New York City - First Impressions

We took the AMTRAK railway from Philadelphia to NYC. Emerging from Penn Station to ground level is like jumping into a river that is a raging torrent of people. We lined up (of course) for a taxi, jumped in and after 5.3 miles through the guts of NYC arrived at our hotel. It's probably the best $15 I've ever spent! (plus tip). The cabbie spoke to someone in what I presume was Arabic the whole way and had a deft touch on the horn, only honking when all else failed!

Our room wasn't ready but we left our bags and explored the 'hood' which actually seems quite nice. Came back 2 hrs later and checked in. It was quite a lot like checking into a hotel room in Paris - small room, wooden floor boards and water heater - that isn't activated until  ambient temp of 50F prevails. However, the flat screen TV and 'fridge are good. This is the same hotel that Mrs Tarsnake's work colleague Lynne-Marie stayed at back in Feb. Gavin, we sussed Nicks hamburger joint for breakfast as you recommended.

We bought a weekly ticket for the subway each and headed downtown to Broadway. Mrs Tarsnakes is much more relaxed with subterranean travel than I. we surfaced at 50th St and explored for a good while until it started getting quite chilly.

Halloween or protest  -  we couldn't tell. Silly me, of course it's a Zombie Walk!

Great costumes.

Lots of passion!

Near Times Square

This is NOT a city of churches.

Times Square

Spotted this van - some expats perhaps?

Mrs Tarsnakes in imes Square

More Philadelphia

We shifted hotels to the Marriot in Downtown Philadelphia. Only $20 per night more expensive than the delipadated Comfort Inn and about 500% better.

We went to the Philadelphia Art gallery, rated No 3 in the whole USA. It also has the steps featured in the 'Rocky' movies and now has a Rocky statue to the side of the east entrance. It started to rain while we were in the gallery, only the second time in the 3 weeks that we've been in the US.

 

They have some big name works here -you've probably heard of the guys who painted these pics. Van Gough, Cezanne and Monet are the ones featured. Photography without flash was permitted and security was tight in each gallery.

 Getting strong now!

We chatted at the Rocky statue with a bunch of young people from Slovenia who were having a ball travelling. We took some pics of them as a group and they took these shots of us.

 Outlook from top of steps.

I looked online and saw that the first practice for the Phillip Isl MotoGP was delayed and then held in terrible weather.

Friday night around 6.30pm the fire alarm in the Marriot went off. The PA announcement said to stay where you are and await further info. On the 8th floor we thought the stairs were possible for us. We looked out in the corridor and a young lass approached us in a distressed state. Just as we were about to head down the stairs (against the advice) the 'all clear' was given. Glad we weren't on the 21st floor as originally planned. We had checked in very early and took the 8th floor room rather await our high floor request.

Good luck and safe riding Geoff in NZ on your 24 hr 'Grand Challenge' endurance run - I look forward to hearing all about it.

There is a link to Geoff's blog on my sidebar. or click here.

Philadelphia PA

We got into Philadelphia via Greyhound bus late yesterday afternoon (ie Tuesday - remember date stamp on blog is Aust time - a day ahead). I cannot believe that it cost only $25 for both of us booked online. How can it be this cheap? Well the bus stations were disgusting in terms of cleanliness and staff attitude - our first negative experience in the US really. I guess it's just capitalism at it's finest - you get what you pay for. Anyway it's Amtrac from Philly to New York on Saturday, less distance than yesterday (90 miles) but $135. The hire car we had rented in California and used in Nevada, Arizona & Utah was great value, 12 days, over 2,500 miles, insured to the hilt (it is the litigious USA after all) and all for a total of just on  USD $800. Our dollar is currently at 98 cents against the greenback which helps as well.

Philadelphia is steeped in history, but does not have the grand scale marble and granite buildings of Washington DC. It's a more gritty sort of place, however, interesting in it's own right.


It's the birthplace of American Independence, the Liberty Bell and the Philly Cheese Steak! Incidentally, I had the best Filet Mignon ever last night at an "old town" restaurant, and quite ironically, we sat near to a lovely elderly couple from Paris, France and had a great conversation with them - only to meet them again at breakfast in the same hotel as us.

The Liberty Bell

 Statue of Admiral Barry - who began the US Navy

 Backstreets of "Old City"

Lots of food vendors on the streets.

 View from our hotel room

Philly is also the home of Revzilla, a leading online retailer of motorcycle apparel. Mrs Tarsnake's Alpinestars leather jacket came from them & posted to Oz  for less than wholesale price in Aust. They have a small showroom in a (sketchy) industrial part of Philadelphia a few miles from our hotel. Our turban wearing cabbie didn't actually want to take us there and afterwards the Revzilla staff rang a taxi for us (they won't come otherwise)  we had to wait an age for it to arrive! Anyway, I've spent my tax return now!

 We chatted with a friendly young guy who was buying a jacket & was really proud of his Hayabusa. His long dreadlocks we unspoiled because there is no need to wear a helmet in Pennsylvania!

 Inside RevZilla

And one more pic, this was challenging for Mrs Tarsnakes to photograph at night without upsetting the 120kg African American guy who was eating pizza in front of his business premises.

More images of Washington DC

Some random pics from around DC.

Avenue in DC

The place of Lincoln's assassination - Ford's Theatre

Smithsonian Portrait Galley - I loved the paintings of the Presidents and the Norman Rockwell exhibition.

FBI

An old house in historic Georgetown - a real tourist trap area!

We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe - best burger ever.

The Capitol

Read the license plates "We the people of the United States .........." You figure out the rest.

Painters doing the outside windows at the Smithsonian portrait gallery - that's as arty as I get!

Smithsonian Castle - the original Smithsonian building

 Mrs Tarsnakes with Michelle & Barak.

Capitol again, but towards dusk

 

I had to travel this far just to get a sun burnt nose! 

Mrs T loves these little fellas - the locals think of them as members of the rat family.