A day in New York

Staying a Metro North train ride away from Grand Central, you would think venturing into the city would be a regular occurrence. If you don't know anyone in the city to stay over with, or you want to do more than club the night away, day trips require planning and organising. On this note, having been here 5 months, and not having done much in NYC in terms of tourist attractions, it was time to tick off some classics from my book. Taking the 7:30 train, arriving in NY at 8:30, Starbucks and a bagel we were ready for anything. Our plan was to take the subway to Battery park and enquire about the ferry to Liberty Island, estimated time and duration and then plan around it. Hoping off the subway at Wall street, we walked the streets to view the impressive size and stature of the New York Stock Exchange, The Trump Building and the famous Bronze Bull.  Fighting with the Chinese for photographs was an entertaining experience, not only were there lines, but approximately three cameras per person, in which a shot from each was imperative!

We arrived in time for a $12 round trip to Liberty Island and an on off stop at Ellis Island, waited all but 10 minutes and were on board " Miss New York " to anxiously close the gap between us and Lady Liberty one Upper Bay wave at a time. The ferry was efficient and spacious and we we were on Liberty Island in no time at all. Admiring the great landmark, absorbing some interesting facts, we looked through the rather disappointing gift store, snapped a couple pics and jumped back on to jump off again at Ellis Island, where the great migration took place. A very interesting museum that really works your thoughts at the calibre of history and the texture of the ambiance as you make your way through the same steps millions of immigrants did when they pursued the " American Dream "!

Having pre-booked a spot for the National September 11 Memorial, we had a time clause, so we made our way to the site, stopping for a $10 beer and burger at TGIF on route. Security is strong and the importance of the site were well recognised at the 9/11! A wave of empathy poured over me the second I acknowledged the very place I was standing, and the impact this tragic event had on the lives of New Yorkers, and the country. I was imagining witnessing this malicious magnitude of destruction and it sent shivers down my spine. The symbolism of the flowing water representing the lives of those lost, was an overwhelming sensation, having no ties to the people or the place, I was moved by the dedication and the patriotism of the country and the abundance of respect and appreciation.

Having only a day to try and squeeze as much as we could into one day, we headed to the Rockefeller plaza for a Starbucks refill and a blueberry muffin, walking along the prestigious 5th avenue in the hopes of a celebrity sighting. Being worn out from walking and the early rise, we decided to go to Top of the Rock on a separate occasion. Always exciting in New York, the sounds, the smell, the feeling the size, so much  more still to see..

Lets venture to Vermont...

One of the many growing experiences we learn, and I can guarantee every Au pair can relate, is that making friends is not easy, but if the opportunity presents itself, we dive head first into possibility! There is no time to casually get to know someone, or come out of your shell, there is no shell, its you, 100%, from the start ! Yes, it should always be this way, but its easy to put up guards and fences and constantly say "Next time", but with a time constraint and the fear of loneliness, this angle soon becomes redundant. On this note, when a bunch of South Africans offer you a weekend away, you take it! Knowing Yonela, having met Jacorine once, it was Danielle and Mariska, her cousin Michelle and freedom and fun in Vermont. We met up on Friday in Stamford for half price Sushi at Kano grill, first sushi in 4 months, the withdrawal was torture, but the moment we reunited, it was as if we had never parted.

$20 each for gas, a food budget, and an alcohol budget, the weekend was going to be an affordable adventure. Kindles to kill time on the road, a few personal jokes about checking in and chicken, grilled or fried, a coffee stop and a few loo breaks, 4 hours or so later we arrived at our quaint holiday home destination in Ludlow, Vermont. Getting acquainted, picking our rooms, we take in the crisp fresh air with a dose of a kid free environment and relax. A trip to the store, we stocked up on some food, and most importantly some happy juice. Googling places to eat out, we landed at the Pot Belly, for some delicious Angus beef burgers and a few Vermont made ales, namely the Long Trail, slogan " Take a Hike ". On route back to the cottage we stopped at " The Loft " where a sign stating Home of Warm Beer and Lousy Food, Grumpy Owner, was the marketing ploy that won us over. Explaining a Springbok shooter to the friendly barman, we got a concoction that substituted amarula for baileys, which produced a satisfyingly similar shot.

Back at the cottage, it was a mixture of Bud light limes, wine, Blue Moon, Kings, cards, laughs, photographs, and other drinking games with profanities in the titles. Sunday is funday, and with Butterfield falls in the plans, it was sneakers, snacks and back packs, ready for the hiking expedition. The falls were all but a few feet from the road, so we found a path and headed in our own direction. We walked for ages, before we decided that with an unknown destination, the absence of reward, the risk of the odds deemed void. Thank goodness for Danielle saving our car co - ordinates due to a misread path, we ended up on a different road, and made our way to safety through technology. Feeling healthy and fit we headed back to the cottage to relax and refresh. We hired a DVD for the night, one so ridiculously disturbing the name has escaped me, and all for good reason. All in all, a relaxing, refreshing escape from our lives as au pairs, a chance to make new friends, a weekend wonder. Thanks all....

I'm in Miami B%#ch...

Arriving in Miami, finally, after months, weeks, days of excitement and anticipation. I met up with my friend at the airport, reading 50 shades as I wait. Handed in my little KIA, we hired a Jetta, punched in the hotel address and were on our way. Driving over the bridge that connects the city of Miami to Miami Beach I was mesmerised by the size of the buildings, the massive mansions, some that were clearly set in the early 1900's, the harbour with pedigree yachts and ships tied up to their designated posts. Palm trees, everywhere !

Staying in Collins avenue, one of the better known avenues in Miami, just a hop and a skip away from the famous South Beach. Checking in, then checking out our scenery after a pleasant meal at the hotel Cafe, by taking a walk through the streets, humoured a typical South African reaction being cautious and weary of walking the streets at night, clutching handbags and nervously scoping out our surroundings. It had been a long humid day, turned in for the night to plan the next day. We decided that meal times would take place at venues that were broadcasted on shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri, or Man v. Food, both American food network shows. This provided for fun and entertaining lunches and dinners where narrowing down the decision due to choice made our lives easier. On route to the Keys, we drove off in a let's-see-how-far-we-go attitude, with a stop at " The Conch House", where the finest Conch fritters were served, much to by enlightenment it is pronounced "Konk" not like what the word looks like. Some exotic beers washed down the tasty Konch, Monk in The Trunk and Orange Blossom.

Driving further, I really wanted to dip my toes in some of the Keys famous blue perfect waters before we made the collective decision that Key West was too far, warm and obstacled by rocks and reef, mission accomplished.

On the road back we spotted gold with the the words " Factory Outlet ", enough willingness to administrate a back track once we realised we missed the exit ! My self-control sprung into overdrive, while the others threw a couple $100's at materialism. Always eager to cross off an activity from my USA book, we stopped at the Holocaust Memorial, a very moving, dismal take on the reality of the history and the suffering and humanities of the existence of human nature that took place by the Nazi's. " Six millions men, women and children perished, yet their souls and spirits remain immortal."

A change of clothes, new co-ordinates, dinner time led us to the Burger and Beer joint, famous for its " The Motherburger ", a ginormous beast the size of a manhole cover, resembling a couch cushion, pay $125, finish within 2 hours and its free. Alas, this temptation seemed a bit extravagant for two, Mustang Sally was my choice, and a delicious one at that. Some table art and a few bud lites, the night had escaped us and Club duvet was calling.

Sunday, why did it have to come so soon! Parking is painful in Miami, driving around blocks and avenues back and forth took up wasteful amounts of time. Eventually, parking and walking was the last option. Dash Miami was a definite visit, hoping to purchase a small souvenir, disappointed at the options, the size of the store itself was minuscule, a snap and we moved on. Miami Ink was another pop in, unfortunately non of the main guys were present, then again it was a Sunday. The look and ambiance of the place was sufficient.

Lunch took place at another BBC best, 11th Street Diner, a typical Diner experience, with the look of a an old airstream diner. Walking off our meals, we headed to South Beach to cool off in one of the most well known waters in the world. Packed, on a Sunday in the middle of August, a variety of people, ages, sizes and colours provided for a few giggles and a few cartoon eye popping moments. The water was warm and crystal clear. A drink at Ocean's 10, car watching was prominent with every second being a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mustang, you name it. Apparently if you have money and want to tell people about it, go to South Beach with the top down, and bounce your way down the streets looking like the coolest cat in the box! A best buy stop, a few discounted purchases and the day was over. A cocktail at the Hard Rock Cafe pleasantly supplied me with my third souvenir glass from different locations around the continent. A subway stop and it was goodbye Miami. The weekend went by in a blink of an eye, but the memories will remain a future reminiscence of magical moments.