The final countdown

As a treat the WoH splurged on two nights for us at the 5-star New York Palace Hotel. Also included was use of their executive lounge which included free food and drink including alcohol, all day. The word ‘free’ holds a very dear place in the heart of the WoH. She has a sliding scale of concepts that elicit enthusiasm and deep joy - words like ‘discount’, ‘coupon’ and ’sale’ all give pleasure but the daddy of them, to her, all is the word ‘free’.
On entering the executive lounge I marvelled at the views from the very top (39th floor) of Manhattan. The setting sun glistening off the sides of the man-made monoliths, built to squeeze even more people into a tiny, dynamic island. I paused in wonder as the lines of yellow taxi’s became like an urban bloodstream in the asphalt sprawl below me. I was then interrupted by the WoH shoving her fists in front of my face declaring..’all the Jelly Belly’s are free too’ before she scampered off looking for ways to smuggle out a whole plate of Maryland crab cakes.
We ate at the hotel’s trendy restaurant ‘Gilt’ and it was wonderful. They really make a big show of every part of the dining experience and it was nice to be spoiled. Sadly the waitresses were not in Hooters hotpants but you can’t have everything (even if you ask in advance..tut).
What captivated us was the chat at a table next to us. One of the girls had joined a dating site where all the men are millionaires and she was (naively) looking for a ‘really good looking one who was pretty nice too.’ I wondered exactly how she would find true happiness with such a mercenary outlook. I wondered what special kind of a scumbag she would end up with. I wondered if she could talk a bit quieter as I’m sure everyone as far as f***ing Boston could hear her self-delusional drivel.
We left New York by train for Washington D.C. I am loving the trains in America. The singularly most pleasant and civilised way to travel. I am dreading the plane flight home and the associated manhandling that goes with it.
We are now in our new hotel. We got a suite as part of a great deal and we are looking out onto the Washington Monument. We took a wander along the road (to Hooters!) and stumbled across The Whitehouse which looked pretty, all lit up. Fighting the urge to shout ‘You suck’ through the gates was made a lot easier by the armed officers on duty.
Washington is looking like a really good place to spend our final place in the U.S. Picturesque, good weather, lots to do and our suite has free internet. woo hoo!

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Tags: Washington, white house, Gilt, New York, hooters