Category: USA

Amtrak Across America, A First Experience

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date July 19, 2017
No Comments on Amtrak Across America, A First Experience

Travel by train has always been my favorite form of travel, even if my first train was in 2013 in Canada with Via Rail. Even before that, it’s always been my dream. Because of that, travel by train in America has been one of my biggest dreams, ever! Since 2013, I have taken many trains across Europe including yes, a Long Island RR train ;).

With a working holiday visa approval in New Zealand, I decided that I won’t fly straight there, I might as well make many stops on the way there. One of these many stops, were cities across the US. From Greenville, South Carolina, I’ve got a long journey west, just like the good ol railroad days!

The Journey

New Orleans, Louisiana to Houston, Texas

Instead of taking the Amtrak Crescent to New Orleans, I instead flew to New Orleans. After enjoying 5 days in one of my favorite cities, I began one of my biggest dreams, arriving at the NOLA Amtrak station to hop on Amtrak train #1, the Sunset Limited bound for LA. Instead of taking the trip to Los Angeles, I caught the 9 hour ride to Houston where I have a high school friend.

The train left New Orleans around 9 am arriving in Houston at 6:30. That’s 9 hours on the rails. It’s a long trip but an incredible ride. The scenery was’t drop dead gorgeous but there is still something about seeing the earth go by on a train, in this case, the U.S.A. While I asked for a window seat (assigned a the station), I spent just about all of my time in the sightseer car, a car with large windows and seats set up in such a way to just lounge out, kick back, and take in the view all around you.

For food, the train does have a dining car with a full menu similar to 3 to 4 star restaurant. The prices aren’t too bad, but as a budget traveling backpacker, I not only brought some of my own food, but settled for simple bites at the cafe below the Sightseeer lounge. They have everything from fruit, to microwavable burgers and pizza. As well as $2 coffee!

After 9 hours on the rails, passing through some small and big towns between Louisiana and Texas, I finally arrived in Houston. For segment one of my cross American journey, it was an awesome start and extremely comfortable. My next segment is a long 2 day journey from Texas to California

San Antonio, Texas to Los Angeles, California

After spending a week in Houston and Austin, and a day stopover in San Antonio, I hopped back on the Sunset Limited bound for a long ride across the American Desert. Departure was at 2 am so it wasn’t difficult to conclude a long day of travel.

Alike my first train ride, much of the time spent was in the sightseer car, best place to kick back and watch the vast desert go by. This is also the right place to meet other people, especially being stuck on a train for so long. I befriended a girl from Alabama, and three guys from LA, goofing around and watching Netflix later on at night on their laptop.

The ride is 29 hours but is gorgeous if you love the sight of the vast desert. It rides along the southern border with Mexico in most parts and you even get to be a stones throw away from the fence in El Paso, a one hour stopover. While there are many stops along the way, the only additional stopover that is longer than 10 minutes is in Tuscon where I enjoyed the worst pizza ever.

After a long uncomfortable ride in coach and attempting to sleep in the sightseer car, I did finally make it to Los Angeles, to wrap up my east to west journey across America.

Final Leg: Glendale to San Luis Obispo

While I technically ended my cross country journey in Los Angeles, my American journey by train actually ended north of Los Angeles. Using additional points, I booked a one way train ticket in Business class aboard the Pacific Surfliner, a route that delivers incredible and unique views of the Pacific Ocean.

Unfortunately for me, the train ran an hour late which caused a domino effect of delays for the remainder of the trip. Which meant, I couldn’t enjoy the full sunset like I wished. However, the ride was insanely comfortable, coffee was free, and there was complimentary snacks in a snack box.

Cross Country by train

My experience across America by train was by far one hell of a memorable experience. And to think that the route I took is one of many. East to West along the southern border, along former route 66, across the northern states, North to south on Texas Eagle, Crescent from Big Apple to Big Easy, and up and down the west coast.

Cost / Amtrak Points

Travel by train can be rather inexpensive, if you can deal with the long haul in coach. From New Orleans to San Luis Obispo, California, the trip cost me $151. In points, I used 3,500 Amtrak points earned visa hotel booking signup, Rocketmiles. If you are willing to splurge on luxury and comfort for a long haul (which i recommend), you can pay for a room for a few hundred to a thousand, depending on the distance and route.

Take it slow

In conclusion, I think everyone should experience travel by train in the US at least once in their lifetime. Whether you are a foreigner or local. The reason why I chose train travel, is because I am so used to riding by car or taking a flight. Always, always, always in a rush. In my case, I have time, and time is something to embrace when traveling by train. Because America is not up to speed (no pun intended) on high speed rail (Excluding the northeast Acela train), travel is pretty slow, taking days to go across country. But that’s okay. Why, because that is how it was historically done.

🙂

Tags amtrak, usa

General Louisiana

New Orleans: A City Of Tradition

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date February 25, 2015
No Comments on New Orleans: A City Of Tradition

I can’t expect myself at the age of 16 to have such an open minded attitude about life. I mean, these are the very years that led me to become who I am today. That’s how I can easily compare and contrast my trip to New Orleans now at the age of 26 to me at 16 in 2004. My first time in New Orleans was a full family trip in a crammed Toyota Echo straight from Central Florida one Friday Morning and back Sunday evening on a hot weekend in May. Aside from one short walk down Bourbon Street for some tourist shops and dinner on a balcony at 6pm then back to the hotel, and a confusing drive around the confusing maze called streets, our prime purpose there was a medical school graduation. In that short amount of time with such limited mobility, my only perception of the city from its old shotgun houses, lack of street lamps, poor lighting, pot holes, and obvious poverty, I quickly labeled the city dirty and shitty looking and remembered this for many years. Sadly, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city and it’s people a year later.

New Orleans Skyline steamboat — New Orleans Skyline

Gorgeous Riverfront View New Orleans Mississippi River — Gorgeous Riverfront View

Jazz Royal Street French Quarter New Orleans — Iconic Image of the infamous Jazz scene on Royal Street.

11 years later, and 10 years after that storm made landfall, I knew I would return to this city with a new pair of eyes and a more enhanced perspective. While Mardi Gras/Carnival was the prime reason to cross something off the bucket list, I still looked forward to the simple state of being on land that was a part of France’s new world, wandering aimlessly along the French Quarter, cemetery hopping to hopping on and off the streetcars, to indulging in the infamous cuisine of Louisiana and the deep south.

For an American city, New Orleans is truly unique and a one of a kind city. A city I can say is beautiful in it’s very own way despite how it may actually look in many parts. Anyone looking for city upkeep and colonial railed homes lined up throughout the whole city, may want to consider visiting Savannah. Otherwise, the old half corroded shotgun homes with peeled paint, cracked sidewalks, outdated roads, and dim lit streets are all the little things that make this city one of a kind. I was told by my guesthouse host in the Marigny-Bywater area while awaiting a parade, that the city used to practically be like a third world country and that after Katrina hit, the city is a bit caught up. Well, at least up to the 18th century. From the locals whom I have had the pleasure of sharing conversations with, all are very proud of where they are from. As for those who migrated in from elsewhere, they are proud to call NOLA home.

jambalaya beigenets dixie beer new orleans food — Some delicious Jambalaya (and Beignets-not in photo)

New Orleans is no doubt a party city and locals are proud of that in their city. Carnival season or not, people of all races, backgrounds, colors, ethnicities, and types, know how to have a good ass time. A huge plus, is the ability to just stroll around with a drink in hand without the law biting a chunk out of your ass. I can’t begin to stress how much fun Carnival season is in NOLA. Its like being a kid, but for grown ups with flying beads, coins, tons of alcohol, and a million people on a few set of blocks loosening up to have a good time. Aside from traffic being far worse in a city not meant for too many cars, the numerous parade route sallow you to get in the same feel in different parts of the city.

Lower Ninth Ward New Orleans Katrina — On a street in the Lower 9th Ward, an area that has seen much destruction and slow recovery from Hurricane Katrina. 10 years later, and there are still empty lots and abandoned homes.

New Orleans streetcar. PS- DO NOT CALL THEM TROLLEYS, SOME ORLEANEANS HAVE HEART ATTACKS IF NOT CALLED STREETCARS. -__-

Anne Rice Garden District — One of many beautiful homes in the Garden District. House of Anne Rice.

Louisiana food Crawfish Étouffée — More delicious NOLA/ Louisiana food, Crawfish Étouffée

Sadly, many areas remain scarred from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina’s fury in 2005. Like the Lower ninth Ward, which I had the privilege of visiting, still has abandoned homes, empty lots, and bare stairs leading to shattered dreams. But despite the slow pace of full recovery, the people of this city remain strong and still continue to be warm, inviting, and friendly. That’s what I love about New Orleans, without being too commercial, it manages to conserve it’s history and culture, on many streets that may seem dangerous but for the most part are safe w/ friendly people. So one thing that really put a smile on my face and is the reason why this is my kind of city to travel in and is the reason why I will return is a simple conversation with my guesthouse neighbors, I said, “Katrina changed the city”. They replied, “Nothing has changed because the tradition is the same. It’s all about the tradition.” 🙂

Mardi Gras king cake — Delicious Mardi Gras King Cake

One of the longest bridges in the world and the longest in the U.S. – Lake Pontchartrain Bridge

Trip Video

Tags louisiana, mardi gras, new orleans

General New York

Reliving New York City

Anthony Perez. Half Dominican and half Puerto Rico, born in the higher 100’s of Manhattan, brought up through infanthood and childhood in New Jersey, teen-hood to adulthood in Central Florida, and currently, the foothills of South Carolina. My whole life consisted of a constant nomadic lifestyle. Not as frequent as the term applies and not typically crossing continents. But as far as the physical place called home goes, I’ve had many. In New Jersey, forget it, no explanation can be set in stone as to why my mother relocated 10+ times around New Jersey. But as for living in three completely different environments growing up, although my concepts in life were different, I can truly appreciate the privilege of living different experiences during the foundations of my very life. Not to forget, the ability to adapt to the scary concept of, CHANGE.

Times Square nyc — The infamous Time Square

union square new york city — Union Square

New york city subway — I love the subway 🙂

Little Italy New York City — Little Italy

Obviously, no single piece of my mind can remember the first six months of living in the Bronx. But I can reminisce the amazing times had growing up in the urban streets of New Jersey directly across the Hudson River, high school and college (party) years in Sunny and very Hispanic Florida, and now my working days near the Appalachian mountains where you are bound to hear thick southern accents, Soda get called “Coke” and be addressed by “Y’all”. Working a regular routine job, with regular paid time off, with not so regular travel plans, it is not so easy for me to want to venture into territory already explored. Been to Jamaica already so went to Belize next. Going to Hungary soon, ready to see Portugal. On a similar and lighter note, it is much easier to revisit and live places at home in the states. But in regards to that limited time off issues I briefly stated earlier, domestic travel is often neglected, especially to places that require a flight.

times square new york city nyc — Times Square

Central park new york city — Central Park

Pier 16 / Brooklyn Bridge new york city — Pier 16 / Brooklyn Bridge

It took a visit to Canada to make a stopover back home in New Jersey in 2013 plus a major health obstacle my father faced to make my way to Jersey for a short weekend. Home is where the heart is and so is family, a visit is most certainly mandatory. Although it took a beautiful wedding in Long Island another reason to return home, it reminded me of a perspective in life I already understand. It’s not always about the destination, it is about the people you share memories with in that destination. Another beautiful thing about my return to New York City and Long Island is the history long remembered. As time progresses, the mind grows, lifestyles change, environments evolve. From the simplest thing to how I see people and from the days of pay phones and pagers to now IPhones and Tablets. Years ago, I would walk around the city. Now, I walk around the city and notice the dozens of foreign languages passing me by. It’s like somewhere in the past two years, the mute button was clicked off. My perspective in love for people has grown in just two years. The simple feeling of BEING in the middle of Times Square was far more appreciated. Taking a humorous turn on things, I loved talking with New Yorkers. With my New York accent still intact, I feel well at home talking with strangers. One thing that hasn’t changed for me, is my love for riding trains in the city since childhood.

Long island wedding lindenhurst — Wedding in Lindenhurst Long Island

Lindenhurst long island wedding selfie — Wedding Selfie

New York City is a well loved city, by locals and foreigners alike. Though I am not too crazy about city politics and cost of living, this is still my city and birth state. From the beautiful coastline of Long Island, to the subway system of New York City, to the rolling green mountains in the upstate (A region I have yet to explore). While I have spent the past 11 years of my life going back home to visit family, this trip was a unique one and going back home did a lot for me in many ways: reliving New York City in many new ways, being part of a beautiful wedding with a gorgeous sunset, and a visit to see my dad to end this trip off right.

Trip Video

Tags long island, new york, new york city

General North Carolina Tennessee

Outdoors Experience in the Smoky Mountains

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date October 10, 2014
No Comments on Outdoors Experience in the Smoky Mountains

Fontana Lake Road to Nowhere tunnel — Fontana Lake from the Road to nowhere

As each day, month and year progresses and I grow physically, mentally and just altogether, my preferences in things not only change but they grow. When I hear the phrase “getting older”, one might think of this as a negative thing. Me, although I get one year closer to the days of aching and prescription bottles, I feel so much better and happier as a person the more I see new things, places, and kinds of people. Note: As long as I stay active and healthy, prescription bottles and aching can be at minimum levels ;). But in regards to new things, places, and people, for my 26th birthday, as much partying by the beach and or in a city has been and still is so much fun, I wanted to do something different. In addition losing my weekend savings job and nearly losing my father to heart problems created enough stress to reconsider pounding music and loads of alcohol in my system.

In the end, I wanted something different, something laid back, mellow, including something to do outdoors. In the opposite direction of the beach, a few hours north west of Greenville, SC lies the Smoky Mountains, a name I couldn’t seem to spell correctly for years. Although the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg are far too touristy for me to bare, my sole purpose was the outdoors. On a Satuday morning, a day after my last day at the second job my girlfriend and I, and some friends set off on a 3-4 hour car ride to the Smoky Mountains, the North Carolina side for Cataloochee Valley, one of many preserved historic valleys in the region. Crossing into Tennessee, I was presented a birthday gift from my girlfriend to my first whitewater rafting experience on the Pidgeon River, a 2 hours adventure on the river with several rafting guides. In addition, my family provided me with an apartment-like, cozy stay at the Wyndham Smoky Mountains in Sevierville. 🙂

Whitewater rafting pigeon river — Whitewater Rafting Pigeon River

With our lodging set, this gave us the opportunity to do a tour through the Titanic Museum and drive through the traffic and tourist infested Pigeon Forge and do some go karts followed by a drink in Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge, has a huge resemblance to International Drive in Orlando, except more lanes and more traffic and MORE STUFF. In Orlando you have a water park, many stores, one or two go kart places, restaurants, and museums. In Pigeon Forge, all of these are tripled since it seemed like we passed the same attractions three times. AS for Gatlinburg, considering it was Labor Day weekend, the congestion was a pure reminder of what it was like leaving Universal Studios for International Drive in Orlando, Cars and People EVERYWHERE!!!

This wasn’t the primary reason for my visit though as fun as these towns are. What drew me was the outdoors, the air, the trees, wildlife (did not see any). The views of the rolling mountains at high altitudes which are identical to the Blue Ridge Mountains just east of the Great Smoky Mountains. They are practically identical mountain ranges, all a part of the Appalachians. But who cares, it’s new territory and it’s the BEING that matters most. This area of the south is very interesting with its very own twist of history in America. Traveling for a short weekend gave me the privilege to check out Cataloochee Valley, Cades Cove (another beautiful valley), hiking, travel up and around mountainsides to Clingmans Dome, the highest point of the Smoky Mountains, down to Cherokee Nation for a quick view of Mingo Falls and eventually to an uncompleted road system left abandoned, or better known as “The Road To Nowhere”.

mingo falls Cherokee nc — Mingo Falls, Cherokee, NC

road to nowhere tunnel nc — Road to nowhere Tunnel

Fontana Lake road to nowhere — Fontana Lake from the road to nowhere

So living closer to the mountains while still close to the beach has allowed me to expand my horizons and gain a new love for a completely different environment. Despite the loses in my life, much more was gained. I still have my father, a good paying job and a great environment to escape to and enjoy.

General Georgia USA

Savannah, GA vs. Charleston, SC

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date September 30, 2014
No Comments on Savannah, GA vs. Charleston, SC

History always has been, is, and always will be a favorite topic of mine, whether I am in a classroom, traveling or simply killing time at work or home. Nothing excites me more than to learn of the origins of a place, artifact, or even people. It could be down to the simplest thing such as the history of how popcorn became a symbol of film, the expansion of an empire, or the origins of a single city. In regards to city, despite drastic life changes in 2012 relocating to Greenville, Sc, I am within a 4 to 5 hour reach via car to two colonial cities of the U.S.: The cities of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

The low country is very beautiful in this area of the south. It reminds me of my life in Florida but with it’s own identity plus a twist of history. Both cities are so rich in history and offer so much to do and see. But in certain aspects, they are very different. Most people, at least the ones I know in the South Carolina’s upstate have different feelings to each city. One liking Charleston over Savannah or vice versa. In traveling to each city for about a weekend within a month and a half apart, this allowed me to tell the similarities from the differences. So I felt it’d be pretty neat to add my two cents of what I like and dislike in these local travels. This is the game of Charleston Vs. Savannah. 🙂

History – Charleston

When it comes to history, both cities fall well into this category having history far beyond the signing of our declaration of independence. But not only is Charleston an older city and a larger one over Savannah, It played key roles as a icon of the original colonies as well as the Civil War. I mean, this is the very place that started the Civil War firing the first shot at Fort Sumter. Sadly Charleston history is so long, that it has been destroyed by not only warfare but even a few fires. Add an earthquake to that also.

Culture – Savannah

This one ventures further away from fact and into opinion. My opinion may be shot down, or not, but I personally feel Savannah has more culture. Charleston alike Savannah, including much of the coastal Carolinas, still have a historic touch of culture. Gullah and Geechee cultures, for example, still exist blending in within modern day society. On a separate note, I personally felt more preservation of culture in Savannah within the confines of it’s historic center and even it’s outskirts. Although Savannah is a multicultural city with people of all cultures from all over, different ages, colors, no matter where you are from, all seem to engage together as one whole culture in this beautiful city.

Scenery – Savannah

Not knocking Charleston once again but Savannah hands down is probably one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. While much of Charleston has a combination of very old architecture, to old architecture mixed in with new, Savannah seems to have far more preservation in all of it’s architecture in its historic center. While Charleston has it’s relaxing walks along the harbor with views of its new bridge and Battery Park, Savannah’s layout is dressed with numerous squares and parks every two blocks to walk or ride through. Savannahs Forsyth park is enough to make you love the city. Driving through Charleston, you drive through streets with many large and old trees and otherwise open sky. In Savannah, Spanish Moss dominates the streets and creates it’s own dimly lit atmosphere. Maybe I didn’t look well in Charleston, but something brings out the art in me at 18/19th century railings, something I saw almost everywhere in Savannah. Last but not least, the cities riverfront does so much justice, with views of the water, port, as well of it’s own new bridge. You may get lucky enough to watch a large ship roll by also.

Personality – Savannah

Savannah once again and hands down wins with one. I am a traveler that loves to have fun wherever I go. In saying that, yes I am bound to do the usual “touristy” thing if it is prevailent. But when I travel, I do my best to seek out an activity or a place better known to be more off the beaten path. Savannah is no hidden treasure, but in my perspective, I feel that way for it. I don’t know of a city yet nor have not heard of any place in the world that comes anywhere close to what Savannah is like. History, trees, architecture, diversity, beaches, marshes, good food, and still so much fun.

Tourism – Charleston

Charleston takes the flag on this one as I felt Charleston was far more touristy. This is probably most people that I know or have met praise Charleston so much more. This can be positive or negative. Maybe its me, and I am not judging them, but I didn’t care too much about this. The tourism is right in your face in Charleston and is EVERYWHERE, from walking tours to horse carriages. I guess you can title this a family friendly city and no I don’t have my own family. Knowing how I like to travel, I like to do my own thing, explore at my own pace, and fall in love with self discovery. This is probably why I like Savannah much more than Charleston, because I felt more at my own pace and not in the way of a million tour guides. Biking around Savannah’s beautiful squares, streets and riverfront was enough to fall in love.

Nightlife – Savannah

I honestly cannot put an immediate debate on one over the other. In Charleston, my nightlife experience was a bit brief and not fully explored but I did get a good taste of it. The people there surely can party their asses off, I mean, it is a big college city. After spending 4th of July in Savannah, I have no complaints over the nightlife. There are many bars to choose from and a few clubs, some of which are rooftops overlooking the riverfront and bridge. Similar for Charleston as well. Living in a country that is over policed with too many laws varying between city, county, and states, no place in the U.S. that I have traveled to allows you to carry an alcoholic beverage around with you in the streets like Savannah does (as long as it was in a plastic cup). This is something so simple, and its the little things that count. Why not walk out the bar and walk along the water with a delicious brew for the evening. That right there gets a huge plus for Savannah.

People – Savannah

This one is a difficult one for me to break down. When I mean people, I mean locals, the people who live there and better yet the people who were born and raised there. Unfortunately, I didn’t really come across any true natives of either city. So knocking that out of the way I judge based on the people that live there. Maybe it’s because of the commercial differences between these two cities that make a difference, but because Charleston seems much more commercial, I felt Savannah’s people were a bit more hospitable, you know that “southern” hospitality one thinks of. Close to it! While the residents call Savannah home, I have met numerous people, from mutual friends to even the pedicab person finding themselves moving back home from Charleston. No bueno!

Cost – Tie

Due to the prioritization of preserving just about EVERYTHING in both of these cities, from monuments, décor, to the real estate and everything that sits on old land, the costs in both cities are pretty high. Cost of living is not cheap and that goes for lodging in travel. Through AirBnb, we could have had a group stay on a boat in Charleston Harbor but the previous guests had destroyed the plumbing, ruining our stay. Fortunately we had the privilege to stay with friends outside the city center cutting our spending by 75%. But the search for places in the city alone, was incredibly high for a weekend. Half of the outskirts lay close to the beach not making prices any different. As for Savannah, the costs of lodging are about the same. A nice place in Savannah for a weekend through AirBnb, was about $340, but it was totally worth it.

Beaches – Savannah

For Charleston, you are left with two beaches with good proximity: Folly Beach and Isle of Palms, unfortunately I only had the opportunity to check out Folly Beach. In my opinion, I wasn’t too fascinated with it. I think the large pipe sticking out of the ground was a grand reason and didn’t seem very clean. Next time, I will visit Isle of Palms, a beach with a better reputation. In comparison with Savannah’s nearest beach, Tybee Island sea oats are what separate the beach from the shore homes and streets, just like the Jersey shores iconic picturesque beaches.

My Pick……DRUM ROLL!!!!

Savannah

Given my taste, style, desire, and experiences, Savannah is my favorite city between Charleston. While Charleston flourishes with a more commercial tourist, college atmosphere, I feel more off the beaten path in Savannah. In my eyes, although Savannah is a popular city, I feel as if it were still a hidden gem beneath those beautiful spanish moss trees and between those numbers of squares. While Charleston history outdoes Savannah, the scenery is enough to stand out in my mind for as long as I live. And as far as my party life goes, nothing beats having a drink anytime of day walking around a historic street on a beautiful riverfront watching a beautiful sunset.

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Tags georgia, savannah, tybee island

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