Christmas on the East Coast
Happy Holidays everyone!
So I'm on my father-in-law's computer and can't blog for too long. The story so far:
Friday evening, my wife and I packed over 140 pounds of clothing and presents into 4 bags. We had to spread our stuff out despite having spare room in each bag due to the airline's 50lbs limitation on checked baggage. Fortunately, my dad gave us a ride to SFO the next morning. We adhered to all the new carry-on regulations, ie. no liquid bottles exceeding 3 ounces, etc. and managed to whiz through security in less than 20 minutes. We flew US Air...not a bad airline; not quite as good as Alaska, not nearly as bad-ass as Jet-Blue, but MUCH better than Southwest..the flying sardine can. With a hefty tail-wind, even while taking off 40 minutes late, we arrived into Philly on time. And to my surprise, Philly was actually warmer than it was in SF.
BTW, Philly is an ugly-ass town....I'm sorry but its the truth. Even compared to other US cities, it's just plain ugly. I've been through it close to a dozen times now and everytime it strikes me; the vastness of the run-down areas...it just goes on and on, block after block after block. It's quite sad actually. Also, the town has absolutely NO geography,...totally flat. They do have a couple of rivers but they're not the beachy kind,...you won't find swimmers here. The skyline is just ho-humm and the weather sucks...sorry, now I know THAT is a completely unfair statement but I've been there only during the muggy summer months (100 degrees with 99 percent humidity) or the bitter cold December month.
To be fair, I do find the oldest parts of Philly very interesting, entertaining, and culturally important. And their sports franchises, their respective facilities, and fans are extremely impressive. And the people, at least the folks I've run into, are enormously friendly and kind.
Anywayz, back to our Holiday. We arrived late saturday, was picked up by her parents, and got into my in-laws home near midnight. We ate like pigs (US Air does NOT feed you anymore) and got to bed by 3 in the morning. We went to church the next morning for 1 1/2 hours of carroling, got back home to open gifts and have lunch with her parents, sister and hubby and 2 little kids (3 and 11 months). Laid Luminaries out on their drive and their half of the street, took a nap and went to the 11 o'clock Christmas service. It is completely safe to say, we've more than fullfilled our yearly church time qouta in just one day. And yet, I have to admit, I had a great time. Christmas on the east coast is nothing like Christmas in California....and I can't even begin to describe why it's just soo much more evident and sincere. I know it has alot to do with the town I'm in....and that will have to be described on my next blog.
Gotta run...my turn to use the shower.
So I'm on my father-in-law's computer and can't blog for too long. The story so far:
Friday evening, my wife and I packed over 140 pounds of clothing and presents into 4 bags. We had to spread our stuff out despite having spare room in each bag due to the airline's 50lbs limitation on checked baggage. Fortunately, my dad gave us a ride to SFO the next morning. We adhered to all the new carry-on regulations, ie. no liquid bottles exceeding 3 ounces, etc. and managed to whiz through security in less than 20 minutes. We flew US Air...not a bad airline; not quite as good as Alaska, not nearly as bad-ass as Jet-Blue, but MUCH better than Southwest..the flying sardine can. With a hefty tail-wind, even while taking off 40 minutes late, we arrived into Philly on time. And to my surprise, Philly was actually warmer than it was in SF.
BTW, Philly is an ugly-ass town....I'm sorry but its the truth. Even compared to other US cities, it's just plain ugly. I've been through it close to a dozen times now and everytime it strikes me; the vastness of the run-down areas...it just goes on and on, block after block after block. It's quite sad actually. Also, the town has absolutely NO geography,...totally flat. They do have a couple of rivers but they're not the beachy kind,...you won't find swimmers here. The skyline is just ho-humm and the weather sucks...sorry, now I know THAT is a completely unfair statement but I've been there only during the muggy summer months (100 degrees with 99 percent humidity) or the bitter cold December month.
To be fair, I do find the oldest parts of Philly very interesting, entertaining, and culturally important. And their sports franchises, their respective facilities, and fans are extremely impressive. And the people, at least the folks I've run into, are enormously friendly and kind.
Anywayz, back to our Holiday. We arrived late saturday, was picked up by her parents, and got into my in-laws home near midnight. We ate like pigs (US Air does NOT feed you anymore) and got to bed by 3 in the morning. We went to church the next morning for 1 1/2 hours of carroling, got back home to open gifts and have lunch with her parents, sister and hubby and 2 little kids (3 and 11 months). Laid Luminaries out on their drive and their half of the street, took a nap and went to the 11 o'clock Christmas service. It is completely safe to say, we've more than fullfilled our yearly church time qouta in just one day. And yet, I have to admit, I had a great time. Christmas on the east coast is nothing like Christmas in California....and I can't even begin to describe why it's just soo much more evident and sincere. I know it has alot to do with the town I'm in....and that will have to be described on my next blog.
Gotta run...my turn to use the shower.
posted by supergoober at
8:30 AM
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