My cousin has lived near New York for years and for years I have found one excuse after another not to visit…time, money the usual. Stands to reason that I would find a way to get to New York from Afghanistan.

I arrived at JFK early Friday morning with a few hours to kill, and a not so subtle case of jet lag to fight off, so I decided to make my way to my cousin’s house in New Jersey via public transit…luggage in tow.

1. Air Train from JFK to Jamaica station
2. Subway from Jamaica Station to Penn station
3. Train from Penn station to Seacacus, change trains to East Rutherford

What was incredibly surprising was how friendly and helpful New Yorkers are. The public transit trip cost me $21 versus the more than $100 had I taken a taxi. The only struggle was getting my huge bag though the turnstiles, but other than that and a little jet lag, the trip when off without a hitch – and it kept me up and active for a few more hours.

New Jersey was great! From the train I though I could just hail a cab… great plan except for the face that’s East Rutherford is small and there was no taxi stand. I wandered into a little Irish Pub nearby and the friendly bar tender called a cab – 15 minutes later I was “home”. It was great to crash on the couch and veg in front of the TV.

Spending time with Jill, Annie…and Don! Brunch in New York, walking along the pier, water taxi ride uptown, quick tour of the Irish Famine Memorial…where I was surprised to find the Action Center! Taxi trips, watching The Brothers Bloom at the Angelika, evening at a Chelsea lounge where I met Jacob, then on to see Alison Janey in 9-5 (one word….Fabulous!!).

Just walking down a street and not causing a stir was such a relief – not to mention driving a car, accessing the internet at lightening quick speeds, wearing comfortable and familiar clothes, going to a grocery store stocked with foods I eat and going being able to go to a variety of restaurants. Everything passe was new again.

New Jersey was great for shopping and the best meal I had…Taos! Thanks to the shopping in Paramus I was able to fully load my VERY large suitcase: Pyrex storage bowls, kitchen utensils, hand towels, sheets, duvet, decorative storage boxes, baking dish and lid, spices, clothes etc. My bag was so heavy I could hardly lift it onto the airline scale at check-in. Still cant’ believe I wasn’t charged a penny for overweight luggage!

My last dinner was at Taos in East Rutherford. It was amazing and the company…I really can’t tell you how hard it was to pack that night, leaving behind my cousin who I have always adored, her partner Annie & best friend Don. But thanks to their TLC I left refreshed and New.

Highlights from the trip…

Annie & Jill at the MAC party on Long Island.

Action Center to End World Hunger

Dwarfed by The Rock!

Times Square...now pedestrian friendly!