Wednesday, May 23, 2007
New York City - Part 3
22 May 07 - 0930h
OK, so last night didn't exactly go to plan, but that's how things go on the road right? It's all good. I think the Alexander method of travel - winging it - is starting to rub off on me.
Went up to Yankee Stadium with just about everyone else in the city, seemingly all packed into one subway car. The chances of tickets was rapidly diminishing. There was a glimmer of hope over at the game day ticket booth; we got an inexperienced attendant who almost sold us home plate mid level tickets for $19 a piece, but that was the handicapped-persons price, but the tickets jumped to $71 for we able-bodied folk. Every other seat not in the bleachers started at $280 & even the bleachers seats were steep at $60.
As we were leaving, with intentions of getting online for tickets for tonight or tomorrow nights games, we encountered a really aggressive scalper who was soliciting right in front of about half a dozen cops. Taking us out of sight of them, he flashed us a wad of cash and a bunch of paper that looked like tickets , but I got a bad vibe off the guy & walked away (more worried he was undercover or they were dud copied tickets than violence in this situation) just before a uniform walked over. The trio thought they could bargain the guy down from $40, meanwhile I got talking to a stadium official who told me about all the shit tourists can get into with the scalpers, dud tickets and the potential for trouble with the fuzz for the buyer as well as the seller.
After a beer at Sam's Sports Bar, we headed back to the hostel, grabbed some grog and headed down into the basement for what was billed as a comedy night, but ended up laughing for all the wrong reasons. It was impossible not to laugh at the comics trying to perform to a handful of people, half of whom barely spoke english & weren't getting the American references. Had to laugh at the guy who thought I was a comic when I came in; he got all weird and defensive.
Continued drinking back up in the common room afterwards, watching a basketball game with some die-hard fans. Crashed out & woke up to discover that none of the waterworks worked; turns out the whole block is sans service. Good thing I didn't wake up seedy & needing to talk on the porcelain telephone.
1122h
Thank your chosen deity for Stubhub. I've got tickets for tonight's Yankees game, lunch with cousin is sorted for tomorrow and today I'm off to check out the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and maybe even the Empire State Building.
Having a f*&king ball; wish you guys were here taking on the town with me.
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Sounds fantastic Dean!
New York is one hell of a town. Tickets to the Yankees hey? Fantastic! I didn't get to see them in NY myself, but baseball is definitely worth going to. You were right to avoid the scalper. They can be very persuasive, but it's always going to smell trouble.
Comedy clubs are dodgy in NYC. Sure you can get in for cheap, but the 3 drink minimum at 15 bucks each is the killer! hopefully you avoided that!
Hope you enjoyed the ESB and there wasn't too much smog!
Sounds ace Wish we were there as well - although you'd have lost me at Jimmy Choo!