After leaving a very gracious couple in Maple Shade, NJ (thank you very much for everything Ron and Carol) and heading north I got close to the city without incident. Then, in the last 20 miles, would up with three road tolls and two hefty bridge tolls. I spent $35.00 on tolls before I ever got into New York. I can go that far in Denver without seeing that many hands out on the side of the road hoping for a little spare change. Being on a relatively tight budget it sort of rocked me to the core and had me wondering just what four days in the city might ultimately cost me.
An hour in tight traffic waiting to access the Holland Tunnel passed fitfully, then it deposited me into lower downtown on Canal Street and, not knowing how to navigate successfully, got forced even further downtown before being able to make a couple turns and finally head uptown to my destination in Hell's Kitchen...in spite of it sounding like going from the frying pan into the fire, it turned out to be a great destination. Four nights at approximately 10th Ave and 51st St.
Had to play a few games with my car over the next few days but i was on the move a lot during the day anyway. Two things come to mind about driving in New York City: 1) I never saw a policeman writing a ticket for anything other than a parking offense, and 2) I can't believe I never saw an accident. hose people are MANIACS, but I guess defensive driving is lesson one in the city. I can guarantee one thing...after successive weeks in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York City I will never complain about Denver traffic again.
All in all it wasn't as stressful or expensive as I initially feared. In spite of Mayor Bloomberg's best efforts there are still a few free bridges you can cross without tolls, and it never costs you to leave the City, only to get in. Just so you know, on most of the bridges and tunnels the tolls range from $7.50 to $15.00 with most pegged at $13.00.
But the city was pretty exciting, even for someone who was raised in Los Angeles. I did more walking during those four days than in the previous six months, and it felt good. Visited Central park...very good. Ate at the Papaya King...disappointing. Had some great Thai food and a couple bagels, and even some New York Style Pizza. Went to Church at the CSL in Manhattan and had a chance to speak a little (thank you Rev. Loretta). Visited the 9-11 Memorial in addition to the Vietnam Veterans memorials in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan. Saw Lady Liberty from a distance. And couldn't get out of town fast enough when the four days were up.
Next time, a story about the other New York.
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