EEK!! I had to write an assignment

Who would have thought it!! Makes me a whole lot more sympathetic to my students!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just because

New York ! New York!

Picked Roger up at 2.00 and shuttle straight into Hotel Excelsior . Great spot right opposite Central Park! When we were not eating, walking or sleeping (rarely) we spent the time people (and dog watching) from our window. Amazing how many dogs, they must all live in the apartments! No wonder they had their own little run right outside the American Natural History Museum.

When we arrived it was cloudy but dry and so everyone was sitting, chatting, reading and walking through the park. After a quick visit to the Museum, we discovered Central Park was right there at the end of the block. Fantastic, we walked past people jogging, biking, kids playing, Nannies with kids, tourists in horse driven carriages, bicycle rickshaws driven by toned and athletic guys, and dogs of every size and shape wearing amazing clothes but everything seemed really quiet, guess because it was winter.

A fab Thai Dinner on Columbus – yummy crunchy vegies at last!!!
New York breakfast at Jackson’s Hole, where every second person looked and sounded like Woody Allen! A bit of a John Lennon morning as we visited the imagine site and the Dakota building. Walked all the way to Times Square, passing the Ed Sullivan Theatre where the David Letterman show is filmed. Decided to put our names down for tickets! Then passed the Barrymore Theatre where Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon were playing in Exit the King – so bought those tickets too, whoa! and then we were at Carnegie Hall and so we just had to get tickets to Chicargo Philharmonic! Mmm no wonder we are broke!

Times Square as tacky as ever. Walked it all the way back through Central Park and we were–just time to get back for another Thai meal and then off Lincoln Centre for Poulenc, Prokofiev – bit underwhelmed by the billion dollar refurbishment but great to be hearing live music again.

Next day we decided to go to the Guggenheim and so walked across the park even though it was raining. What an amazing building! The art work – not for me. Really don’t get modern art but an incredible experience. Did some more walking, and gawking and then off to Carnegie Hall.

Nearly had a heart attack when I walked in, as a guy in a beanie launched at me and grabbed my bag. Only when I squawked did he explain that he was security!!! Much older theatre than I expected. All of the ushers in red coats and cloaks, very suave. Great view, and fabulous musicians, singers perhaps a bit dwarfed by the whole thing but really good evening. Back on bus to our last night at the Excelsior.

Over to the East side – raining so caught a cab to Franklin. What a great reception - friendly as We had a petite suite - in other words tiny but fab. Really well decorated and set up. Straight off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Wow, wow and wow. It was HUGE!!! Saw great photography exhibition, sculptures and paintings by Degas, impressionist after impressionist after impressionist. Amazing how many works we had seen in Australia but of course here there were no crowds as the place so big. We saw one small quarter of one floor and there were 3 other floors plus sculpture gardens to see!!

Exhausted we stumbled out and back to our petite chambre. Free cheese and wine in the little bar at hotel and then dinner in a French Bistro opposite and off to Broadway for Geoffrey Rush’s Exit the King – another old theatre built by the Schubert family for Emily Barrymore. Amazing set – created the atmosphere for theatre of the absurd. As soon as Geoffrey and Susan strode across the stage there was tumultuous applause and then we were into it. A typical Rush performance – all slapstick and grand theatrics. Enjoyed it but felt second half could have been culled as it was a bit repetitious – Susan Sarandon was very flat – though I am sure no Broadway critic would be bold enough to say so -Another full day!

Yummie breakfast – first one that we have liked since we arrived in New York. Tiny little breakfast room with small round tables. Real English Breakfast tea with boiling water! Plain Yoghurt, muesli, crisp French bread with good prosciutto and cheese - espresso coffee and croissants. Yum not a sweet waffle in sight.

With that we went exploring again. Down through Madison Avenue, Park Avenue, 7th Avenue. Then the line up for the David Letterman show. We had to be there at 2.00 – ID check, Ra Ra! Training. How loud can they yell at you and how loud can you roar back! I was beginning to think this was so not me!! Never having seen the show I was a bit nervous. They gave us tickets and then told us to be back in an hour and a half ready for the show. An Irish pub was the decision, where amazingly everyone around us was from Ireland visiting New York! Go figure as they say here.

A Guinness for Roger and a wine for me and we were back in line ----next to the Yellow band, in seat order. We waited and waited and then show ID again and answer security question, ticked off the list and we were packed into the theatre foyer – in line, side by side without an inch between us! AND it was HOT!!! As it was absolutely freezing outside all of us had hats, scarves, gloves and boots. Thought I was going to pass out. More training, what do you do if David tells a lame joke …laugh and woop it up. I was regretting this decision more an more by the minute. Outside and in the theatre we could hear the group before us and after us demonstrating what a great audience they were by shouting, screaming with laughter and clapping on cue. MMmmm not sure this was my thing.

Finally, finally into the theatre – we had been queuing for nearly 2 hours now. Into another glorious old theatre with a great set (– model bridges in front of a backdrop of New York - ok I don't watch TV and so I had never seen it before. Band playing and immediately we were urged to clap - for about 20 minutes just to hype the audience up some more. It was SO loud. Pretty lame comedian and then David Letterman arrived and told a couple of lame jokes . Asked if anyone in the audience had any questions…..one woman from Detroit asked for money to help out as times were tough and the comedian gave her $100 and then off went Dave to start the show.

It was all a bit ordinary, band sang old numbers off key - the segments were really short and not particularly amusing. Aussie duo 'Anhorse' really buzzy and really the only thing I enjoyed. Back on subway to a great Thai restaurant Thai Sala and exhausted to bed.

Next day we decided to explore Brooklyn , got the subway local train, very interesting – even had a trio walking through train singing in harmony. Out of the subway and straight onto the bridge. Superb buildings everywhere. Finally the sun was out and so we saw the strands of the bridge silhouetted against the blue, blue sky. Crowds of people walking. As soon as you moved into the wind, it was freezing. We walked down to the front in search of the River café. Finally found it and walked in. Asked if we could just get a coffee. Sure. Let me take your coats and bags. The entrance hall was really impressive, Fresh flowers, orchids, daffodils, cyclamens everywhere. The perfume was overwhelming. Into the main restaurant which was an old boat sitting on the water with views of the Statue of Liberty. White coated waiters showed us to the bar and atmosphere was of quiet, rich money. The bartender slammed a water down in front of us and gave us a menu We just want a coffee I said. Is that ok? Sure he said and then walked away. 10 minutes later he hadn’t return ned so we just drank our water and left. Took the opportunity to visit the opulent loos and set off back to the subway as we had decided to visit Harlem.

Crossing the road, we got honked as we were focussed on our map. The driver wound down the window and immediately gave us great instructions as to how to get to the subway! Typical of our experience here - everyone is JUST SO HELPful. Once in the subway the ticket collector gave us a rue smile and told us he had been born in Harlem and to remember him to everyone there. Syliva’s is the place to eat he said.

Harlem, is really going through a gentrification process but still has a long way to go. Apparantely Clinton has his office there. Chris and Sue had bought me a great hat – looks like I have bright, bright red hair sticking out of a ski band. It just about brought Harlem to a stand still – can’t believe how many people came up to check out that hat and have a chat. One character came up went "Wow what a hat!" then brought his friends and then told me next time in the “hood” I should come look him up. He then invited me in to one of the dodgiest thrift stores I have ever seen. I sadly declined and we headed back. Aamazing that we had been at the glitzy end of all of these streets, Madison, 7th Ave etc not knowing that they ended up here in dog eared Harlem! I worked out that we walked from 125th to 87th …………38 blocks – how crazy was that……lots to see though amazing line at 106 street between the haves and have nots.

Poured ourself back into hotel before searching for non existent Indian Restaurant so settled for a huge meal at another Irish pub! Last night - sad to end the trip but looking forward to Gunni

The joys of travel.

I visited a class yesterday morning at SUNY, talked with faculty and then headed off for my Amtrak trip to new York.

So excited. 2 hours later I was still in the waiting room with some pretty weird people!! No passenger announcement...........no one had any idea what was happening. Students who were going home for the weekend and had skipped class were moaning about lost credit points and how did they get their money back.

Eventually the train came ............and what a journey!!! We travelled right down the coast past frozen lake waters and canals with spectacular scenery. The train conductors were just fab! yep they really do say "All aboad" and come and check that you are comfortable and know where you are going and where to get out. Great stuff.

The trains are clean with plenty of sitting room and pull down tables. You can recharge your laptops by plugging in next to your seat. Unfortunately because we set off so late it was dark a couple of hours after we left - still it was great to see all the lights of New York looming ahead.

Pennsylvania (Penn) station was mad....heaps of people.......on to the subway to queens = met some great people on subway all telling me what I should visit in New York and then out onto the street...............mmmm thousands of cars, people, not sure where to go...........decide maybe this is the time to get a cab. Its now 11.30pm and dad's plane is due in.

Trying to work out if the cars next to me are really cabs, when dad calls.............his plane broke down and he is in Denver..............that's United for you. His phone cuts off and I leap in what I think is a cab and head off for the hotel. Now la Guardia airport hotel shouldn't be too hard to find .........but it is.....we circle around looking for it in the intense ny traffic. Guy is from India, we swop stories about Jaipur and then find the hotel. He knocks $5 off the original price and I am in the hotel, tired, hungry but here and ready for whatever New York turns up tomorrow.

Denver, Boston, Salem, Plattsburgh, New York

Hi everyone Have been my usual slack self in keeping in touch..........sorry! I know I always say this but life has been really busy. No sooner had our feet touched the ground in Gunnison when we were whisked off to meet everyone and had social outings galore. Gunnison is such a beautiful, friendly place. Our house is just gorgeous, with mountain, farm, stream views from every window. Arrived to -25 plus heaps of snow, but it has warmed up since and we have had a huge snow melt - very unusual for this time of year. Even wearing long sleeve cotton tops!


We have had lots of visitors already - Caleb and his girlfriend Claire came for a week and then headed off to see more of USA before Claire headed back to Oz. Caleb, Chris, Sue and Katie came back for about 10 days so our days were filled with skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, restaurants and much hilarity! Traditionally Doug holds a party for all of his staff and so we had a soup and sangers night for about 45 people - great night complete with trivia, kookaburra imitations and a few spicks and specks games . We ended up sitting around and chatting till about 3.00 am - great stuff.


We all got into this came called Sequence and Caleb made a huge board so that we could all play and of course everyone got into skiing, snow shoeing and snowboarding! We met up with the guys from the Western State basketball team - 3 were Aussies who we had met when we went for dinner at our neighbours house

We have had lots of visitors already - Caleb and his girlfriend Claire came for a week and then headed off to see more of USA before Claire headed back to Oz. Caleb, Chris, Sue and Katie came back for about 10 days so our days were filled with skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, restaurants and much hilarity! Traditionally Doug holds a party for all of his staff and so we had a soup and sangers night for about 45 people - great night complete with trivia, kookaburra imitations and a few spicks and specks games . We ended up sitting around and chatting till about 3.00 am - great stuff.

As soon as Chris and Sue left I drove Caleb over to Denver to catch his plane to oz and I was off travelling through Colorado visiting universities and talking about ICMS - good fun but tiring especially as on the homeward drive I hit a whiteout...........white road (no snow plough through) white mountain and a wall of white blowing snow.......lovely! Glad to be home that night!

A few days home and then off to Denver, Boston, Salem, New York state again talking to Faculty groups, taking " classes" and running information meetings. Boston was freezing......a huge dump of snow and it was back to 2 pairs of thermals etc and still cold! we were lucky as ours was one of the last planes in...............not so lucky with no buses and taxis refusing to go out of city limits as they were worried they would get stuck.

Stayed in Salem "Witch city" which in the rare times I was not teaching I rushed around trying to see as much as I could. About ten minutes out in the freezing cold was enough I have to say!

Lovely working with students again. Endicott is a rich private college with gorgeous old buildings and fantastic modern accommodation for students, huge drama, visual arts theatre wow! The restaurant overlooks the ocean with stunning views. Would be great to visit this area again.

The flight from Boston to Plattsburgh was a bit of a shock - a small 8 seater plane - 3 passengers - fantastic - amazing view over the ice flows. I must admit I had been so focussed on my schedule and had not thought about the trip there.

Full schedule in Plattsburgh and so only had time for a short walk on the first evening ----------discovered frozen wind. Not snow just the moisture in the wind frozen and blowing. It sticks to the cars (and any exposed area of the skin!) I have one more class at Plattsburgh this morning and then I catch the Amtrak train down to New York to meet Roger. 8 hrs - supposed to be spectacular views. We have a week there and then back to Gunnison where we get ready for our next flow of visitors. Really looking forward to theatre, dance, music and trying out new restaurants - no wonder we are poor!!!!

Caleb is back in Oz, he is staying in the B & B until the 16th. The tenant in our unit has just given notice (what timing) and as it needs a really good paint and a few jobs doing on it he will probably move in and do that.........will need to get a flatmate though to help pay the rent. His boss has offered him his job back but he is ready to move on and so is just working on a casual basis while he puts in his cv's. Think it will take him a while to readjust to being in one place after all his travels. He packed it all in visiting, Japan, Holland, England, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, France and of course USA - New York, GUNNISON, San fran, San Diego, LAs Vega ...and much more.

Roger is still loving his job, but REALLY ready for a break. It has been full on for him too especially as he went straight into work when he arrived.

Doug and Kaylonn seem to be happy in Manly and adjusting to morning swims, walks on the beach and bushwalking rather than ice climbing, mountain bike riding and cross country skiing.

SO we are all fit, well and enjoying life.........hope you all are too. Love hearing from from you all - sorry I am so slow in responding...........hope this brings you up to date and will be in touch in a couple of weeks when I get back to Gunnison

Cheers Julie

Hi everyone

Have been my usual slack self in keeping in touch..........sorry! I know I always say this but life has been really busy. No sooner had our feet touched the ground in Gunnison when we were whisked off to meet everyone and had social outings galore.

Gunnison is such a beautiful, friendly place. Our house is just gorgeous, with mountain, farm, stream views from every window. Arrived to -25 plus heaps of snow, but it has warmed up since and we have had a huge snow melt - very unusual for this time of year. Even wearing long sleeve cotton tops!
Hi everyone Have been my usual slack self in keeping in touch..........sorry! I know I always say this but life has been really busy. No sooner had our feet touched the ground in Gunnison when we were whisked off to meet everyone and had social outings galore. Gunnison is such a beautiful, friendly place. Our house is just gorgeous, with mountain, farm, stream views from every window. Arrived to -25 plus heaps of snow, but it has warmed up since and we have had a huge snow melt - very unusual for this time of year. Even wearing long sleeve cotton tops! We have had lots of visitors already - Caleb and his girlfriend Claire came for a week and then headed off to see more of USA before Claire headed back to Oz. Caleb, Chris, Sue and Katie came back for about 10 days so our days were filled with skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, restaurants and much hilarity! Traditionally Doug holds a party for all of his staff and so we had a soup and sangers night for about 45 people - great night complete with trivia, kookaburra imitations and a few spicks and specks games . We ended up sitting around and chatting till about 3.00 am - great stuff. As soon as Chris and Sue left I drove Caleb over to Denver to catch his plane to oz and I was off travelling through Colorado visiting universities and talking about ICMS - good fun but tiring especially as on the homeward drive I hit a whiteout...........white road (no snow plough through) white mountain and a wall of white blowing snow.......lovely! Glad to be home that night! A few days home and then off to Denver, Boston, Salem, New York state again talking to Faculty groups, t "classaking classes" and running information meetings. Boston was freezing......a huge dump of snow and it was back to 2 pairs of thermals etc and still cold! we were lucky as ours was one of the last planes in...............not so lucky with no buses and taxis refusing to go out of city limits as they were worried they would get stuck. Stayed in Salem "Witch city" which in the rare times I was not teaching I rushed around trying to see as much as I could. About ten minutes out in the freezing cold was enough I have to say! Lovely working with students again. Endicott is a rich private college with gorgeous old buildings and fantastic modern accommodation for students, huge drama, visual arts theatre wow! The restaurant overlooks the ocean with stunning views. Would be great to visit this area again. The flight from Boston to Plattsburgh was a bit of a shock - a small 8 seater plane - 3 passengers - fantastic - amazing view over the ice flows. I must admit I had been so focussed on my schedule and had not thought about the trip there. Full schedule in Plattsburgh and so only had time for a short walk on the first evening ----------discovered frozen wind. Not snow just the moisture in the wind frozen and blowing. It sticks to the cars (and any exposed area of the skin!) I have one more class at Plattsburgh this morning and then I catch the Amtrak train down to New York to meet Roger. 8 hrs - supposed to be spectacular views. We have a week there and then back to Gunnison where we get ready for our next flow of visitors. Really looking forward to theatre, dance, music and trying out new restaurants - no wonder we are poor!!!! Caleb is back in Oz, he is staying in the B & B until the 16th. The tenant in our unit has just given notice (what timing) and as it needs a really good paint and a few jobs doing on it he will probably move in and do that.........will need to get a flatmate though to help pay the rent. His boss has offered him his job back but he is ready to move on and so is just working on a casual basis while he puts in his cv's. Think it will take him a while to readjust to being in one place after all his travels. He packed it all in visiting, Japan, Holland, England, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, France and of course USA - New York, GUNNISON, San fran, San Diego, LAs Vega ...and much more. Roger is still loving his job, but REALLY ready for a break. It has been full on for him too especially as he went straight into work when he arrived. Doug and Kaylonn seem to be happy in Manly and adjusting to morning swims, walks on the beach and bushwalking rather than ice climbing, mountain bike riding and cross country skiing. SO we are all fit, well and enjoying life.........hope you are too. Love to hear from you Cheers Julie