Hotel St James

It was warm and very humid when we left the plane. The queue through customs was long but moved fast. We were fingerprinted and photohraphed but it was done without hostility so it wasn't too bad. I had been prepared for worse. As we left the airport a bus was advertised right outside that would drop us off three blocks from the hotel. Given the queues for taxis it seemed very sensible. However those three blocks were through the heart of Times Square which was heaving with tourists. It must have taken us 30 minutes to carry our tired bodies and four cases to the hotel, all the while wiping the sweat from our faces (well at least mine). The hotel is dingy but sufficient and cheap. A 15 minute delay waiting for the guy at the desk to come up and open the door for us (because I don't know how to open New York doors apparently) was the last straw for Katarina who collapsed on the bed. But she's a great traveller and never moaned once. Now it's midnight (or 5am) it's time I got some sleep too. I'm just relieved the air conditioning is working - for now.