Last fall, a friend and I planned a Broadway week in May to celebrate the selling of his B&B. Unfortunately, the B&B didn't sell and I was more than a wee bit disappointed. When I read that NeoPatrick was going to be in NYC for a month I decided to head up, especially because I thought at the time that goddesstogo was going to be there too. Hey, a ready-made-GTG and a Broadway week too!

So, I checked rates and booked a flight on AirTran for $212. I had hotel points so booked 3 free nights at the LaQuinta on W. 32nd. The next three nights were booked at the boutique hotel I've been wanting to try in Times Square. I followed Fodorites' recommendations on the shows and the process and booked shows via Broadwaybox.com discounts as well as regularly priced tickets using the links from playbill.com website.

Betterbidding.com and priceline.com - The night before my departure I decided I should at least just check Priceline. So, I checked out betterbidding.com but the bids seemed high - almost what I was paying for my boutique hotel. So, I took a deep breath and placed a bid for the price I wanted to bid for a 4* MTW hotel - with plans to add 2 more areas and go up slightly on the price. My first bid was accepted - and once again I got the Hilton at 6th and 54th (near Radio City Music Hall). This time, I got it for $120! That was an immediate savings of $520 - which almost covers everything else I had booked for the week. So, this was also becoming Starr's Savings Solo trip of NYC. Airfare plus 6 nights in NYC = $548.75. Not bad

Zerve.com - Because this was going to be a "solo"� trip I planned to keep myself busy with lots of tours too. Those I booked on zerve.com.

The trip turned out to be so much less solo than I expected when I booked it, but I decided that I'd have Fodorites along with me - in spirit at least. So, here goes!

Tuesday arrival - Tuesday arrival and Monday departure to take advantage of lower plane fares. For the second time in my life, I missed my flight. I was there. The lines were just too long and my bags didn't get on the plane in time. Argghhh! (Actually, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Monday was a record heat day in NYC and folks said the temps got into the 100's. I'd "done" NYC on a 100+ day before, so I knew what I had missed. It made me feel better about the delay.) So, with time to spare, I left the airport, drove to a nearby Chik-Fil-A for breakfast, took advantage of their free wifi, browsed Barnes and Noble and picked up a new book for the trip and stopped by Wolf Camera to buy a thingamajiggy so I could upload the Atlanta GTG pictures. Back to the airport, much more relaxed to get there VERY early to snag one of the three available stand-by seats for the flight and started the photo upload process.

Travel time for any big airport - Get there in time! We all know that. I blew it.

Travel time for Atlanta Hartsfield - If you get in the general area with TOO much time to spare, check out the stores and restaurants at the intersection of 285 and Camp Creek Parkway.

http://campcreekmktplace.com/

At my departure airport, I called to book up my transportation arrangements. I didn't want to mess with the shuttle from Newark this trip and decided not to risk long taxi lines. So, a car from Carmel picked me up a few minutes after my bags arrived - and I was safely delivered into the city with NO hassle AND cheaper than my friend would pay for a taxi on a Saturday morning.

http://www.carmellimo.com/

LaQuinta @ 17 W 32nd street -
My stay was free on points, but I checked AAA rates and they were offering room for my stay period for less than $200. This is a nice, moderate hotel. Nicely decorated rooms, rooftop bar, free breakfast that includes FABULOUS bagels , hardboiled eggs, cereal, fruit and juice. There were several other moderate hotels in the area as well. My hotel was in the midst of Korean restaurants, Madison Square Garden was steps away and the Empire State Building was a block away. Not fancy, by any stretch of the imagination, but lots of low-cost places to choose from to eat. Oh, and Macy's at Herald's Square just a stroll away! The subway station was at the corner. If you are comfortable using the subway, it's a great (as in economical) area of the city to book your hotel.

Since I spent most of the day getting there, I decided not to venture far that night. At the rooftop bar I browsed their delivery menus and found a couple of places that sounded interesting. I ended up here -
http://www.fatanniestruckstop.com/
because their Blue Plate Special for the day was "Beef Stroganoff over Parsley Egg Noodles". I was trying not to admit to myself but I was in the process of getting sick. My throat was feeling scratchy and a bit sore. GREAT! A week in NYC and I'm coming down with something. Neither the drink at the rooftop bar or the one ordered at the restaurant tasted "right". Yep. Getting sick. Well, at least I'd be saving money on drinks this trip! The egg noodles were comforting to my throat and I ate the mushr

Hello starrs -
Sounds like the beginning of a fun trip. Sorry you missed your first flight, but all's well . . .

Sounds like the 'mushr' made her pass out while typing.

Come back starrs! Oh dear.

Starrs, what happened to you? I was so enjoying your report and suddenly you are "poof" gone. I hope you and your laptop are all right.

LOL! I'm not sure what happened!
I'm fine. Rushed out this morning to join ellenem at church and just got back in for a brief break. About to head out for a 3pm tour, but I'll continue later. I'm staying in to watch the Tonys - which are just a few blocks away. Do they do the "red carpet thing" for the Tonys?
All is well and having a blast. Will finish the mushroom paragraph later today

Well thank goodness..I was worried.

Have fun dear one! And don't forget to get to the airport with time to spare tomorrow, ya hear!

I trust you weren't caught in those rainstorms yesterday.

Feel better Starrs. Hope you have a nice tour today. The storm just passed us so I think you should be Ok.

starrs, I was in Manhattan during the Tony Awards a couple of years ago and if you mosey over to RCMH, you can see a lot of the broadway stars.

I saw Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Richard Dryfuss, Chris Noth, and Bette Midler just the few minutes I was walking by.

Starrs, sounds good! The Hilton was a deal. Isn't Airtran great! Hope you are feeling better.

The egg noodles were comforting to my throat and I ate the mushr...rooms but left most of the beef.

I enjoyed the vintage atmosphere of the place and watching the twenty-somethings hanging out in the bar. Maybe this is a place I can return to with my niece :-?

After dinner, what to do? Okay, follow in the footsteps of LowCountryIslander. Hey, that's a plan! I'll pick some of the same places she and MomIslander went to, because they probably planned their trip better than I have. So, off to Macy's this "non-shopper" goes.

I've boycotted Macy's since they absorbed Rich's at home - and then dropped the name - but hey, I'm in NYC. So, in I go. And, I do enjoy being here. My favorite part? The escalator. I LOVED the clankety-clank of the wooden escalator (metal treads hitting against wooden walls). LOVED it. The sound reminded me of a wooden roller coaster. I'm just riding and smiling. Short spans. Rode all the way up. Took the elevator back down - and enjoyed watching a "local" woman "fuss" at the slow-moving family trying to get on. (I know, I know, CPG, I'm not SURE she was local ). Since I'm not a shopper, I took GoT along with me when I tried on clothes. cat was with me when I stumbled on the Philosophy counter and was just as delighted with the travel pack of Amazing Grace I bought. kwwl could NOT believe that did not carry headbands nor ANY hair accessories. WELL!!!

I left to duck into a Duane Reed to buy something to pull my hair off my neck (today WAS a record breaker) and the wind was wicked. Things flying in the air. The line was long - and everyone was buying something to eat or drink. Here's the place to buy water or soda or snacks or ice cream or beer. Good to know. Bought pony-tail holders and then stepped out into...

Rain. Not just rain. A lightning storm that folks would be talking about for days. And then... the sky opened up and it was a downpour. Head tucked down, I turned into the wrong street. Backtracking took extra time and assured that I was totally soaked to the skin when I reached my hotel. Soggy, but happy, I turned in for the night.

Wed - My first full day in NYC - my WICKED day!

Okay. I have a problem. I'm not only a Fodors addict. I am a Wicked addict too. I have been known to mock Trekkies, etc. but I do have an obsession with Wicked. I wake up very happy today because I get to see Wicked today.

I also have a problem with working on vacation - and since my "commute" each morning is to my laptop. Oh, well. You figure it out.

I did make it down before the breakfast room closed. There really IS a difference in NY bagels. Juice. A hard boiled egg. A banana and a container of yogurt for later. My heart almost broke when I saw almost a dozen of bagels tossed in the trash as I was leaving the room. Once again, I am very pleased with this hotel. Nice room. Free wifi. Good breakfast. Free makes it even better

I cab it up to Midtown and just enjoy being there. I have tix for the matinee. The show was WONDERFUL! Wonderful. The stage seemed more intimate than the other stages - which I realized is a very strange opinion given the theatre (huge). I had a twinge of disappointment when I saw the standby was in for the matinee. I was wrong. Julie Reiber was a wonderful Elphaba. I think David Burnham is my favorite Fiyero ever. His sinuous dancing was...nice. I really liked this Nessarose too (Christy Candler). It was a fabulous show - and I was a very happy fan.

Out of one show - in to another. Made my way to the new (to me) location of the TKTS booth - at the Marriott Marquis - which works very nicely because the line forms under cover. What to see? Well, the Islanders raved about Boeing, Boeing so... why not!?

So, where to now? Where did the Islanders go? Oh! The Divine Bar. Mapquest on my phone to get the address and I made my way there. I wish I could say the Islanders were there to sit at the bar with me, but they weren't. But, I followed their lead with my ordering. Yep, the crostini and the toasted ravioli. Today's ravioli was a twist on a Caprese salad - stuffed with tomato/ goat cheese, served with chunks of mozzarella cheese and topped with pesto. Coke to drink - because alcohol just doesn't taste right.

The meal was very good. I don't particularly like to eat solo, but I've done it so much for business I'm used to it. But, "somehow" a conversation was stuck up with my neighbor and we had a great time talking about NYC, how much Atlanta has changed, possible places for her to move to, how much Alpharetta has changed and... then her friend arrived. I'm just about finished. I offer them the remaining half of the crostini. My neighbor declines but her friend accepts and we laugh and I'm on my way.

Now, I have time to kill (or so I think). So, I just walk and bask in being in NYC. I decide to find Blockheads - and it is indeed just steps away from where my friend moved when she came to NYC. Then...what to do? Okay, take a deep breath and "practice" the subway before tomorrow. Robes went along with me, of course slightly mocking me as we entered the subway, bought a Metrocard, rode down one stop and then back up. Okay, ready to drag my other niece around the city. I've used up most of my "time to kill" so head to the theatre - and really enjoy Boeing, Boeing. I'm up in the mezzanine but the tix were 1/2 price, and I'm happy.

The show is fun. I enjoy it and make my way back downtown. Back to the room. Back to the computer. Oh, CRAP (she says to herself, not to anyone else so there's no need for anyone to be offended). I missed a phone interview scheduled during that "time to kill" period. Crap. I email the recruiter and wonder if there will be a rescheduling.

Okay. This is my not-very-good-day. I feel bad. Really bad. But, this is my Central Park movie location bike tour day.

Okay, here are some not-so-good variables. Hot day. Feeling sick. Skipping breakfast (except for a banana). Not riding a bike for ... well, a really long time before this. Extra weight doesn't help. Messanger bag loaded down with stuff so I don't have to go "home" during the day doesn't help either. I really enjoy the tour. Really. A lot. John, the guide was VERY good (and I don't compliment tour guides often). I'm glad I took the tour. I just wish I was younger, thinner, in better shape and wearing cooler clothes - like the two other twenty-somethings on the tour. I got overheated. I stopped on a hill. Should I admit this? I'm not sure.... Okay.

Watch this clip at about the 8:14 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqhq53JGOPM

That was me. But, at a stop - while dismounting. Two things I learned. 1) Wearing jeans was a good choice since I got up close and personal with the pavement. 2) People are really nice - everywhere. Including NYC and Central Park. A nice biker stopped to check on me. A nice lady walking with her daughter carrying an orange umbrella stopped to hold my bike. John saw me at the crest of the hill and doublebacked with worry on his face. It took me a few minutes to want to try to stand back up. I was doing an inventory to see if anything was broken. My legs were like jelly. I felt like I was going to pass out. The two men helped me back up. Okay. Everything feels okay. I don't think anything is broken. Whew! What a relief!

John monitors me closely to see what will happen next. We stop at the reservoir and have a long rest. I ask John to carry the heavy messenger bag. The lithe young things are in shorts with credit cards tucked in the pockets. I've packed for an expedition. We rest again at the Swiss Chalet / Shakespeare garden. Okay. I'm feeling almost normal again. It's funny, but as I sit on the bench looking at the Swiss Chalet and talking to John about roles he's played, I realize this is where my ex and I hiked from the UWS to Midtown during another very hot day in NYC. It was 104 that day. The girlies return from checking out Belvedere Castle (I've seen it more than once). Time to move on.

I'm proud to say that I completed the ride. Made the remaining two hills. NYers don't laugh - I realize they aren't very big hills. But, one got to me and I made it through the rest. I even biked across CPS and made it all the way back to the bike shop.

I tipped John very nicely for taking good care of me and bringing me back safely

As my grandson loves to say when things aren't right: UH - OH!

Hope it all works out for you, starrs!

Will be waiting for the 'rest of the story'.

So, here I am all hot and sweaty and walking gingerly to make sure everything still works, and the recruiter calls. There's still a chance of rescheduling the phone interview but she suggests waiting until vacation is over. I agree that is a very good idea.

Steps away is http://www.lepainquotidien.com/">htt...quotidien.com/
and I enjoy a wonderful curried chicken tartine and lemonade. I THINK the Islanders recommended this restaurant too, but my head is too muddled to be sure. I opt out from the communal table and enjoy a solo lunch at the window watching the parade that is New York. The lemonade is wonderful. I'm feeling much better with food but I head back "home" to take inventory - and to soak in the tub.

I'm texting one of my nieces during the afternoon. It's her first day "on the job" with her internship and she's not sure when she's going to get away. I spend some time on Fodors (big surprise) and try to ignore Kal's comments while I watch to see what the left ankle and knee are going to do. A couple of hours later I test things out and all seems to be well. I take a shower, get ready, and wait and wait and wait. Finally, I head down to three possible meeting points...and I don't think I've ever seen "packed" before. OMG! There's no chance at a meal here before I have to head back up. Finally, niece is home. As it turns out, I am around the corner from her apartment, she comes down, we meet at Lush, grab a cookie at Mrs. Fields, and I head uptown for Gypsy.

It's been a full day and I'm glad I'm still mobile

uh oh is right! you poor baby! I'm proud of you for finishing the ride but do take care of special care of yourself for the next couple of days. Sometimes these things have a delayed reaction.

Thanks gtg. It really shook me up a bit. I wasn't sure so I just rested the afternoon away. I would have been really irritated with myself if I'd bummed myself up so early on this trip.

Gypsy. What to say? Everything "they" have said about Patti LuPone's performance is right. She is/was incredible. IMO it was if the role had been written for her. Everyone was good (and two Tonys so far tonight attest to that) but Patti LuPone was a force of nature. I am so glad I caught her performance. I think it's the stuff of legends.

Subway back "home". Hey, Robes! I'm an old pro now/ again!

Starrs,
You did a fantastic job seeing NYC on your own.