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Published: January 15th 2009
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I have been working straight for twenty months and I never had a vacation break as long as two weeks. My Mom and My Sis arrived from Manila a few weeks ago. I guess things have fallen into place because this was the best time to take a long break in New York with our relatives!
From Bitter-Cold to Cold
It was -20F when we left Chicago two days ago. We took the CTA from Evanston all the way to the Midway Airport, 2 luggage in tow. We checked in and boarded the plane that would take us to Baltimore. I remember the pilot say, "The temperature at destination is 30 degrees." Alas! Everyone in the place cheered hurray (Including me)!
From Baltimore, we took another plane for Islip in Long Island, New York. Landing on the MacArthur Airport was horrible! The plane kept in shaking for all ten or so minutes that I grabbed my seat, hoping we land safely despite the turbulence.
"C'mon. We're not in Manhattan!"
Yesterday, we went to the mall with my cousins. The mall is called
Roosevelt Field, which they say is the largest mall in
Manhattan Skyline
Across the rocky shores of Liberty Island Long Island. It used to be an airbase and is quite a historically significant place. It is where an Army reserve officer took the world's first solo transatlantic flight non-stop to Paris in 1929, as my cousin and uncle explain. Cool huh!
The mall was crowded, which is not quite what I expected. So when I took the escalator and I noticed a man was standing behind me, I stepped aside to give way. The man chuckles and says, "C'mon. We're not in Manhattan!"
Taking the Subway to Manhattan
We woke up early so we could ride with my aunt who travels to work at Queens. From there, we took the
Jackson Heights/Roosevelt Ave Subway. After 45 minutes, and after 2 transfers, we were at the
South Ferry Station at the southern tip of Manhattan.
I had an idea on how to get to where the ferry docks but I probably still looked like I don't know where to go because a local suggested we go to the exit on our left for the ticketing booth. He said we should walk through the park and see a castle where we could buy our tickets.
Ha! He figured we were tourists and that we're going to see the Statue of Liberty. Maybe he's a mind-reader or, maybe we look like lost tourists.
Going through security... twice!
We bought tickets at $12 each. Afterward, I lead them to where I remember falling in line for security check. It felt like going through airport security all over again! (And we are getting good at it.)
We boarded the ferry and we took the seats on the right side of the vessel so we could get a good view of the Statue of Liberty on the way to the island. In just a few minutes, people were walking out into the open to take pictures of Lady Liberty. We decided to do the same despite the cold wind! I can see that My Mom and My Sis are getting excited!
At the Liberty Island, we strolled around to appreciate the view of the Manhattan skyline. We identified buildings from a guide provided at the park. We stopped by every post that had a short paragraph about the Statue of Liberty.
We decided to enter the museum. Unfortunately, the line was already
A touching letter
written by one of the first immigrants to the US long. One of the staff asked us to fall in line by standing on ice instead of the shoveled pavement. Everyone moved along as instructed. Later on, a woman walks around and asks us to go back and stand on the shoveled pavement. She says, "He's crazy. Don't follow him, why would he want you to stand on ice? He's killing you!" Everyone in line appreciated her concern.
After more than 45 minutes of waiting in line, we finally went through yet another security check. I knew what it would be like but I held back so My Mom and My Sis would enjoy the "adventure". Aside from the usual scanning of bags and jackets, and taking off of shoes, each had to stand under an arch that sprayed air around one's body. My Sis, the curious one, asked our cousins what that was all about. One says it's a way to detect any bodily fumes or suspicious agricultural crops. Okay, I may not fully understand how that works, but whatever keeps Lady Liberty safe, I'm all for it!
153 Steps: To climb or Not to climb
I told them that the first time
At Ellis Island
They're listening to audio records of the first immigrants I went here with Sheila, we climbed up the pedestal which has 153 steps. Within 5 minutes of working our way up the staircase, they gave up and decided to just leave for the next island, the Ellis Island. No problem! It seems very cold up the top anyways.
After a very short ferry ride to the Ellis Island, I looked around for a tour guide who would make sense of the hundred-year-old luggage that welcomed us into the museum. My Mom and My Sis looked tired and sleepy so maybe an expressive and dramatic tour guide could perk them up! Unfortunately, there were no tour guides doing that anymore unlike last year. Fortunately, we found a video presentation explaining everything about the first immigrants in the 1800s.
Back in Long Island
We took the subway again to go back to Queens so we could meet up with our aunt. We were back at Jackson Heights where it felt like being in Escolta or Divisoria in Manila. It felt I have to be more cautious of my surroundings so I clutched my purse tightly. Call me paranoid, but the place just brings in a familiar
uneasy feeling.
We entered a bakery and bought a single angel food cupcake baked into a cone. It was just $1 and it tasted fresh and good! We decided to go inside an Asian grocery across the street where we could wait for my aunt. I walked around the isles and felt like buying all the good stuff like bagoong, dried mushrooms, sardines imported from the Philippines, Thai rice noodles, etc! But I resisted the urge.
I love being in a market!
My aunt finally arrived. We drove to the busy streets into Elmhurst. To my delight, we went inside an Asian market to buy crabs for dinner. I rarely go to markets these days so I soaked in the wonderful feeling of being surrounded by fresh produce, seafood, and meat! We also had siopao or steamed buns filled with bola-bola (a mixture of minced meat, Chinese sausage, eggs, veggies). Ahh! I wish my apartment is just next to a market like this.
My Sis and I giggled as we saw frogs for sale in the market (4.99 a pound). My Mom hates frogs so we showed her that tall container of frogs piled one on top of another. We also saw snakes (or were they eels?) for sale. They were also selling chicken paws in the market. My Sis and I just find it interesting how they call it here. Back home, we simply call them chicken feet. I think paws sounds better... wait no... it sounds more gross. Anyways, I still like eating them no matter what they're called.
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