Austins in the Big Apple5/10- It's Complete!! About This Page:

[statelady01]

Pre Trip and Background:

During the 10 years I have been a married woman, I have always wanted to do something “big” for my hubby’s birthday- frankly speaking, they seem to fall victim to “tradition” and we have never really gone all out for him. On top of this, his birthday at times occurs on Mother’s Day. This year would be one of those days and after Christmas, I began toying with the idea of a weekend getaway to make it really special.

We had always talked about visiting New York City and the more we heard, the more we just daydreamed about it. I went back and forth thinking about cost and our work schedules. Hmm, had to work that out. Just to see what would happen, I put NYC on Travelocity FareWatcher. In the meantime, I told Kevan to ask for April 21 and 22 off and we would maybe just take off to the Ozark mountains for a birthday getaway. It would be a bit early for his birthday but as it was Mother’s Day- there was no getting away that weekend- I had to be with my kids!

I was getting used to the mountain weekend idea when all of a sudden there was a match on AA.Com. The cost of a ticket had dipped from $468 to $221. That’s actually a fantastic price for anywhere out of here. Luckily, we had no food in the fridge so when Kevan went to the store later that night- I got on the phone to ask his mom her thoughts- and she thought it was a great idea- for him to have a “big city” birthday. Minutes later, tickets were purchased and I had also called a few hotels to see what I was looking at in terms of rates in various areas of Manhattan. All this before he came back with a trunk full of groceries.

I ended up choosing the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station- located about 10 blocks from Times Square. It had very modern amenities and seemed like the perfect hotel for us. On top of that I got a super deal so that was a go.

Being the HUGE Seinfeld fans we are, we had heard about the Kramer Reality Tour- led by the real Kramer- Larry David’s neighbor for whom the character was based on. I found his website and checked it out- it had gotten several mentions in the guidebooks and lots of great reviews. Since Seinfeld was going to be on our minds during the visit anyway, why not let Kramer show us around? I booked using the 800 number and we were set for a tour on Saturday, April 23.

Also immediately emailed Angie (poohsgirl) to let her know we would be in town- and see if she wanted to meet me a few weeks earlier than planned on our May Girls Trip. She was definitely up for it and I was looking forward to it. I also called up my good bud Jeannine to let her know we would be in town. I’ve missed her terribly since she hasn’t been working with me at Grand Getaways- but we remain really good friends. She and her husband Tommy offered to pick us up at LaGuardia and take us back- we gratefully accepted. We also made plans for breakfast on Sunday before we flew home.

I decided to keep it a secret and successfully did so for all of about three weeks. We were watching a TV show that featured the Manhattan skyline one night. Kevan said, “ Jeez, that looks so cool.” Before I knew it, the words flew out of my mouth. “Really, glad you think so- we are going there to celebrate your birthday!” Why did I blow it? Argh!! His response was “Oh, sure okay.” After three repeated statements of “ We are going. It’s all arranged!” I finally had to get out our etickets, the Kramer confirmations and hotel confirmation to back up my words. He was totally shocked and immediately went to Books A Million for a NYC city guide. One very excited birthday boy!!

It turned out to be a blessing that I spilled the beans. I got sooo busy in the next couple of weeks I had no time to even think about the Big Apple much less plan what to do and when. Kevan found out there was a Yankees game during our visit so we got tickets to that. Kevan also is a big CNN junkie so he booked us on the CNN tour located at the New York studios. We also tried for David Letterman tickets- but they weren’t taping that week. We love David Letterman so that was a rather big let down., but other than that the plans shaped up really nicely.

Before I knew it, April 20 was upon us and even though Kevan had been packed for days, I was running around that afternoon in a mad scramble to wrap stuff up with work and start laundry.

Coming Up Next: An unexpected loss…

[MickeyMAC]

I'm so glad you started a trip report....I want to know all about it. Great start....more,more,more please!!!!!!

[rescuesk]

Good start but we want more!!!

[Jennifer2003]

Great start Maureen!

Looking forward to more!

Jennifer

[DopeyGirl]

Great start!!! More please!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Maureen

[GoofyMom]

Alrighty! What's next, Maureen?!!

[lauren-roxy]

Can't wait to read more Maureen!! I love NYC!!!

[statelady01]

I had hoped to make this a double installment but only have time for one- I'll add the other later tonight- so check back!


Just a stone’s throw down from WOD, we came across the Trump Towers. Pretty impressive buildings in and of themselves. The Donald of course, was nowhere to be seen.



Next up was the infamous Tiffany and Company.



It’s a very unassuming and simply elegant building- so much so it took a double glance for me to realize we were there. We went inside and I was amazed to discover it had several floors and lots of other things besides jewelry.

We browsed a few cases and the jewelry was really exquisite. I had hoped to find a key ring or something very small wrapped so nicely in the blue box with white ribbon for Kevan’s mom. Those gift items were on the second floor so we headed for the elevators.

Standing next to us was a woman who was clearly irritated with crowds of tourists and made every effort to let us know and then promptly butt herself in front of everyone in the dash for the elevator. The attendant began his reading of the list of departments on each floor and she was muttering something under her breath. She of course, was the first out. I actually snickered- I found it all quite amusing but some of my co-riders didn’t.

We found the small gift display cases and I explained I was looking for a small gift for someone at home- the saleswoman showed us the most popular item – a small- and I do mean small circular key chain with oval tag. It was priced at $70- and there was just no way I could justify spending so much money on something so small and plain. I wasn’t sure Beverly would even like it that much anyway. We thanked the saleswoman for her time and wandered the rest of the floor.

There was a stationary section and I wanted to browse there. Box of birth announcements was $70, plain note cards $45. Tiffany’s also does printing and engraving of wedding announcements, note cards and stationary. At the stationer’s desk who should be there but the rude lady, curtly telling the saleswoman- she had to reorder ALL her business cards as she had her cell phone number changed. See ya lady! Luckily, this was the ONLY person in New York City who was rather rude- every other New Yorker we met was incredibly kind and polite.

After Tiffany’s we came across Gucci, Prada and then Versace. Cool stores but we didn’t go in- it was just fun to window shop. Madonna even appeared in the Versace windows:



Coming Up: To tour or not to tour that is the question..

[BabieeMelly]

I love Tiffany's! I have a few bracelets from there and a really cute ring. Most stuff is REALLY overpriced and not worth it, though...but one of my favorite movies of all time is Breakfast at Tiffany's so it's still fun to check out the store I can't wait to hear more!

[lauren-roxy]

Grat update Maureen!! I have always found most New Yorkers to be really nice and helpful too! Can't wait to read more, it's bringing back such nice memories of my times there before I had kids!!

[chezp]

Oh my goodness - I'm not surprised you didn't buy anything in Tiffany and Co. Those prices were just crazy!

[MickeyMAC]

Great trip report Maureen. Your bringing back lots of memories of when Bruce and I lived on the east coast....I need to go back to NYC.