From Natalie...

I've meant to post this lovely entry from Natalie for some time now.  I love this outfit in real life.  It just goes to show you that you can look quite chic and still be comfortable.  Kudos to you lady.  Kudos.

"Your blog is fantastic and has totally inspired me! I'm attaching a picture of my travel clothes as I head to Chicago today. I'm wearing a stretchy khaki green pant from urban outfitters, complete with zippers at the ankle for additional stretch if desired, a blousy black sleeveless top for necessary belly protruding while sitting for 2 hours, and a very comfy wedge. The heel isn't too high and while wielding a large suitcase, I wasn't afraid I'd roll an ankle. Yay!

Just thought I'd share since you have inspired me to dress better while travelling. :)"

Bolt Bus

Oh come on. 

So, I was so hopeful for a speedy bolt back to NYC.  It was very strategic planning.  I was taking a 9:30am bus so the likelihood of being stuck in traffic is not very high.  But 30 minutes into the drive, the bus literally stopped working.  Just not working.  So we pulled over, luckily at a rest stop, only being told "well, I guess we'll have to get another bus".  Of course, no time frame was given.  We went for almost an hour without communication of any sort. Then we get a "20 minutes" (thank you 20).  30 minutes pass.  We then get "10 minutes" (thank you 10?). 20 minutes later, the bus arrives.  So for those of you who are doing the math...that's 1 hour + 30 minutes + 20 minutes.  Yes, that's almost 2 hours.

Now, I hate to say it, but this isn't the first time this has happened to me on Bolt Bus.  One time i had to wait for 2 hours to get a new bus because it was raining inside the bus we were on. But, I like to take it back from Boston because it's cheaper than the train (obvi) and the boarding process in Boston is quite civilized.  They have lanes for your boarding zones and then you get a colored tag based on your boarding zone.  So, I was sure to get a seat with a plug so I could update you all on my travels.  Now of course, none of that applies when we have to board the other bus.  The assholes who were in Zone Q stormed the bus, and made sure that they sure as hell got whatever seat it was they wanted.  I just don't understand this concept.  Why would you not just sit in the same seat on the different bus.  Some guy literally pushed me to get on the bus in front of me, to which I responded quite loudly, "Oh no, after you, you go right ahead sir." Kids today...am I right ladies?

But let's put that aside.  How is the journey in comparison to the train?  Well as I said, the boarding process is lovely.  +1 for bus.  Cost. +1 for bus. The internet connection is possibly more marginal.  I'll give them a tie for that one.  The train is much roomier.  This includes the ability to walk around, and not feel like your seatmate is going to rest his head on your shoulder as he sleeps (which is happening right now).  +1 for train.  Quiet car. +1 for train.  You cannot get away from the cell phone talker on the bus.  I'm sitting towards the front of the bus and yet I can smell the bathroom.  +1 for train.  I AM FREEZING and although, I think my particular car on the train to Boston was under air conditioned, the rest of the train was pleasant.  +1 for train. 

So, Train 4, Bus 2.  Looks like it might be worth it to endure the rush to the track and this higher price to have a slightly more pleasant travel experience.

So, what do you think the is best method of travel from NYC to Boston or NYC to DC/Baltimore?  Help a weary traveler out. I'm so weary that I'm not even bothering to mention the clothes that surround me, but suffice it to say, I have seen many a cut-off and Victoria Secret "Pink" sweatpants.

Amtrak

I'm heading to Boston today for a mini 10 year grad school reunion.  I know what you're thinking.  10 years?  But Liz, you are clearly only 28.  Are you Doogie Howser type smart?  The answer is, of course, yes.

This is less a discussion about travel fashions and more a discussion about modes of transportation.  I feel lucky to live in NYC, where I can get pretty much anywhere in the world I want to go and I can travel in a method of my choosing.  I've been flying a lot recently so I thought, why not try some other way to Boston.  I have taken the Bolt Bus and the train many times to and fro, all up and down the East Coast.  My decision was made easily when I thought of the prospect of standing on the street corner by Tick Tock Diner on 34th Street, in 98 degrees (not the band, but that would be awesome), with the mob of people pushing their way onto the bus.  That's the very worst thing about any form of traveling.  Rushing the gate - clamoring to hop aboard.  I appreciate that Bolt Bus has zoned boarding, and I signed up for the loyalty program to insure that I will board with Zone A, but that doesn't really happen on a crowded, hot street corner in NYC.  There's just a bunch of mean and pushing. It makes me anxious.

So, done deal.  Amtrak it is.  Now, I used to travel a fair amount on the train and it was always quite pleasant; however, I was traveling from Boston to Stamford, CT (boyfriend related travel).  I didn't often journey into Manhattan, on a Friday, in the summer.  If I had, I might have been slightly dissuaded from moving here. 

Penn Station.  Possibly the worst place in all of NYC.  I would prefer to go to the scariness that is the Port Authority. 

Penn Station used to look like this:

Today, Penn Station looks like this:

So, thousands of people gather around the giant board and then run towards the train when the gate is posted (which is like 3 minutes before the train is due to leave).  There is not one empty seat on this train, so when the gate was "announced" a train full worth of people stampeded towards the 1 escalator entrance of the train platform.    And despite getting to the train station 30 minutes early, I feel lucky to have gotten a seat.  

I have visions of old timey railroad travel.  Where you might say farewell to your one true love, as steam fills the station, obscuring your tears.  You hear "All Aboard" and you pull it together.  You know this is the way life, and wartime, goes.  You hop on the train as it starts to move, hoping your love will run and hop on too.  But it just can't be.  You turn to blow him one last kiss, but he has gone, perhaps forever.  You settle in the bar car for a Manhattan and a cigarette and you gaze at the countryside, sunglasses hiding your tear stained face.

 

But here we are.  I'm sitting on a packed train with 4 different people on cell phones, eating McDonalds, drinking giant cokes.  The guy beside me is listening to his music loudly enough for me to hear it through his earphones and he can probably read that I just wrote that because we're sitting that close to each other.  He is also wearing jean shorts.  In fact, pretty much everyone I can see at the moment is wearing one form or another of a jean short. I can currently see the interstate to my left and what looks to be a junkyard to my right.  My internet connection is marginal at best.  There's a whole lot of sun beating down on my left arm and the air conditioning is maladjusted. 

So far, the train has provided me no incentive to list it as my #1 favorite method of public transportation.  I am Bolt Busing back.  You will be the first to know my assessment. 

Although, now that we have hit New London, CT and the train has emptied out a bitm adn i can see beautiful beautiful water and boats, I am a little more into this experience  

NOTE:  The guy across the aisle is talking loudly on his cellphone about the duck that they killed and chopped up and left in the fridge for their friend.