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Episode 38 of "I Hate Talking" features the conclusion of the hosts’ whirlwind, family trip to New York City, with a focus on the word epitome.
Word of the Episode: Epitome
- The hosts discuss the pronunciation and Greek origins of "epitome," explaining it means a perfect example of something or a summary of a larger work.
- They note that while "epitome" is often used sincerely, it can sometimes be used sarcastically or with a slight negative edge.
Traveling Light: The Epitome of Minimalism
- The hosts describe how they were the "epitome of traveling light," each family member carrying only a single backpack.
- One host packed old clothes to discard during the trip, freeing up space for souvenirs, though this conflicted with wanting to look good in vacation photos.
Statue of Liberty Adventure
- The family rushed to catch a ferry to Liberty Island but missed it by minutes, forcing them to wait an hour in the cold.
- Once aboard, they bought several kitschy souvenirs, including sunglasses, a Statue of Liberty figure, and a "Liberty duck."
- The family enjoyed the boat ride and the excitement of seeing the Statue of Liberty up close, though they could only access the platform (not the crown or torch, which require advance tickets and strict baggage rules).
Logistical Hurdles and Hotel Check-In
- After returning from Liberty Island, they dealt with hotel check-in issues: the room wasn’t ready due to a maintenance problem, but it turned out a different room was available once they asked at the front desk.
- The family was exhausted, but with only one night in NYC, they rallied to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, Times Square, and visit the Lego store before it closed.
Classic NYC Experiences
- The night included eating hot dogs from street vendors, taking in the city lights, and recreating old photos at Rockefeller Center.
- The episode ends with the family preparing for an early morning ice skating session.
- There is also Adam's strangest McDonald's bathroom experience of his entire life.
Conclusion
- The episode blends a linguistic deep-dive into "epitome" with humorous, relatable stories about travel mishaps, family logistics, and the joys of embracing both minimalism and kitschy tourist experiences in New York City.
This is the second and final of a two-part series, with the start of our trip to New York City described in last week's episode.
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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.
Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.
