Wednesday, November 7, 2007

New York Story

I'm still not sure whether we will be able to go to New York. The hotel prices are making my hair stand on end. And, I'm finding that there is not much availability for Thursday night. Tomorrow night we find out if we have a chance at flying standby.

Last night we had all but given up. I'm embarrassed to say that I came home after a long day at church and cried. I don't know why this is so important to me. We can go other places. My husband mentioned Galena, Illinois, a lovely little town we have talked about visiting. We talked about going to Des Moines, or Boston, or back to Philadelphia, where I complained about all the things we didn't get to see.

Last night, after my good cry, my friend from New York called. She was pretty upbeat in the midst of it all, reading off hotel names, and promising us they would show us a good time. She said she had heard of an inexpensive place where we might be able to stay, and she would email me the information today.

Today she sent an email about the Seafarer's and International House. It's not a luxurious place by any means. Actually, I stayed there way back in 1981, and it's a little... well... different. But it's safe, and it's clean and it's cheap! The note said: make sure you make reservations early. And her email said, "this isn't early, but maybe God wants you to come to New York, and they will have an opening."

That made me smile.

They didn't have an opening, though. Do you suppose that means God doesn't want us to come to New York?

Maybe there will be a time when our financial situation will be better. Right now, I'm looking into a hotel call the Milburn Hotel. It's expensive too, and there isn't a room for Thursday, but maybe...

Or maybe, I should just tell dear husband that we can go to Galena...

14 comments:

RevDrKate said...

If you can't go to NY, and you go to Galena, you could go 20 miles further and check out Dubuque, IA as well. It is where I grew up, but it has changed a lot and is a great place for a wee vacation...lots and lots of antiques and victorian houses and river and bluffs, an aquariaum, a cable car to ride, even a cathedral to visit!

Barbara B. said...

Hope NYC works out. But if not, Galena looks cool.

Diane M. Roth said...

revdrkate -- plus, there's that cool song, "the duke of dubuque"

Lindy said...

You know, you could probably take Scout to Galena. Just a thought.
(((Diane)))
Lindy and Rowan

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Wherever you "land"...it will be good.

Law+Gospel said...

I've been to Galena, although many years ago. I think that is where Ulysses Grant's house is? Dubuque is also great- wonderful views of the river. I used to have family there and my church youth choir did a choir exchange there many moons ago. I am sure wherever you go with loved ones can be a great place!

Unknown said...

Wherever you wind up, I am sure that you will have a wonderful time. It is, after all, the time spent with loved ones that is the real treasure of a trip like this.

Fran said...

Oh Diane, this has been quite the ordeal for you. Sometimes things just don't work out and it is very frustrating!

Well see what the Lord has in mind for you.

That is in no ways a short answer to what feels very disappointing.

I was surprised to hear about the Seafarer's... I did not think it still existed.

In any event- I send you all my good thoughts and prayers on whatever works out.

Peace, sister!

Gannet Girl said...

I have only ever heard good things about Galena.

June Butler said...

Diane, I can't say whether God wants you to go to New York or not, but I'm sorry you're having so much trouble finding a way to do what you want to do. What is it about Thursday?

When we had our gathering in New York, my hotel was expensive, and I checked back for several days to see if the price would go down, but it never did. Then after I booked, a couple of weeks before I left, I checked back and there were no rooms available at all, at any price. Good thing I reserved mine when I did.

God bless you.

Diane M. Roth said...

where did you stay, Mimi?

June Butler said...

Diane, last night, I Googled around a bit for you and came up with nothing. I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel New York and Towers, as I said, at great expense. No rooms there as of last night.

I assume you've checked Expedia and Travelocity.

Diane M. Roth said...

Grandmere, bless you, but I could never afford the Sheraton, even if they did have a room.

June Butler said...

Yes, it was an extravagance that I'm a little ashamed of. We usually stay there in mid-winter, late January or February, when the prices are lower and you're more likely to encounter a blizzard.

What is your date, the Thursday that you don't have a place to stay, and what's your top price - if you don't mind saying? I could look a bit more. I'm something of a bulldog when it comes to stuff like this.