I survived my big adventure!

I wish I could say that things were all smooth sailing after the plane ticket debacle but that isn't quite true. Our plane was delayed flying into Newark which is evidently a very common occurrence. So we missed our train to upstate where Mike's sister lived. We sat at Newark for over an hour tired and frustrated before we were finally able to find a hotel with a shuttle that wasn't booked up for Memorial Day weekend. The next day went much better. We made the early train and got there in time for the last 30 minutes of the Bat Mitzvah ceremony. We were then able to hang out for a few hours before the reception. It was quite an event let me tell you. I've never seen anything like it but we had a good time that evening with the open bar.

Abbie was incredibly composed and gave a lovely speech with personal reflections on all of her family members in attendance. I was thanked for the fluffy Hanukkah scarves I send. I am glad that we made it after all the travel drama since I know it meant a lot to Mike's sister for us to be there.

We had my niece Kate this weekend so I haven't had time to go through the rest of my vacation pictures. I had fun in New York but it was pretty exhausting. I really wish I could have a vacation to recover from my vacation for sure.

New York State of Mind.

Set of 5 mounted greeting cards - NYC street scenes
by Googla

I'm starting to plan our trip to New York in early June. It's our niece's Bat Mitzvah and they live in upstate. I've never been to the city before so I've convinced Mike to stay a few nights in Manhattan before we come home. I'm really confused by all the choices of places to stay in the city. I really want to stay in a neighborhood and not in a chain hotel with millions of tourists.

All that I really know about New York is from the movies of course. I really like the looks of this Guest House in Chelsea called Dupay's Landing. It says that it is "Located on a quiet, tree-lined, residential street in busy Manhattan, this is the historic New York experience that you have always wanted, but thought was an impossible dream." There are 3 rooms in a cute little brownstone and the room I'm looking at even overlooks the private garden. It's $160 which includes all the taxes per night. This is more than we generally spend but it sounds pretty reasonable for Manhattan.

There are other "b&b's" that are basically in someones apartment that are cheaper but Mike really doesn't like the idea of that. There are tons of them listed on Airbnb. It could be awkward to basically be invading someones apartment but if they are used to hosting guests I'm sure it would be fine. Mike isn't the most social traveler though.

I really need to get this thing booked before everything good gets booked up. If anyone has any suggestions about cool places to stay in New York or neighborhoods you would recommend looking into I would really appreciate it.

Romantic Getaway?

It looks like the big European vacation planned for this summer is off. My brother will most likely not be living in France much longer so the cost effectiveness of the trip has now evaporated. I feel terrible for my brother having to relocate once again and trying to find a job in this economy. I'm glad that we had not bought our tickets yet but it leaves me with a decision to be made.

This summer is our 5th wedding anniversary and I really want to go on a special vacation. Mike and I aren't travel people but we had a lovely honeymoon in New Orleans. We haven't gone on a real vacation since. We had a long weekend in Chicago and a family vacation with the in-laws to Pennsylvania, but I was highly looking forward to the big one this year.

I have the plan B choices down to 3 picks:

The one that we are leaning towards is spending a few nights in the bed and breakfast we stayed at in New Orleans, and re-visiting the city we love so much. I have been to New Orleans 4 times but not since Katrina. It would be romantic to go back to The Chimes and I love the food and people of the city so much. Then we would take a 5 night cruise with a few stops in Mexico. I went on a cruise when I was single and had a crazy good time.



Mike went to Northern California on his first honeymoon and has always wanted to go back with me. He said he was miserable the entire trip because he was realizing what a huge mistake he had just made, but he kept thinking how amazing the trip should have been. I have been to San Fransisco before to visit my oldest friend, Mel, but I haven't been to see her since she had her 2 children. It would be a great chance to catch up with her and we could stay at a resort along Big Sur, which Mike said was the most beautiful view he's ever seen.

The third choice would be New York, which I've never been to and Mike really doesn't want to go back too. We could visit his sister and family in upper New York and spend a few days in the city.

From what I hear now is a good time to be booking travel so I need to make up my mind quickly. Any input is appreciated since I am terribly indecisive. Mike has pretty much left it up to me but he prefers option 1.