Whiteout!

Last night we watched the snow fall & then it changed to rain - we were so disappointed! A few hours later the rain turned to snow & boy did it come down! Within a short time everywhere was covered and the snow ploughs were soon out. We were like little kids staring out the window to see how deep the snow was getting. For me it was such a reminder of some of the Christmas times back in England.

This morning the snow was still here and the cold was unbelievable when we stepped outside. The snow was about 5 + cm deep. It looked beautiful.

We went to Salem by train - about 30 minutes away. As most know Salem is ‘famous’ for witches and witch trials. We thought it might be interesting but it was all rather boring - hardly any place  was open & whenever we stepped  into a shop the smell was like going back in time to your granny’s house!

It was bitterly cold which sent us into the first place for warm food & drinks.
Thought I'd leave you a montage of pictures to keep you cool and chill you out!

Arrived Boston

We walked to Penn Station, basically around the corner from the hotel. Found the correct train and spent an interesting 4 hours travelling through the countryside to Boston. We were glad we’d paid the extra $20 to go business as the carriage was empty and the seats wide and comfortable.

 Leaving New York

The countryside was bare and brown& there were patches of snow from a few days ago but the views around the coastal/ estuary areas were very pretty.

We had a G & T and as I put the tray table down the ice and drink went everywhere - very similar to the plane trip from LA to NYC when we suddenly hit turbulence (no warning) I managed to save the G & T but had a glass of water all over me! Am getting used to drying myself out.

Taxi to the apartment we are staying in - all very pleasant up on 10th floor with a great view.

Apartment

Found our way to the supermarket for supplies. I always feel embarrassed when  you see supermarkets overseas compared to those at home - ours are inferior!

Cooked dinner, drank some wine & are now trying to work out washing machine!

29/12/12

Caught a cab to the harbour area of Boston where we jumped onto a tourist bus which travelled
around the city. It’s a lovely city and we enjoyed the tour, even though we didn’t have too much knowledge of the history of this area..

It was an extremely cold day so after the tour we wandered into a local pub for some warmth! I tried the 'New England Clam Chowder’ which was very tasty. Later we wandered around an interesting market before heading back to the apartment. We called into the supermarket to stock up on food as it was too cold to wander out for dinner. When we came out of the supermarket we walked into heavy snow! The weather men had predicted it but when do you ever believe them?

By the time we arrived home we were covered.

FREEZING!!

Day 2 New York

27/12/12
No snow today only rain! Day started with having to buy a new phone as mine died yesterday.

Headed down 10th Avenue, after breakfast at yesterday’s diner, towards Empire State Building. Stopped in at Kmart to buy umbrella because it was raining - needless to say as soon as brolly was purchased it stopped raining. Arrived Empire State, joined the crowds - not too many - and took the lifts to 86th floor! Venture out to take photos & have never been so cold in my life - could hardly work the camera! Luckily the view was clear and spectacular.

Walked from Empire State Building up 5th Avenue to Times Square. Checked out the shows but there wasn’t any thing we really wanted to see. Times Square very busy - they were setting up for NYE. Found a ‘hostelry’ for warming beverage and then headed off for the Rockefeller Centre.
Queued again for tickets and the entered the lifts - this one had a clear ceiling and you were watching yourself travel to the top of the building - not good if you have any qualms about lifts!!

The view was spectacular from the top and you had a good view of the Empire State Building. It was still freezing!!

Walked back to hotel - miles away from Rockefeller Building. We walked so far I think I’m a few centimetres shorter than yesterday.

Drinks at hotel bar and the up the block to a Steak House. Food was good and so was the wine. Wine needed to be because it was more expensive than the meal. The prices seem higher than expected.

Day in New York

26/12/12
Woke at about 10am after a rather decent sleep - wonder why?

Followed directions to a ‘diner’ for breakfast. Sat at the counter, as they do in the movies, for eggs and bacon.

Headed to the Hudson river to join a river cruise. Quite a long walk and it was so cold that I didn’t need botox on my forehead - the wrinkles were frozen out!! I didn’t realise how cold it was outside otherwise I would have taken my hat. Arrived at Battery Park for the walk up to the 9/11 Memorial. Found a hat seller outside & bought a balaclava (no not to stage a holdup but to keep warm!). As we walked I said to Valda “I think it’s snowing.” At first she said “No”& then came a “Yes it is.” We were then caught in the snow waiting in the lines to enter the 9/11 Memorial. 

It is 20 years since I was in New York & we saw the twin towers then but to stand there today and know how many people died was overwhelming and I found myself in tears. It’s a peaceful place but you ask yourself “How one human being can kill other human beings?”

We went into a local bar to partake in a warming beverage - no not coffee! before heading back to the ferry. The snow was getting heavier by the minute and also colder so when the ferry came we were glad to board. The ferry made a few stops but the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island were out because they had been badly damaged by Super Storm Sandy but the ferry did pause there for photos. We arrived back at the start of our trip & couldn’t get over the layer of snow now under foot. We thought about getting a taxi but that was an impossible task so we walked back to the hotel very carefully as the ground was so slippery. Having cross water laden roads didn’t help & my feet were soon in freezing water!

After arriving back at hotel to change into dry clothes & footwear we headed to the bar and then food.

Arrived New York

25/12/12
Started the day with ‘bubbles’ and present opening with Kerry. 

At the airport all formalities was very quick & easy and we were soon on the plane. Taking our seats one of the messages from the flight deck was “Thee American Government states that you are not to stand around in groups on this plane, especially around the toilet area.” Interesting! About to taxi out when the Captain states that because of storm activity in the area all the ground crew had to go into the airport buildings and we were staying where we were until they were given the all clear. We sat for over an hour, luckily we could watch movies. Finally we were off and taxied to the end of the runway when there was a strange sound and shuddering. The Captain comes on and says “You probably wondered what just happened. Well the runway is greasy and the nose wheel skidded. We now have to wait for an engineer to check it! Luckily all was well & we were finally on our way!.

Five movies, numerous tv programs and a couple of hours sleep later we arrived in Los Angeles to the American Christmas Day! We were now running very late & our 3 hour turn around was now down to about an hour. Our time was spent running through the airport, going through the formalities of right fingers, right thumb, left fingers,left thumb and eye photographs, checking your name, date of birth, where you were born, how long you were in USA, were you carrying alcohol or cigarettes - all very frustrating. Then we had to wait for our bags, collect them & run through the airport to the next point where our bags were hopefully loaded onto the New York flight. We then ran to the next terminal and got to the gate & walked onto the plane for New York.

Five hours later we touched down in New York. Amazingly the luggage arrived & it was into the yellow cab for the trip to the hotel. It was a rather ‘nippy’ 4C when we arrived. We went for a short walk & are now ready for a decent sleep.