Time to experience the atmosphere

This morning was meeting up with Kasey and Patricia and the four of us were heading to the 9/11 Memorial, it was one of those thing I was unsure if I would like it or not, I will not say I was looking forward to it. It was eerie to be walking around the reflecting ponds where you knew the towers stood, the sheer size of the base was something I had trouble wrapping my head around. It made me think a lot about what the people in those buildings must have went through. I am sure there would be someone who stood at a window and watched a plane headed at them.

Close to the memorial they are rebuilding the freedom tower, whilst it is inspirational to see them rebuilding this tower, you have to wonder how at ease people will be renting the space to run their business out of there.

After the 9/11 we wandered down to battery park and around to where the Staten Island ferry departs, it is nice just wandering NYC and taking in the sights, sounds and people around you. Battery park were the people dressed as the statue just there to take photos with people and entertain the tourists. They put smiles on faces and bring lots of laughs so I am assuming it must be a somewhat rewarding job.

The ferry to Staten Island was cold but it got extremely close to the statue, we didn’t go to the island with the statue simply because you couldn’t enter the statue it is closed for renovations and has been since 2010.

This is where I am going to express my opinion and I am certain put some people off side, whilst the statue was high on my to see list, it did leave me feeling underwhelmed. It is one of those icons you know of from a young age and it is held in such high importance by a lot of people, but for me it really wasn’t anything spectacular or fabulous. In saying that if I hadn’t seen it already and I was going to NYC I would put it on my to see list.

“this means he found the knicks tickets” – how to loose a guy in 10 days

Tonight was time to venture inside of Madison square garden and watch the Knicks play some basketball. They were playing the Utah Jazz, the arena/stadium was buzzing people were excited to be there and there was always something happening on or around the court. The knicks won in a game with a lot of fouls and free throws from the shot line. After the game it was back to the hotel bar to meet more contiki people and have some drinks.

days 4 and 5.... time goes so quick

Day 4-  was a food on foot tour, this was a great way to meet some new people and explore an area – in this case Midtown and mainly Hells Kitchen area. Our guide was very knowledgeable and knew the local cheap eats that were still really good, this was also my first taste of the famous NYC pizza – the verdict slices are huge, and it was pretty tasty.

I also got to see Madison Square Garden for the first time and wander Penn station and also my first look at a US kmart the things that stood out the most were the fact they sold beer and alcohol, I was also able to finally see the famous cheese whiz in a can – ewwwwww.

After my tour it was time to change hotels, and work out what I wanted to do with myself that evening, I ended up getting cheap tickets to see Seminar the broadway show with Alan Rickman and Jerry O’Connel. I was so glad I did this, it was such a contrast to musicals and big shows. The show had a cast of 5 and they were all fantastic, there was no intermission or glitz and glamour. Alan Rickman is fanfreakintastic at everything he does and no surprises he delivers amazingly in this show as well.

After Seminar it was a slice of pizza to take back to the room before calling it a night cause its Jersery in the morning!!

Day 5 – Superbowl Sunday the NYC Giants are in the superbowl so the city is pretty much a buzz, I start my morning with my first bagel – OMG – strawberry cream cheese on it and I am in heaven. Its not tooo cold today so I sit in times square and am in awe of how quiet this usually buzzing hub can be early on a Sunday morning. I meet Nicole and we start our adventure to Jersey – our aim is Carlo’s Bakery but first we must find the path “insert Nicoles American way of saying Path”.

By now Nicole and I have the subway under control we can get from point a to b pretty easily with no dramas, insert a new line the path and confusing begins it doesn’t help that everytime we ask someone to help us they don’t understand until Nicole says Path in a fake American accent and all of a sudden we have directions and are on our way.

New Jersey is across the river but the Path ride is relatively quick, we hop off at Hobboken and I am in love, tv shows and movies (Kevin Smith excluded) always make out that Jersey is this out of the way area that noone really wants to go to and it must be horrible, it is so far from the truth. It is such a beautiful place and I can see why people choose to bring families up here, it is still so close to the city but you have your own little oasis with actual parks – that’s right trees and grass, none of this concrete park business.

It didn’t take us long to find Washington ave aka Carlos way and find the bakery, the line was relatively short – I was expecting a huge line. I was also super excited, poor Nicole had to put up with me dancing around and trying to contain my excitement I didn’t do a very good job that is for sure.

WE lined up for maybe 45mins to an hour and then we were in, the system works by getting a ticket number then you are free to wander the store and look at the merchandise as well as the delicious cakes until your number is called. When your number is called someone takes your order and then after you finish they go and box it all up and then process your charge.

It really works quiet well, whilst this was going on one of the sisters – going to say Mary from the top of my head is out on the floor meeting and greeting people. Carlo is currently in Australia (yes just my luck), but everyone was lovely. I ordered a Lobster tail, cannoli and 2 super bowl cupcakes as well as a hoodie and a signed travel mug.

Once we had taken photos, purchased our goodies and I had no managed to calm down we headed towards the water to find a nice place to try and try at least one thing. The area we found was beautiful, we both tried the cannoli and it ticks every box. We then enjoyed the sun and took some photos looking back on NYC before navigating our way back to the city.

That afternoon we decided to do the full city circle cruise, this sailed around the whole of Manhattan Island and showed us the statue of liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and many wonderful other sights. We stayed out on the deck as long as we could ie. Till we could no longer feel our fingers, noses and toes. It was a great way to see the whole of the island and we were still back before Superbowl Kick off.

Steak steak steak – it is funny the things you crave and tonight it was most definitely steak! We decided to head to Ruby Tuesdays – after our first choice was closed, we were also meeting up with some other contiki people, dinner was great the steak was exactly what I needed. The rest of the night was spent wandering with a drink here and there, picking up washing and waiting for Kasey and Patricia to arrive. The Giants won the superbowl and it didn’t matter if you were watching it or not, the noise that you heard throughout the city was enough to ensure everyone knew the result of the game.

9/11 and staten island ferry on the agenda for tomorrow.

start spreading the news ... its day number 2 and 3

The second day was spent wandering around times square and getting to know the city a little. It is an amazing city with so much to see and do, I was in awe when I first saw times square and began wandering the shops - and thus begins the shopping... I don't think there was a day without some form of shopping.

That night I headed to see Live from Behind the podcast Kevin Smith was streaming into theatres around the USA and Canada. After many laughs and trying to keep myself awake I walked back to my home at around 1am – yet another thing that would become a theme.

New York is full of things to do and see and you would think 10 days would allow me to cover a lot of these things but it didn't even come close. 

Day 3 - I got a water taxi and was able to see some of the different areas. I got off at the southern sea port area, which leads straight into a shopping centre after having a look around and a tad bit of shopping I grabbed the subway back to my hotel to drop off my purchases before getting ready to see Mary Poppins.

Mary Poppins was fantastic, most people know I have seen the show twice in Australia and loved it, but something about New York and Broadway make it amazing!! The sets, the atmosphere it was everything I expected and more. I also managed to finally get my towel!!

New York New York

The city that hardly sleeps and the city that has so much to do and no amount of time would seem like enough.
After a broken plane and a large delay out of Boston I touched down in NYC! My original plan was to orientate myself with the city and wander a little before heading to a concert on my first night.

However the reality was a little different, I landed in enough time to check in, have a shower and change clothes and head straight to the Gramercy Theatre to see Augustana and meet Michey. The concert was great it was fun to finally meet Michey and to also meet her and experience a band I have listened to for ages for the first time. The Gramercy theatre was also a special place as it is where 5 of 5 was filmed!
This concert also lead to my first subway ride, I was a little apprehensive as I had to try and do it in limited time and not having even walked around the city so, luckily I met a really friendly American who sorted out my ticket and ensured I got on the F line going Downtown and helped me which stop to get off at. Google maps was my friend also.

After the concert was my first New York taxi experience, since the concert finished just before midnight and I really had no idea where I was staying not even the address just the name of the place, Michey helped me hail a cab and sent me on my way to my hotel. The ride was well interesting, the driver who was a foreigner asked me if I had a pet kangaroo and if I rode it, If i had met the queen and many other strange questions. However the weirdest and most off putting of them all was if I wanted to marry him to get my green card. I declined and was relieved when I could fall into bed and sleep.

A picture tells a thousand words

I have been pretty bad with the pictures in the last post, so here is a picture post for those wanting lovely photos!

Did I just step onto a movie set

Boston day 2, I started with breakfast a muffin and fresh OJ - Finally some I could stomach and not want to throw up just at the smell of. This little cafe has become my favourite place cheap, good fresh food and so close as well

I started today with a private tour, the driver was nice and was spouting off random facts and trying to see what I knew and didn't know about the city - trust me I didn't know much. Fenway park was my first stop, this is the home of the Boston Red Socks - Baseball team for those who are unsure. There is a lot of history behind the team and the stadium.
I am not a huge baseball fan, truth be known I don't know much about the game at all, but I really enjoyed the tour there were only two other people on it. We got sit in the Green Monster seats (the best seats in the whole stadium) They are actually raffling of these seats this year because they are so highly sort after.
The press box and press areas were interesting, to be able to see how they are assigned where they report from (rankings, and separate area for out of town journalists)

After Fenway park it was time to try and make myself feel smarter a trip to MIT and Harvard (note: it didn't make me feel or even become any smarter). I loved wandering Harvard and Harvard square I however have a lack of photos as some people mistook me for a student and I loved that so much I didn't want to look like a tourist. Even shops were asking if I had my student card for student discount. Harvard also meant shopping - I was missing an amazing friends 30th Birthday and she really wanted a Harvard Hoodie and coffee mug so I happily made this happen.

Back to Quincy market for some more shopping - a Hoodie for myself, seems to be what I am getting from each place, I also had a bite to eat. I tried the much talked about Boston Cream Pie, which isn't a pie but a cake. My overall thoughts really average and not something I would have again.

After a quick stop back into the hotel, I gathered a large bag of things to post back to Australia as I am already running out of room, I don't want to think about how much it costs me to post and the fact I didn't post that much stuff lol, but it did give me a little more room in my suitcase - which I am sure after a few days in NYC will be no more room at all.

After finding a post office and sending my package I wandered back to Boston Common and to the frog pond, it really felt like I had stepped onto a movie set with the lights in the trees, people ice skating, it was so magical and something I could sit for hours and watch.
I didn't try ice skating here as I think I will attempt it in NYC - Watch this space for reports of broken arms or severed fingers - we all know I lack coordination

After another busy Boston day I had to go back and pack eeeeekkkk ready to hit NYC in the morning