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I don’t think it has to be a PCR; a rapid antigen test (I.e. a commercial lateral flow test) is acceptable. Although, as I found when they changed the UK rule last November, you can’t return the tests for refund if you’ve already received the kit.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Not long to go now.

Proper proper planning is well under way. Tickets booked for Bettlejuice on Broadway, and a table booked at the Beetle House restaurant. Also decided I’m doing a $115 all you can eat, cooked to order Lobster Buffet.

Fully intend to visit the Ghostbuster’s Firehouse, with the hope of at least getting to see the Pole, maybe have a pretend “me at the bottom of it” go - as I suspect Elven Safety will prevent a proper slide down it.

Statue of Liberty and Coney Island are also an absolute must, because they are. May do Empire State Building, definitely doing Ground Zero, given the impact of that horrific event continues to affect our day to day lives.

Do you plan to do a lot of walking? You might be able to get in the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street (so close you really should at least see the Bull), and Ground Zero in a single day. The Ghostbusters Firehouse is a short cab ride away if the timing works.

Do you plan to visit Central Park?

Probably going to walk as much as possible, Do a Vimes and feel the city under my feet,

Ghostbusters Firehouse is around a half hour schlep from my hotel, so head there of a morning, then do Wall Street and Ground Zero.

Plus bimbling around let’s me find things otherwise missed, even if it’s just a Bodega for an authentic sandwich type thing,

Not going with any particular day to day plan, other than Beetlejuice the Musical 28th June, and Beetle House for dinner on 30th June.

Oh, and Dave & Busters on 29th, as I understand that’s double play day….


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 Jadenim wrote:
I don’t think it has to be a PCR; a rapid antigen test (I.e. a commercial lateral flow test) is acceptable. Although, as I found when they changed the UK rule last November, you can’t return the tests for refund if you’ve already received the kit.

That does seem possible. But, given how much I’m craving this holiday, think I’ll shell out for the PCR version, just in case.

 Jadenim wrote:
I don’t think it has to be a PCR; a rapid antigen test (I.e. a commercial lateral flow test) is acceptable. Although, as I found when they changed the UK rule last November, you can’t return the tests for refund if you’ve already received the kit.

Sought advice, and antigen test is acceptable.

I’m triple vaccinated and can prove it. My life to the airport is arranged. And my antigen test is booked for 5pm the day before I fly out.

I’m….I’m all set!

Hope you have a great trip.

If you get hopelessly lost and end up 4-5 hours north of the The City, give me a shout.

Just ordered some US Dollars, so I’ll have actual cash in hand for my trip, so that’s pretty much that!

I am so incredibly hype for this. I’ve been waiting around two and a half years due to Plague Postponement, and now all is in place!

I think I’m going to hide at home though, as there’s still time for the Plague to lob on last spanner in the works!

Bon voyage!

If you didn't see it, the US just lifted Covid test requirments!

Wait what???


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ARSES!!!! That’s £35 I won’t be getting back. Unless…

Hmm. They keep 5%. That’s fair enough.

Amusingly. The cancellation website was Heydoc…

Happened literally yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/06/10/covid-testing-requirement-ends/

Bright side with a fistful of Dollars already, passport and other entry gubbins all done?

Other than packing and getting my carcass to the airport (a friend is giving me a lift, thankfully) I’m all set!

30 months of waiting, and it’s finally gonna happen! This is gonna be grand.

Can't wait to see the pics!

They’ll be on FB. Can’t share them here!

Also? Best place to get a Blooming Onion in Manhattan.

Aaaaand….GO!

Genuine question, even if it doesn’t sound it.

I read there’s a Tampon shortage in the US right now, and folk are struggling to find them in stock.

Being a fine upstanding Dirty Socialist, and keen to help out where I can, I’m looking at grabbing a load before my flight out, to be donated to Women’s Charities one in NYC.

The websites I’ve found tend to only solicit cash donations (and fair enough, economy of scale etc) but if anyone knows somewhere I can drop off physical goods, so let me know.

I of course can’t solve the wider problem, but for the sake of a few quid and a wander I can make someone’s month a bit more pleasant.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Also? Best place to get a Blooming Onion in Manhattan.

Aaaaand….GO!

That's more of Aussie thing no?

Outback Steakhouse (Australian-themed chain restaurant) is the only place I can think of.

 Kid_Kyoto wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Also? Best place to get a Blooming Onion in Manhattan.

Aaaaand….GO!

That's more of Aussie thing no?

Outback Steakhouse (Australian-themed chain restaurant) is the only place I can think of.

Texas Roadhouse does one as well; they call theirs a Cactus Blossom. I'm not sure you'll find either of those in NYC proper, but I've never been there so I can't say for sure.

Holiday period has officially started.

Mild panic earlier as my wages were £800 short due to an error, but that’s sorted now.

Got my dollars, ESTA and passport all sorted. Proof of vaccination to go. Just on the phone to the airline, as I need to do a Passenger Attestation form, and their website version is buggered.

Slight change to travel plan due to U.K. rail strikes. Now staying overnight in a Heathrow Hotel, getting there by taxi.

I am very very excited. Provided I can get this bloody form submitted, or can complete one at the airport.

Bon voyage Mad Doc!

Enjoy!

Certainly will! Checked in online and pretty much set to go. Only tning I really need do today now is nip to the post office and get a parcel away.

Oh, and try to get Paramount+ to belt up on my telly. It plays some stuff, but not others.

Pretty much an hour until landing. I am very very very excite, and hope to be eating something delicious by 3pm.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Pretty much an hour until landing. I am very very very excite, and hope to be eating something delicious by 3pm.

Have a good one mate! I had some great food when I was in New Yawk.

Being a fine upstanding Dirty Socialist, and keen to help out where I can, I’m looking at grabbing a load before my flight out, to be donated to Women’s Charities one in NYC.

Good lad.

Well that was fun. McDonalds opposite my hotel turns out to be SmackDonalds. Crack and Smackheads in every crook and nanny. First and last time in there!

Currently marvelling at medicine adverts on TV.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Pretty much an hour until landing. I am very very very excite, and hope to be eating something delicious by 3pm.

Oh man, you picked a heck of a day to land in a major American city.

This weekend you’re gonna see some sh**.


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In what part of the city is your crackhead-adjacent hotel?

I’m staying at the New Yorker….oh my that SmackDonalds is quite something!


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And yeah. Hopefully things don’t get interesting

I’m currently forcing myself to stay awake. I’ve been up since 1:30am New York time, barring a couple of naps on the plane.

Figure I can safely throw in the towel around 10pm. Should let me sync up nicely.

Tomorrow I do museums and that, I think.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

Currently marvelling at medicine adverts on TV.

Yeah, that's going to be non-stop, especially during the evening news.
Though the best is about 6:40 or so, every couple days, when CBS news will simply stop doing news and tell people what sales Walmart or Amazon are doing at the moment.
'Murican journalism at its best.

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:I’m staying at the New Yorker….oh my that SmackDonalds is quite something!


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And yeah. Hopefully things don’t get interesting

I’m currently forcing myself to stay awake. I’ve been up since 1:30am New York time, barring a couple of naps on the plane.

Figure I can safely throw in the towel around 10pm. Should let me sync up nicely.

Tomorrow I do museums and that, I think.

Should have mentioned this before, but with jet lag make sure a) you carry an energy bar or similar and b) eat at mealtimes, even if you don’t think you’re hungry. Your body won’t know when it’s hungry (like a reverse Pavlov thing) and I find I slam into low blood sugar hard with no warning (full on shakes and dizziness and I need to eat something now!)

Voss wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

Currently marvelling at medicine adverts on TV.

Yeah, that's going to be non-stop, especially during the evening news.
Though the best is about 6:40 or so, every couple days, when CBS news will simply stop doing news and tell people what sales Walmart or Amazon are doing at the moment.
'Murican journalism at its best.

The thing that always amazes me is the extensive (excessive?!) warnings and small print on the medical adverts, which can immediately be followed by some homeopathic, snake oil bs that doesn’t need to have any disclaimers at all?!

Ah, morning. Completely brilliant. Brekkie, then a wander I think. Who ya gonna call? No-one until I’ve got a US SIM card because I reckon a pay as you go data only sim for iPad with phone tethered to it. Then go find the Ghostbusters Firehouse.

Oh, and lots of sunscreen, because I foresee much walking.

Also want to get my fine SJW buns to the Stonewall Inn. See where it all began.

Had breakfast. Two fried eggs, bacon, grits and toast. Grits are a lot nicer than they sound, and I can see why they’re widely regarded as a comfort food. Kind of wish I’d put the hot sauce on it.

If you’re doing a lot of walking, I suggest the west side of Central Park, where you can find the door/front of Dana Barrett’s apartment, as well as horse and carriages.

Perhaps now that Ghostbusters is a hot property again, those carriage drivers won’t just look at someone like he’s crazy when he says to the horse, “Hi, I’m Vinz. Vinz Clortho, Keymaster of Gozer, Volguus Zildrohar, Lord of the Sebouillia. Are you the Gatekeeper?”

Wandered down to Greenwich Village today. Sat in the park (Washington Square, I think?), biding time until I can go get my Holiday Tattoo. Nothing fancy, just the Statue of Liberty’s bonce.


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Got the new ink. I would share a pic, but as it’s not wargames related you’ll have to wait until I can post it elsewhere then link back!