Don’t run out of money in The Big Apple.
We stopped in New York for one night on the way home from our honeymoon in Bermuda. We stayed at The Ritz, and while we had considered leaving some of the luggage at the airport we ended up with everything at the hotel. About five bags plus two large boxes containing our legal limit of duty free alcohol.
We had a great evening. We ended up in a sidewalk cafe near Times Square watching people pass by. We were tan and fresh from a week in Bermuda, dressed to the nines cafe-society folks for sure.
The next morning, before heading to the airport, I added up our cash. Our condition was not good. We had under $10. Even back then, that was not going to get us very far.
The front desk had no interest in an out of state check from this cafe-society dude.
We packed up and started to leave the hotel. On our arrival The Ritz it had taken one bell boy per bag – that had cost $1 each. Maybe they knew we were cafe-society.
We were headed down to the lobby, on our own, with all 5+ pieces of luggage when a bell-man offered to help. Funny, when I said we didn’t have any money he quickly tended to other duties.
We got into a cab. When we arrived at the airport the meter said $6.05. I handed the driver a five, a single and a nickel. He handed me the trunk key. We were on our own to unload and get inside.
At the airport, before our flight departed, we had just enough money for two cups of coffee, one slice of apple pie, and the Sunday New York Times. I know people must still talk about the world travelers they saw sharing an apple pie and reading the Sunday Times in NYC.
It was good to get home.
Choices do matter, and some of these choices set the tone for our future together. Just because you don’t have any money, you can still have a slice of pie, a cup of coffee and read The Times while you count your blessings. We had each other and for that I will always be grateful.
These five stories set the stage for the next almost 50 years. Make a decision, go for it, believe in yourself and push your luck. Always.
Choices Do Matter. What is your story?
As always, the conversation starts here.