CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

86TH FLOOR OF EMPIRE STATE BUILDING



TIMES SQUARE AT NIGHT

With so many things going on, another blog entry is necessary already. On my first full day in the USA, I initially headed back to Penn Station to sort out the little matter of some Amtrak rail tickets that I had paid for on-line, but didn't receive. Not for the first time I find myself impressed with US customer service, and the necessary tickets were printed out for me without delay.

From there I go walkabout and happened to pass the Empire State Building. I hadn't intended to go in, but the lack of any queue persuaded me that I should part with $25 to take the lift to the 86th floor observatory. I was glad I did, because the view from the observatory was worth every $, and enabled me to gain an appreciation of where everything else in New York City is.

I subsequently headed for Grand Central Terminal, then the Flatiron Building, and then I walked the length of the High Line. I'll let you look these places up on Google yourself.

After returning to Tam's apartment for a cup of tea, I headed out again, this time to experience Times Square and Broadway at night. And what an experience!

Everything I have seen so far in NYC has given me a real buzz. People are friendly, even those not after your money, and I can understand why they call it the city that never sleeps...it was gone 10.00pm when I ate. Although I'm not really a city lover, there is definitely something rather magical about this place.

NEW YORK AT LAST

TAM'S PLACE

The flight was 7 hours 40 minutes, but didn't seem that long. This was partly due to the 3 generously large glasses of fruit juice and vodka passed to me by the pretty Virgin stewardess I kept smiling at, and also the fact that I was seated next to a young Irishman, Mark, who was as chatty as me. Indeed, given that my ex-wife Sheila is Irish, I felt that we were practically related. On landing, we stuck together as we navigated the vagaries of the rail transportation between JFK Airport and central Manhattan. When we emerged from Penn Station, the sight was almost overwhelming as sights that I had previously only seen in films came into view. Mark and I took a couple of pictures on each other's cameras with the Empire State Building in the background. We then spied an Irish bar over the road and consummated our brief friendship with a drink. I had Guinness, of course. Mark had a lager!! Whatever has happened to young Irishmen these days?

My digs in Manhattan were just a block away from Penn Station. Fortunately, the New York street numbering system is so simple that, even with 3 vodkas and a Guinness in my system, I couldn't get lost. I was greeted by Tam in her small but homely apartment. My bed is a futon in her lounge/dining room/kitchen. For those used to more spacious hotel accommodation, just think of the advantages. I can cook myself a meal, then jump into bed and eat it whilst watching films on the huge television. I think I will be happy here!

In the morning, I pretended I was still asleep as Tam crept past my bed on the way to work.