Wearing my plannin’ cap
June 16, 2009
As previously alluded to, my future state of employment remains uncertain, the couple few things in the hopper remain hopping.
In the meantime, I’ve blocked off two chunks of time in July for travel: New York City and San Diego!
New York, for a week: This is a completely spontaneous trip spawned of determination (details later) and a need to have plans. It’s completely unbudgeted but I’m using a free flight voucher and crashing with friends to keep costs down to food and more food. Maybe even drinks!
I’ve got potential flights picked out and some consideration was given to staying in a hotel for a couple of nights because my friends with whom I’m bunking for most of the stay are way down south, far away from city action. Thus far, this has not panned out as my Hilton Honors points are nigh on useless in New York, a Category 5 and 6 hotel town, for more than a single night’s stay. I’ve been collecting those dratted points since 2001 and still haven’t accumulated enough for a respectable stay in the Big Apple. No go on the Marriot and Starwood fronts, either, I haven’t concentrated on accumulating points from them.
Oh well, I might try to grab a cheapie hotel deal for somewhere in the neighborhood of $80/night, or I might just suck it up and not spend on a hotel at all.
Shockingly (or not), I don’t plan to do any shopping. Just a lot of sightseeing, eating, and walking around getting to know New York. I should have some freelance work on the boil by then, and if so, I’ll take my lappy to Central Park for a nice day of work or two.
Couple hundred dollars should do it, right? Depends, if I can meet up with a longtime friend on the East Coast, I might need to take a train ride and spend a little more. It’ll be worth it, though.
San Diego: Comic Con, of course! And this year, I’m giving myself a whole day off before and after the 4.5 day pilgrimage. Ahhh, such luxury!
California, misc: At some point, I need to spend some more time with my dragon-nephew before he gets too big for me to tote around.
When are you going to NYC? Maybe you’ll be there during restaurant week…that would be a great way to eat all the yummy food for less!
Sounds like a lot of fun – I’m jealous. Hope you have lots of fun!!
There are a couple of solutions to the new york hotel price issue, which I have used:
1. Stay in Jersey City
2. Habitat Hotel and the like:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d99301-Reviews-Habitat_Hotel_New_York-New_York_City_New_York.html
But $80 is pretty much impossible unless the place is really horrible.
L.A.Daze: I’m going the first week of July, sadly I’ll be missing restaurant week by a few days. Booo!
’twas a good idea, though.
Matt: It’ll be the first real vacation I’ve taken in years, I’m really looking forward to it.
mOOm: I’ve spent way too much time online trying to find deals with no luck. So unless I pick up a travel buddy, staying with friends will have to do.
I’ve had the itch to go to NYC lately but it’s impossibly pricey. Great that you have friends there that you can stay with. I hope you enjoy the trip, I’m jealous!