Big update

So, lots has happened over the last week.

My company sent me on a business trip to New Jersey. Flew Air Canada out of Pearson to Newark. Outbound, we were delayed, cancelled, booked onto another flight, delayed again before departure, and delayed again in the air before landing. I left home at 2:30 PM and checked into the hotel at 11:30 pm. Two of my less fortunate colleagues with checked baggage didn't make it.

Lesson learned: don't check baggage in if you don't have to.

In New Jersey, a lot of the service people seem devoid of personality - from the hotel concierge to the limo driver, they all wear this fake smile and have this glassy-eyed expression. It's like their souls have been sucked out of them and they're a carbon copy of the next guy.

Anyway, I came back to Toronto on the 28th and stayed a few days in Toronto before leaving for Newark again on the 31st - this time with KT, and onwards to Manhattan.

We flew out on Porter Airlines, and though our flight was cancelled, they loaded us onto an earlier flight that was delayed to our departure time. It's an overly complicated way of combining two flights into one. I found out later from some other colleagues that their flights to Newark via Air Canada were cancelled completely and they had to wait until Saturday afternoon to fly. Some other colleagues also made it to Newark that night on Continental flights. So, while AC customers got the shaft, Porter and Continental made it through. From what I've heard, AC was the only carrier that didn't make it into Newark that night.

Lesson learned: Don't fly Air Canada to Newark - not only is Porter cheaper, it actually does the job.

Anyway, we had 2 days of fair weather and 1 day of rain. Did the typical tourist stuff - Battery Park, Ground Zero, Wall St, Empire State Bldg, MOMA, Museum of Natural History, Central Park, 5th Ave., etc. Saw a broadway show - In the Heights. It was awesome - a lot of fun.

Shopping. Did a lot of shopping for myself. Got a new pair of cleats from Niketown. While we were there, Adrian Peterson showed up to check out his wall-sized photo of himself (I guess). Also checked out the Levi's store, which carries completely different clothing than the Canadian counterparts. Uniqlo - lots of really cheap graphic t's. Manolo Blahnik, just to say I've been there. Blue in Green, where I bought myself a big-ass belt. Build-a-bear, where I got some boxers and aviators for my bear. Sales were on in just about every store.

Eating. Checked out Katz's Deli, allegedly the best deli in New York. I don't see what's so special. The meat was okay, but it wasn't melt-in-your-mouth good that I would expect from 'the best deli in New York.' We also went to Anthos, a Greek restaurant which won some kind of award for 'best new restaurant in 2009.' We had a tasting menu paired with a wine tasting. This was unlike any Greek food I'd ever had. Think fine French dining with Greek/Mediteranean ingredients. The Greek wines that they paired with the menu were superb. I didn't think Greek wines were any good, but apparently, they export only their worst wines and keep the best for domestic consumption. Complete opposite of every other country - go figure.

Anyway, that's it for now. Pictures to come.

-d