Big Apple: Tour de Manhattan... In 12 Hours! Believe It!

Tuesday’s Glee episode was about New York. It felt odd as I was just there last weekend. New York felt like a place I’ve always known but have never been to. How do you get to know a place so well yet never been there a day in your life? Well, Peter Parker lost Gwen Stacy on the George Washington Bridge, an event which changed an entire universe. King Kong ran rampage and swatted airplanes from the top of the Empire State Building. Mac Taylor fished out dead bodies from the bottom of the Hudson River. Barney Stinson picked up girls from JFK airport, what up! Anna announced the arrival of the Visitors on the screens of Times Square. John McLane, Agents J and K were all over the city chasing after bombs, bad guys… and aliens. Ross Geller, Ted Mosby and Jerry Seinfeld all had one same problem: driving and parking in New York. In the fabric of reality, Bon Jovi rocked the Madison Square Garden. David Copperfield made the entire Statue of Liberty vanish into thin air. And of course, the single event of 9/11 which destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center and changed the entire world.

Simply said, I grew up watching and reading New York. The opportunity to live and breathe New York finally came last weekend when my lunch buddy graciously volunteered to show me around town. I thought, well, if rapture was going to happen, I might as well be in New York City when it happened! Yeap, that weekend was rapture weekend but nobody seemed to give a damn. :)

We started off the journey after work on Friday, from Columbia, Maryland to Clinton, New Jersey where my tour guide was from. We had some unexpected detour on the way, fumbling over the roads in Pennsylvania. But it wasn’t a bad detour at all as for the first time I actually saw Amish people living among the modern civilization! Amish people are a group of Christians who virtually use no form of technology at all. They do not use electricity, and they travel around in buggies pulled by ponies and horses. They farm and harvest by hand. They only apple they are interested in are the edible ones. Admirable.

We drove next morning to Jersey City, and parked near Grove Station to take the Path train to New York. Any sane New Yorker would advise against driving in New York for obvious reasons; if you think traffic in Kuala Lumpur is bad, well, wait till you get caught in one in New York City. The Path train led us straight to our first spot, Ground Zero.

The actual Ground Zero was barred and fenced from the public as there were construction works going on there. There were tourists all around and most certainly everyone there were not locals so I fit right in. There was a steel cross built from pieces of the Twin Towers, shrines, flowers, and murals on the walls around the area commemorating those who died and survived 9-11. The mood all around was somber and we did not linger on any more than necessary.

We moved forward to Battery Park where there were ferries for visitors to the Statue of Liberty… IF one were willing to line up at least a mile long and wait at least 2 hours for his/her turn. I wasn’t, so I just picked a spot where I can see the green old lady, snapped some photos and videos, and decided to move on to the next spot.

Wall Street, here the world economy makes and breaks. To the uninitiated layman like me, Wall Street looked just like any other city streets. Of course behind the veil trillions of dollars flowed in and out every day! We passed by Trump building, the Federal Hall and NYSE, and got to Broadway. From Broadway, we walked to City Hall Park, and of course the City Hall where Mayor Michael Bloomberg served the city’s causes.

From that point onwards I got really excited as we head towards the Brooklyn Bridge. I was an avid fan of Spider-Man and had always thought that Brooklyn Bridge was where Norman Osborn killed Gwen Stacy. I discovered only recently that the event actually occurred on the George Washington Bridge! That discovery was like a blow to the integrity of my fandom but who cares, right? But anyway, the bridge was very familiar so it wasn’t a total loss.

From the Brooklyn Bridge we then head to Chinatown and Little Italy to visit my tour guide’s immediate kin. Some pointers to survive Chinatown: if you are not gonna buy it, do not ask about it. Keep your head straight and do not talk to people. Nothing personal, just how business worked there. Just in that short walk along the street I came across two incidences of arguing! It reminded me of the degenerative state of things at Petaling Street the last time I went there. It wasn’t pretty.

Little Italy was full of Italian restaurants on the sidewalks. From Little Italy we headed to Greenwich Village, where New York University is located. The attraction? Pretty, young, possibly partying-type college girls… and of course if you liked F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Central Perk was supposed to be somewhere there.

We had walked roughly 5 miles by then, and it was starting to rain so we took the Path train to Madison Square Garden. Pennsylvania Station was right under Madison Square Garden and from there people can get to JFK airport. I was thinking to go that route to send my family off in two weeks’ time.

Next stop was Times Square, which reminded me somewhat of a bigger and more advanced version of Bukit Bintang, with big screens on the buildings everywhere. In case of breaking news, all the screens there will immediately change and show it. We did not stay to see if rapture was really happening though.

From Times Square we passed by Bryant Park; apparently the pool there would be frozen during winter and people can ice-skate on it. We did not stop by as we were already feeling the exhaustion of walking the entire day and just wanted to get to our final destination: the Empire State Building.

I originally did not want to get on the observation deck on the 86^th floor of the building as it cost USD21 per person, but I thought, well, it was the only attraction that I would be paying for the day anyway so why not? Fans would note that Peter Parker, King Kong and Barney Stinson were native to the building for entirely different reasons. Alas, the line to go up lasted for about an hour! While up, I spent about 10 minutes to snap photos and videos, and then lined up another 15 minutes to get down. For USD21, I certainly do not want to do that again!

By the time we got down from the Empire State Building, it was already getting dark, so we decided to have dinner New York style. Pizza.

We then caught the train back to New Jersey, and by the time we reached home, it was almost midnight. We had walked about and spent an entire day on our feet. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and given the grounds we covered within 12 hours, it certainly earned us the bragging rights!

I would return, next time with my parents, wife and eldest, and there is no way I can walk them around Manhattan the way I did, but at least I would not be entirely clueless. I missed Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, and hopefully I can cover the two spots next time.

My family will be boarding the plane in about 4 hours, and they will be here within 48 hours. I can’t wait!

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DC: Men Did Learn the Secrets of Flight from Dragons!

Yup, this is about my day 2 trip to DC. Scram now if this is not your thing :). Saturday yesterday was quite rainy yet I decided that I will not let it go to waste and made my second trip to DC. A Night at the Museum 2 was on TV today and as Ben Stiller walked across the Washington Mall in the movie, I thought to myself, “Hey I’ve been there just yesterday!” It was quite a thought.

I left early and reached DC at about 9 am. Google Navigation helped me find the National Geographic Society building, where I was to look for a 6 DVD set containing a collection of National Geographic magazines from 1988 to 2009 for my childhood best friend.  It was raining quite heavily then so I waited in the car until the rain subsided a bit. But unfortunately there, the supposed promotion on the item was over, so I decided to wait on it as I still have some time in the US.

Then I headed to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum! You see, when I was a lot younger, one of my ambitions was to become a fighter jet pilot. I was very infatuated with aircrafts, collecting trump cards and reading all sorts of materials on them. My absolute favorite was the F-14 Tomcat, probably influenced by Tom Cruise’s Top Gun movie and the Veritech fighters of Macross. Don’t bother to understand that.  My father disapproved though, citing that “nanti orang mati ada kubur, awak mati takde kubur” (regular people have dead bodies to bury, but you may end up not having a body at all). Funny I still remember that xD.

But anyway, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum was a very, very impressive place, and to think that admission and the exhibitions are free for public is simply amazing. It was not even 10am yet people were already lining up in front of the doors. Inside, there were all manners of REAL planes, space pods, jet engines, everything related to the history of air flight and space be they myth, fact, science or fiction. There was a rock from the moon that everyone can touch, space suits, the Wright brothers’ flying machine, missile heads, and weapons, things that in life I had only read and dreamed about. It was a very amazing and exhilarating experience! There were so much to do and so much to see, one can easily spend a day just to go around the entire museum! There were no real F-14s on display though, only small replicas, nor were there any credits to the dragon race for teaching men how to fly. Oh well.

After spending a few hours walking around, I finally decided to make my way out, and headed to the National Art Museum just across the street. I went in, enjoyed a few sculptures of naked women, saw an infamous painting of Napoleon Bonaparte, and then left. I guess art is just not my thing.

Then I decided that it’s time to visit the US Capitol. To the uninitiated, the Capitol is akin to our own Parliament building where laws are made and passed. I initially thought that visitors were not allowed to go in but was pleasantly surprised to find that I was just in time for a guided tour! I had to line up outside, go through metal detectors, line up again for free pass, and then started the tour with a 15-minutes short documentary titled E Pluribus Unum on the history of the USA. It was again very impressive and informative, and I was thinking about how we can do the same thing for our own country. But of course, the USA has been around for hundreds of years; it is very rich in history and very diverse in culture.

Visitors were then guided into the rotunda, a space right under the high central dome of the Capitol where there were 8 apparently very famous paintings, artworks on the wall and right on the dome itself; everything with their own meanings and interpretations of the history of the USA, explained by the tour guide. Lucky I had my video camera with me to capture that. Then we were shown a hall of statues, some more in depth explanations that I already forgot, and then the tour ended. There was an exhibition hall right under the basement but I had enough of history lessons for the day and decided to take the underground tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress just across the street.

And the library was not as what I expected. Visitors were not allowed to enter the actual library but only allowed to view from a visitors viewing area. Photographs were not allowed. Visitors were only allowed to enter the Jefferson library, and again no photographs were allowed. There were exhibitions on the third floor on the early American history about the Indians, Incas and Mayans, and some stuff on US constitution, declaration of independence,  etc etc. As usual the walls and ceilings were full of artworks. I recalled some scenes from the movie National Treasure… maybe I should watch them again.

All in all I think I spent about 3 hours at the US Capitol and the Library of Congress, and by that time I decided to call it a day. It was about 4pm when I left DC and reached the hotel at about 5. I was lucky that it only rained heavily in the morning and only cloudy with slight drizzle onwards while I was indoors most of the time.

Marking my way on Google Maps indicated that I had walked about 3 miles which doesn’t include all the walking I did at the museum and the Capitol. I think I walked at least 5 miles.

I wish I could really fly.

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DC: Where the Hell Is the Dragon Memorial?

Saturday's weather forecast for DC indicated sun all day, and therefore I decided that it was probably a good time to make a trip to DC. Initially I was reluctant to go since Obama had just killed Osama earlier this week and I wouldn't want to be caught in any celebrations there. But then I decided what the hell.

So it took about an hour’s drive from Arundel Mills, Hanover to Washington DC. I reached the National Monument, or the ‘big’ stick’ as I like to call it, at about 12pm. I found a good parking space near Department of Agriculture, and started walking towards the big stick.

On the way I met a family from Philippines, who thought I was a Philippino. Well, that’s the second time for me. They were looking for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and I offered to look for it on my Atrix. Unfortunately the connection was too slow for me to get a good signal.

I continued walking to the big stick and there were a crowd waiting at the base. Ah damn. I didn’t know that we can actually ride an elevator in the structure all the way up! However some free tickets were required and there was a long queue so I decided to pass, maybe next time.

From the big stick I can see two very familiar structures; the Jefferson Memorial across a lake they call Tidal Basin, and the Lincoln Memorial across the infamous Reflecting Pool (which are in a total mess as a massive restoration project was going on courtesy of the Obama administration and the taxpayers’ money, of course).

I decided to go to the Jefferson Memorial first. Walked all the way around Tidal basin and met a Malaysian family in front of the building. There was a mother, a daughter who is a student in the US and a guy whom I would prefer to be the brother (but probably he is the boyfriend, damn). Since I look more like a Philippino, I decided to greet them first and we exchanged short forgettable conversations before I made my leave. No contact numbers xD.

Then I took the opposite route around Tidal Basin to make my way towards Lincoln Memorial. On the way I encountered some other stone structures and fountains, and many writings on the wall. I found out later that probably the place was Roosevelt Memorial.

I walked on and saw that Martin Luther King’s Memorial was closed for construction. I reached World War 2 Memorial, and then moved on towards Lincoln Memorial. Along the way the Reflecting Pool was all dirt and mud with tractors and heavy machines around. Not a pretty sight and I was quite disappointed as it was one of the attractions that I really wanted to see.

Lincoln Memorial was crowded with people.

I then looked for Albert Einstein Memorial, and after that made my way towards the ultimate goal: the White House. I stopped by at one of the stalls on the way for a slice of cheese pizza and iced tea. I found out later that one of the stalls had Kosher sausages, so I definitely will look for those next time.

On the way to Obama’s house, I passed by the Federal Reserves building where a guard yelled at me as apparently no one was allowed to get close. There goes my Italian Job moment lolxD.

I reached the back of the White House which I thought was the front, and was ready to call it quits but I noticed many people coming from the opposite side of the road. Then I saw a plaque marking the area as the White House’s kitchen garden! Thank God I did not just pack and leave!

On the way to the White House front, I passed the National Treasury and a Malaysian family from Penang by the way they speak, of course. I did not say hi (peh, sombong, mentang-mentang takde anak dara!! Hahaha).

And there was a commotion in front of the White House! There were several protestors, a majority of them Syrian by the way they screamed “Free Syria”, and another group of Iraqis. There was a lone black man preaching Christianity through a loudspeaker, and another man trying to sell paper banners written by hand. The one he held was written “Bin Laden Was Right. We Are Half Wrong.” On another corner was a shrine of some sort to protest on nuclear weapons.

It was not the least bit scary at all, in fact it was somewhat amusing. There were two patrol cars and a few policemen just observing. I immediately thought, if this were to happen in Malaysia, each and every one of them would probably end up in jail for at least a few days if they were lucky, in ISA if they were not.

After lingering for some time, I finally decided that I have had enough. It was already over 4 pm and I dragged my sore legs back to where my car was parked, and on the way caught a glimpse of the Capitol building in the distance. For next time.

I turned on Google Navigation and looked for Malaysia Kopitiam, but was disappointed that it was more a bar than a kopitiam. Ordered Char Kuey Teow and hot tea (the tarik tarak), and wondered why the waitress cum tauke seemed a little bit hostile. Could she be bearing some old grudge over Bumiputeras or something? Either way, I will not be coming back anytime soon, not for the food nor for the service.

Finally I made my way back to Arundel Mills and spent some time uploading photos on Facebook.

The Washington Mall is a huge huge area full of memorials, museums and attractions. There is no way anyone can cover all attractions in one day on foot. I decided that I definitely will have to come again for a ride on the big stick (you read that right lolxD), visit the Capitol Hill and the various Smithsonian museums.

I marked my way on Google Maps, and it told me that I had walked about 7 miles, that’s around 11 kms, and walking non-stop would have taken me about 2.5 hours. I took about 4 hours, time accounted for snapping photos and videos.

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I think they should call that big statue at Kek Lok Si, Penang the Kuan-Yin Memorial. ;-)

Image: Of Terrorists, Pacifists, and Identity Crisis

I woke up earlier this week to the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death; killed, to those in jubilation, murdered, to those in retaliation. I’m not writing another piece on Osama when it will fall short against the likes of Syed Akbar Ali (who always write brilliant things except for when he goes on Anwar-is-the-devil-incarnate mode) and Marina Mahathir (who actually copy-pasted 2 very well written articles). I was actually looking forward to Friday to see if the khutbah will be about him though.

It was not. In fact it was better than that. The khutbah was about peace, and how much love Allah has for His creations. It was a very good sermon and very refreshing to my mind that are used to sleeping over regulated text-reading khutbah back home.

And thus I wondered about the image of a typical Muslim to a typical American. At the office, I’m the only Muslim around. I have no idea how many there are actually aware of this fact since it appears to me that even to my small team, I seem to be known as someone who always ordered seafood. Whether they knew the reason behind is not important to me as long as they pick a place where I can actually order something to eat.

I do not keep long beards as they never seem to grow in the right places to be neat. My crazy bullpen cum lunch partner made some Al-Qaeda jokes over the week and I made fun on Americans and their penchant for violence (they should stay away from Malaysia; we don’t have much oil left). He should be the President of the US and I should be an Al-Qaeda leader so we can be friends and the world can be a happier place. I declined invitations to bars. I do not drink, I do not gamble, and I don’t do drugs. I explicitly look for Halal food. Other than that, I am just like any other ordinary American.

The mainstream image of a typical Muslim is marred with violence associated with just one man, when the entire foundation of Islam is of peace. It is somewhat frustrating that with just one misunderstood label the casual Muslim image transforms into a gun-toting-turban-wearing-suicide-bombing Al-Qaeda jihadist. At the mosque today, only one brother was wearing a turban. The rest looks like any ordinary person, wearing work shirts, t-shirts, one even sporting a chain around his neck. In Malaysia people will look at the chain sideways, but here, he is just another Muslim brother.

Back home, the Malay Muslims are so confused about who and what Muslims are as aptly written by Art Harun, that we arrogantly call ourselves the gold standard of being a Muslim while ironically we have among the worst standard of human rights, corruption and media freedom. There’s only image with very little essence, and no substance.

My wife was asked by one of her non-Muslim friends, whether or not Malaysian Muslims see Osama as a hero. What the hell is that? Do you ask Germans if they think Adolf Hitler was a hero? Do you ask the Chinese if they think Mao Tze Tung was a hero? The question was very insensitive and ignorant coming from a fellow Malaysian, but that’s the image.

Meanwhile, as Osama was unceremoniously put to rest as fish food somewhere in the vast ocean, Obama’s image was proven to be just as another typical American President.

God helps us all.