Toolips! Flag! Too lips! Flag!

The first post from American soil!

I managed to get up at 3am and do all the final tasks before leaving. Well, except closing the kitchen window - thanks Rob. I even got to say goodbye to all my friends in Guild Wars before the taxi arrived at 5am and I was whisked to the airport to catch the plane. After some really sunny weather, it had turned and was cloudy and raining, which made the thought of leaving the UK even easier. Got checked in and boarded the plane and settled in for the 7 and a half hour flight to Newark.

Look! Delta airways is the plane next to us. Ahh I flew with you last time. 

Arrived at Newark on time. Apart from the fact I could actually see New York City as we landed, I didn't like Newark as much as I liked JFK. It seemed dirtier and the porter I had was an unfriendly idiot. It seemed as though he thought his job was to just push me from point A to point B regardless of what I wanted or needed to do and he didn't even know how to do that! I had to ask him TWICE to take me to a toilet and when I asked if I could go outside for a smoke. He said that was ok. However, when we got there he informed me that, He'd leave me at the door and I would then have to make my own way through security and to the connecting flight. Which, I found out, was all the way the other end of the airport. I had lots of time to get through security, seeing as I would of only had to do it once anyway but no, we just didn't want to be there. He even made me walk through security which meant, because no one was in the chair when it went through, he had to wait for another chair! I kept my eye on him while waiting as It seemed like he was just going to wander off. Needless to say, I just told him to take me to the connection, waved him off like an aristocrat to the staff and didn't even give him a tip. I sat there chewing furiously on my nicotine gum, reading my e-book. I hate Newark!

I arrived in Albany on time, if anything, a little early, after a small prop plane and a very bumpy flight. It was warm but overcast but this time I got to see Albany in the light and without rain. I met Sam and we went home.

After a relaxation period, we had a clear afternoon and evening. So decided to visit The Olde English for a beer and a meal of traditional English fish and chips! If anyone ever asks me where to get good fish and chips, I'll recommend getting a flight to Albany. 

The weather held off and so we decided to take a short stroll in Albany park, mostly to work out my stiffened muscles. After that many hours sat down, I was feeling pretty bad and a short stroll, was much needed. 

Albany in May is beautiful. I learnt of the city's Dutch heritage from last year but I had arrived this time in time for the annual celebration of that. The city plants tulips everywhere and put on such a wonderful display. So we sat in the park and admired the tulips. 

Albany park in bloom.

View across the street.

Some Tulips. Tried sending this pic to Nina to say "Hi I have arrived, have some flowers" but stupid phone wont send pic messages while over here it seems. So here you go Nina. Some flowers for you.

Albany really do love their Tulips.

Looking up towards Mosses. Not the man taking the photo, but the statue at the top. I doubt this old man parted the Red sea... just sayin'! But apparently the guy depicted in the statue did. Damn photo bombers.

The last two, looking across the lake. It's a lot different from when I came in November and I like it. 

After our sit in the evening sun, we went home for ice cream and an early night. After being up and traveling for over 24 hours, I was beat and went to bed. Although I did have a couple of inquisitive visitors in the night. A couple of rather cute cats wondering who this is sleeping in their bed.