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Published: July 26th 2013
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Not my first entry on New York...and maybe not my last one. I've been here more than 20 times...this is even already the third visit for Leslie.
When I asked Tiffany over a year ago where she wanted to spend her birthday, the answer came straight on...it was New York. It made me laugh. Are all women the same? Are all women in love with New York? Well, after bringing few girls here...it was time to bring my one and only girl, my little daughter...for her 11th year old birthday!
But here is the challenge...Tiffany doesn't do that well 30km of walking in a single day so far...and when I do New York...I walk...I walk...a lot!
Our first challenge was to deal with the fact that we had over 200kg of bags with us. In a normal situation, I would take the subway to Manhattan...cheap and efficient...but you don't do over 6 bags with two kids in the subway...you don't even do a shuttle...and they simply do not fit in a taxi. Only option would have been a limo...a proper stretched one...but that's a serious budget I was not ready to spend.
We drove to Montreal in a nice SUV...so why not stay outside of Manhattan for few days. We spent 3 nights at the Sheraton Meadowlands. Don't worry, before booking it, I had never heard of that place!
The hotel is in New Jersey. They have a hourly complementary shuttle to the train station of Secaucus. 10 minutes ride to the train station, than it's a 8usd return for three of us to Penn Station, and 8 minutes later we are in the middle of Manhattan. I'll tell you the price later...but I thought first...wait a minute, it may look too good for what it is.
We got our upgrade...to a nice 100++ m2 suite....with a beautiful view of Manhattan from most of the windows. To this, you throug in free car park...a free...aka simple...breakfast in the lounge in the morning...and free soft drinks and few snacks each evening...Don't forget, we are next to Manhattan...all this for a...yes...114usd a night. It's not a joke, it would have cost more to stay in a youth hostel in a dorm in Harlem...I guess!
The lodging was great, I even sorted out
few sushi nights...we were on for two days of marathon in Manhattan. So now, how do you entertain a little girl...with limited walking capacities (I have to admit, I put the level pretty high). Well, trust me, over the last two years she has improved a lot...really a lot...but we still can do better.
First day program....2 hours touring the Metropolitan, riding through Harlem, visiting the Cloisters...going through ground zero, Wall Street...and even seeing the Statue of Liberty...from not that far away! Add to this shopping for a nice watch as a birthday present...and you have a close to perfect day! For the Metropolitan, we kept it to the European paintings of the 19th and 20th, the Egyptians, the Grec Empire, the Romans, South East Asia...and the best for the kids, the armors and weapons!
Second day, the birthday day...I knew the legs would hurt. We started by the Intrepid Museum...a wonderful museum for young teenagers...history...and some serious machinery...they learned...they enjoyed! Next, it was shopping time after visiting Grand Central! We did Barnes & Noble, Best Buys, Build a Bear, some golf shops, Toys'R'Us...and one or two candy shops...a day of walking...and some shopping!
To finish it properly, I brought Tiffany to the Empire State Building...than we crashed in the train...to get back in a good bed for a good night!
It was already time to leave New York. I thought driving from New jersey to JFK could take me just over an hour...it took us close to 2 hours. Got charged 120usd for extra bags...just to find out 24 hours later that I shouldn't have been charged...as Tiffany had just been upgraded on her AA Advantage status....that money is on the way back...end result for a round-the-world with over 200kg of bags...110usd, we could have done worst. Yes, I know, you think...wait a minute...didn't they say they are back to Asia...we are...on a slower pace...
We are now on the Old Continent...for a while...
I do also believe we have found our next great au pair...but you know me today...better be cautious than be sure! Let's be patient to find out if we are right or not!
More entries coming soon! Very soon....and way more smiles...more sunny times...and more culture and food...the shopping is done till Christmas time. Point to note....the
best way not to do shopping is to know that your bags are full...and that you simply do not have options! My credit card loves this!
More fun to come soon....very soon...but for now, one last time, Happy Birthday Tiffany!
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GRACIELA
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I AGREE WITH TIFFANY
YES, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEND MY BIRTHDAY IN NEW YORK. I LOVE THE BIRTHDAY CAKE, I LOVE CUPCAKES. YES YES YES!!!!! TIFFANY IS A GREAT LITTLE WOMAN AND SHE MADE A GREAT CHOICE. HUGS FROM ARGENTINA. GRACIELA