Niagara Falls, USA

I think this picture looks like a fake, as if I did some funny stuff to it on the computer, but it is just a normal photo.

After a week in New York and New Jersey, Jiri and I drove across the entire state of New York to Niagara Falls. It took a bit longer than we expected, but it was still a pleasant drive. Jiri did all the driving and I got to look around a lot. =) Perfect. We got turned around only twice, and only one of them was my fault (silly me thought to get from Newark to East Newark would mean going...East), so I didn't let him down as the navigator. =)

We stopped along the way and ended up buying tickets for a tour of the falls area--Good call! It really hit all the high points of the things we needed to see there. AND we drove through a MONSTER storm (HEAVY rain, thunder, lightning--the works!), but we were undaunted. Jirka just pushed on like a trooper, and I was busy trying to capture the lightning in a photo. Not easy to do since you can't know where it will be or when. Even when I used the video feature, I got nothing. You will have to take my word for it when I tell you it was spectacular.



AND SO WERE THE FALLS!

American falls


Horseshoe in the mist


American Falls w/elevator


BRAVE OR INSANE...


These pictures are from the Daredevils Museum, where they keep the...let's say "instruments" that people have used to go over the falls. Some survived, some did not. If you look carefully at the photo of the jetski, you can see the last photo taken of the guy who used the jetski to go over the falls--AS he was going over the falls, with the intention of parachuting to the bottom. Due to drafts and such created by the powerful waterfall, the chute didn't open, and that was the end of him.

We heard a story about a little boy who went over the falls with nothing but a lifejacket--and Survived! Some pretty amazing things have happened there, but not as many as you'd think. I guess people aren't so crazy after all. But did you know that the FIRST person to ever attempt to go over (in a barrel) was a SCHOOLTEACHER??!! In her 60's!! But I guess I can understand how she might be a little crazy. =)

They say she was trying to earn money for her retirement from speaking engagements after the drop. Although she did survive, she didn't really earn anything to help her into a comfy retirement. Too bad. =(






OUR LAST ADVENTURE...


Jiri and I didn't try to go over the falls, but we did walk under them. This platform is built under Bridal Veil (part of the American Falls) every year. During the winter, there is A LOT of ice here, which ruins the wooden structure, so now they dismantle it and rebuild it each year. Walking underneath Bridal Veil is out of this world. You don't get the full flow or full force of the fall, but what you do get is enough for pure exhilaration!! What fun!!! A truly unique life-experience. =)



We survived. Don't we look whipped?! =) (Actually this was taken before we went under teh falls, but...)

KM

New York, New York--Finally!

"Start spreadin' the news..."

I finally made it to New York City!! I have been to so many places in the world, it was starting to become ridiculous that I had yet to see NYC...

In comes Jiri. Mr. Shy and Unassertive--Mr. Timid Mc Passive-- comes up with the GREAT IDEA: "Why don't we meet in New York before I leave the US?" Of course he was not that direct. He had to beat around the bush, telling me a story about his plane ticket and how he could change it for another city...blah blah blah...and it all become clear. New York City, here I (we) come!!!!

Seriously, it was really a fantastic trip. I don't know if we were JUST lucky or if there was some magic in the Fulbright match-making bag (at least for our exchange), but I cannot imagine another person in CZ or in any of the other participating countries that I would have gotten along with better than my partner. Not only were you the perfect partner for me, but you are truly an awesome fella, Jirka--even if you do need a BIG, healthy dose of assertiveness. Haha =). I am not kidding, though, (about any of what I say here. Do I ever really say things I don't mean?? Don't think so.=))

Anyway, back to the trip! It seems Jiri is all grown up now! He spent four whole days alone in LA, before coming to meet me at NYC's JFK. All I had to do was get off my plane and wait. Cool! Then the adventures began. (You can read about the taxi ride on Jiri's blog.)

Since neither of us had been to New York before, neither of us could assume the role of tourguide (something we both like to do, albeit ONE of us more than the other. =) Guess Who?) Each day, we had to work together (and lead each other) to plan whatever we would do and see. We got along extremely well (not unusual for us), and managed to see just about everything we wanted (except a Broadway show) without a single FIGHT! Pretty amazing.

Overall, we had a very calm and casual way of exploring THE CITY. A perfect first bite of the Big Apple!

So...WHAT DID WE SEE??

Boat and skyline--beautiful view. On our way to Liberty and Ellis Islands.


Trump Tower--I HAD to go here. I am a little Donald-Trump-crazy right now. I had just been reading his book Think Like a Billionaire on my way to New York, and in it, he says if you are in New York you MUST see Trump Tower. So I (we)did. It was alright. =)


Check me out.


Ellis island--we were hoping to find some evidence of the passage of Jiri's Great-Grandfather here. His grandfather was actually BORN here, in Pittsburg, PA. But we took the tour first, and by the time we got to search computers, we had run out of time. Bummer.


Empire State lobby. Gorgeous, really.


World sculpture near USTC--Jiri and I both are IN LOVE with tennis, we had to go to the site of the US Open. Unfortunately it was not open to the public on that day, so all we could do was to walk around--ALL the way around; it's HUGE and the stadiums are enormous!-- and take pictures of whatever we could see. It was still nice to be there though. (And that's 3 of 4 for me. The only Grand Slam venue I haven't visited is Melbourne Park.)






From Liberty Island--WOW! Spectacular view.

PORT MONMOUTH, NJ



Srdjan and Sasha (and Apollo) were kind enough to host us on our first visit to THE CITY. We camped out across the...river?? Bay?? Delta?? Strip of sea??...from NYC in their little piece of New Jersey. AND without ruining the suspense, I can tell you it was the nicest of the three places we stayed during the whole trip.


ON THE JERSEY SHORE...

...WHERE WE DISCOVERED A FEW NEW SEA CREATURES (FOR US).

THE POOL area was quite lovely and enjoyable. I think it was Jirka's favorite spot. He loved Srdjan's place and the pool and the weightroom. I think he was in his own heaven here. =)




One of our MUST SEE spots was the site of the WTC. Even not having been to NYC before, it was still strange not to see the twin towers in the skyline, and when we got close to the site (ground zero), it still had a solemn feel about it, but...


There was also the positive feeling connected to rebuilding, to not letting destructive, death-worshipping individuals have the final word--or act.


To the future...





Srdjan--OUR HERO. Thanks a bunch Srdjy!! Hope to see you again soon out on the West Coast.

KM

Nancy comes to Central Europe:Prague, Budapest, Vienna (and of course Zatec=))

Now, THESE are a little mixed up! Nancy came through in the summer and we had a mini-tour of Central Europe. We started in Zatec, of course. Spent an evening doing what we do best--eating, drinking, and being merry! The next morning we were off! We cruised through Prague, Budapest, and Vienna, before she went on to Italy and I went to NYC. We had a groovy visit, as you can see.


Wine-tasting and making friends in Budapest (a city we both loved).


Our hotel was right on this river (a little body of water called The Danube; maybe you've heard of it?) =)


Lovely funicular. I believe it was mentioned--noticeably--in Prague, a novel about North American expats living in Budapest.


The Hungarians seem to be a pretty fierce and determined people (historically). It was refreshing. It gave the city a certain air of...I don't know exactly...a jazz...an energy. I could really picture a people fighting to be independent of conquerors century after century. Independence had a lot of meaning here.


At the Kafka Museum in Prague.


At a fortress in Budapest


Budapest


Prague--Charles Bridge


Statue at Prague Castle


Budapest


Vienna


Vienna--Statue of Mozart. Cool deal with the flowers.


Budapest--can you see why they call it The Queen of the Danube?? I CAN!


Zatec--beginning of the trip, end of the photos. =)

-KM

Istanbul-Where East Meets West

Blue Mosque

Istanbul was a fantastic city. I called it "a place of imposing structures." Everything here is extra-large and extra-magnificent.


Charles lives here, and it was good to visit with him. I am glad I wasn't here completely on my own. It might have been a bit overwhelming. He was waiting in my hotel when I arrived and started giving me the low-down on layout, getting around, and the must-see spots. Thanks, Charles.


Here I am at the market with Oguz, Charles' man. He was very cool. I am glad I met him. He's a doll, really. This market was pretty unbelievable. All the colors and choices and fresh things. It was bustling with excitement--as a place dedicated to food should be!! =)





These two pictures are taken from the roof of my hotel. One of the noticeable and groovy features of Istanbul are the terraces on practically every building. I realize that, like most features, they probably sprung up out of necessity more than anything else(they are often the best place to catch a breeze in the sometimes stifling heat), they are still awesome.


I stayed in Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul), and this was the view of the Blue Mosque from my hotel terrace. I wasn't very far from the Sultan's palace, and while I did walk right on the grounds around and below it, I did NOT see it. Bummer. I may have to go back someday.


Ayah Sophia (above) and Blue Mosque (below), as beautiful at night as they are in daylight. Nights were warm-- just the way I like them.





Cistern signs--Well, you can read all about the cistern for yourself here. You'll see that the picture from inside didn't come out nearly as well as the picture of the signs, but I felt compelled to include it. It is pretty amazing that it is still there and still working.



There is a looooottt of water around Istanbul...


...So I couldn't spend four days there without getting out on it. As Charles and I cruised up the ...horn??...we passed, among many things, this swimming pool structure built right in the middle of the water. Amazing. And actually a good idea because you definitely wouldn't want to go right into the water--though some DO.


From the ferry...


ON the ferry...


(I liked this picture =))

--KM