Falconeer's New York expedition

[Falconeer]

And I'll have something to write about if I survive it.

Oh, looking for life experience?  Then by all means, use American mass transit as much as possible.  I also suggest, in NYC, getting on that one subway car which has no passengers.  In Buffalo, eat a handful of local wings and run outside wearing only your underwear.

As I said, I am not looking for "experiences". I am just ready to accept them. And stay assured I am not looking for 8 days of sightseeing and museums, or tattoing and lapdancing.
What can I say? Planes are boring. When you visit a new "zone" for the very first time, instant traveling spoils the fun.

[Oban]

 

Enjoy your trip!

[Engels]

I once travelled from north carolina all the way to north dakota by greyhound. Its not really the 'slice of life' experience that I think may be being romanticised there. Unless, of course, the company of unkempt odiferous people of questionable conversational appeal is the desired experience.

To be fair, I met two people in the 4 day ride that helped pass the time. They were not, by any means, conversationally agile, but they weren't drooling idiots either.

[Righ]

What can I say? Planes are boring. When you visit a new "zone" for the very first time, instant traveling spoils the fun.

I understand this - in fact I think that cycling is about as fast as you want to travel if you want to really connect with the place you are visiting. The problem I have with buses is that you don't gain enough from the time lost. I would rather get closer to the places I want to explore faster and spend more time exploring them. If you soak up half your time riding around on buses on mundane highways you'll get a better 'appreciation' for the experience of riding a bus than you will of what is passing by your window, and you'll lose time that could be spend walking or cycling around places that have more to offer, and connecting with the people who live there rather than merely irritable and tired bus travelers.

If you really want to travel at the speed of bus, rent a car. The bus route is going to be along some pretty mundane highways, especially for the NYC to Chesapeake portion of the trip which will go down I95 near Baltimore & DC rather than through the more scenic and interesting (and more direct) Delmarva Peninsula. Drive and you get to stop whenever you see something interesting. Even with frequent stops, you probably wont take a lot longer than the Greyhound on its highway routes bereft of attractions.

[Falconeer]

Righ, you nailed it.
My original plan was to rent a car, but I don't feel comfortable with the problems that may arise especially being alone on the trip. What if it breaks in the middle of nowhere? I know it's pretty unlikely but not unlikely enough. Still, I thought it would have been definitely too expensive. Is it? What rental service would you suggest me? More, are there highway fees or you can drive freely wherever you want as long as you have gas in your tank?

And what's the price of fuel right now? In Italy is 1,1 euros (1.4 dollars) per liter. You need 3.8 gallons to make a liter. And seems to me gasoline is roughly 1.4-1.5$ per gallon in the US. If that is even remotely correct:

1 liter in Italy = 1.4$
1 gallon in Italy = 0.3$

1 liter in US = 5.7$
1 gallon in US = 1.5$

I really hope I got something wrong as it really feels like I am powering a car with Moët & Chandon. 


EDIT: 

[IainC]

There are 3.8 litres to a gallon not the other way around. That's why US fuel seems crazy expensive to you.

[Falconeer]

 

That's nice. Very.

So:

1 liter in Italy = 1.4$
1 gallon in Italy = 5.3$

1 liter in US = 0.4$
1 gallon in US = 1.5$

This?

[Cheddar]

That's nice. Very.

So:

1 liter in Italy = 1.4$
1 gallon in Italy = 5.3$

1 liter in US = 0.4$
1 gallon in US = 1.5$

This?

Yes.

[JWIV]

Yep.  Driving from NYC to VA will take about 2 tanks of gas (~$40 USD) and another $30-$40 in tolls.   Amtrak will cost more, but it's nicely civilized and the beer selection included Yeungling last time I took it, so that worked out just fine.

[Oban]

Yes, rent a car.

If you are worried about breaking down in the middle of no where, get a prepaid phone from Verizon or ATT.  The areas you are driving through have good coverage.  

Get a car from a name brand agency, I prefer Hertz.  I find that the airport rentals, while more expensive, have a better selection of cars than the, cheaper, off airport location.

[Cheddar]

I doubt you will break down; even if you do, you will be smack dab in the middle of civilization.  I-95 is extremely well travelled and maintained. 

DO NOT SPEED IN VIRGINIA.  Not sure how it is on the north side of our fair state, but coming from North Carolina they line up and tag speeders left and right.  Emporia is infamous for doing this; other routes do the same (17, I-85, etc).  Taking Greyhound should NOT be an option for you - train, plane, or car would be in your best interest.   

[Signe]

Don't be afraid, Falconeer.  If you break down, call us and we'll talk you through it until Cheddar comes to pick you up! 

[Engels]

Its true about Virginia traffic cops. I've driven throughout the continental US, passing through nearly every southern state, most of the northern ones, and I got tickets in Virginia alone. I've lived in Washington state for 15 years and I have yet to get more tickets here than in the 8 hours I have spent driving through Virginia.

[SnakeCharmer]

What if it breaks in the middle of nowhere?

Pick up a cheap throwaway cel phone at the airport when you land that you can refill the minutes on as need be.  When you get the rental car, make sure they have road side assistance.  They'll give you a number to call if you have any problems.  Generally, though, it's no charge and part of the contract.

Also, and this is important:  MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT GET CHARGED ANY EXTRA FEES IF YOU CROSS STATE LINES.  There was something in the news a year or two ago about some poor fellow that drove his rental car across the state line and back.  The rental company then charged him something like 300 dollars because of this.

[Signe]

Of course, you could rent one of those cars with the something or other Star onboard.  If anything happens, a nice lady will calm you down while good looking young men will rescue you.  Could be worth the additional expense if you are lonely.

[JWIV]

Its true about Virginia traffic cops. I've driven throughout the continental US, passing through nearly every southern state, most of the northern ones, and I got tickets in Virginia alone. I've lived in Washington state for 15 years and I have yet to get more tickets here than in the 8 hours I have spent driving through Virginia.

Gotta generate the revenue.  They're seriously crazy about it though.   http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1818.asp

[Hawkbit]

Its true about Virginia traffic cops. I've driven throughout the continental US, passing through nearly every southern state, most of the northern ones, and I got tickets in Virginia alone. I've lived in Washington state for 15 years and I have yet to get more tickets here than in the 8 hours I have spent driving through Virginia.

Gotta generate the revenue.  They're seriously crazy about it though.   http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1818.asp

Wife's boss at work got a $1000 speeding ticket in Virginia about six months ago.  Crazy shit.  What costs more?  $1000 or driving 500 miles to defend it in court?  Twice, because you've got to appear for the arraignment and then at your trial date. 

[Righ]

Yep.  Driving from NYC to VA will take about 2 tanks of gas (~$40 USD) and another $30-$40 in tolls.  

Screw the tolls. You can avoid most of them if you choose not to take I95 which is dull, dull, dull anyhow. As I mentioned earlier, go across the Delmarva Peninsula. At the southern end of the peninsula, you'll have some minor tolls to cross the 15 miles of bridges (and two miles of tunnels) to get to Norfolk/Chesapeake. Its quite scenic.

Search online for deals for Hertz or Avis before booking a car, because there are always special codes. Even a travel agency in Rome will probably get a better deal on the major car rental places than you will using their web site without a code. Don't bother with their GPS-equipped vehicles for a week or more of rental, just buy your own US GPS. Our money isn't worth shit anyhow, so it'll cost you very little. A Garmin Nuvi 260 with complete US street maps is around $150 on Amazon at the moment. Thats about 110 Euro. When you head home, have one of your American friends sell it on eBay for you (because its cheaper to buy a Euro map version of the Nuvi than buy a new map set, stupidly). You'll probably end up spending no more than the equivalent a couple of days of renting a GPS. Or you could print out maps if you're a luddite. A pre-paid phone is a good idea - but if you have a cellphone already, you can "roam" on US GPS networks - its expensive to call that way, but if you only plan on using it in case of emergency its no hardship.

[Yegolev]

I approve of the car rental idea, it's not like a Greyhound never breaks down, just get a calling card and Signe's phone number.

Virginia sucks.

[Strazos]

I'm just wondering how you can maintain an entire LLP that deals ONLY with traffic court....

I mean, FFS, I've only been to traffic court once, and without a lawyer I got all my points and such dropped to a simple $100 ticket. Under what conditions would you even want to consider hiring a traffic lawyer?

And then, I never understood how they magically get the charges reduced.

[Yegolev]

It's not magic, just most people don't know you can do it by asking nicely.  You can definitely run a business off of the ignorance of others.  Also, it's possible that people in NJ don't know how to ask nicely.

[Surlyboi]

I was at Arlene's last Monday, sang Ace of Spades.

Righ had some great suggestions. I probably would too if I hadn't become so goddamned domesticated.

[rattran]

NJ Traffic courts at least used to be staffed by crusty old judges who would refuse to let defendants speak except to answer questions. I had to got to traffic court twice, both times was lucky enough to know a lawyer I could pay off with lunch, and got the tickets dismissed. And watch everyone else in court have to pay their tickets, plus the court fee.
There are some things I miss about NJ, the traffic laws/courts are not among them.

Though if you're driving from NYC to Chesapeake, the Cape May-Lewes ferry is a nice route. Dunno how much it costs, was about $25 each way with a car last time I took it, but it cuts having to drive through/around Philly, runs every couple hours, and lets you see the nice part of New Jersey. And you get to meet some weird people.

[Mandrel]

If you have to be in Buffalo, it's definitely worth the 15 minute drive up to Niagara Falls.  Not much else to do here except drink. (and go to a decent college for cheap)

[Hoax]

How to put this? If they were the same they are in Europe I wouldn't consider them. I am looking for something completely different which is still totally mundane. A plane wouldn't do.
No matter how bad it can be, it's just a week of my life. And I'll have something to write about if I survive it.


EDIT: I am not looking for bad. I am accepting it.

I want to point out that, you really should only use this attitude anywhere but the East Coast of the US.  In fact the farther west you take this attitude the happier you will be.

That said I just got back from my first visit to NYC proper a week ago, so I give you advice.

1.  Stay the fuck off Broadway, and far away from Times Square, in fact Grand Central is the only reason to be near there and while it is huge its so spread out that its hard to take in the size.  So unless you need to xfer buses there skip Grand Central also. 

2.  The subway is your friend, while in Manhattan (which is what everyone means by new york btw) whenever you start to get bored or what to move North > South just start looking for a subway as you wander.  Once down below follow signs and you will quickly get wherever you want to go.

3.  Do not show fear, doubt or confusion, don't ask for directions, don't stop anywhere without getting out of the main pedestrian flow.  Esp if you want to consult a map, you should get a map, order this or something like it.  It has little fold out maps and a bunch of info you wont read.  Mostly the maps are good.

4.  Don't drop into a bar for a double of Maker's, some brandy or even a beer.  Fuck NYC's drink prices.  FUCK THEM.

5.  Do check out the churches and all the buildings along and off 5th Ave and Central Park West.  The architecture is the best part.  But coming from the EU it might be really boring because its basically the one city with lots of buildings that are inspired by the EU...  Sucks for you.  If you do come across a statue of Archangel Michael with giraffes defeating lucifer can you take a pic for me since I lost the ones I took?

6.  The park is pretty lame when its cold, it smells like horse shit because of those stupid carriages in a bunch of places and it looks like shit.  Or it did when it was full of dirty snow and dirty frozen lakes and horse shit.  YMMV.

7.  Do visit Harlem (north of central park) and Greenwich Village/Soho/Noho/Chinatown (downtown, way south).  Also check out the Brooklyn Bridge, maybe even walk across it if your bored because the architecture does nothing for you and the rest is basically too many americans, stupid$$$ drinks and fucking lame shopping.

8.  The Statue of Liberty is harder to get around to seeing then you might think.

9.  There is nothing in Queens or Staten Island, the Bronx is where you should go if you really want to be silly and test the whole life experience thing (at least its not Philly/Detroit or Baltimore amirite?).  Brooklyn has some nice parts and if you cross the bridge you can wander a little I'm told.

10.  Might as well check out Ground Zero, so you can say you've seen it.

[Strazos]

Hey, the Olde City part of Philadelphia is fine.

But really, I'll never really understand what people come to the US to see.

[rattran]

Sure, but driving through Philly? Terrible.

I had to spend far too much time in Philly a few years ago, if it wasn't for Moriarty's close to where my dad was going through chemo I'd have killed someone.

[Signe]

I hate Philadelphia.  Every bit of it.  Even Ben Franklin's privy pit.

[Righ]

1. Don't listen to Hoax. He sounds like a frightened pussy from an Amish village.

[Teleku]

Hey, the Olde City part of Philadelphia is fine.

But really, I'll never really understand what people come to the US to see.

Eh?  The US is actually a pretty unique place, something I guess we don't really realize since we live here.  Just got back from Paris and once people heard I was from California/bay area, I got mobbed for information about it by everybody (met a lot of hot french chicks that way).  Everybody there wants to go to SF (and to be fair, its a really cool/unique city).  All along the east coast the cities are pretty damn cool (from my experience), and US cities in general very different from most the rest of the world, which is why foreigners are so interested.  Then that's not even counting the insane amount of natural beauty there is spread across the country (Grand Canyon, Arches National park, Grand Tetons, etc.).  Our national park system alone is worth traveling thousands of miles to see.

I try to travel around, and I try to split my trips between going abroad and going to new places in the US.  Their is still so much left for me to see in the US it makes me sad, though a bit proud as well.  As mentioned I just did 2 weeks in France, so I guess I need to plan for somewhere else cool in the US next, heh.


Also, yeah, Hoax, your descriptions seem a bit skiddish....

Your going to have to justify your drink price remark as well.  I know you live in SF, and I get really pissed at the ass raping prices every time I go into 'The City' to drink or eat (you can always find exceptions obviously, but by and large, jesus fuck).

[Signe]

There really are a ton of things to see and do in the US.  You could make a list that's pages and pages and pages.  I might dislike Philadelphia but I have to admit there are loads of things to do.  Philadelphia has some great museums and historical sites.  Oh, don't bother paying to see the Narnia exhibit at the Franklin Institute, though.  Evidently it's 99% Disney.  My sister was given a freebie and said she would have been pissed off if she had paid.   I'm not a Narnia fan but just in case someone here is - Don't Bother!  It's CRAP!  Her words, not mine.  PA has some interesting areas outside Philadelphia, too.  Go here.  It's WEIRD!  Speaking of weird - if anyone ever has to go to NJ and wants a look-around, pick up a copy of Weird N.J. magazine first.  NJ seems to have enough strangeness to have kept this magazine alive for years and years. 

[Strazos]

Sure, but driving through Philly? Terrible.

Pfft, who would drive around that dump? 

I try to take public transportation whenever I have to go over, though I've only ever used the PATCO Speedline...I still drive to get to hockey games.



And yeah, overlooked the whole parks etc thing. I guess I got spoiled somewhat as a kid, as I've been to more than half the states. Not exactly a huge achievement, but anyway....I guess I'm not the outdoorsy type - I'd rather screw around in an AC casino than go to a park or something. Not that I gamble much.... 

[Azazel]

Eh?  The US is actually a pretty unique place, something I guess we don't really realize since we live here. 

Without dissing the US in any way, this is applicable to pretty much everywhere in the world. I've only been to a couple of other major Australian cities for brief stays, and I've been here and there in my own state, but I've spent like 4 months (in 4 chunks) exploring New Zealand. I can pretty comfortably say that I've seen more of NZ then most New Zealanders.

By the same token, there are countless travellers and backpackers that have seen more of Australia than I ever will, even though I know my home city - my own little bit of it - very well... like I have little interest in seeing Sydney - just another Aussie city to me for the most part, but a city in almost any other country, well there's something interesting. 

[Righ]

Nobody knows much about Australia, because apart from half a dozen coastal cities, the rest of the place consists of a wasteland populated by tattooed mutants driving jerry-built Holdens in auto-duels, boxing kangaroos, crocodile hunters, stoned flying doctors and a fucking big lump of sandstone.

[Bungee]

The one thing I will give the people of the US is, that they are among the nicer and more helpful lot in the world. All you hear from friends going over there is that most of the guys they met, they were very friendly and never hesistated to help out on whatever occassion.
Which for some people is a bit surprising giving the arrogance that some associate with "american".

I blame it on the mindset that seems to go with you. It's a mix of "fuck it" and "jesus loves me" I always thought.

That said, I heard the same things from all the Americans I met or still have contact to, coming over to Austria - so I basically think Azazel is right in that foreign=awesome.