If I had to describe New York City in one word, it would be MAGNETIC! Although Manhattan can be expensive, I know I'll keep returning because there's so much I've yet to see.
Karen's List of Things to Do on the next trip to NYC
#1 ON MY LIST . . . Here’s a puppet of Doris Diether and Stix. Stix is a dancer like me, and after a few swigs of “modern vintage moonshine”, he really likes to kick up his heels! He was made by Ricky Syers. While performing at Washington Square, Ricky met and became friends with Doris Diether (an 86-year-old activist). He surprised her with this life-like puppet.
The purpose of this trip was to attend a BlogHer conference. A blog (short for web log) are websites where people write about personal opinions, activities, and experiences. If you're a woman thinking about starting a blog, a business or addressing a social cause, I highly recommend attending a yearly BlogHer conference. Not only do these conferences address all things blog but they will inspire, support and empower you.
The conference was held at the New York Hilton Midtown, a gorgeous hotel located within walking distance of Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, Times Square, Broadway and the Museum of Modern Art. The only downside for me was that the rooms cost $300 a night, so instead I stayed at this Airbnb for $110 a night - a 10-minute walk from the Hilton! I had the place mostly to myself because my very busy hosts were rarely home, but they were very helpful when we did cross paths. For example, Gio helped me avoid the $50 taxi ride from LaGuardia by giving me detailed instructions to take the bus and train to his house for only $6. That's one of the great benefits of airbnb - the insider tips from hosts.
BlogHer 2015
Although it's interesting to see celebrities in person, the attendees are just as fascinating and inspiring. For example, I sat next to a Rhodes scholar at dinner and I met Ivy Larson (below) in the line for the restroom.
A few of my favorite blogs
Clean Cuisine - At age 22, Ivy Larson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and given the option to treat it with medications or diet. She chose an anti-inflammatory diet. There's a new awareness among the medical community that chronic inflammation contributes to many chronic diseases like Alzheimer's, heart conditions, stroke, depression and many more. Ivy's diet helps minimize dietary sources of inflammation.
The Blogess is an award-winning, seriously funny blog about Jenny Lawson's periodic bouts with mental illness. She's also the author of Amazon Best Seller, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things as well as Let's Pretend This Never Happened.
Found these men at the Expo. I'm not sure why, but it seemed to take forever to get just the right shot. Couldn't wipe the grin from my face if I tried.
My guilty pleasure at BlogHer conferences is the Expo, because I love all the freebies. This year I got a year's supply of pens, notebooks and Aquafresh toothpaste, a pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, a bunch of gift certificates and coupons, and enough cookies and candy to make a normal person sick - but for me it's just called supper!
No trip is complete without a dance. Here I am dancing salsa with the Aquafresh man.
Esperanza's NYC Transportation Tips
METROCARD - You can get unlimited rides for 7 days for $31 - including from the airport. There are machines at the airport where you can purchase them. I took a bus from JFK Airport to midtown Manhattan for $6!
UBER - Use this link - go to the bottom of the page where it says "promo/invite" and enter this code karenb14101ue to get $2 off each of your first rides. You’ll save money if you share your ride share by using Uber Pool.
LYFT - Lyft also has ride share to help save money.
I like to compare Uber and Lyft rates because they were always different on the trips I took.
Become a driver for Lyft or Uber!!
This is a fantastic way to earn extra money for travel or dance or to pay off your car - whatever! Work anytime you want. Have an extra hour to spare? Hop in your car and drive. Use the above Uber and Lyft links to see what you'll earn.