October in Gotham, Our Mini-Manhattan Vacation Part One

Forget about the "friendly skies" because airplane travel has lost any vestige of charm since 911.  Airtime from San Francisco to New Jersey was only about five hours but travel time (six a.m. pacific time to just after nine p.m. eastern time) was twelve hours from bedroom to hotel room. 

We checked in on a touch screen at SFO and then traded our dignity for "safety" as we were herded through the Nightmare of Disneyland roped off maze of the security check.  I wore my "Uggs" and so stripped to bare feet and following my bins of boots, scarf, plastic bags, purse, and travel bag, I passed the radar test and hustled to retrieve my belongings before they changed their mind to search my body.  Hurry up and wait is the airport mantra of late.

We were delegated to "group four", a questionable way of orderly boarding, and were the last to board the plane.  We were also in the next to the last seats in the back of the plane.  It's good if you need to use the toilet but bad for being constantly jostled by the throngs of those who do.  I am spoiled for having had the infrequent but plush pleasure of traveling business class in the past.  Economy seats seem ridiculously small and crowded.

Our plane arrived in New Jersey a half hour ahead of schedule and was fated to circle for over an hour before we could land.  Once on the ground we waited thirty minutes for our shuttle bus.  Friday evening rush hour traffic dictated a two hour ride to our Midtown Holiday Inn.  A taxi would've taken less time as we were almost the last to be dropped off by the shuttle.

It didn't take us long to freshen up and hit the street for something to eat and we knew exactly where we were going.  It was balmy on the streets of New York and our bodies and spirits were revived after a great meal at the Carnegie Deli on Seventh Avenue at 55th Street.  We split a corned beef and pastrami on rye and ordered sides of cole slaw, fries, and pickles.  Yum.

I fancied a horse and buggy ride

back to our hotel

we walked instead 'til my

tired feet almost bled

I put my head on the pillow 

then to the world I was dead