Okies, will break this entry into a few parts because it's been quite a few days and many things have happened.
**************************************************************************************
Leavin' On A Jet Plane
Met KJ and WL in Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 6am in the morning. We were very very tired because we had slept only a little the previous night. I slept only about 4hrs and it is NOT enough. So we checked-in and hung around for a bit and then it was time to board the plane. The first thing KJ said to me when we got on the plane was that there were screens on the back of the seats, and immediately we got very excited since it means that there will be in-flight entertainment. Not too shabby...and the whole plane (interior) is purplish...hmmm...
Once we got settled we whipped out the "entertainment guide" and the system is called Dynasty ala SIA's KrisWorld. Movies that were available includes relatively new releases such as Brokeback Mountain, Chronicles of Narnia, Memoirs of a Geisha, Casanova, blah blah and some older ones such as Erin Brockevich (did I get her last name correct?). This is so good for me since I did not watch most of the shows that they were playing, and immediately we knew we weren't going to sleep for the long plane trip to the States.
So, when we were about 10000ft in the air, the entertainment system was activated, and KJ, WL and I jumped to Chronicles of Narnia. My sis watched Brokeback. I quite like Narnia, and I think I will write another entry to comment on that show.
But that was about it. After watching the show I got really really really tired and started exploring other options. The games were really lame, like those played by primary school kids. But there was this language game, and I chose Spanish out of German, French, Mandarin, and a few others that I cannot remember. I have now completely forgotten all the words I learnt from that game....=P
Started watching a little of Big Momma's House 2 but I was so tired that the jokes did not get to me, or maybe it wasn't even funny to begin with. You decide. It soon came time to descend to Taipei when I was only 1/3 into the show.
So we had to wait for about 3hrs over in Taipei. We took the skytrain from T2 to T1 since that is where we have to board the plane to the US. We were, at the same time, looking for places to have some food, and when we first got to T1, we couldn't find it, so we went back to T2 cause we thought the food outlets were in T2, at maybe some parts that we did not search. But oh my goodness...we asked this air stewardess (she was really unfriendly, used a very rude tone to talk to us, and she thinks she is wonderful because she can speak a little English. FYI, she's Taiwanese. We concluded we should have spoken English to her all the way and see how she funbles and laugh at her.) and this time, there were hundreds of people trying to get to T1. Such suayness on the first leg of our trip; getting to our intended destination comfortably, but no, we had to go back and then squeeze with a thousand people to get back to the same place.
The second suayness came when we boarded the plane to the plane to the US. Again, it was KJ who brought to my attention that there weren't any screens on the backs of the seats. ARGH!!!! All 4 of us got really really pissed with that plane. It would be a 10 odd hours ride of absolute boredom!!! Oh goodness...we were really pissed...Another thing was that on this flight, there were a lot of weird middle aged Taiwanese? Chinese? Vietnamese? Other Asian races? that don't seem to get the point of not unfastening their seat belts when the 'fasten seat belt' sign is on and not getting up and move when the plane is about to move/ the plane is still moving. At the time when we are already so pissed off all these people are still acting their antics and making things worse. But it was funny to see the crew scream at them, and gthe crew can really do some screaming.
We did a stopover at Anchorage, Alaska. It was unexpected for us because we did not know that was part of the itinerary. I was really excited because I saw glaciers and ice mountains. It was a pity that we did not get a lot of time to go around the small airport to take pictures; the ice mountains were really magnificent. My sister and I just took pictures from within the airport, and I hope it would turn out ok (I hadn't uploaded the pictures yet so I can't judge from the small LCD screen). We also went through the customs there, but it was really weird because we thought we would do that only in New York. But since Alaska is officially a part of the States now and we had entered the US, it kinda make sense to go through the customs there.
So we boarded the same plane but with a new batch of airline crew serving us. There was this air steward who was serving WL's aisle and he had an incredibly high voice and is quite gu niang. WL was absolutely buay tahan and I just kept laughing. But this air steward, despite all his gu niangness, had a rather fierce tone when he spoke. It was especially entertaining to see him shout at those miscreants who refuses to sit down. Then KJ and I would just give a pissed off look and say, "what is wrong with all thses people..." There were of course variations of expression and vulgarities were employed every now and then.
Oh I must mention the turbulence. There was such an unbelieveable amount of turbulence that the plane just tumbled up and down and left to right. There were approximately 4 waves of turbulence, each lasting about 20min. The funny thing was that the crew knew when to serve dinner; immediately after one wave of turbulence ended, they served us dinner, and immediately after they were done and cleaned up, the turbulence started again. It was exciting to have the turbulence since we were very bored, at the same time it made the whole affair very scary...what if something bad happens? .............
It was difficult to sleep with all the rockings and the noise (there were kids on board and yes, they were screaming. Plus, those middle-aged miscreants do not talk to each other; they scream at each other! Remains me of my neighbour), but we finally did so since we were very very tired. The publice entertainment system showed 1 episode of Zhong Yi Da Ge Da, King Kong, Hoodwinked (a very funny animated movie ala Shrek) among other things.
************************************************************************************
We did a stopover at Anchorage, Alaska. It was unexpected for us because we did not know that was part of the itinerary. I was really excited because I saw glaciers and ice mountains. It was a pity that we did not get a lot of time to go around the small airport to take pictures; the ice mountains were really magnificent. My sister and I just took pictures from within the airport, and I hope it would turn out ok (I hadn't uploaded the pictures yet so I can't judge from the small LCD screen). We also went through the customs there, but it was really weird because we thought we would do that only in New York. But since Alaska is officially a part of the States now and we had entered the US, it kinda make sense to go through the customs there.
So we boarded the same plane but with a new batch of airline crew serving us. There was this air steward who was serving WL's aisle and he had an incredibly high voice and is quite gu niang. WL was absolutely buay tahan and I just kept laughing. But this air steward, despite all his gu niangness, had a rather fierce tone when he spoke. It was especially entertaining to see him shout at those miscreants who refuses to sit down. Then KJ and I would just give a pissed off look and say, "what is wrong with all thses people..." There were of course variations of expression and vulgarities were employed every now and then.
Oh I must mention the turbulence. There was such an unbelieveable amount of turbulence that the plane just tumbled up and down and left to right. There were approximately 4 waves of turbulence, each lasting about 20min. The funny thing was that the crew knew when to serve dinner; immediately after one wave of turbulence ended, they served us dinner, and immediately after they were done and cleaned up, the turbulence started again. It was exciting to have the turbulence since we were very bored, at the same time it made the whole affair very scary...what if something bad happens? .............
It was difficult to sleep with all the rockings and the noise (there were kids on board and yes, they were screaming. Plus, those middle-aged miscreants do not talk to each other; they scream at each other! Remains me of my neighbour), but we finally did so since we were very very tired. The publice entertainment system showed 1 episode of Zhong Yi Da Ge Da, King Kong, Hoodwinked (a very funny animated movie ala Shrek) among other things.
************************************************************************************
Touchdown JKF Airport
Okies, so we waiting quite long for our luggages to appear. Quite fun pulling the luggages off the conveyor belt. Some of the passengers had enormous baggages that they themselves were unable to handle. A few even looked like they brought their whole family's property with them. Maybe they are seeking asylum in US. Again there were a lot of screaming and shoutings, the usual miscreants found guilty.
So, once I exited the luggages claim area a Hispanic male approached me. No prizes for guessing but yes, he works for a taxi company. He quickly assigned us to a taxi and we just took it. I asked the assigned taxi driver for the rate, but he wanted us to get to his car first before showing it to me. It wasn't a car actually, but a rover, so it was able to accomodate all our luggages. Then after he loaded all our stuff and we were settled in, he showed me that we had to pay $35 PER PERSON!!! It was such a rip-off and I was shocked. I had read that the journey should only cost $45 per taxi; this was completely ridiculous. I looked to the others and ask thme if they would want to continue. My sis and KJ said just take, so ok lor, just take. We were all very tired to try to seek alternatives. While driving from the airport to Port Authority bus terminal, the driver showed us the different things that is New York. He is hispanic, so I couldn't understand him sometimes. He saw that I had a camera in my hands, so he told me that taking pictures inside of moving vehicles are prohibited in the US. What a weird law!! It seems after 9-11 the govt are all paranoid and do funny things just to prevent the terriorists from striking again. But what difference does it make if I got down and took the pictures on foot? Hmmm....
Saw a glimpse of Times Square, and wow! It was so filled with lights, looked a little like Las Vegas. Then we came to Port Authority. We just paid him the bare minimum. I knew that tips are customary, but since he ripped us off more than he should, I decided to give him no tips. That decision came really easy.
************************************************************************************
So, once I exited the luggages claim area a Hispanic male approached me. No prizes for guessing but yes, he works for a taxi company. He quickly assigned us to a taxi and we just took it. I asked the assigned taxi driver for the rate, but he wanted us to get to his car first before showing it to me. It wasn't a car actually, but a rover, so it was able to accomodate all our luggages. Then after he loaded all our stuff and we were settled in, he showed me that we had to pay $35 PER PERSON!!! It was such a rip-off and I was shocked. I had read that the journey should only cost $45 per taxi; this was completely ridiculous. I looked to the others and ask thme if they would want to continue. My sis and KJ said just take, so ok lor, just take. We were all very tired to try to seek alternatives. While driving from the airport to Port Authority bus terminal, the driver showed us the different things that is New York. He is hispanic, so I couldn't understand him sometimes. He saw that I had a camera in my hands, so he told me that taking pictures inside of moving vehicles are prohibited in the US. What a weird law!! It seems after 9-11 the govt are all paranoid and do funny things just to prevent the terriorists from striking again. But what difference does it make if I got down and took the pictures on foot? Hmmm....
Saw a glimpse of Times Square, and wow! It was so filled with lights, looked a little like Las Vegas. Then we came to Port Authority. We just paid him the bare minimum. I knew that tips are customary, but since he ripped us off more than he should, I decided to give him no tips. That decision came really easy.
************************************************************************************
Inside Port Authority
As much as the name sounds impressive, that's all that there is to be impressed about. The insed is very old and dilapidated. I had thought that Jurong East interchange is old, but this is worse. But at least the whole area is air-conditioned. Not like we need it (cause it was freezing in NYC) but it's just a mention.
So we bought our Greyhound bus tickets. It was weird because they needed our ID (IC as we are accustomed to) to purchase the tickets. So I wanted to tell her (a African-American woman) my IC number, but then she said, "I need to see it". And after processing, she asked, "you mean you guys memorise your ID?" to which I replied, "yah". Then she said, "I dun remember my ID" and her colleague said, "I dun even know mine". So funny...
After purchasing the tickets we had about an hour to spare before we needed to board the bus, so we sat down at some area, on the floor. After a long while later, after we took turns to explore the area (there was this 24hrs mart that was lit, but there was no one inside, and the glass doors were locked too, but it said 24hrs. Hmm...funny) this African-American (AA) shouted at us from a distance, "Hey y'all yellow people," then came closer and said, "you guys gotta slide cause this place is closing soon" so we were like, "oh ok thanks". Seeing that we could speak English, he softened up a bit and asked,"You guys taking the bus or something?" so like, yah we are, "so just wait at the bus terminal alright?".
I concluded that they may sound and look fierce, but they are actually very friendly. It's just that we misunderstood their tone. While my sis and I were exploring the area, a middle-aged AA saw us, and he glanced at us a few times before asking in a rather stern tone, "what y'all looking for?" and I said, "oh we're just looking ard" and he just said, "oh". So I gather he really wants to help, just that the cultural difference made it sound to us like he was interrogating.
While waiting in line for the bus there was this man whom was really helpful (ok, most of them are damn helpful lah can?). I started chatting with him nd asked him about the transport system in NYC. Turns out he is there for frequent business trips and actually lives in Washington DC area. He told me that there are like a million other types of transport systems in NYC, so it's good since I would be able to make plans then when we are visiting after our program and not get ripped off again. I also asked him about what's there to see in the DC area, and he suggested all the museums. THEY ARE ALL FREE ADMISSION! Well, at least most of them are. I noticed he did not mention the new Holocaust museum, so I enquired. He told me to not waste my time with that, same with the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. I had thought he is a Jew by his appearance but it isn't apparently so with his reaction.
While on the bus, we weren't able to get a good night's sleep too because just right behind where my sis and I were sitting there was this young blond and supposedly her boyfriend. The problem is, she has some kind of cough and she kept coughing like she was about to puke blood or something. I was very worried that her germs will engulf my sis and I and make us sick since it sounded like she projected her cough to the front. Then at one point she kept wheezing and sobbing and saying that she can't breathe. Too bad I did not have any cough drops with me or I would have offered her some. Not that I am kind, but hopefully it will give me a peaceful night =P. Ok lah, I also sympathise since I had been in that situation before, but I think I at least know how to control and deal with it.
So we rode and rode and monotonously came to Richmond, Virgnia. Thank Heavens. This is where we are getting ripped off a second time. I told one taxi driver that we want to get to WEST Broad Street, and he quoted me a fare of $20. Then when we got on he asked, "EAST Broad Street?" I said, "no, WEST Broad Street". Little did I know that he intended to rip us off. When we reached the hotel, he said we need to pay another $35. Bloody hell! To hell with him and his family. But the receptionist at the hotel was a very nice middle-aged lady named Deborah. She introduced us this very cheap pizza buffet restaurant called Cici's Pizza. The 4 of us were really excited when we saw the spread. We stayed for about 2hrs, like how I usually do at buffets in Singapore. KJ and WL were surprised at how much my sister can consume.
As much as the name sounds impressive, that's all that there is to be impressed about. The insed is very old and dilapidated. I had thought that Jurong East interchange is old, but this is worse. But at least the whole area is air-conditioned. Not like we need it (cause it was freezing in NYC) but it's just a mention.
So we bought our Greyhound bus tickets. It was weird because they needed our ID (IC as we are accustomed to) to purchase the tickets. So I wanted to tell her (a African-American woman) my IC number, but then she said, "I need to see it". And after processing, she asked, "you mean you guys memorise your ID?" to which I replied, "yah". Then she said, "I dun remember my ID" and her colleague said, "I dun even know mine". So funny...
After purchasing the tickets we had about an hour to spare before we needed to board the bus, so we sat down at some area, on the floor. After a long while later, after we took turns to explore the area (there was this 24hrs mart that was lit, but there was no one inside, and the glass doors were locked too, but it said 24hrs. Hmm...funny) this African-American (AA) shouted at us from a distance, "Hey y'all yellow people," then came closer and said, "you guys gotta slide cause this place is closing soon" so we were like, "oh ok thanks". Seeing that we could speak English, he softened up a bit and asked,"You guys taking the bus or something?" so like, yah we are, "so just wait at the bus terminal alright?".
I concluded that they may sound and look fierce, but they are actually very friendly. It's just that we misunderstood their tone. While my sis and I were exploring the area, a middle-aged AA saw us, and he glanced at us a few times before asking in a rather stern tone, "what y'all looking for?" and I said, "oh we're just looking ard" and he just said, "oh". So I gather he really wants to help, just that the cultural difference made it sound to us like he was interrogating.
While waiting in line for the bus there was this man whom was really helpful (ok, most of them are damn helpful lah can?). I started chatting with him nd asked him about the transport system in NYC. Turns out he is there for frequent business trips and actually lives in Washington DC area. He told me that there are like a million other types of transport systems in NYC, so it's good since I would be able to make plans then when we are visiting after our program and not get ripped off again. I also asked him about what's there to see in the DC area, and he suggested all the museums. THEY ARE ALL FREE ADMISSION! Well, at least most of them are. I noticed he did not mention the new Holocaust museum, so I enquired. He told me to not waste my time with that, same with the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. I had thought he is a Jew by his appearance but it isn't apparently so with his reaction.
While on the bus, we weren't able to get a good night's sleep too because just right behind where my sis and I were sitting there was this young blond and supposedly her boyfriend. The problem is, she has some kind of cough and she kept coughing like she was about to puke blood or something. I was very worried that her germs will engulf my sis and I and make us sick since it sounded like she projected her cough to the front. Then at one point she kept wheezing and sobbing and saying that she can't breathe. Too bad I did not have any cough drops with me or I would have offered her some. Not that I am kind, but hopefully it will give me a peaceful night =P. Ok lah, I also sympathise since I had been in that situation before, but I think I at least know how to control and deal with it.
So we rode and rode and monotonously came to Richmond, Virgnia. Thank Heavens. This is where we are getting ripped off a second time. I told one taxi driver that we want to get to WEST Broad Street, and he quoted me a fare of $20. Then when we got on he asked, "EAST Broad Street?" I said, "no, WEST Broad Street". Little did I know that he intended to rip us off. When we reached the hotel, he said we need to pay another $35. Bloody hell! To hell with him and his family. But the receptionist at the hotel was a very nice middle-aged lady named Deborah. She introduced us this very cheap pizza buffet restaurant called Cici's Pizza. The 4 of us were really excited when we saw the spread. We stayed for about 2hrs, like how I usually do at buffets in Singapore. KJ and WL were surprised at how much my sister can consume.
************************************************************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment