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Santa Fe, NM

There are some nice things there. The town being ringed by mountains is wonderful – to be able to look up and see mountains all the time. The weather is pleasant.

La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco ...
Image via Wikipedia

But I was expecting something that wasn’t there. The walkable downtown area is not a livable, urban downtown area. It’s mainly a district for tourists or locals to go spend some money on a fancy dinner. But it lacks the real, livable character of a downtown that you’d never have to leave. It’s not the hub of fresh produce on the street, cart vendors, coffee houses, and affordable diners. And the mass transit, well… isn’t. I can see why visitors might like it for a few days but, as a place to live, the rest of town is the usual strip malls.

By contrast, I think a more satisfying time can be had in Guthrie, Oklahoma or Stillwater, Oklahoma (if you stick to downtown and stay away from the corporate garbage).

Going through Amarillo, Texas to get to Santa Fe is not advised, unless you have no other choice. The stench of the feed lots (which ought to make a Republican insist on grass-fed beef) is overpowering. They have a nice whole foods type store called “Eat-Rite” off the Georgia exit, which is an oasis, if you have to go through. You’ll need one, because that wasteland created for cattle will have you fighting the wind for hours to and from.

If you decide to go to Santa Fe, though, better to fly to Albuquerque and take the 90min train to Santa Fe, or catch the connecting flight. I’m a fan of the train. Stay at the Silver Saddle Motel and ask Billy at the counter (wide-brimmed hat) where to get the best huevos rancheros. He knows a place where the roosters walk around outside, and the hen house is in the back.

Travel & Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Monorail, pulling into the LV Co...
Image via Wikipedia

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” — Mark Twain

Speaking of which, the wife is going to Las Vegas for a convention. I’m jazzed about that – it’s a great opportunity for her. I detest Vegas – I’ve been enough.

I’m looking at Portland for my next flight. But also planning another trip to Korea.

New York City (again)

Went all over NYC again – well, lower Manhattan – everything below Central Park. This time went to Queens (Astoria), too, and made another visit to Jersey City.  Wish I’d had time to visit Flushing, but just to see it. If I lived in Queens, it’d be Astoria most likely. Still, like Manhattan far better. What I saw of Brooklyn on the way to the airport last time didn’t impress me. This time, we flew LaGuardia exclusively (next time it’ll be Newark). Jersey City – gosh – I couldn’t bear actually living there unless I was one stop from Manhattan.  The trains take longer, come less frequently, don’t announce the stops, don’t identify themselves (the maps are the same on all the trains), and when you get out, there’s not much there, except a nice tiny farmer’s market at Journal Square. Still, that was Journal Square. Exchange Place seemed nice, but I didn’t go far from the hotel there, either, last time. So I don’t know. I guess I’m more suited to Manhattan. Spent a lot of time in K-Town this time. That was great.  Was in the bowery some, Soho, Noho, Nolita. Best breakfast – I kid you not – out of principle more than anything – was from a bagel cart street vendor.

Grand Hyatt New York - from Hyatt.com

Grand Hyatt New York - from Hyatt.com

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Chicago (yet again)

Fifth or Sixth time here, at least. Hotel Burnham. Wow! What a great hotel, and right in the loop. Explored the North side. Liked most of the areas off the red line. Andersonville was great, if kind of awkward, but Edgewater sucked, other than Francesca’s where I had dinner – that was good. The area off the Fullerton exit by DePaul, I liked a lot. In fact, stumbled past the Apollo Theater and caught a show. That was a high point.

Hotel Burnham - from TripAdvisor

Hotel Burnham - from TripAdvisor

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Vancouver

How many wonderful things can I say about Vancouver. It’s a bit like Seattle, but I like it a lot better. Why? The trains. They just built a new line, so unmanned subway trains are in lots of great places. The West End was my favorite. I got myself out of the tourist district by the water. That was awful. Lots of overpriced … tourist stuff. But the West End was superb – Korean and Japanese restaurants – restaurants from all over the world. Coffee shops. Loved it. The weather was lovely. Hyatt Regency Vancouver.

Hyatt Regency vancouver - from Hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency vancouver - from Hyatt.com

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Dallas

Of course, I’ve been to Dallas many, many times. This time I took my brother-in-law for his last trip while visiting the US.  Had desert, went to Book Depository (he wanted to see it), and spent the rest of the time in Koreatown. Hyatt Regency Dallas.

Hyatt Regency Dallas - from Hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Dallas - from Hyatt.com

Aruba

Lizards! I love the lizards. Went snorkeling again – liked that. Out by the wrecks, though, the waves were particularly choppy. Takes an athelete to fight them. The reefs were better. Dessert at Hyatt Regency Aruba was The Mediterranean. It was fantastic. Before you rush off to your Hyatt and get one, make sure they’re using pistachios, and that they’re using cardamom, and the olive oil cake, and the whole thing – not some vanilla ice cream and sponge cake. I’ve seen it done badly – get it right, or don’t order it.

Hyatt Regency Aruba - from Hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Aruba - from Hyatt.com

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New York City

Stayed three nights in the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, and two in the Grand Hyatt New  York. Loved the ferry across the Hudson River. Better than the tour boats. Coffee, smoothie, and roasted nuts outside in Financial District (Wall Streeet area) was fantastic. Ukrainian food. Italian food. Chinatown.  Hated Times Square. Didn’t like the tourist zones – Wall Street itself for instance. Walked most neighborhoods south of the park. Central park itself was nice, but I liked the little urban parks better. The one next to K-town (Koreatown) is great, for instance. Subway system was fantastic.

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson - from Hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson - from Hyatt.com

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Kansas City

Went to the Plaza. Saw the dragonboats waiting for the festival on the river. Introduced my brother to barbecue and to creme brulet.  Hyatt Regency Crown Center. He thought KC was quite impressive compared to Oklahoma City. True, but he hadn’t seen New York City yet.

Hyatt Regency Crown Center - from Hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Crown Center - from Hyatt.com

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Wichita

Been here more than once. Driving through to Kansas City for cheap flights. Went to Old Town, though – a trolley ride from the Hyatt Regency Wichita. That was good. Took my brother to an old-fashioned stage show, mostly to get him a photo with the actors. :) Introduced him to hummus.

Hyatt Regency Wichita - from Hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Wichita - from Hyatt.com

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