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So this is my final entry then. I'm back in Johannesburg and am getting used to being in one place - it is quite an adjustment, but has benefits too - I have my own bathroom for one! :)
I've uploaded all the pics that I couldn't load while travelling around so there's lots to have a look at. I've also managed to upload the balance of the pics from Hawaii (The Big Island) - it was such an amazing place to be that I felt I had to share it once I had the opportunity to upload the photos.
Since New York, I headed out to Washington DC. I caught Megabus and was SO impressed! Great coaches - double decker, clean, air conditioned, wireless internet!! I was blown away. It was how I imagined the Greyhound to be and wished I'd found it earlier - could have positively influenced my plans, but at least I know for next time (and I'm determined there will be a next time!)
I just picked up a car in DC and then headed towards Mill Run in Pennsylvania on a short Architectural field trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck k*** houses. I'd heard so much about them over the years and thought that, as they're out in the middle of nowhere, this might be my only chance to see them.
Falling Water is mind blowing. To think it was built in 1936 in such an incredibly contemporary style - it would be considered cutting edge even now in certain aspects. It's so beautiful to look at and then when you look at the cantilever engineering system, you realise FLW was not just a designer, but a smart engineer (although he did need some help reinforcing the largest floor as it needed more support than he first thought)
Kentuck k*** is a lot smaller and more intimate. It's much younger than Falling Water, but still impressive. Wright's attention to detail is pretty mindblowing and I felt inspired by his commitment to prefection. A great artist. I'm now more determined than ever to get accepted to uni :)
Washington DC itself is an interesting city. I didn't feel as strong a connection with it as I did with New York. It's very much a Government city. There are a lot of people living there that weren't born there, so there's a certain transient feel. The buildings in the centre are all spotless and clean and remind onlookers of the greatness of the government they represent, but only a few of them have soul.
I didn't get the chance to go out so much in the city, so I didn't really get a feel for the nightlife, but the evening I spent at the Kennedy Centre Jazz Concert with my friend Edith (who I met in Hawaii!) was incredible. The music was of an exceptionally high standard and the performers were fun. The setting was awesome and the company stimulating. Edith was interesting to talk to - she has an interesting story and it was so synchronistic that she was there the first day I arrived in the US (on Oahu) and there on my last evening in DC. I think we'll stay in touch for years to come.
Thanks to all those of you who've followed my blog. I've enjoyed writing every now and then. And especially enjoyed taking and sharing my photos with you. I think I'm going to take a break for a while now from picture taking :) But it's been great fun for the last 6 months.
Bye-bye! :)
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