The train from Boston to NYC took roughly 3.5 hours with the Acela Express Business Class train. There is a regional train as well, which I believe takes an hour longer. The price difference between the two trains though is also almost double but arriving in NYC faster was a priority for me than the costs.
To sum up the ride: Uneventful. There were two businessmen sitting in front of me, an American man gifted with age, and a middle-aged Japanese man. I was not up for a chat with these two men, so bad of me, I purposely ignored them. I had the feeling that they disliked my snooty behaviour, ooops sorry. All I really want was to be left alone, if that is not so much to ask for. One thing I like about travelling in Europe is people mind their own business. In America, people are too friendly, they want to talk. That is OK but for this train ride I just do not want to be bothered.
I dosed off a bit and when I finally woke up we have arrived in NYC. The tall crisply lighted buildings appeared in the train’s window panel greeting me as we entered the north of Manhattan. Welcome to NYC!
Got off the train and looked around searching for a lift. I saw none. There were no escalators as well? Unfortunately, the NYC Subway and train stations do not have these every traveller’s saving grace—lifts, escalators and rolling ramps from the train platforms to the lobby. Reminds me of London Underground…
Outside New York Penn Station was a bit chilly and I was getting impatient to find my hotel. Quickly too out my map to see which corner I am standing on Madison Square, figured it out and I was on my way to the hotel. I am good with directions, that I know from years of field sales experience doing client calls which involves finding addresses that doesn’t exist.
The bell boy was a short Chinese guy that grabbed my luggage as if it’s the end of the world and he must have it. I almost jumped in surprise when he latched the luggage from my hands. The woman behind the reception desk was Asian as well, and judging by her accent, I knew she is a Filipina.
The Filipina reception manager was a very nice woman. After taking my credit card and passport details, and doing the necessary computer and paperwork, she smiled politely and asked, in a low huffed tone, ‘By the way ma’am, are you a Filipina?’ I said, yes. Her eyes lit up, “Oh! Do you still speak the language?†I said, yes, but not really Tagalog explaining to her I am Cebuana and my Tagalog is horrible when spoken. She smiled and said, ‘It’s alright (she’s Tagalog), we come from a country with many languages.’ Then she upgraded me to a queen room. Wow, SALAMAT (thank you)!
Anywho, I didn’t waste time; I quickly went outside to see the spectacular and frenzy moving lights of Times Square.
That evening I witnessed very interesting things and people in and around Times Square. There were Jews in traditional garb picketing in front of the Marriott Hotel. Two black men looking like goons dressed in robes were preaching the word of god aggressively on the streets: Beware! The end of the world is coming and everyone is going to hell! Wow, lol. By the traffic light, a woman suddenly said something out of the blue, her face sideways and her eyes rolled up fixed to the skies I had to look up and see what’s up there as well. What is she looking at? But wait, is she talking to me? Are you talking to me? Hello? I also saw a drag queen dressed in black bathing suit and skin-tone leggings, jogging to and fro Times Square. He was too fast for my camera.
And you know what I can only say? With all these strange crazy people around me, I can see that I have truly arrived in NYC!
In the heart of Times Square, lots of blinking colourful lights.
Jews picketing in front of the Marriott Hotel in Times Square.
While these funny dressed guys are preaching… yep, preaching the word of (the christian) god.
Billboard behind me asks, ‘Does beauty have an age limit?’ You answer.
Pretzels, hotdogs and qeueuing up for the Rent Show below my hotel room.
More gigantic pretzels and NYC’s fast rats, the yellow cabs.
Broadway shows in Times Square.
The Times Square subway station has an escalator, hallelujah!
Nice contrast, an elegant horse-drawn carriage and kitschy art.
Travel Period: February 2007