New York City is always fun to visit — especially during the winter holidays. I walked all over Manhattan and ate really well. Got to the Met, checked out the MoMath gift shop, found my way to Washington Square Park, and had some good Chinese food on Christmas evening.

Bird of prey enjoying a meal in Central Park
Bird of prey enjoying a meal in Central Park
With mom at the public library
With mom at the public library

Eventually it was time to pack up (or, well, repack up) and make my way over to Newark airport the evening of December 26.

The bus ride was very delayed. After picking me (and nobody else) up at Grand Central, the bus drove across Manhattan to Port Authority for another pickup. That meant driving through Times Square. Well, “driving” is generous. We were mostly just stopped. At that moment I felt a bit bad for snickering at all of the snarled traffic from the past few days as I outpaced car after car while on foot.

Luckily I was able to get a seat
Luckily I was able to get a seat

At some point we crossed the Hudson and entered the Garden State. Ah, Jersey. Newark was a zoo. Maybe it was just the international terminal. Or just this particular day. In any event, I eventually got through security and made it to the gate. With some time to spare, I sat down at the bar.

Yeah, those prices are in dollars
Yeah, those prices are in dollars
Selfie with Terminal C Santa
Selfie with Terminal C Santa

Crazy to think that after 7 hours in the air I’d be in Africa for the first time. Marrakech, Morocco, here we go!