Today was rather uneventful. Woke up and packed up my belongings. After a nice hot shower and a last walk-through we headed out and Jeff gave me a ride to the airport. It’s simply amazing how easy getting to RDU is - no traffic whatsoever. I’m not used to that.
After arriving at the airport and saying our goodbyes, I printed my boarding pass and breezed through security. On the way to the gate I stopped by a used book kiosk. What a brilliant idea for an airport - I’ve never seen that before but it makes perfect sense to have one there. Bravo Raleigh!
I didn’t have to wait too long to board (which was way better than the LGA fiasco). It was just enough time check email and enjoy a banana-nut muffin.
As I type this, I’m on the flight with a can of Minute Maid Cran-Apple cocktail to my right and a smile on my face. For whatever reason, almost all the passengers on the flight are sitting near the rear of the cabin, but the awesome flight attendant allowed me sit up near the front where it was less crowded. Politeness and a smile go a long way - especially in the south.
Overall this has been an extremely enjoyable trip. It was great to catch up with my buddy Jeff and explore his world for a bit. His family and friends in North Carolina are beyond fantastic and hospitable. The weather could have cooperated a little better but it really didn’t hamper any plans that we made and we had a fantastic time regardless. I’m very glad I booked this trip and can’t wait to come back for a second visit.
Showing posts with label North Carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Carolina. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
North Carolina - Day 3
Woke up on day 3 and began watching the Lost finale. That took us to about noon, at which point we were really hungry. Being that I was still in the south, that meant more bbq!
We went to a place called Hog Heaven. It was less fancy than the place we went to yesterday, but the portion was more appropriate for human consumption. I had the pulled pork, which from what I learned is the North Carolina specialty. This pork was better than yesterday. I liked these hushpuppies better as well. I’m still trying to figure out why I got the slaw, as I don’t like slaw. It was good though.
I grew up around, live near and work in New York City. I've heard many many different accents and dialects of our language over my lifetime. It was here at Hog Heaven where, for the first time, someone spoke English to me and I had absolutely no idea what they were saying. This place was an order at the window place, and then someone brought it to you, and would check up from time to time if you needed anything. I suppose you’d call that person a server. Our server would pop by and ask us if we would like anymore sweet tea, or if we needed anything else. I looked at Jeff as if she was speaking German. It felt like I was in a foreign country, and I had that helpless feeling of “I have no idea what she just said.” He assured me it was, in fact, English. I then proceeded to poke fun at him for being able to understand her so clearly.
This restaurant was in Durham. We drove around there through the off and on rainstorms, exploring Durham and Chapel Hill, driving around the campuses of Duke and University of North Carolina. We stopped at Jeff’s favorite coffee house, 3 Cups, and met up with his buddy Ryan from last night. This place serves coffee, tea, as well as a rather extensive wine selection. The coffee is served in a French press, and you order in different sizes, either a 1 cup, 2 cup, 4 cup or 6 cup size press. They give you mugs (in our case, the store-named 3) and after it brews, you enjoy. It was such a simple yet awesome idea for coffee service. We spent about a half-hour to 45mins there, enjoying the coffee and the company.
After 3 Cups we did a little more exploring, checking out a specialty foods shop that had a myriad of kitchen supplies, from herbs and spices to kitchen-ware to wine to fresh meats and cheeses. It was like a supersized and extensive whole-foods without the misplaced sense of superiority. I’d be in a lot of trouble if I had one of those stores close to my home.
After leaving the market, we decided to give the Durham Bulls game a go. It had been raining off and on all day, but the clouds seemed to be breaking up a little. Having nothing else really planned, there was no harm in just trying. We got there and redeemed a few vouchers for some seats behind home plate (minor league ball is awesome for that).
We had a little time to kill so we wandered around the American Tobacco campus that was right next door. It looks like they revamped an old Tobacco factory -all brick buildings with new windows, new occupants, and an really cool stream running through it all. If you look up you can still see the conveyer sorter overhead. It was a really interesting place - I need to do a little research to find out more about it.
A trip to the team store and a hat/t-shirt late we headed inside for the game and to our fabulous and cost-effective seats. A quick stop for a footlong and a soda and we hunkered down for what turned out to be a gem from the Durham Bull’s own Jeremy Hellickson against the Pawtucket Sox. He took a perfect game into the 7th and a no-hitter into the 8th. The Bulls won 1-0 and it was an absolute perfect night for baseball. After the game it was announced that if you spent $20 in the team store you would receive a Jeremy Hellickson bobblehead. We went back to the store, showed our receipt (or, in Jeff’s case, showed MY receipt as he threw his out) and went home with a nice souvenir of a pitcher whom I'm sure we’ll see in the big leagues one day.
Back to the apartment, we watched a few favorite episodes of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and then relaxed on the balcony with some libations. A little Dexter Gordon on the iPod made it the perfect ending to the night.
We went to a place called Hog Heaven. It was less fancy than the place we went to yesterday, but the portion was more appropriate for human consumption. I had the pulled pork, which from what I learned is the North Carolina specialty. This pork was better than yesterday. I liked these hushpuppies better as well. I’m still trying to figure out why I got the slaw, as I don’t like slaw. It was good though.
I grew up around, live near and work in New York City. I've heard many many different accents and dialects of our language over my lifetime. It was here at Hog Heaven where, for the first time, someone spoke English to me and I had absolutely no idea what they were saying. This place was an order at the window place, and then someone brought it to you, and would check up from time to time if you needed anything. I suppose you’d call that person a server. Our server would pop by and ask us if we would like anymore sweet tea, or if we needed anything else. I looked at Jeff as if she was speaking German. It felt like I was in a foreign country, and I had that helpless feeling of “I have no idea what she just said.” He assured me it was, in fact, English. I then proceeded to poke fun at him for being able to understand her so clearly.
This restaurant was in Durham. We drove around there through the off and on rainstorms, exploring Durham and Chapel Hill, driving around the campuses of Duke and University of North Carolina. We stopped at Jeff’s favorite coffee house, 3 Cups, and met up with his buddy Ryan from last night. This place serves coffee, tea, as well as a rather extensive wine selection. The coffee is served in a French press, and you order in different sizes, either a 1 cup, 2 cup, 4 cup or 6 cup size press. They give you mugs (in our case, the store-named 3) and after it brews, you enjoy. It was such a simple yet awesome idea for coffee service. We spent about a half-hour to 45mins there, enjoying the coffee and the company.
After 3 Cups we did a little more exploring, checking out a specialty foods shop that had a myriad of kitchen supplies, from herbs and spices to kitchen-ware to wine to fresh meats and cheeses. It was like a supersized and extensive whole-foods without the misplaced sense of superiority. I’d be in a lot of trouble if I had one of those stores close to my home.
After leaving the market, we decided to give the Durham Bulls game a go. It had been raining off and on all day, but the clouds seemed to be breaking up a little. Having nothing else really planned, there was no harm in just trying. We got there and redeemed a few vouchers for some seats behind home plate (minor league ball is awesome for that).
We had a little time to kill so we wandered around the American Tobacco campus that was right next door. It looks like they revamped an old Tobacco factory -all brick buildings with new windows, new occupants, and an really cool stream running through it all. If you look up you can still see the conveyer sorter overhead. It was a really interesting place - I need to do a little research to find out more about it.
A trip to the team store and a hat/t-shirt late we headed inside for the game and to our fabulous and cost-effective seats. A quick stop for a footlong and a soda and we hunkered down for what turned out to be a gem from the Durham Bull’s own Jeremy Hellickson against the Pawtucket Sox. He took a perfect game into the 7th and a no-hitter into the 8th. The Bulls won 1-0 and it was an absolute perfect night for baseball. After the game it was announced that if you spent $20 in the team store you would receive a Jeremy Hellickson bobblehead. We went back to the store, showed our receipt (or, in Jeff’s case, showed MY receipt as he threw his out) and went home with a nice souvenir of a pitcher whom I'm sure we’ll see in the big leagues one day.
Back to the apartment, we watched a few favorite episodes of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and then relaxed on the balcony with some libations. A little Dexter Gordon on the iPod made it the perfect ending to the night.
Monday, May 24, 2010
North Carolina - Day 2
I woke up today a little stiff, but it’s nothing a nice hot shower didn’t cure. We watched a little Mythbusters to start the day. Scattered Thunderstorms were on the docket for the day, and we were waiting one out before heading out the door. At one point, lightning had to have struck someplace really close, because there was a loud crack/boom that caused the cable to go out briefly and the fire alarms to go off. It was quiet impressive.
We headed out and Jeff gave me a tour of his neighborhood. We went around downtown Raleigh and the surrounding area. During this time, we made our way to the Pit, which was the venue for lunch.
The Pit is a BBQ joint - one that Jeff liked, but wasn’t the one he really wanted - that one is closed on Sundays. We arrived at the Pit and were seated right away. We ordered sodas, and I asked the waiter for directions to the Men’s room. I cannot make up what he told me, and this is a direct quote: “Follow the mats to the hogs head.” I….followed the mats to the hogs head. Perfect directions, really.
Lunch was a piece of fried chicken, pulled pork, fries, mashed potatoes and hush puppies. I couldn’t finish it all, and was full for the rest of the day. I’m not even joking. I don’t think I’ll have to eat for a while.
After lunch we headed over to the wine shop where Jeff works. He gave me a tour of it, and I met some of his co-workers. Some cool people work there. We stayed there for a little bit, then headed back out on tour of the area. We stopped at a cigar shop that he knows of to check it out, then headed back to the apartment.
The afternoon consisted of a little baseball, a little hockey, and a nap. Seriously, that’s a fantastic vacation right there. We watched the Blackhawks knock the Sharks out of the playoffs, and then headed to his buddy Ryan’s house for dinner.
Ryan is a former colleague of Jeff’s who is now one of his close friends. His wife Jenny is a peach of a woman and pregnant with their second child. They were very friendly and hospitable. We chatted for a while over a glass of wine and watched their little boy Liam run around and play, showing off for the guests. After Liam went to bed we headed into the kitchen to cook up dinner.
Dinner consisted of burgers inspired by the cuisine of Greece. I was still full from the BBQ lunch and ate as much of the burger as I could before bursting. We chatted for a while, also watching the Mets/Yankees game. It was a very enjoyable evening.
After leaving their place, we headed back to the apartment and watched the Lost retrospective special. It was getting late so we decided to save the Lost Finale for the morning, since it’s probably going to rain anyway.
Now I just have to stay away from the internet so it doesn’t get spoiled for me! I think I’ll just go to bed now.
We headed out and Jeff gave me a tour of his neighborhood. We went around downtown Raleigh and the surrounding area. During this time, we made our way to the Pit, which was the venue for lunch.
The Pit is a BBQ joint - one that Jeff liked, but wasn’t the one he really wanted - that one is closed on Sundays. We arrived at the Pit and were seated right away. We ordered sodas, and I asked the waiter for directions to the Men’s room. I cannot make up what he told me, and this is a direct quote: “Follow the mats to the hogs head.” I….followed the mats to the hogs head. Perfect directions, really.
Lunch was a piece of fried chicken, pulled pork, fries, mashed potatoes and hush puppies. I couldn’t finish it all, and was full for the rest of the day. I’m not even joking. I don’t think I’ll have to eat for a while.
After lunch we headed over to the wine shop where Jeff works. He gave me a tour of it, and I met some of his co-workers. Some cool people work there. We stayed there for a little bit, then headed back out on tour of the area. We stopped at a cigar shop that he knows of to check it out, then headed back to the apartment.
The afternoon consisted of a little baseball, a little hockey, and a nap. Seriously, that’s a fantastic vacation right there. We watched the Blackhawks knock the Sharks out of the playoffs, and then headed to his buddy Ryan’s house for dinner.
Ryan is a former colleague of Jeff’s who is now one of his close friends. His wife Jenny is a peach of a woman and pregnant with their second child. They were very friendly and hospitable. We chatted for a while over a glass of wine and watched their little boy Liam run around and play, showing off for the guests. After Liam went to bed we headed into the kitchen to cook up dinner.
Dinner consisted of burgers inspired by the cuisine of Greece. I was still full from the BBQ lunch and ate as much of the burger as I could before bursting. We chatted for a while, also watching the Mets/Yankees game. It was a very enjoyable evening.
After leaving their place, we headed back to the apartment and watched the Lost retrospective special. It was getting late so we decided to save the Lost Finale for the morning, since it’s probably going to rain anyway.
Now I just have to stay away from the internet so it doesn’t get spoiled for me! I think I’ll just go to bed now.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
North Carolina - Day 1 (the rest)
I landed in North Carolina and texted my buddy Jeff that I was on the ground. He was parking his car so we timed it perfectly. After meeting up with him we hopped in the car and drove back to his place. He doesn’t live too far from the airport, and it was a nice ride.
We weren’t at his place too long. We basically gathered supplies and headed to his brother’s house for dinner. We were making burgers, which is kind of Jeff’s thing. We arrive at the house, I meat Jeff’s niece, say hello to his brother and meet his sister-in-law. We hung out for a while as Jeff prepared the dinner - and it was great reconnecting with his brother and getting to know his sister-in-law. They were tons of fun and very gracious hosts. We talked food, wine, and of course Lost.
The burger was fantastic - an burger inspired by the cuisine of Argentina, which is close to my heart. We had some fantastic Malbec with it. After dinner, his brother gave me a tour of his whiskey collection - which was awesome…well, what I remember of it. After that we repaired to the front porch for the rest of the evening. One thing I noticed on this trip - North Carolinans love their rocking chairs. And I must say, I kinda dig them too. It was very comfortable. We continued our conversation over cigars and whiskey, and went as late as we could. I love being on vacation.
After leaving his brother’s house, we headed back to the apartment and weren’t much for the rest of the evening. My long day was over and I crumbled onto the couch to get some much needed sleep.
We weren’t at his place too long. We basically gathered supplies and headed to his brother’s house for dinner. We were making burgers, which is kind of Jeff’s thing. We arrive at the house, I meat Jeff’s niece, say hello to his brother and meet his sister-in-law. We hung out for a while as Jeff prepared the dinner - and it was great reconnecting with his brother and getting to know his sister-in-law. They were tons of fun and very gracious hosts. We talked food, wine, and of course Lost.
The burger was fantastic - an burger inspired by the cuisine of Argentina, which is close to my heart. We had some fantastic Malbec with it. After dinner, his brother gave me a tour of his whiskey collection - which was awesome…well, what I remember of it. After that we repaired to the front porch for the rest of the evening. One thing I noticed on this trip - North Carolinans love their rocking chairs. And I must say, I kinda dig them too. It was very comfortable. We continued our conversation over cigars and whiskey, and went as late as we could. I love being on vacation.
After leaving his brother’s house, we headed back to the apartment and weren’t much for the rest of the evening. My long day was over and I crumbled onto the couch to get some much needed sleep.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
North Carolina - Day 1 (flight)
It certainly was interesting getting out of LaGuardia. I get to the terminal around the normal time - noon for a 1:40 flight - plenty of time to get through security and get to my gate. When I get to the gate there is a massive amount of people waiting - the (what I thought was the) previous flight was boarding. I took a walk around the terminal, made a pit stop and got myself a bottle of water for the flight.
I mosey on back to the gate and there are still tons of people. I sit in one of the adjacent gates to stay out of the way. I can see on the board that the Norfolk, VA flight was leaving at 1:20 and was starting to board. I figured that we’d be boarding afterward. Well, after Norfolk boarded, chaos ensued. Cincinnati was boarding next, with a thong of people hanging around. Turns out that flight was delayed, and they had to downsize the plane they were using, which means they had to start bumping. That’s never fun. After that flight left, they started to board Richmond, VA. I discovered around this time that my flight was still waiting for it’s crew. I’d find out later that we were also waiting for a plane. I’ve found that having a crew helps, but having a plane is a necessity.
Watching everyone hover near the gate, I sat down in a seat next to it, amazed that more people didn’t decide to sit as well. An older lady sat next to me waiting for a flight to Portland, Maine. We started chatting about the flight delays, and then traded stories of other flights gone awry. She has a son that was in the Peace Corps in Morocco, and she told me of troubles they had trying to visit him. She also told me a story of a flight where they were asking for volunteers to bump. A man said he’d do it for a ticket anywhere in the world…and eventually he got that. I’ll have to remember that nugget.
The Portland flight loaded and left…as well as Halifax, Orlando and Atlanta at other surrounding gates. Our plane eventually showed up and we boarded. I switched seats to accommodate a couple that had two opposite window seats…I did my good deed for the day. The flight was uneventful, and I got my can of Cran-apple. Boy that takes me back.
I mosey on back to the gate and there are still tons of people. I sit in one of the adjacent gates to stay out of the way. I can see on the board that the Norfolk, VA flight was leaving at 1:20 and was starting to board. I figured that we’d be boarding afterward. Well, after Norfolk boarded, chaos ensued. Cincinnati was boarding next, with a thong of people hanging around. Turns out that flight was delayed, and they had to downsize the plane they were using, which means they had to start bumping. That’s never fun. After that flight left, they started to board Richmond, VA. I discovered around this time that my flight was still waiting for it’s crew. I’d find out later that we were also waiting for a plane. I’ve found that having a crew helps, but having a plane is a necessity.
Watching everyone hover near the gate, I sat down in a seat next to it, amazed that more people didn’t decide to sit as well. An older lady sat next to me waiting for a flight to Portland, Maine. We started chatting about the flight delays, and then traded stories of other flights gone awry. She has a son that was in the Peace Corps in Morocco, and she told me of troubles they had trying to visit him. She also told me a story of a flight where they were asking for volunteers to bump. A man said he’d do it for a ticket anywhere in the world…and eventually he got that. I’ll have to remember that nugget.
The Portland flight loaded and left…as well as Halifax, Orlando and Atlanta at other surrounding gates. Our plane eventually showed up and we boarded. I switched seats to accommodate a couple that had two opposite window seats…I did my good deed for the day. The flight was uneventful, and I got my can of Cran-apple. Boy that takes me back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
