Saturday, January 27, 2007

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept




Like most right thinking Britons, my eyes turn westwards when the mighty greenback starts to look a little anaemic. The exchange rate with the £ is extremely favourable at the moment; a trip across the pond thus a more than usually attractive prospect.

At the moment I can get a direct return flight from Glasgow to New York, travel insurance, and 7 nights staying here for the derisory sum of £737. To put this in perspective, it would cost much the same to fly to London and stay in some disgusting dive for a week. Added to this would be the extortionate London prices for food and drink, the prospect of being knifed by a crack head, and dreary grey skies. There’s no contest really.

The hotel may be top of the budget range, but it should at least be a cockroach free zone. Anyway, nobody goes to New York to sit in a hotel room.

I could stock up on electronic goodies and clothing for a third less than in the UK, thus defraying some of the expense. Of course, in truth, I’d really be going for the breakfasts and the freshly baked bagels with a generous ‘schmeer’ of cream cheese and some smoked salmon.

I’m swithering*. The credit card nestles in my sweaty palm as I write this. Should I stay or should I go now?


* Scottish term for not being able to make your mind up.

14 comments:

Spinsterella said...

Go!

Alex M said...

Absolutely, man. Make the most of it. We were over at Xmas, and came back with, amongst other things two suitcases full of clothes, and a new laptop (approx £400 cheaper than it would have been to buy here.)

garfer said...

I assume that you removed all labels Mr M.

How's Becca getting on?

Peevish McSnark said...

Come on over! I have to be in NYC one day next month - maybe if we timed it right, we could actually meet!

Although, I feel obliged to point out that London does not have the monopoly on extortionately-priced food and crackhead-knifing possibilities. You can enjoy these experiences in NYC, too.

S.I.D. said...

Don't you have a laptop to pay off first?

I would go..hey you could be there for St Paddys Day!

The Mistress said...

"The hotel may be top of the budget range, but it should at least be a cockroach free zone"

*laffs*

It's your first time in New York, isn't it?

garfer said...

Nope.

I'm trying to convince myself that the higher the floor the less roaches.

Fat chance.

pissoff said...

Go Garf... then stop by Vancouver for some real west coast sockeye....

FirstNations said...

go west, young man!
actually from you its nw. kinda.
but go!
actually, i blog with a lady involved with the arts there. go here:
http://danator.blogspot.com/
and tell her FirstNations sentcha. she can maybe hook you up with some cool things to do and see that only a native NY'er would know!

M said...

Come to Houston, Man! It's half the price for most of the same amenities AND We can take you to Katz Deli and you can get the same bagel & lox with schmear! We could share some fried pickles and perhaps put you up here (a la mon maison). We have a futon waiting for you...

Kyahgirl said...

I can't believe you're swithering (great word!)

Its a no brainer Mr. Teacake. You MUST go!

lee said...

"If I go there will be trouble...if I stay it will be double"

Sniffy said...

GO!

NYC is going to be my big holiday destination I think. You can go and forewarn the yankiedoodles for us.

Faltanus said...

to hell with new york - it's one of the most expensive cities in the united states. give pittsburgh a try, or cleveland or indianapolis, or any one of dozens of fabulous "midwestern" cities at a fraction of the cost. sure you miss out on the "big apple" atmosphere, but you get real "homespun" america in return....
never mind. go to new york.