I have observed a peculiar new transport I have not seen in Australia yet. I saw it in both Americas.
I recorded this video in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The fact that tourist guides run tours on those things (I have no idea how to call them) shows that they are easy to operate and do not require special training. What a great idea! I would love to try one of those.
I was told they are called "segways".
This video was recorded in one of the Disney Theme parks. These guys work on the parking lot organizing new arrivals. These wonderful small machines save them a lot of walking.
Я увидела новый вид транспорта, который я ещё не видела в Австралии. Я видела это в обеих Америках.
Одно видео было записано в Пуэрто Рико, где гид вела экскурсию по городу на этих машинках. Из этого наблюдения я делаю вывод что ими легко управлять и особого обучения не нужно.
Другую сценку я записала в Эпкот центре в Орландо, Флорида. Эти люди работают на парковке и машинки позволяют им экономить на ходьбе.
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Food in Puerto Rico. Richie's Cafe in Rio Mar.
Out of all dining experiences this one will be memorable for a different reason... It is the only dining place I will remember not so much for its food (not bad at all!) but predominantly for its fantastic ambience.
First of all, if you visit a country try to eat local food. Richie's Cafe serves Puerto Rican menu, so it is an educational experience. Most dishes are deep fried - absolutely not my taste, but once in a life time I showed some flexibility and tried it. And did not regret it.
Local produce comes in combination with a breathtaking view and excellent service.
Service included more than just knowledgeable and friendly waiter: when we made "not a perfect" choice of dishes our waiter treated us with his own selection of small bites at the cafe's expence. When a barman heard that Chris likes Russian vodka he treated Chris with a shot of vodka, also "on house".
Richie - the owner - was there all the time greeting people, chatting with them, creating homely atmosphere. By the way, he also does the vallet parking and driving customers to the nearest hotel, which is Rio Mar Beach resort in Rio Grande, not far from the famous El Yunque national forest. When a storm came and it started bucketing down (oh, yes, we experienced a real tropical storm - a sort of mini-hurricane, while we were there) - Richie was there mopping the floor. Modesty and ability to work hard always make a strong impression on me.
I don't know what is their secret, but they know in this cafe how to make people feel good, relaxed and happy.
If we ever come back to Puerto Rico Richie's Cafe will be in our list of things to do!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/PuertoRico#
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/SanJuanPuertoRico#
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/ElYunqueNationalForestPuertoRico#
About food in Puerto Rico. Tijuana's Bar and Grill.
It is well known that there is no worst place to look for food than a place popular with tourists. The owners of restaurants in proximity of highly visited attractions (Del Duomo in Florence, The Ark de Triumph in Paris, The Opera House in Sydney etc) do not worry about their customers never coming back, because they don't come back anyway regardless of the chef's efforts, and normally customers get a dreadful meal at a rip-off price just for the happiness to see a great sample of architecture with a bad sample of food.
Today we experienced an exemption. Right next to the cruise ship pier in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is one of the most overcrowded places in Puerto Rico, where a few thousand tourists leave the cruise ships and board them a few times a week may be, there is a small Mexican place Tijuana’s Bar and Grill. Surprise, surprise. The food was simple but very good, the service was good, the prices were good…
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/PuertoRico#
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/SanJuanPuertoRico#
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/ElYunqueNationalForestPuertoRico#
Friday, July 17, 2009
A few observations about the nature of racism... Comparison of Brazil and the USA
Education from books is irreplaceable. We cannot experience everything or to learn everything from the first hands. We heavily rely on written information and we hope that people who wrote it were responsible. Most likely, they are. But everything in this world is not about the facts, but mostly about our perception and interpretation. Sometimes life experiences present the role of perception in a new light and compromise education we’ve got already.
San Salvador da Bahia made some interesting corrections to my perception of Protestant and Catholic churches. Living in a country with a strong Protestant (Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, The Seventh Adventist) presence I had an impression that a Catholic church was a conservative and non-flexible form of Christianity which had to give way to more progressive Christian schools which relied on self-control and human values more than Catholics, and Christians realised the faults of Catholicism half a millennium ago. I had an impression that Catholics are brain washed people without a choice and a right for common sense. Some of the statements by the popes (about abortions, for example) make them sound senseless and narrow minded if not to say stupid. New Christian teachings do not have to be “true” (the number of them indicate that there cannot be so many truths) but they seemed to be more “people oriented”, more individualised, with a person being a centre point. This point of view undertook a drastic revision in Bahia.
I was pleasantly surprised with the absence of racism or any indicators of ethnic problems. It seems in Anglo-Saxon countries it is a common “issue”. Americans are deeply involved in sorting out who is guilty in doing what and who has which responsibility in resolving ethnic “issues”. Australians cannot stop arguing about Aboriginal “issues”. Ethnic “issues” in India are even beyond comprehension. New Zealanders had “issues” with Maoris. When it was mostly resolved we started talking about them (New Zealanders) as some kind of social miracle workers. Is not it a normal thing for people to live in peace with each other? Apparently not… Brazil is a pleasant exemption.
While in Brazil I kept asking about this phenomenon. Every Brazilian person I talked to about this matter agreed that there are social problems in the country, but there is no racism. The explanations which were given made me re-think some parts of history. Shortly, the theory is that Catholic religion is responsible for peace between ethnic groups and optimism of Brazilian people.
Latin America was under control by Catholic Church of Spanish and Portuguese empires, while Northern America was predominantly under the control of Protestants. Both Americas were slave societies with majority of foreign black population, some local Indian population and a very small population of white masters. But non-white population was treated differently in Roman and Anglo-Saxon parts of Americas and it made all the difference. According to the Brazilians, Catholic masters requested work to be done during the day time, but did not impose many limitations on slaves after work hours. Slaves could speak their native languages, sing songs of their motherland, and perform traditional rituals, if they did not contradict Spanish and Portuguese law.
In Northern America Protestants were deeply concerned about saving the souls of their black slaves. At no time they were allowed to speak their own languages, to modify prayers and religious rituals, to sing “strange” songs, to keep their traditions. A mission of “Westernising” of the slaves was as important as the labour they had to do.
Latin American (Brazilian in particular) slaves had a chance to compromise between their ancestors’ believes and their masters’ believes. They invented a hybrid religion which pacified various discrepancies between Christianity and paganism; it was named “condoble” and it is still alive and popular among Brazilians. They retained a big portion of their African folklore, some African habits, food and music. Most of it is not authentic any more. Habits and things transform with time, but they keep serving as a cultural cushion, giving black population a sense of identity and self-worth.
African population of the English-speaking Northern America did not keep links with their African past (apart from a few places such as Jamaica). People found themselves uprooted. It reduced their cultural and historical worth, made them feel uneasy with themselves, with the society and with white people who did it to them. They say it formed a sense of despair and a need for revenge. I am not an expert on this issue, but I guess if a school curriculum in Pennsylvania includes such subject as “History of African-American population of the USA” it indicates that a country is split very deep. May be all schools in America have the same type of subjects to study? It indicates that Americans do not perceive themselves as one nation. Actually, the fact that Americans of all races so often talk about being democratic and non-racists, and how much they value other ethnic groups and etc, etc, etc… is an indirect evidence that the topic is painful and burning.
Indian population in Latin America was present in church communities, Indian orphans were raised in monasteries and convents. Catholic missions in Latin America are well known. What about Protestant missions - I cannot recall anything about Indian orphans being educated or Protestant priests putting much effort into Indians. Maybe they never were interested?
The fact that there is a tension between black and white population of the USA cannot be doubted. Where does it come from – is a very difficult question. One thing is clear – it is not a normal situation.
Our guide Nilze told us that during the trip to the USA she discovered that “black people really hate white people”. She was talking about it with a genuine surprise and disapproval. I don’t know if observations like this one spill a lot of light on the African-Americans, but it definitely serves as evidence that ethnic/racial relationships can be different.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/ColoursOfSanSalvadorDaBahia#
San Salvador da Bahia made some interesting corrections to my perception of Protestant and Catholic churches. Living in a country with a strong Protestant (Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, The Seventh Adventist) presence I had an impression that a Catholic church was a conservative and non-flexible form of Christianity which had to give way to more progressive Christian schools which relied on self-control and human values more than Catholics, and Christians realised the faults of Catholicism half a millennium ago. I had an impression that Catholics are brain washed people without a choice and a right for common sense. Some of the statements by the popes (about abortions, for example) make them sound senseless and narrow minded if not to say stupid. New Christian teachings do not have to be “true” (the number of them indicate that there cannot be so many truths) but they seemed to be more “people oriented”, more individualised, with a person being a centre point. This point of view undertook a drastic revision in Bahia.
I was pleasantly surprised with the absence of racism or any indicators of ethnic problems. It seems in Anglo-Saxon countries it is a common “issue”. Americans are deeply involved in sorting out who is guilty in doing what and who has which responsibility in resolving ethnic “issues”. Australians cannot stop arguing about Aboriginal “issues”. Ethnic “issues” in India are even beyond comprehension. New Zealanders had “issues” with Maoris. When it was mostly resolved we started talking about them (New Zealanders) as some kind of social miracle workers. Is not it a normal thing for people to live in peace with each other? Apparently not… Brazil is a pleasant exemption.
While in Brazil I kept asking about this phenomenon. Every Brazilian person I talked to about this matter agreed that there are social problems in the country, but there is no racism. The explanations which were given made me re-think some parts of history. Shortly, the theory is that Catholic religion is responsible for peace between ethnic groups and optimism of Brazilian people.
Latin America was under control by Catholic Church of Spanish and Portuguese empires, while Northern America was predominantly under the control of Protestants. Both Americas were slave societies with majority of foreign black population, some local Indian population and a very small population of white masters. But non-white population was treated differently in Roman and Anglo-Saxon parts of Americas and it made all the difference. According to the Brazilians, Catholic masters requested work to be done during the day time, but did not impose many limitations on slaves after work hours. Slaves could speak their native languages, sing songs of their motherland, and perform traditional rituals, if they did not contradict Spanish and Portuguese law.
In Northern America Protestants were deeply concerned about saving the souls of their black slaves. At no time they were allowed to speak their own languages, to modify prayers and religious rituals, to sing “strange” songs, to keep their traditions. A mission of “Westernising” of the slaves was as important as the labour they had to do.
Latin American (Brazilian in particular) slaves had a chance to compromise between their ancestors’ believes and their masters’ believes. They invented a hybrid religion which pacified various discrepancies between Christianity and paganism; it was named “condoble” and it is still alive and popular among Brazilians. They retained a big portion of their African folklore, some African habits, food and music. Most of it is not authentic any more. Habits and things transform with time, but they keep serving as a cultural cushion, giving black population a sense of identity and self-worth.
African population of the English-speaking Northern America did not keep links with their African past (apart from a few places such as Jamaica). People found themselves uprooted. It reduced their cultural and historical worth, made them feel uneasy with themselves, with the society and with white people who did it to them. They say it formed a sense of despair and a need for revenge. I am not an expert on this issue, but I guess if a school curriculum in Pennsylvania includes such subject as “History of African-American population of the USA” it indicates that a country is split very deep. May be all schools in America have the same type of subjects to study? It indicates that Americans do not perceive themselves as one nation. Actually, the fact that Americans of all races so often talk about being democratic and non-racists, and how much they value other ethnic groups and etc, etc, etc… is an indirect evidence that the topic is painful and burning.
Indian population in Latin America was present in church communities, Indian orphans were raised in monasteries and convents. Catholic missions in Latin America are well known. What about Protestant missions - I cannot recall anything about Indian orphans being educated or Protestant priests putting much effort into Indians. Maybe they never were interested?
The fact that there is a tension between black and white population of the USA cannot be doubted. Where does it come from – is a very difficult question. One thing is clear – it is not a normal situation.
Our guide Nilze told us that during the trip to the USA she discovered that “black people really hate white people”. She was talking about it with a genuine surprise and disapproval. I don’t know if observations like this one spill a lot of light on the African-Americans, but it definitely serves as evidence that ethnic/racial relationships can be different.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/ColoursOfSanSalvadorDaBahia#
Friday, November 7, 2008
Correspondence with Sherida - Переписка с Шеридой
Как-то так получилось, что после моей поездки в Соединённые штаты, у меня завязалась оживлённая дискуссия с одной из моих американских друзей по переписке о наблюдениях, которые я сделала в её стране и потом поместила в этот блог, и по поводу которых ей хотелось дать комментарии.
Конечно, лучше всего поместить всю переписку без купюр, но где мне взять столько времени, чтобы перевести это всё? Однако и не поделиться идеями Шериды было бы несправедливо, тем более с моими не-англоговорящими друзьями. Сколько раз я слышала от моих друзей, никогда не бывавших в США, довольно радикальные высказывания. А были ли у них возможности выслушать простых американцев, познакомиться с их точкой зрения? Мне кажется, что вряд ли...
* * *
I have been looking at my area with 'new' eyes. Wondering what someone not from America would think of this or that. I found it interesting that you referenced all the flags...is that something germane to the US?? Don't other countries have their flags prominently displayed in various locations?? If you were to drive down our street...you would see the American flag flying from many homes. We have one beside the front door...the pole is attached to the trim. I've flown one for years and years but after 9-11 more flags began to appear. Some homes even have flag poles in the front yard. Your photos and mention of the flags piqued my curiosity!
Я стала смотреть на наши места «новыми» глазами. Спрашивая себя, что не-американец подумал бы об этом. Твои замечания о флагах мне кажутся очень интересными... неужели это так типично для США? Разве в других странах их флаги не расположены в различных видных местах? Если бы ты проехала вдоль по улице здесь... ты бы увидела американские флаги, развивающиеся над многими домами. У нас тоже есть один перед входной дверью... флагшток приделан к карнизу. Мой флаг развивался над домом уже много-много лет, но после 11 сентября стало появляться больше флагов. Перед некоторыми домами есть настоящие большие . Твои фотографии и замечания по поводу флагов разбудили моё любобытство!
I hesitate to speak in generalities but it cannot be avoided...just remember every country has its anarchists so there would probably be those who would disagree with what I'm about to say. In America...the flag represents the country not the government. I have flown the flag for more years than I can remember because I love America...even when it wasn't "cool" to be patriotic...my flag flew. Perhaps its the history of the flag that generates a different feeling...perhaps its because we've never experienced a sudden and huge change in our flag. Whatever the reason...the flag is America itself. Americans who burn our flag may do so out of hatred for the government but among many...including myself...it is seen as an insult to the country...not the government. However...when 'foreigners' burn "her" we know it is a sign of hatred for our government. Here we say people fought and died for the flag. The flag represents our way of life...not our government's policies. We may disagree with our government...and right now Congress has about a 10% approval rating...much lower than even President Bush's rating...but we love our flag and country.
Мне не хотелось бы говорить в общем, но этого нельзя избежать... помни, каждая страна имеет своих анархистов, так что, возможно, будут такие кто не согласится с тем, что я собираюсь сказать. В Америке... флаг представляет страну, а не правительство. Мой флаг развивался я уже даже и не помню сколько лет, потому что я люблю Америку... даже когда патриотизм не был «в моде»... мой флаг развивался. Возможно, это история самого флага порождает в людях (имеется в виду, разных стран – Т.Е.) разные чуства... возможно, это потому что мы никогда не пережили внезапные и огромные изменения в нашем флаге. Какой бы ни была причина... флаг – это сама Америка. Американцы, которые жгут американский флаг, могут делать это от ненависти к правительству, но многие... включая меня... видят это как оскорбление стране, а не государству. Однако, когда иностранцы жгут «его», мы знаем, что это знак ненависти к нашему государству. Здесь мы гоаорим что люди боролись и умирали за наше знямя. Флаг является символом нашего образа жизни... а не действий нашего государства. Мы можем не соглашаться с нашим правительством... и в данный момент (это было написано в сентябре 2008 – Т.Е.) наш конгресс имеет не более 10% поддержки населения.... это даже ниже, чем уровень поддержки президента Буша... но мы любим наш флаг и нашу страну.
Our flag flies at federal...state...county...and local government buildings...schools and libraries... firehouses...police stations...cemeteries...and most anywhere people gather. Businesses and private homes fly the flag.
Наш флаг развивается над федеральными... штатовыми... провинциальными... и местными государственными зданиями, школами и библиотеками... пожарными станциями.. полицейскими станциями... кладбищами... и практически везде, где собираются люди. Предприятия и частные дома развевают флаги.
The events of 9-11...while frightening and indeed made us feel a vulnerability the country probably had not felt since Pearl Harbor...it also awakened a strong element of patriotism that had been swept under the rug for awhile. From that terrible situation...we united as a country...even if only briefly...and showed the world we were still Americans first and foremost. After Vietnam...patriotism was not as strong as it once was. Being under attack...we responded in a way that surprised many...especially our enemies. We may bicker and fight among ourselves but there is a family dynamic here. There will always be squabbles in a family...and they can become knock-down-dragged-out ones! But...let an outsider make a comment about a family member and the family rallies to protect and defend the assaulted member. Regardless of political affiliation...we stand together in times of trouble. Ah...we are a strange breed and I can only imagine how "nutty" we must look to the world.
События 11 сентября ... несмотря на то что они были пугающими и действительно дали нам почуствовать что мы уязвимыми, как мы себя не чуствовали со времён Перл Харбор... они также разбудили очень сильное чуство патриотизма, которое прежде пылилось под ковриком. После тех ужасных событий... мы объединились как страна... даже если это только временно... и показали всему миру что мы прежде всего американцы. После Вьетнама... патриотизм уже не был силён как некогда. Будучи атакованы... мы ответили таким образом что удивили многих... особенно наших врагов. Мы можем драться и кусаться между собой, но это семейное дело. В семье всегда будут раздоры... и они могут оказаться разрушительными! Но... лишь пусть посторонний скажет что-нибудь об одном члене семьи – и вся семья поднимется в протесте и защитит обиженного родственника. В независимости от политической оиентации... мы встанем плечом к плечу в трудные времена. Ах... мы - странное племя, и я могу только догадываться, какими «сумашедшими» мы должны казаться всему миру.
Now...please do not let my explanation cause you to believe I see America as the be-all-end-all of the world. There are many ways of doing things and I respect other traditions and some other forms of governments. I do...however...believe that the people should be free to choose.
А сейчас... пожалуйста, мои объяснения не должны вселить в тебя веру, что я вижу Америку как начало всего-конец всего мира. Всегда есть много способов делать что-то, и я уважаю другие традиции и некоторые другие формы управления. Однако... я верю, что все люди должны иметь право выбора.
My thought...how are we ever going to learn if we don't share ideas and at least try to understand each other?? I deeply believe that when it comes right down to it...as people...we're all the same. Shakespeare 'said' it best...if you prick us...do we not bleed? Governments are born out of necessity...I disagree with mine at times...strongly support it at other times...but there is a historical quote I always think about...my country may she always be right...but my country right or wrong. Doesn't that apply to the 'average' person wherever he/she calls home??
Моя идея... как мы собираемся учиться если мы не разделяем идей, или по крайней мере не пытаемся понять друг жруга? Я глубоко верю, что когда доходит до самого низа... до нас, людей... мы все одинаковые. Шекспир сказал лучше всех... если уколоть нас... разве у кого-то из нас не потечёт кровь? Государства были созданы из необходимости... я не соглашаюсь с моим время от времени... но есть историческое высказывание, о котором я всегда думаю... пусть моя страна всегда будет права... но права она или нет – она всё равно моя страна. Разве это не относится к «обыкновенному» человеку, где бы он/она не жил/а?
Please do stress that much is my opinion...although some of my opinions are shared by others...and that I was speaking of the American flag. The "Hammer and Sickle" of the USSR...to me...denoted communism. I do associate flags with certain governments based upon the history of the flag as it relates to the treatment of its people.
Пожалуйста, подчеркни, что это моё мнение... хотя другие люди разделяют многие из моих мнений... особенно, когда я говорила про американский флаг. «Серп и молот» Советского Союза... для меня... символ коммунизма. Я ассоциирую флаги с определёнными государствами, судя по истории флага и как по ому как там относились к людям.
My first experience with the...then...USSR...came from hiding under my desk at school. Amazingly...this was to protect us from air raid attacks and nuclear weapons! I remember seeing Khrushchev on TV pounding his shoe on the desk at the UN. There were lessons in history class about Lenin and Stalin and the Cold War was in full-swing. It was a frightening time for a child. In the 9th grade...I would have been about 14 years old...we read War and Peace in our English class and began studying Catherine the Great and Peter the Great...among others...in our history class. I became fascinated with the rich history of Russia. As I matured...I read Solzhenitsyn and Dostoevsky.... their emphasis on people won my heart and was instrumental in my beginning to look at the people in a country rather than the government.
Моё первое знакомство с ... тогда.... Советским Союзом ... началось с того что мы прятались под партами в школе. Удивительно... это было для того чтобы спасти нас от воздушных атак и ядерного оружия! Я помню Хрущёва на нашем телевидении, стучавшего его туфлёй по столу в ООН. Были уроки в классе истории о Ленине и Сталине, и холодная война была в полном разгаре. Это было пугающее время для ребёнка. В 9ом классе.... мне тогда было около 14 лет... я прочитала «Войну и Мир» в нашем классе английского языка, и начала изучать Екатерину Великую и Петра Великого ... помимо прочих... в нашем классе истории. Я была очарована богатой историей России. Когда я повзрослела... я прочитала Солженицына и Достоевского... Их внимание к людям покорило моё сердце и было существенным в развитии моего внимания прежде всего к людям, а не государствам.
I think success in Iraq refers to the decrease in violence and the return of the country to its people. However...history will have to make the final determination. I am reminded of the expression...those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It appears Saddam was a Hitler in the making. We already know what he did to the Kurds and those who did not follow the Islam sect he mandated. The mass graves that have been discovered are proof of his policies. Perhaps had he remained unchecked...the world would have been in worse shape. Edmund Burke wrote: All this is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
Я думаю, успех в Ираке прежде всего относится к уменьшению жестокости, и в возврате страны её людям. Однако... история расставит все точки над i. И мне напомнили высказывание... те кто не изучали историю повторят её. Как выяснилось, Саддам был на пути превращения в Гитлера. Мы уже знаем что он сделал с курдами, и стеми кто не следовал его Исламской секте. Массовые захоронения были найдены и они доказательства его убеждений. Возможно, если бы его не проверили вовремя... мир был бы сейчас в худшем состоянии.
Эдмунд Бёрк написал: Чтобы дьявол победил хорошим людям нужно просто ничего не делать.
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I printed your entry about the roads and American cars to read as my husband... and I were driving into Indiana to see our youngest son. How fascinating to read your descriptions as we were on the interstates! I laughed at the comment about Americans taking their homes with them! Those huge RV's are amazing...although with gas prices as high as they are now...I have no idea how people can afford to drive them...let alone buy them. But...they say that for large families...it's still cheaper than hotel and restaurant costs when traveling. Guess I'll take their word for it!
Я отпечатала твой рассказ о дорогах в Америке и американских машинах чтобы прочитать их моему мужу когда мы с ним поехали в Индиану увидеться с нашим младшим сыном. Как интересно было читать твои описания пока мы пересекали один штат за другим. Меня рассмешило твоё замечание что американцы берут их дома с собой! Эти огромные караваны изумительны... хотя с нынешними высокими ценами на бензин... я представить себе не могу как люди могут себе позволить ездить в таких машинах. Но... говорят что для больших семей это всё равно дешевле чем гостиница и ресторан во время путешествия. Кажется, мне придётся довериться их мнению.
Многоточия, в основном, принадлежат Шериде. Я сохранила её стиль письма. Я старалась переводить дословно, и когда это было невозможно, я старалась передать смысл как можно более аккуратно.
Конечно, лучше всего поместить всю переписку без купюр, но где мне взять столько времени, чтобы перевести это всё? Однако и не поделиться идеями Шериды было бы несправедливо, тем более с моими не-англоговорящими друзьями. Сколько раз я слышала от моих друзей, никогда не бывавших в США, довольно радикальные высказывания. А были ли у них возможности выслушать простых американцев, познакомиться с их точкой зрения? Мне кажется, что вряд ли...
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I have been looking at my area with 'new' eyes. Wondering what someone not from America would think of this or that. I found it interesting that you referenced all the flags...is that something germane to the US?? Don't other countries have their flags prominently displayed in various locations?? If you were to drive down our street...you would see the American flag flying from many homes. We have one beside the front door...the pole is attached to the trim. I've flown one for years and years but after 9-11 more flags began to appear. Some homes even have flag poles in the front yard. Your photos and mention of the flags piqued my curiosity!
Я стала смотреть на наши места «новыми» глазами. Спрашивая себя, что не-американец подумал бы об этом. Твои замечания о флагах мне кажутся очень интересными... неужели это так типично для США? Разве в других странах их флаги не расположены в различных видных местах? Если бы ты проехала вдоль по улице здесь... ты бы увидела американские флаги, развивающиеся над многими домами. У нас тоже есть один перед входной дверью... флагшток приделан к карнизу. Мой флаг развивался над домом уже много-много лет, но после 11 сентября стало появляться больше флагов. Перед некоторыми домами есть настоящие большие . Твои фотографии и замечания по поводу флагов разбудили моё любобытство!
I hesitate to speak in generalities but it cannot be avoided...just remember every country has its anarchists so there would probably be those who would disagree with what I'm about to say. In America...the flag represents the country not the government. I have flown the flag for more years than I can remember because I love America...even when it wasn't "cool" to be patriotic...my flag flew. Perhaps its the history of the flag that generates a different feeling...perhaps its because we've never experienced a sudden and huge change in our flag. Whatever the reason...the flag is America itself. Americans who burn our flag may do so out of hatred for the government but among many...including myself...it is seen as an insult to the country...not the government. However...when 'foreigners' burn "her" we know it is a sign of hatred for our government. Here we say people fought and died for the flag. The flag represents our way of life...not our government's policies. We may disagree with our government...and right now Congress has about a 10% approval rating...much lower than even President Bush's rating...but we love our flag and country.
Мне не хотелось бы говорить в общем, но этого нельзя избежать... помни, каждая страна имеет своих анархистов, так что, возможно, будут такие кто не согласится с тем, что я собираюсь сказать. В Америке... флаг представляет страну, а не правительство. Мой флаг развивался я уже даже и не помню сколько лет, потому что я люблю Америку... даже когда патриотизм не был «в моде»... мой флаг развивался. Возможно, это история самого флага порождает в людях (имеется в виду, разных стран – Т.Е.) разные чуства... возможно, это потому что мы никогда не пережили внезапные и огромные изменения в нашем флаге. Какой бы ни была причина... флаг – это сама Америка. Американцы, которые жгут американский флаг, могут делать это от ненависти к правительству, но многие... включая меня... видят это как оскорбление стране, а не государству. Однако, когда иностранцы жгут «его», мы знаем, что это знак ненависти к нашему государству. Здесь мы гоаорим что люди боролись и умирали за наше знямя. Флаг является символом нашего образа жизни... а не действий нашего государства. Мы можем не соглашаться с нашим правительством... и в данный момент (это было написано в сентябре 2008 – Т.Е.) наш конгресс имеет не более 10% поддержки населения.... это даже ниже, чем уровень поддержки президента Буша... но мы любим наш флаг и нашу страну.
Our flag flies at federal...state...county...and local government buildings...schools and libraries... firehouses...police stations...cemeteries...and most anywhere people gather. Businesses and private homes fly the flag.
Наш флаг развивается над федеральными... штатовыми... провинциальными... и местными государственными зданиями, школами и библиотеками... пожарными станциями.. полицейскими станциями... кладбищами... и практически везде, где собираются люди. Предприятия и частные дома развевают флаги.
The events of 9-11...while frightening and indeed made us feel a vulnerability the country probably had not felt since Pearl Harbor...it also awakened a strong element of patriotism that had been swept under the rug for awhile. From that terrible situation...we united as a country...even if only briefly...and showed the world we were still Americans first and foremost. After Vietnam...patriotism was not as strong as it once was. Being under attack...we responded in a way that surprised many...especially our enemies. We may bicker and fight among ourselves but there is a family dynamic here. There will always be squabbles in a family...and they can become knock-down-dragged-out ones! But...let an outsider make a comment about a family member and the family rallies to protect and defend the assaulted member. Regardless of political affiliation...we stand together in times of trouble. Ah...we are a strange breed and I can only imagine how "nutty" we must look to the world.
События 11 сентября ... несмотря на то что они были пугающими и действительно дали нам почуствовать что мы уязвимыми, как мы себя не чуствовали со времён Перл Харбор... они также разбудили очень сильное чуство патриотизма, которое прежде пылилось под ковриком. После тех ужасных событий... мы объединились как страна... даже если это только временно... и показали всему миру что мы прежде всего американцы. После Вьетнама... патриотизм уже не был силён как некогда. Будучи атакованы... мы ответили таким образом что удивили многих... особенно наших врагов. Мы можем драться и кусаться между собой, но это семейное дело. В семье всегда будут раздоры... и они могут оказаться разрушительными! Но... лишь пусть посторонний скажет что-нибудь об одном члене семьи – и вся семья поднимется в протесте и защитит обиженного родственника. В независимости от политической оиентации... мы встанем плечом к плечу в трудные времена. Ах... мы - странное племя, и я могу только догадываться, какими «сумашедшими» мы должны казаться всему миру.
Now...please do not let my explanation cause you to believe I see America as the be-all-end-all of the world. There are many ways of doing things and I respect other traditions and some other forms of governments. I do...however...believe that the people should be free to choose.
А сейчас... пожалуйста, мои объяснения не должны вселить в тебя веру, что я вижу Америку как начало всего-конец всего мира. Всегда есть много способов делать что-то, и я уважаю другие традиции и некоторые другие формы управления. Однако... я верю, что все люди должны иметь право выбора.
My thought...how are we ever going to learn if we don't share ideas and at least try to understand each other?? I deeply believe that when it comes right down to it...as people...we're all the same. Shakespeare 'said' it best...if you prick us...do we not bleed? Governments are born out of necessity...I disagree with mine at times...strongly support it at other times...but there is a historical quote I always think about...my country may she always be right...but my country right or wrong. Doesn't that apply to the 'average' person wherever he/she calls home??
Моя идея... как мы собираемся учиться если мы не разделяем идей, или по крайней мере не пытаемся понять друг жруга? Я глубоко верю, что когда доходит до самого низа... до нас, людей... мы все одинаковые. Шекспир сказал лучше всех... если уколоть нас... разве у кого-то из нас не потечёт кровь? Государства были созданы из необходимости... я не соглашаюсь с моим время от времени... но есть историческое высказывание, о котором я всегда думаю... пусть моя страна всегда будет права... но права она или нет – она всё равно моя страна. Разве это не относится к «обыкновенному» человеку, где бы он/она не жил/а?
Please do stress that much is my opinion...although some of my opinions are shared by others...and that I was speaking of the American flag. The "Hammer and Sickle" of the USSR...to me...denoted communism. I do associate flags with certain governments based upon the history of the flag as it relates to the treatment of its people.
Пожалуйста, подчеркни, что это моё мнение... хотя другие люди разделяют многие из моих мнений... особенно, когда я говорила про американский флаг. «Серп и молот» Советского Союза... для меня... символ коммунизма. Я ассоциирую флаги с определёнными государствами, судя по истории флага и как по ому как там относились к людям.
My first experience with the...then...USSR...came from hiding under my desk at school. Amazingly...this was to protect us from air raid attacks and nuclear weapons! I remember seeing Khrushchev on TV pounding his shoe on the desk at the UN. There were lessons in history class about Lenin and Stalin and the Cold War was in full-swing. It was a frightening time for a child. In the 9th grade...I would have been about 14 years old...we read War and Peace in our English class and began studying Catherine the Great and Peter the Great...among others...in our history class. I became fascinated with the rich history of Russia. As I matured...I read Solzhenitsyn and Dostoevsky.... their emphasis on people won my heart and was instrumental in my beginning to look at the people in a country rather than the government.
Моё первое знакомство с ... тогда.... Советским Союзом ... началось с того что мы прятались под партами в школе. Удивительно... это было для того чтобы спасти нас от воздушных атак и ядерного оружия! Я помню Хрущёва на нашем телевидении, стучавшего его туфлёй по столу в ООН. Были уроки в классе истории о Ленине и Сталине, и холодная война была в полном разгаре. Это было пугающее время для ребёнка. В 9ом классе.... мне тогда было около 14 лет... я прочитала «Войну и Мир» в нашем классе английского языка, и начала изучать Екатерину Великую и Петра Великого ... помимо прочих... в нашем классе истории. Я была очарована богатой историей России. Когда я повзрослела... я прочитала Солженицына и Достоевского... Их внимание к людям покорило моё сердце и было существенным в развитии моего внимания прежде всего к людям, а не государствам.
I think success in Iraq refers to the decrease in violence and the return of the country to its people. However...history will have to make the final determination. I am reminded of the expression...those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It appears Saddam was a Hitler in the making. We already know what he did to the Kurds and those who did not follow the Islam sect he mandated. The mass graves that have been discovered are proof of his policies. Perhaps had he remained unchecked...the world would have been in worse shape. Edmund Burke wrote: All this is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
Я думаю, успех в Ираке прежде всего относится к уменьшению жестокости, и в возврате страны её людям. Однако... история расставит все точки над i. И мне напомнили высказывание... те кто не изучали историю повторят её. Как выяснилось, Саддам был на пути превращения в Гитлера. Мы уже знаем что он сделал с курдами, и стеми кто не следовал его Исламской секте. Массовые захоронения были найдены и они доказательства его убеждений. Возможно, если бы его не проверили вовремя... мир был бы сейчас в худшем состоянии.
Эдмунд Бёрк написал: Чтобы дьявол победил хорошим людям нужно просто ничего не делать.
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I printed your entry about the roads and American cars to read as my husband... and I were driving into Indiana to see our youngest son. How fascinating to read your descriptions as we were on the interstates! I laughed at the comment about Americans taking their homes with them! Those huge RV's are amazing...although with gas prices as high as they are now...I have no idea how people can afford to drive them...let alone buy them. But...they say that for large families...it's still cheaper than hotel and restaurant costs when traveling. Guess I'll take their word for it!
Я отпечатала твой рассказ о дорогах в Америке и американских машинах чтобы прочитать их моему мужу когда мы с ним поехали в Индиану увидеться с нашим младшим сыном. Как интересно было читать твои описания пока мы пересекали один штат за другим. Меня рассмешило твоё замечание что американцы берут их дома с собой! Эти огромные караваны изумительны... хотя с нынешними высокими ценами на бензин... я представить себе не могу как люди могут себе позволить ездить в таких машинах. Но... говорят что для больших семей это всё равно дешевле чем гостиница и ресторан во время путешествия. Кажется, мне придётся довериться их мнению.
Многоточия, в основном, принадлежат Шериде. Я сохранила её стиль письма. Я старалась переводить дословно, и когда это было невозможно, я старалась передать смысл как можно более аккуратно.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Dining in New York
The USA is known for good quality food. This restaurant Don Veitia is a very good classical restaurant and a good value for money. It is not very cheap, but for the quality they offer it is the most affordable restaurant in their league. They have an excellent menue, a good selection of wines, wonderful service and highly edible food.
It is an impeccable place.
If you have a lot of money and want to have something really different for dinner, something really memorable! - Ninja is a good place to go.
This Japanese cave is located in a boring highrise building in Manhatten - you would never guess that you will have to watch every step carefully because all sorts of dangers are awaiting your arrival (dangers are real, but not lethal - unless you have a weak heart!).
Depending on you choice of food you may have to use a sword to get your meal, you will try to fish your food out of smoke which fills your cell etc. The service was impecable and our waiter was a lot of fun (a man to die for!).
The only downside - it is expensive. I heard Russian language from a few "cells" which means "new Russians" spend their money there. It is not a restaurant from my league, but I am glad we tried it!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/NewYork#
Two sides of the coin - hotels in the USA
The best hotel experience in terms of value for money. It is a small old fashioned place, but the room was big and clean, and it looked pleasant. The bed was excellent, the bed linen too. Plumbing was perfect, Internet connection was faultless and free of charge, the service was good and the breakfast too. It all costs $68US during a school holiday period. If you know a better deal let me know!
The worst place we saw in the USA was a motel in Gorda, Big Sur. this place is a total disgrace to American hospitality industry: dirty old room with a lock which does not work properly (neighbours helped us and opened our door with their key!), with no fridge or a TV set, no Internet, with leaking shower which did not let me sleep all night. All these "luxury" casts $275.00 plus taxes.
They sell petrol there for $6.99 per gallon while other places were selling it for $4.99.
The food in the restaurant was very expensive but not edible which is an extreme rarity in the USA. I hardly can imagine a worse place to stay.
To be fare, it was the only horrible place we encountered.
In general, hotels are wonderful and service is very good.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
New York
Well, we are back home, and the weather is just as it was before we left – rainy and dull, and I am happy to entertain myself with memories of New York. The weather was perfect there: sunny but not too hot, if cool then it was not cold, the sun was all over the sky most of the time and being outside was pleasurable without limits.
My first intention was to write: I love New York.
But my second thought is: I love Manhattan.
We’ve seen a glimpse of Brooklyn and Staten Island – it was not very appealing. Brooklyn was like an endless penitentiary with all those dull brick buildings without a trace of architectural imagination. An occasional beach or a park does not change the rule: it looks depressing. The Staten Island was even more depressing despite being suburbia, because of the neglect and poor maintenance visible all over the place. The amount of closed businesses, deserted shopping centres, littered streets and parks – all together it was a sad picture. Even if there was an occasional new residential development here and there (and some of them did not look cheap at all) but the uniformity of those developments (hundreds or even thousands of identical buildings are doomed to look depressing) and the neglect outside the fence of that development made an unfavourable impression. I would not want to live in a dump like this even if I personally lived in a palace. By the way, there were some very nice houses there, some reasonably old, and interesting, but an overall impression was negative.
Manhattan was the biggest surprise of all. It has an uncountable number of skyscrapers, nonetheless, it is not a concrete jungle like Hong Kong, where all interesting things are hidden inside and there is really nothing to do outside the building. Manhattan has its charm, it has plenty of sun, it is a pleasure to walk on the street and many things happen on the street while you are walking. There is a nice human touch to it. I loved being there.
It happened to be a very safe place. At no point we felt uncomfortable or threatened. We never observed anything remotely criminal.
It happened to be quite a green place. Despite skyscrapers they managed to keep quite a few gardens around there and many streets are quite green. Maybe to somebody on the 40th floor the number of trees downstairs is irrelevant, but for those who walk on the street it is a pleasure.
There were some things which did not appeal to me. Even more: I don’t understand why they happen, or how the government allows certain things to happen.
One of the incomprehensible things is a very poor level of maintenance of public property. There are parks, and they are planned generously, and they are used a lot by the residents, but why don’t they look pretty? There are no nice pedestrian ways with occasional mosaics, lovely designs, a sculpture or a gazebo here and there, a BBQ place? Why gravel is not topped up so the road looks like an abandon provincial driveway? Why it is not sealed as most roads are? Why the grass is not mowed? Why there are no litter boxes along the way?
Oh, the litter boxes! I missed them in America. It is so difficult to find one in some places. I was constantly carrying some litter with me, because there were no ways to dispose it. It explains an abnormal amount of litter nearly everywhere. I understand that there is an objective difficulty in removing tons of litter from Manhattan streets, but I don’t understand why they did not solve the problem yet (where is famous American ingenuity?). And why not to put a few hundred extra litter boxes along the streets?
New York subway was, probably, the brightest example of this problem. It is a great subway: works well (as well as Moscow metro - believe it or not!). It is safe, cheap!!! (US$25 per week – no zone divisions as they do it in Sydney- one ticket for the whole metropolitan area!) and it is reliable.
Why was it planned to be so small, crowded and hot? Why it is not maintained? It is clean, I have to say, but it is not painted, it is not decorated, it is not degreased, rust is not removed, it is patched up like an old boot… it looks really neglected. It would be highly unfair to compare New York subway with Moscow Metro, but it does not match even our very casual Sydney Metropolitan service. How can it be? New York supposes to be so much richer than Sydney!
Apart from these very brief observations of neglect of public property, I had an impression that New York is a lovely city, New Yorkers are good people, and I would not mind to live in a city like this, definitely during summer months.
I am sure, as a tourist I had quite superficial impressions. There were some visual impressions which stroke me as nearly surreal. For example, American schools – they look like penitentiaries: bob-wired, with barred windows… even a preschool looked this way!
There were quite a few homeless beggars on the streets (less than I expected).
There are problems in the country where children and teachers spent a lot of time in a prison. There are problems if so many people end up on the street…
I have not dealt with those problems, I personally was not affected by them – and maybe, it is to the best. I prefer to think of New York and America as a place I like…
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/NewYork#
My first intention was to write: I love New York.
But my second thought is: I love Manhattan.
We’ve seen a glimpse of Brooklyn and Staten Island – it was not very appealing. Brooklyn was like an endless penitentiary with all those dull brick buildings without a trace of architectural imagination. An occasional beach or a park does not change the rule: it looks depressing. The Staten Island was even more depressing despite being suburbia, because of the neglect and poor maintenance visible all over the place. The amount of closed businesses, deserted shopping centres, littered streets and parks – all together it was a sad picture. Even if there was an occasional new residential development here and there (and some of them did not look cheap at all) but the uniformity of those developments (hundreds or even thousands of identical buildings are doomed to look depressing) and the neglect outside the fence of that development made an unfavourable impression. I would not want to live in a dump like this even if I personally lived in a palace. By the way, there were some very nice houses there, some reasonably old, and interesting, but an overall impression was negative.
Manhattan was the biggest surprise of all. It has an uncountable number of skyscrapers, nonetheless, it is not a concrete jungle like Hong Kong, where all interesting things are hidden inside and there is really nothing to do outside the building. Manhattan has its charm, it has plenty of sun, it is a pleasure to walk on the street and many things happen on the street while you are walking. There is a nice human touch to it. I loved being there.
It happened to be a very safe place. At no point we felt uncomfortable or threatened. We never observed anything remotely criminal.
It happened to be quite a green place. Despite skyscrapers they managed to keep quite a few gardens around there and many streets are quite green. Maybe to somebody on the 40th floor the number of trees downstairs is irrelevant, but for those who walk on the street it is a pleasure.
There were some things which did not appeal to me. Even more: I don’t understand why they happen, or how the government allows certain things to happen.
One of the incomprehensible things is a very poor level of maintenance of public property. There are parks, and they are planned generously, and they are used a lot by the residents, but why don’t they look pretty? There are no nice pedestrian ways with occasional mosaics, lovely designs, a sculpture or a gazebo here and there, a BBQ place? Why gravel is not topped up so the road looks like an abandon provincial driveway? Why it is not sealed as most roads are? Why the grass is not mowed? Why there are no litter boxes along the way?
Oh, the litter boxes! I missed them in America. It is so difficult to find one in some places. I was constantly carrying some litter with me, because there were no ways to dispose it. It explains an abnormal amount of litter nearly everywhere. I understand that there is an objective difficulty in removing tons of litter from Manhattan streets, but I don’t understand why they did not solve the problem yet (where is famous American ingenuity?). And why not to put a few hundred extra litter boxes along the streets?
New York subway was, probably, the brightest example of this problem. It is a great subway: works well (as well as Moscow metro - believe it or not!). It is safe, cheap!!! (US$25 per week – no zone divisions as they do it in Sydney- one ticket for the whole metropolitan area!) and it is reliable.
Why was it planned to be so small, crowded and hot? Why it is not maintained? It is clean, I have to say, but it is not painted, it is not decorated, it is not degreased, rust is not removed, it is patched up like an old boot… it looks really neglected. It would be highly unfair to compare New York subway with Moscow Metro, but it does not match even our very casual Sydney Metropolitan service. How can it be? New York supposes to be so much richer than Sydney!
Apart from these very brief observations of neglect of public property, I had an impression that New York is a lovely city, New Yorkers are good people, and I would not mind to live in a city like this, definitely during summer months.
I am sure, as a tourist I had quite superficial impressions. There were some visual impressions which stroke me as nearly surreal. For example, American schools – they look like penitentiaries: bob-wired, with barred windows… even a preschool looked this way!
There were quite a few homeless beggars on the streets (less than I expected).
There are problems in the country where children and teachers spent a lot of time in a prison. There are problems if so many people end up on the street…
I have not dealt with those problems, I personally was not affected by them – and maybe, it is to the best. I prefer to think of New York and America as a place I like…
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/NewYork#
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Food in America
There is nothing more memorable than what our senses perceive: colours, sounds, smells, tastes…. All of them are combined in food, and who does not remember cuisine of the country he (or she) visited? I remember food of all countries I have been to…
America has an “Australian” flavour. I would not say I spotted many significant differences between our cuisines; however, there are some specific elements…
First of all, food is mostly of a really good quality... We had a couple of disappointments along the way, but predominantly food is well prepared and all produce is of a high quality (better than in Australia – in average. I don’t know what the secret is, but even strawberries and tomatoes have much more taste than Aussie produce. Actually, maybe, I know: probably, in Australia there is a lot of hydroponic produce, but here, in California, we saw huge strawberry plantations - traditional, on the ground).
Chris complains that American food lacks refinement, which is true: quite often served meals are simplistic in their approach, but we – as Australians - should not complain, because elaborate and interesting cooking is not common in Australia either. By the way, simplistic approach in cooking is typical for Russia as well, but our Russian food is plain on top of everything.
Shortly, I did not suffer from the lack of refinement in American food, and Americans compensate simplicity of cooking with portions of incredible sizes.
You have to see their portions!
Even in good restaurants they are big (much bigger than European or even Australian size), but in some chip fast food places (fish and chips or burger type, such as In-n-out Burger) portions are fit to feed an elephant. Once we were surprised with European sizes of portions in one of the restaurants, but that particular restaurant had a big number of European customers, which could affect their approach to sizes of serves (but we were disappointed – it felt as if we did not get expected value for money, even if the restaurant was excellent). Even Japanese restaurants serve big portiones. Can they be still called Japanese? I got used to thing that Japanese culture is all about balance, elegance and moderation. In America Japanese developed a fusion style, where everything is big, with ketchup and Tabasco, but tasty nonetheless.
McDonalds has their recognisable sizes of meals (probably, traditional all over the world), but other fast food places try to offer as much “value for money” as possible, that it becomes insane in some instances. No human being can possibly consume such amount of food, - but some Americans do (I saw it). On the other hand, many people don’t, and some amounts of food end up in a trash bin. Such a waste of food!
After saying it all about sizes of portions I must add that the number of obese people is not as overwhelming as it is in Australia.
Two countries argue which one is the fattest nation, but Americans did not strike me as a fat nation. We’ve seen a few scarily obese people, but average numbers of people with “normal” weight are more positive in America. Maybe, we went to “slim” areas, maybe fat people here sit at home – we did not spot too many of them. May be, after all, a lot of food is not responsible for getting fat? I have no right to generalize - I am just stating an observation.
They eat a lot of sweets here. Often even bread with lunch is sweet. They call it a “roll”, but in fact it looks like a ban, and it tastes like a sweet ban. On the other hand – I had the best imaginable bread here, in America. I loved it so much more than even French bread. It only proves my previous statement that they love their food here and can do it well. Their bread is good!!! One just has to look for it. In Australia I tried some good bread occasionally, but Australians are not into nice breads, in general (after 13 years living there I can make this statement).
From time to time I get confused with their language. As I mentioned, they call a ban “a roll”. Do you know what they mean by “cordial”? – a mixed alcoholic drink! “Sodas” are soft drinks in general, and “Deli” sells milk-shakes and salads. But apart from the linguistic differences, all dishes are highly recognisable.
One very positive side of America: they know how to make Margarita. In Australia it is such a problem to get a descent Margarita! America is a heaven for Margarita lovers like me. In Las Vegas they serve Margaritas for 99 cents! And of course, the size is nowhere near I would expect in Australia; it is a quadruple size! It was one in a life time opportunity to become drunk with my favourite drink, but – bad luck – we never had time to stop for a Margarita! Bugger!
Another peculiar thing here is wines. They have a good selection of wines from all over the world here, and of course, a lot of Californian wine on offer. I found Californian wines weak after Australia, and went for Aussie and Kiwi wines, and guess what? All the best wines from Down Under are the cheapest wines on the local market (results of the clad) so I was happy.
One horrible thing about America I cannot (and don’t want!) to hide: they know little about tea. Hotels even don’t offer kettles. Not a single hotel we stayed in had a kettle! They have coffee making machines instead. Many of them even don’t have tea bags on offer. Even if they put a tea bag next to coffee bags (Oh! You have to see a selection of coffees they have in their hotel rooms – it is a paradise for coffee lovers!), try to make a descent cup of tea with a coffee maker!!! What a sacrilege!!!
Tea is of a bad quality, as well. I did not see any familiar brands here such as Dilmah, Lipton, Twinings, only some local brands (Once I saw Tetley). By the way, when it comes to shoes, suitcases, cars etc – we have identical stuff on offer on both continents, but it does not apply to teas!
Even in cafes they don’t know how to make tea! What they offer is hardly drinkable! They bring luke warm water in a mug and then give you a choice of tea bags! We tried to talk to a few of waitresses if there was a chance to make a better cup of tea, but it was impossible: they even don’t have boiled water on the premises; they offered to boil it in a microwave!!! It was beyond belief! Every tea bag has a clear instruction how tea should be made, but nobody cares here!!!
For a tea addict like me it is a tragedy and I am suffering without my 3 or 4 or 5 cups of tea a day.
America has an “Australian” flavour. I would not say I spotted many significant differences between our cuisines; however, there are some specific elements…
First of all, food is mostly of a really good quality... We had a couple of disappointments along the way, but predominantly food is well prepared and all produce is of a high quality (better than in Australia – in average. I don’t know what the secret is, but even strawberries and tomatoes have much more taste than Aussie produce. Actually, maybe, I know: probably, in Australia there is a lot of hydroponic produce, but here, in California, we saw huge strawberry plantations - traditional, on the ground).
Chris complains that American food lacks refinement, which is true: quite often served meals are simplistic in their approach, but we – as Australians - should not complain, because elaborate and interesting cooking is not common in Australia either. By the way, simplistic approach in cooking is typical for Russia as well, but our Russian food is plain on top of everything.
Shortly, I did not suffer from the lack of refinement in American food, and Americans compensate simplicity of cooking with portions of incredible sizes.
You have to see their portions!
Even in good restaurants they are big (much bigger than European or even Australian size), but in some chip fast food places (fish and chips or burger type, such as In-n-out Burger) portions are fit to feed an elephant. Once we were surprised with European sizes of portions in one of the restaurants, but that particular restaurant had a big number of European customers, which could affect their approach to sizes of serves (but we were disappointed – it felt as if we did not get expected value for money, even if the restaurant was excellent). Even Japanese restaurants serve big portiones. Can they be still called Japanese? I got used to thing that Japanese culture is all about balance, elegance and moderation. In America Japanese developed a fusion style, where everything is big, with ketchup and Tabasco, but tasty nonetheless.
McDonalds has their recognisable sizes of meals (probably, traditional all over the world), but other fast food places try to offer as much “value for money” as possible, that it becomes insane in some instances. No human being can possibly consume such amount of food, - but some Americans do (I saw it). On the other hand, many people don’t, and some amounts of food end up in a trash bin. Such a waste of food!
After saying it all about sizes of portions I must add that the number of obese people is not as overwhelming as it is in Australia.
Two countries argue which one is the fattest nation, but Americans did not strike me as a fat nation. We’ve seen a few scarily obese people, but average numbers of people with “normal” weight are more positive in America. Maybe, we went to “slim” areas, maybe fat people here sit at home – we did not spot too many of them. May be, after all, a lot of food is not responsible for getting fat? I have no right to generalize - I am just stating an observation.
They eat a lot of sweets here. Often even bread with lunch is sweet. They call it a “roll”, but in fact it looks like a ban, and it tastes like a sweet ban. On the other hand – I had the best imaginable bread here, in America. I loved it so much more than even French bread. It only proves my previous statement that they love their food here and can do it well. Their bread is good!!! One just has to look for it. In Australia I tried some good bread occasionally, but Australians are not into nice breads, in general (after 13 years living there I can make this statement).
From time to time I get confused with their language. As I mentioned, they call a ban “a roll”. Do you know what they mean by “cordial”? – a mixed alcoholic drink! “Sodas” are soft drinks in general, and “Deli” sells milk-shakes and salads. But apart from the linguistic differences, all dishes are highly recognisable.
One very positive side of America: they know how to make Margarita. In Australia it is such a problem to get a descent Margarita! America is a heaven for Margarita lovers like me. In Las Vegas they serve Margaritas for 99 cents! And of course, the size is nowhere near I would expect in Australia; it is a quadruple size! It was one in a life time opportunity to become drunk with my favourite drink, but – bad luck – we never had time to stop for a Margarita! Bugger!
Another peculiar thing here is wines. They have a good selection of wines from all over the world here, and of course, a lot of Californian wine on offer. I found Californian wines weak after Australia, and went for Aussie and Kiwi wines, and guess what? All the best wines from Down Under are the cheapest wines on the local market (results of the clad) so I was happy.
One horrible thing about America I cannot (and don’t want!) to hide: they know little about tea. Hotels even don’t offer kettles. Not a single hotel we stayed in had a kettle! They have coffee making machines instead. Many of them even don’t have tea bags on offer. Even if they put a tea bag next to coffee bags (Oh! You have to see a selection of coffees they have in their hotel rooms – it is a paradise for coffee lovers!), try to make a descent cup of tea with a coffee maker!!! What a sacrilege!!!
Tea is of a bad quality, as well. I did not see any familiar brands here such as Dilmah, Lipton, Twinings, only some local brands (Once I saw Tetley). By the way, when it comes to shoes, suitcases, cars etc – we have identical stuff on offer on both continents, but it does not apply to teas!
Even in cafes they don’t know how to make tea! What they offer is hardly drinkable! They bring luke warm water in a mug and then give you a choice of tea bags! We tried to talk to a few of waitresses if there was a chance to make a better cup of tea, but it was impossible: they even don’t have boiled water on the premises; they offered to boil it in a microwave!!! It was beyond belief! Every tea bag has a clear instruction how tea should be made, but nobody cares here!!!
For a tea addict like me it is a tragedy and I am suffering without my 3 or 4 or 5 cups of tea a day.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A few thoughts about America
When I informed my friends about going to America for a holiday, I received so many non-enthusiastic responses: “Why America?” “ I would not go there…”” It is a crazy country!” “Personally I don’t like the USA”, “Could not you find something better?” etc.
I have been thinking about it a lot in the last couple of weeks. If somebody asked me 3 weeks ago: would you like to have holiday in America, I would instantly answered “Of course, not”. Chris brought me up here. It was his choice of a holiday destination.
Now I want to put a few thoughts together about this event…
One thing I learnt long time ago: it is easy to dislike something you don’t know.
What did I know about China before I went there? Our TV always showed documentaries about grey poor people deprived of all human rights and longing for Western democracy. I went there – and everything I knew happened to be prejudice and bull shit: there were grey people as well colourful, there were poor people as well as very rich and many people in between, there were human rights as well as inequality, and most people did not give a damn about the West because for them China is still a centre of the Universe (and it seems, it is going to be this way soon).
I fell in love with China as soon as I learnt about real people and real life there: not perfect, not evil – just normal life as everywhere else on this planet.
What do we know about America apart from its government and its aggressive and bias international policies?
Those who speak English well enough to understand President Bush laugh at him.
Of course, we know Hollywood with its fantasy blah-blah. Some of it is good, some of it is trash, but it is not life – it is a form of art which should not be confused with reality.
Hollywood affects our perception a lot and spoils a lot!
We all saw ads of Las Vegas, which is also a fake city with very distant relation to reality but somehow it reflects on our perception of Americans in general.
I am trying to stretch my memory to recall everything I have learnt about America from various sources: pocket size romance books, American literature, art, - what does it have to do with reality?
How Theodore Dreiser defines modern USA? He is just as irrelevant to modern times as Dostoevsky to modern Russians…
Of course, during my lifetime there were accidental meetings with Americans which also left some impressions (and I am sure many people had similar experiences).
Who does not remember stories about: “the mountains which are taller in America, fields are bigger, trees and buildings are taller, sky is bluer than anywhere else”? Did not you feel annoyed by those stories and wished to tell them: go back to your wonderful country where everything is the best? I did.
All this American boasting does not really help to like them. On the other hand: it seems that they are right till certain degree and everything seems to be bigger here: it is an American obsession to have everything big. Well, they have room for big things in this spacious country. Does it make them bad?
Well, it is enough thinking for one day. There will be more impressions to absorb and more thoughts to think.
I have been thinking about it a lot in the last couple of weeks. If somebody asked me 3 weeks ago: would you like to have holiday in America, I would instantly answered “Of course, not”. Chris brought me up here. It was his choice of a holiday destination.
Now I want to put a few thoughts together about this event…
One thing I learnt long time ago: it is easy to dislike something you don’t know.
What did I know about China before I went there? Our TV always showed documentaries about grey poor people deprived of all human rights and longing for Western democracy. I went there – and everything I knew happened to be prejudice and bull shit: there were grey people as well colourful, there were poor people as well as very rich and many people in between, there were human rights as well as inequality, and most people did not give a damn about the West because for them China is still a centre of the Universe (and it seems, it is going to be this way soon).
I fell in love with China as soon as I learnt about real people and real life there: not perfect, not evil – just normal life as everywhere else on this planet.
What do we know about America apart from its government and its aggressive and bias international policies?
Those who speak English well enough to understand President Bush laugh at him.
Of course, we know Hollywood with its fantasy blah-blah. Some of it is good, some of it is trash, but it is not life – it is a form of art which should not be confused with reality.
Hollywood affects our perception a lot and spoils a lot!
We all saw ads of Las Vegas, which is also a fake city with very distant relation to reality but somehow it reflects on our perception of Americans in general.
I am trying to stretch my memory to recall everything I have learnt about America from various sources: pocket size romance books, American literature, art, - what does it have to do with reality?
How Theodore Dreiser defines modern USA? He is just as irrelevant to modern times as Dostoevsky to modern Russians…
Of course, during my lifetime there were accidental meetings with Americans which also left some impressions (and I am sure many people had similar experiences).
Who does not remember stories about: “the mountains which are taller in America, fields are bigger, trees and buildings are taller, sky is bluer than anywhere else”? Did not you feel annoyed by those stories and wished to tell them: go back to your wonderful country where everything is the best? I did.
All this American boasting does not really help to like them. On the other hand: it seems that they are right till certain degree and everything seems to be bigger here: it is an American obsession to have everything big. Well, they have room for big things in this spacious country. Does it make them bad?
Well, it is enough thinking for one day. There will be more impressions to absorb and more thoughts to think.
Driving in America
We spent 2 weeks driving in Nevada and California. This time is sufficient to make a few brief observations.
First of all, how beautiful their roads are! How well maintained and wide they are. Even in a desert all roads were excellent (no unsealed roads except some riding fun tracks). Even in declining and poor areas (by the way, we did not see many of such areas) roads were so much better than in Lismore. We observed plenty of road work sites and saw various stages of road building. After seeing this I can say for sure that the Lismore council goes for cheap solutions (we observed road building around Modanville and saw how it was done) and the result is obvious. Bad Lismore roads are memorable to everyone who drove there once.
Americans take their roads very seriously and the result is marvellous. I know that Australian population of less than 20 million provides for building roads in the country of the size of the USA (where they have something like 300 million people) and Australia is a country with good roads in comparison with Russia, for example. However, I believe, if our councils stop looking for shortcuts in road building we will benefit much more and at the end it will cost less.
Shortly, I was impressed by the roads.
How many huge roads they have! A road can have 6-7-8 lines one way. It is impressive and depressing at the same time. All lines are full, all roads are full. I had an impression that there is no off-pick traffic on American highways. Every line is choko-block, even in a desert. Only twisted tourist drives have easier traffic conditions. Looking at the amount of cars I understand why this country bullies the whole world in order to get as much petrol as possible. This country will be in chaos if they cannot drive.
I am surprised with the amount of driving people should do to get somewhere. All cities we saw so far (Los Angeles, San-Francisco, Las Vegas and some smaller places along the Western Coast) are overstretched. Americans prefer to live in individual houses than in apartments. It is typical for Australia too, and our suburbs are endless, just like here, in America. However, our suburbs have shopping centres, which are quite compact and if you park a car somewhere close to the shopping centre, than you can do your shopping on foot quite comfortably. In America shopping centres are stretched so far, and distances between buildings are so unreasonably big that walking does not make sense. It is more sensible to drive from one part of the shopping centre to another. Everything is spacious here. On one hand it looks relaxing. On another hand – it is impractical, and costly. Countries with compact residential tendencies such as Russia or China have an advantage. Councils have an easier job to provide for the population, maintenance is chipper. Well, living cheaply is not on American agenda. They spend generously, and unnecessarily, on their cities.
By the way, Americans spend a lot on their cars (I don’t mean petrol). They buy big cars, which are costly, and eat a lot of petrol, which is also costly. And they have ugly cars! I mean really ugly: huge, square, disproportional. This type of cars is popular, which means there should be some good qualities in them, but why not to design them? Don’t hey care? We spotted many huge campo vans: I never saw anything like this. The sizes are monstrous, basically a size of a house, which illustrates another observation I made here: Americans love their comfort very much. They would love to leave house without leaving it. They take it with them, probably, quite literally. When I watched American movies about going on camping tour/fishing weekend (Honey, I shrank our kids and alike) it always seemed to be a comedy element. Now I start thinking that it is actually quite realistic.
They have different road rules. It is not surprising – every country has own ideas how to drive well, but what a foreign driver should do on the road? It could be a good idea to have leaflets with road rules info somewhere on the border, so tourists can learn a little. Some situations are confusing and in 2 weeks we have not resolved them. For example, on the crossroad no car has a priority; all 3 or 4 sides have a “full stop” line and sign. How do they know which one has to go first, if all drivers come to the intersection at the same time? I think our way is more safe and comprehensive…
On the other hand, Americans have very few speed cameras in comparison with Australia, but many more road policemen on duty. I found it is so much better and relaxing. Australian police leaves an impression of money making machine more than a traffic control aid. American police does what police suppose to do: controls traffic and secondly, gives tickets, probably. I was always a believer, that seen a policeman on the road is so much more effective than receiving a letter with a fine 2-3 weeks later.
To finalise my observations: everything is good on American roads and travelling can be quite pleasant, but I would not want to do it myself – too much stress in a busy traffic and too many stressed drivers, especially in the cities (just like everywhere else in the world, I guess).
In New York we will have a chance to learn about public transport system.
First of all, how beautiful their roads are! How well maintained and wide they are. Even in a desert all roads were excellent (no unsealed roads except some riding fun tracks). Even in declining and poor areas (by the way, we did not see many of such areas) roads were so much better than in Lismore. We observed plenty of road work sites and saw various stages of road building. After seeing this I can say for sure that the Lismore council goes for cheap solutions (we observed road building around Modanville and saw how it was done) and the result is obvious. Bad Lismore roads are memorable to everyone who drove there once.
Americans take their roads very seriously and the result is marvellous. I know that Australian population of less than 20 million provides for building roads in the country of the size of the USA (where they have something like 300 million people) and Australia is a country with good roads in comparison with Russia, for example. However, I believe, if our councils stop looking for shortcuts in road building we will benefit much more and at the end it will cost less.
Shortly, I was impressed by the roads.
How many huge roads they have! A road can have 6-7-8 lines one way. It is impressive and depressing at the same time. All lines are full, all roads are full. I had an impression that there is no off-pick traffic on American highways. Every line is choko-block, even in a desert. Only twisted tourist drives have easier traffic conditions. Looking at the amount of cars I understand why this country bullies the whole world in order to get as much petrol as possible. This country will be in chaos if they cannot drive.
I am surprised with the amount of driving people should do to get somewhere. All cities we saw so far (Los Angeles, San-Francisco, Las Vegas and some smaller places along the Western Coast) are overstretched. Americans prefer to live in individual houses than in apartments. It is typical for Australia too, and our suburbs are endless, just like here, in America. However, our suburbs have shopping centres, which are quite compact and if you park a car somewhere close to the shopping centre, than you can do your shopping on foot quite comfortably. In America shopping centres are stretched so far, and distances between buildings are so unreasonably big that walking does not make sense. It is more sensible to drive from one part of the shopping centre to another. Everything is spacious here. On one hand it looks relaxing. On another hand – it is impractical, and costly. Countries with compact residential tendencies such as Russia or China have an advantage. Councils have an easier job to provide for the population, maintenance is chipper. Well, living cheaply is not on American agenda. They spend generously, and unnecessarily, on their cities.
By the way, Americans spend a lot on their cars (I don’t mean petrol). They buy big cars, which are costly, and eat a lot of petrol, which is also costly. And they have ugly cars! I mean really ugly: huge, square, disproportional. This type of cars is popular, which means there should be some good qualities in them, but why not to design them? Don’t hey care? We spotted many huge campo vans: I never saw anything like this. The sizes are monstrous, basically a size of a house, which illustrates another observation I made here: Americans love their comfort very much. They would love to leave house without leaving it. They take it with them, probably, quite literally. When I watched American movies about going on camping tour/fishing weekend (Honey, I shrank our kids and alike) it always seemed to be a comedy element. Now I start thinking that it is actually quite realistic.
They have different road rules. It is not surprising – every country has own ideas how to drive well, but what a foreign driver should do on the road? It could be a good idea to have leaflets with road rules info somewhere on the border, so tourists can learn a little. Some situations are confusing and in 2 weeks we have not resolved them. For example, on the crossroad no car has a priority; all 3 or 4 sides have a “full stop” line and sign. How do they know which one has to go first, if all drivers come to the intersection at the same time? I think our way is more safe and comprehensive…
On the other hand, Americans have very few speed cameras in comparison with Australia, but many more road policemen on duty. I found it is so much better and relaxing. Australian police leaves an impression of money making machine more than a traffic control aid. American police does what police suppose to do: controls traffic and secondly, gives tickets, probably. I was always a believer, that seen a policeman on the road is so much more effective than receiving a letter with a fine 2-3 weeks later.
To finalise my observations: everything is good on American roads and travelling can be quite pleasant, but I would not want to do it myself – too much stress in a busy traffic and too many stressed drivers, especially in the cities (just like everywhere else in the world, I guess).
In New York we will have a chance to learn about public transport system.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
San Francisco
Why it is always the case that some essential moments are never mentioned in books, booklets and movies (San Francisco is so popular that it appears in all sorts of sources of information so frequently, nonetheless…)?
I would never guess that San Francisco is a cold city, but it is!
How cold it is here in comparison with the rest of California!
In one hour we drove from 36 degrees on the plains of California to 20 degrees in San Francisco.
From a monthly guide to SF in our hotel room I learnt that August here is “like the dawn of a new day. Cool summer temperatures begin to subside this month as warm weather rolls in and fog lifts by the afternoon”.
I am not sure I can say that cool temperatures subside when they reach 20 degrees in summer, and restaurants on the streets burn gas burners for their patrons, otherwise being on the street is unbearable.
By the way, last week they had 15 degrees max during the day! According to the local, the better month suppose to be September. One month a year fog sort of lifts above the city and you can see the sun. For the rest of the year, hot air from Sierra meets cold air from the ocean here. As a result it is always foggy and cold here!
Who calls it “summer”? It is worse than in Siberia!!! When we travelled in Siberia last year we had 30+ degrees for the whole week. Here they are happy to have 20 and call it “warm”! It is equal to our winter in the Northern Rivers. We meant to escape our winter but in SF we came back to the same winter environment, but even worse in some ways. It is so windy, that I could not continue our first expedition to China Town; I had to buy a fleece, otherwise I would die on the streets of SF. I caught a cold anyway and now I have a blocked nose.
And the fog, of course! I never knew that this city sank into a fog cloud. In the movies it is always sunny in SF, clear sky and people are dressed for a beach outing. What a fog they have here! The most remarkable fog ever! It covers tops of high buildings as if they are mountains and it moves so fast that I felt that the whole street floated with it. I have never seen before clouds shooting through the roof tops like missiles (nearly).
And the bridge! The one which suppose to be famous is invisible due to the fog, and another one, which is not famous even if it is a copy (sort of) of the Golden Gate bridge is grey!
Famous China Town in San Francisco was our first destination! Visually it is less impressive than Sydney China Town: the gates look insignificant, there is no well designed street as it is in Sydney, or even in Brisbane for that matter. Australian China Towns were designed quite recently, according to the modern ideas of beauty and comfort, that’s why they have a strong element of fake decorative purpose. SF China Town formed well before anybody thought of comfort for pedestrians, and this place is authentic, especially in contents. I would love to shop here! I am afraid no airline will tolerate excessive luggage…
Apart from China Town there are many entertaining things in this city. Outside the CBD – designed in 1970s therefore boring and full of copies of Twin World Towers: square and rectangular – and well before sleeping suburbs full of monotonous residential developments there is a band of old residential suburbs built well before modern regulations. They keep flavours of the past, full of architectural and topographical surprises and excesses, pretty and charming. In between there are streets of busy cafes and restaurants, small shops and old churches, sex industry streets and well designed gardens. This is the best of San Francisco with international and historical flavours. We would be happy to spend more time there, but alas… it is time to go.
We will remember busy streets, fat seagulls, sleepy and horny sea lions on the Pier 39, practically invisible in the fog Golden Gate Bridge (we will remember that we hardly could see it!!!), twisted and steep streets, the magnificent collections of the Modern Art Museum and Asian Art Museum, cold winds along the streets and strange optical effects on the water and in the air…
San Francisco is a city to remember, and to visit, but, please, get dressed for a cold weather
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/SanFrancisco
I would never guess that San Francisco is a cold city, but it is!
How cold it is here in comparison with the rest of California!
In one hour we drove from 36 degrees on the plains of California to 20 degrees in San Francisco.
From a monthly guide to SF in our hotel room I learnt that August here is “like the dawn of a new day. Cool summer temperatures begin to subside this month as warm weather rolls in and fog lifts by the afternoon”.
I am not sure I can say that cool temperatures subside when they reach 20 degrees in summer, and restaurants on the streets burn gas burners for their patrons, otherwise being on the street is unbearable.
By the way, last week they had 15 degrees max during the day! According to the local, the better month suppose to be September. One month a year fog sort of lifts above the city and you can see the sun. For the rest of the year, hot air from Sierra meets cold air from the ocean here. As a result it is always foggy and cold here!
Who calls it “summer”? It is worse than in Siberia!!! When we travelled in Siberia last year we had 30+ degrees for the whole week. Here they are happy to have 20 and call it “warm”! It is equal to our winter in the Northern Rivers. We meant to escape our winter but in SF we came back to the same winter environment, but even worse in some ways. It is so windy, that I could not continue our first expedition to China Town; I had to buy a fleece, otherwise I would die on the streets of SF. I caught a cold anyway and now I have a blocked nose.
And the fog, of course! I never knew that this city sank into a fog cloud. In the movies it is always sunny in SF, clear sky and people are dressed for a beach outing. What a fog they have here! The most remarkable fog ever! It covers tops of high buildings as if they are mountains and it moves so fast that I felt that the whole street floated with it. I have never seen before clouds shooting through the roof tops like missiles (nearly).
And the bridge! The one which suppose to be famous is invisible due to the fog, and another one, which is not famous even if it is a copy (sort of) of the Golden Gate bridge is grey!
Famous China Town in San Francisco was our first destination! Visually it is less impressive than Sydney China Town: the gates look insignificant, there is no well designed street as it is in Sydney, or even in Brisbane for that matter. Australian China Towns were designed quite recently, according to the modern ideas of beauty and comfort, that’s why they have a strong element of fake decorative purpose. SF China Town formed well before anybody thought of comfort for pedestrians, and this place is authentic, especially in contents. I would love to shop here! I am afraid no airline will tolerate excessive luggage…
Apart from China Town there are many entertaining things in this city. Outside the CBD – designed in 1970s therefore boring and full of copies of Twin World Towers: square and rectangular – and well before sleeping suburbs full of monotonous residential developments there is a band of old residential suburbs built well before modern regulations. They keep flavours of the past, full of architectural and topographical surprises and excesses, pretty and charming. In between there are streets of busy cafes and restaurants, small shops and old churches, sex industry streets and well designed gardens. This is the best of San Francisco with international and historical flavours. We would be happy to spend more time there, but alas… it is time to go.
We will remember busy streets, fat seagulls, sleepy and horny sea lions on the Pier 39, practically invisible in the fog Golden Gate Bridge (we will remember that we hardly could see it!!!), twisted and steep streets, the magnificent collections of the Modern Art Museum and Asian Art Museum, cold winds along the streets and strange optical effects on the water and in the air…
San Francisco is a city to remember, and to visit, but, please, get dressed for a cold weather
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/SanFrancisco
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Clouds in San Francisco
Pay attention to the strange optical effect in the clouds: the pyramid makes an impression in the sky. San Francisco is full of strange optical effects and illusions.
Eastern Sierra, California
California offers so much more to a human eye than Nevada!
Even the Death Valley was prettier than Nevada desert. Despite its ugly title the Death Valley had a variety of shapes and sizes of hills and mountains, sand dunes, salt lakes… It was more entertaining than Nevada desert.
But what a variety of climatic conditions and living environments California offers!
After the Death Valley with its desert environment we visited Mammoth Lakes District. I instantly felt at home. Who could imagine that California offers Siberian scenery? I expected Canada to be very similar to Siberia, but California???
Rivers and lakes with rocky beds and crystal clear and icy cold water, rocky mountains with pine trees, cliffs and occasional sandy beaches, modest flowers among grass, squirrels on the trees – it is all so familiar from childhood. It is exactly what Mammoth Lakes are. The only pleasant difference is absence of mosquitoes. Whatever the reason is – there were no mosquitoes whatsoever, while in Siberia mosquito plague is one of the worst problems in summer. Apart from this, the picture is basically identical!
Also we saw Mono Lake, which happened to be the most surreal landscape, one of the most memorable I’ve seen so far (and definitely it will be always one of the most memorable images of America for me), despite quite a modest vegetation around it. It is a combination of snow white and crow black islands among gentle blue-purple-pink waters of the lake, banks, sky and mountains on the horizon.
And of course, we visited Yosemite Park, which is made of rocks and pine trees, but rocks of an incredible size and pines of an incredible size!!! It is another memorable impression of America. What a gigantic playground of Nature! It is a good place to learn how insignificant we are in comparison with the forces of Nature. When you see a huge mountain broken apart like a plastic toy you ought to reflect upon a few questions, feelings, sensations… What a depth, what a space! It is one of the most beautiful places on this planet which are the must to see…
We saw endless hills with dried yellow grass just like in Victoria; we saw fruit and corn plantations which are so huge in size that can be compared with Bundaberg sugar and macadamia plantations. I have not noticed along the way any petite farm like ours; everything is huge!
I saw here mountains visually quite similar to mountains in Switzerland and Kazakhstan.
And coastal line offers quite a tropical environment, as I remember from Los Angeles.
What else will I see in this colourful state?
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/YosemiteParkCalifornia
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/MammothLakesDistrictCalifornia
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/EasternSierraAndLakeMono
Even the Death Valley was prettier than Nevada desert. Despite its ugly title the Death Valley had a variety of shapes and sizes of hills and mountains, sand dunes, salt lakes… It was more entertaining than Nevada desert.
But what a variety of climatic conditions and living environments California offers!
After the Death Valley with its desert environment we visited Mammoth Lakes District. I instantly felt at home. Who could imagine that California offers Siberian scenery? I expected Canada to be very similar to Siberia, but California???
Rivers and lakes with rocky beds and crystal clear and icy cold water, rocky mountains with pine trees, cliffs and occasional sandy beaches, modest flowers among grass, squirrels on the trees – it is all so familiar from childhood. It is exactly what Mammoth Lakes are. The only pleasant difference is absence of mosquitoes. Whatever the reason is – there were no mosquitoes whatsoever, while in Siberia mosquito plague is one of the worst problems in summer. Apart from this, the picture is basically identical!
Also we saw Mono Lake, which happened to be the most surreal landscape, one of the most memorable I’ve seen so far (and definitely it will be always one of the most memorable images of America for me), despite quite a modest vegetation around it. It is a combination of snow white and crow black islands among gentle blue-purple-pink waters of the lake, banks, sky and mountains on the horizon.
And of course, we visited Yosemite Park, which is made of rocks and pine trees, but rocks of an incredible size and pines of an incredible size!!! It is another memorable impression of America. What a gigantic playground of Nature! It is a good place to learn how insignificant we are in comparison with the forces of Nature. When you see a huge mountain broken apart like a plastic toy you ought to reflect upon a few questions, feelings, sensations… What a depth, what a space! It is one of the most beautiful places on this planet which are the must to see…
We saw endless hills with dried yellow grass just like in Victoria; we saw fruit and corn plantations which are so huge in size that can be compared with Bundaberg sugar and macadamia plantations. I have not noticed along the way any petite farm like ours; everything is huge!
I saw here mountains visually quite similar to mountains in Switzerland and Kazakhstan.
And coastal line offers quite a tropical environment, as I remember from Los Angeles.
What else will I see in this colourful state?
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/YosemiteParkCalifornia
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/MammothLakesDistrictCalifornia
http://picasaweb.google.com/Tatiana.I.Efremova/EasternSierraAndLakeMono
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