I like to consider myself a helpful person, and to that end I am going to perform a public service and offer some valuable advice. Should you ever travel to New York, you would be wise to request a room that does not overlook Times Square. Because if you think you want a view of Times Square, you might as well be ordering 24-hour daylight. Flashing neon daylight, at that. I did draw the draperies closed but I nevertheless knew, just knew, those lights were still out there taunting me, blinking right outside my window even when I could see them no longer.

And while I am in the mood for dispensing advice, I’ll recommend against taking a room that opens over the atrium lobby only a few floors below. Or a room next door to a partying crowd. The entire city was conspiring to keep me awake, I know they were. Every last sleep-depriving one of them.

New York was an interesting experience. It’s been so long since I was there (except for that eventful rerouted flight a few years ago), that I didn’t really remember it. So when I unexpectedly found myself with time to kill on Saturday, I took advantage of the opportunity to do some exploring. It was beautiful fall weather, and I got to enjoy my longed-for taste of autumn. I stuck within walking distance after promising my husband I would not ride the subway alone (though I’m used to traveling solo for work and well versed in subway common sense, having traversed subways the world over; but it is New York, so it was easier to err on the side of caution and agree). I covered a lot of ground on foot. Quite the opposite of Orlando, which is not at all a walking city. It turns out there is no better place than Times Square and the surrounding areas to experience the sights and sounds of the big city.

My first stop, after parting with a couple of bucks for one of those delicious soft, warm pretzels from a street vendor that I had spied from the taxi on my way in, was the giant Toys R Us just across the way from my hotel. I walked in and pretty much right back out again because it was so overwhelming. Where do you even start in a place of that magnitude? Noise was coming at me from every direction and staff were posted everywhere to direct people toward the exit. Otherwise no one would have ever been able to find their way out. Though had my family — including my husband, the eternal kid — been with me, it might well have been our one and only stop for the day. I know I would have enjoyed it more if they had been there too.

I pushed my way through the throngs of people, pretzel in hand (feeling very much like a native New Yorker!), wandering in and out of shops as I made my way toward the Empire State Building. Due to the gorgeous clear day, it had been my intention to go to the observation level, but the two-hour wait changed my mind. Instead I backtracked to the New York Public Library and went inside for a brief respite from the traffic and people and noise. Oh, how I wish I had such an elegant place to which I could adjourn for a little quiet reading once in a while!

I was not able to see all the things I would like to have seen, had I had more time to play tourist. I wanted to tour Ellis Island, and pay my respects at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center. I wanted to head further in the other direction toward Rockefeller Center (but no ice skating there for me, for obvious reasons) and Central Park. I just didn’t have the time. Perhaps I will make it back with Kent one of these days so we can see the sights together. It’s on our list of travel destinations.

I did, however, get to take in a Broadway show, something I’ve always wanted to do. So now I can say I’ve done Broadway. But truthfully? I didn’t think it was any better than the touring Broadway productions we’ve seen locally. It did not, for instance, surpass the touring production of Les Miserables, my favorite theater experience to date.

Also on the weekend’s agenda was catching up with an old friend who lives in Manhattan, which was tremendous fun. We ate at a Thai restaurant that he selected, and even I, the pickiest eater alive, found something scrumptious on the menu.

And oh yeah, the work part of the trip went fine too.