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Cubzo - Ah yes, Wrigley Field - the one with the hedge running round. I would love to go there if there is a game on during my stay as I've seen it a lot on TV here.
What would I expect to pay for a seat with a reasonable view of the game? Not right at the front or up at the back but sort of middle-ish?
rrsor - Unfortunately the Marriott Courtyard in DC is quoting nearly $300 a night - at a Seniors rate - for my dates (which I can't change)and is just too much so I will have to stick with the Harrington. Thanks, I did appreciate the suggestion.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Wow, I am impressed that you're into baseball. Another option if a Cubs game doesn't work out is the hapless Washington Nationals. They have a very nice new stadium that is close to downtown. Apparently access is easy, according to the Metro website:
"Metro is the quickest and easiest way to Nationals Park. It's the way to go to the ballgame. Take the Green Line to the Navy Yard station. The Navy Yard station is just a half a block away and will accommodate 24,000 passengers an hour. Plus, Metro has over 57,000 parking spaces at their Park and Ride lots."
But Wrigley field truly is an icon. It's always full so has a great game time atmosphere. Maybe 2011 will be the year the Cubs win the Series.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Stephen, Cubs tickets can go from the very cheap for the standing room only tickets to very expensive but I suggest bleacher tickets if you can get them. Nothing like a warm spring day in the bleachers looking down at the ball hustlers on Waveland Ave.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: Wow, I am impressed that you're into baseball.
It's not dissimilar to rounders which many kids play during school PE/PT. I dislike watching sporting events in general but even I went to a couple of games and enjoyed it enough to go again - though admittedly I didn't pay. Scranton, ok, not exactly major league but interesting nonetheless. What was noticeable was the number of people under the stands at the concessions almost equaled those out watching the game!
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Re travel on Amtrak: Is baggage checking system reliable? Although I shall have a small haversack with my essentials I would like to have confidence in getting my suitcase back at the end of my various journeys.
(off topic) Most of the ballgames I see on ESPN America seem to have packed stadia but, perhaps, that's just clever television! Even the spring training games appear to get very enthusiastic crowds - unlike our own pre-season soccer matches - but that may be because they seem very competitive.
What sort of price could I expect to pay for a seat in the bleachers please?
And as an aside, why does the sound of a bugle call get the crowd cheering?
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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I am aware that I shall be travelling alone in a country that I have not been to before (and know nobody) that it would be very helpful to have some Dos and Don'ts.
May I trespass on your kindness one more time please and ask for your advice.
Thanks, Stephen
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Stephen W: Re travel on Amtrak: Is baggage checking system reliable? Although I shall have a small haversack with my essentials I would like to have confidence in getting my suitcase back at the end of my various journeys.
It's fairly reliable, but screwups can occur especially at major busy stations. Note that if your baggage gets placed on the wrong train it usually takes a minimum of 24-48 hours to get back to you being as there is only (in most cases) one train per day. With your itinerary, by the time your bags get back to where you were when you noticed them missing you may have moved on. I recommend trip insurance with a generous lost/misdirected luggage benefit.
quote:(off topic) Most of the ballgames I see on ESPN America seem to have packed stadia but, perhaps, that's just clever television! Even the spring training games appear to get very enthusiastic crowds - unlike our own pre-season soccer matches - but that may be because they seem very competitive.
What sort of price could I expect to pay for a seat in the bleachers please?
And as an aside, why does the sound of a bugle call get the crowd cheering?
The (most common) bugle call is that of "Charge!" It usually gets the crowd going. Back in the day in Houston, we had animated graphics on the Astrodome scoreboard to accompany the bugle (and we were roundly reviled by baseball purists for it!).
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
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Every major league ball team has its own website, I.E. cubs.com or padres.com, visit their websites for ticket information.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Stephen W: I am aware that I shall be travelling alone in a country that I have not been to before (and know nobody) that it would be very helpful to have some Dos and Don'ts.
- Walk across streets at marked crossings. You don't get much time but drivers do give way to you, more so than in UK. - Remember traffic is on the "wrong" side of the road!
Some words/phrases: I don't know if you're a smoker, but never ask for, or offer, a fag. British=American: - Trainers=sneakers - Trousers=pants - Jam=jelly - Jelly=jello - Cider=hard cider (regular cider being non-alcoholic) - Real ale=??? microbrewery beer ??? - Chips=fries - Crisps=Chips - Cashpoint=ATM - Cheque=check
Tipping: 15-20% for meals and taxis, though I still balk at that sort of rate for somebody simply doing their job. Their wages supposedly exclude tips (though rare anyway, it was finally outlawed in the UK only a year or so ago).
Money: Remember the price advertised rarely is the price you pay! Mentally add 10% for an easy rough estimate. Conversion GBP to USD is roughly 1:1.5 which is nice and easy, so £100 is $150 and $100 is £67. Check the number on the notes as they look very similar.
Credit/debit cards: Most accepted in loads of places, even small food kiosks. Make sure your cards are signed before you go as chip&pin is rare so you often need to sign (and equally often don't!). Have some cash with you, don't rely on being able to find a cashpoint (ATM) that accepts a UK debit card. Remember that, depending on your bank, you may get foreign transaction charges - mostly only on cash withdrawals though, so if you get cash out, get lots at once. It doesn't seem to matter if you press "savings" or "checking" account when offered the choice on ATMs.
Finally, have a great time!
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I endorse Geoff's observations, and would add that it is preferable to exchange money and purchase some US dollar-denominated traveler's checks (preferably American Express--I have had non-Amex checks refused in the past) before your arrival. Currency exchange locations outside of major cities and airports are few and far between, and even in a major city like my own the bank clerk may have to look up the procedures and/or ask her manager for help. At the very least, make sure that you have enough cash or traveler's checks for the first couple of nights when you step off the boat.
Note: The traveler's check recommendation is strictly an option; as Geoff notes major (Visa/MC/AmEx) credit card acceptance is well-nigh unto universal here. However, my own preference is to have sufficient cash or cash equivalent on hand for the unexpected, and traveler's checks are a cash equivalent accepted almost anywhere.
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
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Re baggage: I never check mine. On all the Superliner trains, there is a shelf on the bottom level where you can leave your main suitcase (and then take your "haversack" upstairs to your sleeper or coach seat). I've never had any trouble yet. Just don't leave any real valuables, like cash, credit card, expensive camera, MP-3 player, laying around. . . .
Re hotels you listed: I think the hotel in San Diego is too high for a Hampton Inn--it must be used by cruise ship folk or something that has jacked up the price. Did you check that Best Western I mentioned? It's pretty close to the Holiday Inn and actually may be more soothing; I recall the Holiday Inn lobby being quite noisy with bar etc. I'm also a little worried that the hotel in LA seems too low--check further (at tripadvisor.com for instance) about the neighborhood and hotel itself.
More Anglicisms vs Americanisms courgette = zucchini aubergine = eggplant lift = elevator torch = flashlight jumper = sweater carpark = parking lot lager = just say beer, usually lounge = lobby (in hotels); lounge is used in airports, train stations, etc. first floor = second floor public school = private school Martini = vermouth American martini = martini whiskey = Scotch; if you ask for whiskey you usually get rye (Canadian usually) or maybe bourbon in the South knock up = wake up--if I told an American male to knock me up at 7AM, that would be trouble
Re real ale, Geoff, microbrewery beer is not necessarily ale. It is simply locally made in small batches, can be lager, ale, others.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Thanks for the vocabularial hints and the advice re money - always useful. Luckily, I'm not a smoker Geoff!
Sojourner - I tried the BW in San Diego but the price (inc taxes etc) is about $50 overall more than the Hampton for the dates I need. I am re-examining the hotel in LA. Tripadvisor generally gives good reviews of the Metro-Plaza itself but I am slightly concerned with the frequent references to homeless people and beggars abounding nearby - is this common in LA?
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: Re real ale, Geoff, microbrewery beer is not necessarily ale. It is simply locally made in small batches, can be lager, ale, others.
You're right, I was trying to think of the word, but the only thing that came to mind was that it's usually the microbreweries that produce the stuff (hence the mention), not the major breweries (with an exception or two). Cask conditioned is probably a good indicator that it's roughly real ale as opposed to super chilled, super fizzy, super tasteless, mass produced stuff. Personally I find some of the Sam Adams beers quite drinkable, even though not actually ales and still somewhat overcarbonated.
Regarding lifts, as mentioned above, the ground floor (lobby, entrance) is usually numbered 1 in US lifts/elevators - and floor 13 is often skipped. IIRC there is usually a star next to the ground level button.
Lemonade = (eg Sprite/7-up) - ie carbonated Lemon squash = Lemonade - ie flat Mars (chocolate bar) = Milky Way Milky Way = (not found an equivalent) Sweets = candy Autumn = fall bill (to pay in restaurant) = check toilet = bathroom/restroom (does not imply there is actually a bath in the room!) biscuit = cookie kind of scone = biscuit boot (car) = trunk cupboard = closet level crossing = grade crossing queue = line rubber (to rub out) = eraser single (ticket = one-way return (ticket) = round trip Sweetcorn = corn On time (Amtrak) = Within a day or so of scheduled arrival time
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Stephen if your the occasional tippler as I am ( not the pigeon ) San Diego is a Mecca for us craft beer and brewpub aficionados. Many small breweries exist there along with pubs that have beer on cask.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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Stephen, I am amazed the Best Western is more than $200, but now that you mention it, it was being renovated, so I suppose it has become fancier! I suppose their proximity to the harbor and cruise ships make them very popular.
Re LA: I recall that as you go out of Union Station and to the right on Alameda toward that famous restaurant where French dip was invented (I'm blanking on the name, Jacques)--that it was a little seedy in the early AM (and likely at night as well). I would be a little leery staying there as a female traveling alone--but if others here say it is OK for you, they know better than I (I was only in LA that one time in the past 10 years)--and if Amtrak crew still stays there it is probably fine (esp for a male).
Geoff, some of those terms used in the UK are used as alternatives here, e.g., Americans say both fall AND autumn. But how could I forget biscuits are cookies, such an important food item!!!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Sojourner, in all my working (CT/PA) and vacationing (all over) life in the US I've never heard someone use the word autumn for a season - only "in the autumn of their life"! Maybe regional?
We use the word cookies too, but they usually refer to the soft centred ones, those which you can bend slightly without breaking, whereas our biscuits tend to be harder and more brittle.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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You will enjoy your crossings on the Queen Mary 2. My wife and I take this splendid ship (as we did her predecessor the Queen Elizabeth 2) one-way across and usually fly home direct to Toronto. Going by sea both ways would be ideal, but we have to compromise. There are forums which will discuss sea travel in great detail, so I will just say that the Queen Mary 2 is a real ocean liner as opposed to an ordinary cruise ship. The recent lengthening of the crossing to seven nights is a fuel-saving gesture. The old QE2 used to do the crossings in five days but a sixth night was added in her final years.
Posts: 216 | From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Geoff Mayo: Sojourner, in all my working (CT/PA) and vacationing (all over) life in the US I've never heard someone use the word autumn for a season - only "in the autumn of their life"! Maybe regional?
Regrettably, Geoff, the word "fall" prevails over the word "autumn" to describe the season. It's not a regional thing, however, and there's always this:
Also, there's the famous jazz classic written by Vernon Duke in 1934 with the same title as the above flick.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: Just returned from an Alaskan cruise/land tour. Our ship, the Statendam, has a British captain. All the way he called glaciers "glay-see-ers" instead of "glayshers," as Americans would say. By the end of the cruise all us Yanks were saying "gla-see-ers," too.
I think glayshers is actually more common. Any idea what part of the UK he came from?
quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: I don't know whether trip HEALTH insurance applies to Brits, but Americans over 65 years of age on Medicare really should buy private short-term trip health insurance when traveling outside the United States. Medicare will pay NOTHING for accidents and ills suffered outside our borders. Perhaps this is worth looking into for UK residents traveling outside the UK as well. Travel agents sell these policies.
Such trip insurance also covers other losses, such as if you have to cancel at the last minute and the tickets can't be redeemed.
Such insurance is usually inclusive (except certain pre-existing conditions) but the older you are, the more expensive it is.
I know from experience that UK travel agents differ significantly from US travel agents - and travel insurance from UK travel agents is the last place I would go for it (commission, poor quality insurance, no discounts for associated insurance (house/car))!
quote:Originally posted by Ocala Mike: Regrettably, Geoff, the word "fall" prevails over the word "autumn" to describe the season. It's not a regional thing, however, and there's always this:
Also, there's the famous jazz classic written by Vernon Duke in 1934 with the same title as the above flick.
Never heard of either I'm afraid! I'm not saying it doesn't exist, just that I've never heard it! Having said that, I don't think I've ever been misunderstood when I have used the word which may be the key.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Travel Insurance: No question it gets much more expensive the older you become and, as many old people including me do have pre-existing medical conditions (in my case, mild hypertension), there are premiums on top of that. Cunard won't take you as a passenger unless you can prove you have the requisite insurance - in fact, you have to inform them who is underwriting the trip before they will allow you up the gangplank.
I have decided to miss out LA and spend an extra night in Monterey and then take 2 nights in San Luis Obispo where I can re-charge my batteries in peaceful surroundings before hitting the high spots of San Diego!
I feel that my trip has hogged this forum for far too long - you people want to get back to what you enjoy the most i.e trains not a rapidly becoming older by the day Englishman dithering about where he's going to stay etc!!
Thanks to all contributors who have spent time offering advice and suggestions - I am truly grateful.
Stephen in surprisingly warm Norfolk.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Geoff, While "fall" is definitely the main usage in spoken American English (and on schedules, a word which btw we pronounce differently than in Britain!), you do hear "autumn" once in a while, esp in poetic usage and in scientific discussion; i.e., it's used enough so that most Americans would know what you mean if you use it, as opposed to most of the other Anglicisms you list. "Bill" for "check" would also be understood, since Americans use "bill" in non-restaurant situations; and "return" instead of "round trip" would most likely be understood. Many of the other Anglicisms you list would not, or would be subject to misinterpretation.
"Autumn in New York" is a widely sung jazz song, e.g., Louis Armgstrong/Ella Fitzgerald have a duet, for example. It's a nice tune but IMO a bit dull and slow compared to my more favorite jazz numbers (or NY songs). There is also a song called "Autumn Leaves" that begins "The autumn leaves are falling down . . . "; I believe it may originally have been a French song.
But we do use "fall" mainly. It's shorter, and provides good alliteration in the expression "fall foliage"; it also enables the punnish mnemonic device regarding which way to turn the clocks from regular to daylight savings and back: "Spring ahead, fall behind."
I believe "fall" for "autumn" is actually one of several words used in Britain back in Elizabethan times that was brought over here in colonial times and fell out of usage back in Britain but remained in usage here.
"Cookie" comes from Dutch, brought to America by the Dutch settlers here in New York and then borrowed by English speakers here, though I'm not sure if the British usage you mention traveled back to the UK from the US or was borrowed directly from Holland. Other Dutch words and expressions that I believe entered American English directly are "cruller," "cole slaw," "stoop" for a small front porch (still mainly a regional expression in New York and nearby areas), "play hooky" and "Santa Claus." There are many other words from Dutch in English but I think a lot of them (esp the sailing terms) entered on your side of the pond.
BTW, I meant to mention, "rubber" is another of those words that in the US has a "bluer" meaning than in the UK, where it means "eraser"-here it's something you might use to avoid what "knocking up" means in the US!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Stephen, much as I believe a topic's originator should have control over the closing of such, they just don't close all that easily around here.
Nevertheless; "sing along" (maybe in this case "listen along"):
As to all the artists, Ella, Louis and Nat, "what hath God wrought?". We should further note that Frank Sinatra also has performed and recorded both songs with differing interpretations. But then, that is what an artist's prerogative is all about.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Coincidentally, I was listening to a CD of Ella's greatest hits whilst peeling the spuds for Sunday lunch yesterday - what a voice. Has anyone performed "Manhattan" better?
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Geoff Mayo: [QUOTE I don't know if you're a smoker, but never ask for, or offer, a fag.
Credit/debit cards: Most accepted in loads of places, even small food kiosks. Make sure your cards are signed before you go as chip&pin is rare so you often need to sign (and equally often don't!). Have some cash with you, don't rely on being able to find a cashpoint (ATM) that accepts a UK debit card. Remember that, depending on your bank, you may get foreign transaction charges - mostly only on cash withdrawals though, so if you get cash out, get lots at once. It doesn't seem to matter if you press "savings" or "checking" account when offered the choice on ATMs.
Finally, have a great time!
Indeed, if you used the expression "can I bum a fag off you?", you could find yourself in the most terrible trouble!!!!
Remember to tell your bank/credit card companies that you will be using your cards in the US, as many UK cards have an International block on them as a security feature to prevent fraud.
Also, being asked to produce ID when using a card is commonplace (it is almost unheard of in the UK).
Signs that say "no checks" refer to personal cheques (the US doesn't have the equivalent of the cheque guarantee card) but travellers cheques can be spent like cash and you get change back. However, take them in dollars, NOT sterling.
Be wary of cashpoints in convenience stores etc as the withdrawal charge can be high, and NEVER use an ATM in a casino - the fee can be as high as 15%!!!!
The one cultural point I would make is that the American day starts and ends earlier, especially in smaller towns. For example, restaurants might open from 4.00 - 8.00 in the evening whereas in the UK it would be 7.00 - 11.00. Schooldays are generally 8.00 - 3.00 (UK 9.00 - 4.00). You will find many more places open eg at 7.00 in the morning than over here.
Finally (and without wishing to cause controversy), never confuse the American people with the policies of the American government (especially the last one!!). In general, they are friendly, easy-going and willing to help strangers. Yes, there are areas in some cities that no sane person would go in the daytime let alone after dark but as with anywhere in the world, tourists have no need to go there and whilst street crime is higher than the UK if you keep your wits about and don't go looking for trouble you probably won't find any.
Posts: 395 | From: england | Registered: Sep 2002
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