Our room came equipped with two 2-line phones - one of them cordless, an in-room safe with room enough to fit a laptop, a pantry and kitchenette, iron & ironing board, two flat screen televisions - one in bedroom and one in living area, a clock radio with CD player, complimentary high-speed internet access through a T1 line, bath products by Aveda, bathrobes by Frette, and a multitude of movies and other media to keep you entertained while in your room.

Bobby was now on his way out door telling us that if there was anything else we needed to call on him. He even told us hours he was working in next few days so we could reach him personally whenever he was there. As he left, I asked Ruth reasoning behind all of questions. The answer was simple and unexpected, "I just wanted to listen to his accent. It was very charming." I had to agree. In fact, I think same word could be used to describe room as well—charming.

The soft carpet was a welcome comfort for tired feet as we perused our surroundings. The room was gently lit and beige and mahogany colouring, along with granite countertops and view of a lovely rooftop garden next door gave room a homey feel that helped relax us even more. With a very comfortable bed and fold out couch there was no lack of places to kick back and enjoy finer touches. I recall noticing fresh flowers and chocolates as I fell asleep into my complimentary USA Today.

Wiping sleep from my eyes, I met world rested but very hungry. We went downstairs and Chris was practically reading my mind and suggesting a nice little Indian restaurant on Lower East Side when I remembered that my friend Fox would be in town to drop some things off for me. I mentioned this and seeing look of urgent hunger on my face Chris then offered to take

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:

http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/newyork/nyc/scarlos/sancarlos.html

David Lazzarino, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

The ferry takes about fifteen minutes from dock to Liberty Island and then another ten or so to Ellis Island. The entrance of gateway to land of opportunity is quite obviously more elaborate today than it was in 1920s and '30s when thousands of immigrants entered country. The exhibits inside, however, do a lot more to present realities of conditions surrounding post war influx and multitude that entered U.S. at that time. One of those individuals was my grandfather, so I spent some time at family history computer terminal looking him up. Despite large numbers of immigrants to choose from information turned up rather quickly. I could have paid a few dollars to get a print out of actual entry form with his name on it but a very helpful information desk clerk named Mike was able to inform me that this could be obtained on internet at www.ellisisland.org. For those that want their relatives name immortalized on memorial wall outside main building it can be done for a larger additional fee.

I'd be lying if I said that ferry back to Manhattan wasn't accompanied by a hint of nostalgia. Moreover, view of city from water has it's own poetic existence. It is true that city doesn't sleep, but from deck of a slowly moving ship it can appear somewhat docile; like slow bubbling of a volcano drifting into dormancy. It isn't until you get back to land do you again feel hum of life that great city has to offer

As I was already near financial district, I decided to take a walk past site of ground zero. It was a few years ago, before monstrous buildings of steel, concrete, and paperwork came hurting to ground like some dusty house of cards that I had opportunity to stand on observation deck of south building of Word Trade Center. Returning to site I expected wondrous confusion and sadness you might expect fro a modern day tragedy written with such a large cast of players in mind. I got more. Rather than lifeless remnants of a 1945 Hiroshima this pace had something more. Movement. People. The past was tragedy, present life, leaving only hope for future. Regardless, I left on a subway train back uptown feeling somber and introspective. It wasn't until I resurfaced that those feelings subsided to those of hunger. Keeping myself going with a few in-season selections from street-side fruit stands I searched and found a Hale and Hearty Soups (a common soup house in "Big Apple"). The turkey chili went well with some rolls left over from previous night. I enjoyed my makeshift dinner back in my room at Hotel Bedford watching old cartoons in my own personal living room (did ITo read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:

http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/newyork/nyc/bedford/bedford.html

David Lazzarino, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

David Lazzarino, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com