When I make the effort to exercise, I go to the YWCA. While its facilities are not as extensive as the gym chains, it's a good price, and there was no hard sell from someone asking me what my exercise goals are and telling me how many calories I should consume and in what form. (“Have a protein bar, have a chicken breast, have eggs, have powdered whey, have lean beef, but whatever you do, have lots of protein, preferably in animal form. Even better if you pay too much for it in our supplement store. Being a vegetarian is not healthy.”)
I like the character of the place more - it's a beautiful historic building with a courtyard and open-air stairwells and hallways. It's also across the street from ‘Iolani Palace - the former home of the last monarchs of Hawai'i. How many people in the US can say they work out across the street from a palace? I'll tell you - only those of us who work out at the YWCA of Oahu - it's the only official residence of royalty on US soil.
But, I digress. Today for lunch, I thought I'd go eat at the café at the YWCA. As I walk down the alley leading to the side entrance to the courtyard, I notice a trailer with food. I'm thinking it's some new lunch cart. Until I turn into the courtyard and see all these women wearing clothing of African fabric (not something regularly seen here - our diversity is different from that seen on the mainland). And a couple of director's chairs. One of which says Noah Wyle. It seems that the front door of the YWCA was guarded, but anyone could walk in the side gate. I am disappointed to say that I did not get to see Noah himself. Based on the costumes and vehicles I later saw, it seems that the YWCA is going to be featured on ER as maybe a hospital in a French-speaking African country.
......
Okay, I don't normally watch ER, but I will be tuning in this Thursday. Dr. Carter's going to Congo. But really, it's my gym.
Posted by Shokufeh at May 12, 2003 03:39 PMthat's hilarious - noah at the y. well, we know how he spends his free time now, don't we! :) i'll be tuning in this thursday as well - the show looks GOOD! miss you...
Posted by: delara at May 13, 2003 05:39 AMI miss you, too. It's ironic - sometimes I sit here in my tropical paradise, reminiscing about the good old days in Chicago. But, of course, it's not the city itself that I miss so much, it's great people like you!
The show -does- sound good.
Hahaha what a great entry!
Yes, I think I will be watching ER this Thursday with renewed enthusiasm as well. :)
Posted by: lacey at May 13, 2003 01:53 PMSo did you recognize any place in the show? It wasn't the cliffhanger I hoped, but it was good to see "that scared look" on Carter's face most of the episode.
Posted by: lacey at May 16, 2003 07:07 AMI had to tape it, and I haven't watched it yet. It turns out that the crew's been taping on the island for about a month. Sam thinks that the part taped at the YWCA will be aired next season. Which would be a bummer.
Posted by: shokufeh at May 16, 2003 09:23 AMThat's hysterical. I love it when they make places into something completely different. Who know Hawaii looked like the Congo?
Posted by: Andrew at May 21, 2003 09:46 AMIt worked for me. Other than the distraction of looking for the YWCA interiors, I bought that they were in Congo. Not that I've ever been there.... But sometimes when I look at the red dirt of Hawaii, I think of the red dirt of my summer in the Gambia. Maybe a lot of the continent has those vibrant colors in nature?
Nothing on the episode looked really like the inside of the Y, so now I'm leaning towards Sam's theory that it will be for next season's first episode.
Posted by: shokufeh at May 22, 2003 10:37 AM