Monday, March 31, 2008

Random Facts about our Trip

Total distance travelled - 11225 km

We travelled through the busiest airport in the world: Atlanta.

Number of our flights that were cancelled: 0

Number of times our luggage didn't make the connection or was misdirected: 0

Number of minutes of television we watched during our trip: 11

Location where we watched this TV: The back of a New York City Taxi.

Most cabs are equipped with TVs in the back. There are TVs and also bullet proof glass protecting the driver. The TVs broadcast news and entertainment clips done by the local New York television station recorded especially for Taxis. It looks like a regular news broadcast except if you listen closely the news anchors sign off by saying "Enjoy the rest of your cab ride". You could also select "Map" by touching the screen and watch via GPS exactly where you are travelling - all in the back of a New York taxi. Very cool.

There are so many TV shows and movies being filmed in New York that the NYPD have a special unit exclusively for movies and TV.

The average number of times we went through security to board our airplane: 1

The number of times we went through airport style security to get to the Statue of Liberty: 2

We were screened before we went on the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty: full airport style. Your belt, shoes, jacket, everything went through like the airport. Selena's purse was hand searched and went through the scanner three times. We figure that she had two compact umbrellas in there that must have looked suspicious. When we got over to the Statue of Liberty, in order to go onto the pedastal, we had to pass through even more stringent security yet again. This time you went through a special machine that scans for explosive residue. Selena and I went through this machine before when we had to go through secondary screening on our flight from San Francisco to Atlanta.

Percentage of Washington, DC tourist attractions that are free of charge to enter: 99%

We had to stand in line for a long time in many attractions but they were all free. The only ones we paid for was the wax museum and the International Spy Museum.

Percentage of New York tourist attractions that were free of charge to enter: 1%

The only tourist attraction in NYC that is free that we encountered is the Staten Island Ferry. We didn't get a chance to go on it, however.

Taxis in Washington DC do not have meters. They charge you by how many zones you cross.

Average temperature we experienced in San Francisco/New Orleans - +20C

Average temperature we experienced in Washington/New York - +5C

Average number of photos we took per city - 1200

Number of photos per day averaged over entire trip - 320

San Francisco and New York are opposites in terms of car ownership. In New York, everyone either walks, takes the subway or a cab. In San Francisco, according to one of our cab drivers, everyone in SF who can drive usually does. It has a high ratio of car ownership especially in comparison to NYC.

Manhattan is derived from a native american word meaning "Land of many hills." The city planners in New York ended up flattening it. The city planners in San Francisco did not and built on the hills.

Overheard on a tour in New Orleans: "Now remember, you are in the City of New Orleans. This means that most of the drivers you will experience tonight are intoxicated. So, while on this walking tour, please watch yourself when crossing the street."

Overheard on another tour in New Orleans: "You can do anything you want in New Orleans. As long as we can watch."

Amount of time in advance you need to book a tour of the White House: 6 months

The cost of a guided White House tour: 0

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