Vacation...

My vacation was great. Traveling almost alone provided a different experience.
First 3 days-NYC. It was pouring rain the entire time. This did not stop my friend from giving me the tour of Manhattan at rapid speed. It started with tears shed at Ground Zero and ended in Soho and everywhere in between. I stayed in what can only be described in New York terms as a "fabulous" apt. An old converted Zipper factory. It somewhat scared me with it's concrete walls and bars on the windows. But I was grateful for the free lodging. NYC is a fascinating city!
Day 4-a solo tour of Baltimore. A city I grew to hate in about 1/2 an hour. Very unfriendly and somewhat intimidating, given it's reputation for random acts of violence. This did not stop me, but the people pissed me off.
Day 5-6 quick visit into the lives of my relatives in New Bedford, Mass. This is where my aunt wakes up every morning at 6 am, checks the temperature and calls it into the local radio show. She does this M-F. The highlight was watching American Idol and having her dial in my votes for me. There were no plans, no dinners, just me in the middle of a regular day for them. The spend alot of time bitching about the other relatives. I was happy I went.
Day 7-8 My favorite part of the trip was my solo trek to DC. I booked a fancy Hotel for myself and toured the city. I had the best time going to museums, seeing monuments, the White House etc.I couldn't walk fast enough, trying to take in as much as I could. My hotel was directly accross from the Smithsonian Castle. Quite a treat for me. I ordered cookies and milk to my room at 11 pm, wore the fancy robe they provided and basically treated myself to whatever I wanted. It was quite lovely. It's the first time in a very long time I have treated myself so well, and this makes me want to cry.
Day 9- my last day of vacation was spent on a guided tour of Baltimore by my friend. We rode the water taxi around the Harbor, ate Gellato, and walked through some very quaint neighborhoods. I was glad to see another side of that city besides the angry people on the bus from day one. It was a great, relaxing day with my friend and a nice end to the trip.
My first subway ride in NYC was a bit intimidating for me.I was a little panicky, but after several subway and train rides I soon learned it is a great way to travel.
By the end of my trip in DC, I felt like a local."out of my way, I have a train to catch!"
All in all, a very memorable trip.
On the plane ride home I sat by a nice couple. They really touched me. They were so kind to each other. As I watched her get up to check on her teenagers in the next aisle, kiss their foreheads while the husband watched with a very sweet look on his face, alot rushed through my mind. We chatted with each other and I instantly fell in love with them both.
Of all the things I saw and learned on this trip, I have to say they were one of the most important. As I said good-bye to them, they had no idea the impact they just had on me. I cannot explain on here what they did for me, but I'm glad I met them.

Happy to be home, but ready to go again!
jb