A fond farewell to the Americas

The change of seasons is dramatic in North America. Spring is upon us and there is now a tangible bounce in the step of the locals who must feel like bears emerging from hibernation in spite of the substantial snow covering still on the ground. Just for you dear reader, the travel journal continues from Quebec City with the weather warming up for my lover and I as we enjoyed a weekend going out and meeting her friends. The restaurant food was superb, the city was a picture and the Quebecers I met were generous and friendly. However it was soon time to move on and south is the new plan. I had a great time and wish to extend many thanks to my special friend for her hospitality. Quebec is a beautiful city, and as my host you definately qualify as a quadruple D -- Dinner, Dancing, Drinks, Delightful ... though that doesn´t start until after the dinner, dancing and drinks of course! It's been a wonderful experience sharing with you again.

I took the greyhound south across the border back to the United States and on to New York City, which is the most famous and possibly the greatest city in the world. I love New York and spent two action packed days cramming in the sights of this magnificent city. You could spend a lifetime in New York as there is so much to see and do here. I checked into a quality Manhatten hostel on my first night, chatted to my new roomates and then popped my head out the window to say 'Regards'. Oh yes dear reader, I was staying on Broadway on the Upper West Side mere blocks from the Theatre District, Times Square and Central Park. I strolled the Museum Mile on 5th Avenue then cruised down Madison Avenue ogling the exclusive stores lining the avenue. Then I pushed on to 57th Street past Carnegie Hall and several more designer label boutique stores where the staff are ominously dressed in black and ooze an aura that screams *Give me your money*. Those super posh stores could do some serious damage to the bank balance so I legged it back to Broadway!

There followed the dazzling lights of Times Square, the Broadway theatres and then back on the subway to Lower Manhatten where I visited Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and on to the World Trade Centre site to pay my respects. Following an earlier tip from a New Yorker I also visited the very fancy Apple Store in Soho and gave their new computers an extensive test run by using the internet for free! I´m sure the staff know we all do it but they probably figure that any exposure is good exposure. I noted during my brief stay that New Yorkers were generally friendly and helpful to me. I didn´t witness people charging around like blank faced robots (not even on Wall Street) and I got some smiles and a good morning while strolling around. But don´t be concerned dear reader, I didn´t try to say g'day to every person I crossed paths with like Crocodile Dundee did in the groundbreaking Australian movie. I love the scene when he arrived in the big apple from the Australian scrub, ¨G'day¨ he says to the bemused New Yorkers as he passes by ¨Mick Dundee from Australia¨. Onya mate! I asked one gent on my first night if I was on the right line to 103rd street, he said yes and then proceeded to reel off the street numbers of the stations before my stop including a conversation with his son as to whether a certain street number should be included. That man made me feel like a character in a Woody Allen movie. Manhatten Island is the most famous of the five buroughs that comprise New York and is brilliantly planned on a grid with an extensive subway and bus network that allows you to see the many world famous sights with a minimum of fuss. It's definately my kind of city...

I then caught a plane from JFK to Mexico City via Dallas-Fort Worth. Mexico City is a megalopolis with over 22 million inhabitants and seems to go on forever when you fly in. I checked into another quality hostel in the heart of the historical centre and it felt strange to be in the middle of such a massive city yet surrounded by beautiful old buildings and cobblestone streets. I had two days to explore Zocalo in the heart of this great city and enjoyed my stay. The historical area provided plenty of photo opportunities and the traffic was not congested in this district. Mexico City also has a first rate metro system and it is very easy to get around although catching the metro during peak period is as bad as Tokyo. Basically you just barge or get barged in to a carriage as part of the general scrum.

This selection of journal entries from the Americas concludes where it began with an overnight flight to Santiago Chile, and a day in transit to stroll around while happily ensconced again in latino culture. I wish to pay tribute to everyone I met during my travels, as you have all contributed to making the last six months a consistently stimulating and memorable experience. Although it's not possible to bring it in for the real thing, I extend a virtual hug or handshake to all of you with my warmest regards. The most appropriate way to summarise the many wonderful adventures while travelling in the Americas,............... basically all of you should be here now!

"The heart has it's reasons, of which reason knows nothing." Blaise Pascal

Top 3 Hotels/Restaurants
Chez Temporel Restaurant - Quebec City, Canada
Malibu Hotel - New York City, United States
Hostel Catedral - Mexico City, Mexico

Top 3 Sights/Activities
Dining out with friends - Quebec City, Canada
Sightseeing - New York City, United States
Historical Centre - Mexico City, Mexico

Until next time, it's signing off for now.

Tom

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