The public transport is running again. Some roads are still closed off, and not everything is smooth according to the radio, but the one bus which takes me from New Jersey to New York is running. It's $12 one way, quite expensive return trip. It takes about one your each way. I remember taking a bus from Bellingham to Blane, the two towns between Seattle and the Canadian border. That trip takes one hour and twenty minutes, and cvost $1!!! Why is it so expensive here?
 
My plan is to visit REI, a backpacking and travel store, to find hiking shoes. Also, I am going to visit the B&H electronics store. I've been there before. Really high tech. And they have basically everything camera, video, computer and whatever else electronics related! A really incredible place to visit. It is run by orthodocs jews, those with long sideburns, yarmulkas and strange clothes. So, visiting this store is also like a cultural experience. Oh well, not really. They are hard core businessman, not interested in cultural exchange. They want your money!

Photo:  New York, USA → Just one of the two photos I have taken in New York this time. Can you spot the broken in half tree on the left? That's hurricane Sandy's work.

Photo:  New York, USA → The one thing quite common in New York, is the the satircase on the side of an older building. Pretty cool, I like that.

Very loooong day!!! I am glad it's over...
 
Everything seems to work in New York. The stores are open, lots of coffee shops and restaurants full of food. And a lot of people! Some things don't run well though. The trip back to New Jersey was supposed to take parhaps 1.5 hours. It took almost 5. It was a total chaos at Port Authority bus terminal. Incredibly long line ups to get a ticket, just to find out that the machines don't take bills or cards. Coins only. They send us to another place where after another 30 minuts waiting I got my ticket. Then, lined up at the usual gate. Got on the bus to be told that buses to Old Bridge run from another gate. More lining up. This time for two hours... Finally on the bus. Does it go to Ferry Road? Yes. About 15 minutes before Ferry Road the driver tell everyone to get off! A couple of other guys get upset. Apparently the driver got the directives not to go to the Ferry Road, but didn't bother to inform anyone. So he takes us making a loop to another stop, wher after 15-20 minutes we should be able to board another bus whhich goes further. The bus arrives, and the driver is not happy taking us. Finally he does and we are on our way. Arrived in Old Bridge 3.5 hours late.
 
Sounds like Central America travel? Definitely it does. Except it is usually easier there. There is almost always some sort of transportation available in Central or South America, and the vehicles never get full! haha There is always a space for yet another person, so you usually never miss your connection. New Jersey transit - you are excused. I understand that it's not easy to coordinate all this traffic and flow of people after Sandy. And New York is a true metropolis.
 
Sadly, I haven't accomplished anything in New York. REI has such a poor selection of shoes, that I couldn't pick up anyting. Such a contrast to their Seattle store, where they have everything. It was good to make this trip though, a change of scenery, refreshing.

More - Continued here.