new york at xmas

Posted by: scottyhammer on 31 December 2007

Hi All,
You may or may not know that we as a family spent a week over xmas in NY.
Well id like to tell you all about my findings.
We will dispose of the worst things first - and to be fair they were very few!
We couldnt believe how dirty it was,rubbish in the streets especially plasic bin liners along pavements. we have been to florida twice which was spotless.
The terrible smell from pavement hot dog/burger stalls.
The roads are in a state with pot holes everywhere which doesnt make for a smooth ride in a taxi with a mad new york cabbie.
Now the good bits, We all loved the fact that NY is ALWAYS OPEN 24/7. theres always something going on and something to do.
the people were very friendly and mostly helpful and polite.
highlights for me were the helicopter ride over manhattan and the empire state building with grand central station close behind.
All in all we had a fabulous time and loved every minute - too much to go into right now but only to say that if you are thinking of visiting especially for xmas or new year than go for it !! regards, scotty
Posted on: 31 December 2007 by NaimDropper
NYC is an amazing and very gritty place all at once. I love it but always feel I need a good shower afterwards.
David
Posted on: 01 January 2008 by Mick P
Scotty

How did you find immigration control. We have visited the USA 3 times and on every occassion the I C officers acted like total thugs and we have vowed never to go there again until they change their ways. I respect the need for security but they don't have to yell and bawl at you like they did at us.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 01 January 2008 by scottyhammer
hi mick,

cant say we found them any different to other airport officials around the world but it wouldnt hurt to smile a little !
regards, scotty
Posted on: 01 January 2008 by Derek Wright
I hope you did not return with an uninvited guest or two

NYC features
Posted on: 01 January 2008 by scottyhammer
not that i know of derek but ill keep vigilant.
the missus and daughter did bring an extra suitcase full of clothes back though !! Eek
and me ? i bought a watch.
scotty
Posted on: 01 January 2008 by markah
On the subject of immigration control, we recently flew into Los Angeles and found the officers to be very polite and efficient - even cracking the odd smile and joking with passengers. I have come across worse in other countries.

Mark
Posted on: 01 January 2008 by scottyhammer
i must say that most of the native new yorkers were up for a laugh, whereas i have found some americans to have a total lack of humour but then that could be down to the accent !
loved the place though. scotty
Posted on: 03 January 2008 by P
I've yet to meet anyone from New York that didn't have a really cool attitude and a great sense of humour.

I've never actually been there but the people I've met from New York on Holiday (ranging from slacker dudes to "normal types" and some "very" rich people who basically took over Sandy Lane in Barbados the last time we were there) were all an absolute hoot to chat to.

I've never had a problem with immigration control going to the states either but could well understand why some (foul mouthed jumped up obnoxious nobhead types) might.

New York is on the list for this year.

P
Posted on: 03 January 2008 by tonym
Forgotten you were going Scotty but nice to learn you had such a great time! Big Grin

SWMBO's always nagging at me to go & I really must make the effort now. Pretty cold at this time of the year though? Thought we might go in spring.
Posted on: 03 January 2008 by scottyhammer
tony,
if you can then go mate - you wont be disappointed im sure !
funnily enough it was slightly warmer in NY than london this year.... 2-3 degrees in NY against -1 in london. but perhaps thats against the norm as just before we arrived it was very cold with some snow.
according to the weather forecast a cold snap was returning as we left on the 29th.
regards, scotty