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We bid farewell to our comfortable Montreal home after a trip down to the trusty IGA to obtain lunch. Our flight was after lunch, and North American carriers do not supply food on short flights such as tis little hop over to NYC
The Airport bus stop was only 2 minutes walk from the apartment building, so we were soon standing, waiting. The $9 fare is included in our 3 day metro/bus passes, so good value. Airport is just 30 minutes away, and on our arrival, seemingly deserted. We zipped through check-in, American immigration and customs (though on this occasion, the official asked me bout how often I travel, about a stamb from Bangkok, and commented on my Iranian visa!)
The Airport bus stop was only 2 minutes walk from the apartment building, so we were soon standing, waiting. The $9 fare is included in our 3 day metro/bus passes, so good value. Airport is just 30 minutes away, and on our arrival, seemingly deserted. We zipped through check-in, American immigration and customs (though on this occasion, the official asked me bout how often I travel, about a stamb from Bangkok, and commented on my Iranian visa!)
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Flight, in a small Embraer 175 was uneventful. We had good views of the St Lawrence River on departure from Canada, and of the Hudson river as we reached south to La Guardia Airport.
Our luggage was out very swiftly, labelled Priority (fringe benefit of a Business Class flight almost 2 years ago). We were soon in a cab and on our way to Long island City. Host Beata tested and advised that she was 'stuck in the city', and her cleaning lady would meet us. The taxi took a few tries to find the address (a combination of one-way streets and multiple descriptors for the number 46 ( 46th Ave, 46th Road, and possible 46th Drive!). But we made it, and checked in. The small apartment was blessedly cool after the humid heat of the streets.
Our luggage was out very swiftly, labelled Priority (fringe benefit of a Business Class flight almost 2 years ago). We were soon in a cab and on our way to Long island City. Host Beata tested and advised that she was 'stuck in the city', and her cleaning lady would meet us. The taxi took a few tries to find the address (a combination of one-way streets and multiple descriptors for the number 46 ( 46th Ave, 46th Road, and possible 46th Drive!). But we made it, and checked in. The small apartment was blessedly cool after the humid heat of the streets.
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Long Island City is just across the East River from Manhattan, only 3 stops on the subway from Grand Central Station. New apartment towers are springing up along the riverside. Our apartment is 5 minutes walk from the subway at Court Square, and a handy supermarket, and 10 minutes walk from a fancier one (Food Cellar), down by the river. During the afternoon we go shopping for supplies at both. In between these expeditions, Beata visits to greet us and supply more information about the area and the apartment. We wait up for Ooq & Dita to arrive, and they do eventually at 11:30pm. It took them longer to get to the apartment from Newark airport than the flight from Toronto.