megabus, tribeca blu hotel, megabus
 

I'm back on the bus. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, enough already with the megabus. The thing is, dw wanted to visit ds#2 after her trip last weekend to ohio when I went to visit ds#2 and it ended up now we're both on the bus. We like the bus. The Tribeca Blu costs $189 (considerably more than last weekend's Jane Hotel, and no free bikes) and has mixed reviews, but is closer to ds#2 who lives near canal and lafayette. We sent ds#2 out to get half priced tickets to Fela, which we see tonight. Maybe we can go to Nai for an early dinner. It's not raining. It's ok with me if it rains. I know soybeans need rain. It may be too late for corn. We come back monday morning. So, that's all I have to report. We'll stay home next weekend.

Here's another megabus fan! Have had bad luck with their wifi though two trips.. but other than that.. fantastic.

Lin, you're right, the wi-fi is spotty. DS#2 recommended tripper bus from bethesda to nyc.

NYC is still darned interesting on the second weekend in a row. The Tribeca Blu is very nice. Reasonable sized room, high ceiling, 8th floor. We arrived around 2 and took the subway from the megabus stop to 6th and canal and walked to the hotel at canal and broadway.

There's an amazing variety of interesting people to look at in new york. After a short rest we went with ds#2 to Nai, Adu's tapas restaurant. It really was good. Then to Veniero, an old fashioned pastry cafe around the corner (11th between 1st and 2nd avenue) for dessert.

Then via subway to Times Square (we're not real new yorkers; times square is still pretty amazing) to Fela on 45th. Then back to the hotel via subway, stopping to listen to a good beatles band playing at the subway station. And then a smoothie from McDonalds. More interesting people to watch.

Tomorrow we want to walk to the New Museum and then to Katz's for lunch. NYC is like an exciting theme park for us out-of-towners.

Check out the TriBeCa Whole Foods - it's unbelievable - they even have a concierge!

sf, that's a good idea. DS#2's pantry is pretty bare.

As you know Whole Foods is incredibly expensive but all Manhattan supermarkets are very expensive and have limited selection.

There is a Trader Joe's on 14th and Third and a much calmer one on Sixth and 22nd Street.

Ha - I wasn't suggesting you BUY anything there, just stop in to see it!

And while you are at the Trader's Joes can you pick me up some of those chocolate bars with hazelnuts. Thanks.

This morning I got up and went to a chinese restaurant on canal street for breakfast. I ordered the first thing in the first four sections which cost about $7 all together and involved tea, steamed dumplings and shrimp, and some sort of pastry and meat sauce. Then to the McDonalds next door to get coffee for DW. Then we sat on a bench outside a bail bond office across from the nyc detention center. People felt sorry for us, looking like we were waiting for the office to open so we could bail a loved one out of prison. Then a nearby park where many chinese people were playing cards, doing tai chi, and waiting for some community walk to start. Then with dear son to Katz's Deli at 205 Houston, then to the New Museum. The 7th floor views are good and video exhibits ok. Then back to hotel for rest. We're thinking of Statan Island Ferry later this afternoon. DW just wants me to be quiet so she can nap.

Statan Island Ferry was free, fun and crowded. We watched the Statue of Liberty, people and boats from the inside upper deck on the way over, and from the less crowded inside lower deck on the way back. Then we walked to ground zero, which was too crowded to see. Then subway back to hotel. Then with ds#2 and two of his friends who know Murray Hill to Bhatti, an Indian Grill on Lexington at 27th. Very nice. Then back to hotel and bed. This morning we head to the Port Authority, Megabus, and home. After nyc home may seem like sensory deprivation.