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Getting There
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I arrived in Baltimore, Maryland last night after oh, around 30 hours travelling. We flew Aberdeen to London with BA, and ensured our luggage would be transferred to a Continental flight from Heathrow to New York, then were told when we tried to check in that we were too late because our luggage had to be rechecked. Lies, all of it. British Airways were adamant that our luggage was going right through so they had a carry on trying to stop it so that it wouldn't be on the flight that we weren't on. Anyway, long story short we had to wait in Heathrow for an extra 6 hours. This wasn't too bad, however when you consider that we missed all buses to Baltimore from New York, so that by the time we got into Newark and through border control, (who asked absolutely no questions), we had to get on the 10pm train from New Yorks Penn Station to Baltimore, and didn't arrive until 1am. We'd already called ahead to say we would be checking in extremely late and when we got there they were fabulous. The room was really nice, the bed was the comfiest I've ever been in, it was lovely and clean, the shower was amazing. They also gave us late checkout at no extra charge so we could sleep for ages and chill out, which helped out a lot. Many thanks to them!
We hung out around Baltimore today, mostly around the Inner Harbour. After the best lunch ever, fluffy crab omelette, we hit the Baltimore Aquarium, apparently the largest on the continental US. We saw lots of fishes, a 3 limbed sea turtle, sharks, crocodiles, snakes, frogs, dolphins, etc, etc. It was fairly smart. Wandered around an area called Federal Hill in the evening which was nice, and it was absolutely boiling. All 19th century architecture, and an indoor food market, and wee cafes and boutiques and such. Baltimore is famous for its seafood, so we got stuck in with things like oysters, crabcakes, and crab omelettes. Awesome. All we've heard so far from people is, "Whey' y'awh fruuum, talkin like that?" This happened in the first place we stopped for a drink, and after telling the bartenders we were from Scotland, we had a full hour of banter going with them. When we asked for the check, all we recieved was a slip of paper that said, "$0.00....we love you ladies!" Score. It pays to be as cool as me. Proven.
So after Baltimore, it was overnight to Indianapolis to arrive late afternoon the next day. After being cautioned by a police officer (the biggest and blackest guy you've ever seen.....I was terrified) for taking my shoes off in the station we were off. Okay, so I wasn't actually properly cautioned, but I was wandering around the vending machines and he shouted me over and exclaimed, "Dahlin', you gots to keep yo shoes awn". Whitever. Thats what I say. I surprised myself by not being bored in the slightest the whole journey. We left at 2am, after a trip to the local Hooters, hahaha. I slept until breakfast the next morning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then again until lunch in Columbus, Ohio. The last few hours I stuck my music on, and gazed out the window. I love it. Watching the rolling fields, laughing at the funny road signs, passing through exotic towns called Sugar Grove and Cave City, counting deer carcasses. Awesome. When we were about 100 miles from Indianapolis, the most hilarious thing I've ever seen passed by. A massive sign advertising some vehicle sales centre, with a picture of someone too smug looking for his name, that proclaimed, "Welcome to Tom Raper Country". I don't know how you would feel, but I was a bit scared. A further 15 sign later advetising, Tom Rapers RV's....Tom Rapers Caravans....Tom Rapers Trucks.....and it was a lot more funny. Can you imagine? Not only is this guy a perve by name, but he's well proud of it. I'd have changed it as soon as I was able to. "Yup! That's me! Proud to be a Raper!" Oh no. "Hey Jim, thats a nice new truck. Wait, isn't that a Rapers truck?" Hahahaha. Oh, I can't get enough. Of course, after this episode, I spent the whole remaining 90 miles or so singing Blue Oyster Cult, 'Don't Fear the Raper'. Reaper. Whatever. Hah. Oh, I also passed what claims to be the biggest fireworks warehouse in the world. I don't know if I'm buying that....it wasnae even that big. Although, I suppose there aren't many fireworks warehouses in the world for it to contend with.....still, I challenge them to prove it.
Where I stayed:
Holiday Inn Baltimore-Inner Harbor Downtown, Md
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