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I arrived at my hotel in New York at 3:00 on Friday. I thought about springing for a nice hotel, but since I was only going to be in room for a few hours a day, I got a room a the Portland Square Hotel for $109 a night. Only a block off of Times Square, but with a shared bath down the hall.
First order of business was finding the shuttle to the Health and Fitness Expo at the Javitz Center. I had a little map and it was easy to find. As I was waiting for the next shuttle in front of the Marriott Marquis, I called Ree. I couldn't remember which hotel she and the rest of the PWFC members were staying at and I was hoping some of them could meet up for dinner. Turns out they were staying at the Marriott. Since PWFC is a NGO sponsor of the UNICEF team, Bev and Ree had been invited to the UNICEF pasta party along with Peter. Vicky hadn't been invited, but Sandy was coming about 7:30 so I could join them for dinner.
The bus ride to the Expo was interesting, I always like seeing new cities for the first time. Got a glimpse of the aircraft carrier Intrepid, which I later learned is a permanent floating museum. I'd like to see it next time the kids and I go to the city. The Expo was packed. I need some new stuff to wear to the gym, but the lines to pay at all the vendors were really long, so I just found the booth where I could pick up the finish line ticket I'd purchased online and left.
I spent the afternoon and early evening taking in the constant show that is Times Square. This was a real international gathering spot, I gave up counting the number of different languages I heard. When I met up with Vicky I was amazed at the view from their room. The ball that drops on New Years Eve was literally directly across from their window. What a view that would be on New Years!
Sandy met us and gave us several options for dinner. Initially we wanted to go to Carmines, but there was an hour wait for a table. A nearby Chinese restaurant, Ollie's, had moved, but Sandy swore it was the best Chinese in the city. It was a few blocks away, but it was a nice walk and in the neighborhood where the off-Broadway theaters were located.
We had a great meal and I really enjoyed having the time to really to get to know both of them. On the way back I noticed a number of stores along the way, and come Sunday morning, I would be glad I had. But that's a tale for another day.
First order of business was finding the shuttle to the Health and Fitness Expo at the Javitz Center. I had a little map and it was easy to find. As I was waiting for the next shuttle in front of the Marriott Marquis, I called Ree. I couldn't remember which hotel she and the rest of the PWFC members were staying at and I was hoping some of them could meet up for dinner. Turns out they were staying at the Marriott. Since PWFC is a NGO sponsor of the UNICEF team, Bev and Ree had been invited to the UNICEF pasta party along with Peter. Vicky hadn't been invited, but Sandy was coming about 7:30 so I could join them for dinner.
The bus ride to the Expo was interesting, I always like seeing new cities for the first time. Got a glimpse of the aircraft carrier Intrepid, which I later learned is a permanent floating museum. I'd like to see it next time the kids and I go to the city. The Expo was packed. I need some new stuff to wear to the gym, but the lines to pay at all the vendors were really long, so I just found the booth where I could pick up the finish line ticket I'd purchased online and left.
I spent the afternoon and early evening taking in the constant show that is Times Square. This was a real international gathering spot, I gave up counting the number of different languages I heard. When I met up with Vicky I was amazed at the view from their room. The ball that drops on New Years Eve was literally directly across from their window. What a view that would be on New Years!
Sandy met us and gave us several options for dinner. Initially we wanted to go to Carmines, but there was an hour wait for a table. A nearby Chinese restaurant, Ollie's, had moved, but Sandy swore it was the best Chinese in the city. It was a few blocks away, but it was a nice walk and in the neighborhood where the off-Broadway theaters were located.
We had a great meal and I really enjoyed having the time to really to get to know both of them. On the way back I noticed a number of stores along the way, and come Sunday morning, I would be glad I had. But that's a tale for another day.
