New York, New York

[-Bouncer-]

Hey guys, so this might be random but I'm heading to NY in about a month to visit family and for work related reasons. I won't be doing much work, so it will be more of a holiday as my brother stays there. I will be there for just under two months and I just have a couple of questions for anybody that have been there and have gone out of the country.

First off, this will be my first trip out of South Africa. Yes I have been on a plane many times before, most recent going to Joburg for rAge. But I know that this flight will be at least around 22 hours long. Do you guys have any tips for traveling such long distance such as packing, what not to do, best to take with you on the plane, etc.

Secondly (this is more for people that have been to NY), what are some of the must do and don't? I'll gladly visit some of the outlying areas such as Boston but I don't want to spend too much on traveling far because then I would have to pay more for a hotel. Seeing as I'm staying with my brother, I will be saving on living expenses.

Also, what are some restrictions that I would have on games/blu-rays? I have a PS3/Xbox/PC and I know that Xbox games won't work but what about the rest? I am also considering to buy a laptop (one which would be powerful enough for 3D rendering) but I'm not 100% sure about the power adapted and which brand to go for.

I have done some extensive research on this trip for a while now, worked out a schedule as well but I would like to know opinions and thoughts from you guys. Please feel free to post links to any websites that has interesting events or places during that time or even PM me if you'd like.

As you can see, I am relatively new to traveling but I am really excited and got a feeling that this will be the first of many ;)

My Mass Effect Hoody from the Bioware Store is already waiting for me in NY. :)

As I've mentioned, any tips and advice will help a lot and thanks in advance. :D

[Flangenimblick]

Do you guys have any tips for traveling such long distance such as packing, what not to do, best to take with you on the plane, etc.

General tips:

In general, travel light. Pack only about 3 days worth of clothing, buy stuff there to take back. Check what the weather is like for 10 days before you plan to go and pack based on that. Take a smart-ish outfit (for going out), a day outfit and something for the weather (e.g. if it's going to be cold, take something warm etc).

Get something, such as a bankie, to put all your important SA stuff in (money, student card etc) for when you're in the states that you can swap back when you leave.

Don't take anything that is precious to you that you would hate to lose, for example any important jewellery or an expensive watch.

Remember to take your charging equipment and buy an international adapter, you can get them from most electronics stores.

Pack whatever you can into your main luggage, and just keep your entertainment gear and your most important stuff with you in your hand-luggage.


Plane:

On the plane itself, wear comfy, loose clothing (not boots or tight socks etc), I prefer to wear sweatpants and a baggy hoodie. Some people dress up for the plane, but that's stupid for how long you'll be there. Rather be comfy than stylish in my opinion.

If you have an iPad or iPod or DS etc, make sure they're fully charged and ready to go, but again, travel light, only take one gaming/music item and perhaps a book. There will be movies to watch and music to listen to on the flight but it helps to have your own stuff.

Some people choose to stay up the entire trip, others pop a sleeping pill and nod off for most of the flight, choose what you want to do and go for it. Don't get drunk on the plane, never ends well.

Get up and stretch often. Walk around, move your arms, keep the circulation going.

Drink plenty of water (no cokes etc) and keep spare water bottles with you, you'll get thirsty at night. Get the spare bottles from the steward/stewardess.

Secondly (this is more for people that have been to NY)....

Haven't been to NY. Been to about 30 different countries, including US, but haven't been to NY, so can't help you there I'm afraid :p

Also, what are some restrictions that I would have on games/blu-rays? I have a PS3/Xbox/PC and I know that Xbox games won't work but what about the rest? I am also considering to buy a laptop (one which would be powerful enough for 3D rendering) but I'm not 100% sure about the power adapted and which brand to go for.

Anything you buy there along the lines of games and dvds etc will be NTSC. If you have a multi-region player, then no worries, but if not then you'll have trouble. Also, many PC games will be region specific, so careful what you buy. Honestly, I wouldn't bother, prices will be about the same...

I have done some extensive research on this trip

Good approach. Always pays to do that!

My Mass Effect Hoody from the Bioware Store is already waiting for me in NY.

I am super jealous of this! ;)

As I've mentioned, any tips and advice will help a lot and thanks in advance. :D

If I think of anything else then I'll post it. Otherwise, good luck and enjoy!

[BattleMoose]

3 days of clothing seem a bit light, personally I would take more but, people.

Also, have a spare change of clothes in your carry on, bags do get lost and the last thing you want is to land in a foreign country without a change of clothes.

Aisle seat. The window seat is tempting and so are the views but I've found being able to get up and walk about freely is worth a lot more.

If you have a large appetite you can buy some snacking food after you go through security and take that on the plane but be sure not to take it into the USA with you. I don't know their rules but safer is better.

Also, the airline meals are small, very very very ****ing small (or I just eat a lot its a bit of both) for me, they are not a meal. Once you have finished your meal, and if you are still hungry its very important to ask the air stewards as soon as possible, as they are clearing before the are clearing that you would very much like to have another one. In a very nice and polite manner. Whenever I've asked I've always got a second meal and when I don't I spend a good number of hours in the air absolutely ****ing ravenous, not fun.

Comfy clothes, the comfiest you have and loose shoes, your feet will swell.

Also americans seem to drink their coffee with half-half , which is half cream and half milk. I was flying an airline and was asked if I wanted cream of half-half with my coffee, I was very confused, where was the milk option? There are no secrets why the USA is so full of fat people, try not to get fat.

[Grimnebulin]

Only been in New York for a few days, but spent two weeks in Boston, so if you do go, let me know for how long and I'll gladly give you a list of highlights. Three days should be good enough for you to fit in most of the good stuff. Transport options to Boston are train/bus. Train will get you there faster (about 4 hours) in relative comfort, but bus doesn't take much longer and is far cheaper. Definitely the better option.

[-Bouncer-]

Thanks guys for all the advice and tips! :)

@ Flangenimblick, I also think that 3 days is a bit light considering that I'm going for just under two months. But if I do decide to go away to say Washington, then I'll travel light because that will only be for about 2 days or so.

On the plane itself, wear comfy, loose clothing

Yes I already planned ahead what I will be wearing. I was actually thinking of going for flip flops instead of shoes. Unfortunately I do not have an iPad/DS/PSP so a book it will have to be. Still have to finish The Hobbit. I will be flying with Turkish Airlines and herd that their service are pretty good and they got lots of movies on the plane.

As for the laptop, would it be a good idea to get one there? I've been looking at prices and one that would cost me around R13000 in SA, will be almost half of that in the US. The only thing is the brands.

Don't get drunk on the plane, never ends well.

I'll be drinking plenty of water but I might sneak in one drink ;) Yes the problem with games is the region but isn't PS3 region free because my copy of Demons Souls is Region 1? But its true though, games are more or less the same price. The only gaming stuff I might get, are memorabilia that you don't get in SA. Such as the Mass Effect Hoody or something from the Blizzard store. Where I will save a hell of a lot on shipping.

@ Battlemoose, I will be carrying the basics with me and a extra set of clothes. I'm allowed to have two 24kg suitcases and a backpack on the plane.

Also, the airline meals are small, very very very ****ing small

I'll keep that in mind. I will eat just before I leave and properly.

....try not to get fat.

Haha very true. Luckily the apartment that I will be staying in has a gym on the second floor so I'll make sure that I spend an hour a day there and I'll stay away from those greasy foods.

@ Grimnebulin, I'll be in Boston for about 3 days or so. I was thinking of choosing the bus rather because then I'll be seeing more. Sure it will be longer but worth it.

Thanks again for all the advice! :)

[Zoop]

I wouldn't pack too summer-y for the plane. It can get pretty cold up there, and the last thing you want is to be stuck on a 22 hour flight without access to warmer clothes.

[brazed]

I'll weigh in a little later, but a few things:
NY isn't cheap, if you plan on buying clothes there, realise that you're going to pay (in Boston too), but don't take more than one bag's worth of clothing going over with some space left (and of course a backpack/shoulderbag for books etc). Bargains are obviously everywhere, but you'll have to look for them (Feline's Basement is a store you might want to check out). Boston isn't 'an outlying area" it's 6 hours away with the bus, but very cheap if you choose the Fungwha bus (or something like that), I did it when I went from Portland Maine to NY (when I wasn't driving), the normal bus from Portland to Boston was only 2 hours and it cost almost double the 6 hour Fungwha trip.

Anyway, more to follow. I lived in Maine for 2 years, and went down to NY often (still have friends who live there, whom I used to stay with as often as I could)

[-Bouncer-]

Thanks brazed. Looking forward to your advice. Sure Boston might not be "just around the corner" but it's a place I've been wanting to go for a while now. I also want to check out Chicago. I've been speaking to my brother about heading to Las Vegas for a weekend but it will be too expensive and it's too far. I'd rather do the Vegas thing next time I go.

I do hope that it will snow when I'm there. \0/ But I doubt that it will. I'll check out the store that you mentioned. Ironically I actually need to do clothes shopping soon and I've thought about holding out until NY, then I'll hunt down bargain stores. What are their "Cash Crusaders" stores like?

[brazed]

Right.

NY is expensive all round, you're not going to get past that, but you can make it affordable too by picking the right places to go to. I'm assuming you won't eat every meal out, so paying a bit more for lunches or dinners is probably going to be ok (expect to pay anything between $18-$30 at a decent place for dinner and $8-$25 for lunch), of course there is always a Starbucks or a pizza joint or your more mass franchise restaurants where you can get away for cheaper. Alcohol is expensive, prepare to pay upwards of $10 a shot and more than $5 a beer or a tot.

Bargain clothing will be in places like Feline's basement, but Manhattan doesn't really have malls. The thing about NY though, it's fun to explore. You'll 'discover' a lot of great and potentially cheap places by simply walking around and going into new stores. There is always something around the corner and NY is always awake.

A coffee place you have to try is in Greenwhich village, called MUD. Great food and great coffee.

Oh, and cabs are expensive. The underground is much cheaper, but it's not nearly as well directed as London or Beijing. Some trains don't run every day but good luck finding too much info about this and good luck trying to easily figure it out.

[-Bouncer-]

Thanks for the info brazed. For Museums and places like that, I'll probably get a NY Explorers pass. It's something like $140 for 10 places where as visiting one place can cost up to $30 entrance and its valid for a month.

I'll try not to eat out much as it is very expensive. Since I'll be living my my brother, we will go shopping instead of eating out. I've herd that drinks are very expensive as well, so I will try and "warm up" at the flat before going out ;)

Since my brother will be working most days, I will be off on my own exploring the place so that way (as you mentioned) I will discover new and exciting places. If it gets a bit late and I don't know where the heck I am, I'll just take a taxi back so I'll make sure I always have enough cash on me.

It's just a pitty that Comic-Con is when I'm not there -_-

I love bargain hunting and I'll check out some of the second hand stores. You never know what you could find there. Now on to some tech related questions. How will it work if I had to buy a phone/tablet there, new or used? Will I need to check that it is "unlocked"? I don't know too much about that but I will look into it.

[brazed]

Yeah. I know Apple sells unlocked iPhones, but they are more expensive than buying them outright with a contract. Not too sure about Samsung, but I'd expect they are already unlocked as standard, but I'm sure google will help. The salespeople will know what they're doing, but when it comes to electronics bargain hunting, you better have your bull****-detector out.

[Soulmantle]

It's just a pitty that Comic-Con is when I'm not there -_-

Take a pen, you will need to fill out forms for customs. Better to do it before you land. If you wear socks make sure they are clean , you will have to take your shoes off.

Go to New Jersey, visit Jay and Silent Bobs Secret Stash....take pics.