Thursday, December 27, 2012

Day 03: Adrenaline on a Long Line

Got up and check out of the Broadway Hotel. YP had left us to meet up her China friends at Flushing for some “good breakfast”. I begged to differ, since I was craving for bagels with heaps of cream cheese instead. As soon as us three had our meal, we rode the subway to the 28th street and checked into Hilton Garden Inn. Vee made a mistake by purchasing this hotel; it was significantly overpriced ($200 per night), the toilet bowl decided to vomit out nasty waters upon our arrival, and one of the hotel staff was rude to us. I won’t prod into that. I know better as we were a group of students, but we bloody paid the same as your other patrons, that doesn’t mean you can go high and mighty on us by claiming that “ALL our rooms are FULLY booked,” when we asked if it was possible for a room change. So Hilton, I am NEVER staying at your New York hotels EVER. Happy?

My Indian buddies wanted to take away lunch at a Halal stand nearby. It was one of my most satisfying meals since my stay at New York, although lunch was just lamb and rice. Ordering “very spicy” made it really delicious I suppose, and the cook even let me taste the food before he packed it for me. Madison Square Garden, the big Macy’s and Empire State Building were some of the spots we covered. Unfortunately for my shopping addict buddies, shops were closed for Christmas. I, on the other hand, got a call from Cheryl, who was taunting me at not informing her about me being in New York. She wanted me to join the rest at Chinatown, but I cannot just abandon Vee and Swati. So I gave her my word, that I would go find them next time.

Twas getting darker, the skies were turning dark purple. I coax the two to visit Madame Tussaud’s while I salvaged freedom by walking towards Rockefeller Square. Saw the biggest Christmas tree (of my entire life) and the crowd size wasn’t losing to the tree at all. Got caught us with swimming through them alone until I got to the front of the Nintendo World. Closed. Went to Five Guys for the restroom, but the line was super long. I then returned to Times Square to retrieve the two; together, we go to Rockefeller again. Vee was complaining the whole time about being cold and in pain and about being cashless, and the list goes on. As much as I wanted to shush her up, I couldn’t. We weren’t close enough that I would recklessly do so. I had to pacify her by promising to make quick stops around souvenir shops.

Right, what about a robbery? Vee and I witnessed two black guys robbing an Indian man (who was also with his twelve year old son). We were taking shelter inside the Bank of American atm machine when those men entered along, demanding that the man withdraw $300 cash. I couldn’t make out much apart from the $300, but an old lady later came in to pester the black man to make haste. All I can remember after that was this store owner calling the cops on them. Lo and behold, six policemen came charging up the street towards the direction of the black men (who since left). All of this happening within a 15 minute span of time. Crazy, huh? I can’t believe I was breathing the same air as both victims and perpetrators. Brr…gotta shake these tremors off. Now where’s Swati? Good grief, she was just shopping for some hats at a side store.

Merry Christmas everyone. May you stay warm and safe!

Choco chip ice,
Vonnie S.

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