I've never been to NYC!  I would be totally overwhelmed-- I'd need someone to help  keep me from being mugged (Me: "Oooooh, look at all the pretty, shiny LIGHTS!" Mugger: "Oooooh, look at the easy mark with the diamonds!").

It would be fun, though.  I've always wanted to see the lions who guard the library!  And the museums!  And the MET!  Oh, and the NY Phil!  And BROADWAY!  Oh, I would be such a TOURIST!  (Mugger:  "Look at Lil' Tex there!  Yee-Hah!")

I`ve wandered alone all over the World and on the whole I`ve had very few hairy moments, the most recent was in Hawaii when this HUGE guy with obvious mental health problems was walking round and round my table and muttering to himself. I was sitting in a street cafe and suddenly I felt like Custer being circled by the Indians ! The staff soon noticed and shooed him away saying he was obviously a vagrant looking to cadge either money or cigarettes from people.
 I`ve found many places receive bad press they don`t deserve and I`ve been lost many many times and in some far off places but I`ve always found the people kind and helpful. If I`m wearing rings then I turn them inwards so they resemble plain bands and hide pendants under buttoned up jackets or cardigans and only ever carry a cheap bag if I`m doing " touristy " type things.
The only other hairy moment was in India and I`d wandered off through a very poor residential area and had refused to give money to the kids begging on the streets so they chased after me throwing stones.
Ironically the only place I`ve ever been mugged was almost on my own doorstep , in the very early evening,on a well lit footpath and with a main road alongside it and nobody stopped to help, I was pregnant with my middle son and had simply popped along to a friend`s house to deliver something so decided I`d walk the few minutes in distance. My bag had nothing of value in it and he came running up behind me and yanked it from my hand.

My pleasure!!!  Did you get it EMJ?? I apologize for not following up...I am in my 106th hour of work this week...I can't even remember when I mailed your Jewel Jet!

Just taking a quick peek at the forum...have I missed any big purchases this week??

Yes, I got it! It is wonderful!

Well, if THAT'S the bauble you want, GIAGirl, then you'd better be FIRST in line... 

GAIGirl, stranger things have happened!  I've always tried NOT to mention the DBL goodies that I covet... but, so far, that hasn't worked yet. *sigh* I think my "dream list" is down to three, from something like fifteen.  I too, have been waiting for the sky to open up... good thing I like Russian Roulette!