THANKSGIVING

Well, we made it to New York!!!!!! SO amazing. I am writing to you from our hostel, 'Malibu' (On Broadway and 103rd Street)- sorry, no photos the computer doesn't allow for cameras to be hooked up to it.

We got back from a HUGE day of exploring today, including bagels for breaky, a walk down the length of central park, coffee at starbucks in Trump Tower where I managed to not spill my own coffee on myself but someone elses who had left it on the table... that's the last time I try and clear away the table before we sit down... my pants, bumbag (or fanny pack if you're American, the subject of great humour with our friend Brian while trekking through the canyon...) and map got covered in coffee. I also nearly tripped over a sewerage drain running across the road so have decided to take it easier from now on. I blame the cold... We wandered through the streets until we found 42nd street which led us to Times Square!!! It was really exciting to be there and see the site where 'the ball' drops and all the razzle dazzle of broadway shows advertised every way you look. After that we found an STA travle to get Danny an International student card and then explored Grand Central station where we worked out how to use the 'metro' (subway) by using a 'metrocard'. It was mega squishy on there and poor Danny nearly lost his backpack in the subway double doors but we got him on there!

The subway took us 'downtown' where we eagerly searched for the place that sells cheap tickets for Broadway shows. We were looking for Phantom of the Opera tickets but were too late so will try again tomorrow. Saw the statue of Liberty from a distance with the sun setting behind her. We will hopefully catch the ferry over there tomorrow.

It was really windy today which upped the chill factor and made Danny wish he'd brought a warmer jacket out with us. Thanks to Jaye's magnificent snow jacket (as seen in all other photos of rugged up Anisia) and my new ear warmers (thanks mum), I was warm and toasty =) Enjoyed a long and very hot shower on arrival back to the hostel! We walked so much my feet and legs are aching but VERY ready for more tomorrow!!!

We are very excited to have Nishan's cousin, Vibin, as our tour guide tomorrow, especially now that we have a better feel for the city and its enourmity. That means tomorrow will be pretty huge but that's ok, we're in NEW YORK!!!

As for the gap between Las Vegas and New York, unfortunately I have not been able to update you in great depth. Here's a bit I started to write:

WOW! My first Thanksgiving was fantastic! Jen's family made us feel right at home. In the morning it is tradition in their family to eat a bottomless bowl of prawns! There were probably about 20 people over for breakfast and the bottomless bowl held true to its name!!! We met lots of the Hampton family's friends. Dress code until 12 noon was pyjamas so we relaxed and got comfy eating and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. At lunch Danny was given the honour of lowering the tuurkey into a massive pot of oil, a task that must be carried out with precision so as to avoid spilling the oil onto the gas flames and igniting a nasty oil fire. he did a great job with no spillages. After 40 minutes, I was given the honour of pulling the turkey out, which also required skill and precision in front of a crowd... thankfully my clumsiness did not shine through that day or we'd never be invited back again... And the rest of the day is all ablur, but pretty much involved LOTS of food and basking in great company. Listened to Jen's dad play on his mega-grand piano- WOW, he's a VERY talented man. It was such a good way to relax after eating so much...

Later in the night we spent a few hours down on 'the strip' which gave us an opportunity to look more closely at the sights we had driven past the first night we arrived. Absolutely LOVED the Bellagio (as I said previously) and its magnificent water display choreographed to some great tunes. Bet my $5 limit in the Bellagio which was fruitless, but hey, I did it.

Flew to Detroit the next morning to meet Ellie and Lois (I've told you this already, hey?) Oh so much going on!!! Anyway, Ann Arbor was really enjoyable. It is not too big so gave us a good opportunity to relax and unwind (slightly) after mega excitement in Nevada and Arizona. Exciting things we did in Ann Arbor: Rock climbing: I was really nervous about this belay test that they make you do to ensure you are proficient at doing it. Had a crash course from Ellie at home with some wool which really doesn't resemble rope at all but thankfully it did the job and we passed! I didn't make it up much cos it killed my arms!!! It is VERY tough. I now have a renewed respect for pro climbers. They are so skilled... wow...

We also went to cheese tasting at a gourmet deli with one of Ellie's friends, went to a lecture with Lois on Turkish and Amenian relations...(sounds a little more exciting than it was, sorry Lois, but it was still VERY informative, just had trouble following at times!!!)... Had a great time at Daniel's family reunion. It was quite a task trying to work out who came where, but after I got lois to draw a family tree, it all started to make more sense!

We very much enjoyed our time with Lois' sister Roberta (another of Danny's great aunties). We had farewell Baskin Robins ice cream and brownies with her on her last night. Enjoyed looking around the Art and Design school at Ellie's Uni (The University of Michigan) and using the free internet there (that's why I was able to upload so many pictures for you... I am thinking that will be the best I'll be able to do, but I might surprise you!!!)...

One of the biggest highlights would have to be our trip down to Ohio and to one of the 'family farms'. Big thumbs up to Howard who showed us around, even though he had PLENTY of other things he could have been doing. BIGGER thumbs up for letting Danny and I climb into and play in one of his silos- FULL OF POPCORN!!!!! SOOOO MUCH FUN! If you're looking for a mega-sesnory experience (I'm thinking sensory integration therapy for kids, OTs what do you think??), then play in popcorn silos is definitely the way to go! WOW! I had a ball in there. We then took some popcorn home and had a popcorn and DVD night which was great (it was popcorn from the bottom so not stuff we'd played in, don't worry, someone else will get that stuff... he he...)... No they clean it, just have to clarify so the WH&S people don't try and track Howard down. We got photos in there so will post them when I can =)

OK.. I must go! Sorry to be so brief, people are waiting for the computer.... For more info than I have been able to disclose here, you can visit Daniel's website which is danielqually@blogspot.com I know he has pics from thanksgiving up there which you might enjoy.

Hope all is well with each one of you who reads this. Bless you, from Anisia in the Big Apple (If anyone can tell me why it is named this, I would be grateful to know, it confuses me and I refuse to buy souvenirs that say it until I know what it means)... Thanks. If you want to leave other random comments, I cannot deny that I will get great pleasure out of reading them! Love Anisia.