Mama, I'm coming home

Written next to the corner of East 47th St and 5th Ave, Manhattan, New York City, NY, the United States of America on the last full day of travelling of Taimou West's World tour 2014.

That's all folks! Just couple more random photos and feeling the Big Apple for the last time. Then this backpackerdude heads off to JFK terminal 7. One ticket to Pengerkatu, please!

T

New York

Central Park,NYC. Day 95.

I am sure you have been in New York city? If not, you will do it eventually. I know. So I don't wanna spoil too much. Just a hint though: this is a magical metrolool (full of great architechture, huge diversity of people, busy business life, nice parks, swedish and german tourists etc. etc.... and incredible comfy & useful subway lines/ stations)! It is a city that deserves all it's reputation.

Spring time means playoffs in NHL hockey. For once, NY Rangers made their way trough. I had a unique chanse to get a Seat for the Division senifinal game #5 against Philadelphia Flyers. The venue: Madison Square Gatden, of course. What a show, Rangers!

Perhaps the most important thing for a Visually Impaired traveller is that moving arround with public transportation is (possible and) easy. Before coming here, I had huge expectations for NY subway and could not wait to start observations. 

And the jury has made a decision: it is accessible!! The system has clear and large signs to assist 5 million people moving arround every day, and that really helps me too! Many times I was able to stand right next to the signs and read then with bare eyes. Timetables displays do not excist so much, maybe 'cause there is Always a new train coming. (24/7/365).

Well, of course the largest transfer stations are huge and bit like labyrints. Lines cross each other here and there in different floors and don't always have audio stop announcements. Also, stations are often relatively shady and really crowded. All this can get complicated for folks with lower vision than mine. Though, I think using a white cane would help remove those 5 million people from one's way... 

But as I am n America, must this observation look like a burger. So last but not least, my favourite: Stairs!! It might seam silly to talk about stairs so much when it comes to Visual accessibility, but think about it! How easy it is to get hurt or fall if you miss just one step. That's why the stripe (contrast) line is important as well as proper railing on the side. NYC subway gets 7/10 points from judge West in this category. 

Yes, I'm a fan of public transportation details and kinda nerd when it comes to the worlrd of learning timetables, routes and stop lists by heart (Cheers, Wacko!) BUT let us not forget these either: 1) Street furniture and signs, 2) the built environment and public spaces and 3) public facilities and services.

All these fields should work smoothly in order a place to be a "dream city".  Sidewalks have to stay clear from extra obstacles, crossroads should have audio beepers and restaurants need large font menus  etc. This is just to mention few basic things to help us Visually Impaired People to survive/enjoy life and our cities.

NYC can fulfill a lot of dreams. Businesses, Broadway, The world of sports etc. are stuff where things can get really big in this city. But honestly, for a VIP life can be easier somewhere else. Let's keep dreaming and working on better accessibility whereever we want. For me that is Helsinki. 

Timo

Ps. New York bottom2: Hostel prices & long lines for many things, even if they are not SO special 

New yok Top2: The noise in MSG when Rangers scored & the City that does not sleep, in general!

Nyt on mies!

B Hostel, Brooklyn NY. Day 91/97.

Exactly three months ago I left Finland and crossed the border to Russia. It all starts to come tofether here in USA. The city is huge, air is cold, hostelroon is tiny, prices are high and so on, Just like in Moscow. New York City is definately the place to end this circle. From east to west I go.

Let me go back to the reflection I mentioned a while ago in post "Moskau". Am i a tourist or traveller? Just before leaving hone I was reading a chapter about this speculation in the "Madventure" book. In Moscow I thought that the upcoming months would give me a clear answer....

Ha ha... What a story Mark!

Long story short: i am both! Travelling 13 weeks, 50 000 km, iand 8 in countries carrying just a backpack and some other stuff i did are kinda travellerish but going to see Lenin's mausoleum, Statue of Tasingis Kahn, Great Wall, Annapurna trecks, F1 race, Kaikoura geysires and Glden gate are very touristic. But like in that photo - where I am biking the bridge in SF - I do and have done trip my way.

The ascepts and topics of this blog are another example of that. Or what do you think?? So, actually i don't care about this question. 

I want to point out that tourist and traveller are just words. Let me write about something more interesting / relevant next time. N.Y.C sure can offer topics.Cheers!

Taimou

("Top of the Rock")

Punainen komentaja

JFK airport, New York. Day 89.

I can feel it. The Big Apple is just a short train ride away! Took the red eye from SF trough American night sky. Saved money AND time doing that. Who needs sleep anyway? 

Good morning east coast

-Taimou West

San Francisco (Be sure to wear...)

Already in NY. Post SF.

Ok, Google! Navigate mr. Paing to Golden gate bridge!

I am approaching the point when everything starts to be said. Though, I promise to conclude this travel-/VIP-exploration blog with style and deerep reflection as I reach the end!! The 1,5 amazing weeks in the city of San Francisco shall be described trough photos.

So there am I. And there is part of the famous SF cablecar. For a long time i was avoiding this quite a touristic thing to do. But did it. First it felt just like an overcrowded tram (, i was hanging literally outside) but as it starrted to climb the hills it turned into a cool experience! Not really a Visually impaired friendly way to travel, but I asume that a white cane user Would have found a seat fast.

Speaking of canes, here are some for you! The photo is from local VIP support organisaation (also mentioned briefly in one of last week's posts) that had also a shop, similar to Aviris in Helsinki. The organisaation is called Lighthouse and it offeres various services of rehabilitation, training, recreation etc for the blind and shortsighted folks in SF Bay area. It was nice to notice that they were intereated in how similar things are done in Finland.

Social work for VIPs gives me another great akward transition! Here in pic is the City hall of SF. Beautiful significant building and all, but what's in front? These dudes lying on the grass are not having a relaxing picnic. They are people who spend every day there. Or maybe in a shady alley in a trashbin! In (Honolulu and) Francisco there are alot of homeless people that shocked me a bit. Without going too deep to this now I just ask if Ameica is the greatest country in the universe after all?

Back to travelling. This is pretty much what my Image of San Francisco was in advance. And it sure is a) hilly, b) beautiful and c) very nice!

On the day of leaving I visited the Rock! Former Alcatraz prison island and especially the cellhouse were really wirth going. Touristic of course, but full of amazing historic events and incidents. The audio guide took me quite a zigzag round the prison but was really excellent! For a VIP like a me the problem in museums etc is usually reading everything. Alcatraz was a  brilliant exeption with its quality of sound!  Stil, Despite that...the Oscar of VIP friendly detail goessss tooo....

A REALLy simple but excellent trick! In SF all the street names are carved in pavement allowing me just look down next to the crosswalk, instead of trying to read the street sign up high. And it can of course be read by touch even. What a wonderful world!

And yes, what would man's holiday be without some more sport events! This time a really insane rivalry baseball game between SF Giants and LA Dodgers. Pesis rocks and people really are crazy!

San Francisco bottom2: Biking up the hills & no bucket of water in Japanese sauna

San Francisco top2: Valencia street & Reunion with dear friends

Eivätkä ruuhkaan juutu perheautot vain.

Vaan linja-autot, limusiinit rinnakkain!

Timo 

People are crazy

765 Mangels Avenue, San Francisco, CA. Day 87/97.

Is it Vappu already? Looks like it, but I think this I'm stil in America. As u can see above, not so many days of travelling left for mr West. Today San Francisco celebrated life in Golden gate park in sunshine, as usual. And btw, not all the smoke in the air was originally from the gril. 

California has offered me much more than the three steps introduced in last week's post. This weekend went by camping with nice people between huge Redwood trees. I have been living summer 60 days now...so it was about a time to sleep in a tent and gril marshmelons at campfire.

(Starring mr Paddock)

In this phase of trip a lot of reflections tend to be going on. It feels just surrealistic that it was THIS journey when i was walking on Baikal lake ice, eating hot pot dinner in China, paragliding in Pokhara or watching F1 in Albert Park.  think this is going to bee three months to remember...

Hyvää pääsiäistä! Or as they say in SF, Hapoy 4/20!

TV

Ps. Today's exploration: crazy people concure Haight street from cars. I call this an excellent level of accessibility! No need to see or be scared of traffic. Our city, our way!

Our house

SF Mission diatrict , day 82.

I took my exporing to a new level today. Met some professional VIP workers and did a bit of "culture exxhange". Seams that US social welfare ststem isn't hopeless after all...

Stay tuned for more. 

-Taimou

Island in the sun

Back in SF, D81.

I just spent a really nice weekend in Sacramento, CA, hosted by a dear friend. Besides the NBA game described yesterday, we enjoyed life in Davis town's picnic day and at a National park hike. The sun shines, life is easy and friends joke arround. Isn't it just great to continue conversations after 1,5 years as if we had been in same city all along!

Sacramento is the California State capital. I visited the Capitol house (above) this morning ready to shake mr Schwarzennegger's hand. After a fairly good tour round the house (incl. senate chambers etc.) I get to hear that he has not been the governour since 4 years now. Whops! Anyway, visiting an US official building was really cool experience. A bit different one than for example some places in China and Nepal just some weeks ago.

a Visually Impaired Person would have nice abilities to live in Downtown Sac, I think. All street corners are marked with a guideline (=material change on the ground that is an sign of the crossing ahead). Although, things can always be done better! In the tunnel connecting city's main shopping mall and Old Sacramento the light conditions were pretty poor. My favourite exploration was though a warning signal sound coming from a parking garage when a car is exciting it and the paths with pedestrian are about to cross This VIP accessibility observatuon was pointed out to me by my social worker colleague miss Lee!

There we have a juicy hamburger observatuon from MURICA! A Good, a bad and a good example of VIP accessibility. The qualities in question are 1) material/contrast, 2) light and 3) sound. Btw, if you - my dear reader -stil have no clue what I'm talking about here, check the link from this blog's post "Matkamuistoja" (written March 8th).

Sac/Davis bottom2: seeing one too many people totally wasted & whre's Iso Arska?

S/D top2: Summer in the city & miss Lee's endless hospitality.

Thanks so much Sheng! Enjoy your park lunches also without me & take care.

TV 

Get ready for this

Sacramento, CA. Day 80.

Childchoir singing the National anthem, Cheerleaders thtowing free T-shirts+people going totally nuts about it, fans screaming everything, organ themes on background, dog race and bunch of other nonsense on half time break, people selling popcorn, soda, beer, nachos, hotdogs etc etc....and yes, besides all that, tall guys playing basketball. The NBA game between Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves had the honor to be my first sport event here in MURICA! Hella fun.

Timo

Amerika

Downtown San Francisco, CA. Day 77.

Once upon a time my dream was to travel arround the world. Tehnically that means just flying 40 075 km, which could be done in less than two days. Poor me, already 11 weeks travelled and only now I have reached that distance. And stil long way home...

But I am in America, Baby! The climax of this tour is happening. Everything is big like it's supposed to be here. Little boy from Pengerstreet is amazed. 36. country on my list has lot to offer.

First: gettogether with old friends.

Second: explore.

Third: enjoy.

Timo

Ps. Have a guess!! Witch one of the bikes was my ride today when cruising arround SF?

Naurava kulkuri

Utd flight #1722 somewhere over Pacific Ocean, D75

This is what I call a little extra adventure on travels!! First, I wait for the bus 19 for half an hour. Meanwhile several lines pass already for second time but where is #19? Finally it comes, but second problemo arrises. The driver refuses to take a big backpack omboard. Com'on, it's an airport bus!!! 

A few Chinese guys have the same issue and after another half an hour of waiting and an uncomfortable feeling in stomach we are ready to hail a cab. But thank god for my traveller's budget sake, another #19 comes and this driver saves our butts, for now.

One hour of 'zigzag sightsreing' later I hear the stop announcement 'airport'. Well, it's great to have the audio help for tourists and VIPs (and combos) but the situatuon is ready for 3rd problem! Even Honolulu has two terminals and guess what... I hopped off in the wrong one of course. 

Again, I am thaking god...this time for my bag beeing just 14kg while I run to United airlines check-in desk. And abragadabra (4) it is in the furthest point of the terminal.

I reach it. Of course the check-in is selfservice machine with relatively small font size (5). But WTF, i already am this far and i'm gonna make it! 

And I did. Bunch of problems are solved and here I am sitting in the plane and amusing myself by laughing out loud for the exadurated security check just experienced. Also, normally the flight intro-blabla tells you that toilets have smoke detectors. Here they just tell me that I will break the law if I destroy the detector. Really???

Only in america!! 

/Stil laughing,

Taimou

Ps. The Hawajian mentality prevented me today from panicing and brought the fun. Normally any of these things mentioned above could have stressed me. But not in paradise! Yytsi, U can be proud now. Taimou is chilling. 

Pps. In order the world not to be a perfect place, just one thing bumbs me out at the moment. Normally I defend rights of people with eye problems but now I do it for guys in wheelchairs. WHY can the first guy in the picture below have the awesome Hawaji shirt but the disabled dude NOT?

Paradise city

Waikiki beachside hostel, Hobolulu HI, the United States of America. Day of travelling #74.

I took myself down to the paradise city where the grass is green and girls are pretty! 

Timetravelling a.k.a crossing the international date  line in the air above the Pacific ocean was quite interesting. I Got to live friday Apr 4th 2014 twice. First, Final moments of road trippin' & crazy party night in Auckland with Bobby and second, a more than comfortable 9hr flight & wonderful nightbeach selfreflection in Hobolulu by myself! 

The sun rises approximately one hour earlier in Hawaji than in New Zeland. But stil NZ is ahead in time! How is this possible?? Trying to understand this I come to the conclusion that time is just man made thing and it is sometimes wonderful to forget about it!! For example, during this trip I have almost completely forgot what I usually do this TIME of the year in Finland. Who cares?? I am exploring the globe, from east to West and that matters.

But despite all this great preaching, my time in Hawaji is vorbei. It really is a paradise and so many things have huge contrast with my or your normal life. Swimshorts or bikini are normal outfits when moving arround in city and people are as laidback they should be everywhere! People surf, swim, dive, do extreme sports, go party, relax and even work on a level i haven't seen before. I guess somebody is also working hard here but for a traveller like me, Hawaji just has shown it's best sides

From the visual impairement point of wiev this city is...of course... a Paradise. Well, Downunder was better in many details but services, public transport and everything else are on a nice accessible level so who wants to conplain? Take a chil pil , forget your low vision and enjoy life!

(Here in the photo some helpful conttasts and...well, a beach of course.)

Honolulu bottom2: loud hostel roomies & two drops of rain

Honolulu top2: Waikiki beach life & my awesome/awful new Shirt.

I sent a photo from Waikiki for more than 20 people per WhattsAp, the result: More than half dozen gray shots from Finland and as many responses about beeing jelous! This made me think alot. 

First, I am happy to share some of these amazing wievs i am able to see and also post things about VIP accessibility. Making someone jelous is not the point. Second, i am more than happy to give an example. Hey you: Save money, arrange time and just do it! Next year i might be reading your blog?

Meanwhile, I'll go wear some flowers in my hair....

Timo