So, I decided to go on the New York City trip. The train ride was pretty uneventful, it rained most of the way. The only snafu was when the bride-to-be called me to tell me they left way late and wouldn't be there until 9:30 (previously about 5), so I was on my own for dinner. It was raining when I got to NYC, and I was upset with myself for (a) not bringing my umbrella and (b) packing my money in my suitcase so I couldn't buy a $3 umbrella from a street vendor. I felt a wave of anxiety come over me when I exited Penn Station and saw the sheer volume of people--all in a hurry. Three of them rolled their eyes at me when they almost walked into me. Its not my fault you didn't notice me there.
The cab line from Penn Station was INSANELY LONG, so I decided I could just as easily walk the 10 blocks. I did, with my 25 pound back duffel on my bag and it was really no big deal. I got to the Millenium Broadway quite wet from the knee down but was happy to check in--except, they had no record of my name. "Are you sure its the Millenium BROADWAY?" the clerk asked. I was totally sure. I told her I'd look up the email confirmation and she directed me to the business lounge. Instead, I called DH and saved $1. Yeah, so it was the Millenium UN PLAZA. Only 8 or so blocks away, but these were the long avenue blocks. At least another 20 minute walk. I was already on 44th Street, so I just had to walk from 7th Ave to 1st Ave. I start my walk, and about 5 minutes later I hit 8th Ave...(I was walking in the wrong direction). Ugh! I eventually made my way back to the right hotel slightly wetter. I had to walk through Grand Central Station on the way, which was amazing!!! I check in and we are on the 38th floor! I take a set up elevators up to the 38th floor, look around and can't find my room. Turns out there's an east and west side, and I was on the wrong one. So I go back down to the 1st floor, and then find the other elevators and find my room.
This is the view from my 38th floor window at night. I was really quite tired, but when the bride-to-be showed up, she convinced me to still go out. It was a very educational experience. I hadn't really been to a bar except once in college, and it was interesting to observe all the people and how they acted and interacted (yeah, I'm a nerd). No one in our group got smashed, or even tipsy...everyone was responsible. Not really sure I would say I "enjoyed" the bar experience, but I learned a lot. The bride and almost all her friends are doctors, and it hit me how odd it was at 4 in the morning when we are all sitting at a Nathans/Pizza Hut Express and it was me and 3 doctors.
I woke up Saturday morning about 9 I think, or maybe it was 10. I got ready, and then walked up to Subway to get a sub for the bride-to-be and I to split (footlong only $5!). We hurried and ate, and then took a cab down for the Sex and the City tour. I liked getting to see the town, but it wasn't like I had this great connection to the show or anything. (I hadn't seen any episodes at all until this past week...I rented to 1st season so I wouldn't be totally clueless). The tour ended and we were close enough to walk to the hotel, so we did. I was thrilled I actually knew my way around! We went back to the hotel and the bride-to-be took a nap, while our 3rd hotel guest who had arrived that morning and I checked out the pool.
Soon it was time to go to dinner at Buddha Bar, and we got all dressed up. My favorite part of dinner was when one of the guys flaming shots escaped his cup and spread on the table and he tried to blow it out! The waitress is like "Stop, don't do that!" and put it out with a napkin. I know this is crazy, but I got really anxious at dinner. I realized I was sitting with 6 medical doctors and 1 soon to be dr. of education, and felt like such a failure for just having my bachelors. I seriously was fighting back tears.
After dinner they were all going to a club and Hunkomania, but I opted to go back to the hotel. Of course, its my first cab ride alone in NYC, and he takes me to the wrong hotel. It took forever because he went right down Broadway and didn't have to. Ugh! When the doorman opened my door at the wrong hotel, I just kept saying "ITS THE WRONG HOTEL." Until the door was shut and we continued. I don't know how he could get it wrong, I gave him the hotel name "Millenium UN PLAZA" and the street "44th and 1st Ave." So I had to pay extra for that...since we sat in traffic so much extra. The fare total was $20 with tip. Probably shouldn't have tipped I guess.
I got back to the hotel about 9:30 and watched a bit of "Honey" on Bravo before bed. Bride-to-be and her friend got back to the room about 3:15. I got up about 9 and then left at 10 for the train. Took a cab this time and was so proud to find my train without asking for help.
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It took me sometime to figure out that since my flight was at 7am, i was not counting that day and i was not counting today, well the website counts today and the day you leave
