Its funny, when you live in or visit another English speaking country you assume that everyone will understand you and you will understand everyone.
Not the case.
Be prepared to repeat yourself many times to guides, locals and waiters while you are in America. A simple request for 'water' can bring looks of confusion... remember its wateR (RRR)!
So try not to ask where the toilets are...ask for the restrooms. Don't ask for a serviette or the bin, ask for a napkin or the trash can.
I warn you only because this has taken me by surprise. I get may blank looks from people when I think I am being perfectly clear! When I say that someone is 'happy as Larry', the response is 'who's Larry?', and as for 'right as rain'...."how is rain right?" is what I get asked...
There is no 'filter coffee, its 'drip coffee', a black coffee is an Americano, you will be asked if you want cream and sugar (cream may be actual cream, full cream milk or what is called 'half and half' which is a blend of the two)....
Biscuits are called 'cookies' (Biscuits here are a type of scone), sweets are 'candy' and a fizzy drink is a 'soda'.
Its a drop in an ocean...there are many language differences that will amuse and perhaps frustrate you... its all part of the experience!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Tip 7: All things electrical
1. Telephones:
International roaming is expensive and it's easy to spend a fortune on this while traveling without even knowing it. Bear in mind that in the USA you are charged to make AND receive calls.
Options:
2. Tablets
Wifi should be all you need for this. If you have an iPad we can provide a charger, if you have any other device you will need to bring a charger and see if you can buy a SA-USA adapter at JHB international. It will be a good idea to have at least one if you are bringing any South African electrical items, (phones, camera's etc) we don't have any and they are hard to come by on this side.
3. Hair Irons/dryers
No need to bring these, I have spares of both. Please don't overpack or bring anything you can borrow from us.
When in doubt ask before you pack :)
International roaming is expensive and it's easy to spend a fortune on this while traveling without even knowing it. Bear in mind that in the USA you are charged to make AND receive calls.
Options:
- Ask your service provider in SA whether you can 'pre-purchase' international data and manage this while you are here. This is only needed if you want data while you are out and about, you don't need data at home. For Internet access we have unlimited wifi so when you are home you can connect to your emails and whatsapp without a problem.
- Switch sim cards while here, a local sim can be purchased and used for local use, downside of this is you are not contactable on your SA phone number.
- You are welcome to use the spare phone we have bought for visitors, a basic device just for calling and texting.
2. Tablets
Wifi should be all you need for this. If you have an iPad we can provide a charger, if you have any other device you will need to bring a charger and see if you can buy a SA-USA adapter at JHB international. It will be a good idea to have at least one if you are bringing any South African electrical items, (phones, camera's etc) we don't have any and they are hard to come by on this side.
3. Hair Irons/dryers
No need to bring these, I have spares of both. Please don't overpack or bring anything you can borrow from us.
When in doubt ask before you pack :)
Tip 6: Believe it or not some things are FREE!
There are certain things to do, even in a city the size of New York, that come at zero cost....with a bit of planning you can work a few of the things that interest you into your agenda.
Some of the well known ones are:
Check out this link for some great free things to do in NYC in December...
Freeby's
Some of the well known ones are:
- Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) free Fridays (between 4-8pm)
- The 9/11 Memorial (although you can make a donation you are not obliged to do this)
- The High Line
- Central Park...free to walk through, and some free tours are available Central park tours
- The New York Public Library is an impressive building located on 5th Avenue, it has some amazing exhibits, for tours see NYPL
Check out this link for some great free things to do in NYC in December...
Freeby's
Friday, October 11, 2013
Tip 5 Budget!
The city that never sleeps is also the city of shopping! It is unlike anything I have ever experienced elsewhere in the world. A shoppers paradise :)
The choices and range of available goods is mind blowing. There are many bargains to be had, even if you are shopping with Rands. Remember that New Jersey is almost better than NYC in this regard, amazing malls and outlet centres, plus no sales tax on clothing in NJ makes trips to the shops irresistible! Temptation will surround you. Brands are big and plentiful. We have had 4 groups of visitors in the last year...everyone goes home with an extra suitcase...
I suggest you set aside spending money for 'tourist attractions' and separate money for shopping. You will shop. It is inevitable. So plan for it.
1. Tourist attractions
Consider buying a city pass or explorer pass, check out
city passes
Be careful when choosing a pass, some have limits as to when and how you use it e.g. has to be on consecutive days (which will be tough) so read the conditions carefully. We can do this together when you get here too but knowing what to expect will certainly speed up the process and help you plan your budget.
I can get free entry with my Library card to The Intrepid Museum which is a warship and space shuttle exhibit, worth a visit, see Intrepid
2. Transport
Traveling the 20 miles in and out of NYC is best done by bus or train. The Train will take you to Penn Station (around 34th street where Terry works, he catches the train most days). It costs $22 return and takes anywhere from 40 minutes to 1hr15 depending on stops. The bus is easier I think, it takes you into Times Square, 42nd street, for $18 return, usually in under 45 minutes.
A metrocard for the subway is a must, especially in the winter where you may not want to walk everywhere. A trip costs about $2, cards can be bought for $10 or $20 or more, you can recharge them as you need.
3. Hop on hop off bus tour
The most popular hop on/off tour seems to be this one
Grey line
I did the downtown loop (did Ground Zero then) and Brooklyn with my mum a few weeks ago, very good, cost $50 for the day. Cheaper if you purchase all three loops. It will be bitterly cold to sit on the upper deck in winter so you may decide not to do this bus...it does however give you a great overview of the city and helps you understand the sections (uptown, midtown, downtown and the Burroughs).
There are some cheaper tours available, and you may get specials in winter. Friends who did the green bus were disappointed.
4. Food
For your trips into the city you are welcome to take a packed lunch from here, to give you a rough idea, coffees set you back around $2-$4 depending if you have filter or cappuccino, the easiest food is grabbing a hot dog or pretzel from the hot dog stands, range from $2+, mostly safe for consumption! Definitely carry water from home and snacks to keep you going, you may not want to waste time or money on food but you may also want to experience the food so give it some thought and again, budget for it. We have backpacks for you to use.
5. Broadway
Whether you want to experience a Broadway show or not is another consideration. Check out the shows and costs here Broadway
Shows are expensive but you can sometimes get good deals in winter. We got a '2 for 1' deal last winter for Annie.
In addition, if you stand in line at TKTS on Times Square (other venues too), you can get last minute tickets to great shows at 25-50% off, definitely worth doing. See TKTS
6. Tips
It seems crazy to budget for tips but in the USA tips are the major way many people survive. You will be expected to tip your cabbie, your bus tour guide, your waitress, just about anyone performing any service expects 20% for their efforts. I have to tip my hairdresser, the person who does my nails, spa therapists etc! It won't affect you too much but bear it in mind.
Enough for today :)
The choices and range of available goods is mind blowing. There are many bargains to be had, even if you are shopping with Rands. Remember that New Jersey is almost better than NYC in this regard, amazing malls and outlet centres, plus no sales tax on clothing in NJ makes trips to the shops irresistible! Temptation will surround you. Brands are big and plentiful. We have had 4 groups of visitors in the last year...everyone goes home with an extra suitcase...
I suggest you set aside spending money for 'tourist attractions' and separate money for shopping. You will shop. It is inevitable. So plan for it.
1. Tourist attractions
Consider buying a city pass or explorer pass, check out
city passes
Be careful when choosing a pass, some have limits as to when and how you use it e.g. has to be on consecutive days (which will be tough) so read the conditions carefully. We can do this together when you get here too but knowing what to expect will certainly speed up the process and help you plan your budget.
I can get free entry with my Library card to The Intrepid Museum which is a warship and space shuttle exhibit, worth a visit, see Intrepid
2. Transport
Traveling the 20 miles in and out of NYC is best done by bus or train. The Train will take you to Penn Station (around 34th street where Terry works, he catches the train most days). It costs $22 return and takes anywhere from 40 minutes to 1hr15 depending on stops. The bus is easier I think, it takes you into Times Square, 42nd street, for $18 return, usually in under 45 minutes.
A metrocard for the subway is a must, especially in the winter where you may not want to walk everywhere. A trip costs about $2, cards can be bought for $10 or $20 or more, you can recharge them as you need.
3. Hop on hop off bus tour
The most popular hop on/off tour seems to be this one
Grey line
I did the downtown loop (did Ground Zero then) and Brooklyn with my mum a few weeks ago, very good, cost $50 for the day. Cheaper if you purchase all three loops. It will be bitterly cold to sit on the upper deck in winter so you may decide not to do this bus...it does however give you a great overview of the city and helps you understand the sections (uptown, midtown, downtown and the Burroughs).
There are some cheaper tours available, and you may get specials in winter. Friends who did the green bus were disappointed.
4. Food
For your trips into the city you are welcome to take a packed lunch from here, to give you a rough idea, coffees set you back around $2-$4 depending if you have filter or cappuccino, the easiest food is grabbing a hot dog or pretzel from the hot dog stands, range from $2+, mostly safe for consumption! Definitely carry water from home and snacks to keep you going, you may not want to waste time or money on food but you may also want to experience the food so give it some thought and again, budget for it. We have backpacks for you to use.
5. Broadway
Whether you want to experience a Broadway show or not is another consideration. Check out the shows and costs here Broadway
Shows are expensive but you can sometimes get good deals in winter. We got a '2 for 1' deal last winter for Annie.
In addition, if you stand in line at TKTS on Times Square (other venues too), you can get last minute tickets to great shows at 25-50% off, definitely worth doing. See TKTS
6. Tips
It seems crazy to budget for tips but in the USA tips are the major way many people survive. You will be expected to tip your cabbie, your bus tour guide, your waitress, just about anyone performing any service expects 20% for their efforts. I have to tip my hairdresser, the person who does my nails, spa therapists etc! It won't affect you too much but bear it in mind.
Enough for today :)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tip 4 Be prepared
Really this paragraph could be about just about anything because in New York one can experience and see just about anything. Whether it's the Naked Cowboy on Times Square, the rude cabbie drivers or the homeless man spitting on the sidewalk, there will be something every day that will surprise you, even shock you.
For today, I will make this entry about the weather. Be prepared to be chilly! The long range forecast for December puts the temperatures between 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats around 1-7 degrees C, maximum. Remember 32F is freezing point. It will feel different to the chill you are used to in SA, the wind chill in particular can be brutal, especially in the city. Whatever the weather you will be commuting in and out of the city and exploring the sights so a good jacket, layers, gloves and scarves are a must.
Indoors is beautifully warm everywhere so layers are key, easy to shed and add to as needed. We can shop for some items here of course, don't spend a fortune on these things in SA, speak to me first, they are probably best acquired here.
It may or may not snow, chances are that it will but be prepared for the cold without the snow. A white Christmas is something that cannot be counted on...we were fortunate last year, here's hoping it will snow this year but again, don't be disappointed if it doesn't. There will be a warm fire and hot chocolate regardless!
For today, I will make this entry about the weather. Be prepared to be chilly! The long range forecast for December puts the temperatures between 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats around 1-7 degrees C, maximum. Remember 32F is freezing point. It will feel different to the chill you are used to in SA, the wind chill in particular can be brutal, especially in the city. Whatever the weather you will be commuting in and out of the city and exploring the sights so a good jacket, layers, gloves and scarves are a must.
Indoors is beautifully warm everywhere so layers are key, easy to shed and add to as needed. We can shop for some items here of course, don't spend a fortune on these things in SA, speak to me first, they are probably best acquired here.
It may or may not snow, chances are that it will but be prepared for the cold without the snow. A white Christmas is something that cannot be counted on...we were fortunate last year, here's hoping it will snow this year but again, don't be disappointed if it doesn't. There will be a warm fire and hot chocolate regardless!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The basics
Get excited! Very soon you'll be in New York! This is my attempt to provide you with tips to prepare you for packing, traveling and exploring New York and beyond.
So Tip number 1 is GET EXCITED! Thats easy I can sense it already :)
Tip number 2: Learn a bit about it. Try the Wiki travel guide, it gives a good overview.
Travel guide
Tip number 3: Give your trip some thought. This may be a once in a lifetime visit so make it count!
Read what you can about the city and ask yourself questions about what you want to see and experience while you are here. There is plenty of information on the Web and in books. Websites like Trip Advisor and NYC go may be useful.
There are endless options, indecision might mean that you miss your opportunity so consider what is achievable; within your budget, time constraints and during the winter season. Please send your ideas and questions to me and we can chat about them.
Since we don't want this to be 'work', thats enough for today :)
More soon...
So Tip number 1 is GET EXCITED! Thats easy I can sense it already :)
Tip number 2: Learn a bit about it. Try the Wiki travel guide, it gives a good overview.
Travel guide
Tip number 3: Give your trip some thought. This may be a once in a lifetime visit so make it count!
Read what you can about the city and ask yourself questions about what you want to see and experience while you are here. There is plenty of information on the Web and in books. Websites like Trip Advisor and NYC go may be useful.
There are endless options, indecision might mean that you miss your opportunity so consider what is achievable; within your budget, time constraints and during the winter season. Please send your ideas and questions to me and we can chat about them.
Since we don't want this to be 'work', thats enough for today :)
More soon...
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