How do get sleep living in a bad neighborhood in the summer?|158589

I live in nyc in a bad section, about 20 guys hang out across the street from my building until 5 am every night, they scream, blast radio, cops laugh at me when i call. im on the 5th floor and stay awake until 5 am and sleep 2 hours then go to work.
How do you deal with this?

An airconditioner lets you keep the windows closed. Use earplugs and get a white noise machine

http://www.amazon.com/Machine-Screen-Con��

I used to live on the first floor of an apartment building down the block from a bodega where a group of guys would hang out well into the night. I found that having a fan on near my bed drowns out a lot of that noise. It_s easier to sleep through the noise from the fan than it is all the people talking and whatever.

I knew four college roommates who wanted to work in NYC. So they all chipped in for a big apartment in a not so good neighborhood in Brooklyn. Same situation. It seemed as if there was a party every night on the street. Yelling and screaming, cursing and fighting, and once in a while gunshots. What did they do? They brough an air conditioner and turned it on for the summer. During the winter less of a problem because the streets weren_t as crowded.

Have you seen those air purifiers that blow the air? We use those to sleep with. I live in a quiet suburb but we have gotten so used to the white noise it_s hard to sleep without it now. It covers all sorts of noise.....like the TV in the other room and such

Ear plugs.. A fan to help block out the noise..

Yeah like Lisa said, I_d just try to create ambience - whether with a fan or monotonous music (if other people around can_t hear it.) Other than that, I_d just move as soon as possible. It wouldn_t be fun to have neighbors like that.

Should I take a debit/credit card or traveler checks with me to Mardi Gras instead of cash?|162279

I really don_t want to get drunk and lose my money or anything like that. Does New Orleans accept the above forms of payment? I_d of course still bring some cash for tips.

Travelers checks is a great concept.. but when you get down to it.. many places wont take it. Same for many countries in south america. Your credit card/debit card will work just fine though. There might be a few places that will only take cash.. so carry a little on you.

Have fun

Personally, I would take both. Anyplace that accepts cash will accept traveler_s checks, and anyplace that accepts credit cards will acept a debit card. There will probably be a few places that will only accept cash, but with a credit/debit card you won_t run out, only if you reach the limit of your bank account or credit card limit.

American Express Travelers Checks. If they are lost or stolen they can be replaced just keep up with the numbers on the checks so they can stop payment on them. They will issue you new ones right then and there.

Have a great Mardi Gras !

A lot of places don_t take travelers checks. Take your debit.

yes but some places you might go to like the daiquiri shop you might need cash.

debt card is much easier plus it_s easy to carry - flat in your pocket

What is the biggest party college in Los angeles?|182083

I want to know what and where the biggest party college in LA is, simple question right?

I think you should be more concerned about your education rather than partying.

UCLA is known for students to partake in overuse of adult beverages. UCSB up in Santa Barbara fer sure, is a party school.

not in los angeles but a short drive uc santa barbara is the biggest party school

Where is the best place to stay in Yosemit during January?|177697

I_m focused on location over ammenities and willing to pay $150 a night. I_m unsure if there is a cabin for rent in a great location or if you can rent camping gear for the night in a cool area in January. Also, how far is Yosemite from San Francisco in terms of driving distance? Thanks!

Try Yosemite Lodge, it_s right near the falls and the restaurant and cafe/bar are both nice. The hotel is a bit basic, but it_s right by the Yosemite falls. Off-season is $98-140/room/night depending on the quality of room and weekend/midweek. Poke around the site below, there are some interesting alternatives. There should be no need to stay outside the park in January and, depending where you stay, snow could be an issue if you do, I_ve had to use chains on a 4x4 to get in to Yosemite before.

When I drive there in the spring, to photograph the falls in full flood, I leave at 6:30am and get there for lunch and am back home for dinner. In the winter snow can be a real issue, as I mentioned before I_ve sometimes had to drive tens of miles on snow. You should really have 4x4 and snow chains to go there in January, sometimes they will insist that you use snow chains or don_t enter the park. Time wise, 4 to 5 hours taking it easy, unless there is snow.

There are some B_Bs just outside Yosemite. We have stayed at Sierra House B_B in Mariposa, CA, and it was delightful.

in Rvaens house

I think it is 5-6 hours from SF, Check the online map for a better idea. Jan is VERY cold, best place is the big lodge probably. A wonderful location, maybe could get a room for $150, Doubt campgrounds are open then. Yosimite has a web page with info.

You will find a wealth of info on lodgings in around Yosemite at

http://www.yosemitefun.com/lodging.htm