Summary of Boston & New York Trip

This was a long overdue post, I came back on 9 August, National Day but was too exhausted and busy with my routine work life that it took me so long to update my blog. I was very fortunate, did not suffer from jet lag, able to sleep as per normal. 

Factory Outlet Directory

I bought a wrist pouch at Kate Spade

10 of us visiting a High School ( we are from 5 different schools, Pri, Sec & JC)

Other than attending 3 days' lessons in week 1 and 4 days' lessons in week 2, we spent another 2 days visiting the local schools. We dropped by at Harvard and Salem ( known as Witch town ) after visiting the schools. In the 2nd week, I started to have flu and sore throat, another teammate also fell sick. So the 2 of us wanted to go to a clinic. We were in Acton having lessons, the nearest place to seek medical assistance was Emerson Hospital. So both of us went to the A and E unit, yet to receive the bill. We had to go to pharmacy ( a distance away ) to get our medicine, so troublesome. 

Seaview at Boston City

John Harvard

Harvard

Penguins at the Aquarium

Boston City

2 hours journey to see the Whales

Wow...the mighty tail

The first weekend we went to the beach followed by whale watching ( Saturday ), on Sunday we spent the day in Boston city, went to the aquarium ( very educational trip ), bought American ginseng for my Dad at Chinatown and visited the famous Art Museum. There was a long queue at the Art Museum, thanks to my team mate ( she tripped and fell outside the Museum ), we managed to jump queue as the security guard escorted her in. They were very worried that we will sue them so even offered to let us view the exhibits for free, but too bad, we bought a day's tickets for the attractions. 

Apple on New York Street

Trying to appear on the big screen at Times Square

Sesame Street and Disney Characters at Times Square

Me and my VP at Central Park

In the 2nd weekend, we were supposed to take domestic flight to NY, stayed there for a day then took the flight back to Singapore. Our flight was scheduled at 4pm, then it was delayed to 5pm, then 6pm, after a while our flight disappeared from the screen. All our luggage had been checked in. We got a shock when we were told that our flight was cancelled due to heavy traffic. Then we were told that we can rush to another terminal and get on the 7pm flight. So imagine rushing to check out our luggage ( 29 pieces of overweight luggage ) dragged the heavy luggage to another terminal then queued up again. After checking in 5 pieces of luggage, the staff told us gate closed. We were furious, what kind of service is this ! We can't retrieve the luggage and were stuck in Boston. We went to complain, leader called our insurance agent. The airline staff gave us 2 options : either we took the next morning flight to NY or took a night bus to NY ( 5 hours journey ). Option 1, he can't guarantee there will be tickets for 10 of us. In the end, we took a night bus to NY. Imagine dragging the luggages , took airline shuttle to terminal then got on the 10pm night bus to NY. Without the guys, I won't be able to drag my heavy luggage ( bought another luggage at factory outlet ). As usual I fell asleep on the bus, in the middle of the night, I sensed that there was some movement, passengers were changing seats but I was too tired to bother. Later I was told that there was a toilet right behind our seats and due to my blocked nose, I did not smell anything. The journey home was tough, we reached NY at 3am plus, took 4 cabs to the hotel. Slept at 5am, woke up at 7am plus, had breakfast and went to Central Park and Times Square. 3 of them went to airport to check on the 5 pieces of luggage. Evening time, we took the flight back to Singapore, stopover at Frankfurt. 

Our loots from Factory Outlet

It was a long and tiring journey. If not for this course, I will never never go to the States. Boston is a peaceful town, NY is a busy city. There are no pull factors to go to the States, I am sick of the food on the plane ( used to love it ), the long hours on the plane ( 12 hr + 8 hr ) to NY plus domestic flight ( 2 hr) to Boston is a torture. I am tired of having salad, chips and bread for every lunch provided on course days.The depreciation in US currency is a consolation, makes shopping more enjoyable. I do enjoy the company of my travel companions, before the trip I only knew my VP, glad that the rest are all fun loving people and great shoppers. 

3 stars accommodation: Staybridge suites

The hotel is great, free laundry service, complimentary dinner on 3 times a week and 2 BBQ pit. People all over the world stay in that hotel, some black and some mainland Chinese. I even spoke to a couple from Bermuda Triangle , apparently many people from Bermuda Triangle came to Boston to seek medical assistance. Bermuda Triangle is  not as mysterious as it sounds, its just a little island.