Holidays

Being in New York during the holidays is quite an experience. There is just so much to see and so little time to see it. Do you go to the Empire State Building first, even though you know it will take up two hours of your day? Or do you go see to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree and go ice skating? Maybe head down to the Statue of Liberty? Oh, and you can't forgot about seeing Macy's all pretty and lit up!

The holidays bring people to New York from all over the world. Off the top of my head, I can remember meeting people from at least 14 different countries. Despite the language barrier, it was amazing to meet them. The come in from Sweden, Chile, Germany, or whatever country they're from. They wake up early to venture out into the craziness that is New York City and spend the entire day traveling, sightseeing, eating and shopping. I don't know if you've ever had the chance to do it, but it's exhausting. Sometimes I forget that I haven't done much touring around New York and that some of these tourists have seen and done more than I have.

They come back in after their long day and they just love to talk, in their broken English, about what they did and saw. I love to hear their stories. It makes me feel like I've been where they've been and seen what they've seen. Sure, I've never been to the top of the Empire State Building before, but after hearing the story dozens of times and having them explain the view with vivid details makes it all seem real. The Central Park Zoo? Nope, I've never been there either, but I'll tell you those animals are adorable without ever seeing them! How about that helicopter tour around Manhattan? "Oh ya! That's an incredible trip! You'll really enjoy that!!"

And then there's hearing about everything around the world. From the way they talk about it, New Zealand, Sweden, Morocco, India, and Japan seem like fascinating places to visit. They make the United States seem bland. Well, New York at least. If only I had time and money to travel...
I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through the guests and enjoy their stories.

Story of the week:
9 guests walk into the hotel at the same time while I'm the only one at the desk. I start checking them in relatively quickly and get through most of them when my front office manager walks up to the desk. I'm checking in the 8th guest when she asks "are you all together?"

The last guest looks around and, as he's walking up to check in, says "No. Well, yes. I'm together. like, in my head. I'm not crazy. I'm just not with them. Not in their group. Wow. I'm making an idiot of myself in front of strangers in New York City. I'm going to stop talking now."

Happy February!