The Course
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Before leaving home I received a list of topics that I should understand before attending the class. It came with a suggested reading list. I did review all the topics in advanced and had high hopes that they would waste no time on them. In previous courses I have attended they have spent too much time on the basic and the things they say they require you to know in advance, unfortunately this was the case here to. Aside from that it was a very very good and interesting course. Everything from the class room to the teaching material was very professional and well functioning. The teachers Ralph Kimball and Bob Becker were excellent teachers.
The Liberties
Since 911 USA has been all about security, security and security. At leas this is how it seems to me. My trip to the Liberty Island confirmed this.
I jumped on the subway and got down to battery park, it was a Saturday morning. In the park there was a assembly of some kind, I did not get why their were assembled only that the Empire State Building would light up in a certain way to acknowledge their assembly/march or what ever.
At the dock I bought a ticket $12 for the boat. Off course there there was a security tent, and a good amount of fences to lead the potential queue into the tent. On the tent wall there's a sign telling me what I may not bring to the island. No firearms, for a Norwegian like my self this 'duh of course your not bringing a gun,' but it is probably unconstitutional around here. No packs, no suitcases, but bags and backpacks were ok. What is the principle difference between a pack and a backpack security wise, well it beats me. Luckily
I decided to pack my stuff in a backpack for the day.Inside the security tent it is the usuall airport deal, remove your belt and jacket, empty your pockets. Have your stuff x-rayed or what ever, while you pass through a metal detector. If your reall "lucky" you get padded down by the mean looking security guy to...
I was happy when that was done with, now I could enjoy my trip to the Island in peace. From the boat you had perfect view of the statue and the island, I guess seeing it in much the same way the emigrants saw it a hundred years ago. Unfortunately I accidentaly switched my camera to 1600 ISO, so the images are all bad... I noticed it before returning from the Island so I got a few nice images.
I had heard that you no longer could enter the statue because of security. But was somewhat surprised to find yet another security tent just in front of the statue. Apparently you had to have a special ticket to get in to the pedestal, and pass through this second security tent. I do not know how it happened but I had such a ticket. After disposing of my bag in a fingerprint locked locker I entered the security line. From the sign at the entrance I could see that even with the special ticket you were not guaranteed to be able to enter the pedestal. If you wanted to be sure you had to make reservations one week in advance online!! Anyhow I got in.
Inside the security tent there was a large room for queuing, and a more or less sound proof door into another room. A few people at the time were let through the door, and when the door opened to let those people through you could here a hissing sound as if gas was being released. Had I signed up in the Auschwitz line? Entering the second security room I discovered that it was only an air puffer. You had to stand in this large machine while it blew air on you. Meanwhile your jacket, belt and other stuff was x-rayed again. Finaly I could pass out of the air puffer and in to the metal detector.
Well through that heardel I decided to take the stairs to the top. 160 steps, later I came to a small square room. There was a security guy there informing me that for security reasons I would not be able to climb up any furthere. I had to wonder what they thing I had gotten past the two security checks, and not to mention the air puffer. From the small room I exited out to the top of the pedestal, where the view of Manhattan skyline was fabelous. I wish I could see it from the top of the statue....
The other Sights
Broadway and 5th avenue
They are very very long and crowded. But walking them you can see a lot of nice buildings, and shops.
Times Square
Acutally it is quite small and asside from the multitude of neon images it's not very impressive.
Empire State Building
The view from 86th floor was amazing. The 102nd floor was closed, renovation or security? Anyway it is well worth the price to view Manhattan from above.
Central Park
I had expected it to bee somewhat like Hyde park in London, which it does not resemble at all. Central Park is a man made environment made to be like a forest with lakes an walkways. The most amazing thing about it was how silent it was just a few meeters in compared to the streets.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
It's huge, and had lots of nice things to see. The collection included among other things a large Egyptian collection featuring a temple. I found lots of artifacts from Roma, Greece as well as japanese. Unfortunately I could find no tea items.
Wallstreet
It's a street not that much to see.
United Nations
Unless you come during the week when there is a guided tour there is not much to s
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ee. I was only able to enter the loby and the gift shop in the basement.Favorite quote
Two ladies were arguing at the subway station. One was standing in the way for the other to pass out of the station, when this one woman said:
Stupid, stupid miss.I love the way she was rude an polite at the same time.
Images
I took a few images during my stay, actually I took a lot less images than I usually does. I just have to admitt that I find older buildings way more facinating than tall buildings. Not to mention that it is much harder to take nice images of the tall ones. Some of the images can be found here.
