The USA Trip Diary – Part 5

Diary Entries From 25 December to 1 February 1982

The USA Travel Diary series starts HERE.

Date: 25/12/81 – 30/12/81

Place: New York

Weather: cloudy and cool

Friday 25th December, Christmas Day.

Unfortunately not a white Christmas but certainly a different Christmas from Perth. My presents included three jumpers, one pair of slippers, one bag, powder and a ticket to the Broadway show The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

My Chrissy meal was totally different, too.  A typical “ding” meal with spaghetti, ravioli and the like.

The day was rather uneventful. We didn’t go out but it wasn’t bad.

Wednesday 30th December

We went to see The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. First of all we caught the subway into New York. Met Bart and his girlfriend. We were supposed to eat at Beefsteak Charlie’s but there was a line a mile long waiting outside so we decided to see if we could find somewhere else. We found a Chinese restaurant.

The food was so so and so was the restaurant. I can’t remember the name . Check out my fortune cookie:

“I know of no way of judging the future but by the past”

We walked to the show which was on 46 Street. What a night! It was absolutely fantastic. Toni and I laughed the loudest of anyone there. It was hysterical.

We caught the subway home. There are more people in the streets now than there are on Saturday mornings at Christmas in Perth.

Date: 30/12/81 to 31/12/81

Place: New York and Orlando

Weather: (Florida) too hot and humid

Thursday 31st December

We were meant to get up early today to pack for Florida but as usual we slept in.

We had to call a cab to take us to Kennedy  Airport. We got there with only about 10 minutes to spare.

We flew Delta in a tiny plane.

We arrived in Orlando just after 6:30 pm. The Orlando Airport is beautiful. Really modern.

We had to get a shuttle bus to collect our luggage. We caught a cab to the Ramada Inn and got ready to go out. 

We got a lift with a couple of ladies to Rosie O’Grady’s, the biggest nightclub in Orlando. We waited outside in a line for about an hour before we got in. My feet were killing me. I had stilettos on.

Rosie’s is set up with a disco, Dixie Land music, restaurant and country and western.

We stayed in the C&W the most. My feet got so bad (we had to stand). I asked these guys if we could sit with them. I started chatting to this guy called Dave. Toni started chatting to his friend. His name is also Dave.

The guy I spoke to was in the Navy and only 20 but he was interesting and very sexy. The clock struck 12 and everyone kissed and so on.

Date: 31/12/81 – 1/1/82

Place: Orlando

Weather: hot, humid

Friday 1st January

The guys drove us back to our hotel and stayed the night. Oh man. What a night. I can’t forget this New Year for a long time, and I won’t forget Dave too easily either. He made me feel pretty good. Around 2 pm we had a shower. The first I’ve ever had with a guy. Hope it won’t be my last. I nearly passed out with ecstasy.

We went out and bought some lunch. Dave came back to the room for a while then he had to leave. I won’t see him again. He may write.  I’m just glad I met him and made love with him.

Date: 2/1/82

Place: Orlando

Weather: sunny and warm

Saturday 2nd January

We decided to walk to Disney World, supposedly 1 mile down the road. The entrance was a mile away but then it was another 4 miles to the ticket office.

Luckily for us we were picked up by a security officer as you’re not allowed to walk in or hitchhike. He drove us to the ticket office.

For the next nine hours we walked and went on every ride imaginable.

To describe what I saw and felt would take up this entire book. In those nine hours we didn’t see everything. We’ll be back.

We caught a cab back to the hotel and crashed.

Date: 2/1/82 – 6/1/82

Place: Orlando and Daytona

Weather: sunny warm

Sunday 3rd January

We went to stay with Francis (Rocky’s sister in law) at Winterhaven she lives in a mobile home with her senile hubby. They’re about 80 not out.

They had guests, two sisters Lena and Esther

They were swinging single 60-year-olds.

Tuesday 5th January 

Esther and Lena took us to Daytona Beach.  We booked into the Islander Motel which was only $12 a night with kitchen and all.

Wednesday 6th January

We went and sunbaked on the beach

You can drive your cars right down to the water. For dinner we had Chinese.

My fortune cookie: 

you will enjoy good health, you’ll be surrounded by luxury.

[GM:  Trenna has actually taped the fortunes mentioned into her diary.]

Date: 6/1/82–8/1/82

Place: Daytona and Titusville

Weather: bloody great

Thursday 7th January

Got up early and went to the beach.

I swam today. The water was bloody freezing but nice.

I’ve got a bit of a tan today. We cruised up and down the beach. We went 6 miles and saw hotel after hotel. I don’t think there are as many hotels in the whole of Australia as there are here.

Friday 8th January

Left Daytona and went to Titusville for the day, which is where the Kennedy Space Centre is. We took a tour through there and saw the 3 mile long runway where the space shuttle will land.  Saw where they launch rockets for the moon and so on.

Estha and Lena drove us back to Orlando. We booked in at Days Inn. We said bye to the groovy grannies.  They were a laugh.

Saturday 9th January

Went back to Disney World. This time by bus. Stayed till about 5 pm.

I spent over $100 on souvenirs. We took another bundle of photos. I enjoyed myself as much as the first time.

Came home, showered and went to Rosie’s again. We had a good time but not as good as New Year’s Eve unfortunately.

The bus drive home was a real laugh. The driver tried to match us up with some sailors. He was really funny.

Sunday 10th January 

We went to Sea World and the Stars Hall of Fame. They were both very interesting and fun.

Our bus driver home was the guy from Rosie’s. He took the Mickey out of us all the way back to the hotel. The bus was full, how embarrassing!

Tuesday 12th January

Jan caught Trailways back to Daytona Beach and the Islander.  Stayed in Daytona until the 22nd. We didn’t do much except go to the beach. I got a great tan.

Flew back to New York. 

Friday 29th January. 

Went into Manhattan with Antoinette. I spoke with a black guy on the subway – Ant was chucking a mental.  We went for a ride on a horse and buggy through Central Park. It was very beautiful.

We did some shopping on Fifth Avenue.

Saturday 30th – Monday 1st February

We did nothing too exciting. We did washing and packed. We won’t be returning to New York.

When we said bye to Tessie we offered her $20 for letting us use the bed. Well the old bitch tried to rip us off for some more money.  We gave her $25. She still wasn’t satisfied but no way was I given her any more.

When I think of New York and my time there I really loved it but I also hated it. God I would never in all of my life live there. But I’m glad I saw it. I wish I’d seen more nightlife but I enjoyed what I did and saw anyway. 

[GM:  In later years a more mature Trenna spoke very fondly of New York.  I think if the circumstances were right she would have liked to live there. We went there together in 2013. I will publish that travel diary some time in the future.]

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