eh?

10/28/06 : 11:15:
We got separated on the train in to nyc. Now I’m alone in the the apple! Rock on.
Manhattan is actually easy to get around in! I know where I’m going & I’m cool with it! To the bagel shop!

10/29/06 10:53: review of yesterday, and the rest of today..
Ok, so the bagel shop was further a walk than I expected.. actually, just a warmer day & it was hidden with subtle color tones

& I didn’t get my cream cheese, but corned beef instead, since it was lunchtime by the time I got there.
The guys went off for tickets & I headed over there. Went too far, almost to central park & came back thru times sq to Empire State.

Times was the ‘awe’ we were looking for. It’s FILLED with mouing color! Mostly LED signs- the biggest you’ll ever see. And people. Since it’s tourist-central, they don’t move.

So empire state.. It was SO windy up top! It started cloudy, but broke enough to cast some good light on the buildings & get a sunset shot over the Hudson.

One of our guys was still looking for some shoes, so he tried Aldo across the street while I found us a $120 dinner. Salmon & tuna.. & more laughs.

They strolled off to Rent, & I back to the hotel for work. Met a guy from Israel walking down 6th. We joked about how his work brought him here & my friend in NYC is in Tel Aviv. He was leaving town & gave me his map.

It’s funny. I’ve done this routine to NYC from the hotel 3 days now. And I know it like the back of my hand already.
The other guys went back to Philly this morning. I’m kinda glad I chose a flight out of LaGuardia. I think I would have been sad to not see Central Park or the dinosaurs! I would have had more time with the guys though.
[missing post.. come back for edit later: events: train to central park(and bouldering there!) and American Natural History Museum]

10/29/06 15:10
My bag is heavy! My back & knees are sore. Need pecs & lats worked
I’m SO not a biology guy! Dinosaurs & cosmology & that’s it! Why do they make all the dead animal exhibits so dark & scary?!

10/29/06: 15:56:
They just kicked me out of the metro art museum! (ok, denied entrance) 16″ bags only. Grr- wanted to see the Ancient Near East stuff some friends did on their class trip here!
Gugenheim? No time.

10/29/06 16:32:
I think I’m getting my exercise for all of winter walking CP! But the wind blowing through my wear is a perfect offset to my heat!

CP is something else. Old trees (unlike manicured Chicago) with tall buildings 1 block off.. city & nature. Amazing.

10/29/06 17:44
Got out of CP right on time! Started getting dark & I headed (luckily) to the populated & lit broadway, where my bus to Laguardia is. I even saw one stopped!
Asked 2 locals & found ‘Tom’s Restaurant’- that is, “Seinfeld’s Café” where I am writing this. The place has gotten snazzed up since then. Characatures of each of the cast.. I knew it was over this way thanks to the ladies behind us in line for the Empire State. They gave us their audio tour handhelds which told me it’s in the NW corner of CP. It’s a great little place- not a ‘greasy spoon’ by any means.. It’s got the full gamut of food- like ‘Golden nugget’ in Chicago.
Just ordered a pork dinner- the chicken soup was incredible! I never finish my soup- the broth is.. broth. Oil. But this stuff! Hearty, thick & good!
Alright. This place is my new favorite! great all around. Even if it is run by a bunch of mexicans!
It’s funny- maybe sad. I can’t think straight I’m so worn. My legs & back have been hurting for 3 hours now. Like Carmen noted- when traveling, your senses are heightened- you’re so aware of every little thing. And like hiking, I’m worn & food tastes so good. Only had a bagel & cream cheese & dinner 2 nights in a row! Ha! I just had to loosen my belt!
I couldn’t finish! My stomach had shrunk.

Trekking the city with this (presumed) 35 lb pack is such a ‘test run’! Sure I got some looks with it, but I felt most people happy to help when asked.
I could imagine doing this in any city anywhere so long as I had the language.
I *couldn’t* imagine doing this with anyone else. There’s no way anyone is THIS hard-core! I walked from one end of CP to the other, criss-crossing the whole way! SE corner @ Carnegie, through & up to Am. Nat. Hist. Mus. Over & up to Metro Art Mus. Up to Gugenheim, up & across to the NE corner to broadway. My 2 guys I came with wouldn’t last. Especially with a pack!
10/29/06 20:04: LaGuardia was a nice little 40 bus ride.. only to find ATA closed at 6pm, reopening at 4:15 am. Looks like I’ll be blogging alot tonight..