Haggis Takes Manhattan, Part 1

Well, back home safe in Texas now after spending the last four days partying my ass off in New York City, New York. I loved Manhattan and had one of the best times of my life on that island, thanks to my sister and Richard. I did a whole lot for four days so to save myself some time and space, I’ve decided to split the story into seperate parts.

Today we start with the arrival Friday afternoon/night. Just click the “Read More” button below!

The day started for me around 6am (blech!) as I prepared for the long plane trip to the Big Apple. Left Houston around 9am on Continental Airlines from Intercontinental Airport and arrived in NYC around 2pm in La Guardia Airport. The plane ride was uneventful. I had bought a couple magazines and brought my brand new MP3 player with me, so I was plenty entertained for the 3 1/2 hour flight.

My first cab ride was fun. The guy fucking booked it from the lower east side (near Jersey) to the Upper West Side near Central Park in about 20 minutes, and that includes the toll and a tunnel! He was pretty friendly and let me take his picture. The drivers are CRAZY in NYC, but have suprisingly few accidents. I’m just used to the slow meanderings of Texas drivers I suppose.

We stayed at The Hotel Olcott (West 72nd between Central Park West & Columbus Ave), which is two buildings down from where John Lennon lived and was shot in the late 70s, and across the street from where Lauren Bacall lives.

Next door to the hotel was Dallas BBQ, which was ironic as hell for me. I traveled 5000 miles and across the entire country to get away from Texas, and I end up next door to it. Heh.

Had a few drinks at Dallas and a couple of their gargantuan (or “Texas sized”) wings before setting off to really check out the city in all it’s splendor. We walked around the Uptown area and checked out a few Irish bars (I think one was called P.D. O’Malleys). Mostly bar-hopping until nightfall came.

Walked to Times Square at dark, and let me tell you, the TV and photos you see do it no justice until you are standing at the corner of 5th Avenue and 48th St looking at half a million people (or more) just as bright-eyed and excited as I was.

We walked around Times Square for a little while and eventually made our way over to our next drinking hole. We had a drink at “The View” which is a rotating restaurant in Times Square. By that time I was ready for my first New York City Hot Dog, and let me tell you, nothing compares to it. Steaming frank covered with mustard and relish after three or four drinks really does set you right. It’s no wonder there’s a vender about every two blocks. I only wish I had eaten about six more before I left.

We decided to walk back to the hotel in Central Park (about 30 blocks) just to get a good feel of the city and the energy, which by the way, I am hopelessly addicted to. Saw a few notable locations to grab some photos at, including the Ed Sullivan Theater where The Ed Sullivan Show as filmed in the 60s, and currently where The Late Show with Dave Letterman is filmed.

Also spotted Caroline’s Comedy Club, which is the starting point for several of the most famous comedians in the country including the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, George Carlin, and many many others. I would have liked to go in and watch a few comedians but we were so busy sightseeing and I’m sure on a Friday night the place was standing-room only, and I was about halfway to the point where standing wasn’t a possibility anymore.

After the brisk walk uptown we stopped at a restaurant called D’Nostio’s or something. Richard had been raving about it since we flew in, so I imagined it was just amazing food, since he’s not often wrong about food. Well he was very wrong this time, very very wrong. First off, the whole concept was wrong: Cuban Chinese Cuisine. Which of these words do not belong? Eh, can’t all be winners I guess. We stopped back in Dallas BBQ for a couple more drink before calling it a night.

My initial reaction to Manhattan? I love it. I’ve always been somewhat drawn to the idea of living there later in my life, and now after visiting the city for four days I’m thoroughly convinced I belong there. The energy, the people, the sights, the bars, and the restaurants, just to name a very, very, very short list are among many things that hooked me almost immediately.

First off, the rumors of the city being full of rude and scary people is very untrue. While I probably came across about a 1/10 of the 10 million people living there, I never encountered a “typical rude New Yorker.” In fact I found the exact opposite. I could start a converation with just about anyone and they would be more than willing to talk to me about anything. Quite different from the unusually uptight paranoid Texas crowd.

Well that wraps it up for the first entry and the first day in the city. Here’s a few more photos of Times Square to tide you over until tomorrows entry, Saturday, where I visit Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Greenwich Village.