Some of the group arrived when we did yesterday, and most of the group today. We're having so much fun meeting each other. I see someone who looks like an RVer and ask, "South Africa?" They either say, "Yes" with a big smile or look at me like I have 3 heads. And if they're smiling we start talking. This afternoon we met someone going into their room. They said they were going to the bar meeting another couple. We were headed down to have an early supper, and grabbed a table. Then a couple we had met earlier came in, and the couple we met upstairs came in with another. Then one of a rig couple came in, saying the other member of the couple was coming tonight by train because her flight was cancelled. And another two came in. The poor waitress!!!! We were all asking for service but also talking with each other and over her.Tomorrow Barbara and I are heading into the city to get on one of the hop on/hop off tours. We'll spend about 5 hours doing this and definitely plan to go to the Twin Towers memorial. Barbara and I are hitting it off fine. After a 15 minute conversation in Canada this summer we were right - We can travel together. And I know if I forgot to bring anything she'll have it, or 2 or 3 of it. She is the mother of 3, but I think she must have been a girl scout too!!! Prepared for any contingency!!!
Sunday - Barbara and I went to the city yesterday. We got on a tour hop-on/hop off bus. First we stopped at Chinatown, walked around a little and then went to Ground Zero. I was very impressed with the memorial. It is very sobering. There is a great deal of construction underway. The two reflecting pools were very calming. I can imagine New Yorkers coming to the Memorial in the summer and enjoying the mist from the pools, cooling them and providing serenity.
There was a great story about a Callery pear tree which was discovered in the ruins as an eight foot stump. It was nursed back to health and is now known as the Survivor Tree. The Gift Shop Info Center had stories which were, of course, chilling and heartwarming. The museum is to be open in the spring. There were so very many visitors from other countries, it reminded me of the international response we received.We left to be back at the hotel by 4:00 but didn't make it there until 4:30. We knew exactly how to get back, but were surprised when the bus driver said, "This is the last stop." We said we didn't think so. I guess we had taken an express bus when we needed a local. Okay. He told us to get a local, which we did, telling the driver where we wanted to go. And then he stopped in the middle of nowhere and told us we had to get off there to catch a charter(?). Later we found out he dropped us at a city bus stop - not what we were looking for. Luckily, a car belonging to the airport came by and took us to a place where we could catch a shuttle to the hotel. Barbara said she felt we were like Charley on the MTA. I agreed. All of a sudden we wanted to go to the place where you can't get to from here. 'Tis all an experience.
