Just as when I arrived in New York, I wound up overcoming a couple of obstacles getting back out. When I woke up this morning ,I had overslept by over two hours, and I barely had time to get showered and packed so I could catch a cab to JFK. For those who don't know, taking a cab from midtown Manhattan to JFK (in Queens) isn't a quick journey; there's a good reason it's price-fixed at $45.

I just got home and haven't even yet unpacked anything but the computer, but I wanted to write about my experience in New York before I take a nap. My last visit to New York was in 1974 when I was eleven years old -- in fact, I think I turned 11 while I was there, or just before. I recall almost nothing about that trip, or at least I didn't before I came back on this visit.

New York did an amazing job in hosting this convention. Every native New Yorker with whom I spoke was never anything but gracious and welcoming, even though our presence in their city complicated nearly every phase of their lives. Emergency response agencies were especially professional and courteous, belying the stereotype of hostile and sarcastic police officers and firefighters that has become, thankfully, less prevalent since 9/11. After last night's events were over, I never wanted to take thousands of people home with me so much as I did those brave men and women who ensured our safety and security.

And I learned a new appreciation of why New Yorkers love their town. I've been around several metropolitan cities and their downtown areas, but Manhattan is like no other place I've been. "The city that never sleeps" is no cliche, even if the city grew disappointed with Republicans who do, including me. It's a strange and wonderful mix of high-rise business district, residential area, and shopping mall that stretches across the entire island. I wish I could have spent more time outside of it and experienced more of what makes New York so special, but the convention coverage required 15-18 hours a day, and even then I fell behind.

I'll write more about New York, the convention, and lots more about interviews and my experiences at the convention later today and all this weekend, so if you think it's over at Captain's Quarters, it isn't, not by a long shot. But first I wanted to give the Big Apple a truly heartfelt measure of my appreciation and gratitude for its sacrifice and hospitality. I'll never look at New York in the same way after this experience.

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