Back Home Again! Yippee!!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Hello!

I just wanted to report that we are safely back home after a very long day, and it is SO good to be here!

As our flight didn't leave until 4:30 pm out of Newark, we basically had at least part of the day before we needed to leave.  However, we have had such a busy schedule, that we decided to be really lazy (yes, again!) and other than going out to Morton Williams for a nice breakfast, we didn't do too much at all!  In fact, I even took a morning nap, which was wonderful!

We left the Park Lane a few minutes before noon, with the thought that we would get a cab at the front door of the hotel...However...when we walked out the door, it was obvious that the traffic in front of the hotel on Central Park South was COMPLETELY stopped!  What is it this time, we asked?  U.N. General Assembly.  Oh...what do people in this city DO about getting around?  We were advised to head toward 6th street and see if it would be easier, and eventually did find a cab to take us to Penn Station to catch the train to Newark.  Funny cabbie -- talked about all the "fun" of driving a cab between road construction, new building construction, and -- did I mention that President Obama was still in town?

We got to Penn Station about 12:15 pm and got tickets for the 12:37 pm train.  Very easy to find and on we went.  The seating was a bit unusual, in that there wasn't too much room for luggage ... a difficulty for us! but we managed to get settled comfortably.  I do have to say that the ride from Manhattan to Newark Airport is truly depressing in the extreme!  Ugly, ugly area with not much to redeem it!

As we walked off the train to the airport, we discovered that one of our suitcases had a "flat tire!"  The tire has actually come apart, making it very difficult to roll.  Fortunately, we just needed to get it to baggage drop.  So...walked up to drop off bags and we were informed that we now had to get our own baggage tags from the machines along the route!  What will it be next?  Pump the fuel into the plane, or flying it?

Left the luggage, and with TSA Pre-Check we were quickly through security and into the terminal.  As we still had a few hours to kill, we decided to have lunch.  Found a nice restaurant -- but oh, my!  At each place there is an ipad with the menu information -- you pick what you want, you add it to your "check" and then give it a credit card!  So, no more wait staff?  However, at least at this point, the wait staff is still there and available teaching people how to order!  What a hoot!  Robert got a cheeseburger with fries, and I had their Cuban quesidilla, with pork and ham; it was excellent, and I enjoyed it very much!

Then to gate 83 ... and to wait.  The plane coming in was on time, and we were loaded on board without too many problems.  But even so, when you're really looking forward to getting home...landed about 7 pm and it was already dark in Phoenix!  R went for the luggage, and I picked up the car.  Nice ride home -- we were even able to turn off the a/c and roll the windows down!!  Arrived home about 10:20 pm.  All in all, a lovely trip, but as I say, we are SO happy to be home!!

So, thanks for following along and hope to see you on a further adventure!
Lots of love,
m
xxx