember that through trial and error and looking at work online, I have improved slowly and surely.
I will never take the world by storm. I doubt that anyone will remember my work in my lifetime or after, but it gives me a great sense of pride and achievement when I get something right and makes others look at an image and go 'wow'. More often than not, I'm surprised to get that kind of reaction but I have realised over time that art and images are very personal, and what one person dislikes intensely, another will love it. I now find the reasons why one loves or hates an image, more interesting than the image itself, and enjoy reading the reactions of people on my two art sites - deviantart and redbubble.
If you would like to see my images, then you can go to my photography blog. I upload one image per day so it's ever changing.
Cheers
Robyn
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Amish Apple Dumplings
While in Philadelphia, we headed down to the Reading Terminal Market as it was suggested to us that we MUST go there.
I'm glad we did. A market full of wonderful food put on by the Amish people of Pennsylvania. I went twice - once for the Apple Dumplings that someone said were fantastic, and a second time to have them again because they were to die for.
Since I've been home I've been craving them a bit - I think because of the cold weather, so I did a google search for a recipe and came up with this one.
I use prepackaged sweet short pastry to wrap them up, and I leave out the mace because - well - mace is something we spray criminals with, and there's none on my local supermarket shelf under the herb/spice section.
Upon request, I'm making it for a second time for tonight and it's also been requested for Monday nights dinner as well!!
Here's the recipe I found!
Amish Apple Dumplings
6 Apples, peeled and cored
Lemon juice
1/2 c White sugar, approx
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Brown sugar
Butter
2 Pie pastry for 2 pies
Sugar Sauce:
2 c Water
3/4 c Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 tbl. Butter
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tsp. Mace
Roll out pastry and cut into squares enough to cover apples completely. Peel and core apples. Roll in lemon juice. Then roll in white sugar and cinnamon combined. Place on pastry square. Stuff core cavity with brown sugar, butter, brown sugar in equal parts. (The amount depends on size of core cavity, just
stuff full.) Fold pastry up around apple to completely enclose it. Place in pan.
Prepare sugar sauce by mixing water, sugar, vanilla, butter, nutmeg, and mace and boiling for 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Pour over Apples.
Bake in 375 F (190.5C) oven for 1 hour. Serve warm.
Note: Apples may be frozen in pastry (before sugar sauce is added) if desired. Good dessert to make ahead if you have lots of apples around. Just let thaw when ready to use, and cover with sugar sauce and bake as usual.
I'm glad we did. A market full of wonderful food put on by the Amish people of Pennsylvania. I went twice - once for the Apple Dumplings that someone said were fantastic, and a second time to have them again because they were to die for.
Since I've been home I've been craving them a bit - I think because of the cold weather, so I did a google search for a recipe and came up with this one.
I use prepackaged sweet short pastry to wrap them up, and I leave out the mace because - well - mace is something we spray criminals with, and there's none on my local supermarket shelf under the herb/spice section.
Upon request, I'm making it for a second time for tonight and it's also been requested for Monday nights dinner as well!!
Here's the recipe I found!
Amish Apple Dumplings
6 Apples, peeled and cored
Lemon juice
1/2 c White sugar, approx
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Brown sugar
Butter
2 Pie pastry for 2 pies
Sugar Sauce:
2 c Water
3/4 c Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 tbl. Butter
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tsp. Mace
Roll out pastry and cut into squares enough to cover apples completely. Peel and core apples. Roll in lemon juice. Then roll in white sugar and cinnamon combined. Place on pastry square. Stuff core cavity with brown sugar, butter, brown sugar in equal parts. (The amount depends on size of core cavity, just
stuff full.) Fold pastry up around apple to completely enclose it. Place in pan.
Prepare sugar sauce by mixing water, sugar, vanilla, butter, nutmeg, and mace and boiling for 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Pour over Apples.
Bake in 375 F (190.5C) oven for 1 hour. Serve warm.
Note: Apples may be frozen in pastry (before sugar sauce is added) if desired. Good dessert to make ahead if you have lots of apples around. Just let thaw when ready to use, and cover with sugar sauce and bake as usual.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Are Customer Service People Dense?
What is it with Customer Service people? I'm sure I've blogged about this before but..
I had to ring Southern Cross Healthcare today about a claim they should have paid while I was away - they were asking for information that they already have on file (sigh!!).
I still cannot hear on the phone, so I asked a friend to phone for me. My friend kindly explained that I was deaf and could not hear on the phone.
"I still need to talk to her" they said.
She had to explain a second time! (Double sigh!) You would think coming from a MEDICAL firm that they would understand deafness.
Maybe the misheard and thought I was dead?
Either way I still wouldn't be able to use the phone!
Is there any hope for the human gene pool???
Cheers
Robyn
I had to ring Southern Cross Healthcare today about a claim they should have paid while I was away - they were asking for information that they already have on file (sigh!!).
I still cannot hear on the phone, so I asked a friend to phone for me. My friend kindly explained that I was deaf and could not hear on the phone.
"I still need to talk to her" they said.
She had to explain a second time! (Double sigh!) You would think coming from a MEDICAL firm that they would understand deafness.
Maybe the misheard and thought I was dead?
Either way I still wouldn't be able to use the phone!
Is there any hope for the human gene pool???
Cheers
Robyn
My New Shoes
I bought six pairs of shoes home from the USA. Only one pair was not a sports shoe. A few people think I'm nuts because of it but I love every pair of them and I know I have saved a lot of money buying them in the USA.
Actually New Zealanders are being ripped off when it comes to sports shoes. Mega ripped off, and it makes me wild that we have to pay so much. Take for example the Keen walking sandal... Here's a pic of it!
Nice shoe. Looks comfortable. Versatile. Summery. Colour great. I saw this shoe on sale at Sports Authority in San Luis Obispo for $19.95 USD. Unfortunately they didn't have my size so I bought a similar pair but of the TEVA brand instead.
I went down to our local outlet centre on Friday for a flat white coffee, something I missed terribly while upover, but called into the outdoors shop for a quick squiz at what they have in stock or on sale. It's a habit of mine - I like outdoor sports shops. Anyway - there in the far corner of the store, was this exact same keen sandal. And it was on sale... for...
$167.50 down from $239.99
I now wish I had asked the store in San Luis Obispo to find my size, get it in, and ship it to me!!!
Exchange rate? $1 USD is currently $0.72c NZ. So $19.95 is aprox $24.00 NZD.
The other pair of shoes I bought were Salomon off road walking shoes. These same shoes I tried on at Christmas time when I was training for the Oxfam 100km. Here in New Zealand they have a price tag of $325.00. For that reason I left them on the shelf and bought another pair slightly cheaper for something like $280.00.
I found these same Salomon shoes - same model - at REI in San Francisco. They were not on sale but still had a price tag of $84 USD - about $110 NZD.
So it's not the exchange rate. It's definitely not shipping costs. Someone in New Zealand is taking a huge slice of profit for bringing them over. Huge. That's $200 PER SHOE extra we're paying for at least - and I'm talking retail prices not wholesale. They also bring in far more than one shoe - I wouldn't care to guess the numbers.
We don't have the American's population - that I agree - but I still say we're being ripped off big time.
From now on anyone visiting New Zealand will need to make special room in their suitcase to bring me shoes.
Cheers
Robyn
Actually New Zealanders are being ripped off when it comes to sports shoes. Mega ripped off, and it makes me wild that we have to pay so much. Take for example the Keen walking sandal... Here's a pic of it!
Nice shoe. Looks comfortable. Versatile. Summery. Colour great. I saw this shoe on sale at Sports Authority in San Luis Obispo for $19.95 USD. Unfortunately they didn't have my size so I bought a similar pair but of the TEVA brand instead.
I went down to our local outlet centre on Friday for a flat white coffee, something I missed terribly while upover, but called into the outdoors shop for a quick squiz at what they have in stock or on sale. It's a habit of mine - I like outdoor sports shops. Anyway - there in the far corner of the store, was this exact same keen sandal. And it was on sale... for...
$167.50 down from $239.99
I now wish I had asked the store in San Luis Obispo to find my size, get it in, and ship it to me!!!
Exchange rate? $1 USD is currently $0.72c NZ. So $19.95 is aprox $24.00 NZD.
The other pair of shoes I bought were Salomon off road walking shoes. These same shoes I tried on at Christmas time when I was training for the Oxfam 100km. Here in New Zealand they have a price tag of $325.00. For that reason I left them on the shelf and bought another pair slightly cheaper for something like $280.00.
I found these same Salomon shoes - same model - at REI in San Francisco. They were not on sale but still had a price tag of $84 USD - about $110 NZD.
So it's not the exchange rate. It's definitely not shipping costs. Someone in New Zealand is taking a huge slice of profit for bringing them over. Huge. That's $200 PER SHOE extra we're paying for at least - and I'm talking retail prices not wholesale. They also bring in far more than one shoe - I wouldn't care to guess the numbers.
We don't have the American's population - that I agree - but I still say we're being ripped off big time.
From now on anyone visiting New Zealand will need to make special room in their suitcase to bring me shoes.
Cheers
Robyn
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Best and Worst of the Say What? Club Philadelphia Convention
This is the third day I've been home from the USA after attending the SWC con in Philadelphia. So far I've done 6 loads of washing, and gradually putting things away. My house each day is looking less and less like a bomb site, and turning into a home again.
My cats will NOT leave me alone - they obviously missed me and all they want to do is smooch or sleep on me, one even climbed into my vest and went to sleep! Yes - it's much colder here minumum 7C maximum 14C which is the equivalent of 44F low and 57F high. Not that warm considering we've been averaging 36C temperatures plus wherever we've been. (97F). Of course the cold may be one reason my cats won't leave me alone. We are due for some more bad weather over the weekend, but that will be perfect for staying put and watching the olympics which start tomorrow night.
I have put in my own blog the best and worst of USA that I experienced in my 29 days upover. You can read it right by clicking here
I will now attempt to write the best and worst of the Philadelphia Convention - so here we go.
Best: (not in any particular order!!!
1). Having Kim as a roomie - she was the bestest and I'm so proud to be friends with her.
2). Meeting Brenda and Walt after all these years of correspondence.
3). Meeting Dwayne and Cheryl after so many years of correspondence. Dwayne is truly a papabear!
4). Finally meeting my friend Marty after so many years of working together on the Hospitality committee and in the chats as well.
5). Seeing Jazzy again - always one of the highlights!
6). Meeting Cathy - after all these years too.
7). Finding out how fun Linda Binns is, and so glad I was able to see her again in San Diego.
8). I can now imagine Donna at the computer when I see her messages. Great to meet her too.
9). Being surprised that the super Pearl wasn't the 6 foot plus gal that I had imagined her to be. I still say Pearl is the voice of reason, particularly in Neil Baumanns workshop. I didn't get to talk to Pearl enough but one day hope that will be remedied - we always have the NZ fling to catch up on yet!
10. Meeting Marti and Tom, Sandi, Darelynn, Susan D and Susan from Oz, Paul, and all the others that I haven't come in contact with before from other lists.
11. Lorne - holds a very special place in my heart for throwing beer over Mike!!! Mike always needs to be brought down to earth with beer from time to time!
12. Being able to show the Americans where Elthrey's Alley was cos they couldn't find it (it always takes a kiwi to work out where everything is!!)
13. Eating Apple Dumplings at Reading Terminal Market - twice. Slurp, Drool!
14. Seeing South Street on the Duck and going back there for a better look. It was the Condom King shop that got me back!! (not really!)
15. Art musuem tour was incredible - well done Marianne for organising it - I learnt so much and was amazed with what I saw and heard over the audio tool we were given.
16. Sitting next to Martin and Marianne at the banquet - lots of fun and laughs and truly enjoyed your company.
17. Going to the Zoo with a group of us the day before the convention started. What a great time with 'just' messages going out over our phones - some secret code here! The zoo was great as I saw some incredible animals - like the Douc Langur, and the prairie dog!
18. Having everyone sign my book - such wonderful messages you all gave me and the photos will go in in the next couple of weeks.
19. Enjoying interesting workshops made incredible from a super duper CART communicator Gayle, even when she was so sick with flu she still managed to get through it all. My hat goes off to you. (And I don't take my hat off for just anyone you know!!)
20. Meeting Mark Dessert and his lovely dog. Even though Mark couldn't lipread my accent (I really don't have an accent - americans do), I was able to understand Mark easily. My memory of Mark will always be his enjoyment of the NZ wine on offer.
PS for the best - I have probably missed out lots of people - there were too many to put in my top 20, however, every single person that attended the convention, was what made the convention so exciting and I was so pleased to meet you all. I will definitely, funds willing, attend another in the future, and I will get onto starting organising one here in NZ - so start saving.
Now for the Worst of the con...
1). The heat - coming from winter the heat in the first couple of days was almost unbearable.
2). The jetlag - I was exhausted as I hardly slept coming over. Next time I will make sure I will have been in the US at least a week before the convention starts, so I can catch up on sleep beforehand.
3). Walking 18 blocks back to the hotel after the Mutter Museum. I had blisters, I had chaffing, I had heatrash, I was hot, tired and grumpy. The Phlash had stopped for the day and Mike wouldn't let me catch a taxi (grrrrr!!!) But I surived.... Just.... Mike is lucky to still be alive though!!!!
4). Breakfasts at the hotel - the service was terrible (oh well!)
5). Hotel had no hot chocolate after 10pm. No hot drinks available after 10pm!!! Sigh! I survived - just! Just had to eat chocolate instead.
I can't actually think up any more 'worst' things. Because on the whole the convention was like a well oiled ship which could have only meant that the people who organised it had worked long and hard to make it happen. So I take my hat of to the BOD and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the most wonderful time of my life. I will have this in my memory for the rest of my life.
Cheers
Robyn
My cats will NOT leave me alone - they obviously missed me and all they want to do is smooch or sleep on me, one even climbed into my vest and went to sleep! Yes - it's much colder here minumum 7C maximum 14C which is the equivalent of 44F low and 57F high. Not that warm considering we've been averaging 36C temperatures plus wherever we've been. (97F). Of course the cold may be one reason my cats won't leave me alone. We are due for some more bad weather over the weekend, but that will be perfect for staying put and watching the olympics which start tomorrow night.
I have put in my own blog the best and worst of USA that I experienced in my 29 days upover. You can read it right by clicking here
I will now attempt to write the best and worst of the Philadelphia Convention - so here we go.
Best: (not in any particular order!!!
1). Having Kim as a roomie - she was the bestest and I'm so proud to be friends with her.
2). Meeting Brenda and Walt after all these years of correspondence.
3). Meeting Dwayne and Cheryl after so many years of correspondence. Dwayne is truly a papabear!
4). Finally meeting my friend Marty after so many years of working together on the Hospitality committee and in the chats as well.
5). Seeing Jazzy again - always one of the highlights!
6). Meeting Cathy - after all these years too.
7). Finding out how fun Linda Binns is, and so glad I was able to see her again in San Diego.
8). I can now imagine Donna at the computer when I see her messages. Great to meet her too.
9). Being surprised that the super Pearl wasn't the 6 foot plus gal that I had imagined her to be. I still say Pearl is the voice of reason, particularly in Neil Baumanns workshop. I didn't get to talk to Pearl enough but one day hope that will be remedied - we always have the NZ fling to catch up on yet!
10. Meeting Marti and Tom, Sandi, Darelynn, Susan D and Susan from Oz, Paul, and all the others that I haven't come in contact with before from other lists.
11. Lorne - holds a very special place in my heart for throwing beer over Mike!!! Mike always needs to be brought down to earth with beer from time to time!
12. Being able to show the Americans where Elthrey's Alley was cos they couldn't find it (it always takes a kiwi to work out where everything is!!)
13. Eating Apple Dumplings at Reading Terminal Market - twice. Slurp, Drool!
14. Seeing South Street on the Duck and going back there for a better look. It was the Condom King shop that got me back!! (not really!)
15. Art musuem tour was incredible - well done Marianne for organising it - I learnt so much and was amazed with what I saw and heard over the audio tool we were given.
16. Sitting next to Martin and Marianne at the banquet - lots of fun and laughs and truly enjoyed your company.
17. Going to the Zoo with a group of us the day before the convention started. What a great time with 'just' messages going out over our phones - some secret code here! The zoo was great as I saw some incredible animals - like the Douc Langur, and the prairie dog!
18. Having everyone sign my book - such wonderful messages you all gave me and the photos will go in in the next couple of weeks.
19. Enjoying interesting workshops made incredible from a super duper CART communicator Gayle, even when she was so sick with flu she still managed to get through it all. My hat goes off to you. (And I don't take my hat off for just anyone you know!!)
20. Meeting Mark Dessert and his lovely dog. Even though Mark couldn't lipread my accent (I really don't have an accent - americans do), I was able to understand Mark easily. My memory of Mark will always be his enjoyment of the NZ wine on offer.
PS for the best - I have probably missed out lots of people - there were too many to put in my top 20, however, every single person that attended the convention, was what made the convention so exciting and I was so pleased to meet you all. I will definitely, funds willing, attend another in the future, and I will get onto starting organising one here in NZ - so start saving.
Now for the Worst of the con...
1). The heat - coming from winter the heat in the first couple of days was almost unbearable.
2). The jetlag - I was exhausted as I hardly slept coming over. Next time I will make sure I will have been in the US at least a week before the convention starts, so I can catch up on sleep beforehand.
3). Walking 18 blocks back to the hotel after the Mutter Museum. I had blisters, I had chaffing, I had heatrash, I was hot, tired and grumpy. The Phlash had stopped for the day and Mike wouldn't let me catch a taxi (grrrrr!!!) But I surived.... Just.... Mike is lucky to still be alive though!!!!
4). Breakfasts at the hotel - the service was terrible (oh well!)
5). Hotel had no hot chocolate after 10pm. No hot drinks available after 10pm!!! Sigh! I survived - just! Just had to eat chocolate instead.
I can't actually think up any more 'worst' things. Because on the whole the convention was like a well oiled ship which could have only meant that the people who organised it had worked long and hard to make it happen. So I take my hat of to the BOD and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the most wonderful time of my life. I will have this in my memory for the rest of my life.
Cheers
Robyn
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Best and Worst of USA
Top 30 or so: (not in any order)
1. Best Swimming Pool: Jazzy's in New Jersey
2. Best Backpackers: Sacramento
3. Best Coffee: Monterey - Mexican Latte
4. Best Weather: Hawaii
5. Best Roomate: Kim from Seattle
6. Best Breakfast: Steven's Porridge
7. Best Dessert: Key Lime cheesecake from Stacy
8. Best Restaurant: Peregrino's Italian in San Francisco - Lobster Lasagne
9. Best Pub: Kiwi pub in San Diego and an Evening with Linda
10.Best Wildlife: San Diego Zoo
11.Best Tour: Hearst Castle
12.Best Food: Diana & David's in San Luis Obispo
13.Best Shopping: Sports Authority in San Luis Obispo and REI in San Bruno
14.Best Bargain: Guess Sunglasses Sacramento $8.57 (down from $40), & Hawaii Pearls
15.Best Service: San Francisco Police - Seargeant Scott Warnke
16.Best Street: South Street Philadelphia
17.Best People: Say What Club Convention in Philly
18.Best Highlight: Capturing on camera a wild Sea Otter in Monterey
19.Best Laugh: Mike getting drenched in beer in Philly
20.Best View: Empire State Building in NYC
21.Best Squirrels: Madison Square NYC, and San Luis Obispo (Ground Squirrel)
22.Best Laundry Service: Steven's in San Bruno
23.Best Walk: Muir Woods & Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco
24.Best Quiet Day: The day at Jazzy's sister's pool
25.Best Beaches: Coronado Hotel, Waikiki, Hamauna Bay, Malibu, Santa Monica
26.Best Boat Trip: Lake Tahoe
27.Best Experience: Driving on the right hand side for the first time
28.Best Shower: Jazzy's in New Jersey
29.Best museums: Mutter in Philly, Musuem of Natural history NYC
30.Best Experience with a Difference: Tijuana Mexico
31.Best Lunch: Clam Chowder at Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's wharf
32.Best Tea: Morrocon Restaurant in Little Falls
Worst 10.
1). Seeing a huge fat bum having a shit in daylight on a San Diego Street
2). Experiencing unhelpfulnes of Bank of America
3). Seeing queues of people lining up for the soup kitchens of the Salvation Army
4). Being harrassed by bums in San Francisco for change - "change" "change"
5). Smelling the stench of human urine on the steets in SD & SFO
6). Experiencing 38 degrees in Stockton the day we arrived (melt)
7). Having our airport shuttle crash on the freeway on the way to the hostel
8). Mike losing his wallet
You know - I can honestly not think of 10 worst things. On the whole my experiences of America were very positive. People are friendly and will usually go out of their way to help when help is needed. Good humour and laughter followed us around wherever we went.
I'm glad we saw some bad things though, because thats what makes us appreciate the good things more, and it makes us realise that there are always people worse off than ourselves. It makes me thankful that I live in NZ which has a Social Welfare buffer. It doesn't mean that we don't have homeless or bums, just that the problem is less, and largely unnoticeable.
My small list of highlights is tiny - I could go on and on and wax lyrical about each day we had in USA. No day was the same, the experience and sights we saw were totally different each day, which stimulated and excited our senses and gave us an appetite for more. It kept us energised and helped us fit in all the things we wanted to do.
I would do it again - but fully intend to put my feet up for a couple of years first. I'd like to see rural America next, I would like to see Seattle, and I would like to see Chicago and surrounds again.
Cheers
Robyn
1. Best Swimming Pool: Jazzy's in New Jersey
2. Best Backpackers: Sacramento
3. Best Coffee: Monterey - Mexican Latte
4. Best Weather: Hawaii
5. Best Roomate: Kim from Seattle
6. Best Breakfast: Steven's Porridge
7. Best Dessert: Key Lime cheesecake from Stacy
8. Best Restaurant: Peregrino's Italian in San Francisco - Lobster Lasagne
9. Best Pub: Kiwi pub in San Diego and an Evening with Linda
10.Best Wildlife: San Diego Zoo
11.Best Tour: Hearst Castle
12.Best Food: Diana & David's in San Luis Obispo
13.Best Shopping: Sports Authority in San Luis Obispo and REI in San Bruno
14.Best Bargain: Guess Sunglasses Sacramento $8.57 (down from $40), & Hawaii Pearls
15.Best Service: San Francisco Police - Seargeant Scott Warnke
16.Best Street: South Street Philadelphia
17.Best People: Say What Club Convention in Philly
18.Best Highlight: Capturing on camera a wild Sea Otter in Monterey
19.Best Laugh: Mike getting drenched in beer in Philly
20.Best View: Empire State Building in NYC
21.Best Squirrels: Madison Square NYC, and San Luis Obispo (Ground Squirrel)
22.Best Laundry Service: Steven's in San Bruno
23.Best Walk: Muir Woods & Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco
24.Best Quiet Day: The day at Jazzy's sister's pool
25.Best Beaches: Coronado Hotel, Waikiki, Hamauna Bay, Malibu, Santa Monica
26.Best Boat Trip: Lake Tahoe
27.Best Experience: Driving on the right hand side for the first time
28.Best Shower: Jazzy's in New Jersey
29.Best museums: Mutter in Philly, Musuem of Natural history NYC
30.Best Experience with a Difference: Tijuana Mexico
31.Best Lunch: Clam Chowder at Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's wharf
32.Best Tea: Morrocon Restaurant in Little Falls
Worst 10.
1). Seeing a huge fat bum having a shit in daylight on a San Diego Street
2). Experiencing unhelpfulnes of Bank of America
3). Seeing queues of people lining up for the soup kitchens of the Salvation Army
4). Being harrassed by bums in San Francisco for change - "change" "change"
5). Smelling the stench of human urine on the steets in SD & SFO
6). Experiencing 38 degrees in Stockton the day we arrived (melt)
7). Having our airport shuttle crash on the freeway on the way to the hostel
8). Mike losing his wallet
You know - I can honestly not think of 10 worst things. On the whole my experiences of America were very positive. People are friendly and will usually go out of their way to help when help is needed. Good humour and laughter followed us around wherever we went.
I'm glad we saw some bad things though, because thats what makes us appreciate the good things more, and it makes us realise that there are always people worse off than ourselves. It makes me thankful that I live in NZ which has a Social Welfare buffer. It doesn't mean that we don't have homeless or bums, just that the problem is less, and largely unnoticeable.
My small list of highlights is tiny - I could go on and on and wax lyrical about each day we had in USA. No day was the same, the experience and sights we saw were totally different each day, which stimulated and excited our senses and gave us an appetite for more. It kept us energised and helped us fit in all the things we wanted to do.
I would do it again - but fully intend to put my feet up for a couple of years first. I'd like to see rural America next, I would like to see Seattle, and I would like to see Chicago and surrounds again.
Cheers
Robyn
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
4th/5th August - Home in NZ
Just to let you all know I'm home safe and sound. I'ts really cold too.
I didn't realise how brown I had become until I put my arm next to Anne's at the airport. Anne was there waiting for me despite our plane being delayed for 2.5 hours due to mechanical problems.
It was great seeing her, and when we got to the motorway turnoff to my place, she went right instead of left and said we had to swing by somewhere first. Turned out Anne had moved house from an apartment in the city, to a four bedroomed house down by Takapuna Gramma not far from me. David had stayed at home and cooked dinner and his family was there as well.
I semi unpacked the suitcases and gave out the pressies. The jeans I bought for Anne in New Jersey fitted her perfectly (whew). Pleased about that. it's nice being the same size as it means we can share clothes when we want to go out :)
Today - I'm just slowly getting organised and doing washing. Haven't touched my mail, or my bank accounts. Don't even want to see my credit card bill!!!! Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away???
Cats pleased to see me home, still a little unsettled but neither of them have ignored me or punished me at all which is good. Both look like they've put on weight, so they've been fed well!
I'm not interested in living out of a suitcase now for several years. No more trrips for a while. I have a lot of sleep to catch up on, I need to get back to the gym, and will keep up all the walking, as well as start running again. But first my feet need to get back down to a more normal size. I' sure the cold weather will help with that!
I didn't realise how brown I had become until I put my arm next to Anne's at the airport. Anne was there waiting for me despite our plane being delayed for 2.5 hours due to mechanical problems.
It was great seeing her, and when we got to the motorway turnoff to my place, she went right instead of left and said we had to swing by somewhere first. Turned out Anne had moved house from an apartment in the city, to a four bedroomed house down by Takapuna Gramma not far from me. David had stayed at home and cooked dinner and his family was there as well.
I semi unpacked the suitcases and gave out the pressies. The jeans I bought for Anne in New Jersey fitted her perfectly (whew). Pleased about that. it's nice being the same size as it means we can share clothes when we want to go out :)
Today - I'm just slowly getting organised and doing washing. Haven't touched my mail, or my bank accounts. Don't even want to see my credit card bill!!!! Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away???
Cats pleased to see me home, still a little unsettled but neither of them have ignored me or punished me at all which is good. Both look like they've put on weight, so they've been fed well!
I'm not interested in living out of a suitcase now for several years. No more trrips for a while. I have a lot of sleep to catch up on, I need to get back to the gym, and will keep up all the walking, as well as start running again. But first my feet need to get back down to a more normal size. I' sure the cold weather will help with that!
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