US/Canada July - September 2015

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 21(cont)

Walked across the city to the East Village, over to Vaneiros, hoping it would be open. Was in luck.



Grabbed myself a Strawberry Cream pastry and hoed into it as I headed towards Union Square. Copped some banter from a bloke about stuffing my face with a pastry early on a Sunday, but was all fun and in good humour.



At Union Square had a wander, got asked if I wanted to hold a balloon and let it go for some TV show - gave that one a miss. Felt guilty about the pastry, so headed over to the Whole Food Supermarket and grabbed a banana and apple, I'm sure that balanced out the rubbish I just ate.

A couple of cops were in the park having a conversation with a not so all together fella in a wheelchair, he was blaming these 2 individuals for all the ills of the world, and his hard luck. Then another bloke got in on the act, telling them how they should be able to disarm him if he came at them with a gun at close range. A woman then decided to have a crack at them about god knows what, and when they told here they would give her a number she could ring to complain about the issue, off she went telling everyone how New York's finest were too rude to hear her out. And through all this, the 2 cops were as calm as could be, really felt for them, couple of people just doing there job, copping abuse left right and centre for no good reason. They had a right to be on edge as well, re race incidents in the states involving the police, and a couple of New York cops had been murdered a couple of days previously. Top it off, the drug affected bums from the day before wandered through, one of the cops addressed them by name, and asked if they had water for the dog as it was going to be a hot day. They got a disinterested grunt in reply.



My main activity for the day was a Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour, a family run business, and something I couldn't recommend highly enough. I was picked up near Union Square, and before long crossed the Manhatten Bridge, and was on the recreation park under the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 21 (cont)

Took some photos across the East River, the icons are mesmerizing once you get to see them with your own eyes, and one of what may have been a body in between the cop cars.







Off to the first pizza stop - Grimaldis. Fantastic pizza, and an even better background story of intrigue, back stabbing, corruption and maybe a hint of arson. I'm fascinated by this kind of thing, and even more so thinking that there are these whole dramas playing out on the other side of the world that you have no idea about. A basic background, Grimaldis was a family business for years and years until old man Grimaldi retired and sold up. Fast forward a few years, the old boys is bored, wants to get back in the pizza game, and low and behold suddenly the premises next to the original Grimaldis has been sold to him. New York law says you can't have open flame ovens, unless they have been there before a certain time, and all of a sudden the original Grimaldis has a break in and a fire. The story continues, I've forgot things, and probably mixed up information, but do some research, it is a fantastic story.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 21 (cont)

Back on the bus after Grimaldis, and narration from the enthusiastic guide, can't remember her name, a bubbly Jewish/Italian Brooklyn girl, daughter of the founder of the company, and views of local neighbourhood landmarks, such as the Gingerbread House.



Stories would come from our guide about growing up and life in Brooklyn, how the old members of the family still get heated about losing the Dodgers, how so many homes were flattened and people turfed out for room to build the Verrazzano Bridge, and also parts were scritped and well planned - such as a clip would be shown from Goodfellas, where Joe Pesci is about to get whacked, and voila, the bus has pulled up outside the house where the outside scene was shot. Happened with a few more movies and TV shows, really well done.

Next stop was L&B Spumoni Gardens, where we had Sicilian style pizza, and I was able to talk some footy with a Tasmanian couple doing the tour.



After Spumoni Gardens, more touring the neighbourhoods, heading off to Coney Island, somewhere I had always wanted to visit since watching The Warriors many years ago. We only had half an hour off the bus at Coney Island, and with hindsight I should have stayed and explored longer and jumped on the subway back to Manhatten, Guess it gives me another reason to return to New York in the future.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 21 (cont)





Bus headed through Brighton, another area I would like to explore more, before heading back to Manhatten.



Spent my last afternoon/evening in New York walking in Central Park. Would have spent a good 4 or 5 hours strolling around, before calling it quits.



Headed back to the hotel, bonus they had a pizza and karaoke night going on, so grabbed a couple of slices and headed to my room. I love New York, and 5 days wasn't enough, however 5 days was enough and I was looking forward to heading off to my next destination the next morning,

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 22 - Washington DC

Grabbed a couple of donuts as I went out the door, walked through Korea Town as I headed to Penn Station. Amtrak to DC, 4 or so hours and I was in a cab on the way to the hotel.




Soviet looking building in a new up and coming area near Nationals Park. A bot of a dodgy feeling around the area, new developments interspersed with the old relics. 5 years or so, will be over priced like most other DC areas.



Headed to the subway, and into the central DC area and the National Museum of Crime and Punishment.



Serial Killer royalty, Ted Bundy's volkswagon.

 

[kermatu]

Looks like you had great weather for the whole trip.

I kind of agree 5 days in NYC is and isn't enough. So I've been back twice get the balance right!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 22 (cont)

Look in to my eyes!





Intriguing story of DB Cooper

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 22 - (cont.)

Having a strong interest in crime, and having read countless books, watched countless documentaries about serial killers and crime in general, I was loving seeing some personal artifacts of these guys.







A blast from the past




Strolled down to the mall, disappointed to see that it was mostly dug up, as well as the Capitol Building Dome being covered by scaffolding. Back to the hotel, did some washing, had a swim, didn't feel like going out after dark in the dodgy atmosphere, so settled for an ordinary steak in the hotel restaurant.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 - Washington DC

Up early and planned to visit some of the Smithsonians. Capital Building was in view, so decided to walk to the Mall form the hotel. First I had to negotiate a freeway underpass and the associated soles that are attached to them. With some trepidation, I went forward, and was comforted to see another normal bloke around the area. Struck up a conversation, turns out was his first day on the job, employed by the city to formulate some beautification of the area.

Got to The Mall, and was a couple of hours early for the Smithsonians, so a visit to some memorials was in order.



Close up visit to the Washington Monument


Long range view of the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool


WWII Pacific Memorial

 

[24601]

Thanks for the report Noel, a good read. Got me looking forward to my own (albeit much quicker) trip coming up this July. The night time view from Empire State building is spectacular.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 (cont)

They do the memorials very well in the US

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 (cont)

Strolled along the algae covered, offensive smelling Reflecting Pool up to the Lincoln Memorial



Lincoln Memorial was virtually deserted, which suited me fine. My previous visit 15 years ago wasn't a great one, as I had purchased a new camera in New Orleans, which I subsequently discovered had a malfunction with the rewinding of the film. Very inconvenient, as I had to manually rewind the film in as total darkness as I could, I had a dark lined film bag to get film through airport x-rays, however I had to really be conscious of how many and where I was taking photos, as if I got to the end of the roll, that was it until I got an opportunity to change the film at whatever hotel I was staying at that night.

Long story short, I was pissed off during my visit 15 years ago, and didn't really have much of a memory of visiting the Lincoln Memorial. This time I took my time, took in the surrounds, and made sure I took plenty of photos.





Went over to the Vietnam Memorial, strolled along the wall, found this statue much more interesting though.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 (cont)

Probably my favourite memorial in the US, The Korean War Memorial. Was fortunate to visit it at night all those years ago, think it is the best time to view it as it is gives a tense atmosphere and puts you in a frame of mind of being in the field. Morning had to do this time, still enjoyed visiting the memorial immensely, A Korean Veteran was also visiting with I guess what was his family, he was in a wheelchair and he unfurled a banner, which not being able to read Korean, I once again guess was his regiment? battalion? when he was fighting.







Jefferson Memorial from afar.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 (cont)

Got to the Air and Space Museum at opening time, a small line, moved quickly and was inside within 5 minutes. 1st stop - The Spirit of St Louis. Remarkable story how he was able to manage to do the crossing. There are no doubt more comprehensive books, however I love Bill Bryson's 1927 One Summer, gives a great account of how Lindbergh was the most unlikely of people to do what he did.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 (cont)

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 - (cont)

After the Air and Space museum, headed over to the National Museum of American History. Well worth a look, full of interesting bits and pieces, as well as the centre piece of the museum - The Star Spangled Banner - unfortunately no cameras allowed. Bit like the Russians centre piece - Lenin's body, U shaped walkway, look only, although the American's let you stop and look for a while.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 23 (cont)
Over to the Museum of Natural History, but by this time I was museumed out. Took a quick look at the Australian section, then headed to get something to eat. Found a little Korean place and had some very nice Korean tacos.

Went for a stroll across to The White House, then found a department store to buy another suitcase. Was traveling on South West or Qantas code share for the rest of my trip, so 2 bags it was.




Called it quits mid afternoon and headed back to the hotel. Dropped my bag off, then went to have a snoop around the Nationals Stadium, and grab some bits and pieces form a CVS. Crossing the road, a bloke rattled a cup in front of me and asked for some change. I had given anything to panhandlers all trip, but for some reason this bloke I did. Had a couple of dollars loose in my pocket and put it in his cup as I we passed each other. Crossed the road, and he yelled out to me 'Thanks Brother'. Made me feel good about myself.



Grabbed a sandwich and some Cheetos from the CVS as I was going to stay in for dinner, am quite the gourmet at times. Out of the CVS, another fellow asked me for change, and still on a high from my earlier encounter , attempted to give this one the change I had in my pocket. Turned out it was about 12 cents, the bloke wasn't too impressed and told me I was insulting him, told him 'mate, you asked for my change, that's my change'. High tailed it out of there, back to the hotel where I lounged around the hotel pool for a while, then headed to my room for some TV and cough convenience store food

 

[Major]

You have hit on some really interesting places that I wouldn't have thought about.

Great stuff

 

[kermatu]

While you were museumed out, did you get to Air and Space museum warehouse / additional facility? Quite a hike but well worth it.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

While you were museumed out, did you get to Air and Space museum warehouse / additional facility? Quite a hike but well worth it.

Unfortunately not