Impressions of NY

The last time Dan and I were here together--1982--we arrived by train during rush hour. Two scary men grabbed our luggage and took off. Running after them, we ended up at a taxi zone where we had to ransom our luggage. When we arrived at our hotel, a man on a bike zipped by and grabbed our cabbie's money. The hotel was a postage stamp room where we heard gunshots all night long. The next day, Dan was sure I was going to be killed because I never watch where I'm going. "Look up!" he said. I looked up and stepped into a big pile of dog shit (you should excuse the expression) I hated NY!

Now, I love it. The people are amazingly friendly--not at all like the famous stereotypes. They give up their seats on the bus/subway (or maybe I just look old). They are gracious about giving directions. The restaurant and hotel staff are patient and helpful.

Amazingly the city is clean!!!! Very little litter and almost no graffiti, and the subways and buses are immaculate. I'm fascinated by the rats running on the subway rails but actually they're something to watch while we wait for the trains. There is spontaneous (but planned) entertainment on the subway--men playing instruments or singing, kids breakdancing in the narrow aisles, and a gospel choir on the platform.

I expected the food to be expensive but in some cases it's cheaper than what we're used to experiencing(with one exception). Some people visit NY to eat. We're eating to visit NY...We much rather sightsee than spend time or money on gourmet dining. Wherever and whenever we are, we find something to eat.

The one exception was a dinner with Dan's cousins who came all the way from Baltimore to have dinner with us. She and Dan had not seen each other in over 55+ years. Despite the fact that her 12 carat diamond blinded me and that she looked younger than I do, (maybe a face lift??) I liked her immediately. They chose a restaurant that Regis frequents assuring us it wasn't expensive. HA! I had Pelligrino, pasta, sorbet, and coffee. Our portion of the bill was $165. I thought our entire NY, eating experience was going to be as costly..

Nannies: We are on the Upper East Side, a residential area. A new experience for me is seeing all the nannies and their wards. Actually I'm surprised at all the kids on the buses. I think Noah and Leo have only been on school buses and a tour bus when we went to Utah.

Dan tells me I have to get ready--off to do a Circle Line Tour included in a pass we bought.

For those who like, more later.