To celebrate our first wedding anniversary, hubby and I planned a trip to New York City. Long weekend full of love, fun and time together. It was his third trip to the Big Apple, my first. I was looking forward to all the sights, sounds and taking in all that city life had to offer, even if it was just for three days.
Insert two blisters, countless headaches and a few outbursts later, and let's just say that yours truly will likely never venture back to NYC again. It was nice seeing the grand lady, but I think my vacation time will be put to better use in the future.
Not that it wasn't grand, beautiful, interesting and wonderful. It was all that and more, but taking this little country gal out of her rural roots and plopping her down in the middle of NYC probably isn't the wisest course of action.
Our hotel was seven blocks from Times Square. I could see Macy's and the Empire State Building from the front door of our hotel. A subway entrance was just feet from our door, and Broadway was a stone's throw away.
But do you know how long seven blocks is when your feet are screaming for mercy? Do you realize that you have to go through airport security to get in the ESB? Do you know how many horns honk on Broadway, or how many people are in Times Square? Ever priced anything inside Macy's flagship store?
I was happy to spend a weekend with my adorable hubby. Anytime with him is happy time. I was blessed to have finally seen the Big Apple. It's a grand place to visit, at least once in your lifetime. And I loved touring Chinatown -- it was the best shopping and best food we ate during our stay. The Statue of Liberty is a grand lady, who still looks beautiful after more than 100 years in the sun. And I was moved to tears just standing near Ground Zero, remembering the heartbreak felt by the nation, not just NYC, nine years ago.
Let's say I wouldn't trade the experience for the world, but it was an experience. And, right now, I am happy to be home, where horns are a cause for concern and blisters only come after a vigorous workout in brand-new shoes.
