Okay, today is Wednesday. We discovered that we all like shopping at op shops and so on the way for the big hostage exchange Sharon took us to Designer ReSale. I bought another pair of jeans, a vest and a handbag.
We met Kitty and Cathy and Mary at a shopping centre somewhere, and then all went to St Charles, a historic area of St Louis, for lunch. The main street there is full of interesting little shops with antiques, jewellery, etc. Lunch was at Trailhead Brewing Co. I had french onion soup with lots of melted cheese on top, and a chicken sandwich. Then we walked back. We saw lots of squirrels running around and Sharon and Kitty thought it was funny that I kept saying "oh, there's a squirrel" . They say squrle to ryme with Earl (Earl the Squirrel). There were lots of dead raccoons on the road, too - their equivalent of dead kangaroos, I guess - road kill.
Then Kitty took Cathy and Ros away, and the rest of us went to Cosco to buy a cake. It's a big wholesale shop where you have to be a member. We lost Mary and Betty because Betty was trying on a coat. On the way to Cosco we dropped into a Goodwill store. I bought some purple thermal underwear because Sharon said New York would be even colder than St Louis. We went to J C Penneys so Mary could buy her friend some underwear, and Sharon found a really cute handbag that Betty insisted on buying her. By this time it was 5 pm, and we were all shopped out.
We went to a local diner, Larrys, for dinner with some of Sharon's family. We met her mother, Dorothy, who's 86 and a real live wire. A friend of Sharon's, Mary-Lou was there too. Sharon's son and daughter and their partners and some of their children were there, so there were four generations all together, which was lovely to see. I had catfish and Budweiser and hush puppies for dinner.
Okay, I've got to get off the computer now so Betty and Mary can make contact with home. More tomorrow (but we'll be out all day being tourists and then going to rehearsal with the River Blenders, so it might be the next day before you hear about that).
Over and out
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Travelling East
On Tuesday morning I woke up at 3:30 am, and decided this was a good time to get up so that I could be really tired and sleep on the plane. I caught the train to the International Airport and got there in good time to get my boarding pass and check in my two bags. Inside I met up with 9 other CKC members who were on the same Qantas QF107 flight to Los Angeles.
Betty and I were lucky to have chosen seats in Premium Economy, up the pointy end of the plane, so we only had one person sitting next to each of us and there was lots of leg room. We were served lunch, and then later on they gave us a "snack pack" to sustain us until breakfast. I finished Salvation Creek and then started House at Salvation Creek. I put on ear plugs and noise-cancelling headphones when it was time to sleep, but there was still a lot of noise from the engines. I think I got about two hours decent sleep, and then tried without success to go back to sleep. It was a relief when they turned the lights back on and announced breakfast.
We arrived at LA around 6 am, a little earlier than scheduled. Progress through immigration and customs was pretty quick, though we found the staff more serious than in Honolulu the year before. I'd booked the LA-St Louis leg of my trip separately from the Sydney-LA leg, so while everyone else checked their baggage back in, I took the long way round to Terminal 4 to get my boarding pass with American Airlines and then recheck my luggage. Then it was back through security to Terminal 4 to rejoin the others for another long wait. Everyone was pretty stuffed by this stage, apart from Betty who'd taken drugs and slept all the way (the b**$%##^).
Our plane to St Louis left at 11:35 and Mary missed it because she was on a different flight that was delayed - but we were able to text each other so we knew where she was. Some of us had to check in our cabin baggage because the plane was full and there was no more room in the ovrehead lockers. The country we flew over east of LA was very dry and barren, and then as we got close to St Louis suddenly it became green and lush. Finally we landed. Betty slept all the way and everyone wants what she was having.
Our River Blender hosts were waiting for us with open arms and big hugs. Sharon (my host) had a sign saying "Sharon" and I was confused, because our Sharon wasn't coming, but we worked it out. Ros came with Betty and me to stay with Sharon for the night, so that Kitty could come back at 8 pm to collect Cathy and Mary, and then we arranged to swop them over the next morning.
Sharon and David have a wonderful home on 7 acres at Winfield, outside St Louis, and we have a bedroom each and one spare. She gave us home made chicken soup and ham croissants for supper, and we drank (okay, I drank) lots of wine to help us sleep. Which we did. Solidly. Even Betty (without drugs). I have no idea what we talked about except that when Betty told me I was slurring I went to bed and slept for 11 hours.
Betty and I were lucky to have chosen seats in Premium Economy, up the pointy end of the plane, so we only had one person sitting next to each of us and there was lots of leg room. We were served lunch, and then later on they gave us a "snack pack" to sustain us until breakfast. I finished Salvation Creek and then started House at Salvation Creek. I put on ear plugs and noise-cancelling headphones when it was time to sleep, but there was still a lot of noise from the engines. I think I got about two hours decent sleep, and then tried without success to go back to sleep. It was a relief when they turned the lights back on and announced breakfast.
We arrived at LA around 6 am, a little earlier than scheduled. Progress through immigration and customs was pretty quick, though we found the staff more serious than in Honolulu the year before. I'd booked the LA-St Louis leg of my trip separately from the Sydney-LA leg, so while everyone else checked their baggage back in, I took the long way round to Terminal 4 to get my boarding pass with American Airlines and then recheck my luggage. Then it was back through security to Terminal 4 to rejoin the others for another long wait. Everyone was pretty stuffed by this stage, apart from Betty who'd taken drugs and slept all the way (the b**$%##^).
Our plane to St Louis left at 11:35 and Mary missed it because she was on a different flight that was delayed - but we were able to text each other so we knew where she was. Some of us had to check in our cabin baggage because the plane was full and there was no more room in the ovrehead lockers. The country we flew over east of LA was very dry and barren, and then as we got close to St Louis suddenly it became green and lush. Finally we landed. Betty slept all the way and everyone wants what she was having.
Our River Blender hosts were waiting for us with open arms and big hugs. Sharon (my host) had a sign saying "Sharon" and I was confused, because our Sharon wasn't coming, but we worked it out. Ros came with Betty and me to stay with Sharon for the night, so that Kitty could come back at 8 pm to collect Cathy and Mary, and then we arranged to swop them over the next morning.
Sharon and David have a wonderful home on 7 acres at Winfield, outside St Louis, and we have a bedroom each and one spare. She gave us home made chicken soup and ham croissants for supper, and we drank (okay, I drank) lots of wine to help us sleep. Which we did. Solidly. Even Betty (without drugs). I have no idea what we talked about except that when Betty told me I was slurring I went to bed and slept for 11 hours.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Packing, Unpacking, Repacking
Well, I had visions of travelling with just one small suitcase, but it's not to be. Our St Louis hostess, Sharon, emailed to say the forecast was for temperatures down to a low of 2 degrees Celsius, and a maximum of 14 degrees. So I've just got back from Parramatta, where I bought travellers cheques (to pay for the chorus breakfast) and then popped across the street to Kathmandu to buy 3 thermal long-sleeved tops. I now have a suitcase of clothes, and another suitcase for the laptop, accessories, makeup, documents, and miscellaneous other items. My costume including shoes is in my backpack along with 4 books and noise-cancelling headphones.
[Cousin Eleanor recommended two books by Susan Duncan: Salvation Creek, and House at Salvation Creek, so I picked them up at Dymocks].
I'd hoped to get an aisle seat on the plane, but left it too late, so I have a window seat in a block of two, up the pointy end. And I've notified the bank I'm travelling overseas, checked the PIN on my ANZ travel card, and backed up my desktop. And booked a hair appointment.
Yep, I'm just about set.
[Cousin Eleanor recommended two books by Susan Duncan: Salvation Creek, and House at Salvation Creek, so I picked them up at Dymocks].
I'd hoped to get an aisle seat on the plane, but left it too late, so I have a window seat in a block of two, up the pointy end. And I've notified the bank I'm travelling overseas, checked the PIN on my ANZ travel card, and backed up my desktop. And booked a hair appointment.
Yep, I'm just about set.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Los Angeles Hotel
I thought I'd better book a hotel in Los Angeles before I leave. I wanted one close to public transport, and not too expensive. I thought about a youth hostel, but all the hostels available the nights I wanted in LA were shared dormitory style, and I'm too old and grumpy for that.
I googled historic hotels in LA, and I've booked through Expedia into the Historic Mayfair Hotel, 1256 West 7th Street. It's $334.70 for 5 nights. Their website says "It combines a sense of “old World” with a time honored tradition of gracious service. Built during the heyday of the Roaring Twenties, The Historic Mayfair Hotel still reflects the grandeur of the era with glass etchings, brass fixtures, skylight and frenzied pillars."
They are close to public transport and "only blocks away from the Financial District, Civic Center, Jewelry Mart, Garment District, Music Center, 7th Market Place, Shopping Centers, and Convention Center. The Historic Mayfair Hotel is just minutes away from Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Korean Town, and Olivera Street. 15 miles away from many famous attractions like Universal Studios, Getty’s Museum, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and 35 miles to Disneyland." That should be enough to keep me amused for 5 days.
I googled historic hotels in LA, and I've booked through Expedia into the Historic Mayfair Hotel, 1256 West 7th Street. It's $334.70 for 5 nights. Their website says "It combines a sense of “old World” with a time honored tradition of gracious service. Built during the heyday of the Roaring Twenties, The Historic Mayfair Hotel still reflects the grandeur of the era with glass etchings, brass fixtures, skylight and frenzied pillars."
They are close to public transport and "only blocks away from the Financial District, Civic Center, Jewelry Mart, Garment District, Music Center, 7th Market Place, Shopping Centers, and Convention Center. The Historic Mayfair Hotel is just minutes away from Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Korean Town, and Olivera Street. 15 miles away from many famous attractions like Universal Studios, Getty’s Museum, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and 35 miles to Disneyland." That should be enough to keep me amused for 5 days.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My itinerary, 13th October to 13th November
Here's my itinerary:
Tues,13 October, 11:15 am - Fly from Sydney to LA to St Louis
ST LOUIS:
Tues, 13 October - Sun, 18 October - staying in St Louis with Sharon and David Brinkman, along with Mary Schultz and Betty Fuller
Thurs, 15th October - dinner and rehearsal
Frid, 16th October - tech rehearsal
Sat, 17th October - River Blenders Show "All Keyed Up"
Sun, 18 October, 11 am - travel by bus from St Louis to Nashville
NASHVILLE:
Sun, 18 October - Sun, 25 October -staying at Hilton Downtown, Nashville (sharing room with Sue Gourdie)
We have rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday, and compete on Thursday in the chorus semi-finals. We are number 2, after Waikato Rivertones. On Friday we'll watch the quartet competition, and on Saturday the finals of the chorus competition.
KIWI EXPRESS (with the ladies of the Waikato Rivertones):
Sun, 25 October - travel by bus from Nashville to Roanoke, Virginia
Sun, 25 October - staying at Fairfield Inn, Roanoke
Mon, 26 October - travel by bus from Roanoke to Washington, DC
Mon, 26 October - Thurs, 29 October - staying at Fairfield Inn, Manassas, Virginia
Thurs, 29 October - travel by bus from Manassas to New York
Thurs, 29 October - Sun, 1 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Newark, New Jersey
Sun, 1 November - travel by bus from Newark to Boston
Sun, 1 November - Wed, 4 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Andover, Massachussetts
Wed, 4 November - travel by bus from Boston to Philadelphia
Wed, 4 November - Thurs, 5 November - staying at Staybridge Suites, Malvern, Pennsylvania
Thurs, 5 November - travel by bus from Philadelphia to West Virginia
Thurs, 5 November - Fri, 6 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Morgantown, West Virginia
Fri, 6 November - travel by bus from West Virginia to Louisville
Fri, 6 November - Sat, 7 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Louisville, Kentucky
Sat, 7 November - leave the tour, and fly from Louisville to St Louis
Sat, 7 November - Sun, 8 November - staying in St Louis
Sun, 8 November, 4:55 pm - fly from St Louis to LA
Sun, 8 November - Fri, 13 November - staying in LA
Fri, 13 November - Fly LA to Sydney
Sun, 15 November, 8:25 am - arrive home, and Pete picks me up from the airport.
Tues,13 October, 11:15 am - Fly from Sydney to LA to St Louis
ST LOUIS:
Tues, 13 October - Sun, 18 October - staying in St Louis with Sharon and David Brinkman, along with Mary Schultz and Betty Fuller
Thurs, 15th October - dinner and rehearsal
Frid, 16th October - tech rehearsal
Sat, 17th October - River Blenders Show "All Keyed Up"
Sun, 18 October, 11 am - travel by bus from St Louis to Nashville
NASHVILLE:
Sun, 18 October - Sun, 25 October -staying at Hilton Downtown, Nashville (sharing room with Sue Gourdie)
We have rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday, and compete on Thursday in the chorus semi-finals. We are number 2, after Waikato Rivertones. On Friday we'll watch the quartet competition, and on Saturday the finals of the chorus competition.
KIWI EXPRESS (with the ladies of the Waikato Rivertones):
Sun, 25 October - travel by bus from Nashville to Roanoke, Virginia
Sun, 25 October - staying at Fairfield Inn, Roanoke
Mon, 26 October - travel by bus from Roanoke to Washington, DC
Mon, 26 October - Thurs, 29 October - staying at Fairfield Inn, Manassas, Virginia
Thurs, 29 October - travel by bus from Manassas to New York
Thurs, 29 October - Sun, 1 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Newark, New Jersey
Sun, 1 November - travel by bus from Newark to Boston
Sun, 1 November - Wed, 4 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Andover, Massachussetts
Wed, 4 November - travel by bus from Boston to Philadelphia
Wed, 4 November - Thurs, 5 November - staying at Staybridge Suites, Malvern, Pennsylvania
Thurs, 5 November - travel by bus from Philadelphia to West Virginia
Thurs, 5 November - Fri, 6 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Morgantown, West Virginia
Fri, 6 November - travel by bus from West Virginia to Louisville
Fri, 6 November - Sat, 7 November - staying at Springhill Suites, Louisville, Kentucky
Sat, 7 November - leave the tour, and fly from Louisville to St Louis
Sat, 7 November - Sun, 8 November - staying in St Louis
Sun, 8 November, 4:55 pm - fly from St Louis to LA
Sun, 8 November - Fri, 13 November - staying in LA
Fri, 13 November - Fly LA to Sydney
Sun, 15 November, 8:25 am - arrive home, and Pete picks me up from the airport.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Internal Revenue Service
From the funds CKC has raised for our Nashville trip, we're paying for two coaches to take us from St Louis to Nashville, and also a chorus breakfast in Nashville. Normally we would pay sales tax, but Sweet Adelines International has provided the documentation that allows us to claim sales tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so I've been trying to work out how to do this by going to the US IRS website and the Tennessee government website.
Sales tax is different in each US state, and city, and county. In Tennessee I think it's mostly 7%, but 5.5% on food, plus 2.25% additional tax for Nashville.
Unfortunately, payment is supposed to be with a CKC cheque or credit card, and we have neither. So we have messages out to the hotel and the bus company to ask whether they would accept payment by travellers cheque, and whether they will give us sales tax exemption on this basis.
The buses are about $3000, so our saving would be a few hundred dollars - worth making the effort to find out, anyway.
Sales tax is different in each US state, and city, and county. In Tennessee I think it's mostly 7%, but 5.5% on food, plus 2.25% additional tax for Nashville.
Unfortunately, payment is supposed to be with a CKC cheque or credit card, and we have neither. So we have messages out to the hotel and the bus company to ask whether they would accept payment by travellers cheque, and whether they will give us sales tax exemption on this basis.
The buses are about $3000, so our saving would be a few hundred dollars - worth making the effort to find out, anyway.
Southern hospitality
While we stay in St Louis we're staying with members of the River Blenders chorus. We've all been waiting eagerly to hear from our hosts, and I received a lovely email from Sharon on Friday introducing herself. She's also having Mary and Betty to stay, and she's going to pick us up from the airport as she lives 5 miles out of town, in the country. Sharon is not working the week we're there so she's offered to take us sightseeing - and shopping!
She's suggested a trip on the Mississippi River, and I'd also like to visit the Gateway Arch. It would be fun to hear some live blues music, but I think we're busy nearly every night with a welcome dinner and then rehearsals.
She's suggested a trip on the Mississippi River, and I'd also like to visit the Gateway Arch. It would be fun to hear some live blues music, but I think we're busy nearly every night with a welcome dinner and then rehearsals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
