1. May 21st, 2006

    If you’re visiting New York …

    The most expensive espresso I ever had. A tiny place called Joe, the Art of Coffee, on Waverly just off 6th ave. It cost me cab fare to get there and back, but the amazing espresso was worth it. The name is pretentious, but the people who work there are refreshingly friendly.

    Considering that NY hotels are generally overpriced closet spaces, the Affinia Manhattan was a welcome exception. By NY metrics the studio room was large and came with its own little kitchen. The most friendly bellhops I ever met. You get a lot for the 3-star room price.

    New Yorkers have a sixth sense for the weather. If you’re walking down the street and notice all the cabs are taken, open your umbrella. It’s going to start pouring in 3 … 2 … 1.

    Compared to SF, NY seems to have the same density of iPods, BlackBerries and Wifi hotspots. And like SF, you can predict the quality of the coffee and age of the crowed by the abundance of Macs.

    At least in JFK, American Airlines only hires rude customer service agents. On day one they sent us to the wrong line, then back to a different (also wrong) line, then yelled at us for being in the wrong line, with one agent yelling at the other for not yelling at us soon enough. Since we missed the first flight, we had to come back the next day … to an ever worse customer experience. And let’s not even talk about the service on the plane.

    Not specific to NY, but I only watch TV when I travel, so I’m always curious to watch the latest commercials. This trip had only one jewel, the memorable VW Low Ego Emission. I want to see VW selling cars with these badges.

    1. May 21st, 2006

      Rogel

      I wish I knew you are in the city. For one you missed the great food festival on 9th ave.

    2. May 21st, 2006

      Assaf

      My bad for not announcing it, I thought about let’s meet, then realized my schedule would be too crazy to coordinate anything. Next time.

    3. May 22nd, 2006

      Sterling Camden

      Show of hands on poor American Airlines service. Mine’s up.

    4. May 22nd, 2006

      Rogel

      I’m going to hold you to it Assaf!:)

    5. May 22nd, 2006

      Assaf

      Now I have another reason to visit NY.

      I’m going to avoid AA next time, but I did hear good stuff about jetBlue, and the price difference isn’t that much.

      And speaking of Affinia — I really fell in love with their staff and how they treated us — they just followed up with an e-mail survey. Kodus for following up, and keeping it short.

    6. May 23rd, 2006

      verbal croquis » the boy’s pov

      [...] This is the boy's version of the trip.  I agree on all points, so take a read.  [...]

    7. May 23rd, 2006

      Elke Von Freudenberg

      New Yorkers have a sixth sense for the weather. If you’re walking down the street and notice all the cabs are taken, open your umbrella. It’s going to start pouring in 3 … 2 … 1.

      Laughed outloud on that one…. so true. I’m still trying to get the count right.. 3…2..1..oh darn, it’s raining…too late.

      Glad to have meet you while you were a short-term New Yorker! And yes, JetBlue rocks..

      stay safe in SF!

      Elke

    8. May 24th, 2006

      Assaf

      something tells me there will be more NY trips in the future.

    9. May 27th, 2006

      tnkgrl

      “And like SF, you can predict the quality of the coffee and age of the crowed by the abundance of Macs.”

      Hahahaha :)

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