NYC Myth Busters

I had A LOT of preconceived notions about New York City.

And because of them, I will admit I was a bit anxious, even felt a little uneasy leading up to our Anniversary trip to NYC. I don't know if my preconceived notions came about from watching too many movies, listening to too much "here say," or what. Maybe things have changed, but what I was scared of really wasn't there!

Preconceived notion #1: There are RATS "as big as dogs" crawling around the streets & sidewalks.

Actual: The ONLY rat I saw was this "pet" sitting on his owner's head & shoulders.

Preconceived Notion #2: I would be an absolute "Fashion Outcast" there in my "Utah duds" compared to all those stylish New Yorkers.

Actual: I realized I had nothing to worry about when I saw these folks...

Since this is a "G" (OK, maybe "PG") rated blog, I'll cut this photo off here, so you won't be able to see how far up before the clothes start, but the rest was as interesting as the shoes! :) {Oh, no! I think she caught me snapping this photo!}

Can't exclude the men!

Preconceived notion #3: The Subways are dangerous, scary, (think The Fugitive, Die Hard 3, Ghost, The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3) dirty, & full of people with B.O. (with their armpit right at your nose level.)

Actual: We experienced none of that. And I'm pleased to say that we only got on the wrong Subway twice! Note to self: just because you took a certain Subway getting to your destination, does NOT mean the same one will get you back! Also, Don't let "Downtown" confuse you. It is not the center of the city as I naturally will refer to it in these parts - but, in NYC, it's down, as in more south from where you currently are ~heading towards Lower Manhattan! Also a big help: HopStop.com

Preconceived Notion #4: You will get mugged/jumped/attacked - or even witness a murder.

Actual: Although, I did frequently keep one hand on my purse at all times, no one touched me...except I did get pushed by a stiletto donning woman as she walked by (and commanded, "Excuse Me.") since I was stopped on the sidewalk she wanted to walk by on - and avoid the alternative, the grates covering the Subway below which would surely have been a disaster with her shoes!

Preconceived Notion #5: The hotels that are in the price range below $300/night are "hole in the walls" - a regular dive.

Actual: We were so happy with our hotel. New, no noise, so comfortable, free wireless, complimentary bottled water ($5/bottle at other hotels), a candy jar at the front desk!...And the price was right!

{In our Lobby}

I've fallen in love with their signature "Sheraton Sweet Sleeper" beds. (They tell me you can order them online....)

It really did the trick - we slept until 11:00a.m. one morning, 9:45a.m. another!

Preconceived Notion #6: The weather isn't nice. Too humid, too cold, too muggy. Unpredictable summer storms.

Actual: Just look at these skies...

I ended up wearing my jacket around my waist every day "just in case" I needed it. Didn't!

Finally, on the 5th & last day, I left my jacket behind (since I'd never needed it yet!)

THAT DAY, we went to the top of The Empire State Building....

it was just a tad bit windy clear up there!

Yep, Murphy's Law applies to me again, THAT would be the ONE day, I didn't have a jacket! :)

Preconceived Notion #7: It's practically impossible to get tickets to Letterman.

Actual: WE DID! (They actually called me ahead of time, before we left, asked me a "trivia" question - What kind of store does Rupert have? Answer: Deli. Done - we're on the guest list.)

Our show will be airing tonight, Friday, Sept. 11th. We're in the audience on David's desk side , about 7 rows up! The main guest was Michael Douglas. I don't know if it was just because we were there, but "our show" seemed to be better than all the others I see on T.V. Tune in tonight to see for yourselves!

Preconceived Notion #8: Movie Stars are walking around all over the place.

Actual: Negative. Unless you consider him...

We also DID see all this hub bub happening on the street one day with a big film crew. I see no stars, do you?

We found out they were filming Sex and the City 2.

OK. OK - there WERE a few of my Preconceived Notions that were right on...

Taxis, Taxis, & more Taxis
{we never took one}

Pigeons, Pigeons, & more Pigeons
{a flock even made a landing on the field in the middle of the Yankees game}

Garbage, Garbage & more Garbage
{put out at night, and it miraculously disappears by morning}

People sleepin' around
{I only saw this kind, not the other kind!}
Fancy Cars
{A Rolls Royce}

What a wonderful surprise to have most of my preconceived notions proven wrong! :) Now maybe another time, another place, those things are happening....? We'll just consider ourselves LUCKY!

Now in closing, Imagine the New York, New York song by Frank Sinatra playing in the background!