Monday, January 4, 2010
The Jane Hotel
I've got one hour left before I hop a taxi to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, so I going to post as much as I can-- last chance for free internet access. Onboard ship it's 75 cents a minute, and they say you can do laundry while things upload. It's been a fun weekend and The Jane is the perfect base to operate from-- a great location in the West Village; a friendly, helpful staff, wonderful decor and a restaurant--Cafe Gitane, off the lobby. I had breakfast there each morning. No free refill on the coffee though, Americanos etc only. The rooms are called cabins, and they are about three times bigger than my roomette on the train. They are fitted out to the max--drawers under the bed, luggage rack overhead, flat screen tv, brass hooks along the walls, wood panelling, a big mirror, safe, a marble shelf over the radiator so your socks are warm in the am, AND FRETTE LINENS! pretty cool! The bathrooms are down the hall, and they are spotless and stylish. If you want to pay more you can stay in the captain's quarters--much larger room facing the Hudson with ensuite bath--$250 per night. The hotel opened in 1907 as a seafarers hotel and housed survivors of the Titanic! All in all, really fun!
New York is a Small Town!
Being used to eating regularly now, I wasted no time going out to find dinner. The hotel is in the West Village, where restaurants abound. They all post a menu outside, which I love. I settled on a place called Chow Bar. The hostess sat me at a cozy corner of the bar, next to two lovely ladies. Everyone was super friendly and we started chatting. One was named Lisa and she worked in the 90's for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, where my sister Margaret used to work, and friends of mine still do. Furthermore, she's best friends with the director of "All My Children", which LA just stole--can you say tax incentives-- from NYC. Margaret just got hired to work on that show! I suggested that she look you up , Margaret. It was a completely fun evening!
Happy New Year!
About a half an hour before Chicago the conductor announced that the train to Washington was indeed holding for us. Yay! Red Caps were waiting on the platform and hustled us over to the Capitol Limited and we were off! It's quite a nice train, newly refurbished and a redesigned dining car. Had a steak dinner and saw in the new year with a few other passenger in the lounge car. Slept really well, the tracks to DC are smoother than those west of Chicago. Arrived right on time in DC and took about an hour walk over to the national mall Not time enough to check goings on at the White House. Darn! Took the 3pm Acela [max speed 135 mph] up to New York and was at The Jane Hotel by 6:15. The Jane is a real find. A great hotel for the money--$99 per night. Should be a fun weekend!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Amtrak to Chicago
I Woke up this morning in Omaha. It was bitter cold--four below zero. The day since has been endless snow covered fields and the occasional town or village. I imagine this is what Siberia looks like. Just no Russian women wearing babooshkas selling potatoes, cabbage and borsht to the passengers at station stops. Stopped now at Ottumwa--stepped off the train and its still frigid. The train though is nice and warm. We're running four hours late now and the big question on board is will train #30 the Capitol Limited wait for us in Chicago or not. the conductor says chances are 50-50. It's scheduled to depart 20 minutes before we arrive. I say its up to God and Amtrak!
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