I just spoke on the phone with a guy I work with. He is in young, exploring the world and is in Manhattan right now. He is at some event on W. 50th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues. Sounds like he is having a great time.

He and I work together and he told me he was buying tickets to this event in Manhattan on New Year's Eve. He also told me he had never been to Manhattan before. I was like, 'Dude, that's not a good night to 'familiarize' yourself with Manhattan. We made arrangements and I drove him to Manhattan one Saturday morning.

It was a nice drive, two-and-a-half hours or so to the Staten Island Ferry. The trip was going to be fun for me as I knew his eyes would 'light-up' at the sight of the city. I am familiar so I knew would be fun to see the city to through a novice eye. It was.

We parked at the Staten Island Ferry and took the boat into lower Manhattan. That trip takes you right past the Statue of Liberty. The parking is $7/day, the ferry ride into Manhattan is free. There is a subway stop right at the ferry terminal so the city is your's. It's great.

Marcos had been in the Marines for four years before he became the Cable Guy. He is young and very eager to explore and make his mark in the world. He joined the Company back in February when I was off work. I met him in May and liked him right away. He is very personable guy.

Marcos spent some time working at the Apple Store in King-of-Prussia. He is an Apple fan, for sure. After taking him past the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan we got on the subway to go up to the flag-ship Apple store at 5th and 59th.

It was great! He loved it. He saw people he knew there.

We walked down 5th Ave; through Rockefeller Center Promenade. I had called friends there; they knew I was coming to the city that day. We walked across mid-town, met my friends at their apartment and had lunch with them. It was fun for my friends to see the city for the 'first time' through his eyes, too.

I made sure he knew where he wanted to be tonight. I showed him where the subway stops were. I wanted to be sure he was comfortable and not overwhelmed by the city. I showed him the subway, the buses. How to get around there. I wanted to show him the public transit is great there, don't be afraid to use it. I am sure I taught him well.

He is now in Manhattan and told me this will be a New Year's he will never forget. He told me he walked up to and through Times Square...like we had when I 'initiated' him to the city. He said he took some pictures and walked up to where his ticketed-event was. He told me he began speaking to a woman and is now inside as part of the 'staff' for the event.

Good for him, I am so glad he got there safely and is obviously having a good time!

I told him he was crazy for wanting to go up there tonight. Times Square is an area that is to be avoided even on 'quiet' nights as too many tourists. I am glad to know he is there, safe, and having a great time. Hopefully, I contributed in some small way and wish him and all my friends out there the happiest of New Years!

I think I am safe in saying that we will all be glad to see this year pass. As with so many others, this was not a particularly good year for me. At least I was able to get some travel in.

In 2008 I was able to get to Savannah, GA, Saugutuck, MI, Lansing, MI, Mackinac Island and Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Washington, DC, and many trips to Manhattan. As many of you know, in my opinion one of the best things about living here in Amishland is getting away.

The pictures listed above and below are part of the chronicle of this year’s travels.

Year in Review

I am still playing around with how this new site works...

...I am glad I seem to have successfully uploaded some pics.

Here are some more...

Year In Review