From Glen: The first days in NYC

Six hundred and fifty miles - that was how long the drive up to NYC was on Monday. Seven states (TN, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY) and over ten hours of car time, at least half of which was in VA. "Virginia is for Lovers" has been one of their state mottos - I say "Virginia is for Lovers of the Same Old Scenery for Hours and Hours and Hours".

It is in NJ that you finally realize that you're nearing NYC. Against the eastern horizon there emerges this ever strengthening glow, looking almost like the remnants of a second sunset. The closer you get, the more of the sky it dominates until laid out below you is a carpet of lights leading the way in to the city. Of course at the same time you've entered maddeningly difficult traffic so you're not able to enjoy the view quite as much as you would like; if you did, I'm pretty sure that you would become roadkill.

Dinner on Monday night was simple. A restaurant down the street from the hotel called Jack's with an outstanding rack of lamb. It was close to closing time but the staff was still attentive. The only other patrons there were obvious regulars up at the bar - with the exception of one couple. Through the snippets of conversation that drifted to the table from the bar, theirs was an amazing story of love. Apparently they had been lovers in college, but life took them both different ways to start different families. It was only after those families had grown up and the mates departed on their own way that the two reunited - bumping in to one another in a Wal-Mart near the toothpaste. That was three weeks ago and they had been inseparable since.

Tuesday was an easy day. The International Center for Photography in the morning after a late start. The display at this time is one of ecological photos and media works, highlighting the impact of man on the natural world. One photo stood out strongly - a landscape photo taken with an experimental camera (the R-1) which captures exquisite detail up to seven miles away. Viewing this photo by Ross, you felt like you were standing on the edge of the lake looking at the distant mountains with nothing between you and them but clear, cold air.

Lunch was a small Japanese restaurant. Very interesting. A bowl of sweet rice covered by a scrambled egg and a pork cutlet, all covered with soy sauce. Reminded me of beebimbop, a Korean dish. Like I said, very interesting.

A break and nap at the hotel and then it was off to the airport to meet Stefan and Anne. To beat the rush hour traffic it was recommended that one take a taxi at around 4 o'clock to get there by 5:30. Forty-five minutes later, after a harrowing ride from Manhattan (and what NYC taxi ride does not meet that description), it was time to begin the vigil at JFK waiting for the Germans to arrive. An hour passed and another was creeping close to a finish and still no Germans. And then two bright-eyed blondes come around the corner and Stefan and Anne are actually here - delayed by a contraband banana.

Another harrowing ride in to NYC with passengers turning green from motion sickness and we were back at the hotel. Time to let the Germans freshen up and then off to dinner. A quick walk up through Times Square and we settled on an Irish pub for a refreshing meal. Back to the hotel and Crash!!, everyone was quickly asleep.

And that's been the trip so far.