Travelling to New York
Door: Jolijn
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Jolijn
15 Juli 2013 | Verenigde Staten, New York
Today, 15 July 2013 I travelled to New York to participate at the Conference of State Parties to the UN CRPD (COSP, 17-19 July), and the Civil Society Forum (CSF, 16 July) which are held at the UN head quarters in New York.
I am here as Co-chair of the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP, www.wnusp.net), and I will give a presentation in the Side-Event “Transforming Communities for Inclusion of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities” that is organized by WNUSP and Disabled People International (DPI) at 17 July.
Today, after a long day of travelling, and very long queues at the border security, I arrived in New York City around 6 pm (would be midnight in Dutch time). It’s extremely hot and sweaty here: It’s about 37 degrees, but only outside, because inside there is air-conditioning everywhere, which can even be relatively chilly. The city is great. I met many nice people while using some public transport; Many people want to take a picture with me, and everyone is friendly and helping me to find my way.
I’m staying at Hotel Pennsylvania, which has over 1700 rooms!! It’s a bit like a campus here: all mainly young people, and continuous business in the lobby. At the hotel desk there was another very long queue for check-in (took almost 1 hour). Then the lady at the desk asked me if I was an artist, a star, like from the movies. I said no. Afterwards I was thinking that I should have said yes I’m a star, that could have been funny). Anyway, I do feel like a star when I’m so often being approached with compliments and requests for pictures, and being funded to travel the world for the cause. It’s special to receive this positive attention.
At around 7.30 I decided to see if I could make it to the reception of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), although I knew time wasn’t on my side. At least I could see some of the city-life and just try to get there in time. I struggled to find the right subways, the shuttle-connection and the corresponding tickets, and therefore I arrived too late. At 8.30 the reception had already ended. A few people just walked out of the building and asked me if they could take a picture of me. It then appeared that all these people were coming from the reception of IDA. It was nice to meet, and we had a brief chat together, and some pictures, and then we all went back to our hotels. I managed to find the way back quite easily, except at New York Penn Station itself (the stop next to my hotel), which is like a maze. I couldn’t find the exit, or the subway (they have about 5 different types of trains with different tickets and platforms, and a shopping mall inside too). But I managed to get through.
Now, after a nice shower, I am in my hotel room, and it’s getting close to midnight here. So that means I should catch some sleep. Tomorrow the Civil Society Forum will take place, and I need to be in good shape. So goodnight!
I am here as Co-chair of the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP, www.wnusp.net), and I will give a presentation in the Side-Event “Transforming Communities for Inclusion of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities” that is organized by WNUSP and Disabled People International (DPI) at 17 July.
Today, after a long day of travelling, and very long queues at the border security, I arrived in New York City around 6 pm (would be midnight in Dutch time). It’s extremely hot and sweaty here: It’s about 37 degrees, but only outside, because inside there is air-conditioning everywhere, which can even be relatively chilly. The city is great. I met many nice people while using some public transport; Many people want to take a picture with me, and everyone is friendly and helping me to find my way.
I’m staying at Hotel Pennsylvania, which has over 1700 rooms!! It’s a bit like a campus here: all mainly young people, and continuous business in the lobby. At the hotel desk there was another very long queue for check-in (took almost 1 hour). Then the lady at the desk asked me if I was an artist, a star, like from the movies. I said no. Afterwards I was thinking that I should have said yes I’m a star, that could have been funny). Anyway, I do feel like a star when I’m so often being approached with compliments and requests for pictures, and being funded to travel the world for the cause. It’s special to receive this positive attention.
At around 7.30 I decided to see if I could make it to the reception of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), although I knew time wasn’t on my side. At least I could see some of the city-life and just try to get there in time. I struggled to find the right subways, the shuttle-connection and the corresponding tickets, and therefore I arrived too late. At 8.30 the reception had already ended. A few people just walked out of the building and asked me if they could take a picture of me. It then appeared that all these people were coming from the reception of IDA. It was nice to meet, and we had a brief chat together, and some pictures, and then we all went back to our hotels. I managed to find the way back quite easily, except at New York Penn Station itself (the stop next to my hotel), which is like a maze. I couldn’t find the exit, or the subway (they have about 5 different types of trains with different tickets and platforms, and a shopping mall inside too). But I managed to get through.
Now, after a nice shower, I am in my hotel room, and it’s getting close to midnight here. So that means I should catch some sleep. Tomorrow the Civil Society Forum will take place, and I need to be in good shape. So goodnight!
-
16 Juli 2013 - 06:57
Je Moeder:
Goed gedaan meid! Veel succes!!
knuffel,
je moeder -
16 Juli 2013 - 21:33
Timo Kallioaho:
Hello Jolijn!
I know you are in New York and you represent WNUSP. Do you remember me? We met last year in Zagreb, Croatia. It was the Empowerment Meeting of ENUSP. I was there representing Finland, where I live. I would like to ask you whether you know if we have any ENUSP meeting this year? I have contacted Erik Olsen and he has said to me something like that we, maybe, could have an ENUSP meeting in Budapest. Do you know about this issue; e.g. when it could be?
With kind regards
Timo Kallioaho, FINLAND -
17 Juli 2013 - 14:46
Timo Kallioaho:
Hello Jolijn!
I sent you an E-mail message on the 16th of July. Could you answer my message directly to my E-mail address: ? -
17 Juli 2013 - 17:54
Jolijn:
Hi Timo, yes of course I still remember you! I have also heard about the possibility that there might be another event, but i have exactly the same information as you have. I don't know when and if it will happen. I do hope we will meet again. Stay strong and proud Timo, best wishes Jolijn
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Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
