I enjoyed a Zoom happy hour with an old friend recently. Back in March she and a couple of mutual friends went to New York for three days. She was talking about a mutual friend "L" who is very well traveled, she is a multi-million-miler on a major airline, the kind of customer that gets access to the first class lounge and upgrade to business class for life. L had worked for a legal software company for a few years and traveled for work on a daily basis as part of that work. Apparent L had only been to New York City once, to a trade show and had been so busy she never left the hotel. Her first trip to Times Square found her messmerized, standing the middle of the street taking pictures as the light turn and the traffic all honked. Then there was FAO Schwarz, now I though they were gone, but apparently there is a new store, L had never seen anything like it, they thought they would never get her out of the store. Then Tiffany's.
It would have been fun to be there to watch her reaction to it all.
What place around the world leaves you dumbstruck?
Montenegro. We knew nothing about it and it was a late addition to our 2017 itinerary. It was stunning.
ReplyDeleteI understand that is a spectacular coast,
Deletelondon 1970
ReplyDeletesan francisco mid-80s
They are still amazing today.
DeleteThe Grand Canyon. Also the Caminito del Rey just north of us. And so many cities, like San Francisco from one of its hills. And the original FAO Schwarz did that to me when I was a kid. I haven’t seen the new one in Rockefeller Center. Next time I’m in NY.
ReplyDeleteI will make it to Spain, so many places to see. I have been to the Grand Canyon four times. The last time I had a good digital camera, a few months later my computer ate it's hard drive, and my back-up was out of date. I need to go back.
DeleteSo many places are so hyped that when I finally get there, no matter how incredible they actually are, I find myself somehow disappointed. That's what I expected on my first visit to the Grand Canyon. Nothing I had seen could have prepared me for it. And to see it change from sunrise to sunset! I expected to be disappointed with Mt. Rushmore (and to find it hokey), but I was wrong about that, too. The Parks Department did everything they could to make the lighting ceremony hokey (OK, it WAS), but the majesty of the carvings made up for it.
DeleteI love New York! The last time I was there was 2 years ago and I stayed at the Marriott at Times Square. It was great fun sitting in the bar next to the windows looking right out at all those lights and crowds. Now I visit the Times Square webcam a couple of times a week and since the pandemic, Times Square is quiet with very few people. It seems strange to see.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to going back, a year ago in March was my last visit.
DeleteOf the places I've been, the one that left me the most dumbstruck was Stonehenge.
ReplyDeleteEven without understanding the history or purpose, it is amazing to think how that was built, when it was built.
DeleteLondon, and the UK in general. Every block in any city or town has something to see or read, and the drives through the countryside and along the coast are stunning. I just have to remember to stay left!!
ReplyDeleteGreat adventures in driving
DeleteI felt that way when visiting London as I so longed to see it.
ReplyDeleteYou should go back, it is still awesome
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