US here we come

The price of food continues to impress me as cheaper than in Australia, the quality is very good and the quantities are very big. We quickly learned that ‘small’ translates into ‘medium’ by Australian standards and medium, or ‘regular’ as they say here, means large. Loosen your belt-buckle if you order anything ‘large’ – it will be huge. Here are a couple of photos to prove the point: taken at a diner in Binghamton, where we had dessert with our friend Larry Kassan after attending the Shrine Circus at the Broome County Arena. Hannah is eating a ‘regular’ portion of lemon merangue pie while Joey is eating a chocolate eclair (probably four times the size of one in Australia). (Also note Joey’s gear – all purchased at Binghamton, save for the cap which is a Hollywood original). – Barry

I’m sure Joan will want to say something about our evening (to celebrate our 21st anniversary together) at the local French restaurant, Chez Josephine. It’s quite high class, beautiful decor, with French speaking waiters. The bonus for us – a big one – was that it’s named after Josephine Baker, the black American dancer of the 1930s and 1940s who settled in Paris from the US. She pushed the boundaries of popular entertainment with an overt sexuality in her movements but also parody of it. She was a staunch anti-fascist during the Vichy regime period in France during World War Two. I’m posting some photos for now. Barry

The shops here are very disappointing the Manhattan Mall is smaller then the mall in Civic and there aren't many music shops in all of new york (except this one place which is three stories high!!!!!)!!!!!! Also the streets are ... [Continue reading this entry]