Hi all....
It's been third years ++ since my latest post in blogger. My blog has been too dusty :( I have just bought a new notebook and I felt the urge to continue sharing in my blog and to learn Adobe Photoshop.
Okay, the first thing to share in 2015 is about my year end trip in 2013 (yeah it's been to long, because I just had a chance to continue writing). It's on December to the land far away from Indonesia. It's the land of dream. Yeah, it's the United States. First I was offered to visit Chicago for 5 days training. I was quite reluctant at that time because, seriously: I never went to the sub-tropical countries and everybody knows it's winter time in the US. Must be freezing cold, since Chicago is also known as windy city. After few days of consideration, then I decided to take the chance. I thought that this was a rare opportunity that possibly no one else could get. My family or I might have not afford the trip to the US this time, so I agreed. I prepared everything from visa to winter clothing. I could share you some tips.
After I completed visa online application, paid visa fee, and made the interview appointment, I went to US Embassy in Jakarta for my B1/B2 visa. The training was just five days. It's categorized as the same as tourist visa (less than 3 months visit to the US). I brought the necessary documents as complete as possible since it's safer. If you are interviewed, make sure you could provide brief and clear answer. The most important thing is that you could explain your purpose of going to the US. As I was there for business, then I could explain the purpose and what was the training about. Next thing is providing the financial capability. I showed the letter and bank statement from my company as my sponsor, and also the letter given by the training provider showing my purpose. Make sure the documents are original, it won't be collected by the interviewer. After that you are told about the visa decision. White paper means your visa is approved, green paper means there is subsequent interview, and red paper means your visa is rejected. No worry if you go there for business (with official proof), most likely you'll get the visa. Except you go there for pleasure, it depends on the interviewer and other things such as financial capability, your age, with whom you're going, etc. I got a white paper after a 5 minutes interview. My trip was confirmed, so I started to prepare everything else.
I flew to New York on 10 December 2013 midnight, with transit in Abu Dhabi (took Etihad flight). I arrived on the same day in JFK airport at night, and I rode shuttle service with affordable price (about USD 20) which I purchased online in advance. The driver sent me first to my hotel because it's located in the downtown Manhattan. I stayed in YMCA Vanderlbilt, about 15 mins walk to Times Square. So the next day I was a solo traveller, I bought a USD 45 voucher of hop on - hop off bus valid for 2 days. The first day was quite challenging for me as the temperature was very low and I still had jetlag for 12 hours time difference from Indonesia. I went to National Museum (very big!), Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. I like museum so it's quite worth to see for someone who loves history. Then at the evening my collague arrived in New York so we had a salad for quick dinner near the hotel.
The following days in New York, we explored to ground zero (ex WTC), financial district, Times Square, Hell's Kitchen area, and Liberty statue site. Unfortunately, we didn't expect that the Liberty was very far from the main island. It's located in Staten Island, where we didn't have a chance to ride the ferry as it's already dark :( So it's like more than 1 km away! Next day, we went to Woodbury outlet where there are hundred of brands from all over the world definitely only for shopping. It's about 45 mins from Manhattan, but they have very good deal for some brands with excellent prices. That day was snowing from the morning, so the snow was piling and it's quite dark at the evening. Some close were closed before 6 pm due to the snow.
After New York, we headed to Chicago by plane. The training was delivered in the campus 20 mins from Downtown Chicago. Kendall College has culinary, pastry, business and hospitality program for undergraduate. Within the traning, there was a sightseeing in the city. We managed to see 'The Bean' in Brent Park and view the skyscrappers and frozen lakeside. I believe in the Spring it will be much more interesting. Overall, it's a nice city to live rather than the crowded Manhattan.
When you travelling on winter (especially if it snows), male sure you use the proper layers. Using the long john, sweater, and a puffy jacket or wool coat will do. I'm not used to cold weather, but I could endure the cold because I use down jacket (goose fur). Very warm outside but so hot inside the building, because they usually use heater. Transport in NYC and Chicago are okay, but don't compare with London or Singapore. For the long flight, you better bring travel pillow or inflatable pillow (to avoid neck pain). My flight was about 8 hours + transit + 15 hours to NY, but I bring a Mitch Albom book to keep me company. This was my first white Christmas (although it's still early December, there were so many Xmas decorations).
Now I will go to London for another training in about 2 weeks ahead. I have not prepared anything. I love travelling very much but don't like packing. Anyway it will be another adventure!
Good night from Jakarta at 23.27!
