There I was in a cab in New York City...

New York City was always a place to avoid in my opinion. The accents, the attitude, all that Yankee thinking (see previous notes on having red neck roots)who needs it? Well I finally got a chance to visit the big apple, and it was awesome. It was everything you see on TV, minus the foul dumspter odor on some streets of course. But beyond that, it's a really exciting place to just walk down the street. Lots of people, sounds, activity, hey it's all good! But I digress...there I was, in the cab coming from JFK headed to Manhatten. A nice big sticker on the plexiglass window between the driver and I said, minimum 45 bucks from the airport to Manhattan. Ouch!

These guys don't take credit cards either, so you're screwed if you don't have cash before getting in. It gets better, they make you pay the tolls on the way too! I dunno why that doesn't sit well with me, but it doesn't. I guess I figure, hey, you provide the car, gas, etc..and I pay for the ride, right? But the tolls too? What's next, an extra couple of bucks when the gas prices spike again?I know, I'm not a city person, I do enjoy the place but there is a lot there that I just view as off center, or without common sense. High cab ride prices aside, I will say this. New York City has something for everyone, and if you get the chance to visit, go! It is not the crime ridden and oppressed culture you see on TV shows. Sure that stuff is there, but as a tourist you barely notice anything like that. The only crime I saw was the price on frickin T-Shirts! You're kidding right? For this??? Don't get me started on that! I'll close with this lesson learned, I belived what I saw on TV regarding NY and other great cities I've visited in the world (Miami, Atlanta and Moscow, Ru). In all instances my experiences were nothing as I thought it would be. And I left feeling glad to have been there and incredibly stupid for waiting so long to go. There's a big world out there and we're meant to explore it and draw our own conclusions. Just make sure you bring enough cab fare to get to your hotel!! ;-)

Check out my walk through Time Square-