Thursday 14th October.

I left the hotel at 8am on the shuttle and ran into a problem at the airport.  I was 3rd in line for checking in when there was a power cut - it only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to shut the computers and the luggage belt down.

After about 10 minutes 2 computers were back on line so now I'm 1st in line.  Another 5 minutes go by when the luggage guy called me over to at least get my bags weighed; I really hate this bit; I had to do some shuffling around of stuff, 1 was over weight but luckily the other was under weight so no charge.  Another 5 minutes go by as I wait for the computer to finish doing its thing, 1) Clean up complete - would you like to create more space? 2) New hardware found - installation wizard wanted action taking; sorry guys; not my job; and there didn't seem to be anyone else available to do it.  The luggage handler then went and grabbed a new ticketing officer, before she called 'NEXT' and got her to see to me.  I now understand why you have to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight for a domestic flight.  At least the flight left on time at 10.56am.

It was a short flight to Newark, New Jersey (still not sure why I'm not going direct into NY).  Caught the link train from Newark airport for 2 stops then on to the normal Amtrak train to Penn Station, New York.  Now for more fun, how to get out of Penn Station with 2 suitcases and only stairs or an escalator.  I did find a station official and asked her if there were any lifts/elevators out on to the street, nah, of course there isn't, can't make life easy now can we.  Wonder how people with wheelchairs cope?  All wasn't lost though, at least she helped me to the escalator, and I have now mastered the art of riding an escalator with 2 suitcases and not getting into any strife, felt a bit like a push-me-pull-you though.

I stepped out of Penn Station, NY, to mayhem.  There was a car facing against the traffic and one lane out from the kerb.  Taxis were struggling to get into line to pick up passengers and people were walking out into the road, horns blaring everywhere.  There are always plenty of guys around wanting to assist in getting taxis so I figured it was easier to let him do it rather than me struggle with 2 cases and the agitated taxi drivers.  The guy that helped me asked me if I had seen the shooting.....shooting??  what shooting?  On looking back at the station I could see police tape and a dozen cops standing around on the corner of the station, apparently some guy had been shot by the cops, and it was one of their unmarked cars that was blocking the road.  Smart.  Finally got into a taxi and a breaking news bulletin informed us that a guy in his 50s had tried to rob a bank near the station, was shot in the process, by the cops, but was in hospital in a stable condition.

Arrived at the hotel in time to meet my tour director, MJ, and another lady (Joyce) that had arrived a minute or two before me.  I opted for a shared option on this tour and my room mate is Emie (pronounced Amy).  I dropped my luggage off and walked back to Penn Station to pick up my train tickets for Baltimore and South Carolina.  Picked up a take-a-way wrap for dinner, it's now drizzling and the weather channel is forecasting a storm for tonight.

I had to sort out my cases so that one bag could be left on the coach during our New England tour, this was nicknamed the "4ever" bag.