I haven't written a blog post in a long time because I have been working on my second book which hopefully will be done by the end of the year. It includes many original family stories.
I love to travel and have fun experiences, and it's been one year since I went to Montreal only this time I went with a friend of mine named Barry.
Traveling by yourself has it's advantages. You can go anywhere, do anything, and are not locked into someone else's timetable. You also don't have to worry about if your friend snores.
The problem is that it gets lonely, and sometimes I feel that people treat you better when you are traveling with someone. For example, I think many waiters anticipate larger tips. That person can also have your back and can make traveling safer. Do you really want to bring all your luggage into a bathroom at an airport when you friend could be watching it for you?
Traveling with a friend also has it's benefits because we can enjoy an experience and reminisce in the future about the great trip we took, or have great conversations over delicious meals. Driving together can also be more stimulating, because you have someone to talk to. Let's not forget having a person to take your picture if you forgot your selfie stick. Also, if I make a joke there's no one to laugh at what you said.
Barry recently got divorced and he wanted to go away for a few days and I suggested Montreal. It would be a chance to get out of the USA for a while. I had recently visited Springfield, Mass and New Haven, Connecticut by myself, and while I enjoyed the experience, (Dr Seuss Museum, Yale University, the first burger in the USA, etc.) I feel that traveling with a friend is way better. If I had a girlfriend or partner that would be the best because you could be intimate too, but it was still nice to get away for a few days with a friend.
Barry had asked me last minute if his friend could come too, but as they say "Two is company and three is a crowd." It's not like it was a menage a toix, even if we were going to French Canada. Another guy would just be a bit awkward and make it harder to travel. Also, I didn't want someone who was a dud to put a cramp in our traveling. I wanted freedom to do and go wherever we wanted. Two is the best I feel. Unless you are traveling with your family.
Anyway after much discussion, I decided to drive to his house in Putnam county. He is living temporarily with his parent until he gets his life together (Trust me I know how that feels.)
Because I knew Barry's financial situation wasn't great (Not that I am Bill Gates either) I told him hat I had a lot of hotel miles, and was able to get a great rate at a popular chain. One hotel in Albany, New York I was able to get for free with my hotel points. He was very happy about that, and who wouldn't be? I was happy too.
The drive up to his house from Long Island was only about and hour and a half, and the subsequent drive to Albany was only two hours. I offered to pay for gas, and/or tolls, but since I subsidized the hotel so much he declined. He also drove the whole way. Now I am a pretty good driver, but over the years my night vision has gotten a lot worse. Can you relate? Also, I have this thing about bridges. They never used to get me anxious. Ever since I got an SUV (Jeep) I become nervous if I have cross a large bridge. For some reason I imagine driving over the edge of one. It has never happened and hopefully never will, but because I have such a high center of gravity (My car that is LOL), I keep imagining the worst.
One thing that has helped though is positive self-talk. Rather than thinking about worst case scenarios, I have been saying things like "You can do this." or recognize that I have anxiety and not ignore but instead say to myself, "you are feeling a bit anxious, but it's no big deal and you can handle it." Or "You have been to dangerous countries around the world you can handle a bridge." I also made a a point to relax my neck, and put on calm music like classical. It has helped a bit. Let's just say I am a work in progress. Who isn't?
I picked a hotel right near the Crossgates Mall in Albany. I have been noticing that many hotel chains are building hotels near shopping centers. Last year the hotel I stayed at in Syracuse was at the largest shopping center in New York. It was a great hotel, and was walking distance to the mall, and had a shuttle that took you to the state fair. A great deal!
Barry was my room mate in college in SUNY Albany thirty years ago, and we wanted to go back to our dorm to see if there were any changes a few decades later. Quite a few as it turns out.
Before we stayed at the hotel though we went to an excellent southern restaurant called the Cuckoo's Nest located in downtown Albany. The restaurant was located in what seemed to be heavily African American. Although, most of the customers at the restaurant were Caucasian. Maybe because it was a bit pricey. However I think it was the best meal of our trip.
We had all the typical fare: Fried chicken, collard greens, grits, biscuits, and local beer from New England. In a word, delicious. If this were Yelp I would strongly recommend it. After dinner, we went to the mall and did some shopping.
Barry is a great guy, but even good friends have their idiosyncrasies that can be challenging when you spend a lot of time with them. Then again I probably do to he just didn't mention them.
First and foremost, Barry is a huge Mets fan. Now, liking the Mets in not abnormal. In fact it shows heart to support a team that has had such an inconsistent record. Red Sox and Cubs fans know what I mean.
More to come.
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