Childhood Wish Come True

Throughout my childhood (ie., prior to the age of 25) there were a number of places I decided I just 'had' to go to, or experiences I had to feel, at some point in my life. Slowly slowly, I've been checking them off my list. Seing the Leaning Tower of Pisa and wandering around Venice were 2 items on that list that I managed to check off quite early, but others lingered on. Some of them I'm guessing I will never manage - such as walking on the moon or another planet, or even just piloting a jet beyond Mach 1. Now at least, another one is checked off - visiting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.

I could easily have spent a day at this place (and probably another day at the Udvar Hazy - the second Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC), but time was short and the crowds were almost unbearable. However, the main Air & Space Museum was amazing and seeing some real classics 'in the flesh' was quite an experience. Most notable, of course, was the Wright Brothers' Flyer. Talk about an impressive machine! Anyway, this is a place I would recommend for anyone who has even the slightest interest in aviation or aerospace - there are classics, early passenger aircraft, and modern day UAVs. The only dissappointing thing, is the reality, that so many of the aviation and technology advances advances on display are all related to finding better ways to kill people in war...

The weekend I spent in DC was the start of a 10 day work trip to New York (that obviously being a side trip). DC was absolutely packed as it was Spring Break and the Cherry Blossom Festival was in full bloom. Quite an amazing site (the cherry blossoms, not the throngs of people). DC is a rather interesting city - somewhere I could probably spend a week. The Holocaust Museum was the other main attraction I went to - extremely impressive (both the museum, and the fact that it was so packed!) It's a museum which although focuses on the Holocaust, deals a lot with genocide in general and they had an interesting exhibit which encompassed the recent atrocities in Rwanda and South Sudan.

Most of my time in the US, unfortunately, involved me being at work and dealing with the frustrations that are my job. Thankfully though, I got to spend the week with a good friend so it half felt like I was on holiday, and not just working. I had what is now my favourite New York experience of seeing a Broadway show (this time it was Catch Me If You Can - a musical I thoroughly enjoyed) and eating more than I need to. Of course there wasn't much idle time - between the working, eating, Natural History Museum and visit to Coney Island, there was only a bit of time left to sleep. A great trip overall. Not least because after the trip there was only 3 days back at work before heading off to spend 2 weeks of beach weather with my beloved Jessie...

The Highline - an old, disused elevated train line running along Western Manhatten has been converted into a park.