Just a few final impression of NYC:

- there are 800 terminals in the Internet Cafe at Times Square - not 300  -  gives you some idea of the number of people traveling in the city at any time

- Central Park has been the highlight of my visit - as mentioned, it is massive and varied in terrain and very beautifully landscaped - many "dog walkers" - people who are being paid to walk the dogs of the rich and famous who live in the fabulous condos and apartment buildings that ring the park

- people all over the city virtually ignore the "Don't Walk" sign at intersections - I'm talking about everyone - business types with briefcases or women pushing baby carriages  -  in NYC "Don't Walk" means :

- "don't walk if there is a cement truck bearing down on you doing twice the speed limit and you don't think you can outrun it across to the other side"

- it appears people just think waiting at a "Don't Walk" sign is a waste of time and the police don't even acknowledge the transgressors

- once you figure out the subway system it is a marvelous way to get around - there are 463 stations in the city - the ride from the airport to our digs at the Y cost us 1.50 - never felt threatened or uneasy at any time riding the subway

- museums and galleries visited this trip :  Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim, Museum of Modern Art and the International Centre of Photography - talking about the cultural venues would be a whole other e-mail

- the variety of skyscrapers - particularly the older ones built back in the earlier part of the century (like the Empire State Building) are quite wonderful in their varied architecture - there are very few new ones that have any where near the character - in fact the older ones are probably much better built - riding up the elevator in the Empire State Building one of the guides remarked that if the jets that brought down the WTC had hit the E S building, it probably would not have come down because of the way that it was built

- it was quite refreshing to go into Macy's  department store and be reminded of the days when Eatons (long gone from Hamilton) was  the place to go to shop and the downtown was the place to be - the aisles were crowded with people and the women's cosmetic section seemed to go on forever

- the fabulously located Westside YMCA had quite a varied group of visitors staying there - most of them were older, retired people - it serves as an Elderhostel, however  there were also a number of younger kids - saw some from France and the Netherlands - also people from England, Germany and many people from other parts of the States  - a virtual United Nations of travelers - of course the Y is totally non-segregated now with singles, couples making up the guests just like any other hostel or hotel

Well, that's it.  As you can guess, this visit has only whetted my appetite for more and I think I'll be making a return visit to the "city that never sleeps" now that I have "started spreading the news" because without a doubt -  "I ..., love New York".

 Larry                                                                                                                                   Return