New York, New York!!

It only took about an hour to fly from Akron/Canton to New York.

We were welcomed, in a half-hearted manner, by an official New York City greeter, though I think her smile was genuine. Signs everywhere in LaGuardia Airport welcomed us to the city.

Outside, Beth, Pat and I eventually tracked down a cab. This is my first true experience in
a taxi. It was clean, smelling only of cheap leather.

Off to the city... I'm glad the cabbie knew where we were going and it seemed like he didn't take us on the fare. Driving through the city, I had no idea where we were. Both pedestrians and cabbies drive boldly here. We weaved in and out of traffic at speeds that made me slightly nervous. But we made it safely to our hotel.

We're several blocks away from Madison Square Garden, where most of the convention activities will take place. It takes maybe five minutes to reach the Garden.

NYPD are here in force, especially in areas where there are a lot of people. Police have not shut down the roads around the Garden yet. Tomorrow several surrounding streets will be closed.

The three of us spent the day getting acclimated with the city and talking with some students from Kent State who will protest tomorrow.

We also made a trip to Ground Zero. Protestors, police and media surrounded the fences around the World Trade Center site. Upon an informal count in my head, I think there were more media there than protestors or police. Beth will have a story related to some of things we saw there on Monday.

After a walking tour of the area (and an introduction to the subway system), we came back to the hotel to work, then wonder the streets. We ended up at a rather tastey Korean food place. The menus alternated between Korean and English. Our meals were good.

Tomorrow, United for Peace and Justice (and many other groups) will march through Manhattan sometime in the morning. (Times have shifted several times.)

Pat and Beth are sleeping as I write this. Pat's last words: "Korean food...so tired."

Indeed.

Tomorrow will be a very busy day.