NY Birthday Trip

I just got back today from going to Upstate New York and NYC. It was a birthday present from my parents. Last Friday my mom and I drove to Troy to see my Grandparents and Great-Aunt. We took my Great-Aunt (my Grandma had to volunteer at a hospital and my Grandpa was tired) to Red Robin for lunch. It was good - and something different since we don't have that restaurant in my state. Then we went back to her house and talked for several hours before checking in at our hotel. We stayed in East Greenbush (which I have never done) since it is close to the train station. The Holiday Inn we stayed at was under construction - would have been nice to know that before we made reservations. There was a minor issure with our TV that we got fixed and other than the soda machine eating most of my money it was an alright hotel. We went to Moe's Southwest Grill for dinner. It was good.

On Saturday (my birthday) we went to a McDonald's (because it was early - 6 am.) I ordered and the guy  - who looked like pure ghetto trash - messed it up. I told him very nicely and he started flipping out and yelled and screamed at me. I asked for the manager (who was standing there listening to the whole scene and yet did nothing to stop it.) I told him I wanted a refund and that he needed to learn how to be a manager and that the cashier needed to have better customer service training. As we left the cashier was still yelling and screaming (I did file an official complaint online with McDonald's since that was beyond unprofessional for both of them.) We then went to Panera Bread. I ordered an iced coffee only to find out that there wasn't any made. I was told it would be ready in 5 minutes - it took them 20 and by then I had chosen another drink. We then drove to the train station hoping that our day wasn't going to be ruined by what we had already experienced. We got our tickets, waited a little bit and then boarded. I hadn't been on a train for at least 3 years. We had no issues on the journey to Penn Station. I used my new I-Pad since the train had Wi-Fi.

We left Penn Station and started walking to Times Square. It was crowded - as NYC usually is - and most people parted when they saw us walking, but some were dumb and bumped into us. I remember going to NYC with my mom when I was in high school (she went for work and I went for the shows and fun.) I wanted to live there back then, but no longer want to deal with the hustle and bustle of the big city. I must be getting old. It was really sunny and warm so at least that was in our favor. We decided to eat at T.G.I Friday's in Times Square. The food was ok, but it took a long time to get it. After lunch, we took our time walking to the Gershwin Theater to see "Wicked." My mom had seen the show before - her and my dad went a few years ago as an anniversary present from my sister, brother and me. She said it was good so I couldn't wait to see it.

Inside the theater there was a nice guy who helped us. It was a little hard to hear him because it was noisy and he spoke softly, but we got to the waiting area with no problems. We had to wait a few minutes before we were allowed to our seats. We had perfect seats - Orchestra, 6 rows from the stage, directly in the middle. We were far enough from the stage that we didn't have to strain our necks looking up, but close enough to see everything. The show itself was really good. I had read the books (my sister had them) so knew the basics, but of course seeing it on stage was much better. The flying monkeys were a little creepy though  - especially when they are right over your head.

After the show a funny thing happened. We were leaving the theater and I hit the automatic door and it opened, hitting a woman standing with a group right in front of the door - that will teach them not to stand right by doors. I couldn't help but laugh so hard. I guess you had to be there and see the look on all their faces  - it was priceless.

We then started walking back towards Times Square. We found an Irish Pub/Restaurant and decided to have dinner there. It was a nice, little place. There was a Russian there who kept "cleaning" the table next to us and would listen into our conversation  - we mostly talked about going to the country of Georgia. It was a little funny because he didn't even try to hide his interest. At least I got to have bangers and mash.

After dinner we walked to Penn Station. It was a little difficult, but we managed. We got our tickets and the guy told us to wait in the special waiting area - which we did - but the employees there didn't seem to know what was going on (ie who would take us to our train or when.) At least our train wasn't cancelled or delayed like most others were. We got to our train and were the first there. A guy in a wheelchair came and started ordering me to do things for him. Even when I helped him he was nasty to us. I was glad that when we left the train in Rennselaer he was sound alseep (and that was the last stop.) I have no problem helping people - especially the disabled, but don't want to be treated badly while I do it. We then drove to a gas station -  since the hotel soda machine was broken when we left.

 It was a very long, tiring day, but all-in-all it was a really great birthday. I had a really fun time in the city with my mom. The weather was good, the food was good, the company was good and so my birthday turned out to be great.

We got up today and wanted to eat at IHOP (since we don't have one in our state), but found it didn't exist at the address the website said. We tried Cracker Barrel, but it was crowded so we drove to Troy and to McDonald's - a different one than the one we had problems at. We then drove home (stopping for lunch at Taco Bell.) We will get the dogs tomorrow afternoon from the kennel and pick up the mail we had held.