What's so great about Albany?

Eric and I in front of New York's Capitol building
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The real question should be: What is NOT so great about Albany? And the answer is: Nothing!

To the best of our experience in Albany, everyone is nice and everything is free. (So far, Albany has been the economic rockstar of this trip and has wildly exceeded my expectations.)

Today we went up to the free observation deck in Corning Tower, took a free tour of the gorgeous capital of New York State, and visited the free New York State Museum (highlights included a touching 9/11 exhibit and an awesome carousel from the 1800s - which I got to ride!)

We encountered kind people who patiently gave us detailed directions to the Empire Plaza Information Center (which is tucked away in the underground corridor beneath Empire Plaza -- where were you on that one “Let’s Go” Travel book?) took us on a spontaneous, free, private tour of the New York Supreme Court (we just inquired at the security desk and they gave us some brochures/books about the court, then arranged a private tour and actually opened the courtroom just for us!), and even tried to save us money on parking (though with the cheapest parking we have come across yet, there was really no need!). Even the weather was nice! (Although that is perhaps not due to Albany as much as it is some kind of karmic compensation for the unbelievable monsoon during our moving week.)

We’d like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Nelson Rockefeller for a job well done on the civic renovation of Albany, and suggest that Albany be held up as a model for American cities everywhere! :)

We also took in a movie at the Independent Spectra 8 Theatre, which serves popcorn with real butter. (ah, the way it was meant to be!) We saw “Love Guru” (which I give a B at best), and it ironically -- I’m not even making this up -- retraced our route up to now with settings in Toronto, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls! That part was pretty funny :)

We also tried out Bomber’s Burritos, and have just recently gorged ourselves on some ice cream at Friendly’s. Tomorrow, Saratoga and on to Vermont!