Naseer Ahmed
Latest Reviews
Austin Gardens
Our first visit to Oak Park Austin Gardens on the occasion of the screening of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream turned out to be a half realized dream with August showers playing spoil sport. The park itself is located in the heart of the city and is well maintained. There are limited roadside parking but a wonderful paid parking lot just opposite the park.
The organizers are very well equipped to handle the crowd, organized and meticulous, in making the visitors' time very efficient. There are 3 permanent restrooms by the building and 2 more temporary but well-built modernized toilets, unlike those horrible port-a-johns. These toilets are better than even airline toilets.
Our experience was totally worth the price of the tickets. Though there was a light drizzle towards the end of the first part of the play, the play continued. However, after intermission, the showers were a bit more pronounced, and we made our way back. Though we read it later via email that the second part was canceled and a rain check issued, the people gathered there were well equipped for the eventuality. They had not only brought food and drinks, but the whole apparatuses like personal folding tables and coolers, warmers, jackets, ponchos, umbrellas, and other stuff to protect themselves from the elements. Even though the temperature was a good 73 degrees, the park, being an open space, was considerably cooler around 68.
We expect to go back for the second half of the play. We even got to see a rainbow 🌈 in the sky.
The organizers are very well equipped to handle the crowd, organized and meticulous, in making the visitors' time very efficient. There are 3 permanent restrooms by the building and 2 more temporary but well-built modernized toilets, unlike those horrible port-a-johns. These toilets are better than even airline toilets.
Our experience was totally worth the price of the tickets. Though there was a light drizzle towards the end of the first part of the play, the play continued. However, after intermission, the showers were a bit more pronounced, and we made our way back. Though we read it later via email that the second part was canceled and a rain check issued, the people gathered there were well equipped for the eventuality. They had not only brought food and drinks, but the whole apparatuses like personal folding tables and coolers, warmers, jackets, ponchos, umbrellas, and other stuff to protect themselves from the elements. Even though the temperature was a good 73 degrees, the park, being an open space, was considerably cooler around 68.
We expect to go back for the second half of the play. We even got to see a rainbow 🌈 in the sky.
Pachaiyappas college
Reminiscent of Singapore MRT system, the Chennai metro rail is a remarkable reflection of what can be achieved when sincere effort and hard work comes together. Had the opportunity to ride the metro from Pachayyapas college to High Court. First impression of the station is the vastness of the place and the cleanliness. In contrast to the road and the surroundings outside, this is a stark reminder of money well-spent to serve the public.
The ticket purchase went seamlessly as the gentleman inside took note of my destination and gave me a through ticket and told me to change lines at Dr. MGR Central Station. That is also another reminder that politicians can rise above the usual gripe and disdain for each other by renaming the places and monuments after their own parties' leaders. Dr MGR was a great politician and CM of Tamil Nadu representing the AIADMK party. The current government is from the opposition party of DMK. Yet the current CM Mr Stalin has not gone around renaming any place after his own party's leaders. In fact I was surprised to see Amma's canteen and mobile medical aid centers still operating.
Anyway back to the review on hand, the change of trains and the directions to the blue line from the green line was clear and when I arrived at the destination, so was the directions to the right exit that I wanted.
The trains are clean and very much remind me of the MRT system in Singapore, whether it be the design of the gates, the platform or the interior of the trains. Only issue was that the earmarked seats for the elderly, disabled and women were not marked out and no one budged from their seats to offer a seat to a young mother with a child.
Otherwise it was a very pleasant experience taking the metro.
The ticket purchase went seamlessly as the gentleman inside took note of my destination and gave me a through ticket and told me to change lines at Dr. MGR Central Station. That is also another reminder that politicians can rise above the usual gripe and disdain for each other by renaming the places and monuments after their own parties' leaders. Dr MGR was a great politician and CM of Tamil Nadu representing the AIADMK party. The current government is from the opposition party of DMK. Yet the current CM Mr Stalin has not gone around renaming any place after his own party's leaders. In fact I was surprised to see Amma's canteen and mobile medical aid centers still operating.
Anyway back to the review on hand, the change of trains and the directions to the blue line from the green line was clear and when I arrived at the destination, so was the directions to the right exit that I wanted.
The trains are clean and very much remind me of the MRT system in Singapore, whether it be the design of the gates, the platform or the interior of the trains. Only issue was that the earmarked seats for the elderly, disabled and women were not marked out and no one budged from their seats to offer a seat to a young mother with a child.
Otherwise it was a very pleasant experience taking the metro.
Top View Tours Times Square West Pickup
This was an initially crazy experience for us as we had paid for the tickets online but didn't download the app which is needed for the QR codes. The people who are managing the admission refused to let us take the ride until we produced the codes. So we ended up downloading the app and loading the order and fetching the codes. Beware that the codes once scanned by one of the guys, marks it as used. So always scan just before boarding the bus.
The bus itself is cramped with little leg room that would pose some serious challenges for an airline and the seats are hard ones with absolutely no cushion. Perhaps it is so because it is an open top bus and subject to weather conditions. The 90 minutes of torture makes you want to jump off the bus mid tour. It also means you lose interest in the tour and are more focused on comfort. You cannot stand up while the bus is in motion and there is nothing to hold on to either. Make sure you don't carry any big backpack with you as it take up the premium space. After about 90 minutes of this, you end up with crushed nuts and a frozen stiff A$$, lower thighs and no circulation in your legs. Not to mention the hot sun beating down on you. If you take the later ones, there is at least a cool breeze from the ocean.
The automated audio tour is good though they could stop blasting the loud music in between, the tour audio is set at a lower volume while the music is not. The ride is pretty rough with the famed NYC traffic and be prepared for sudden stops and jerky ride and hold on to your jewels and enjoy the experience.
The bus itself is cramped with little leg room that would pose some serious challenges for an airline and the seats are hard ones with absolutely no cushion. Perhaps it is so because it is an open top bus and subject to weather conditions. The 90 minutes of torture makes you want to jump off the bus mid tour. It also means you lose interest in the tour and are more focused on comfort. You cannot stand up while the bus is in motion and there is nothing to hold on to either. Make sure you don't carry any big backpack with you as it take up the premium space. After about 90 minutes of this, you end up with crushed nuts and a frozen stiff A$$, lower thighs and no circulation in your legs. Not to mention the hot sun beating down on you. If you take the later ones, there is at least a cool breeze from the ocean.
The automated audio tour is good though they could stop blasting the loud music in between, the tour audio is set at a lower volume while the music is not. The ride is pretty rough with the famed NYC traffic and be prepared for sudden stops and jerky ride and hold on to your jewels and enjoy the experience.
Central Park West
Like a mini Morton Arboretum, the central park west in Oakbrook is a pleasant experience. The various sponsors who enabled the lighting and the use of modern technology makes the walk in the park a great experience. The added advantage that it's free to the public, less crowded and shorter makes it a quick trip. There's ample parking and the walk starts right away and ends back at the parking lot.
On a gentle evening like Christmas day this year, the weather was great and not too chilly or windy. A must visit for people who love walking, outdoors, trees, nature and of course lighting.
On a gentle evening like Christmas day this year, the weather was great and not too chilly or windy. A must visit for people who love walking, outdoors, trees, nature and of course lighting.
Patriots Park
A quiet and nice park off 55th street in Downers Grove, this park has a huge pond with many wildlife including geese, mallards and ducks. There is a parking lot where you can park and a walking trail around the pond.
The park is well kept, clean except for the bird droppings. There's also a catch and release fishing, benches all around where one can sit and enjoy the quiet.
The park is well kept, clean except for the bird droppings. There's also a catch and release fishing, benches all around where one can sit and enjoy the quiet.