East Coast Extravanganza: Part Three Florida

The last leg of my 4th year nomadic medical student life was in Florida.  I was actually there for 2 months.  It just so happened that I had a small break and was able to go on my very first cruise.  Which, by the way, I discovered the reason why I had avoided this inevitable curiosity.  It's like being stuck at Walmart for 4 days with no escape.  I did go by myself.  I'm sure if I were to be with a group of friends we'd be getting tipsy by the bar and suddenly it might have been that much more exciting.  Unfortunately, a cruise solo is not something that I would ever do again.  I mean come on people, who wants to be stuck on a boat in the middle of an ocean with a bunch of strangers that are coupled up and romantically whispering sweet nothing's in each others ear in the dining room?  Puke.

This is cast off from port of Miami.

Well hey the staff have exceptional towel rolling skills.

Now it just feels like I'm back home in Vegas in a casino from the 80's.

The ship parked at Key West.

Now nothing against Carnival Cruise line at all, I think that they did a fantastic job for the money I spent.  It was $250 bucks for all you can eat, accommodation, a half day in Key West, FL and a whole day in Mexico.  You can't even stay one night in a hotel for that price.  Being that I'm a person who likes adventure and getting lost, the cruise ship just wasn't big enough for all 4 feet 11 inches of my incredibly itchy feet.  But I can definitely understand why many American's get a very big thrill out of cruising.  And I say "Cruise on baby! Bon Voyage!"   
   
So there was one cool thing I did as an outside excursion when we went to Mexico at Cozumel.  I booked a trip on "The Secret River".  Underwater cave hiking, as the best way I can describe it.  It's pretty awesome.  The water is actually fresh water, not salt as you might not expect for something connected to the ocean.  Definitely worth it if you ever get a chance to check it out.  There was a couple who was in my group who were in their 70's that was able to do it, so no excuses!

I know I look dorky, but isn't this awesome?  These rock formations are made of calcified calcium over hundreds of years.

Okay, so more on Florida.  The drivers suck.  I was afraid of my life driving around down there.  People are kinda mean sometimes, and they definitely have never seen an Asian before.  But besides that I can't argue with the weather and beaches.  I rode my bike and ran on the beach board walk many days of the week.  I might actually be moving soon hint hint ;)

Fell in love with "Josh's Organic Garden" on Sunday's at the Hollywood boardwalk.  Josh is seen in the back with the blue baseball cap.  The colors really were amazing and the produce some of the best I've ever had. Gotta love Florida for that, not just a bunch of oranges!  

This was from a sweets shop on the Hollywood boardwalk.  I fell in love with their Gelatti's.  It's Italian Ice with ice cream. 

Hollywood Beach. So surreal.

Hollywood Beach.

Hollywood beach sunset.

If you haven't guessed it by now, I stayed at Hollywood beach.  Ciao!

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East Coast Extravaganza: Quickie to Philly

I had never been to Philly before this past year of traveling, and I never really even consciously thought about it as an actual place to visualize in my mind. Being in New Jersey I took a little side trip to the cheesesteak home for a school meeting and also for a Michael Buble concert.  Driving to Philly from Jersey is an easy drive if you have at least $20 bucks in cash to ride the Jersey turnpike. Unfortunately being a west coast girl where it is free to drive on the freeways, I was a virgin to this toll road concept.  Just for your information, if ever you happen to run out of cash on the toll road they will not take credit or debit cards, nor will they accept any other forms of bribes to get you past. Instead they might just make you pull over on the side of the road to wait for a police escort to the nearest ATM.

I have some mundane photos of Philly. I'm sure any other Asian with a camera could do better.  Man I need to work on my photography skills. Anyways, here's what I have:

Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

Here's my pictures from the concert.  I really think he's just so talented. The Frank Sinatra of my generation.  And handsome and cute.  I'm such a hopeless romantic softie at heart.

By the way, in case you were wondering I reminded myself to take a trip to the ATM before attempting to drive back.  Why do they call it a turnpike anyways? What the hell is a turnpike?

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East Coast Extravanza; Part Two New Jersey

The next leg of my medical school pilgrimage took me to New Jersey.   Seriously, I gained some extra adipose tissue in areas not to be mentioned, but it was definitely worth it.  New Jersey was amazing for the Italian food.  I loved the fact that I could hop on a bus and be in NYC in ten minutes.  I love that New Jersey is home to the working class of people.  From professionals to blue collar workers, Jersey is the place that so many commute and make the trip across the Hudson. Some would describe it as a gritty and dirty city suburb of the big apple, but I love it.  It gives it some character. Could I live here?  I would say a definite yes to that.  Yes I know I'm an odd breed of human who would actually volunteer to live in this no frills, harsh city snuggled in the shadows of New York.  Its really just amazing to be so close yet just far enough from the one and only city. 

 Um, hello Cake Boss!

Most of the pictures I took were on my outings into the city.  I spent most of my time in New Jersey but I guess I was too busy working to remember to take pictures.

What a great memorial.  Site of the World Trade Center now home to the 9-11 Memorial.  Two squares with infinity waters and lighting. 

Washington Square Park.  Uberly romantic.

Times Square

What can I say about Times Square?  I honestly can say that rubbing shoulder to shoulder in the crowded street next to crazed international tourists for something that is not the ultimate definition of New York City seems very cliche.  None the less, seen it, done it.  Now where's the real New York?        

Chelsea Market.  Yup. Been there.  Best food ever! Have the lobster bisque from the Lobster Place.  You'll thank me later.

Bryant Park.

Grand Central Station

You can't go to NYC and not have a pizza! This place is the classic.  Lombardi's Coal Oven Pizza. They say it's the New York water that gives these suckers its flavor.  I say its the New York everything.

Good night New York.  Views of Manhattan over the Hudson River from the Jersey side.  This gives me just as much of a thrill as it would be to over look the grandest of all that mother nature has to offer.  The New York City skyline is just so grand, and to think that this was all truly built with man's two hands and willpower.  I love New York.  If New York City were a man I passed by on the street, I would say it was love at first sight.  I would probably go running after him and he wouldn't be difficult to spot.  He would have a distinctly gorgeous face with a confident demeanor.  What can I say? What girl doesn't like tall, dark, and handsome? New York has something to offer for everyone.  And for anyone looking to fall in love, you might just do that in this city and possibly with this city. 

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