Transcending Ordinary

Random events/ opinions from the life of Paul T Maneesilasan

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Ok, so monday I was doing some research at the library when I get a message from a fellow vagabond about a flight deal, this time it was with JetBlue. I walk over to the nearest computer and start looking. The promotion was to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. Any flights on tuesday and wednesday, 10 dollars one-way or 17 roundtrip + taxes/fees. Ok, where to? To maximize the deal, I’d fly out tuesday, and back wednesday. That ruled out long flights like west coast trips. After some thought, I decided on New York City. I hadn’t been there in a while, I wouldn’t need to rent a car, and I wouldn’t spend long on the plane.

Next, I found a great deal on hotel on 95th street, a block away from Broadway and near the middle of Central Park, $67 including taxes.

From JFK to my hotel, $7.25 airtrain/subway, and same back.

Not bad for next day travel and 20minutes on the net :)

I switched my wednesday work day to tuesday (I typically commit to work only wed&thurs). Som already had wednesday off of work, so the timing worked out perfectly.

So I go in a bit early on tuesday, work a full day, then head home. There, my roommate Mark drive Som and I directly to the airport. Isaac my other roommate, graciously offered to pick me up on wednesday:)

Getting through the airport with simply a backpack was a breeze. Dulles looks so much better now that they have finished remodeling it and adding rail to the concourses. Upon arriving in JFK, we noticed lots of signage celebrating JetBlue’s 10 year birthday:)

When we got to the hotel, it felt like something out of hippyville. Each floor had different color walls. Some were orange, others were green, our newfound friends from Tokyo one floor down from us were yellow, the lounge was purple :)

That evening we walked down Broadway street. This city never sleeps. At the end of the night stopped in “Hot & Crusty” for some Manhattan style pizza. mmm mmm good:)

The next morning we took the subway to midtown and walked to Times Square. We had breakfast at the McD’s allowing for a great view of the square. The second floor was heavily decorated the NYC iconic theme, including a replica of the city.

After breakfast we went to learned more about Times Square at an information center, which included the New Years Ball that I’ve seen drop so many times in TV, and in person years ago with Angie.

Next we cruised through more of Manhattan and over to the NYC Public library.

Then up Avenue of the America’s to walk through the Rockefeller Center and see the NBC studios.

More sightseeing and eventually walked by the Apple store on the way to Central park. Had a great time in the park, such a beautiful piece of nature, surrounded by iconic skyscrapers and advertising blitz.

Including food, hotel, subway, and airfare, it ended up costing less then $100 each of us for a wonderful, last minute experience in NYC which didn’t interfere with work or any other commitments :)

I spend the weekend hanging out with a good friend I met in Colombia who lives just west of me.  Not having my car out here, I booked a Greyhound ticket out.  It reminded me of my travels as a kid in DC and Baltimore.  Even before being able to drive, the freedom of hoping on the metro, bus or a train and just going places is quite liberating :) continue reading…

From Hui Hin Thailand to Ocean City Maryland. Pulled some photos off my camera tonight, and found a bunch of golfing pics :) The first two are from Ocean City, the last eight are from Thailand.

I returned on thursday morning after spending almost a week in the UK. Although it was a short trip, the work / sightseeing mix was just right. The great company also helped. For those of you who didn’t know, the purpose of the trip was the London Book Fair, which my cousin had a booth to represent a new product his company is working on. Due to the size of the fair, apparently the largest book fair in the world, I will dedicate a separate post to it. This post will focus on the sightseeing. Feel free to check out my travel gallery on the right for all my UK pictures.
open top bus
We started the weekend on a open top bus tour where we listened to information via earphones and experienced the brisk London weather.
trafalgar squareThe bus went through the famous Trafalgar Square, which commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Lord Nelson stands on the column in the middle surrounded by four lions.
group picture infront of the lionHere is most of the SLC team, that’s me above, my cousin Nitat on the left, followed by Sam, Eric, Nina, and Ann :) I must say thanks to Ann, she was the London native and certainly took care of us while we were there including getting me tickets to a premier league game, Chelsea, ranked #2, against Wigan.
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When I have time, I will update this post, though for now I posted the pics from Medellin in the travel pics gallery, click the link on the right and look for Medellin. The pictures are great.

club1club2Where do I start : ) Well the night before I was out practicing my salsa at a local club.
I must admit, these pictures were taken with my cell phone, hence the poor quality :) Hey, you’ve gotta make the best with what you’ve got right? ; )

On New Years I went over a friends house and had a great time, thanks Ximena! Let me start by contrasting the experience with New Years back in the states. Rather then spending it with just family and friends, everyone goes outside and celebrates it with the entire neighborhood. Lots of drinks, dancing, meeting interesting people from down the street and a great tradition.
neighborhood1neighborhood2neighborhood3
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Bogota Day 3

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On my last full day in Bogota, my friends and I decided to conquer the Cerro De Monserrate. This was the mountain just behind the area we stayed in the La Candelaria district. There are three ways up the mountain, cable car, rail, or in foot. Jessica and I decided to hike it, while everyone else took the cable car. Besides my daily Salsa lessons I hardly had any excercise on the trip so I was eager to let loose on the hike. That was at the start anyway :) I soon realized just how much of a factor the high altitude can be. The base was 2600m and 3160m at the top. On the way up we passed many others coming down. I later realized most people take the cable car up, and walk down. continue reading…

Bogota Day 2

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The next day we decided to start early and take a trip north to the Salt Mines. We went to the metro terminal for a lift on the “Transmillenium.” At the last stop we got off and took the bus for another hour. We got off at a town called Zipaquira and made a 15minute walk up north before arriving at the Catedral De Sal. click continue reading for the pics;) continue reading…

Bogota Day 1

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Bolivar Square I was up late last night probably around 3am, but i was up by 8:30 and met friends for breakfast at 9:30. We went to a nice cafe for creeps. The food tasted great and you can’t beat Colombian coffee :) While eating, the store was surrounded by, military, bodyguards and police, along with a few hummers and law enforcement vehicles. Things looked pretty serious so we quickly made our way out. cabRidemilitary at Palace Upon walking through the city, we passed by the Presidential Palace and at the back, I noticed an ambulance standing ready. After all, we are in Colombia I guess :) I was reminded of this after passing through security. continue reading…

What a journey I had yesterday. First off, things started off early. Having turned in at 3am, I was up by 5am to leave my house at 5:15am. I deliberately went to sleep super late so I would be hella tired on the flight. My roommate had to be in Lorton, VA at 7am and DCA was on the way so he gave me a lift :)

DCA terminal Once at the airport I stopped for my traditional McD’s breakfast (when i fly out of DCA anyway).

breakfast ;) While eating a delta person announced that my original flight (not departing for 2hrs) might be delayed due to mechanical problems. continue reading…