Regular readers will know that I like to chat. In fact I think Twitter was evolved with me in mind. Actually – according to Wikipedia

Comedian Josh Marino created the twitter acronym; Typing What I’m Thinking To Everyone Reading

but as here in Scotland chatting a lot is known as wittering – I think that that is were it came from. But I digress .

I spent last week in New York with 5 girlfriends. Only 2 of us had been before and it was a joy to see the excitement of the others as we hit Times Square for the first time, or when they saw the Statue of Liberty from the boat , or when we reached the top of the Empire State Building ( hours of queues) and then again when we saw the Empire State Building at sunset from the Top of the Rock ( much much better). For us being in New York was a bit like being on a film set. Of course we had great fun together too.

As is often the case though the highlights of a trip are as much  to do with interactions with people as seeing the sights. New York was no different

• About an hour after we checked into our hotel we were in Times Square to pick up our New York Passes ( a great investment by the way). A young man approached me to ask me if we liked stand up comedy. Now of course he was selling tickets ( officially) but when I said that we were not interested he still chatted . A lovely welcome.
• One morning we were too early for the stores to open so we wandered into Central Park. The tour buses operate from there. Again we did not want to take a bus but the guy selling tickets who approached us walked along telling us about the city. Sure we might have changed our minds but he did not make us feel obligated. Next time maybe!
• In a bookstore I was browsing the business section when I was aware that the only other person nearby was sniffing loudly. Clearly he had a bad cold and I offered him some tissues. He introduced himself as Mathis, said he is planning a website on the back of the goodwill shown towards the US since President Obama’s election and I told him about Twitter. Fascinating for each of us – I hope.
• We decided we wanted to see a show – if we could get discounts. We saw the huge queue for the discounted tickets but there are people around who make sure that you only join the queue if you hav to. As we were happy to go along with ideas he suggested the show Altar Boyz. Now of course he gets a commission for sending us there but we got tickets at a price we were happy with and the show was great. Turned out also that he has spent some time in Aberdeen in Scotland and we had a chat about Scottish football .
• On the morning before we left to fly home we decided on another walk in Central Park taking the subway to 72nd St. Alas we did not read the signs well – rail works meant that the usual trains were not stopping there. We ended up at 128th ( I think) . A couple from Brazil( they told us) approached us and asked us what was going on. Their English was not good -  better than my Portugese though- but we made ourselves understood and they followed me ( no pressure..) backwards and forwards on the trains until we got to where we were heading.

It is  worth considering about stopping for a chat on any journey you are making – geographically or through your life. It can be very rewarding!