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So although I have technically been to Asia (I crossed the Bosphorus in Istanbul), I have never experienced the “real” Asia. About 5 years ago my brother and his friend got a deal wherein they could travel around Asia for one low price. I think it was through the Cathay Pacific All Asia Pass. And it looks like a pretty good deal right? Travel to Hong Kong and to two other destinations for $1500? But then I began to wonder about the cost of overland trips. I suppose this is good for those who want to see everything in a short amount of time – but I want to see everything over a very long period of time. So what do you think – is this a good deal?
Manchester, NH is affectionately known as “ManchVegas” to its citizens. Assuming it earned the name because of its sparkling nightlife and tawdry underbelly, I convinced a friend to come spend some time in the largest city in New Hampshire.
My first attempt to experience ManchVegas failed dismally as I was relying on public transportation (i.e. buses that came once every hour) and the last bus left the downtown area at the rather early hour of 5:30 pm. However, the upside to this public transit system is that I was literally the only person on the bus, so the driver and I had a pleasant conversation as I took my own, bus-sized personal taxi back to my hotel.
Forays into the darkness of Manchester were greatly aided by the arrival of my friend – not only for her car which allowed me to explore the city into the night, but also because with an ally at my back, I was more willing to explore. A Wednesday night consisted of eating at Peking Garden, a Chinese restaurant with NO ONE else in the restaurant except one rather shady man watching the Olympics and eating at the bar. With the failure of Wednesday night, our hopes for the discovery of ManchVegas were diminishing hourly.
Then came Thursday – a day when only those truly committed to the art of the party emerge. Our initial Thursday night bar was The Shaskeen, Irish pub with a rather snooty bartender, at which I held a real Grammy in my hands. After being hit on by a rather unappealing 50 year-old man, we switched bars. At our next place, TJ’s, we knew we had found a gem. Chatting up several locals, we followed one Manchesterite to a bar, Strange Brew Tavern, just off the main drag. Although not promising on the outside, the inside was filled with young adults intrigued by the fresh blood of outsiders. My friend and I were impressed by the friendliness of the locals and plied them with questions about the city. Loathe to leave our new friends, we headed out to one more place, The Black Brimmer, for a final dance before the nightlife shut down at 1:30 am.
Wikipedia says that some people want to change the name to “ManchHattan.” Although not a resident, simply an admirer of Manchester nightlife, I believe Manchester has earned the nickname ManchVegas fair and square, and for that, it will always have a place in my heart.
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