I've been in New York for a few days and I must say the tone of the city seems to have changed rather dramatically since my last visit before the economic meltdown. Walking around Manhattan, you get this feeling of gloom and doom. Everyone is looking at the ground and not each other which is actually not that common in this city where glancing at each other is a typical pastime. People aren't engaged in noticeable banter and chat. New Yorkers seem to be waiting for yet another shoe to drop in the financial disaster created right here on the tip of this little island. I for one just want to see them erect a guillotine on Wall Street.

One thing I can vouch for: the city is a bargain for hotels. I'm staying in a Hyatt on the Hudson River in Jersey City (one train stop to downtown Manhattan) for the unreal price of $70 per night thanks to Priceline. Had I preferred not going with Priceline and also preferred being in the city, among my options was a Holiday Inn in Times Square that was $75 per night plus free pizza. That kind of deal is more like something you might see in Birmingham or Memphis, but never in a city that can ask top dollar and get it. In any event, here is my view from my $70 room as taken by my roomie, Frank. Amazing isn't it!?