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| Trave-
logue |
New
York |
Washing
ton |
Niagara
Falls |
LA - Hollywood
Beverly Hills |
Las
Vegas |
Grand
Canyon |
Utah
Lk.Powell |
Bryce
Canyon |
Texas
Rodeo |
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bottom |
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New York |
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Washington DC |
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Niagara falls |
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Kansas |
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Los Angeles - Beverly Hills - Hollywood |
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Las Vegas |
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Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell |
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Experience with the American Police |
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Texas |
 We
arrived at New
York on July 22nd and stayed in Manhattan midtown near Empire
State Building. NY with all the skyscrapers, its super Malls and
pulsating life was a very new and great experience. We stepped in at
„Macy’s“ and “Manhattan Mall” and were absolutely impressed by the dimension
of these shopping centers and the unimaginable range of goods. Never before
have we seen anything like that. Now we know, what it means “shopping in
New York”.... The most exciting event was the visit to the Empire State
Building. The outlook onto the city is absolutely impressive and makes
you feel the pulse of life of this powerful and gigantic world metropolis.
Especially memorable today - the view of the World Trade Center in Manhattan
Downtown. Very strange for us was to realize, that the district of Harlem
is just the black ghetto!
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 In
the afternoon of July 24th we left NY for Washington
D.C., using the "Greyhound" bus. In my opinion it is the opposite
of NY. The administration district around the Capitol and White House is
large-scale with large well tended parks, broad
streets, most beautiful houses - all in all very impressive, but no pulsating
life, anyway it was dead around these famous buildings: no shops or malls
or snacks. We really asked ourselves how people live there. Well, most
of the buildings are administration buildings, museums, galleries, bureaus....,
super exclusive restaurants.... The Capitol inside is magnificent. Finally,
the Chinatown district was a pleasure to see with its exotic look and blaze
of colors...
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| Next day in the afternoon we flew to Buffalo to visit Niagara
Falls. When we arrived in the evening and saw them floodlighted
in all rainbow colors until midnight - grandiose! However, with regard
to the dimension the attraction left us behind in our high expectations.
By films and pictures one has formed an idea of the Falls as the
water falls down from a great height, but if you are there the Falls appear
far smaller.
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 On
July 26th in the afternoon we went by plane to Kansas,
where we stayed some days with my pen pal Phil and his wife. We enjoyed
American life style and the beauty of the countryside, went shopping, drove
around in his white Mercury, watched cooking and relaxed. Besides he helped
us, via internet, to book our hotels for the rest of the trip as well as
the car for the round-trip through the canyons, and kindly accompanied
our further trip by calling us in the hotels. Thanks to our friend's great
friendship, hospitality and affectionate care we were having a great and
happy time. They are wonderful people and for ever will hold a special
place in our hearts. Much to our pleasure we could welcome them as our
guests in Germany the year after.
|
 In
the afternoon of July 29th we went by plane to the Western coast to see
Los
Angelesand get an impression of the Pacific coast. The landing
approach to LA by night was a simply terrific experience. About half an
hour we flew over an unending sea of lights - as far as the eye could
see millions of lights - an unimaginable und unforgettable impression!
On the next day we had a sight seeing tour and were most impressed with
the dimension of the city and the terrific traffic system. There are more
than 1600 miles city highway. Once we passed a place, where 5 highways
cross and the guide said, we just would ride in the 6th storey! While visiting
all the famous places we also walked along the "Walk
of Fame" and visited "Mann's Chinese Theater",
the most famous cinema of Hollywood, where all the famous Hollywood
stars left their hand- and footprints. Then went to Beverly
Hills and tried to have a look at life in this paradise of the rich.
We found dreamlike properties with exotic and sometimes crazy looking houses,
hidden behind walls and hedges and marveled at the wealth of ideas and
variety of creations. Another highlight was the experience of
old Hollywood with its loud colors and the
crazy, outsized advertising. Finally we enjoyed the beautiful lively
beaches of Santa Monica and Venice Beach (the famous Muscle beach)... All
in all very interesting and exciting sites, but not places to live...
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 The
very next day in the afternoon we again used the "Greyhound" bus to go
to Las Vegas. What we experienced there is just beyond human imagination.
No one can fancy the incredible richness and variety of fantasy
and ideas. It is breathtaking and fascinating - a glamorous fairyland!
Unbelievable as well, the multitude and dimension of the splendid, bright
illuminated gambling casinos in each hotel - they are the soul and real
essence of Las Vegas! With their special attractions the hotels try to
excel each other and to lure as many gamblers as possible. In front of
the hotel "Treasure Island" for example, two huge sailing ships ride at
anchor with performing pirates and within the MGM casino you'll even find
a cage with lions! Incidentally - there is no clock in any gambling
den and if yet, without hands, for - the lucky one doesn't care for time....
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 Next
morning we rented a car for a round-trip through the
Canyon region: Grand
Canyon - Lake Powell with Rainbow Bridge - Zion NP- Bryce
Canyon and back to Las Vegas, having a second night there. This excursion
was the main object and the absolute highlight of our travel.
The ride through the dessert of Nevada as well as through the Canyon region was a real pleasure to us. The traffic density was low and the highways just great! You can ride hundreds of miles straight ahead without seeing any settlement. Someone could say, the dessert offers a boring view, but as for us we enjoyed looking up to the horizon in almost each direction, watched the scant but exotic vegetation and admired the fascinating sunset. The huge dimension of this countryside gave us a feeling of infinite freedom. Apart from the Niagara Falls we never before have seen such breathtaking
natural beauty like in the Canyons! The magnificence and variety of colored,
bizarre rock formations is simply overwhelming and incredible. These
are indescribable beautiful and unforgettable impressions. On Lake
Powell (Utah) we took a 5 hour boat ride to explore this rock
surrounded lake and view the world’s largest natural bridge - the Rainbow
Bridge - unique and unforgettable! |
 It
was our first time to use the rented car, our Chevrolet, and the first
time to deal with an automatic gear-shift. No one had introduced us to
the car, but we found out, what appeared to be necessary. Well, coming
from the Grand Canyon we arrived at Page around 11 pm and in the
darkness we felt it difficult to find the hotel, which should be outside
the city. We stopped on the roadside to look at the map, when we suddenly
realized the police were behind us. They told us, that we weren't allowed
to stop at this place, asked us to turn off to the right, then to turn
over into the side road and to park there. But, feeling watched by the
police, something went wrong with automatic gear-shift while turning over
there and we stood crosswise across the street, hindering an approaching
car.
Oh well! Finally it was done and when we got out of the car, one of the policemen said "This has NOT BEEN FINE!" Of course we tried to explain a lot and excused ourselves extensively. However, we had to show or passports and the contract for the car rental . Then they unpacked a lot of paper and started filling out a big form asking "your age?, height?, weight?, color of eyes?... " We really did not know, whether we should laugh or better not. We decided to remain neutral and to answer correctly. After signing the sheet the policemen laughed, gave us the sheet and said: "This is NOT a fine - just a souvenir for you" and then helped us to find the hotel. Isn't that great? |
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 Finally
on August 5th we flew to Texas, where my pen pal Carroll picked us up at
Dallas airport. He took us to his home where we spent some unforgettable
beautiful days in the circle of his family, filled with happiness,
joy and laughter. In this way we got the chance of a lifetime to experience
life on a Texan ranch, watched how to grill a big piece of meat for the
barbecue in a stove from stone - 12 hours!, drove around with the pickup
truck and went on horseback. As a highlight our friends took us to a real
rodeo!
Never before we had an idea of the most exciting, fascinating atmosphere
and the thrilling actions, which made this event unique and unforgettable.
We thank our friends for their loving care, great friendship and hospitality.
They left footprints in our hearts and are considered family members now.
On August 10th we returned to Germany. All in all this travel has fulfilled one of our biggest dreams. Also the people have surprised us in the best way. Where ever we have been, we met such friendly people, who were happy to assist us and we've got such pleasant and great impressions, that I could write my "American novel" now. I'm very sure - we will return one day! |
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America Home |
 UNESCO
World Heritage Sites in the United States
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