The Purple Penguin

Went out to get breakfast and ended up at this little diner with very good food. After eating decided I was tired so a walk back to the hotel and we slept the rest of the day. Well, kept us out of the way of the wedding party who were all running about like mad. Having slept most of the day, Joe went to get his shoes (he’d had them repaired at the shoe shop. I realised I was asleep when the phone ringing woke me up!) When Joe got back we went down and hung out in the bar. Apparently there is some horse race that ran yesterday – the cover started about 6 hours before the race started and was on the telly while we at the bar. The only other interesting thing was watching the fish – they were being driven up into the shallows by other fish feeding.

Having had a drink or so we came back to the room and started to get ready. Once ready we were back down in the bar waiting for it all to begin. It did actually start to rain in the afternoon so having the wedding indoors was a good decision. Not to mention the fact that it was cold and everyone was wearing light sleeveless dresses or light suits.

Eventually we all filed into the ceremony. One priest and two bottles of sand later they were married. We all stood for the wedding because no one told my dad that the congregation were to follow his lead and he had to sit down to indicate to the rest of us that we could. But it was a short ceremony so that was ok. After the ceremony we all filed out and headed for the cocktail hour. Huge rooms with a couple of bars, several food stations (including pasta), and waiters wandering around with snacks. Lovely. I had to head off to find the wedding party for photos. Bleugh, but Allison let me off with just two photos.

Then off to the reception which was held in the same room as the wedding. The food was broken up with the dancing and announcing. So we all sat down and the wedding party were introduced and the first dance, then we had starters and salad. Huge meal, lovely company and a good time had by all until about half past 12! The bride and groom left under an arch of sparklers then turned around and headed back to the bar.

So to bed at half past midnight but up again at 5am. I hate jet lag.

Woke up early, even after the drinks and party last night, opened the drapes and it’s a lovely sunny day with a wonderful blue sky. The wedding is going to be inside.

Went down with the full intention of going out to get breakfast as we were going to get various things to prepare for the wedding. We managed to spot the parents in the restaurant and after going to say hi ended up sitting down and having breakfast with them. As time went on more and more people connected to the wedding party appeared until finally half of the little breakfast area was full of wedding people talking to each other.

Joe’s preparations: When we did finally get out, dropped Kathleen off with the full intention of heading out getting my beard trimmed and a new pair of shoes and back to the hotel hours before she got back. First stop, barbers. It was early in the morning so there was no queue so I just walked right in. Sat down and started chatting as I got my beard trimmed and hair cut. Subject turned to why was I here, so explained about the wedding to find out the barber was a rival American Football fan, but also found out the local pub to go to for real sport. (definition: English, i.e. proper, football) So 15 minutes later I wandered around to the high street looking at shoes. Entered a small shop and an hour later came out with some shoes. A very laid back, but extremely good, sales experience. Complete with yappy dog and a long conversation with other customers.

Meanwhile, Kathleen’s preparations: I got to the little shop (oh, ok, I was getting my legs waxed!) Walked in and straight back to the room. about 20 minutes later after a very brisk leg waxing and no chit chat I was out. So walked up to the little shoe shop next door, cruised around looking at very expensive shoes, decided I didn’t really need them, and headed back to the hotel. Got to the hotel and ran into Dad and Mary Anne leaving. So went up to the room and got my book and went to sit in the atrium to read and wait for Joe. Also grabbed the local paper which was interesting. Allison came in while I was sitting and reading and we had a chat. She and some of her bridesmaids were off to get their nails done, so she asked if I wanted to come along. It was at the place I had just been to, but I declined the invitation and continued to wait for Joe. After the local paper, chatting to people and a couple of chapters of Daniel Deronda I saw Joe get into the glass lift. I waved but he didn’t look until after he’d pushed the button and was headed up to the fourth floor. So he spent the ride looking at me before just pushing the button to come back down.

Together again: We ended up running into more wedding party and my sister so chatted for a bit before heading back out into the town. Waved to Allison getting her nails done then dropped Joe’s shoes off to get repaired and then ate at Joe’s Cafe (actually called No Ordinary Joe’s Cafe). Nice lunch. It was raining and nasty day, very cold so we ended up back at the hotel visiting with people. Finally in Dad and Mary Anne’s room meeting people, folding programmes, having drinks, and wondering what is in the dodgy briefcases. There was much discussion about the weather and the decision was made to have the wedding inside, as by this time the rain was pouring down and there was nearly a gale blowing. They needed to get ready for the rehearsal so we went back to our room and napped, played on the computer, various odds and ends before getting ready for the dinner.

The Dinner: (J) In this wedding plan there are lots of different invites, the first of these was the rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents. At 7pm we went down to the dining room in the hotel to meet and be introduced to lots of new people. It was a very pleasant affair a little bit of drinking and a nice buffet meal and a couple of speeches where the very dodgy briefcases were handed out. (Let me explain; when we went to Paul’s Bar (nominally room 408) in the afternoon of the many things stored there for the wedding was 6 to 8 hard aluminium looking silver briefcases, the sort normally seen in films containing the assassin’s gun or the drug’s money. Repeated attempts did not reveal the contents, hence the dodgy briefcases.) At one point Hal’s brother was given the choice of $60 or the dodgy briefcase; he took the briefcase. These were presents for the groomsmen. Allison then gave out the presents for the parents and bridesmaids. At 9pm drinks were hosted by the bride’s parents and more people drifted in. By about 11pm people started leaving and I retired. (K) Far too many people, and way too many cameras, but a nice dinner. I ended up retiring at 10 as I was falling asleep on my feet!

Woke up very early as always. 1am. <sigh> It’s grey and rainy today. The family are compulsively watching the Weather Channel as it’s suppose to be an outside wedding. So far the weather will clear and it will be beautiful and sunny – on Sunday afternoon. The wedding is Saturday. When it’s raining. Best laid plans and all that.

The hotel is nice; the best bit is the lift. There is an atrium that goes all the way to the roof, the lift is glass so you can ride up looking down into the atrium. Lovely. And there are NOT nose prints on the glass. Honest.

Everyone else will arrive today. But we’re not expected to do anything until tonight so we’re off to find Joe’s Cafe (yes, there really is one here) for breakfast and then just wander about the little town looking at things. It’s small but there are loads of little shops and things. Probably be bored by, oh, lunchtime.

We are here; here being New Jeresey. And are very tired and not going to spell check.

Interesting flight with an interesting mixture of people; very long as always; but survived. Tried to sleep.

Getting through Newark was fine, though we did have a moment where we thought we’d lost our bags yet again. But they turned up. We found the airport train station; though to get there you had to take a shuttle. No problems though and straight onto the train to here. Timed beautifully. Also found the hotel with no problems and it was a very short walk from the station. Very easy.

Dad and Mary Anne were already here and checked in so we stopped and said hi and had a chat. They were off to Philly for the shower and party. So we headed out to find the park where we will be on Saturday and then found a place to have dinner.

So Joe had spent time wandering around London looking for a nice, but affordable, waistcoat to wear to the wedding and could he find one? Not for under £150! So we walking along admiring the little town here and there’s a shop, with waistcoats, at a good price. So he has his waistcoat!

Dinner at a little pub which was nice and now just trying not to fall asleep!

Joe: The start of another trip.

Kathleen: Sitting in the airport. Bored. Done shopping. That was boring.

Joe: No waistcoats.

Kathleen: Up far too early, at 4am, but the taxi came very early. We scheduled for 5am but he showed up at about 25 to 5! So we were off early and at the airport early. Luckily Heathrow opens this early and so we were able to get through security (just us and one other couple in the security queue; so why, when they are in front of us, do they take ages and act like they’ve never ever seen an airport security check before? They were from the US so they had to come over here some how.) Once through security had a nice breakfast and then a walk and a look in *every single* shop. <sigh>

Joe: Cause you were looking for a shawl.

Kathleen: Nope, it was his waistcoat. He wants a waistcoat. Which apparently no one wears any longer. Cause you can’t find them anywhere. Well, except two small shops in London where they start at about £150. ANYWAY, looked in every single shop and now am updating the blog. Obviously. Got a tour guide on NY so can see where we’re going. We booked our tickets to the Statue of Liberty last night, so now have two things booked. Which is something.

We made it home. Back to boring blogs now. The flight was long. Very long. Joe slept and I read. Now feeling very tired and ready to go to bed but going to try to wait for another hour or two before going to sleep. Otherwise I’ll just be awake too early!

Got to the airport in plenty of time and checked in. Had a look around the shops then through security and more shops. Had margaritas while waiting for the flight. So nothing much.

Well, it’s the last day and we’re all packed and waiting for the airport shuttle. Really don’t want to leave the sunshine and warm weather.

Got up this morning and did the last bit of packing. Then sorted the room and left the bags for a last wander into San Francisco. It was foggy and chilly but a nice walk. We strolled along the waterfront again looking out where the bridge and Alcatraz should have been, but we couldn’t see them. That was ok as we got to finally see the real fog over the bay. We stopped at In n Out Burger for, well, for a burger. That’s all they do. Which was fine. The on to Pier 39 for a last stroll and look at the sea lions. As we walked the fog was lifting and the sun came out. By the time we started heading back to the hotel the sun was out and it was warming up. A last stop at Girarbelli for a coffee (well a mocha and chocolate shake) and then back to the hotel.

Now just waiting for the shuttle. Ho hum.

Or Carl Sandburg was right.

We decided today we’d walk to the Golden Gate Bridge so we headed out in bright sunlight and warm weather. Walked along the waterfront watching people play in the surf. I think everyone in San Francisco owns a dog and they were all out playing fetch in the water. But looking up at the bridge we could see the fog rolling in. But it would lurk around the bridge then head back out then lurk around the bridge again.

It was a nice walk along the water front and we stopped by the visitor centre for the marine sanctuary where we spoke to the woman running the shop. Turns out she’s also a diver so we got tips for the next visit – January and February is baby season. So we’ll have to come then and see the baby otters and elephant seals.

By the time we got to the bridge the fog was really rolling in and we couldn’t see Alcatraz or San Francisco! It was also windy and quite chilly. But a neat walk up to the bridge and along the bridge to the first tower. Couldn’t come all this way and not at least set foot on the bridge!

As we walked back the fog kept coming in. We stopped for an early dinner (very good food at Fuzio, and we got it right; one starter between the two of us and a main meal each. We even had room for pudding.) and when we finished and came out the sun was starting to go down and the fog moved in. It comes in along the bay and hills first so they were quite foggy. Listening to the fog horn as well.

We’ll have an early evening, pack our bags, and be ready for tomorrow. Joe is watching more US football but may switch to the baseball as the World Series is playing.