Month: August 2016

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Yale

The day after we visited Cornell, we stopped in New Haven to visit Yale University. We joined a student led campus tour, which was good because you get some idea of campus life and learn some trivia about the school. For example the library was designed with empty statue alcoves to give the appearance of age, even though it is a 20th century building, it is supposed to look like the statues were pillaged during some battle in antiquity (maybe marauding Canadians during the War of 1812, hahaha). Anyway it achieves the effect pretty well. Most of the buildings feel like there is a lot of history behind then, even the newer ones.

Comparing the two, I have to say I liked the Cornell campus more. It was a real campus, separate from the town. The problem with Yale is it is in the middle of New Haven, so you have trucks and other non-campus traffic driving through, plus there are shops and stuff there.

Next stop NYC!

-David

 

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Niagara, Cornell and Yale

David and I left Bruce beach on Thursday, and today is Saturday. Only 3 days passed, we have done a lot.

First day, we had a boat trip at Niagara Falls and had a great dinner in a Greek restaurant. Second day, we visited Jiajia, my Chinese friend and glass museum which is near her house, then had a campus adventure at Cornell University. The last day, we joined a campus tour at Yale University and lived in lovely B&B between Yale university and New York.

One of the reasons that I enjoy traveling is I love to learn the differences and surprises during trips. In the Greek restaurant, I took a picture of their painting on the wall. It is said by a Greek philosopher that “women know everything about everything”.

“What does it mean?” I asked the waiter, “Do you believe it?”

“I do not believe it, but if my girl-friend is here, I will agree.”

“How many Greeks believe it?”

“At least 50%”, said David as he joined our conversation, “the women.”

We all busted into laughter afterwards. Isn't it great to know this wisdom of life started from thousand of years ago in Ancient Greece?!

Both David and I enjoyed the buffet in the Cornell students' dinning hall. I was surprised there are so many choices, stir fry with To Fu and veggies, delicious fried rice, pasta, Pizza, wrappers, fruits, non-GMO milk and frozen yogurt….I told David I was very satisfied with the quality of food. His idea to go to the buffet, I love the campus atmosphere. I feel it is quieter, more activities, sports, arts quad, and the water falls are nice too.

The amazing thing of the third day is I found the Airbnb we chose is only one third price of our house in California. But the house seems bigger and yard is spacious. It is located between Yale university and New York City. I am surprised the differences. Should we move to east coast?….

Yale
B&B

 

-Yanmei

 

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To New York

One last picture of the falls, from the morning.

We made it across the border to the U.S. without incident or delay, which, given my history, is always great news. Then we drove to Corning, NY to visit a friend of Yanmei's named Jiajia. Jiajia works for Corning. She and her mother-in-law made us lunch, and Yanmei helped a bit.

Then we went to the Corning Glass Museum, which was pretty interesting. Corning used to make glasses and dishes and stuff, but now they've transitioned to making fiber optics and the glass for smartphones, tablets and TVs.

Then we drove to Ithaca, NY to visit Cornell University.

Yanmei outside the Bill and Melinda Gates Hall
A Quidditch team setting up

We ate a pretty good meal in a dining hall on campus before continuing to Binghamton, NY to stop for the night.

-David