Roundtrip USA/Eastcoast
May 2001

This destinations in this vacation were well-known. I travelled some of these places in earlier days, although there were severel unknown points of interest in this journey. But one after the other.

The Airbus took us to Philadelphia and we landed at 4.20pm. The weather was unbelievable good and the vacation could start. The city of Philadelphia fascinated with lots of history. Ok, for us European not really "historic", but nevertheless is Phillie called the "Nation's cradle". The Indepence was proclaimed in the Independence Hall and the Liberty bell rang to this event. You can feel it and it is only a catch away. But also  the environment was on the plan, and so we drove to Atlantic City and New Hope. Atlantic City is very similar to Las Vegas. Certainly the Hotels are not so gigantic like these in  Las Vegas.

Our Pontiac Firebird took us to to New York. This city has changed a little bit since my last visit. You can explore some new things, when you look at it closer. But alltogether is the city as pulsating and fascinating as it was - that's New York. The big points of interest, like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center and the 5th Avenue were up on our sightseeing program. Thanks god, the good weather joined us and we explored Manhattan by feet. Exhausting, but this is the only way you can "feel" New York. Late at night at the Time Square or on the top of the Empire State over the roofs of NY let it feel you the real size of this city. Fascinating!

After this we drove on to Newport. A completely new territory for me. I got attentive to this town by the two stary in my travel guide and therefore I thought it would be a good place to stay for one night. Newport at the change of centuries was an exclusive town of the high-society. Here the Vanderbilt's and Astor's erected their homes - big homes!. By walking the cliffwalk, you can see the atlantic ocean on the one hand and on the other these magnificent houses - Unbeliveable!

Everett gave us the hint to visit Cape Cod. The next stop was called Provincetown. At the northern end of a peninsula it is situated surrounded by three sites of the ocean. Dreamlike white sandy beaches stamp the coastline. Unfortunately it was off-seasen and most restaurants and bars were closed, In Provincetown you find many portuguese flags, a relic of early days. This is also the only town where you find a portuguese radio station. Relaxing was the beautiful view from our suite at the Red Inn, because the ocean was only a meter in front  of our window. So we had the chance to see the moon- and sunrise.

Boston, a really historic city. We took the "Freedom Trail" to explore it. It took us to all the historic buildings and places. The Boston Tea Party was once the start of the indepence-movement, when they pour the tea of the english occupation members in the sea. But also a modern Boston waits for you. The John Hancock Tower is the highest building and is a nice contrast to the old Trinity Church, which is situated next door to it. Another point of interest  is the USS Constitution. "The old Ironside", she is also called, is still a ship of the US Navy and built 1794.

The longest tour of our vacation was the trip from Boston to Lancaster - 600km. We arrived in the country of the Amish at 4.20pm. Considering that the Amish left Germany 200 years ago and still speak German with a special accent, called "Pennsylvania Dutch", it is really fascinating. Lancaster County is like a big open air museum, cause the Amish don't use electricity and drive no cars. Essentially they live like aou ancestors did 200 years ago.

The last part before our flight home was to Washington, D.C. - the capital of the USA. My first thoughts were, that I would have enough time. Not really...It took a lot of time to see all the interesting buildings, like the Capitol, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial and the White House. Apropos White House, to visit thi, I had to join queue at 6am to be sure to get inside. Who stands up later has no chance - crazy these Americans. Washington by night is also a wonderful experience. The buildings are very nice and it has a special italian flair.

This was my trip to the eastcoast. I have discovered New England and it is very beautiful. Perhaps I'll travel north of Boston some day, because this countryside is a little bit different from the rest of the USA. A good season would be the Indian Summer...

Philadelphia Independence Hall	Philadelphia Love Sign	Philadelphia Liberty Bell
New York Statue of Liberty	New York Chrysler Building	New York Blick vom Empire State Building
New York Time Square	New York Tiem Square	New York Brooklyn Bridge
Newport The Elms	Provincetown/Cape Cod Dünenlanschaft	Provincetown/Cape Cod Sonnenaufgang
Boston Acorn Street	Boston John Hancock Tower	Boston Old State Building
Lancaster Straßenszene	Washington Weißes Haus	Washington Lincoln Memorial
	Washington Capitol

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