This is where the plans changed. After the Metropolitan we met up with Dan and Diana, Janice's friends (recently became mine [networking]) in Times Square. They were in a Pizzaria chilling.
After they finished their late lunch we invited them to chill with us in Starbucks in 51th and Broadway Ave (This was the sixth starbucks we saw in a fifteen minute walk). We recounted our day and got to know each other a bit. I bumped into this rude girl who was busy talking on the phone and not watching where she was going.
We found out that they had checked in a posh hotel (for the low price of $200 a night) near the Chrsyler building. Since our plans changed, I wanted to see what this prestigious hotel was like in the inside. I asked them if we could see, and they said yes.
On our way to their hotel we walk through Times Square and Broadway. We took fun pictures. The half moon was grinning wide with its white teeth. We saw our 3 o'clock shadows. At one point while waiting to cross the street our whole face glowed the red light of the gigantic tv billboard screen. Left over new-year's-eve confetti fluttered down to the glitering silver sidewalks. Some honking of the horns were heard, and it was 30 degrees cold (it wasn't as cold as it could have been according to its average temperature).
We went inside Grand Central Station and took more pictures. Diana had a digital camera. It was nice because I actually ended up being in most of the pictures because I wasn't the one taking the picture. I used up all my pictures (manual camera) at the Empire State building.
They were staying at 'W' the Court hotel and their single room was pretty spacy. The view behind their room was the Empire State Building (and bricks)- its top was lighted with the colors of Christmas/holiday.
Their room had a king size bed with a soft headboard big enough to be a large twin bed. I jumped on it for a while and I tested the pillows, which were really impressionable- it followed the contours of your head. The bathroom was huge, and it had this green soap- redolent of a lemon square cake (you can almost eat it but don't try it, it's still soap).
Plans continued to change. Dan and Diana invited us to stay and crashed in their hotel. I was so tempted to do it. I didn't have to catch the night bus home. My time in NY could be extended and perhaps I could catch a Broadway show. I could also experience staying overnight at the heart of the city, and wake up in the city that never sleeps.
BUt no, I didn't stay. Moderation was the key, plus there was next time. If I were to try to do everything in NY all at once then it would all become a blur. This day wouldn't be as memorable.
However Janice decided to stay. I couldn't stop her. I was also excited (ready to take the challenge) to venture on my own to Chinatown and go home (to apply my subway skills I've recently learned outside the comfort zone of having a friend to help me).
I was nervous of course. They did walk me to Grand Central Station. I said goodbye to them all. I took the Times Square Shuttle Express to 5th avenue where I transferred to take the 'F' train downtown to East Broadway.
I didn't think I was conspicuous (an obvious outsider/tourist). At one moment I sat at the edge of the seat looking around. I squinted to read the stops. Every five seconds I furtively took out my guidebook to study the streets of Chinatown to prepare myself.
I got off, retraced my steps from Essex Street to Canal Street. From here I went straight until I found Division and Eldridge streets. To my relief I saw the Chinatown bus waiting across the street from Ming's Hair Salon (to make sure I asked if this bus was going to Philadelphia, the Chinese lady said yes).
I hopped on-board and called Janice and the others to tell them that I made it. I wished them good night and a fun evening. I finished reading the rest of the historical context in Rough's Guide to New York City during my ride home. It was informative/helpful and a great supplement for my NY adventure. I had fun, and I learned something. It was an unforgettable day.
Posted by Michael Diezmos at January 8, 2006 8:03 PM