Have I ever mentioned that flying is not my favorite thing to do? I will do it, but it's just not my favorite. Let me put it this way: I would much rather drive myself if it took the same amount of time to fly (but it doesn't). So, I endured two flights trying to sleep with my chair in the upright position. That's not very comfortable, but I did wind up sleeping to pass the time. My favorite part of the first flight happened when the guy sitting next to me (and I didn't realize that he stole my seat until my second flight) got up and just messed around in the overhead compartment. I watched very closely as the flight attendants watched his every move. That was the highlight of my aviation experience today. Oh, but I do have to give an incredibly close second place to the approach into LaGuardia. Good thing I didn't have anything in my stomach because it really made me want to heave! Still, I got to see a stunning skyline of Manhattan as we approached. When I got into LaGuardia, I remember thinking, "This airport reminds me of Houston Hobby." Why do you ask? Because it's that old and small (and a little grungy).
Okay, before you think, "Is she going to complain this entire post," I will just tell you: yes. My head hurts because I haven't had any caffeine today because the only thing I don't like MORE than flying is using plane and bus potties. Gross. Anyway, I get to the airport, and I didn't realize that I had to call for a ride. I mean, I already arranged and paid for it two days ago. So, after waiting for the bags to come out for 30ish minutes (for real - it took forever), I had to wait another 30 minutes + for my ride. Yes, and then came the nauseatingly fun part.
I get in the van (shared ride - it's cheap, but you get crammed in - we had a full load of VERY quiet people), and the driver takes off. Now, I have heard that NY drivers are ruthless, but he completely topped them all. Everyone honked, but he laid on his horn like it was Gabriel's trumpet calling everyone home to be with the Lord! And it was every time we got behind someone! I know that you think I am exaggerating, but I'm not. He kept trying to run over people, too. The crosswalk clearly was telling pedestrians to walk, but he kept going. Actually, the funny part of that is that no one really seemed to mind it. They just walked on. Evidently, no one pays attention to the crosswalk signs here. If there is no traffic coming, they just go.
So, he is driving us everywhere because we're all over Manhattan. We started at Grand Central for the smacker that sat behind me. I call him this because he smacked for a good 15 minutes after he finished his food. For anyone that knows me, you know I can't stand that. So, we are driving through Manhattan - I've seen it all now. I could actually go home. I think we drove through Times Square three times. I have even been down Broadway. Oh, AND 5th Ave.
I was the last person to get off of the van because I was the one furthest south. The girl that was dropped off right before me was really nice, though. Once everyone else was gone, she and I started talking - you know, the usual chit chat. "Where are you from? What do you do? Are you visiting someone? Are you here by yourself?" Those last two questions elicited the response, "WOW!" She is actually from here - well, she works here and lives outside of the city. She gave me her card and told me to call her if I had any questions. Pleasant part of my day, and I had to include it in my story.
To top off the massive headache from no caffeine, fatigue set in because I hadn't eaten anything since Chicago (around 8:30am). I have finally eaten, thanks to McDonald's (which for some reason did not taste as good as the ones in OK, but don't tell them I said that). So, right before I left OKC, I realized that I did not pack my phone charger cord. Ooooops. Being the last person in the van, my phone rings, and my dad and I begin to discuss overnight shipment verses going to the Apple store here in NY. He called right before the driver pulled up to the hotel, so I had to hang up with him. I checked into the hotel, and was a bit bothered by the entryway. It was so small, but the attendant was very nice, and checked me in quickly. He said, "It's the last room available with a sink in it." To which I replied, "I really appreciate that." What would you do without a sink? The bathrooms are shared, and there is no sink in there. Anyway, I opened the door to my room, and I was pleasantly surprised! It's small, which I expected. I had seen pictures online. This is actually pretty. They did a good job with the decor. The ceiling is my favorite part. I'll post pics for you to see somehow. It's a 12 ft ceiling, with dark wood finish. I'm not one to EVER not wear shoes in a hotel room, but the carpet is in really good shape. The walls are a cream marble wallpaper with an accent wall of the same marble and flowers. There is a TV in this room, but the remote isn't working.
So, I decide to become adventurous. I told my dad to wait on overnighting the cord so I could try to get to the Apple Store. Um, did I mention that I had not had any food? Now, I'm exhausted and hungry, trying to find my way in a city that I don't know. I gave up. Time for me to brag. While I went in the wrong direction (because I didn't know any better), I remembered how to get back to the hotel (no GPS) with no problem. Why is that amazing? Have you seen the streets here?! I grabbed McD's on the way back, and now my tummy is happy, and I now know which way is north.
Now it is 5:45 EST, and I am sitting in the hotel writing this blog because my aunt asked me if I was having fun yet. I couldn't lay all this out on Facebook, so I decided to start a blog. Tomorrow, I will post something a little more positive, I promise. Today, I'm just tired despite having slept on the plane. I think I will go back out and get some more caffeine. My head is still hurting....or Advil or both.... I'm okay with that. I will read my Bible and then go to bed. Don't judge me.
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