All By Myself, a Solo Trip Report, Day One...
Jan 10th, 2010, 04:45 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All By Myself, a Solo Trip Report, Day One...
Remember the words to that song by Eric Carmen? Lighten up, Eric. Personally, I have wanted to do a solo trip for years, but it took quite a while to win my husband over to my scheming. All his worry was for nothing. I'm now back home safe and sound after three fabulous nights in my favorite city, and yes, there were quite a few nice New Yorkers who seemed to give a rat's tail about me. 
January 5th:
After an early morning start of three inches of snow and a bone chilling temperature of nine degrees here in Kentucky, I arrived at LGA about 11:00 am., to more cold but no snow. (I'll take it!) I decided to try the Airport Express Bus for the first time just to see what it was like. I only bought the one way fare for $12 in case I preferred a taxi for the return trip, which I ended up choosing. Pros: comfortable and quite a bargain. I got off at Port Authority and then took the #1 subway to 79th. Cons: time consuming and subway stairs. I only had a carry on, and I'm no slug, but I still remember the little groan, okay, huge groan, emitted when I first spotted the many stairs that were my means of escape. Sherpa? Pack mule? Anyone?
I stayed at the Belleclaire on W. 77th for the fantastic rate of $77 a night for a queen bed/shared bath room. (Thank you, Hotels.com.)I was very pleased with the hotel and wrote a review for Tripadvisor if anyone is interested. On my previous eight trips, I'd always stayed in midtown west, so this was quite a change. The verdict: I love the upper west side! I really can't imagine staying anywhere else when I visit again. I enjoyed the neighborhood feel and the more relaxed pace, and there were so many restaurants, stores, and places to explore in my daily walks. I can't wait to return.
For a quick lunch, I grabbed a delicious stuffed slice of pizza from Big Nick's and then bought some muffins for breakfast at Westside Market. (Both are next door to the Belleclaire.) I especially enjoyed standing in the cheese aisle at Westside. A cheese lover's dream...
Although this was a solo trip, I have to admit that I spent much of my time with friends made through Tripadvisor and the Jane Eyre Musical forum. I have known them for several years now which is why my husband never required background checks on them. Thanks, Honey!
That evening, I met my Tripadvisor buddy for dinner and a show. Great planning on her part: the Japanese restaurant, Kodama, was right across the street from our musical, "Hair." (If you're getting a bit queasy at the thought of food with hair, I don't blame you.) We both enjoyed our meals, and then it was time for "Hair." (Nauseous again?
"Hair"
My friend talked me into this one, conservative soul that I am, and I went into it knowing that I would probably want to slap some hippie heads before the show was over. In fact, I told her to bring her love beads, so I could hit her with them in case I hated the show!
"Hair" is shocking, emotional, and thought-provoking, and it's not for the faint of heart. The music soars, and so does the talent in this production. Would I see it again? Probably not, but the images will stay with me forever.
Back to the hotel to check in with my worried hubby at home, what a guy, and then I hit that comfy bed to rest up for my next day's adventures.
To be continued...
Robin
January 5th:
After an early morning start of three inches of snow and a bone chilling temperature of nine degrees here in Kentucky, I arrived at LGA about 11:00 am., to more cold but no snow. (I'll take it!) I decided to try the Airport Express Bus for the first time just to see what it was like. I only bought the one way fare for $12 in case I preferred a taxi for the return trip, which I ended up choosing. Pros: comfortable and quite a bargain. I got off at Port Authority and then took the #1 subway to 79th. Cons: time consuming and subway stairs. I only had a carry on, and I'm no slug, but I still remember the little groan, okay, huge groan, emitted when I first spotted the many stairs that were my means of escape. Sherpa? Pack mule? Anyone?
I stayed at the Belleclaire on W. 77th for the fantastic rate of $77 a night for a queen bed/shared bath room. (Thank you, Hotels.com.)I was very pleased with the hotel and wrote a review for Tripadvisor if anyone is interested. On my previous eight trips, I'd always stayed in midtown west, so this was quite a change. The verdict: I love the upper west side! I really can't imagine staying anywhere else when I visit again. I enjoyed the neighborhood feel and the more relaxed pace, and there were so many restaurants, stores, and places to explore in my daily walks. I can't wait to return.
For a quick lunch, I grabbed a delicious stuffed slice of pizza from Big Nick's and then bought some muffins for breakfast at Westside Market. (Both are next door to the Belleclaire.) I especially enjoyed standing in the cheese aisle at Westside. A cheese lover's dream...
Although this was a solo trip, I have to admit that I spent much of my time with friends made through Tripadvisor and the Jane Eyre Musical forum. I have known them for several years now which is why my husband never required background checks on them. Thanks, Honey!
That evening, I met my Tripadvisor buddy for dinner and a show. Great planning on her part: the Japanese restaurant, Kodama, was right across the street from our musical, "Hair." (If you're getting a bit queasy at the thought of food with hair, I don't blame you.) We both enjoyed our meals, and then it was time for "Hair." (Nauseous again?
"Hair"
My friend talked me into this one, conservative soul that I am, and I went into it knowing that I would probably want to slap some hippie heads before the show was over. In fact, I told her to bring her love beads, so I could hit her with them in case I hated the show!
"Hair" is shocking, emotional, and thought-provoking, and it's not for the faint of heart. The music soars, and so does the talent in this production. Would I see it again? Probably not, but the images will stay with me forever.
Back to the hotel to check in with my worried hubby at home, what a guy, and then I hit that comfy bed to rest up for my next day's adventures.
To be continued...
Robin
Jan 10th, 2010, 05:04 PM
#2
"To be continued..."
Unfortunately you are continuing your trip report on multiple threads. It is MUCH better to add each installment as posts to the original thread. Otherwise they get separated and everyone has to hunt around for each part, or give up.
Unfortunately you are continuing your trip report on multiple threads. It is MUCH better to add each installment as posts to the original thread. Otherwise they get separated and everyone has to hunt around for each part, or give up.
Jan 10th, 2010, 06:19 PM
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no need to 'hunt' to find the other days, just click on "clanwilson" at the top of this post and you can see their other postings.
Glad to hear of your experience at the Belleclaire, I've seen good rates for it but was always a little leary! Enjoying your report, thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear of your experience at the Belleclaire, I've seen good rates for it but was always a little leary! Enjoying your report, thanks for sharing.
Jan 11th, 2010, 08:44 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
clanwilson, just for future reference, it may not be "difficult" to find your entire report by clicking on your name, but it would in fact be much easier if you just appended each day's report to the one before. Among other things, that way they'll also be in chronological order. Just sayin'....
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Travel_monkey
Africa & the Middle East
13
Aug 2nd, 2010 04:58 PM
