|
Susan Weinrebe
October 26, 2005 Day 1, Thursday, October 26, 2005
Here I Am!
Settling In
Out, About, and Eating
Politics Is A Cabaret, My Friend
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day One
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Two
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Three
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Four
East side, west side, nearly all around the town, or at least most of mid-town Manhattan and the Village describe the ground I covered on a whirlwind of activity in four days and three nights in New York.
After an uneventful flight from O’Hare to LaGuardia, I quickly found my luggage, called the scheduled car from Carmel Car & Limousine Service, and grabbed a handful of brochures touting current attractions in the city. Almost before I could stow these away and reach the median where I was asked to wait for pick up, a sleek, black Lincoln Town Car promptly pulled over.
Abdullah, the driver, was exceptionally pleasant and agreed to take any route I suggested. During the brief ride, comfortably ensconced in the back, I got a dazzling view of the skyline as we crossed the imposing 59th Street Bridge. Before I knew it, the ever-recognizable script of the Holiday Inn came into view, as we pulled up right at the door.
I briefly noted a person I took to be security, casually standing near the entrance of the busy hotel, and this made me feel well-watched over, as I entered the spacious and seasonally decorated lobby and adjoining lounge.
Check in was quickly accomplished by the professionally efficient staff that seemed delighted to discover I was the personage receiving a gorgeous bouquet of flowers delivered earlier. They all wanted to be in the picture I took with the arrangement and were thrilled that an admirer had sent this warm welcome to the city.
Confession: I adore hotel and motel rooms. I love everything about them: the empty drawers waiting to be filled, neatly ordered hangers in the closet, scads of towels, a bed I don’t have to make, workspace on the desk and table, a bathroom all to myself. The list goes on and on. My newly refurbished and smoke-free room at the Holiday Inn was all this and more.
After I organized my flowers next to a comfortable lounge chair and hassock, I took stock of the room. It was well lighted with appealing lamps in the sitting area, bedside, and at a charming desk and I almost regretted not bringing my laptop to do some work! But that soon passed!
Given the king-sized bed (which later proved to be just right for a not-so-great back), the space felt expansive and polished enough to entertain in if I wished. I lost only a little time unpacking before I was ready to go out and about.
But first, my editor, Roberta, came upstairs to make sure the room met expectations and immediately exclaimed over the view, appealing décor, and of course, the flowers, which complimented the color scheme. She immediately placed a call to Yossi at Matles Florist, to thank him for the attention he’d given her order. So much for my secret admirer!
Then, we whisked downstairs for a tour of New York Underground Fitness, and to meet Eric Slayton, the owner and guru of the club. Naturally, Eric is the perfect advertisement for the benefits of Underground Fitness. I listened carefully as we chatted about which equipment in the extensive collections of pristinely maintained machines, weights, and aides such as giant inflatables, would be best to use on different parts of my body. I doubted I’d see a big difference in only three days, but I promised to try a few of his suggestions the next morning. Bright and early!
Meanwhile, I noticed several people working closely with personal trainers while others followed their own routines or racked up miles and stories on treadmills or steppers. I felt inspired…and thirsty. Despite the “healthy beverage" machine just beyond the door, I definitely wanted something more substantial.
So, it was off to Jake’s Saloon, just down the street! The moment Roberta and I stepped in the door, I felt transported to Ireland! Or at least, what I imagine a cozy Irish pub would be like, if I ever get to visit one. Until then, Jake’s seemed like the next best thing, with dark wood, a huge bar, and a little nook of a corner where we could watch the gathering crowd while we ate. Tempted by many of the selections on the large menu, the salmon seemed especially enticing – after all, Ireland is a sea-bounded country. So fish it was!
Our server, with her Irish lilt, recommended an authentic beer, and before too long, I was thoroughly enjoying my ample entrée, drink and the ambiance. I may even have begun speaking with a brogue myself!
Time slipped away and Roberta and I parted to change for the next event of the day – a satiric revue at a cabaret “not too far away." Actually, nothing is too far away in Manhattan, the walkingest city of all. But I also learned that comfortable footwear is beyond its price in a raja’s rubies. Before I left, excellent walker though I am, my spine had been compressed by several valuable inches with all the concrete pounding I’d done.
When Roberta met me in the lobby, the concierge was on duty and it was my pleasure to meet Carl. As I made my entrances and exits the next few days, he lent a personal touch of familiarity, making the Holiday Inn seem more apartment than hotel.
Off we went, still enjoying good though cooling weather for late October. After a few blocks, we did a double take at a little hat store and impulsively dropped in. Kangol, an old and well-known brand, had plenty of those funky driving hats you see British guys wearing as they motor through the countryside in their little roadsters, but there was more besides. I was immediately drawn to a little gray cloche with the embroidered kangaroo logo on the front. I popped it on, took a picture with the owner, and felt roasty toasty on the rest of our walk to the theater.
Up a flight of stairs and down a corridor in The Triad, brought us to the very intimate cabaret style theater where we met another friend at a “ring side" table. The little stage was just large enough for the piano and three performers who scathingly sliced and diced America’s current political administration in the revue, Bush Is Bad, that gave my laugh muscles a workout. NOTE: Core body strength workout can be achieved by laughing really hard. Tell Eric.
By the end of the show and meeting one of the performers and Josh Rosenblum, the wit behind the words, I was exhausted. And hungry.
Roberta and I stopped at one of the multitudinous all-night stores to hunt and gather a few provisions: some imported cheese, crackers, fruit, along with a lovely bottle of wine, and we were set for an after midnight snack back at my room. Munching our little al fresco feast and discussing our plans for the next day, I realized what a dash this trip was going to be. Too many people to meet, places to go, and not enough time for everything.
Sleep was nearly immediate, dreamless and perfect in my most excellent double-sheeted bed.
Abdullah From Carmel Car Service
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Arriving At The Holiday Inn
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Desk Staff And Flowers
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
My Room At The Holiday Inn
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Irish Beer For Susan
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Dinner At Jake's
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Trying On Hats At Kangol
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day One
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Two
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Three
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Four
|
