Summer 2003 Northeastern US Roadtrip

Caught the W train back to midtown. Took a walk up to the edge of Central Park and watched a statue man for awhile. Passed David Letterman's CBS Studio on 7th Avenue. Ducked into a TGI Friday's during a sudden heavy rain, but the excessive prices, and the rain stopping, drove us back to the street and on to Texas, Texas Restaurant. We did some more shopping and walking afterwards and got some ice cream in a basement store.

I'm amazed at the number of people employed in this city to just watch; doorways, streets, trains, buildings, beaches, people everywhere making sure nothing is stolen, no one is breaking laws, people and property is safe. I've never seen so many people paid to simply watch stuff! I'm also amazed at how friendly people are here. I didn't expect nice, helpful people in New York City, quite the opposite, but everywhere we went the people were friendly. Helping us on the subway, pleasant vendors, shopkeepers, passing us by on the street. Everyone has been extremely nice and courteous except for the hotel clerk, whom I expected to be friendly. She was less than helpful on two occasion I spoke to her. Go figure. And the subway/train/bus sytem is extremely well designed and efficient and I felt very safe on it. Overall, I'm very impressed and surprised by what I found in this largest American city. Way to go New York!