Driving to and in New York City

For my first trip to NYC, and after much vacillation, I decided to avoid the public transportation system, and drive.  Really, I did try to map out the trip using the system--I even had a New Yorker help me out, but the idea made me too anxious.

The idea of driving in the city also made me anxious.  I had heard about New York drivers and their lack of driving skills and impatience.  And I had also heard something about tolls up North, but I had to scour the internet to see just how much it would cost me.  Online estimates put the toll prices roundtrip between $30-$40.  Damn! AND I had to pay for gas!  Still, to avoid wait times and a system with which I was completely unfamiliar (I've utilized public transportation maybe a handful of times), driving seemed like the lesser evil.  I borrowed a GPS and set about my way.  I picked up my homegirl along the way for a few reasons:  security, companionship, and that fact that she was a "city girl" herself--born and raised.

Where IS New York?

Sadly, I never even knew New York City was so close (to "the South").  All these years, I thought it was light years away for some reason.  Of course, having traveled my whole life, I have known where it is situated on the map, however, it seemed that it was the distance of, let's say, Boston or something.

But what I have come to find out is that, whomever gave me this idea, was referring to what they call Upstate New York--because "The City" is truly, right around the corner from DC, Maryland, and Virginia.  A train ride, or even a bus ride, is only a few hours long.

Everywhere, EXCEPT New York

I have traveled and lived all across the United States, but for some reason, I had never been to New York. I'm am a southern baby and the thought of a place like New York, used to send chills down my spine. It was like, the most dangerous place on earth.

I've met plenty of people from New York--and boy are they known to us southerners, because all New Yorkers ever talk about is,

I'm in New York

Well, actually, I've been in New York for a couple of weeks now. I've also been meaning to start this blog from day one, but things have been movin' and shakin' and this is my first chance to finally BREATHE. So, I'm going to attempt to tell my adventures in chronological order so readers can follow this ride with me.