Saturday, April 18, 2009

USA vist

I had a great trip to USA recently

Some of my impressions recorded on a daily basis, copied from my Facebook page, because I am lazy to re-write.
However I might add more.

Off to US tomorrow to boost US economy by spending time and money there, hope Obama gives me some of those bailout $$, even 50% would do

I am here in Washington DC, having a good time, weather co-operating well, saw the Georgetown Yuppies yesterday, they are still at their mocha, so life is good

Kumar's Lexus Hybrid is great, the navigator lady got wild when he would not take the turns she suggested, so she shut herself off, how about wives do the same

Got on the famous Washington beltway and off, how about they put a conveyor belt underneath, so cars can save on petrol, (this is called Kadi Joke in Tamil)

Update on Kumar's navigator. We are talking to the company to change her to a HE, because I thought it was sexist of the company to have the default a female

In the Big Apple now, met with Lady Liberty, Saw One Fifth Ave, wondering where the rest 4 fifth has gone, Empire State Bldg view from top was great minus Kong

Started at Ground Zero yesterday and stayed on the ground for the whole day, walking nearly 100 blocks from UN Plaza to Central Park and back to 3rd street. Tried to revive the Bull of Wall St, but it had gone to deep sleep, no luck there. Waldorf Astoria needs a coat of paint. De Beers and Van Cleef have some fantastic diamond necklaces on display. Unfortunately Liz Taylor was not with me to buy me some diamonds.

Went to Philadelphia and trod on Ground Holy there, Liberty Bell on the ground was not so awe-inspiring, but the Independence Hall and the Park Rangers' comentaries were really great.Learnt that New York was the capital for just a few days before Philly took that over for a few months before Washington DC was purpose-built as the Capital. Had my first American cup cake, but found it very treackly and sticky.

Yesterday I developed a new cocktail and am dedicating to Americans. It is called 'Peace of Mind' (can also be called Vodka and Blackberry) and goes like this. Fill a tall glass of Vodka and put the Blackberry in it and go to sleep. Guaranteed to give you good night sleep and peace of mind. Americans need it. Visited Princeton Uni yesterday, great architecture and nice grounds with squirrels and rabbits running. I am sure they get their own degrees. There are a few nice sculptures on the ground, whoever figures out what they mean will get a PhD from Mohan University. I am in Providence now, catching up with the in-laws, so it is all legal for 2 days.

Went to Boston today, visited Harvard campus, this trip is turning into a Uni trip. I am hoping something will rub off on me from those brainy youngsters floating around these great learning institutions. Harvard is all Red whereas Princeton is all greay and black ( I mean the architecture). Wish I can go to Yale too, not going to happen, May be I will go to Uni of Chicago.

What if Osama Bin Laden declares Peace on America ? I am just wondering what if Osama Bin Laden declares- My dream has come true, America is down and has come to a standstil, what I attempted to do when I sent in those planes to hit the Twin Towers, thanks to the Wall Street Wizards. I am now declaring my Mission Accomplished and am putting an end to the Jihad. All my followers, please note, the Jihad is over, go and love the Americans. Will Obama still pursue Osama ?

Yesterday was the visit to Newport where we checked out the mansions of super-rich, like the railroad baron on early 20th century, the Van Der Bilts. Great stuff, marbles, paintings, artifacts, gold and silver, etc. Came back and bought a Powerball ticket. Had to see Brown Uni at night, so could not be sure it is really Brown. The cliff walk on Newport during the typical New England mini-stormy weather was surreal.

Spent the day in the Windy City (Chicago) which also turned out to be the wet city today. Dug into a sumptuous deep stuffed pizza, the specialty of Chicago. Really unique. The shore drive on Lake Michigan was very nice. They have very impressive tall, double decker trains here, very sleep with steel cladding, etc. Heard Obama has started a car mechanical and servicing company to service all cars sold previously by GM and Ford. Hope they do something like that in NZ too. But if it means we have to go into a deep recession, then no thanks. Saw a Bank in Chicago called Fifth Third Bank. Trying to work out what it means.

I heard there was a BankOne, and then the other Banks started calling themselves Bank Half, Bank One third etc. But Bank Fifth Third still beats me. Unless it was because the Bank was started at the intersection of Fifth Ave and Third Street.

Today was Miller Time , no, make it Miller Day. Visited the Miller Brewery at Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2 hrs train ride from Chicago) and went ont he Brewery tour and sampling, all free. Can't go better than that. Weather was good, sunny and blue skies. Reminded me of Auckland in Summer. It is still snowing there in Milwaukee and they are making sculptures out of unmelted snow.

Walked the beautiful city of Chicago today, thier own Central park is called Millennium Park, Anish Kapoor cleverly has put a mirror in the Park, shaped like a doughnut and now everyone is having fun seeing the skyscrapers reflected on it. Tried to take money from ATM, Bank of America had no cash to give, Citi wanted to charge me a fee, but JP Morgan Chase gave the cash quickly with no fuss. No wonder they are no 1 here.

Came back to Washington for a gorgeous steak dinner, ate the juiciest steak at Logan's-thank you Kumar. Yesterday was smack in the middle of Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. Heaps of crowd straining the metro system whihc is not designed to that much crowd. The monuments walk and White House phot-op were fantastic. DC Rocks. Go Obama.

Took a long drive to Raleigh, NC. It became greener as we travelled south from DC, but not as green as NZ, which I would say is unique. Yesterday was at DC, taking in the Capitol and walking the Mall. They have a Chevy Chase Bank here, I am looking for the George Cloony Bank. Had a fabulous Japanese Food. So all going well and on track.

Saw a few Smithsonian museums today, need another week to see them all, but unfortunately no time for that. It was cold and windy, equalling Chicago. Windy Washington may be wants me to get out. Had a good pasta meal, freshly prepared at a quaint little place. Good value for money. I wonder why Smithsonian does not have a section for Asia in its Mammals display.

Now that Illinois has given two Presidents to USA, why don't they call themselves the "The Presidential State'

Last day in Washington DC. Went to Hooters for lunch, the lovely girl asked to see my ID before serving me a beer. I felt very flattered. Went to Teddy Roosevelt's memorial. It is hidden and forgotten by DC. Even FDR's memorial needs cleaning up. Why have the Roosevelts falln from grace ? The Iwo Jima memorial was great. Good bye DC.

Back home after the last leg of 2 days in Vegas, which is a magic fantasy land, glowing more after sunset. Liked the NY, NY themed hotel the best, with a roller coaster ride and duplicate Liberty statue. Vegas at dusk is at its best. Caught a show 'Crazy Girls' at Riviera. Do you know these girls have their own statues (of their backside only) at the entrance of the Hotel and punters rub their bottoms for luck before going to play in the Casino. Just like hte Bronze Bull on Wall Street in NY. But the luck is very elusive and not long-lasting as recent events have proved.

Here is the link to some of the photos of the trip. Enjoy. Thanks


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