Going to Newark next weekend, got suggestions?

Y'all, for the first time ever in my life--and I'm 50--I'm going to New York. I've deliberately avoided it up until now because I'm a deep-down Texas country girl at heart and big, crowded cities with lots of people make me nervous.

But since I'm on the US Women's Kayak Polo Squad, I need to go compete in a competition up there (three words: indoor swimming pool. We will NOT be paddling outside), so I'm going Austin to Newark and back on Friday, the 23rd and returning on Monday.

(San Antonio airport is closer to where we live in the hill country, but they have no non-stops to Newark, the fares are more, and it's not as nice an airport as Austin.)

I think we will be playing in New Jersey and I think I'll stay at a nearby Ramada Inn. I won't have much time, but I will have a little bit on Saturday morning as the competition doesn't start until 2pm.

Any suggestions?

I already know I can't bring el pistolos for self-defense thanks to bliss-ninny-yankee-nanny-state laws up there. But I can take knives, right? Under a certain length?

(And I've got my shave travel stuff down pat--I'm just looking for local tips.)

Have a great time in New York!

Spend as little time as you can in Newark.

Uh, Ray? I'm competing there and staying there, so that's locked in. I have a few hours Saturday am and on Monday I don't have to fly out of Newark until about 2:30...but will be tired and beat up.

If your going to be in Newark the best advice is stay off the street once the sun sets and watch your belongings and a big burly bodyguard would be a good idea too.

Yes, stay within whatever "compound" they've got you in in Newark.

If you get to the city, check out the shaving stuff at both Pasteur's Pharmacy (around 62nd and Lexington Ave.) and Cambridge Chemists (around 65th and Lexington). They both carry a ton of great products you rarely see in a brick and mortar store.

Have fun! :D

Jordan

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Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

Y'all, for the first time ever in my life--and I'm 50--I'm going to New York.

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I am sure you'll have a great time in New York. Lots to see and do, as has been pointed out. Newark, on the other hand, is/was the murder capital of the US. I lived in NY, and later in NJ, for some years before moving to CT. There is really nothing much for a tourist to see in Newark, and I would not encourage going around there. Even with the knives you plan to bring, it will be as wise as going sightseeing in the projects. Honestly, the times I drove through ther gave me the same reaction as driving through Harlem or East LA.

My advise is to be careful, and take the bus to Port Authority during your free time.

BigSpend, thank you--that is exactly the kind of thing I need to know (although I probably would have picked up on it fairly quickly, as I have a lot of weapons training and defense against weapons training.)

On the bodyguard...heck, I can do that myself! Don't mean to sound bragging (but as a teammate says, "it ain't braggin' if it's a fact) I AM physically the strongest woman in US Kayak Polo and probably in Slalom, too.

I have the strength, the 'tude, the awareness of my surroundings, and I will bring some very ugly pocket knives like the Spyderco Calypso. And I'm handy with "improvised" weapons. (Tied a world record 25 years ago in powerlifting--benched 240 at a bodyweight of 150, and can still probably bench my bodyweight at age 50. Not bad for a woman, I guess!)

Of course, none of that's enough if there's 3 or more of 'em and I ain't got my "carry" guns because they don't allow that up there...so I WILL keep a low profile and watch myself and belongings.

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Originally Posted by jnich67

Yes, stay within whatever "compound" they've got you in in Newark.

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No compound--this is a small sport so we pay our own way. I'm in a Ramada Inn and I'll be walking to the indoor pool or taking a taxi, or a friend will give me a ride. So I'll have to be in "Condition Orange and be watchful. I know how to play that.

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If you get to the city, check out the shaving stuff at both Pasteur's Pharmacy (around 62nd and Lexington Ave.) and Cambridge Chemists (around 65th and Lexington). They both carry a ton of great products you rarely see in a brick and mortar store.

Have fun! :D

Jordan

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Thanks! Uh...by "the city", do you mean New York City, I guess? (Never been there before, so I don't know.)

Another question--would I have time on Monday morning to go into New York City from Newark and do anything fun and worthwhile and make it back to Newark airport for my flight out at 2:30pm? If so, what is the best way to get there--I hear they have all this fancy "public transportation" stuff and all...

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Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

No compound--this is a small sport so we pay our own way. I'm in a Ramada Inn and I'll be walking to the indoor pool or taking a taxi, or a friend will give me a ride. So I'll have to be in "Condition Orange and be watchful. I know how to play that.



Thanks! Uh...by "the city", do you mean New York City, I guess? (Never been there before, so I don't know.)

Another question--would I have time on Monday morning to go into New York City from Newark and do anything fun and worthwhile and make it back to Newark airport for my flight out at 2:30pm? If so, what is the best way to get there--I hear they have all this fancy "public transportation" stuff and all...

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Sorry, yes I mean NYC. I don't know if you'll have time to do too much. You might want to check with the hotel and maybe they can tell you your transportation options. You would probably have time to check out Times Square or Rockefeller Ctr or maybe walk around the Empire State building. Traffic going in will be heavy on a Monday morning, but if you get an early start....

Knives: I could be wrong, but I think under 4" is OK and no auto opening. I also think it's illeagal to have the knife visible, so carry in your pocket, and not clipped. I think a lot has to do with what the police would think you're up to. I always try to carry knives that don't look too "wicked", if you know what I mean. I think a calypso should be OK.

Jordan

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Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

Another question--would I have time on Monday morning to go into New York City from Newark and do anything fun and worthwhile and make it back to Newark airport for my flight out at 2:30pm? If so, what is the best way to get there--I hear they have all this fancy "public transportation" stuff and all...

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There are plenty of options but I wouldn't call them fancy. :w

Transportation needs depend on where you are going and how much time you have. Like Jordan suggested, perhaps your hotel can better assist you.

Try not to be too easily dismayed by New York and New Yorkers. Many first-timers to NY are really turned off by it all. Take it all in with a grain of salt. It's a metropolis with no equal and as such, many unwritten rules don't apply.

General rule of thumb on knives is blades 3" and under are ok for pocket knives. You can't carry ANY knife on a plane, got to go in the checked luggage. Newark? Ramada Inns are usually pretty nice. Enjoy your time in the hotel. Besides, everything is covered with a layer of soot, and I think it's cold there now.