International Territory

Woke up to a cloudy sky and someone ringing the doorbell like nobody's business. I silently wished that Jack Frost would give that person a sudden frostbite and that the finger would fall off.....no such luck.

It was 10+ when i rolled out of bed. Fever still lingered around but on the whole, i think i am well. =) Washed up and headed out to visit the United Nations Building with my bro.

On our way there, guess who showed up? Dou Dou Xian Sheng!! (^__^)


When we got there, there were no flags flying on any of the 191 flag posts surrounding the perimeter. I asked my bro and this is his smart reply: "'Cos there is no one important here today." Yeah, bro...yeah.. =) UN Flag protocol states that when the temperature falls below 25 degrees F, all flags will not be flown as the pulleys might break from the cold. However, the only flag that flies 24/7 is the UN Flag.

So we proceeded into the visitor's entrance and had to go through security. 2 of the armed guards laughed at me as i raced with my bro to the front. I simply jumped across the roped off section...and started to strip for the check. Ok, not a full strip. You get my point.

UN is ...well, nice. technically, if you have watched "The Interpreter", you would have also seen the inside of the UN. It was nice and big, with lots of abstract art given from artists all over the world. Guess what's the theme? Peace.

That's the main room where the World Summit Meeting is held. "Interpreter" was flimed in this room!

I thought that the best gift was from China...a magnificent ivory sculpture carved from 8 elephant tusks that took 2 years to finish. It showed the railway project that connects Sichuan to Yunnan. It was very very beautiful, right down to the last detail.


Once you step into the UN grounds, you are no longer in America but on international territory that belongs to all of the UN member countries. Cool! They even have their own fire,police & postal department.

And...guess where the diplomats go to have their pearly whites brightened?

I didn't really understand a lof of the abstract art, but i guess everyone around me looked like they did, so i pretended that i was very impressed by it & gave my fair share of the "oohs" & "aahs". Inside, i was thinking..."what is this?!"

But i do like abstract photography though.

Other random pictures that i took:-

Here's MY abstract art..shoes on color. Geddit?



The fat international squirrel...


Went for lunch/dinner at an Italian place. It was not too bad. Mine was a little salty...hmm..When the bill came though, my eyes almost popped out. So you can pretty much guess the price range.

When onboard the train to Times Sq, i stood up for an elderly lady to sit but she declined and thanked me. Just at that moment, the train jerked and moved forward. That lady lost her balance and moved backwards, almost falling. It's a good thing there were many pple around to catch her, including me. She then smiled and still declined. I think a) she didn't think she was that old, b) she is even more embarressed to take my seat now.

The Staten Island Ferry Station is nice and big. The Ferry itself is huge. It was starting to rain but it fell as ice. Standing on the observation deck, my face was attacked by the rain of ice. Ouch! The view of Manhattan as the ferry pulled away was beautiful, with the Brooklyn bridge all lit up, Manhattan never looked better!

We got off at Staten Island and boarded the Ferry for the ride home. While at the observation deck, i met 2 gentlemen who kindly offered to halp take a picture of me. his camera was really great! It sure looked liked a professional's! We exchanged pleasantries and they gave me their card. One of them was the president of Launch 5, which is a project group that does Search & Rescue(Sea), Environmental Cleanup(Sea), Historic Preservation(Boats) & Education. The other gentleman was also in the same project, except that he is the attorny for the group. Very nice. They are going to send pictures from his camera to me. Chatted with his daughter as well, who is currently a sophmore in UPenn. She thought i looked too young to have already graduated from college. *grins*

The ice-rain was really starting to get to me when we docked and the temperature was getting lower. My bro and I deceided to head home so that i can rest and get the last of my fever away from me and have an early start tomorrow to visit Lady Liberty.

I'm thinking of falling asleep to a movie tonight...but which?