I needed to attend a travel show in New York City plus a radio interview on visiting France. Never sure of January weather, I decided to take Amtrak - usually the last to stop running if it turns bad. Arriving at Union Station in Washington, DC at 6:00 am was fairly simple as we were ahead of the horrendous Virginia commuter traffic. Even the station was quiet. Somewhere after leaving the car and walking towards the gate I realized I lost my fur scarf. The stations cab dispatcher went out in the heavy rain and searched along the curb, sidewalk and street. Then he came inside and looked around the station until a guard said he had seen a fellow carrying a "fur".

Union Station Washington DC

This traveler found it on the floor and left it at the porters stand. They locked it in an office until I came along looking for it. I'm sure they had a few jokes and played around with it first! Then they got me on the train, picking a newer car "with the better seats" and it was a quiet uneventful ride. Using porters at train stations is the best; they always know the short cuts and put you on the train early. In Penn station they even turn the escalators to whatever direction we need. Sometimes they recommend taking another train because the one you were planning on is late.

Another advantage of train travel is changing your departure time. The show finished earlier than I had planned so I just trotted back to Penn Station and changed my ticket to the next train without cost or any hassle. The line was five minutes or less. Try that at an airport.

Historic Penn Station New York City

I love the fact that there are electrical outlets at every seat for plugging in a computer or to recharge your phone. The ride is relatively smooth and no physical or other harassment at the station. I'm really weary of the unemployable missing links fondling my body under the guise of security inspections at US airport checkpoints while the crowd ogles. Now apparently at least the breast grabbing is supposed to be over. I never saw a man get his crotch examined and I fly a lot. They're so busy looking for bombs a bio-terrorist could smuggle in anything.

Hotel Map

At Penn station in New York (like the rest of the city) everyone is always in a rush and brusque but helpful in pointing me to 32nd Street and in two blocks I was back staying at the La Quinta, one of the five Manhattan Apple Core hotels.

My room at LaQuinta Manhattan

This property is so wonderfully located, reasonably priced, clean large rooms, free breakfast, workout room, computer room, helpful staff and now both elevators are running. The doorman will assist you with anything.
www.applecorehotels.com/la-quinta-manhattan

New York cab drivers are a breed of their own and I committed a mortal sin by not knowing that the one way street I caught the cab on went the opposite direction of my destination, the Javitts Center. After listening to a tirade of complaints, I finally asked him if I should jump out and run over a block. At the same time thinking "If I'm willing to pay who cares if we had to drive around one block?" How can anyone especially a cab driver for twenty years in New York City complain about the traffic? Wouldn't you get a different job? He was actually quite nice once the lecture was over.

After the first days show at the Javitts Center, the checkroom woman told me how to take the bus back to Penn Station, so close to the hotel. She even gave me change so I would have the $2 in quarters. On my last trip to New York City it was raining and a UPS driver told me where to catch the bus as there were no available cabs. Then once I got on and realized I didn't have the correct change for the fare I asked the driver what should I do? He said ask the other passengers who can give you change. I was mortified with embarrassment to turn around and face this bus load of strangers asking for change. But now after a few rides, I realize people do it a lot.

So kindness abounds everywhere.

On either side of the LaQuinta Manhattan are a number of Korean restaurants, I had a wonderful lunch with lots of little dishes including a bowl of miso soup, barbeque chicken wing, broccoli in sesame oil, and a few more that were good but I didn't recognize. My main course was chicken and vegetables with rice plus tea all for less than $10. There are many excellent opportunities adjacent to the hotel to experience Korean food at all price ranges. Or walk a block to Broadway or any direction for that matter and eating options abound.

Korean Food

Then I squeezed in about thirty minutes of shopping. In a sock and pajama store that seemed like a mini warehouse, a little girl about 8 bought some items with her own money. Then as they were leaving, the owner said pick out a pair of gloves, honey. She gave the kid a pair of gloves, a customer that had probably spent $5. You'll also find a couple of great dollar and closeout stores on 32nd St. between the hotel and Penn Station. Helpful if you forget to pack something.

Perhaps I'm finally starting to look international as everyone asks me for directions no matter what city I'm in. Outside Penn station a group of tourists from Connecticut asked if I knew a place nearby they could buy some sandwiches to take on the train. I said everything you can imagine is in the station and off they went. Unfortunately I forgot to mention that the price is double too.

We're going to keep coming up with ideas to help you survive the low dollar against the euro and still keep traveling. All of Europe is well aware of the problem and countries like France, England (with the high pound), and every one in the EU is offering and going to be offering as many special deals as they can. At least when you come home with euros in bills or change, it's easy to save them for the next trip.

Euro

Meanwhile the Europeans will and are flocking here to shop and vacation.

Virgin Vacations always has great deals, Liberty Travel is another one. I do a lot of research on the internet before booking anything. As I've promoted before, package deals are usually money savers. The taxes and other surcharges are the killers so make sure any price you're quoted includes them. A Virgin Vacations package to Paris for a friend started at $399 for air and hotel six nights. Then the taxes, single supplement, extra $50 to fly from Washington and not New York added up to just under $850. He gets to fly on Air France non stop; the room is spartan but nice and conveniently located near Place du République. With neighborhood bistros, Indian or other ethnic food he can get by really reasonably. Rachael Ray maybe loses a little weight sticking to $40 a day in Europe today.
www.virgin-vacations.com

Eiffel Tower

Winter travel always adds an extra dimension of "chance" when storms roll in, ice and snow cause delays - sometimes not even at your departure or destination but somewhere in-between. I noticed a website the other night that had stories about the best and worst airports to try and sleep in. There aren't too many that have seats or benches without arm rests interfering with the opportunity to stretch out. In a big effort to discourage the homeless they effectively make it just as horrible for the stranded passenger.

So on the happy trail we're off to Amsterdam and Paris before visiting Charleston, SC the end of February for the big "warm-up" and an early taste of spring.

Lots of new features under destinations and other categories for you to enjoy.

Best regards,

Mary E. Gallagher

mary@gallagherstravels.com