tourist attractions, for two 19yr olds
Nov 18th, 2000, 02:32 PM
#2
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One good thing is that Rhode Island is one of the smallest States in the USA.
Here is its official website:
http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/
Here is its official website:
http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/
Nov 19th, 2000, 08:05 AM
#4
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Charles, are you for real? A. Why would Finnola et al travel to the US to find "lots of Irish"? B. There are "lots of Irish" in Providence as well as NYC and Chicago and various parts of the midwest and some families have been here for at least a century if not longer. Believe it or not, some Irish actually inter-married with other groups and you might have trouble telling just by looking, although the green beer on St. Paddy's day will always give it away.
And C., I suspect you think you were trying to be hospitable offering Finnola a place with "her own kind" but surely you see that it was as racist a comment as if you had told someone from Ghana to go to New York because there are lots of African-Americans there.
Finnola, welcome to the US ahead of time. Providence and Boston are great cities, although lodging will always be expensive there so try to set up a network of student friends and advice on hostels, dorms, etc. Be away that you are coming for the worst months possible from the point of view of weather -- a lot of students take their winter break (or intersession, or "Martin Luther King Day Long Weekend") in the south, esp. Florida, to get away from the snow and wind and chill. Others embrace it and go north to the mountains to ski, ski, ski.
You'll be able to get around to a lot of different places, from Montreal to Washington, by train or bus, because our northeast is served well by mass transit.
Re: "St. Paddy's Day" -- it's a very weird phenomenon in the states, particularly in the big cities, that on March 17th, "everyone is Irish." I had an interesting time trying to explain to a Japanese neighbor confused by having her sons' teachers insist that they wear green on St. Patrick's Day -- no, it's not a religious day; no, it's not an official national holiday; no, it's not about snakes, really. It's either a nice, indirect way of celebrating the immigrant status of most Americans or else a great excuse for large numbers of people to drink beer (often green) and sing Clancy Boys songs.
And C., I suspect you think you were trying to be hospitable offering Finnola a place with "her own kind" but surely you see that it was as racist a comment as if you had told someone from Ghana to go to New York because there are lots of African-Americans there.
Finnola, welcome to the US ahead of time. Providence and Boston are great cities, although lodging will always be expensive there so try to set up a network of student friends and advice on hostels, dorms, etc. Be away that you are coming for the worst months possible from the point of view of weather -- a lot of students take their winter break (or intersession, or "Martin Luther King Day Long Weekend") in the south, esp. Florida, to get away from the snow and wind and chill. Others embrace it and go north to the mountains to ski, ski, ski.
You'll be able to get around to a lot of different places, from Montreal to Washington, by train or bus, because our northeast is served well by mass transit.
Re: "St. Paddy's Day" -- it's a very weird phenomenon in the states, particularly in the big cities, that on March 17th, "everyone is Irish." I had an interesting time trying to explain to a Japanese neighbor confused by having her sons' teachers insist that they wear green on St. Patrick's Day -- no, it's not a religious day; no, it's not an official national holiday; no, it's not about snakes, really. It's either a nice, indirect way of celebrating the immigrant status of most Americans or else a great excuse for large numbers of people to drink beer (often green) and sing Clancy Boys songs.
Nov 19th, 2000, 08:58 AM
#5
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thanx for that information Go Bragh, i totally agree with what you're saying. Everyone always says go to Boston, "lots of irish" etc, but we dont want to go to america to meet other irish people, like theres enough of them around here. we really just want to go to parts of the "real" america and away from tourist district like NYC etc, though we obviously want to see them, if only for a day.Does anyone have any information about what Rhode Island has to offer 2 young people?, and the surrounding area? We are now thinking of going in may instead of january, so we wont miss the end of term and if we go in May we can start our term fresh in september.
Nov 19th, 2000, 09:13 AM
#6
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Hi, Finnola, and thanks for your comments. I think May is a much better idea! I'm curious, though -- what does your being "young" mean in terms of what you want to do (or not do)? Rhode Island has lots of bays and harbors, so it's a big sailing state, but obviously you'll have to find a way to hook up with people with boats if that's what you like. There are a few beaches, too, but May isn't warm enough.
Providence itself is a student town, thanks to Brown Univ. and R.I. Sch. of Design (among others). But one of the reasons I asked about your specifying "young people" is that it sounds like you aren't interested in historical/cultural things like visiting the _incredible_ mansions in Newport, R.I. Am I wrong? (Tell me you aren't just looking for pub-crawling neighborhoods, clubs, and amusement parks?)
Do go to Boston, and in case it isn't obvious, be sure to scope out Harvard and Harvard Sq. You could spend a day there, at least, easily. Do the duck tours in Boston -- tour buses that turn into boats as in London (which will be running in May) -- and I just don't think you can miss NYC, esp. Greenwich Village as well as the usual skyscraper and downtown stuff. The statue of Liberty can be seen for the price of a cheap ferry ride on the Staten Island ferry -- don't have to actually go to the statue island.
But give us an idea of what you want. Be aware: May 28th is Memorial day, a national holiday here and the beginning of summer seasons, so it will be heavily booked and heavily traveled.
Providence itself is a student town, thanks to Brown Univ. and R.I. Sch. of Design (among others). But one of the reasons I asked about your specifying "young people" is that it sounds like you aren't interested in historical/cultural things like visiting the _incredible_ mansions in Newport, R.I. Am I wrong? (Tell me you aren't just looking for pub-crawling neighborhoods, clubs, and amusement parks?)
Do go to Boston, and in case it isn't obvious, be sure to scope out Harvard and Harvard Sq. You could spend a day there, at least, easily. Do the duck tours in Boston -- tour buses that turn into boats as in London (which will be running in May) -- and I just don't think you can miss NYC, esp. Greenwich Village as well as the usual skyscraper and downtown stuff. The statue of Liberty can be seen for the price of a cheap ferry ride on the Staten Island ferry -- don't have to actually go to the statue island.
But give us an idea of what you want. Be aware: May 28th is Memorial day, a national holiday here and the beginning of summer seasons, so it will be heavily booked and heavily traveled.
Nov 19th, 2000, 09:32 AM
#7
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Well, we are interested in the historical and cultural scene, but also we are looking to meet new people and have a laugh. We only choose RI because my friend who i will be travelling with has very distant relations there, who have offered us a job, but am i right in thinking RI isnt the best Location in the U.S for us?
We arent really into boats or anything as such but we don't mind trying new things. we are really looking forward to going where ever we shall end up, and im sure where ever we go there is alot to offer. What would the weather be like in May? We arent too bothered about the sun or heat, as we arent exactly sun worshipers being from ireland. By the way, dont feel obliged, but, can i ask you where you are from?..and i like the name.
We arent really into boats or anything as such but we don't mind trying new things. we are really looking forward to going where ever we shall end up, and im sure where ever we go there is alot to offer. What would the weather be like in May? We arent too bothered about the sun or heat, as we arent exactly sun worshipers being from ireland. By the way, dont feel obliged, but, can i ask you where you are from?..and i like the name.
