Soho House New York City

... I saw go up were beaten quickly and easily, those guys are fast and deadly!

I continue on my walk, zig zagging north and winding my way through the city. The architecture is so distinctive and from everything I've seen and watched it feels familiar - that's what you get from an obsessive interest! I was going to call Tim so we could go up to the Robert Frank exhibition at the Met but I stupidly left my phone ...

... just for that bar. What a find!

The next day we headed up the Empire State Building, luckily jumping a large section of the line as we already had our tickets. I didn't have my hopes up too much as I suspected that the huge amount of tourist hype surrounding it could well lead to disappointment but I have to admit I was wrong! The interior of the building is beautiful art deco with loads of original features ...

... act... Michelle wanted to see a Broadway show, but
couldn't remember which show she had wanted to see, so we went to
check out comedy ticket prices. They were reasonable... except the
catch was minimum of 2 drinks each... between $4-10. ($4 been the
non-Alcoholic as we were to find out). What a cheek. The show was an
1.5 hours long, with 6 people doing their own short act, some better
than others. The woman introducing the acts was appalling, but ...

... br>After buying a juice and walking the streets of Times Square we hailed a bike taxi to take us back to our hotel precinct where we partook in what hopefully would be our first and last McDonald's meal on our trip. For those of you wondering the cheese burgers taste the same in NY as they do at home.

Back to our hotel room where our beds beckoned. After some Facebook and Skype we finally hit the sack at 10.30PM after 30 hours since our last sleep.

Monday 13 ...

... side. I couldn't believe it. I would have expected her to move a slower pace, given her age. No, Sheila was RUNNING with me through the terminal to get to security. I had a hard time keeping up with her! She brings me to the front of the security line and informs the security representative that my bag is to be allowed through. I go through security no problem. I say good bye to Sheila, she saved my trip. I sent American Airlines an e-mail prasing Sheila for her ...

... But we have yet to see rampant inflation and rising unemployment to make things worse. 5. expect consumer spending and confidence to drop even more. Recent studies of the Asian crisis along with the 2001-2001 Argentinean crisis found that consumption dropped dramatically - some items were eliminated from people's shopping basket. 'Cultural goods are most affected' quotes one study. 6. There is increased volatility. Last year the Dow Jones hit a record high of 14 ...

... we a bite to eat before catching the train back to Jamaica Station and finding a taxi. The drivers were all hawking from the front of the station and we chose one who led us to a battered old Lincoln and took us back to the Best Western for 15 bucks. By this ...

In New York at the moment - wow what a city!!! Can't believe the number of people here. We've walked and walked and walked. Seen Central Park, Times Square, Macy's, Ground Zero, Madison Sq Gardens and so much more. Did a cruise aound 1/2 Manhattan Island this morning and had an up close view of the Statue of Liberty. Went up to the top of the Empire State Building and saw for miles after queing for over an hour to get up to the top. Security ...

... except for our cabin in Maine, we were flying by the seat of our pants on this one. We loaded up Joe's 1990 Ford Bronco. With over 300,000 miles most people think might think we were crazy for road tripping in the truck but there is no vehicle better for the off road riding and driving we knew was in store for us as we hunted the ...

... weeks ago; so I'll have to visit again. Several of my colleagues are going there this weekend as well (but they'll be going on Saturday so I won't be able to make the trip with them). I'll focus on the Aquarium there and take one of the whale boat tours out. I've already got my tickets and I'm ready to roll so I'm sure it will be all that I'm thinking it'll be. - Until my next post, cheers !