Sunday's Child

New York on a $1000 a day

Alyson and I enjoyed every minute of our three-day New York vacation. From the moment our Cathay Pacific flight left the tarmac in Vancouver to the moment we returned, our time away was what life is all about -- building memories.

We shopped; we walked; we toured. Our days started with a complimentary breakfast menu that included waffles, sausages, yogurt, cereal, toast, bagels, tea biscuits, juice, coffee, tea and fruit. The Hampton Inn Suites in Chelsea is in mid-Manhattan. We couldn't have asked for a better location. We were in close proximity to the 23rd Street subway station and well within walking distance to all types of shops and amenities.

We were pleasantly surprised by the warm temperatures: 25 degrees Celcius on Friday and Saturday; and a bearable 20 degrees on Sunday. T-shirts, blue jeans and running shoes were the attire-of-choice for most activities. There is a complete casualness associated with travel these days. Gone are the days when you had to dress up for the theatre or restaurant. Now, anything goes. I'm glad. It makes packing a breeze.

A particular highlight for me occurred on Saturday morning: Alyson and I set out early and visited the Metropolitan Art Gallery followed by the Frick Museum followed by the MoMA. Of the three galleries, the Met and the MoMA were free to IBM employees and their guests. We enjoyed the work of Monet, Matisse, Picasso and Cezanne. Such talent.

And then there's the New York subway system -- it is amazing. You can travel from one end of Manhattan to the other, and all areas in-between, for $2 U.S. Vancouver could learn a few things from NYC. Affordable transit is an enticing incentive for people to leave their cars at home.