I arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) within around 50 minutes but felt much faster than that for sure! Watching the Manhattan skyline in the (hazy) distance was just amazing. My smile was from ear to ear.
Coming out of the PABT was like walking into Thebarton Theater when a punk band are playing…full of hot yet humid damp air with an odour you can’t quite place! It wasn’t unpleasant per se…just wow. Maybe a comparison of the KFC slap??
Naturally my first few steps were to the bright lights of Times Square and I got stopped by a Non American (There seem to be a lot of them… do they ALL have permission to work in the USA??) and being offered an ‘awesome saving’ of catching a hop on and hop off bus. There seemed to be three company reps in the same circle. Yellow Shirt, Gray Line and Hi Vis Vest wearing seller. Since Yellow shirt man stopped me, I thought I’d listen. Why not? The face I listened had him already busily punching in keys into his little scanner doovy offering me three days for the price of 1... and look look, you can go here, and there, and you get off, and then get on, and the buses come every you know 10 – 15 (pipteen!!) or so and wait, what did you ask me? Oh yeah, you have to use the freebies today too.
Thanks but no thanks!
They had chairs and tables lined up in TS so I aptly took the opportunity to sit, have a drink and take it all in. There is uproar at the moment in TS with the Naked Cowboy and a competitor...The Naked Cowgirl. A fifty something (apparently) lady in bikini and stars over her boobs which she flashed on TV! It’s been on the news here… and because she charges $2 per photo of her jiggly her ‘assets’ there seems to be a lot of media and attention. I didn’t get to see either on this visit, but who knows maybe next one??
For the article copy the link below (can't link it for some reason)
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cowboy_naked_rip_off_hpFYGdAk1LzLyalORvZWpJ
I did see what looked like a Senator type fellow being interviewed by various TV stations while he chatted to a piano playing woman. The black suited men with the plastic hanging out their ears outnumbered all the casual people within 50 meters by a long shot! If I had my Aussie Flag draped around my back as a cape I would have made you all proud (“,)
Next was a walk around Toys R Us. For those not familiar, it is the first toy store with a Ferris wheel inside. $9 gets you and your children into a cart of various characters (ET looked cute, as did the M&M crew) for what seemed about a 6 minute spin?
They had an array of stuff from babies, kids, teens, young adults, games, and movies, outdoor and sport stuff. I was surprised at the costs as they seemed all pretty reasonable.
After that I called a contact that has been just terrific. He works for Singapore Airlines and has been super accommodating from days back when I was looking at Sublets! He came to my aide with a phone to be able to put my Aussie Sim in. All I needed to do was purchase a new battery and then would be a part of the BERRY club as well as the iPhone clowns! With my set of instructions on how to get to the AT&T store, a handshake off it was to venture to the store.
The heat started to impact now, and as I later discovered, I happened to pick the hottest day of the year so fast to venture into Manhattan. 91F! 32C but surprisingly different to 32C back home. Entering the AT&T store was like another episode of the Abercrombie & Fitch store. I have no idea what even came out of the guy’s mouth other than iPhone4 sold out, blah blah blah. As I stood there blinking helplessly at him and finally saw his lips stopped moving I took that as my cue to speak. Battery please for… and before I could even list my phone he was yabba dabbing do about batteries, costs, and did I have the unit with me or know the model. “Ah, it’s a blackberry but…” and before I could finish again and say not sure of which model he yabba dabba’s again. I get the phone, pause and smile and ask how many Starbucks he had today? First time in the few minutes we met he looked stunned? ‘Scuse me dear...no it’s not nearby! Oooh my belly ached with the chuckle I was holding in. I picked up the battery and got an enormous bag with it to which I declined? My yabba dabba do man was again stunned! I think I offended him. Needless to say, I walked out with a new battery and for $50 I have access to my Aussie Sim. So I am now effectively back on track. Feel free to send me a sms from now if you feel inclined.
As I had got a cab from Times Square to Tony’s building I didn’t really know how far I had walked… I kept on Park Ave walking along and stumbled across the Waldorf Astoria. Ahhh, beauty at its best. I walked in and as I had my camera still in hand was asked if I was a guest. When I responded no I wasn’t, the Porter asked me to put my camera away as they had a VIP guest in the building and would I mind. Certainly not…. I hovered for a bit but no sighting… wonder who it was?
As I was a walking I was amazed to see a giant Hello Kitty statue in the middle of a very astute looking business building? What an unusual choice of art?
Took a left turn which put me back on 42nd Street which I knew was the right direction to head back to Broadway/Times Square and along the way I found myself in awe at all the construction going on. I daresay the construction business is growing!! Be it fixing existing buildings or making new ones… it actually made it hard to see what shops/places where what at some stages. Nevertheless, I did see some sparkling gold doors after 17 blocks which lead me to the Grand Central Market which leads you into the Terminal. It was lovely little alley of delicious food and smells and sights. I wanted to take a picture but just got caught up looking at all the yummy food and before I knew it I had walked to the end. Will definitely have to go back for a photo opportunity! Imagine the bottom level of DJ’s in Melbourne or what used to be in DJ’s at the mall. Was surprised at the choices and all looked sooooo yummy!
This lead me right into Grand Central Terminal. Now you have all seen it…but here is my little version below.
The first thing that came into my head though … “Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand: Serena van der Woodsen … And who am I? That's another secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. Xo xo Gossip Girl” GG fans out there will know what I mean there hahaha. I walked through the centre and had such a giggle!
Managed to find Bryant Park after that, which is just beautiful. A big park near the library with lots of free seats, a piano player, and people just milling about. Can see myself sitting here a fair bit! Was also nice to rest my legs and have a break too!
All in all this was already 4 ½ hours so thought I’d call it a day and head back to the PABT via Broadway and Times Square. Got into the PABT and do you think I could find somewhere to purchase the tickets. I tried a machine and that beeped at me, and walked round and round in circles. Found somewhere to ask a lady, so back downstairs (again) but this time went all the way around and there were the booths. Found the one I was after and the guy says that they don’t do monthly trips only books of 10… works out a saving of 68c a ticket! Lol. Oh well a book of 10 it is! As far as timings, getting in is super easy, getting out isn’t so. The last Bus is at 11.15pm which is great but I just need to check where the bus stops, as the last shuttle service ends at 11pm from the hotel. So my last bus to safely be collected will be 915pm at the PABT which will get me into NJ an hour later.
It does mean I may have to tweak the things I do and most of it will be now during the day but that’s still okay. As my brother said, it’s not like I’d be wanting to catch public transport at home at all hours of the morning…you’d cab it…and here that just isn’t practical.
So after purchasing my book. It’s back up the stairs to find the gate 306. I see a sign that points to Gates 200-250 something, and 300-320 something. I follow, and then get lead to a stair case back downstairs? WTF…so head downstairs and low and behold back to where I was…ho hum. Up the stairs again, follow the same path and ask a technician fixing a lift. Oooh yeah, next building, head down the hall, past the lift, into the next building and you should see some signs. I head this way and arrgghhh! A big loop back to square one. No idea how I did, but a few more turns and I found it! By then I was hanging out for the hour long return just to sit!
Sat next to a lovely man on the way back who noticed my accent when talking to the bus driver so chatted with him for a while. It was a great chat, He basically said, that if in fact nothing comes out of this adventure, he admires (or rather in his twang… ed-my-res) the fact that I have put myself out here in such a vulnerable position. It was nice to hear that from a complete stranger. Not that all your support goes unnoticed but sometimes it’s refreshing to hear something positive from someone you don’t know.
The only struggle was knowing when to get off the #77. I asked the driver how close he would go near the hotel and he said either the Circle, the Mall or South and 10. I knew that the South and 10 was where I got dropped off, so for safety I got off there, called the hotel and waited for the shuttle. The shuttle driver seemed to think I could have got closer. Spent 25 minutes on hold trying to find out, so will wait to see what they respond via email.
Came back so tired, the best thing I could see was a quick swim, followed by a soak in the bath, an indulgent room service meal and finally crashing into bed!
Today will be the first day of research! Let’s keep all crossed!
Until next Manhattan sojourn
Lots of Love Bee
xx
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