Getting ready for New York

Greetings from rainy Manhattan. By now you should be packing for your New York adventure. Don't forget to pack a towel. I found that there are sheets and a pillow on the bed, but I forgot to pack a towel, so I have a nice New York Yankees souvenir with which to dry off!

When you arrive at 92Y (1395 Lexington Ave is the address, in case your Über or taxi driver is unfamiliar with the place). The security people at the front desk will have an envelope waiting for you. In it you will have a key for your room and an ID card. That's enough to get you started.

At your earliest convenience during daytime hours, you'll want to go to the 8th floor, to the residential office. That's where you'll have your photo taken for your ID badge. It's also where you go to pick up your mail.

If you're interested in the May Center fitness facilities, you'll find that on the 3rd floor. You can register in advance online, or they'll help you register onsite. It's an easy process and the folks are really friendly and helpful.

Here's what I can tell you about our accommodations: I have a large single room and it is comfortable, but small. There is a spacious closet, a dresser, a desk, and some shelves. The bathroom on my floor (which appears to be a male-only floor) has six private showers. The kitchen on my floor is not large, but it has two refrigerators, a stove and oven, a microwave oven, and sink. There are community dishes, pots and pans that we are free to use, I'm told, as long as we wash them. The signs warn you to mark you name and room number on your food.

Incidentally, I tried out the pool and it was great to get back at it, after my medically-mandated sabbatical. It is 25 yards long and has four wide lanes (although one of them has stairs at the end and that lane appears to be mostly for folks who are mostly relaxing). There are two hot tubs--my aching back will be glad for that.

This may change, but as of Tuesday, I'm anticipating that we will have an orientation at 92Y on Friday evening. We will have our official opening dinner on Saturday evening.

Have a safe journey. I look forward to your arrival. Let me know if you have questions.