24 days, 5 states, skyrocketing credit card bills to pay, a gazillion restaurants tried, unstoppable weight gain and a big grin on my face.
That's how it has been 24 days later. Four more days to go and I'm heading back to the real world where the weather is way much warmer, streets dirtier and where the in-law majority of things are just annoying.
What have I been up to for the past so-so weeks? Here's a recap.
(Day 1) Like I said during my past entry, I had a blast for Halloween. Little did I know that it was mostly a welcome party for my arrival and the entire clan was there to greet me. It was so sweet of them to all come by. There was a lot of food, games and laughter. It was an awesome experience, really.
These are just some of my family members, there was more who came in their snazzy outfits. :p
Inside the Poe House on Amity Street.
Where EAP whas reburried.
The old tomb was originally at the back.
I've always been told to have that inner goth in me, and the dark and macabre has always fascinated me so it is indeed a dream come true to get first hand experience of his work and his life, not to mention visiting his graveyard after.
For less that $5 you get to tour the Poe House, get to see some of his works, his personal effects and a couple of strands of his hair.
Strands of hair from Mr. Poe and the Missus.
It might've been just me--- but there was something about the house that was just sooo gloomy, probably more than enough for him to write most of his greatest works in. If you happen to come to Baltimore soon, this is the place to go to!
(Days 8- 9) The day after mingling with the dead we left for Atlantic City, New Jersey for some food, gambling, hotel hopping and shopping. I've been to NJ a couple of times before but I've never been to Atlantic City. They showcase countless hotels, casinos and tons of outlet
Inside the Caesar's Palace
stores that would leave you broke 'til you're old and crusty if you don't get to restrain yourself on the spending. Definitely a girl's shopping haven, stores all a short walking distance from the hotel. We stayed at the Sheraton (I heart their pillows, they actually hug you back! I'm not crazy, you'll understand me once you get a chance to hug one!) which housed several of the
gowns that were used by several Miss America candidates dating back to the early 70's. We stayed there for the weekend and headed back to Baltimore after.
(Day 13 to 16) Next stop: San Francisco! (I know, we just never stop, Energizer bunnies we are, we just kept on going and going and going!) This one was something I didn't know about. My aunts planned this trip as a surprise for me since I've always expressed how I wanted so much to go to Frisco.
It was a Wednesday evening when I got the surprise. We were having dinner at Chick-Fil-A then, all stuffed with the chicken soup I was having when my aunt started to blurt out that I should start packing my stuff cause I was goin' home. I had this ??? on my face all along when everyone started saying that we were flying to SFO the following day at 7am. You should've seen the look on face, I was ecstatic! My greatest wish was a 3eb (they're based there) gig close by, if not in Frisco, but they were in San DIego then which was 8 hours away from SFO. My heart broke but, hey.
It takes 6 hours to fly from Balto to Cali, half the time of the travel, I was asleep of course. Imagine adjusting to different time zones every couple of days. It's a killer where everything else that your body does on routine have to adjust.
We stayed in Frisco for 4 days and stayed at the Radisson at the Fisherman's Wharf. Just like Atlantic City, everything else was pretty close by and accessible. I've been to L.A. before and I could say that SFO is sooo much better. I heart SFO. =) I actually left my heart there on purpose. LOL.
of the Poe House: ghosts, mystery, the # 13 and 160 rooms--- it was insane! Props to Eric, our
mansion tour guide for walking us through--- he was so funny!), took a day tour to Alcatraz
One of the solitary confinement cells of The Rock.
(main reason why I wanted to go, it was the coolest!), had a tour around the city and the Golden Gate Bridge on a double deck hop on- hop off,
Atop the double decker before leaving for a city tour.
Chinatown, evening strolls and dinners (Oh, and the clam chowder is to die for!) at the piers of Fisherman's Wharf,
Boudin sourdough bread and clam chowder to die for. =)
and several trips to Lombard Street (one of my favorites!) via a cable car even if it was only two blocks away from the hotel.
I heart Lombard Street! (A house here is on the top of my x-mas wishlist!)
We did find that Jollibee branch on Fourth Street and my Aunts were in heaven--- I gotta admit, the Chicken Joy tastes the same! And did a little shopping at the Union Square after.
Jollibee on Fourth Street.
We left SFO Sunday, and I just didn't want to. =(
(Day 17) The following day (yes, right after getting back from Frisco the evening before) they took me to Longwood Gardens at Kennett Square in Pennsylvania. I wasn't too late for leaf peeping after all. Main reason for my visit is to see the beauty of Autumn and nature didn't fail me. The colors of the leaves of the trees and the flowers were just breathtaking.
Purple mums' the word!
White cacti.
Topiaries that Edward Scissorhands might've made.
More flowers!
These mums were "trained" to grow in a shape of a sphere.
Outside the tree house.
Beautiful yellow leaves.
I heart red and orange leaves!
Everyone wanted me to extend a week to be in for Thanksgiving (But I leave on Black Friday --- Boo!) so here I am, wasting my 4 days away relaxing from the hectic schedule that had passed.
(Day 22) Last Saturday we took a day trip to New York to see Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam Theater on Broadway. I've been to NY several times and had always dreamed of seeing a play on Broadway. This was my first time and I was in awe on how grand and magical the set and costumes of the play were. The actors and actresses were wonderful, nothing like I've ever seen in the islands before.
Inside the theater before the play started.
They don't really allow pictures to be taken but I did anyway, at least after the play was over and the actors and actresses took a bow. :p
Outside the New Amsterdam Theater after the play.
So that's how it has been in a nutshell for me (Man, this entry is loooooong!), aside from bonding with the rest of the family and pigging out on good food. Thanksgiving has yet to come. All in all, I had a mighty fine time, the 24 hour travel very much worth it. It may take a couple of years to come visit again but it has always been certain that each trip is special and definitely unforgettable. =)
Labels: autumn, travels
