Although I was arriving 3 hours later than scheduled ( plane delay) Maryellen kindly welcomed me to her lovely home, showed me the room and handed me a key. There is a very friendly door man who helped getting the suitcase from the taxi into the elevator. The bed is comfy, the robe clean and cuddely and the coffee next morning was excellent. It was a special joy to meet some of Marellen's children and see them work on school assignments or hear them play the piano.
I went on a long morning walk in Riverside Park, which is just 5 minutes by foot from the house and later used the subway station 110/Broadway (just 2 short blocks). I felt very safe in the neighborhood.
Since my plane left late the following day I was allowed to leave my suitcase for later pick-up. I would gladly come back and stay with Maryellen's family again on my next visit to NY.