After getting married, we promised Olive we will go and visit her, after all we had to pay a visit to my sister in law. Super nice family Olive and Fernand had 2 kids, Alma and Roland. Very cute kids.
Many years passed by, sometimes work related matters or a relative being sick kept postponing the trip. If it comes down to finding the time where we all can agree, it will never ever happen. We could easily drive, cross the border snd voila, 4 hours later we were in American soil. For Olive snd Fernand it was easy. They were used to do it since Fernandine used to work on contract for a consulting law office. He explained to us it was super easy to drive back snd forth. He has done it many times in a row. For us looking at the map, stressful. Way too many exchanges and toll roads.
We ended up organizing a trip to visit them. A great opportunity to see New York for the first time. Our son, just turned 9, was going to appreciate this trip better. He insisted we should go by train. He loves trains. Maybe he is going to be a train technician or something related to that matter. Who knows? He is still young.
We look for the train schedule, we both booked a week off at our workplace, and bought 3 train tickets; round trip. We both were super excited. Finally we're to see the city that never sleeps. For our son, getting a chance to ride the train. He loved trains, so being on a train trip was a dream come true for him. It was going to be a complete day, including crossing the border by Niagara Falls. Ed scheduled to leave early Sunday morning arriving late Sunday. Going back early Sunday and arriving late Sunday night.
So we got prepared for that long trip, but super happy for our son, first time riding a train. We met a Chinese woman travelling with her two grandchildren. Going the same way. As soon as we arrived we exchanged phone numbers and agreed we were to keep in touch. Our friendship lasted a couple of years. Then we lost contact. Sad.
Very late into the night, we arrived to Central Station, we thanked each other snd went our ways, promising we would keep in touch.
We saw Fernand in the distance waving at us. We could see him, because he is very tall. He could easily be a basketball player, at that time he wasn't sure. He just wanted to finish high school. His sister Anna was just starting college and was on holidays.
So the so much expected and wished day became a reality. With two pieces of luggage and the tiny one our son wanted to carry, took the ramp to get on the train. Our son had his eyes wide opened, as as his mouth. Hey Josh, papa said. A fly is gonna get into your mouth! Better close that black tunnel!
The train took off. Josh wide opened eyes could not register everything he wanted to keep in his mind. The train slowly catches speed, but his little mind was way too busy trying to keep everything he saw, everything he smelled, everything he touched. But there was a barrier. He saw his reflection on the glass window of the train. For a brief moment he froze, like wanting to understand what and why these things were happening to him. The horn of the train, like a sad telling goodbye, was telling the train station a sad goodbye. That made Jose come back to reality. Rush hour traffic in the city caught up with the train route. José felt like a king. Everyone stopped to see the train pass by. He waved. An old truck driver returned his waving at waved back at him. He was happy, he was enjoying the trip. Then slowly the scenery slowly changed. We left the city, then getting into the lonely country roads. We spotted some bears and deer running free on the hills.
After 5 hours stopping at many stations, got closer to the border. We saw the Falls. USA Canada border. The magnificent Niagara Falls. Beautiful scenery. The Maid of the Mist trying to get closer to the falls for people to enjoy the mist it produces. A totally different angle to see minus the wetting aspect. Being that further away and high, the windows on the train still got some of the mist pushed BG the gentle breeze tuning through the Niagara River.
All of us, all passengers couldn't keep to themselves the wow expressions while the train rolls thru the bridge joining Canada and USA.
The itinerary was as follows:
Toronto-Niagara Falls-Syracuse-Albany-New York
12 hours 30 minutes
One way trip
The train slowly stops and like a change of teams going out the field, another team comes into the train to check credentials. It was the US Customs to do their job, checking IDs and Visas. Some noncompliant documents caused a delay. After the issues were solved, the strain started its trip. A voice comes through the train's speakers- Welcome to Niagara you are now I. The U it's Estates of America. Neat!
The scenery changes again, more country side roads and street roads the train passed thru. At some point Josh got tired. He sat down and took a nap. It was peace for us.
12 hours later night time, we arrived to New York City, Grand Central Terminal. At a distance, we saw a tall guy waving at us. Lito my husband goes- there's Fernandin! I was not sure if it was him. The only time we saw him and the family was online. Lito went ahead leading the way to him. When we got closer I could Olive- my sister in law, Alma and Roland. As soon as they could see us a big bright smile snd a hug from them welcomed us to New York. Taxi cab doors, cars passing by, tourist buses, motorcycles. The typical busy life of New York. No wonder why they call it the city that never goes to sleep. Josh was astonished of seeing dio many cars and buses and double deckers to see. We never thought it was going to be busier snd crazier than what we saw on tv. Roland helped us to get the luggage in the car and got into traffic to go home. The next day was going to be super busy. We had to make sure to cover as much as we could. First time in the big Apple. We didn't want to miss anything.
Our first night we slept like a baby.
The next day we woke up, took a shower and again ready to rumble. We had a walk to take the subway to Manhattan, to the World Trade Center, and believe walk to Wall Street. For sur close by there was a traffic stopper that nobody can miss. It will be a crime if you did.
It was there checking and protecting the area, and of course the traffic, ready to change it provoked. Watch out every one! If he gets pissed off, you will be in real trouble!
All black and muscular, tall and intimidating, ready to destroy anyone that dared to challenge him. The black big bull, street stopper, every one that stopped to pay their respects did it with honour and respect.
I still remember seeing Josh getting close to him, with caution he approached the beast and gave it a huge hug and a couple of pads on the huge legs. Josh said at the end- mommy let's go, he has to work today! We are distracting him!