This trip began on March 7th, 2012 and ended on March 10th, 2012; set for the “Big Apple” aka New York City, with nine women, including myself. Yes, nine estrogen-filled women. It sounded like a nightmare before it took place, but with assumptions set aside, it would be unforgettable because we are a family; not a family related through blood, but through clay. I went to New York with my International Barracularate Ceramics class for Spring Break.
I was excited. It would be my first plane ride, and it would be with one of my good friends, Kanjana. I spent the night at her house and left for the Chicago O’Hare airport at 4 am (WOAH). We landed in New York at the LaGuardia Airport and was immediately hassled by the hustling, shameless, auction-sounding cab drivers wanting cab fare (I honestly believe they take the long way to your destination to gain a greater fare); that is the main mentality of New York City as we found out on our first outing into Chinatown, where we stayed at the Best Western Hotel. We ventured into Little Italy, where we had our first meal. They were standing outside their doors offering meal sales for business.
I finally understood why they called this place, “The city that never sleeps,” walking to our next planned site, a comedy club (that charged 5 dollars for bottled water and flat ginger ale) the “Nine Different Planets,” views came out. Most of the girls wanted to eat, but where?! They went down the bustling streets with drifting aromas of Thai food, which my friend, Kanjana, a native Thai wanted to eat, but my teacher’s friend, Kate, refused to dine there. This exhausting battle went on for forty minutes until finally they came to a corner store, yes, and a corner store, to pick up snacks.
My favorite restaurant we had the pleasure of eating at was, Serendipity 3. I had researched it, and forced my teacher to make a reservation to go there. I had the Haight-Ashbury sandwich with the famous Frozzzen Hot Chocolate (AMAZING). In the middle of this greatness was simmering animosity because of a terrible schedule planned by a disorganized wanna-be teen ceramics teacher and for her friends that should have stayed at home (Fiona, Kate, and Laura). But as seniors we knew we would not let that ruin our time.
Art being the main source that links us together, we got to go to the Metropolitan Museum. It is a beautiful vein that pumps history, excellence, and the beauty of art. Another place that has to be visited when visiting New York is, Central Park; a place that has it all and is a great place to unwind. But the coolest most eccentric place has to be by far the subways. The smell of urine, the sight of rats, and homeless people enlightens you, and let us know we were far from Racine, Wisconsin.
I gained a new friend, Ava and visited a place I thought I never would in my entire life. It wasn’t the smoothest ride, but if it was I wouldn’t have any cool stories. First, seeing a Tibetan Protest, to free Tibet from China. Like, Claire and Emily almost getting arrested for not paying going into the subway station (LOL), or causing a riot in the Museum of Modern Art. I loved being in the center of Chinatown, where the view was a women selling fruit right below us at her fruit-stand. I will never forget this trip with my “clay family.”
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One of the most expensive parts of the trip is the accomodations. Our family has a timeshare in Williamsburg and we get discounts on our maintenance for recommending others to stay for 3 nights at one of their 2 bedroom apartment with kitchen & take a 90 minute tour. The accomodations are great & free after you set your watch and listen for 90 minutes. Our link is on craigslist: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/vac/2518503559.html
NOTE: Yo u DON"T have to or want to buy into a timeshare, but if you do, you have 3 days to back out of it with no penalty. If you really are interested in buying, there are many foreclosures online that you can find.
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Bangor Maine 1 week road trip any suggestions on where to go from there. Some hiking some leisure and to the coast
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What should the letter of consent say if I, a single parent, am taking my daughter to Germany, but then crossing other borders into bordering countries on our vacation? I may not know specifically what other countries we will be visiting until we get into Europe (we are staying with friends in Germany and they will be taking us around Europe for a bit).
It's best to be as specific as possible, because these letters include the dates and destinations for your trip. We would suggest that you note the full date range (from… to ….. and make it a bit longer just in case), then you put down as many countries as you think are possible. List Germany and all the contiguous countries and add a few more, better more than not mentioning one you will visit.
Also, you should carry 2 notarized copies of the Permission to Travel Letter (put one with your passport to show at Immigration and flight check-in; keep the 2nd one in the child's luggage in case you lose one or an Immigration official wants to keep it). Enjoy your trip!
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San Miguel de Allende is a truly magnificent location, and is becoming a locale of choice for American and Canadian expats. There is a highly developed infrastructure that supports a very large and sophisticated English speaking community here. Culture abounds, and there is extremely active social calendar. There are easily forty or more art galleries in town. The climate is among the best, with warm, dry temperatures year round. Real estate here is among the most beautiful in the world, and your dollar can buy you so much more house than in North America. I lead exciting home buyer trips to San Miguel. Join me on one of these exciting tours to view and buy real estate in San Miguel.
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I know this is an older post, but I just saw it. My kids are 6, 7 and 15 and old pros at road trips. I LOVE road trips and have been known to take "road trip" vacations in which no video games/dvds/electronics are allowed and we pack the tent (to save money on hotels) and just drive to random spots and camp out along the way. If you pack a cooler it can be an affordable vacation if you only pay for gas, food from the supermarket and a few odds and ends. Historic landmarks, national parks, or places like Washington D.C. are full of fun cheap spots to bring the kids! My kids love this and handle being in a car forever very well, we play games, sing, talk, etc. Plus we aren't afraid to take deters and go see things like the worlds biggest chair! It's a bunch of fun!
Sounds like you know how to have fun, and like your kids really get along well. that's the biggest challenge we find in a long trip with a crowded backseat. When everyone starts to 'express' themselves it can get hairy!I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
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The town of Pigeon Forge is great for evening entertainment as it boasts comedy, music, and magic shows, as well as shops and restaurants.
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My childrens mother gave my 8 and 9 year old daughters to me to raise 2 years ago. She hasn't seen them in 2 years. She wants a 2 week visit with them in another state. I need a form to have her sign to make sure she returns the children to me by a certain date.
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Always bring a small container of new little toys and a little treat for each child to have in the car or on the plane.
We do this with our sons…we purposely get some new toys and treats that fit into a small container so it is easy for them to carry it on their own. The novelty of new little things keeps it fab fresh and fun for them, which keeps it peaceful and happy for my hubby and me. A little bag of crackers or cookies, a small bottle of water, and a few little toys to play with keeps them happy. If we fly, we even try to find some gum that they may not have had before, as it keeps it interesting for them to try something new.
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We shall be judged more by what we do at home than what we preach abroad. What made you want to look up abroad?
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