It seems like life runs in cycles. Been there done that, do it again. I use to spend a lot of time in New York many years ago, then for a long period of time I was never in New York. Mind you I’m not complaining about missing New York or that I haven’t been there much lately. I really don’t much care for New York. It’s big dirty, crowded, and very expensive! But it seems that fate doesn't care whether or not I like New York. Stuff keeps happening there that I have to attend. So I find myself back in the “Big Apple” for the second time in a couple of months. (see here for the last time) This time to attend a leading edge technical conference on the newest startup companies.
I flew out Sunday night because the conference started 8:00 Monday morning. Usually the conference recommends a hotel and this was no exception. Parts of the conference was held at the “Standard Hotel” a trendy remolded boutique hotel in the meatpacking district. (YAH I KNOW! the meatpacking district???, but I’m not defining cool here the New Yorkers are)
It must be hip and cool because they spell their name upside-down on all their literature.
Monday morning I walked down to the meeting place through parts of SOHO and “The West Village” A glimpse in the window of a real-estate agent told me that I could have one of these fine 800 Sq foot apartment around here for a mere $1,200,000 and a monthly association fee of $1,500. (What a bargain!) Tell me again why people live here?
Most of the conference was held in a now abandon Merrill Lynch office building just north of the financial district. (The door below with the vertical green banners)
Inside there was three days of the latest new companies showing their stuff on stage competing for 1st prize and showing off for dozens of Venture Capital Organizations.
Did I mention New York was expensive. The hotel room was $450 a night. What do you get for $450 dollars? Well a small room, approximately 8’ by 20’ 160 sq feet with one window. A small desk and a big flat screen TV on the wall.
The bathroom had a window with a view of the bed.
Trendy black tile and European fixture, but no room to move.
If you stood at the lone window and looked north toward Times Square in the distance you could see this view of satellite dishes and water towers on the rooftops.
Looking down at the street.
On the other side of the building by the elevators you could look out and see the greenway they called the “Highway” which was an old abandon raised railroad trestle that they have converted into a park. I guess in New York you have to take things were you can get them!
The view of the “Highway” and my hotel from the walkway on the “Highway”
I’m sure that there are many good reasons to live in New York, but I can't for the life of me think of one! It is interesting though to see how some people live.
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