Wish you were here…

Barb and I spent the last five days in New Jersey and New York for a family wedding. Here are a few lessons learned and experiences we won't soon forget:

Traveling with a 91-year-old grandma in a wheelchair gets you to the front of the ticket line and security line at the airport

Soak up every moment - soon it will all be over

Riding in an NYC taxi is an unforgettable experience

Don’t look at the clock when you’re up late conversing with family

Smile when your 31-year-old son picks you up and swings you around the dance floor in his arms

Laughter and storytelling unites every family, everywhere

Have a schedule but flexibility is key

Buying your Broadway tickets at a discount one hour before the show gets you a great deal

If you find yourself in Harlem you’ve made a wrong turn

There are endless ways to experience NYC: on foot, by taxi, on the Subway, by train

Hold your valuables close or soon they’ll become someone else’s valuables

$5 umbrellas on the street corner are well worth the price when rain fills the sky

It doesn’t matter the size of your property – it’s all very expensive in NYC

Plan ahead – parking may take up to two hours…or better yet, take a taxi

Bring your walking shoes – that’s the best way to experience local life in NYC

NYC knows how to cram a lot of stuff into very little spaces

Delis don’t just sell deli food – they sell just about anything and everything

NYC is a melting pot of people, culture and language