Hello from New York City - a place I adore

[AussieDave]

The train ride from Washington was very comfortable and I've squirreled away my junk in the hotel. I had to walk around for a while to re-orient myself. I've just found out there's a comedy festival on next week so I'll have to see some of it.

As for Election Day, I can hardly wait - following it on TV should be fun. Just listen out for the Exploding Freeper Heads, coast-to-coast !!!

:thumbsup:

[crim son]

1. I'm glad your trip is going well.

I hate to admit it, but I've only been to NY three times in my life, and each time it was overwhelming. What I remember is that there is good food everywhere! Be safe. On the train ride from Boston to NY somebody broke into my luggage and stole my clothes!

[AussieDave]

3. It IS overwhelming - there's so much to do and see

I've already done a lot of the touristy bits (on two previous trips) - now I plan nothing and just take things as they come. Less pressure that way.

On the train ride from Washington DC I didn't check my suitcase and I made sure I sat sat close to where it was stored, so I guess I was lucky nothing happened.

[Fredda Weinberg]

2. Brisk but dry

You picked a good day to come around. The powers that be just rearranged traffic in Times Square to make it easier for tourists to get around ... and I was walking through there recently - it was a packed as I'd ever seen it.

So welcome to the Big Apple and enjoy the sights!

[AussieDave]

5. Thanks for the good wishes - I haven't been up to Times Square

yet to see the new trafic arrangements - what I always marvel at is how much drivers honk their car horns here - it takes some getting used to.

And of course I'm eating WAY too much - such big servings EVERYWHERE - gaaakkk !!!! But the food has been very good.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

4. Hey! welcome to the city

where you staying? are you meeting up with any DUers this week? can I come? :hi:

[AussieDave]

6. Heya MAHNY !!

I'm at the Wolcott on W. 31st - I haven't really lined anything up because I've made no plans whatsoever. The only firm event I have is a ticket to "Hairspray" on Wednesday night. Otherwise I just pick a direction and head off wherever.:toast:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

7. i was there in June for about 14 hours.

packed a week into those hours though. went out to a club on the hudson river the night I arrived. great club, afrokinetic beats, Awesome went to sleep in a loft near chinatown around 5pm. up at 10am that morning saw the first few minutes of WOrld Cup 06 in a spanish owned eatery where I got an bagel with egg and cheese. Yum. walked down the street and ate the bagel in a park, I'm presuming somewhere near the East Village. walked around Chinatown and Little Italy. where i couldn't resist annihilating some authentic pizza slices. YUM. walked half the Brooklyn Bridge taxied to penn station thenleft around two to Jersey, caught a ride then out of philly by 6.

I saw more in a couple hours walking around than i've seen in a decade here in Central Florida. I'll make it there eventually to reside. it's a magical place. i hope you have fun. eat a slice of pizza for me please (heavy on the parmesan)!

[AussieDave]

14. I'm exhausted just reading about your visit !!!

And you can depend on my having a slice or two - they don't make it like this anywhere else.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

20. indeed they don't! i love the attitudes in Little Italy.

and the gift shops in Chinatown, and the girls in Williamsburgh and Bedford Brooklyn.

sigh. . . it's about time for me to plan to get back up there.

[bigwillq]

8. Hello!

I'm not too far away in CT.

Enjoy your visit! :hi:

[AussieDave]

12. Thanks, bigwillq - this is my 2000th post !!

I'm glad it's from here in NYC !!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

9. Welcome to NYC, mate!

:toast:

[AussieDave]

13. Thank you so much, Starbucks Anarchist !!

I really do love this place, though I'm not sure I could put up with the cold weather here - not that I've experienced a real winter here.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

17. In a few months, the current weather will seem like nothing.

I'm prepared for 20 degrees soon. :D

[Karenca]

22. What about those cold snaps when the wind chill gets

between 0 and 10 below?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

24. Haven't experienced those yet.

I only moved here a few months ago.

[Karenca]

25. Ooooooohhhh!

Brrrrrrrr!

You have to go shopping! You're going to need alot of
cold-proof clothing. Layers upon layers!

Welcome to NYC, you!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

30. Thanks!

I was born here, but left soon after and just moved back permanently. :hi:

[VeggieTart]

10. I love New York.

I stayed at the Wolcott a few years ago. It's not a luxury hotel, but since we don't do much in the room besides sleep, all I want is a comfy bed and a good shower.

For some cool shopping, check out Bluestockings and MooShoes on the Lower East Side (F Train--I think--to the Allen Street exit). Oh, and don't forget Babeland around the corner; shopping there is guaranteed to piss off a wingnut, so it's your patriotic duty to stop there.

[AussieDave]

11. Thanks for the tips !! I've made notes to I'll be sure to get to those places

There's so much shopping to choose from - it's unnerving.

[KamaAina]

15. Exploding freeper heads don't make that much noise

it's mostly just hot air in there, anyway :P

[AussieDave]

16. You'd be right with that, but all that hot air has to go someplace

The excitement just keeps building..............

[Shell Beau]

18. I just got back from there last week.

My first time there!!! It was great!

[smitty]

19. I'm jealous, I used to live in New York (on North Moore St, in

Tribeca). I still miss living there although I was always in financial trouble when I did, it's a little expensive. Enjoy yourself and have fun; try to visit Chinatown, Tribeca and Soho. There's so much to do!!

[Karenca]

21. Welcome to New York!

It's a great week to be here---the temperature is
supposed to be in the 60's.

Have too much fun here! :hi:

[AussieDave]

27. Thank you so much - I really do love it here

Went out to Coney Island today - everything at the seashore was closed, but it didn't matter - I enjoyed the subway ride anyway.

[bridgit]

23. hey traveler, still traveling i see...

:hi:

[AussieDave]

26. Still going - here in NYC until Monday

then Palm Springs for 3 weeks (visiting my brother). There not so much travelling as vegetating.

[KurtNYC]

28. The Chocolate Show starts Friday

Close to your hotel:
http://www.chocolateshow.com/home.php?titre=2&id_code=2

And some of my standard suggestions....

Get an unlimited MetroCard ($7/day or $24/week). You can hop on and off of subways and buses all day long. Saves your legs and you won't have to worry about paying again if you get on the wrong train or miss your stop, etc.

If you are a Food Network fan or just a foodie, check out Chelsea Market(A/C/E train to 14th then walk one block over to 9th Ave). This neighborhood is also heavily featured is "Sex and the City":
http://www.chelseamarket.com/enter/themarket.html

On Saturday or Sunday, go to Washington Square Park which is always buzzing with activity and bands then stop in for gelato, pasta or a glass of wine at Mario Batali's gourmet-on-the-cheap Otto (in the 1 Fifth Avenue building, just north of the park):
http://www.ottopizzeria.com/menu.html

If you go to the Met Museum (great collection of Impressionist artist on the middle of the 2nd floor), either pick up a button off the ground, ask someone departing for their or simply go to the admission booths and tell them you are a student and only want to pay $5. Admission is technically free but they suggest a whopping $20 these days. You can pay whatever you like (including Zero).

Welcome to NYC!

[AussieDave]

29. Whoa momma - thanks Kurt !!

Already have the MetroCard - and using it often !!!!

[Karenca]

31. Kurt gave you the greatest ideas---

I love everything he suggested.

You're going to have so much fun!