Back in the Ozarks Again!

 

by Pa Rock

Traveling Fool

I arrived back at my little home in the Missouri Ozarks at 10:30 this morning following a four-hour (199-mile) trip from the burbs of St. Louis.  Sunday morning, so traffic was light the entire way.

For those who might be planning a trip to New York City and haven't been before, or haven't been in several years, here are some current prices to help with budgeting:

• A cab ride from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan will run you about $100, tip included, each way - and it will take about an hour.  Traffic congestion in horrid.
• An economy room for two in a decent hotel will be in the neighborhood of $500 a night.
• Careful shoppers can get tickets to Broadway shows for $75 to $150 per ticket, and I heard of some going for as much as $800.  It depends on which play you select, the date of the performance, and the quality of seat you desire.
• Pedi-cabs, those pulled by a human, are generally priced at nine dollars per minute if you hail one on the street to use as a taxi.
• A sandwich and fries at any place with tables and chairs will run between twenty and thirty dollars.   (There are a couple of McDonalds, a Wendy's, a very large Krispy Kreme, and a Dunkin' Doughnuts in the vicinity of Times Square with more reasonably priced food options.  Of course, if you want to eat at a McDonalds, you can vacation in Joplin - or West Plains!)
• Pancakes at Friedman's Restaurant in the Edison Hotel are ten dollars each, and if you want two thimbles of syrup instead of just one, you will have to request the second one, firmly.
• Tips are expected for every service - take plenty of five-dollar bills.

There are people sleeping on the streets of New York.  Most are derelicts, but one wonders if some might be tourists who didn't realize how expensive a few days in New York City would be!

On the plus side, Carla and I felt completely safe walking the streets of New York, day and night, the entire time we were there.  Everyone should experience the Big Apple at least once in their lives if they can.