To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe....
Welcome to Buzzing 'round with Bee
You thought my text's where lengthy....wait till you keep up with these posts!
A dear friend asked me to keep a blog and I laughed it off, but in fact it is a good idea!I must say I do feel a little Doogie Howser MD ish... but alas here it is! My first post on what I hope to be a continual blog of my upcoming adventure!
Thanks to those who believe in me and are sending all the positive vibes out to the Universe in search of me chasing this dream. Will be in touch! Lots of Love Bee xx
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The road less travelled?
First lesson in traveling solo…managing and navigating a wheelie bag (no not wheelie bin although it is green!) into the toilet. After a few maneuver’s I had it down pat and could wheel and pee in a pretty short time!
The flight out of Adelaide started well. I got the JetStar Manager so when she saw my bags, and had a look of ‘right, (angry boss tone) coming your way lady’…. and I pre-empted by explaining how I had called JetStar and was traveling to the US she let me on no problems. It was a bittersweet moment. Yay for the bags, Boo for saying bye bye to Mum and Dad! Even at 30 it gets tough!!
Sadly didn’t get to spend too much time with my brother in Sydney as the queue was over an hour long. I batted my eyelids and was super friendly to the United Man who from the line looked like he was having a really bad day. He lightened up and apologised for not being able to give me a good seat from Sydney – San Francisco, but was able to do so for San Francisco to New York. So I had my fingers crossed, said my goodbyes to my Brother and then made my way through the massive duty free path and the long walk to the terminal!
Okay, now I admit that I am an airplane snob…and although I landed safely which is the most important part of flying...United where still a bit old school. Movies on a big screen and squishy seats. Alas I sat in my row with three others and had a nightmare of a passenger next to me! Her name was Ida…yes I found out as she continued to poke, prod and ask me dumb questions….I should have realized there was a problem when she was the last to arrive. Fortunately the man to my right had a similar pee schedule to me…not too much and just enough, so when he got up he’d then go for a walk which worked well for me. Ida on my left was not only driving me mad, but the person to her left.
Not only was she slightly overweight she had ants in her pants. So she squeezed in after being late and proceeded to give me a jab to the side. I knew I wasn’t going to win the arm on seat battle... (yeah you know the one, like at the movies when you jockey for position to have your arm on the shared arm rest… see knew you were smiling and agreeing to that one) and for the record I didn’t give in, just wasn’t prepared (at that time) to do battle for 14hrs!
So she jockey’s in, elbows me a bit and in her (no offense intended) but pip squeak Pilipino voice constantly had a “ ‘scuse me...miss, scuse me miss… can I have water please”.
Oh thank you… no wait, I’ll have the bloody Mary like he is having” (pointing to the man to her left). The United hostess says to her… “Uh ahh...that has over 3000mg of Sodium! A Cola has less! In your condition I wouldn’t suggest it”. Ida replies… “Can I have tequila?” Go figure and United flight attendant gives it to her shaking her head!
So part way through the flight after seeing that they put movies on the screen in front and slightly to the side, I put my iPod on and Ida saddles over to the right so she can see between the cracks…and ends up basically sitting in my lap. She looks down, sees my iPod and taps me on the shoulder… “ ‘scuse me..What is that?” I take off my ear phones (bright green for the record...and clearly visible under my blonde holiday cropped short hair) and politely say…”it’s an iPod”. “Ahh” she says “like an iPhone”...pronounced eyepown. I politely say “yes, similar to an iPhone and I copy movies to it to watch.’ And proceed to put my bright green headphones back on my ears. Tap tap tap on the shoulder ‘but how did you get that on it’. I don’t take off my earphones this time and I said “technology is amazing” and then ignored the rest of the tap taps.
A few hours later comes the introduction and the tap tap on the shoulder (despite the fact I can feel her big arm pressing on mine which is nowhere near the arm rest but on my thigh) and says “it’s Bianca (pronounced beunka) right? I noticed that when you were filling in your forms. My name is Ida and I am diabetic. Can I use your tray table to put this on while I get my pills?” to which she has already pulled my tray table down and put her copious amounts of water, ginger ale can’s and other knick knacks and moves her big butt right on to the man on her right who shifts pretty quickly! All in all it only took her 10 minutes to barrage through her bags get out her monstrous pills and then looks to leave all her stuff on my tray table. Naturally I smiled graciously and said her you go, put her table down and put her stuff back!
The rest of the flight wasn’t too bad… I used my home made (not by me, but by the lovely SMD) eye mask and pretended to sleep as much as possible to avoid Ida. Throughout the flight I occasionally did a drastic move pretending to be asleep just to remind her that she was awfully close!!
Landed in San Francisco at 10am on Friday. (Gained a day) and that process was a lot smoother than I expected. Head through customs, (wasn’t quizzed too much although had my return confirmed) and then grab a trolley, pick up bags, roll 200 meters to two big silver machines with men standing next. They get out their little scanner, scan the bags, confirm the destination “JFK Ma’am...start spreading the news?” and off I head with other passengers not really knowing where to go next. After a misguided ascent up the stairs, I come back down the stairs to the domestic terminal and happen to see some other passengers from my plane…figured I’d discreetly follow as they seemed to know what was going on. Get to another scan session where I have to take off my shoes, belt and take out lappy, and then up some other stairs to the domestic. Find a TV, see the screen and off to wait for the next part of the flight!
The domestic flight was better and a bit roomier than the previous flight. In the bulk heads behind business and pretty sorted. Was surprised to see that although it was a connecting from Oz, I had to pay for food, but soft drinks and water free. I was pretty full from the dodgy pasta and meat roll and eggs and tomato so wasn’t too fussed.
The two people next to me where really nice, the guy went up to his bags and then his wife taps me on the shoulder...(I did have a moment of here we go again….) I take off my green ear phones and the guy says “Miss…do you like cookies?” Now I know that mum always told me not to take things from strangers, particularly men offering lollies or biscuits but this looked safe enough. He then offered me a few packets of wafer biscuits and said he had heaps. Yay, meal on this flight sorted!!
Arriving in JFK airport was reminiscent of the silver shed of Adelaide Airport years ago minus the tarmac walk! Grab a trolley (US$5 welcome to USA) and patiently wait for my bright orange bag and small black bag. Orange bag...bingo… waiting waiting… passengers leaving, less bags on carousel…. Heart races… beads of sweat on the forehead…. C’mon… C’mon…. where are you…. Then four young Aussies have no bags! They ask me if I was on the Sydney flight to which I say yes. They had 5 hr stop in LA vs. my 3 hr stop in San Fran…aggh the bags arrived at the same time. I ask a lady if any more bags expected… I didn’t get much more than a shrug of her shoulders. I walked around and went to head to another lady, when I hear a page for a series of passengers… the LA Aussies, and then my name… your bag is in the office. It arrived early! Fewwwww! SIGH OF RELIEF and there was the little black Samsonite with yellow Singapore airline ribbon that I wanted to kiss! I.D issued, and bag delivered.
I walk out with ALL MY BAGS, and see a tall man with a sign and my name on it… and so begins the start of my US adventure….
See guys, the blogs are epic…. More to come I’ll let you digest this first!
Lots of Love Bee
xx
The flight out of Adelaide started well. I got the JetStar Manager so when she saw my bags, and had a look of ‘right, (angry boss tone) coming your way lady’…. and I pre-empted by explaining how I had called JetStar and was traveling to the US she let me on no problems. It was a bittersweet moment. Yay for the bags, Boo for saying bye bye to Mum and Dad! Even at 30 it gets tough!!
Sadly didn’t get to spend too much time with my brother in Sydney as the queue was over an hour long. I batted my eyelids and was super friendly to the United Man who from the line looked like he was having a really bad day. He lightened up and apologised for not being able to give me a good seat from Sydney – San Francisco, but was able to do so for San Francisco to New York. So I had my fingers crossed, said my goodbyes to my Brother and then made my way through the massive duty free path and the long walk to the terminal!
Okay, now I admit that I am an airplane snob…and although I landed safely which is the most important part of flying...United where still a bit old school. Movies on a big screen and squishy seats. Alas I sat in my row with three others and had a nightmare of a passenger next to me! Her name was Ida…yes I found out as she continued to poke, prod and ask me dumb questions….I should have realized there was a problem when she was the last to arrive. Fortunately the man to my right had a similar pee schedule to me…not too much and just enough, so when he got up he’d then go for a walk which worked well for me. Ida on my left was not only driving me mad, but the person to her left.
Not only was she slightly overweight she had ants in her pants. So she squeezed in after being late and proceeded to give me a jab to the side. I knew I wasn’t going to win the arm on seat battle... (yeah you know the one, like at the movies when you jockey for position to have your arm on the shared arm rest… see knew you were smiling and agreeing to that one) and for the record I didn’t give in, just wasn’t prepared (at that time) to do battle for 14hrs!
So she jockey’s in, elbows me a bit and in her (no offense intended) but pip squeak Pilipino voice constantly had a “ ‘scuse me...miss, scuse me miss… can I have water please”.
Oh thank you… no wait, I’ll have the bloody Mary like he is having” (pointing to the man to her left). The United hostess says to her… “Uh ahh...that has over 3000mg of Sodium! A Cola has less! In your condition I wouldn’t suggest it”. Ida replies… “Can I have tequila?” Go figure and United flight attendant gives it to her shaking her head!
So part way through the flight after seeing that they put movies on the screen in front and slightly to the side, I put my iPod on and Ida saddles over to the right so she can see between the cracks…and ends up basically sitting in my lap. She looks down, sees my iPod and taps me on the shoulder… “ ‘scuse me..What is that?” I take off my ear phones (bright green for the record...and clearly visible under my blonde holiday cropped short hair) and politely say…”it’s an iPod”. “Ahh” she says “like an iPhone”...pronounced eyepown. I politely say “yes, similar to an iPhone and I copy movies to it to watch.’ And proceed to put my bright green headphones back on my ears. Tap tap tap on the shoulder ‘but how did you get that on it’. I don’t take off my earphones this time and I said “technology is amazing” and then ignored the rest of the tap taps.
A few hours later comes the introduction and the tap tap on the shoulder (despite the fact I can feel her big arm pressing on mine which is nowhere near the arm rest but on my thigh) and says “it’s Bianca (pronounced beunka) right? I noticed that when you were filling in your forms. My name is Ida and I am diabetic. Can I use your tray table to put this on while I get my pills?” to which she has already pulled my tray table down and put her copious amounts of water, ginger ale can’s and other knick knacks and moves her big butt right on to the man on her right who shifts pretty quickly! All in all it only took her 10 minutes to barrage through her bags get out her monstrous pills and then looks to leave all her stuff on my tray table. Naturally I smiled graciously and said her you go, put her table down and put her stuff back!
The rest of the flight wasn’t too bad… I used my home made (not by me, but by the lovely SMD) eye mask and pretended to sleep as much as possible to avoid Ida. Throughout the flight I occasionally did a drastic move pretending to be asleep just to remind her that she was awfully close!!
Landed in San Francisco at 10am on Friday. (Gained a day) and that process was a lot smoother than I expected. Head through customs, (wasn’t quizzed too much although had my return confirmed) and then grab a trolley, pick up bags, roll 200 meters to two big silver machines with men standing next. They get out their little scanner, scan the bags, confirm the destination “JFK Ma’am...start spreading the news?” and off I head with other passengers not really knowing where to go next. After a misguided ascent up the stairs, I come back down the stairs to the domestic terminal and happen to see some other passengers from my plane…figured I’d discreetly follow as they seemed to know what was going on. Get to another scan session where I have to take off my shoes, belt and take out lappy, and then up some other stairs to the domestic. Find a TV, see the screen and off to wait for the next part of the flight!
The domestic flight was better and a bit roomier than the previous flight. In the bulk heads behind business and pretty sorted. Was surprised to see that although it was a connecting from Oz, I had to pay for food, but soft drinks and water free. I was pretty full from the dodgy pasta and meat roll and eggs and tomato so wasn’t too fussed.
The two people next to me where really nice, the guy went up to his bags and then his wife taps me on the shoulder...(I did have a moment of here we go again….) I take off my green ear phones and the guy says “Miss…do you like cookies?” Now I know that mum always told me not to take things from strangers, particularly men offering lollies or biscuits but this looked safe enough. He then offered me a few packets of wafer biscuits and said he had heaps. Yay, meal on this flight sorted!!
Arriving in JFK airport was reminiscent of the silver shed of Adelaide Airport years ago minus the tarmac walk! Grab a trolley (US$5 welcome to USA) and patiently wait for my bright orange bag and small black bag. Orange bag...bingo… waiting waiting… passengers leaving, less bags on carousel…. Heart races… beads of sweat on the forehead…. C’mon… C’mon…. where are you…. Then four young Aussies have no bags! They ask me if I was on the Sydney flight to which I say yes. They had 5 hr stop in LA vs. my 3 hr stop in San Fran…aggh the bags arrived at the same time. I ask a lady if any more bags expected… I didn’t get much more than a shrug of her shoulders. I walked around and went to head to another lady, when I hear a page for a series of passengers… the LA Aussies, and then my name… your bag is in the office. It arrived early! Fewwwww! SIGH OF RELIEF and there was the little black Samsonite with yellow Singapore airline ribbon that I wanted to kiss! I.D issued, and bag delivered.
I walk out with ALL MY BAGS, and see a tall man with a sign and my name on it… and so begins the start of my US adventure….
See guys, the blogs are epic…. More to come I’ll let you digest this first!
Lots of Love Bee
xx
Home away from home!
I arrived in the early hours of Saturday morning after a huge delay with traffic from JFK to New Jersey. I had arranged a pickup which cost more than my one way flight to Sydney…and funnily enough took longer with the traffic but pretty glad I did. A taxi would have no doubt charged per minute where Mumbai (I asked his name on three occasions not where he came from unless his name was Mumbai from Mumbai?) had me already locked in. He was getting more and more angry at the time and that we were going 15m/h instead of the recommended 70m/h. Although Mumbai was nice, courteous etc, I was hoping for a bit more of a guided drive to my new home… you know being able to answer what I thought would be simple questions like “What’s the best way to get from Jersey to Manhattan daily? Sorry ma’am don’t know... Ok no worries. So any places you recommend in Jersey or Manhattan I really should see... No ma'am. Needless to say, conversation then kept to a minimal!
We did venture through Manhattan, and I asked where we were… naturally his answer… Manhattan. Hmpf! Well I could see that. The skyline passing behind me was amazing, and the only time in the entire journey Mumbai zoomed was when we were leaving the tunnel so photo ended up being a big blur.
My new home is the Westminster Hotel www.westminsterhotel.net in the suburb of Livingston New Jersey. It’s about 21 miles from Manhattan and about 40 minutes away via bus/train… Thanks to a friend of mine the Westminster came good with an excellent rate that worked out much much cheaper than Manhattan/Chelsea/Brooklyn Heights etc for the two months, and I’ve got a few perks too. Brekky Inc Mon-Fri which is pretty good! It also includes free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, and use of pool, gym and shuttle bus within 5 mile radius! Having a quick look online at the bus and subway, seems like a lot to outlay for the month, but it works out to be about $9 a day which on top of the rate still comes in pretty darn cheap! Will just have to suss it out a few times to get a routine. The shuttle can pick me up and drop me off to the bus station from early until 11pm so will just have to get the timings right and then make sure I am back.
For the first time in a VERY long time I have suffered quite intense jet lag. Call it what you will but this trip took a fair bit out of me. Nerves, still fighting the bug I had in the last two weeks from work, over tired (leading up to the trip wasn’t in bed before 2am!) needless to say after checking in at 2am I picked my bed (yes I had two choices) and crashed. I set my alarm for 10am to try and go for a walk and clear my head and flight but kept snoozing and snoozing. Woke up Sunday morning still in a bit of a daze but managed to get out to the local mall. Livingston Mall.
On the scale of mall’s it was probably the size of an Arndale and has a Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, Macy's and Sears. It has a variety of specialty stores like American Eagle Outfitters, Gap, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, and some other local type stores. Was nice to get out and just people watch.
I picked up my US sim Card from a little Kiosk and was pleasantly surprised with the fee. $50 start up fee, and $29.99 (plus taxes etc so $40.93) per month which gives me 500 minutes and on weekends and night time free minutes. I don’t have to renew the contract, just stop paying and will be disconnected. The bonus is that I can then use this to call a calling card at night for free. I was going to do pre-paid but too many obligations! Is it that easy at home? Didn’t think so??
I had my first lot of junk food (Subway…potentially not junk food but I had to get a meatball!! Lol) and I was surprised how on par things are cost wise. Just over $8 for a foot long and drink (which was a bucket even though it was regular) and cookie. The cookie neatly tucked in my bag to have with a cup of tea later that night!!
Some young teens were on stage doing what I think some would call singing….bellowing was how I looked at it….Lady Gaga covers at a shrill not great for jet lag…. But having said that it was nice just to watch the world go buy for a few hours, despite still feeling so tired!
Fortunately the hotel offers that shuttle for 5 miles, so I was all ready to make my first call on my ‘Cell’ (why can’t American’s call it a mobile…Cell sounds like an apparatus poking out my side!) and there rolls the bus anyway. Some other members of the hotel were shopping at the same time. 3 guys from Japan who had just arrived and staying in Jersey on business for three days. I asked what business and then ‘Samurai Sam’ in the background jibbers in Japanese and ‘Sideburned Steve’ in the front say's politely, “Ah you know, just international business. What are you here for” on the tip of my tongue is a smart a$$ comment but instead I politely tell him holiday and job venture.
After a few minutes Sideburned Steve asks if I mind if we go to a supermarket on the way for 10 minutes? Excellent idea I say and so begins what feels like a race on Supermarket Sweep. Boy could these men shop fast!! (I was looking for Burgo to pop around the corner and say I was out!!) Got my essentials -Yay they had Earl Grey!! and still Samurai Sam, Sideburned Steve, and ‘Manga Mike’ (looked like he should have been on a Cartoon) are racing me down the aisles! I didn’t even get an opportunity to indulge in a bit of American Grocery Shopping culture… although what a buzz. A 6 pack of 500ml Diet Coke bottles was only $3.99 and a 6 pack of A&W Root Beer cans $2.99. No wonder the culture of soft drinks are so strong. Would have been interested to compare to bottled water!!
I get excited when I get into the bus to see I am first (not that I was reeeally racing (",) and then they are loitering in the liquor store! I didn’t even see that there! Will have a looksee next visit!
Yesterday was the first day of feeling like I had a slightly better sleep, although not normally a light sleeper, it appears the louder you slam your doors in this hotel the better the feeling. Sorry Room 208 on the second floor…. You got beaten by 113 on the first floor! I’m sure in a week or two things will feel normal.
The free Brekky is really quite good value. Continental with two hot selections. Yesterdays were eggs and wedges with a great mix of muffins, cereal, fruit, coffee, tea and juice. Even better made by the fact that it is FREE! Still not game to ask what the yoghurt looking thing is. It tastes like yoghurt mixed with butter/sugar (Sime, Kirstie, Richie and Andrew…almost like that yellow thing we had at Singapore Budget Terminal on the Rye!!) and although I normally love my yoghurt and corn flakes this is like eating sugar! Oh well….
After Brekky I had the delightful pleasure of waiting for my tradesmen to come and have a look at my TV. The long and short of it was 4hrs later, my non US engineering department fixed it and all sorted! At least it felt like being at home waiting for tradesmen to get a second and third opinion and then come back!
Having spent the day in doors, another outside adventure was needed. Sadly nothing is within walking distance but a short shuttle ride (15mins away) to Short Hills was the Mall of Short Hills. Now this was like an elaborate Burnside crossed with say glitzy malls in Sydney/Melbourne and had all the big's, Jimmy Choo, Bvlgari, (tried on a gazillion things and then said thanks and walked out...although the woman encouraged my behavior...but did ask me to come back soon!!!) Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Saks, Macy, Abercrombie & Fitch and lots more!
Had a big chuckle when walking into Abercrombie & Fitch as blonde haired ‘Bambi’ or ‘Candi’ in her teeny tiny shorts says, ‘Hey, What’s going on? How are you? Welcome to Abercrombie & Fitch, Sing out if I can help’ without even taking a breath! And people thought I talked fast. Which did she want me to answer first? Naturally when I say another A&F store upstairs, I couldn’t help but walk in and see what greeting I got… Yup you guessed it ‘Britney’ ‘Tiffney’ says, “Hey, What’s going on? Welcome to Abercrombie & Fitch, Sing out if I can help’ but omits the how are you…clearly Britney / Tiffany in her teeny tiny dress is too busy folding the teeny tiny shorts to ask how I am!!
Short Hills mall was uber chic and uber expensive! I bought my first Starbucks Coffee and people watched for a while which was nice! Even saw my first Posh Spice heels… a gargantuan woman I think…ordering Coffee….! Welcome to the States!!
Next update will be after I have taken my first commute to Manhattan!
Lots of Love Bee
xx
We did venture through Manhattan, and I asked where we were… naturally his answer… Manhattan. Hmpf! Well I could see that. The skyline passing behind me was amazing, and the only time in the entire journey Mumbai zoomed was when we were leaving the tunnel so photo ended up being a big blur.
My new home is the Westminster Hotel www.westminsterhotel.net in the suburb of Livingston New Jersey. It’s about 21 miles from Manhattan and about 40 minutes away via bus/train… Thanks to a friend of mine the Westminster came good with an excellent rate that worked out much much cheaper than Manhattan/Chelsea/Brooklyn Heights etc for the two months, and I’ve got a few perks too. Brekky Inc Mon-Fri which is pretty good! It also includes free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, and use of pool, gym and shuttle bus within 5 mile radius! Having a quick look online at the bus and subway, seems like a lot to outlay for the month, but it works out to be about $9 a day which on top of the rate still comes in pretty darn cheap! Will just have to suss it out a few times to get a routine. The shuttle can pick me up and drop me off to the bus station from early until 11pm so will just have to get the timings right and then make sure I am back.
For the first time in a VERY long time I have suffered quite intense jet lag. Call it what you will but this trip took a fair bit out of me. Nerves, still fighting the bug I had in the last two weeks from work, over tired (leading up to the trip wasn’t in bed before 2am!) needless to say after checking in at 2am I picked my bed (yes I had two choices) and crashed. I set my alarm for 10am to try and go for a walk and clear my head and flight but kept snoozing and snoozing. Woke up Sunday morning still in a bit of a daze but managed to get out to the local mall. Livingston Mall.
On the scale of mall’s it was probably the size of an Arndale and has a Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, Macy's and Sears. It has a variety of specialty stores like American Eagle Outfitters, Gap, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, and some other local type stores. Was nice to get out and just people watch.
I picked up my US sim Card from a little Kiosk and was pleasantly surprised with the fee. $50 start up fee, and $29.99 (plus taxes etc so $40.93) per month which gives me 500 minutes and on weekends and night time free minutes. I don’t have to renew the contract, just stop paying and will be disconnected. The bonus is that I can then use this to call a calling card at night for free. I was going to do pre-paid but too many obligations! Is it that easy at home? Didn’t think so??
I had my first lot of junk food (Subway…potentially not junk food but I had to get a meatball!! Lol) and I was surprised how on par things are cost wise. Just over $8 for a foot long and drink (which was a bucket even though it was regular) and cookie. The cookie neatly tucked in my bag to have with a cup of tea later that night!!
Some young teens were on stage doing what I think some would call singing….bellowing was how I looked at it….Lady Gaga covers at a shrill not great for jet lag…. But having said that it was nice just to watch the world go buy for a few hours, despite still feeling so tired!
Fortunately the hotel offers that shuttle for 5 miles, so I was all ready to make my first call on my ‘Cell’ (why can’t American’s call it a mobile…Cell sounds like an apparatus poking out my side!) and there rolls the bus anyway. Some other members of the hotel were shopping at the same time. 3 guys from Japan who had just arrived and staying in Jersey on business for three days. I asked what business and then ‘Samurai Sam’ in the background jibbers in Japanese and ‘Sideburned Steve’ in the front say's politely, “Ah you know, just international business. What are you here for” on the tip of my tongue is a smart a$$ comment but instead I politely tell him holiday and job venture.
After a few minutes Sideburned Steve asks if I mind if we go to a supermarket on the way for 10 minutes? Excellent idea I say and so begins what feels like a race on Supermarket Sweep. Boy could these men shop fast!! (I was looking for Burgo to pop around the corner and say I was out!!) Got my essentials -Yay they had Earl Grey!! and still Samurai Sam, Sideburned Steve, and ‘Manga Mike’ (looked like he should have been on a Cartoon) are racing me down the aisles! I didn’t even get an opportunity to indulge in a bit of American Grocery Shopping culture… although what a buzz. A 6 pack of 500ml Diet Coke bottles was only $3.99 and a 6 pack of A&W Root Beer cans $2.99. No wonder the culture of soft drinks are so strong. Would have been interested to compare to bottled water!!
I get excited when I get into the bus to see I am first (not that I was reeeally racing (",) and then they are loitering in the liquor store! I didn’t even see that there! Will have a looksee next visit!
Yesterday was the first day of feeling like I had a slightly better sleep, although not normally a light sleeper, it appears the louder you slam your doors in this hotel the better the feeling. Sorry Room 208 on the second floor…. You got beaten by 113 on the first floor! I’m sure in a week or two things will feel normal.
The free Brekky is really quite good value. Continental with two hot selections. Yesterdays were eggs and wedges with a great mix of muffins, cereal, fruit, coffee, tea and juice. Even better made by the fact that it is FREE! Still not game to ask what the yoghurt looking thing is. It tastes like yoghurt mixed with butter/sugar (Sime, Kirstie, Richie and Andrew…almost like that yellow thing we had at Singapore Budget Terminal on the Rye!!) and although I normally love my yoghurt and corn flakes this is like eating sugar! Oh well….
After Brekky I had the delightful pleasure of waiting for my tradesmen to come and have a look at my TV. The long and short of it was 4hrs later, my non US engineering department fixed it and all sorted! At least it felt like being at home waiting for tradesmen to get a second and third opinion and then come back!
Having spent the day in doors, another outside adventure was needed. Sadly nothing is within walking distance but a short shuttle ride (15mins away) to Short Hills was the Mall of Short Hills. Now this was like an elaborate Burnside crossed with say glitzy malls in Sydney/Melbourne and had all the big's, Jimmy Choo, Bvlgari, (tried on a gazillion things and then said thanks and walked out...although the woman encouraged my behavior...but did ask me to come back soon!!!) Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Saks, Macy, Abercrombie & Fitch and lots more!
Had a big chuckle when walking into Abercrombie & Fitch as blonde haired ‘Bambi’ or ‘Candi’ in her teeny tiny shorts says, ‘Hey, What’s going on? How are you? Welcome to Abercrombie & Fitch, Sing out if I can help’ without even taking a breath! And people thought I talked fast. Which did she want me to answer first? Naturally when I say another A&F store upstairs, I couldn’t help but walk in and see what greeting I got… Yup you guessed it ‘Britney’ ‘Tiffney’ says, “Hey, What’s going on? Welcome to Abercrombie & Fitch, Sing out if I can help’ but omits the how are you…clearly Britney / Tiffany in her teeny tiny dress is too busy folding the teeny tiny shorts to ask how I am!!
Short Hills mall was uber chic and uber expensive! I bought my first Starbucks Coffee and people watched for a while which was nice! Even saw my first Posh Spice heels… a gargantuan woman I think…ordering Coffee….! Welcome to the States!!
Next update will be after I have taken my first commute to Manhattan!
Lots of Love Bee
xx
The #77
Yesterday was the first trek into Manhattan...WOW. Trust me to pick the hottest day of the year so far! Nevertheless it was a great day. Perhaps it was excitement, but I managed to wake up way before my alarm. The shuttle was booked for 8.30am to take me to South Livingston Ave & Route 10 where I could buy my Ethos water from Starbucks (apparently 5c from my purchase goes to humanitarian groups for water for children?) and wait for the Community Bus. It wasn’t quite a bus like I expected but a very comfy coach! You pay the driver and on you get and weave through traffic like you are driving a Vespa… I wasn’t frightened; I was amazed that the driver navigated the freeways so easily.
I arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) within around 50 minutes but felt much faster than that for sure! Watching the Manhattan skyline in the (hazy) distance was just amazing. My smile was from ear to ear.
Coming out of the PABT was like walking into Thebarton Theater when a punk band are playing…full of hot yet humid damp air with an odour you can’t quite place! It wasn’t unpleasant per se…just wow. Maybe a comparison of the KFC slap??
Naturally my first few steps were to the bright lights of Times Square and I got stopped by a Non American (There seem to be a lot of them… do they ALL have permission to work in the USA??) and being offered an ‘awesome saving’ of catching a hop on and hop off bus. There seemed to be three company reps in the same circle. Yellow Shirt, Gray Line and Hi Vis Vest wearing seller. Since Yellow shirt man stopped me, I thought I’d listen. Why not? The face I listened had him already busily punching in keys into his little scanner doovy offering me three days for the price of 1... and look look, you can go here, and there, and you get off, and then get on, and the buses come every you know 10 – 15 (pipteen!!) or so and wait, what did you ask me? Oh yeah, you have to use the freebies today too.
Thanks but no thanks!
They had chairs and tables lined up in TS so I aptly took the opportunity to sit, have a drink and take it all in. There is uproar at the moment in TS with the Naked Cowboy and a competitor...The Naked Cowgirl. A fifty something (apparently) lady in bikini and stars over her boobs which she flashed on TV! It’s been on the news here… and because she charges $2 per photo of her jiggly her ‘assets’ there seems to be a lot of media and attention. I didn’t get to see either on this visit, but who knows maybe next one??
For the article copy the link below (can't link it for some reason)
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cowboy_naked_rip_off_hpFYGdAk1LzLyalORvZWpJ
I did see what looked like a Senator type fellow being interviewed by various TV stations while he chatted to a piano playing woman. The black suited men with the plastic hanging out their ears outnumbered all the casual people within 50 meters by a long shot! If I had my Aussie Flag draped around my back as a cape I would have made you all proud (“,)
Next was a walk around Toys R Us. For those not familiar, it is the first toy store with a Ferris wheel inside. $9 gets you and your children into a cart of various characters (ET looked cute, as did the M&M crew) for what seemed about a 6 minute spin?
They had an array of stuff from babies, kids, teens, young adults, games, and movies, outdoor and sport stuff. I was surprised at the costs as they seemed all pretty reasonable.
After that I called a contact that has been just terrific. He works for Singapore Airlines and has been super accommodating from days back when I was looking at Sublets! He came to my aide with a phone to be able to put my Aussie Sim in. All I needed to do was purchase a new battery and then would be a part of the BERRY club as well as the iPhone clowns! With my set of instructions on how to get to the AT&T store, a handshake off it was to venture to the store.
The heat started to impact now, and as I later discovered, I happened to pick the hottest day of the year so fast to venture into Manhattan. 91F! 32C but surprisingly different to 32C back home. Entering the AT&T store was like another episode of the Abercrombie & Fitch store. I have no idea what even came out of the guy’s mouth other than iPhone4 sold out, blah blah blah. As I stood there blinking helplessly at him and finally saw his lips stopped moving I took that as my cue to speak. Battery please for… and before I could even list my phone he was yabba dabbing do about batteries, costs, and did I have the unit with me or know the model. “Ah, it’s a blackberry but…” and before I could finish again and say not sure of which model he yabba dabba’s again. I get the phone, pause and smile and ask how many Starbucks he had today? First time in the few minutes we met he looked stunned? ‘Scuse me dear...no it’s not nearby! Oooh my belly ached with the chuckle I was holding in. I picked up the battery and got an enormous bag with it to which I declined? My yabba dabba do man was again stunned! I think I offended him. Needless to say, I walked out with a new battery and for $50 I have access to my Aussie Sim. So I am now effectively back on track. Feel free to send me a sms from now if you feel inclined.
As I had got a cab from Times Square to Tony’s building I didn’t really know how far I had walked… I kept on Park Ave walking along and stumbled across the Waldorf Astoria. Ahhh, beauty at its best. I walked in and as I had my camera still in hand was asked if I was a guest. When I responded no I wasn’t, the Porter asked me to put my camera away as they had a VIP guest in the building and would I mind. Certainly not…. I hovered for a bit but no sighting… wonder who it was?
As I was a walking I was amazed to see a giant Hello Kitty statue in the middle of a very astute looking business building? What an unusual choice of art?
Took a left turn which put me back on 42nd Street which I knew was the right direction to head back to Broadway/Times Square and along the way I found myself in awe at all the construction going on. I daresay the construction business is growing!! Be it fixing existing buildings or making new ones… it actually made it hard to see what shops/places where what at some stages. Nevertheless, I did see some sparkling gold doors after 17 blocks which lead me to the Grand Central Market which leads you into the Terminal. It was lovely little alley of delicious food and smells and sights. I wanted to take a picture but just got caught up looking at all the yummy food and before I knew it I had walked to the end. Will definitely have to go back for a photo opportunity! Imagine the bottom level of DJ’s in Melbourne or what used to be in DJ’s at the mall. Was surprised at the choices and all looked sooooo yummy!
This lead me right into Grand Central Terminal. Now you have all seen it…but here is my little version below.
The first thing that came into my head though … “Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand: Serena van der Woodsen … And who am I? That's another secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. Xo xo Gossip Girl” GG fans out there will know what I mean there hahaha. I walked through the centre and had such a giggle!
Managed to find Bryant Park after that, which is just beautiful. A big park near the library with lots of free seats, a piano player, and people just milling about. Can see myself sitting here a fair bit! Was also nice to rest my legs and have a break too!
All in all this was already 4 ½ hours so thought I’d call it a day and head back to the PABT via Broadway and Times Square. Got into the PABT and do you think I could find somewhere to purchase the tickets. I tried a machine and that beeped at me, and walked round and round in circles. Found somewhere to ask a lady, so back downstairs (again) but this time went all the way around and there were the booths. Found the one I was after and the guy says that they don’t do monthly trips only books of 10… works out a saving of 68c a ticket! Lol. Oh well a book of 10 it is! As far as timings, getting in is super easy, getting out isn’t so. The last Bus is at 11.15pm which is great but I just need to check where the bus stops, as the last shuttle service ends at 11pm from the hotel. So my last bus to safely be collected will be 915pm at the PABT which will get me into NJ an hour later.
It does mean I may have to tweak the things I do and most of it will be now during the day but that’s still okay. As my brother said, it’s not like I’d be wanting to catch public transport at home at all hours of the morning…you’d cab it…and here that just isn’t practical.
So after purchasing my book. It’s back up the stairs to find the gate 306. I see a sign that points to Gates 200-250 something, and 300-320 something. I follow, and then get lead to a stair case back downstairs? WTF…so head downstairs and low and behold back to where I was…ho hum. Up the stairs again, follow the same path and ask a technician fixing a lift. Oooh yeah, next building, head down the hall, past the lift, into the next building and you should see some signs. I head this way and arrgghhh! A big loop back to square one. No idea how I did, but a few more turns and I found it! By then I was hanging out for the hour long return just to sit!
Sat next to a lovely man on the way back who noticed my accent when talking to the bus driver so chatted with him for a while. It was a great chat, He basically said, that if in fact nothing comes out of this adventure, he admires (or rather in his twang… ed-my-res) the fact that I have put myself out here in such a vulnerable position. It was nice to hear that from a complete stranger. Not that all your support goes unnoticed but sometimes it’s refreshing to hear something positive from someone you don’t know.
The only struggle was knowing when to get off the #77. I asked the driver how close he would go near the hotel and he said either the Circle, the Mall or South and 10. I knew that the South and 10 was where I got dropped off, so for safety I got off there, called the hotel and waited for the shuttle. The shuttle driver seemed to think I could have got closer. Spent 25 minutes on hold trying to find out, so will wait to see what they respond via email.
Came back so tired, the best thing I could see was a quick swim, followed by a soak in the bath, an indulgent room service meal and finally crashing into bed!
Today will be the first day of research! Let’s keep all crossed!
Until next Manhattan sojourn
Lots of Love Bee
xx
I arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) within around 50 minutes but felt much faster than that for sure! Watching the Manhattan skyline in the (hazy) distance was just amazing. My smile was from ear to ear.
Coming out of the PABT was like walking into Thebarton Theater when a punk band are playing…full of hot yet humid damp air with an odour you can’t quite place! It wasn’t unpleasant per se…just wow. Maybe a comparison of the KFC slap??
Naturally my first few steps were to the bright lights of Times Square and I got stopped by a Non American (There seem to be a lot of them… do they ALL have permission to work in the USA??) and being offered an ‘awesome saving’ of catching a hop on and hop off bus. There seemed to be three company reps in the same circle. Yellow Shirt, Gray Line and Hi Vis Vest wearing seller. Since Yellow shirt man stopped me, I thought I’d listen. Why not? The face I listened had him already busily punching in keys into his little scanner doovy offering me three days for the price of 1... and look look, you can go here, and there, and you get off, and then get on, and the buses come every you know 10 – 15 (pipteen!!) or so and wait, what did you ask me? Oh yeah, you have to use the freebies today too.
Thanks but no thanks!
They had chairs and tables lined up in TS so I aptly took the opportunity to sit, have a drink and take it all in. There is uproar at the moment in TS with the Naked Cowboy and a competitor...The Naked Cowgirl. A fifty something (apparently) lady in bikini and stars over her boobs which she flashed on TV! It’s been on the news here… and because she charges $2 per photo of her jiggly her ‘assets’ there seems to be a lot of media and attention. I didn’t get to see either on this visit, but who knows maybe next one??
For the article copy the link below (can't link it for some reason)
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cowboy_naked_rip_off_hpFYGdAk1LzLyalORvZWpJ
I did see what looked like a Senator type fellow being interviewed by various TV stations while he chatted to a piano playing woman. The black suited men with the plastic hanging out their ears outnumbered all the casual people within 50 meters by a long shot! If I had my Aussie Flag draped around my back as a cape I would have made you all proud (“,)
Next was a walk around Toys R Us. For those not familiar, it is the first toy store with a Ferris wheel inside. $9 gets you and your children into a cart of various characters (ET looked cute, as did the M&M crew) for what seemed about a 6 minute spin?
They had an array of stuff from babies, kids, teens, young adults, games, and movies, outdoor and sport stuff. I was surprised at the costs as they seemed all pretty reasonable.
After that I called a contact that has been just terrific. He works for Singapore Airlines and has been super accommodating from days back when I was looking at Sublets! He came to my aide with a phone to be able to put my Aussie Sim in. All I needed to do was purchase a new battery and then would be a part of the BERRY club as well as the iPhone clowns! With my set of instructions on how to get to the AT&T store, a handshake off it was to venture to the store.
The heat started to impact now, and as I later discovered, I happened to pick the hottest day of the year so fast to venture into Manhattan. 91F! 32C but surprisingly different to 32C back home. Entering the AT&T store was like another episode of the Abercrombie & Fitch store. I have no idea what even came out of the guy’s mouth other than iPhone4 sold out, blah blah blah. As I stood there blinking helplessly at him and finally saw his lips stopped moving I took that as my cue to speak. Battery please for… and before I could even list my phone he was yabba dabbing do about batteries, costs, and did I have the unit with me or know the model. “Ah, it’s a blackberry but…” and before I could finish again and say not sure of which model he yabba dabba’s again. I get the phone, pause and smile and ask how many Starbucks he had today? First time in the few minutes we met he looked stunned? ‘Scuse me dear...no it’s not nearby! Oooh my belly ached with the chuckle I was holding in. I picked up the battery and got an enormous bag with it to which I declined? My yabba dabba do man was again stunned! I think I offended him. Needless to say, I walked out with a new battery and for $50 I have access to my Aussie Sim. So I am now effectively back on track. Feel free to send me a sms from now if you feel inclined.
As I had got a cab from Times Square to Tony’s building I didn’t really know how far I had walked… I kept on Park Ave walking along and stumbled across the Waldorf Astoria. Ahhh, beauty at its best. I walked in and as I had my camera still in hand was asked if I was a guest. When I responded no I wasn’t, the Porter asked me to put my camera away as they had a VIP guest in the building and would I mind. Certainly not…. I hovered for a bit but no sighting… wonder who it was?
As I was a walking I was amazed to see a giant Hello Kitty statue in the middle of a very astute looking business building? What an unusual choice of art?
Took a left turn which put me back on 42nd Street which I knew was the right direction to head back to Broadway/Times Square and along the way I found myself in awe at all the construction going on. I daresay the construction business is growing!! Be it fixing existing buildings or making new ones… it actually made it hard to see what shops/places where what at some stages. Nevertheless, I did see some sparkling gold doors after 17 blocks which lead me to the Grand Central Market which leads you into the Terminal. It was lovely little alley of delicious food and smells and sights. I wanted to take a picture but just got caught up looking at all the yummy food and before I knew it I had walked to the end. Will definitely have to go back for a photo opportunity! Imagine the bottom level of DJ’s in Melbourne or what used to be in DJ’s at the mall. Was surprised at the choices and all looked sooooo yummy!
This lead me right into Grand Central Terminal. Now you have all seen it…but here is my little version below.
The first thing that came into my head though … “Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand: Serena van der Woodsen … And who am I? That's another secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. Xo xo Gossip Girl” GG fans out there will know what I mean there hahaha. I walked through the centre and had such a giggle!
Managed to find Bryant Park after that, which is just beautiful. A big park near the library with lots of free seats, a piano player, and people just milling about. Can see myself sitting here a fair bit! Was also nice to rest my legs and have a break too!
All in all this was already 4 ½ hours so thought I’d call it a day and head back to the PABT via Broadway and Times Square. Got into the PABT and do you think I could find somewhere to purchase the tickets. I tried a machine and that beeped at me, and walked round and round in circles. Found somewhere to ask a lady, so back downstairs (again) but this time went all the way around and there were the booths. Found the one I was after and the guy says that they don’t do monthly trips only books of 10… works out a saving of 68c a ticket! Lol. Oh well a book of 10 it is! As far as timings, getting in is super easy, getting out isn’t so. The last Bus is at 11.15pm which is great but I just need to check where the bus stops, as the last shuttle service ends at 11pm from the hotel. So my last bus to safely be collected will be 915pm at the PABT which will get me into NJ an hour later.
It does mean I may have to tweak the things I do and most of it will be now during the day but that’s still okay. As my brother said, it’s not like I’d be wanting to catch public transport at home at all hours of the morning…you’d cab it…and here that just isn’t practical.
So after purchasing my book. It’s back up the stairs to find the gate 306. I see a sign that points to Gates 200-250 something, and 300-320 something. I follow, and then get lead to a stair case back downstairs? WTF…so head downstairs and low and behold back to where I was…ho hum. Up the stairs again, follow the same path and ask a technician fixing a lift. Oooh yeah, next building, head down the hall, past the lift, into the next building and you should see some signs. I head this way and arrgghhh! A big loop back to square one. No idea how I did, but a few more turns and I found it! By then I was hanging out for the hour long return just to sit!
Sat next to a lovely man on the way back who noticed my accent when talking to the bus driver so chatted with him for a while. It was a great chat, He basically said, that if in fact nothing comes out of this adventure, he admires (or rather in his twang… ed-my-res) the fact that I have put myself out here in such a vulnerable position. It was nice to hear that from a complete stranger. Not that all your support goes unnoticed but sometimes it’s refreshing to hear something positive from someone you don’t know.
The only struggle was knowing when to get off the #77. I asked the driver how close he would go near the hotel and he said either the Circle, the Mall or South and 10. I knew that the South and 10 was where I got dropped off, so for safety I got off there, called the hotel and waited for the shuttle. The shuttle driver seemed to think I could have got closer. Spent 25 minutes on hold trying to find out, so will wait to see what they respond via email.
Came back so tired, the best thing I could see was a quick swim, followed by a soak in the bath, an indulgent room service meal and finally crashing into bed!
Today will be the first day of research! Let’s keep all crossed!
Until next Manhattan sojourn
Lots of Love Bee
xx
I don’t ask for directions…I give them!
Entrance near intersection of W 42nd St and 8th Ave
Take the S shuttle train from 42 Street-Times Square station heading to Grand Central
Get off at 42 Street-Grand Central
Take the 4 Train from 42 Street - Grand Central station heading Downtown/to Crown Heights
Pass 14 Street - Union Square
Get off at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall
Exit near intersection of Park Row and Center St
Arrive at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall, Manhattan
Sounded simple enough….so with the above instructions printed in 9pt Arial font and folded in a nice small discreet square in my pocket…I was on my way. The usual drop happened and I was the only one at the bus stop. Slowly a few more people arrived and I had such a chuckle….at one stage there was myself and 4 others…and for one reason or another they all started tapping on their iPhone’s or Blackberries… I felt like I needed to take off my shoe and call Agent 99!
Slowly I see a look of panic on the girl next to me as she fiercely checks her watch every minute. Sorry love, it hasn’t leapt back or forward in time. Yes the bus is late…and yes we have now hit 25minutes late. Good thing I plan this trips early to allow for such events! My thoughts floated….so am I now late for the 8.40am bus, or early for the 9.30 bus?
Given our tardiness a look around me says 13 people. Hmm wonder how many people we can hold and how many will go without today. The bus finally arrives and there are elbows out, shoulders front and a mad rush and panic to get in the line…not me…nope I show the American’s about orderly and un-panicked line up. (I was a line up monitor at school for a bit...still in the blood I guess, you never lose those skills!)
So onto the bus, assuming my normal window seat in the hope to work out when just to whip out my camera for a photo opportunity of the Manhattan Skyline. The bus was pretty full, and we continued along picking people up. I have tried really hard to understand the system of the #77 and what exactly express means. We seem to go to most stops… A disgruntled gentleman gets up groughly and sticks his briefcase in the overhead compartment. (Not quite like a plane…it has string and little spots to hold things in.) and he approaches the driver with vigor of an angry man. All I can hear are mumbled yet heated discussion. I hear “54”, “surely no more” “fit” and “standing” the man waves his arms enough for a few people to look up from their iPad's, iPod's, Berries, Newspapers etc. and then I hear… “well I’ll show you” now this becomes the gray area. The bus stops…not sure if it was at a bus stop or not... and the tall man gets out and points to what looks like I sign on the door. Well bus driver by now is obviously not amused so he does what any angry bus driver does….he closes the door and drives off. Not without a final thump, yelling from the man and what I can only assume was a shoe being thrown at the bus. At least the man’s briefcase made it to Manhattan!!
Once at the PABT I sneakily check my instructions and head to the way of the W 42nd St and 8th Ave for my first play using the subway system. Now anyone who knows me well knows I don’t do well with numbers or math’s… so looking at the subway map was like looking at an algebraic linear mathematical equation. I shook the thoughts of my dad telling me “math’s is not an opinion” dad what does that mean anyway??? And thought I can do this, I don’t need to ask the lady I have my instructions just buy the ticket and off you go!
Hmm okay so in the land of the USA you need touch screens and coupons and lot’s of NEXT, NEXT, NEXT, REVIEW, NEXT buttons as you could imagine. Lo and behold big fat ERROR message. Ho hum I approach the lady in the box with tail between my legs to ask what I have done wrong. The dialogue went something like this:
“Ohhh you’re not from here….”
“uhhh no” I politely respond.
“Well sugar, no wonder you don’t know”.
Hmmm well okay lady in the box are you going to quit smiling at me and tell me… no let’s hold this smiling staring completion a bit longer. She leans in close and so naturally I lean in thinking she is about to tell me the MTA’s best kept secret…
“Sugar…it's your zip!”
As you would expect I think oh god please don’t tell me my fly is undone….
“For your zip sugar, you need to press 5 x 9’s”
Oh Shit… can I use my fingers to work out 5 by 9??”
“So that’s 9, 9, (pause) 9, 9 (pause) 9” as she holds each of her plump black fingers up at me.
“Great, thanks so much for you help ma’am” as she proceeded to wink at me. Hmmm yes our little secret. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone I need to press 5x9’s for my post code.
So after that little tête-à -tête I bounce on down to the oh wait crap after all that I have to take another sneaky look at my piece of paper. God knows how, but I managed to get on my trains and follow my instructions to a tea and almost a seasoned expert. Speaking of which, I must be doing something right, as I was asked directions no less than three times in that day. Twice on the street and once in the Subway.
So I head out to the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. The day was as beautiful as the sights. A nice 29.C blue skies and just the perfect amount of breeze.
So with a stagger in my step, and a quick tap of my pocket in acknowledgement of the instructions I walked the beautiful walk that is the Brooklyn Bridge. Taking in the sights of Brooklyn while the magic of the Manhattan Skyline dipped behind me. They have a dedicated walking lane and a dedicated bike lane. The bikes zipped on past both directions, but the walk had a good mix of tourists, commuters, dog walkers, baby walkers, a mega hot nanny (despite his manicured eye brows and little wiggle of his bum) and I guess just the norm.
I took some panorama’s but sadly forgot to download the software onto this lappy so that will have to be added in the future.
I headed down the stairs towards DUMBO (American’s and their acronyms…Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and they have a great big map and signs. I am pleased to say that I did have a glance at the map, but I was the only person in a circle of about 11 WITHOUT my Frommers or Lonely Planet. Okay so they were in my bag, but I knew my way enough not to have to look, sneakily or not!
On the walk to the Piers and the views are two famous land marks which appear in all guide books, blogs and basically everywhere. One is Grimaldi’s Pizza. World Renowned (but they do not do slices only whole pizzas) and Brooklyn Ice Cream factory. As I was walking down, memories of my San Francisco visit popped into my head (Went to Fisherman’s Wharf in SF and there were NO SEALS!! A rarity!!) and I walked past Grimaldi’s and there was no line. Was it opened? Well one man went in so I guess it is. Hmpf so much for the long lines and renting of chairs I had read about. So onto the harbor and piers.
They are building a series of beautiful parks along the old piers. Playgrounds and common area that was just immaculate. New but still immaculate.
I feel like something or someone is looking over my shoulder so I face back and yup reminders everywhere…
So photos taken it’s now time for the Ice Cream place to open and me to sample this world famous taste. Hmmm decisions were hard but I narrowed it down to Chocolate Chocolate Chunk, Peaches and Cream or Butter Pecan. Okay well chocolate is chocolate so let’s try Peaches and Cream or Butter Pecan…hmm it’s warm outside, bit peckish...let’s go Butter Pecan...the nuts will keep me going.
Okay, not what this little lady expected. First bite…hmmm. No that can’t be. Let’s try a second. Hmmm really…ooh this is strange...crunch crunch…hmmm okay glad I got the small. Really...no it can’t be…hmm one last try. Wait all gone!
The only way to imagine this ice-cream was to imagine putting a pecan nut in your mouth and butter menthol and eat together! It was seriously like butter menthol minus the menthol. Weird. Next time I think I might just settle on the Vanilla with Chocolate Chunks or Chocolate Chocolate Chunks! Oh well, I’m all about trying something new!!
After milling around the piers, reading my book, writing in my journal and just mooching its back towards DUMBO.
What the….the looks like Grimaldi’s is the place to be….haha, they do have signs renting chairs for $3! Only in America!!
Check the sign board...minus book! I walked right into downtown Brooklyn, no idea where!! I did get lost I admit. Didn’t see any of the streets that I had in my head from the map and on getting back and looking on Google Maps I covered But oh well. Amazingly big synthetic turn park where kids playing soccer, baseball and mothers group chat while the kids run feral! I came across some funky little galleries and quirky shops and then headed back towards the Public Library. Inside no photographs but it was a real cozy (albeit strange smelling) library. I had a wonder, and then landed in the suburb of Brooklyn Heights…Bingo. I walked up and down the Fruit Streets Pineapple, Orange and Cranberry and it was magical! Little cafes under buildings, it was like seeing the streets of Sesame Street/the Cosby Show! All that walking didn’t even get me flustered when I realized I walked in one big giant circle the wrong way, and could have gone right down near the pier and ended up along the Promenade for more spectacular views! After more skyline gazing, it was a walk to find food. I could most certainly live there…the streets just gorgeous, tree lines and so cute! I found a wonderful little place called Tutt Café….Brooklyn’s answer to Jerusalem Restaurant back home and boy did I enjoy that! Iced Mint Lemon Tea, Felafels, Babaganoush, Tabbouleh Salad and Pita all for $9.50! Bargain!! And oooh so Ippsy Glippsy!
Next to me was the most gorgeous woman I think I have ever seen. She was model material big time! Maybe even was… she was black, had a shaved head, these big long eyelashes and was sitting with the world’s ugliest man! I have never seen a man so ugly with someone so beautiful. I was in awe!! Not sure where they were from…the accents could have been Portuguese or something but wow he sure was uuuggggllllyyyyy!
The journey back was super easy; I found a subway that would take me to 42nd Street no problems. While on the Subway I realized I’d be going past Wall street and WTC. Thought I had enough in me to take a peak so jumped off train and headed down wall street to look for the Bronze Bull and whatever else I might see. (hmmm hopefully some fine men in suits!) talk a wonder up and down the street … twice…no Bronze Bull. Oh well off to WTC. A lot of construction is under way the photo below shows the gap, and the one underneath the professional version of what’s behind the gap!
So from what I can see there isn’t a ground zero site any more per se…They have moved preview site to another location just a street away so will have a look-see at that next visit down that way.
Having a wee wonder around here starting to take its toll on my feet and hips (fancy that I haven’t done any excercise before this for so long everything started to hurt!) fortunately the feet have been pretty darn good though so I won’t complain.
I head to an info booth ahh there is the Bronze Bull. What the?? He is located in a park nearby! Bugger that! It’s home time!
Jumping down a subway near WTC I had to ask for directions this time. Great news the A train would take me all the way to the PABT…wouldn’t even need to change lines, just walk up the escalators to the Bus and home sweet home and rest my tootsies…no wait…they are in my bathroom!!
The bus home took a detour….ah so that is the express form the morning! Fortunately I was still close enough to a pick up point. Well I could walk to the hotel... it would be like walking from Hindley Street to the end of Rundle Mall….maybe even to Frome. But in the absence of footpaths here (no wonder so many Americans are tubby!) on the phone to my 8 child admirer Joe and around he comes to pick me up!
Another successful trip to NYC, and topped off with a nice spa the day after to aide my feet!
Next trip is on Wednesday where I meet a contact that I got from one of the parents of school. She has invited me to a networking/drinks thing being held at an Aussie Joint called the Sunburnt Calf. Have read about the chain in a few mag’s so looking forward to it. Should be great to have my first alcoholic beverage in over two weeks, and meet some people!
Until then
Lots of Love Bee
Xx
Take the S shuttle train from 42 Street-Times Square station heading to Grand Central
Get off at 42 Street-Grand Central
Take the 4 Train from 42 Street - Grand Central station heading Downtown/to Crown Heights
Pass 14 Street - Union Square
Get off at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall
Exit near intersection of Park Row and Center St
Arrive at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall, Manhattan
Sounded simple enough….so with the above instructions printed in 9pt Arial font and folded in a nice small discreet square in my pocket…I was on my way. The usual drop happened and I was the only one at the bus stop. Slowly a few more people arrived and I had such a chuckle….at one stage there was myself and 4 others…and for one reason or another they all started tapping on their iPhone’s or Blackberries… I felt like I needed to take off my shoe and call Agent 99!
Slowly I see a look of panic on the girl next to me as she fiercely checks her watch every minute. Sorry love, it hasn’t leapt back or forward in time. Yes the bus is late…and yes we have now hit 25minutes late. Good thing I plan this trips early to allow for such events! My thoughts floated….so am I now late for the 8.40am bus, or early for the 9.30 bus?
Given our tardiness a look around me says 13 people. Hmm wonder how many people we can hold and how many will go without today. The bus finally arrives and there are elbows out, shoulders front and a mad rush and panic to get in the line…not me…nope I show the American’s about orderly and un-panicked line up. (I was a line up monitor at school for a bit...still in the blood I guess, you never lose those skills!)
So onto the bus, assuming my normal window seat in the hope to work out when just to whip out my camera for a photo opportunity of the Manhattan Skyline. The bus was pretty full, and we continued along picking people up. I have tried really hard to understand the system of the #77 and what exactly express means. We seem to go to most stops… A disgruntled gentleman gets up groughly and sticks his briefcase in the overhead compartment. (Not quite like a plane…it has string and little spots to hold things in.) and he approaches the driver with vigor of an angry man. All I can hear are mumbled yet heated discussion. I hear “54”, “surely no more” “fit” and “standing” the man waves his arms enough for a few people to look up from their iPad's, iPod's, Berries, Newspapers etc. and then I hear… “well I’ll show you” now this becomes the gray area. The bus stops…not sure if it was at a bus stop or not... and the tall man gets out and points to what looks like I sign on the door. Well bus driver by now is obviously not amused so he does what any angry bus driver does….he closes the door and drives off. Not without a final thump, yelling from the man and what I can only assume was a shoe being thrown at the bus. At least the man’s briefcase made it to Manhattan!!
Once at the PABT I sneakily check my instructions and head to the way of the W 42nd St and 8th Ave for my first play using the subway system. Now anyone who knows me well knows I don’t do well with numbers or math’s… so looking at the subway map was like looking at an algebraic linear mathematical equation. I shook the thoughts of my dad telling me “math’s is not an opinion” dad what does that mean anyway??? And thought I can do this, I don’t need to ask the lady I have my instructions just buy the ticket and off you go!
Hmm okay so in the land of the USA you need touch screens and coupons and lot’s of NEXT, NEXT, NEXT, REVIEW, NEXT buttons as you could imagine. Lo and behold big fat ERROR message. Ho hum I approach the lady in the box with tail between my legs to ask what I have done wrong. The dialogue went something like this:
“Ohhh you’re not from here….”
“uhhh no” I politely respond.
“Well sugar, no wonder you don’t know”.
Hmmm well okay lady in the box are you going to quit smiling at me and tell me… no let’s hold this smiling staring completion a bit longer. She leans in close and so naturally I lean in thinking she is about to tell me the MTA’s best kept secret…
“Sugar…it's your zip!”
As you would expect I think oh god please don’t tell me my fly is undone….
“For your zip sugar, you need to press 5 x 9’s”
Oh Shit… can I use my fingers to work out 5 by 9??”
“So that’s 9, 9, (pause) 9, 9 (pause) 9” as she holds each of her plump black fingers up at me.
“Great, thanks so much for you help ma’am” as she proceeded to wink at me. Hmmm yes our little secret. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone I need to press 5x9’s for my post code.
So after that little tête-à -tête I bounce on down to the oh wait crap after all that I have to take another sneaky look at my piece of paper. God knows how, but I managed to get on my trains and follow my instructions to a tea and almost a seasoned expert. Speaking of which, I must be doing something right, as I was asked directions no less than three times in that day. Twice on the street and once in the Subway.
So I head out to the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. The day was as beautiful as the sights. A nice 29.C blue skies and just the perfect amount of breeze.
So with a stagger in my step, and a quick tap of my pocket in acknowledgement of the instructions I walked the beautiful walk that is the Brooklyn Bridge. Taking in the sights of Brooklyn while the magic of the Manhattan Skyline dipped behind me. They have a dedicated walking lane and a dedicated bike lane. The bikes zipped on past both directions, but the walk had a good mix of tourists, commuters, dog walkers, baby walkers, a mega hot nanny (despite his manicured eye brows and little wiggle of his bum) and I guess just the norm.
I took some panorama’s but sadly forgot to download the software onto this lappy so that will have to be added in the future.
I headed down the stairs towards DUMBO (American’s and their acronyms…Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and they have a great big map and signs. I am pleased to say that I did have a glance at the map, but I was the only person in a circle of about 11 WITHOUT my Frommers or Lonely Planet. Okay so they were in my bag, but I knew my way enough not to have to look, sneakily or not!
On the walk to the Piers and the views are two famous land marks which appear in all guide books, blogs and basically everywhere. One is Grimaldi’s Pizza. World Renowned (but they do not do slices only whole pizzas) and Brooklyn Ice Cream factory. As I was walking down, memories of my San Francisco visit popped into my head (Went to Fisherman’s Wharf in SF and there were NO SEALS!! A rarity!!) and I walked past Grimaldi’s and there was no line. Was it opened? Well one man went in so I guess it is. Hmpf so much for the long lines and renting of chairs I had read about. So onto the harbor and piers.
They are building a series of beautiful parks along the old piers. Playgrounds and common area that was just immaculate. New but still immaculate.
I feel like something or someone is looking over my shoulder so I face back and yup reminders everywhere…
So photos taken it’s now time for the Ice Cream place to open and me to sample this world famous taste. Hmmm decisions were hard but I narrowed it down to Chocolate Chocolate Chunk, Peaches and Cream or Butter Pecan. Okay well chocolate is chocolate so let’s try Peaches and Cream or Butter Pecan…hmm it’s warm outside, bit peckish...let’s go Butter Pecan...the nuts will keep me going.
Okay, not what this little lady expected. First bite…hmmm. No that can’t be. Let’s try a second. Hmmm really…ooh this is strange...crunch crunch…hmmm okay glad I got the small. Really...no it can’t be…hmm one last try. Wait all gone!
The only way to imagine this ice-cream was to imagine putting a pecan nut in your mouth and butter menthol and eat together! It was seriously like butter menthol minus the menthol. Weird. Next time I think I might just settle on the Vanilla with Chocolate Chunks or Chocolate Chocolate Chunks! Oh well, I’m all about trying something new!!
After milling around the piers, reading my book, writing in my journal and just mooching its back towards DUMBO.
What the….the looks like Grimaldi’s is the place to be….haha, they do have signs renting chairs for $3! Only in America!!
Check the sign board...minus book! I walked right into downtown Brooklyn, no idea where!! I did get lost I admit. Didn’t see any of the streets that I had in my head from the map and on getting back and looking on Google Maps I covered But oh well. Amazingly big synthetic turn park where kids playing soccer, baseball and mothers group chat while the kids run feral! I came across some funky little galleries and quirky shops and then headed back towards the Public Library. Inside no photographs but it was a real cozy (albeit strange smelling) library. I had a wonder, and then landed in the suburb of Brooklyn Heights…Bingo. I walked up and down the Fruit Streets Pineapple, Orange and Cranberry and it was magical! Little cafes under buildings, it was like seeing the streets of Sesame Street/the Cosby Show! All that walking didn’t even get me flustered when I realized I walked in one big giant circle the wrong way, and could have gone right down near the pier and ended up along the Promenade for more spectacular views! After more skyline gazing, it was a walk to find food. I could most certainly live there…the streets just gorgeous, tree lines and so cute! I found a wonderful little place called Tutt Café….Brooklyn’s answer to Jerusalem Restaurant back home and boy did I enjoy that! Iced Mint Lemon Tea, Felafels, Babaganoush, Tabbouleh Salad and Pita all for $9.50! Bargain!! And oooh so Ippsy Glippsy!
Next to me was the most gorgeous woman I think I have ever seen. She was model material big time! Maybe even was… she was black, had a shaved head, these big long eyelashes and was sitting with the world’s ugliest man! I have never seen a man so ugly with someone so beautiful. I was in awe!! Not sure where they were from…the accents could have been Portuguese or something but wow he sure was uuuggggllllyyyyy!
The journey back was super easy; I found a subway that would take me to 42nd Street no problems. While on the Subway I realized I’d be going past Wall street and WTC. Thought I had enough in me to take a peak so jumped off train and headed down wall street to look for the Bronze Bull and whatever else I might see. (hmmm hopefully some fine men in suits!) talk a wonder up and down the street … twice…no Bronze Bull. Oh well off to WTC. A lot of construction is under way the photo below shows the gap, and the one underneath the professional version of what’s behind the gap!
So from what I can see there isn’t a ground zero site any more per se…They have moved preview site to another location just a street away so will have a look-see at that next visit down that way.
Having a wee wonder around here starting to take its toll on my feet and hips (fancy that I haven’t done any excercise before this for so long everything started to hurt!) fortunately the feet have been pretty darn good though so I won’t complain.
I head to an info booth ahh there is the Bronze Bull. What the?? He is located in a park nearby! Bugger that! It’s home time!
Jumping down a subway near WTC I had to ask for directions this time. Great news the A train would take me all the way to the PABT…wouldn’t even need to change lines, just walk up the escalators to the Bus and home sweet home and rest my tootsies…no wait…they are in my bathroom!!
The bus home took a detour….ah so that is the express form the morning! Fortunately I was still close enough to a pick up point. Well I could walk to the hotel... it would be like walking from Hindley Street to the end of Rundle Mall….maybe even to Frome. But in the absence of footpaths here (no wonder so many Americans are tubby!) on the phone to my 8 child admirer Joe and around he comes to pick me up!
Another successful trip to NYC, and topped off with a nice spa the day after to aide my feet!
Next trip is on Wednesday where I meet a contact that I got from one of the parents of school. She has invited me to a networking/drinks thing being held at an Aussie Joint called the Sunburnt Calf. Have read about the chain in a few mag’s so looking forward to it. Should be great to have my first alcoholic beverage in over two weeks, and meet some people!
Until then
Lots of Love Bee
Xx
A network cable is unplugged
This week I was invited to attend a “Networking” evening hosted by a company which looks at connecting Australian’s globally. The event was held at an Aussie venue “The Sunburnt Calf” in the Upper West side. I had previously heard about their other jaunt the “Sunburnt Cow” so was quite looking forward to the evening of ‘networking’.
The event was from 6.30pm-8.30pm so being the typical anal person I am, I decided on the 4pm bus which would get me into Manhattan by just after 5pm. That way, I would have some time to head to Zabar’s one street over from the Sunburnt Calf. I had been told about this place by a reliable source, a friend who lived in the US during her college days. She explained that Zabar’s was an iconic UWS haunt (now I’m joining in with the acronyms! Upper West Side). This place is supposed to have an amazing deli, gourmet cheeses (yum!) and a dedicated Jewish deli where New York’s Jewish community regularly frequent. Zabar’s was going to be an ideal spot to people watch, take in the sights and sounds until the function and cool down! Given the heat, 101.F (38.C) I wanted to be as close to where I needed to be, after all, I had to frock up for this event.
So after being inside for most of the day, by the time Joe dropped me at the bus stop at 3.45pm for my 4pm bus I was melting on the sidewalk. Thank goodness for water proof mascara as by this stage water was dripping from every part of my body.
“Oh my it’s so hot today I can’t wear my jewellery” she says. I turn around and almost leap out of my skin. This woman standing next to me was wearing brown corduroy pants, a long shirt which I can only describe as a sack, with a vest over the top. A big floppy hat and thong’s topped off the outfit and she proceeded to take off her jewellery with 10 foot talons of nails. Okay, so over exaggerated…but I could only assume that when she got her nails done, the person forgot to cut them to size!
“Um, yeah……” awkward silence “yes you are right it is a tad warm isn’t it” says I, thinking oh my goodness how can you be wearing that?
“Ohhhh you are from the United Kingdom I hear. I love Ireland.”
“Actually no, I am from Australia, however where I am from most people think we are from the UK as we speak a little different to other states in Australia.”
“Oh no, I never get an accent wrong…you are definitely from the United Kingdom.”
Hmmm okay sack wearing corduroy pant lady…. If you say so. Please bus, why are you 15minutes late. It’s so hot standing at this bus stop!
Almost reading my thought’s corduroy lady says, oh these buses are never on time. They call it community, but where is their sense of community when they can’t be on time.
Okay so she had a point!
The bus arrived a few minutes later, so only 20 minutes late, and after standing in 38.C heat for almost 30 minutes I was just itching for the hour in the air conditioned coach. Hopefully I can reapply some of this melted make up!
The bus takes off in the usual direction and as we zoom along the freeways at a frantic pace I zone out to the conversation to the ladies behind me. Three big black African American ladies heading into NYC for dinner to celebrate Patty’s 70th Birthday. Now I wasn’t eavesdropping but let’s just say here in the states, American’s do not know what an ‘inside voice’ is… everything is a shout, scream or at least a conversation loud enough for everyone within ear shot to hear!
These ladies by the sounds of it traveled regularly over the years.
“Remember when we went to Florida” says one…..”Ohh yes says the other…that’s when we tried to get Maisee laid.”
Oh my! Did I just hear a 70 something year old woman refer to someone getting laid? No way.
“Rose, rose, do you remember that”, as Rose two seat’s down begins to shake like jelly on a plate with laughter! “Oh yes, Patty, how can I forget the FFF” as all three ladies begin to laugh with an infectious belly laugh that begins to make the other passengers including me smile.
“Oh my Rose…I haven’t heard of the FFF in what 40 years! How do you remember these things?”
“Patty girlfriend…..how else can I make my children and grand children blush…who would think that their mamma and grandmamma was part of a Florida F_ _ k Fest” as they all begin to laugh frantically again, and Maisee goes a nice shade of fuchsia!! And Rose sitting by herself pat’s her eyes with the corner of her hankie as she continues to shake with such a contagious laugh!
The gasp that came out of my mouth could not match the glare of the Asian lady sitting next to me gave…. Wow! The things I hear in NY!
As this is going on and I still have a smile from ear to ear hearing about well, yes the fact that these ladies had a lot of fun in their 30’s and more importantly that they are still friends and having fun. I look at my window and a rise of panic raises in my chest. Where the hell are we?! None of the surrounds look familiar as we are no longer on the freeway. Hmm it appears the buses in the afternoon take a different route…very different! We cover Essex, West Orange, normal Orange (??) and main streets of I don’t know how many suburbs. I look at my watch and it’s already after 5pm…no sight of anything familiar. Bugger, it means I may not get that photo opportunity of the Manhattan Skyline as I roll into NYC.
As we roll along, the FFF crew behind me start making some phone calls to their other friends meeting them at dinner…it was not reassuring to hear “no idea where this driver is taking us….he has gone a completely different route!” “No we may not be at restaurant in time as I have no idea how he is going to navigate the city”
Great….so this driver has taken us on a completely different route. This becomes extremely apparent when we see the following sign...meaning we are heading away from the Lincoln Tunnel....even though I am sure that is the way we should be going!
The sick feeling is swapped for panic as it is now 5.55pm (yes I have been on the bus for 1hr35min) for a 50minute journey normally. We got stuck on 31st and 10th avenue for what felt like an eternity. The driver tears in front of another 4 buses; we swing an almighty left turn and manage to get into what seems a back entrance of the PABT behind lines and lines of buses. We sat in the terminal inching 2miles every 5 minutes until we finally get in at 6.22pm. Hmmm so much for Zabar’s let alone for being on time!
I make a mad dash down to the subway in the hope that the train I need to get is downstairs rather than walking to Times Square and Broadway Station! Aha, it’s the same station essentially, just underground passage. So far so good. Looking in my purse for the directions of which train to get, I realize that I have written down two choices…Small panic sets in and the sweat from rushing is nothing compared to the sweat from the intense heat from the subway. I follow the signs to what I hope will be the right train. Worst case scenario, it is an express and doesn’t stop where I need to.
At the turn styles…beep please try again…the card reader says. Hmm, I bought a month pass for the subway…I try over and over again, and this hot hot hot guy next to me says in his beautiful coffee voice… ‘scuse me, you may need to clean it…let me try! Oh my I think as I look into his eyes…be my guest! It works, he smiles, I thank him...and for a moment I hesitate...do I follow sexy voice or head for the train!! Dang …. It is by invitation and they will know if I am not there….by sexy voice! Hope to run into you again one day!! (“,)
I jump on the train, and to my delight I am heading in the right direction! At least something has gone right!
I get off at 72nd Street and gravity has me turning right…I see 230…the Sunburnt Calf is 220…ahhhh sheer delight as I realize it is there, and it’s only 6.40pm. Could have been worse!!
The venue was great although the subway was cooler than what the place was! The function was upstairs and fortunately not many people so I knew I wasn’t too late.
The first group of people I met where lovely. A husband and wife who have been in NYC for 8 years and now officially on a green card. He used to work in HR for News Ltd, but since the changes of Rupert and Lachlan he is in between jobs. As his wife said, they were fortunate that green cards meant they could take their time, and as she was working as a US Realtor (Ex Teacher in Oz) they were doing okay. The other five people were a mix of an economist, a lawyer, an accountant, a banker, all of which had been in NYC between a month and two years. The lady who worked for the host company had been there for a number of years after a stint in the UK.
I was able to meet up with the contact and the lady who invited me to the event and she was lovely and very helpful.
The rest of the evening was mingling and meeting different people. What was refreshing though, was meeting people in similar situations who were also looking for employment and finding it a bit tough. It helped the self esteem a little. Sadly though, some of these people where highly qualified….Psychologist, Event’s & Marketing Manager, IT Guru, Publisher and they were all finding it a bit tough.
The finger food provided was great, but after a while the heat upstairs was so intense (and I had only had one drink! A beer) I started to feel very unwell. It may have been a combination of nerves, anxiety from all the rushing, but more so it was like standing in a small office with 50 people all fighting for one eency teency bit of air from a combustion fan. I had to excuse myself from one conversation, grab some water and sit down. Great, so I am going to be remembered not as Bianca from Adelaide trying to get back into hotels, but Bianca from Adelaide who either fainted or vomited from heat exhaustion! Great.
Fortunately I found that inner strength to talk myself out of being ill drank copious amounts of water and even splashed a bit on my neck discreetly and slowly felt a bit better. Back to hogging the air.
It proved to be a good spot to meet people and there was even an exchanging of numbers with a few people to meet up for a drink in the coming weeks!
As much as I had of wished I could stay beyond 830pm (the function had officially finished, but there were still a lot of people) I had to excuse myself to enable me to catch the 915pm bus to ensure a pick up at 10.20pm by the hotel.
I said my goodbyes and thanked the appropriate people and headed back on the subway to the PABT. Same problem with the card, this time a lovely older gentleman explains that in the heat the magnetic strips tend to go funny so just do it a bit faster. We get it to work, and meanwhile the train isn’t expected for 3 minutes. Hmm, it’s just before 9pm.
As we pull into 42nd Street I jump off and scurry towards the PABT. My scurry turns to a bit more of a jog as the clock in the subway says 9.07pm. Ooh this is going to be close. I join a man in a trot as we head up to gate 306 and we see the bus pulling away! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! We race outside as its break lights disappear into the night!
“Ohh gee…first time all week it has been early! 9.11pm!” says the man.
“Great, oh great” is all I can muster….an hour to now sit here until the next one! Although the thought crossed my mind to walk up to Times Square and Broadway and take some photo’s, I was just so over the evening! I spent more time traveling than at the actual function!
To top it off, I am now going to miss the shuttle…normally safety would be a factor, but given the mood, I thought just someone try and give me a hard time as I walk from the bus stop.
Fortunately I sat next to a nice (bit boring….too financey) young guy, Carl, but it made the journey a bit easier to swallow. He kindly offered to drive me to the hotel after hearing that the bus wouldn’t stop any closer to which I thanked him but declined. It was way out of his way!
After Carl got off, and I discovered I was the last passenger I asked Mr. Driver (who looked a lot like Mr. Miyagi but not as nice!) very nicely would he be so kind as to head to Walnut St rather than drop me off at the Circle.
“No Wal-nut, just cir-cul”
“But sir, I am the last passenger….so there is no chance you can go to Walnut near the Westminster Hotel” as I try and sound as pleading but nice as I can.
“Hmm you last perswon….lemme check” as he stops the bus and turns around….”hmmmm okay walnut but not Westminster”
“Thank you Sir, thank you very much”
As we head towards Walnut, and he performs his U-Turn RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WESTMINSTER!!
“Okay wady, here you go…you give me money…or tip”
“No tip, sir, other than thank you for not smoking, and thank you for ensuring I don’t get raped”! Slightly rude of me I know but given it was 11.15pm and I was buggered it was all I can do from throwing a hissy fit! Lol.
I staggered into the hotel, and there is Esther, a 7ft Amazonian woman with a smile as wide as she, “Ooh Good Evening Miss Baggio, welcome back and how are you this evening?”….
How was I? That was a very good question…how was I? “Glad to be home Esther, and glad to see a smiling face…please call me Bianca…remember, we discussed that”
“Sure thing Biunka…you have a tops evening now won’t you” as she flashes her pearly whites!
“Thanks Esther…I will, goodnight!”
I flop in the room, and poor myself my drink of choice while in the US…A&W Root Beer.
I turn the computer on to Skype home as I know they are eagerly awaiting news from my evening, get changed, take off make up and giggle to myself as I replay the night’s events through my head.
There is always a positive in a bad situation, and despite all the running around, panic, stress…all in all I survived and the night was ok. Who knows if any leads will come out of the evening, but alas, another feather in my cap!
Over to the desk, and as I plug my Ethernet cable in I see the message… UNABLE TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET, A NETWORK CABLE IS UNPLUGGED…
Hmmm I smile…that figures!!
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
The event was from 6.30pm-8.30pm so being the typical anal person I am, I decided on the 4pm bus which would get me into Manhattan by just after 5pm. That way, I would have some time to head to Zabar’s one street over from the Sunburnt Calf. I had been told about this place by a reliable source, a friend who lived in the US during her college days. She explained that Zabar’s was an iconic UWS haunt (now I’m joining in with the acronyms! Upper West Side). This place is supposed to have an amazing deli, gourmet cheeses (yum!) and a dedicated Jewish deli where New York’s Jewish community regularly frequent. Zabar’s was going to be an ideal spot to people watch, take in the sights and sounds until the function and cool down! Given the heat, 101.F (38.C) I wanted to be as close to where I needed to be, after all, I had to frock up for this event.
So after being inside for most of the day, by the time Joe dropped me at the bus stop at 3.45pm for my 4pm bus I was melting on the sidewalk. Thank goodness for water proof mascara as by this stage water was dripping from every part of my body.
“Oh my it’s so hot today I can’t wear my jewellery” she says. I turn around and almost leap out of my skin. This woman standing next to me was wearing brown corduroy pants, a long shirt which I can only describe as a sack, with a vest over the top. A big floppy hat and thong’s topped off the outfit and she proceeded to take off her jewellery with 10 foot talons of nails. Okay, so over exaggerated…but I could only assume that when she got her nails done, the person forgot to cut them to size!
“Um, yeah……” awkward silence “yes you are right it is a tad warm isn’t it” says I, thinking oh my goodness how can you be wearing that?
“Ohhhh you are from the United Kingdom I hear. I love Ireland.”
“Actually no, I am from Australia, however where I am from most people think we are from the UK as we speak a little different to other states in Australia.”
“Oh no, I never get an accent wrong…you are definitely from the United Kingdom.”
Hmmm okay sack wearing corduroy pant lady…. If you say so. Please bus, why are you 15minutes late. It’s so hot standing at this bus stop!
Almost reading my thought’s corduroy lady says, oh these buses are never on time. They call it community, but where is their sense of community when they can’t be on time.
Okay so she had a point!
The bus arrived a few minutes later, so only 20 minutes late, and after standing in 38.C heat for almost 30 minutes I was just itching for the hour in the air conditioned coach. Hopefully I can reapply some of this melted make up!
The bus takes off in the usual direction and as we zoom along the freeways at a frantic pace I zone out to the conversation to the ladies behind me. Three big black African American ladies heading into NYC for dinner to celebrate Patty’s 70th Birthday. Now I wasn’t eavesdropping but let’s just say here in the states, American’s do not know what an ‘inside voice’ is… everything is a shout, scream or at least a conversation loud enough for everyone within ear shot to hear!
These ladies by the sounds of it traveled regularly over the years.
“Remember when we went to Florida” says one…..”Ohh yes says the other…that’s when we tried to get Maisee laid.”
Oh my! Did I just hear a 70 something year old woman refer to someone getting laid? No way.
“Rose, rose, do you remember that”, as Rose two seat’s down begins to shake like jelly on a plate with laughter! “Oh yes, Patty, how can I forget the FFF” as all three ladies begin to laugh with an infectious belly laugh that begins to make the other passengers including me smile.
“Oh my Rose…I haven’t heard of the FFF in what 40 years! How do you remember these things?”
“Patty girlfriend…..how else can I make my children and grand children blush…who would think that their mamma and grandmamma was part of a Florida F_ _ k Fest” as they all begin to laugh frantically again, and Maisee goes a nice shade of fuchsia!! And Rose sitting by herself pat’s her eyes with the corner of her hankie as she continues to shake with such a contagious laugh!
The gasp that came out of my mouth could not match the glare of the Asian lady sitting next to me gave…. Wow! The things I hear in NY!
As this is going on and I still have a smile from ear to ear hearing about well, yes the fact that these ladies had a lot of fun in their 30’s and more importantly that they are still friends and having fun. I look at my window and a rise of panic raises in my chest. Where the hell are we?! None of the surrounds look familiar as we are no longer on the freeway. Hmm it appears the buses in the afternoon take a different route…very different! We cover Essex, West Orange, normal Orange (??) and main streets of I don’t know how many suburbs. I look at my watch and it’s already after 5pm…no sight of anything familiar. Bugger, it means I may not get that photo opportunity of the Manhattan Skyline as I roll into NYC.
As we roll along, the FFF crew behind me start making some phone calls to their other friends meeting them at dinner…it was not reassuring to hear “no idea where this driver is taking us….he has gone a completely different route!” “No we may not be at restaurant in time as I have no idea how he is going to navigate the city”
Great….so this driver has taken us on a completely different route. This becomes extremely apparent when we see the following sign...meaning we are heading away from the Lincoln Tunnel....even though I am sure that is the way we should be going!
The sick feeling is swapped for panic as it is now 5.55pm (yes I have been on the bus for 1hr35min) for a 50minute journey normally. We got stuck on 31st and 10th avenue for what felt like an eternity. The driver tears in front of another 4 buses; we swing an almighty left turn and manage to get into what seems a back entrance of the PABT behind lines and lines of buses. We sat in the terminal inching 2miles every 5 minutes until we finally get in at 6.22pm. Hmmm so much for Zabar’s let alone for being on time!
I make a mad dash down to the subway in the hope that the train I need to get is downstairs rather than walking to Times Square and Broadway Station! Aha, it’s the same station essentially, just underground passage. So far so good. Looking in my purse for the directions of which train to get, I realize that I have written down two choices…Small panic sets in and the sweat from rushing is nothing compared to the sweat from the intense heat from the subway. I follow the signs to what I hope will be the right train. Worst case scenario, it is an express and doesn’t stop where I need to.
At the turn styles…beep please try again…the card reader says. Hmm, I bought a month pass for the subway…I try over and over again, and this hot hot hot guy next to me says in his beautiful coffee voice… ‘scuse me, you may need to clean it…let me try! Oh my I think as I look into his eyes…be my guest! It works, he smiles, I thank him...and for a moment I hesitate...do I follow sexy voice or head for the train!! Dang …. It is by invitation and they will know if I am not there….by sexy voice! Hope to run into you again one day!! (“,)
I jump on the train, and to my delight I am heading in the right direction! At least something has gone right!
I get off at 72nd Street and gravity has me turning right…I see 230…the Sunburnt Calf is 220…ahhhh sheer delight as I realize it is there, and it’s only 6.40pm. Could have been worse!!
The venue was great although the subway was cooler than what the place was! The function was upstairs and fortunately not many people so I knew I wasn’t too late.
The first group of people I met where lovely. A husband and wife who have been in NYC for 8 years and now officially on a green card. He used to work in HR for News Ltd, but since the changes of Rupert and Lachlan he is in between jobs. As his wife said, they were fortunate that green cards meant they could take their time, and as she was working as a US Realtor (Ex Teacher in Oz) they were doing okay. The other five people were a mix of an economist, a lawyer, an accountant, a banker, all of which had been in NYC between a month and two years. The lady who worked for the host company had been there for a number of years after a stint in the UK.
I was able to meet up with the contact and the lady who invited me to the event and she was lovely and very helpful.
The rest of the evening was mingling and meeting different people. What was refreshing though, was meeting people in similar situations who were also looking for employment and finding it a bit tough. It helped the self esteem a little. Sadly though, some of these people where highly qualified….Psychologist, Event’s & Marketing Manager, IT Guru, Publisher and they were all finding it a bit tough.
The finger food provided was great, but after a while the heat upstairs was so intense (and I had only had one drink! A beer) I started to feel very unwell. It may have been a combination of nerves, anxiety from all the rushing, but more so it was like standing in a small office with 50 people all fighting for one eency teency bit of air from a combustion fan. I had to excuse myself from one conversation, grab some water and sit down. Great, so I am going to be remembered not as Bianca from Adelaide trying to get back into hotels, but Bianca from Adelaide who either fainted or vomited from heat exhaustion! Great.
Fortunately I found that inner strength to talk myself out of being ill drank copious amounts of water and even splashed a bit on my neck discreetly and slowly felt a bit better. Back to hogging the air.
It proved to be a good spot to meet people and there was even an exchanging of numbers with a few people to meet up for a drink in the coming weeks!
As much as I had of wished I could stay beyond 830pm (the function had officially finished, but there were still a lot of people) I had to excuse myself to enable me to catch the 915pm bus to ensure a pick up at 10.20pm by the hotel.
I said my goodbyes and thanked the appropriate people and headed back on the subway to the PABT. Same problem with the card, this time a lovely older gentleman explains that in the heat the magnetic strips tend to go funny so just do it a bit faster. We get it to work, and meanwhile the train isn’t expected for 3 minutes. Hmm, it’s just before 9pm.
As we pull into 42nd Street I jump off and scurry towards the PABT. My scurry turns to a bit more of a jog as the clock in the subway says 9.07pm. Ooh this is going to be close. I join a man in a trot as we head up to gate 306 and we see the bus pulling away! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! We race outside as its break lights disappear into the night!
“Ohh gee…first time all week it has been early! 9.11pm!” says the man.
“Great, oh great” is all I can muster….an hour to now sit here until the next one! Although the thought crossed my mind to walk up to Times Square and Broadway and take some photo’s, I was just so over the evening! I spent more time traveling than at the actual function!
To top it off, I am now going to miss the shuttle…normally safety would be a factor, but given the mood, I thought just someone try and give me a hard time as I walk from the bus stop.
Fortunately I sat next to a nice (bit boring….too financey) young guy, Carl, but it made the journey a bit easier to swallow. He kindly offered to drive me to the hotel after hearing that the bus wouldn’t stop any closer to which I thanked him but declined. It was way out of his way!
After Carl got off, and I discovered I was the last passenger I asked Mr. Driver (who looked a lot like Mr. Miyagi but not as nice!) very nicely would he be so kind as to head to Walnut St rather than drop me off at the Circle.
“No Wal-nut, just cir-cul”
“But sir, I am the last passenger….so there is no chance you can go to Walnut near the Westminster Hotel” as I try and sound as pleading but nice as I can.
“Hmm you last perswon….lemme check” as he stops the bus and turns around….”hmmmm okay walnut but not Westminster”
“Thank you Sir, thank you very much”
As we head towards Walnut, and he performs his U-Turn RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WESTMINSTER!!
“Okay wady, here you go…you give me money…or tip”
“No tip, sir, other than thank you for not smoking, and thank you for ensuring I don’t get raped”! Slightly rude of me I know but given it was 11.15pm and I was buggered it was all I can do from throwing a hissy fit! Lol.
I staggered into the hotel, and there is Esther, a 7ft Amazonian woman with a smile as wide as she, “Ooh Good Evening Miss Baggio, welcome back and how are you this evening?”….
How was I? That was a very good question…how was I? “Glad to be home Esther, and glad to see a smiling face…please call me Bianca…remember, we discussed that”
“Sure thing Biunka…you have a tops evening now won’t you” as she flashes her pearly whites!
“Thanks Esther…I will, goodnight!”
I flop in the room, and poor myself my drink of choice while in the US…A&W Root Beer.
I turn the computer on to Skype home as I know they are eagerly awaiting news from my evening, get changed, take off make up and giggle to myself as I replay the night’s events through my head.
There is always a positive in a bad situation, and despite all the running around, panic, stress…all in all I survived and the night was ok. Who knows if any leads will come out of the evening, but alas, another feather in my cap!
Over to the desk, and as I plug my Ethernet cable in I see the message… UNABLE TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET, A NETWORK CABLE IS UNPLUGGED…
Hmmm I smile…that figures!!
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
A Flushing Date with Dave
For my 30th Birthday this year, my best friend gave me a ticket to see my absolute favourite band, Dave Matthews Band at Citi Field in the borough of Flushing in Queens. Citi Field is home of the New York Mets in the National League (here is the Wikipedia Explanation…I needed to get my head around it, not sure if you do too…
The New York Yankees – New York Mets rivalry is the latest incarnation of the Subway Series, the competition between New York City's Major League Baseball teams, the American League New York Yankees and the National League New York Mets. Until Interleague play started, the two teams had only met in exhibition games. Since the inception of interleague play the teams have met in every season since 1997 and faced off in the 2000 World Series, which the Yankees won in 5 games.
So, Friday was dedicated Dave Day, and so the trip to Manhattan was going to start in the early afternoon with a visit to a shop I had heard about, followed by a trip on the ‘Historic 7’ line into Main Street Flushing for a wonder, and then back a stop to Willets/Met’s station to Citi Field.
The ride into Manhattan was fairly quiet and low key considering the last couple of experiences! I arrived into Manhattan and was instantly struck with a KFC slap of heat! It wasn’t supposed to be too hot with the forecast of a pleasant 88.F (31.C)
Given I was going to be in town all day, I decided on three quarter jeans and a cotton t-shirt (slightly heavier to take me into the night). I forgot to factor in the humidity and between walking in and out of the subways and on the streets I could have participated in a wet t-shirt competition and possibly won! I was dripping that much!
I walked down Times Square just to see what was going on and have a wonder. There was an Asian Student group that seemed to take up the entire sidewalk, so I managed to duck into a shop until they passed. I did have a chuckle when I saw them grouped together under Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and all point and take photos. Not sure if it was because they were wearing matching yellow, or because of Forest Gump! I imagine the translation would be quite comical!
As I was wondering around, I could see people waving and jumping at a bill board. Naturally since I am being a local, I thought I should have a sneak peak! I have no idea of the point of the bill board but it was cool, it was a ‘real-time’ bill board that showed all the people standing underneath it. Fortunately there was a black girl jumping like a loony next to me, so she was easy to spot on the bill board, so I could then zoom into me!
I wondered down to the M&M store and Hershey Store for a wee little wonder, and to pick up a few snacks for later! I came across a dwarf version of Elmo, Sponge Bob, Cookie Monster and a character that I have no idea of…looked like a Cone head! And people got so excited they would run over, take photos or have someone take a photo of them, only to have the characters demand $1… it was quite funny hearing Elmo swear!! I guess people didn’t know that they were canvassing for money!
I jumped on the subway to head to the shop, only to discover when walking around a little lost, I had written the directions correctly, but interpreted them very incorrectly! Plus I got myself confused with the magnitude of subways I could have caught. So instead of being at 51 W 14th Street (between 5th and 6th) I ended up at 51st Street between 5th and 6th Street! Thankfully getting lost in NYC can prove a good adventure as I landed on the steps of Radio Music Hall and Rockefeller Centre!
By this time, I was feeling the heat a bit and thought given the clear day I would head up to the Top of the Rock for a view from Rockefeller Centre.
“Excuse me, can you please tell me whether there is a wait for the Top of the Rock,” I enquire at the ticket booth
“Are you paying by credit card” says the very disinterested girl (another girl with talons! Clearly these sweat shops in the US don’t cut nails!)
“Ah, I will be, if you could tell me if there is a wait?”
“Oh sure, sorry, yes, no there is no wait as the elevator runs every 5 minutes.”
“Okay great, so I could get a ticket then please?”
“Sure, it will be $21 and the next viewing is at 3.40pm”
“Hmmm, its 3.05pm now, so does that mean I can’t get in until 3.40pm?”
“No”
“No?” I enquire, “Sorry, so the elevator runs every 5 minutes, but next stop I can’t get into 3.40pm, is that what you are saying?”
“Yes, so $21 thanks”
Oh boy! I am so confused… “That’s okay; I don’t really want to wait on the sidewalk for 35minutes so I’ll come back again”
“Okay, then see you at 4pm when the next viewing is!”
Boy, I was really confused! I’ll leave the top of the rock viewing until I am actually in Manhattan I think!
I managed to find a subway that connected me to a point (have no idea how and where) that didn’t need for me to exit the subway, but enter another platform where the famous 7 ran into Flushing. Was quite pleased with that fluke and would take it, as by now I was pretty hot and needed to sit down for a bit!
I had read that the #7 train took an iconic path along the boroughs from the Manhattan skyline to Queens. Sunnyside (Romanian, Turkish), Woodside (Irish), Jackson Heights (Indian, Filipino), Corona Heights (Italian, Peruvian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Mexican), and then finally Flushing (Korean, Chinese) I tried to sit at a window so I could take some picks. The journey took about 25 minutes, and although it was pretty to see the skyline (although by now it was a bit hazy) I couldn’t get a decent picture, and I didn’t notice anything too outlandish other than seeing the tops of buildings and the suburbs but didn’t notice that I was traveling between the immigrant neighbourhoods' as outlined in the lonely planet guide. Perhaps because the rest of the subway is underground, the ‘iconic’ part is seeing the sun!
Stepping out of the subway at Flushing was like walking into Hong Kong or Bangkok! The smell of Kimchi prominent (as a little chuckle left my lips from having not smelt Kimchi since my AQIS days – and boy did I NOT miss you!) as walking down main street I was struck with boxes of mushrooms, herbs, soups, and the most random array of smells I have ever experienced! I was struck with excitement when I saw Duck Pancakes for $1.00. I let out an accidental little squeal of delight and bought one on the spot! (it naturally features in my NYC Munch & Bevies picture) http://picasaweb.google.com.au/BunkyBee/NYCMunchBevies#
I had read about southern Corona being a quaint Italian neighbourhood, but I failed to get a bus guide, and as they were unsigned, I had no idea how to get to my destination. That may be a later on, or if not this trip, perhaps in the future?
Given I had no real good sense of direction; I wandered around Main Street and a few streets and watched a game of Handball and Basketball and just took in the sights and sounds.
On the subway trip I had seen the Unisphere is a beautiful, giant steel globe that sits in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in and thought I would walk in its general direction. After wondering around for a bit, I realized that it was perhaps a bit further than I first thought, and given I had seen it just passing the Willets/Met’s point I thought I’d jump back on the subway and head in that direction.
Thankfully I did, as Flushing Meadows – Corona Park is the other side of the stadium! From looking at the Unisphere (put in Queens for the 1964-1965 World's Fair for a symbol of world peace), watching a wedding, watching a game of soccer, watching some kids get told off by a Mounted Policeman and watching squirrels being terrorized by kids, before I knew it I had been there for a few hours! Had I known that the park was there, I would have bought some cheap Asian delights to sit and eat in the park. Instead I munched on my Muesli bar and drank another bottle of water and read my book for a while.
By this stage it was close to 6pm and although not hungry I thought I’d jump back on the train to Main Street and grab some dinner. Funnily enough, walking out of the station I saw an unkempt man on crutches begging for money. I had seen him the first time round, and he noticed me as he looked at me like “haven’t I seen you before?”
Up Main Street I snacked on another duck pancake and tried to head into one of the restaurants. It was so Korean/Chinese that I couldn’t work out how to buy the food, and there was nowhere to sit. Sadly this was going to have to be skipped as I needed something easy and quick before the concert. Next door was McDonald's, and considering I have been here a month, this was the first American Burger I had eaten I thought why not. At least they had seats.
So back to the subway, and back past my man on the crutches and this time he said out loud, “You walk past me enough times lady you could make me rich!”…hehehe, he had a point!
Back to Citi Field. I had noticed on my walk earlier that there was an additional train service and that was direct to Penn Station. This was much easier to catch than getting the subway to Times Square or Central station and then a shuttle to Penn so I joined a little line and grabbed a one way to Penn for after the concert! Boy was I glad that I did that, after the concert the line snaked around and had close to 30 people! Had I waited I would have missed the train, and goodness only knows that would have been disastrous!!
So into Citi Field, pass the merch stand (yes I got myself a DMB Citi Field T-Shirt! Woot woot) and heading around to left field there was a sense of excitement in the air that wasn’t just me!
My seats were left of stage and perfect! I could see the arena and the stage brilliantly and was undercover (in case it rained, although I did have my Iggies Poncho!)
Zac Brown Band started the concert. Not my cup of tea as they were very country, although I did like them when they sang Killing in the Name Of (Rage Against the Machine) Cover.
The concert itself was insanely brilliant. I sang, I grooved, and not even the annoying people two rows in front didn’t put me off. (okay, well the girls signature dance move of arms up lunging, arms mid length lunging, arms up lunging…ALL NIGHT… did make me cringe, but I was having too good a time to let her or anything annoy this monumental moment!) I read a review which had an excerpt which was spot on… Dave Matthews' strengths remain his band's mastery of briskly intricate rhythms and unusual melodic structures. The music they put on display last night wove elements of funk, jazz fusion, rock, Cajun music, country and pop into something that, for better or worse, sounds like no one else.
Having been a fan of DMB for 13 years, this was only the second time I had seen him. The first only a couple of years ago when he finally toured Australia and Adelaide which was brilliant, but nothing compared to seeing them in Citi Field.
Dave sang and danced with his usual quirkiness, Carter banged those drums like nothing I had ever seen, Stefan sexed up the bass and Boyd simply dazzled that electronic violin better than I could have expected. It was also the first time I had seen LeRoi’s replacement Jeff (LeRoi died a few years ago after complications of a quad bike accident) and seeing Tim Reynolds with his political Stop Wars t-shirt (in Star Wars fashion) made me laugh!
I snapped and recorded a number of pictures and movies. Sadly the movies are in a format I haven’t been able to convert and hope the Panasonic disc at home will help me there… I did find two good You Tube links, one of Don’t Drink the Water (the first song of Dave Matthews I had ever heard and fell in love with) followed by Dave’s little jig for the Corn Bread song.
Don’t Drink the Water = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8achXELDCO4
Cornbread Dance = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knqBG_P7CD0
They played for 2 hours and 50 minutes, and I caught the last part of the song downstairs as I was like a despondent 36er fan waiting at the edge for the game to finish…only I was not despondent and was still on such a high I could have peed my pants!
The journey home was almost as epic as this blog! While waiting for the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) I was able to book my taxi from Short Hills Train Station to the Hotel. Thankfully, they were happy to pick up at 1.23am when the train was due in! The LIRR trip was like being part of a Fraternity House. There was singing, there was hand slapping, there were hook ups (not me, I got stuck sitting next to a geek who had to ‘wait one more goddamn hour until the next train because of this stoopid drive, ah man, aren’t you browned’…) not sure what browned is but don’t think I was!! It was a very funny ride to Penn Station.
At Penn there was one moment of panic when my scheduled LAST train to Short Hills at 12.34 didn’t display which gate it was leaving from. At 12.31am I certainly think my heart skipped a beat or two, but then it was the only train at that time, and when it finally showed the track and not the name Short Hills but a series of other I trusted it was the right one. That train ride wasn’t as unique as the earlier one, but I did enjoy the conversations between 4 girls who had been to ‘Hunk-a-rama’ to celebrate a 20th birthday explain to a group of boys exactly what it is they saw and did…only for the boys to react well as boys do!
Jumping out of the train and seeing the blinking lights of my van at 1.27am were somewhat sad….it meant that my date with Dave was coming to an end. But oh what a date it was and what a memory I have! (With a big special shout out and love and thanks to my Wingman! Xx)
(as photographed in the NY Post)
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxxo
The New York Yankees – New York Mets rivalry is the latest incarnation of the Subway Series, the competition between New York City's Major League Baseball teams, the American League New York Yankees and the National League New York Mets. Until Interleague play started, the two teams had only met in exhibition games. Since the inception of interleague play the teams have met in every season since 1997 and faced off in the 2000 World Series, which the Yankees won in 5 games.
So, Friday was dedicated Dave Day, and so the trip to Manhattan was going to start in the early afternoon with a visit to a shop I had heard about, followed by a trip on the ‘Historic 7’ line into Main Street Flushing for a wonder, and then back a stop to Willets/Met’s station to Citi Field.
The ride into Manhattan was fairly quiet and low key considering the last couple of experiences! I arrived into Manhattan and was instantly struck with a KFC slap of heat! It wasn’t supposed to be too hot with the forecast of a pleasant 88.F (31.C)
Given I was going to be in town all day, I decided on three quarter jeans and a cotton t-shirt (slightly heavier to take me into the night). I forgot to factor in the humidity and between walking in and out of the subways and on the streets I could have participated in a wet t-shirt competition and possibly won! I was dripping that much!
I walked down Times Square just to see what was going on and have a wonder. There was an Asian Student group that seemed to take up the entire sidewalk, so I managed to duck into a shop until they passed. I did have a chuckle when I saw them grouped together under Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and all point and take photos. Not sure if it was because they were wearing matching yellow, or because of Forest Gump! I imagine the translation would be quite comical!
As I was wondering around, I could see people waving and jumping at a bill board. Naturally since I am being a local, I thought I should have a sneak peak! I have no idea of the point of the bill board but it was cool, it was a ‘real-time’ bill board that showed all the people standing underneath it. Fortunately there was a black girl jumping like a loony next to me, so she was easy to spot on the bill board, so I could then zoom into me!
I wondered down to the M&M store and Hershey Store for a wee little wonder, and to pick up a few snacks for later! I came across a dwarf version of Elmo, Sponge Bob, Cookie Monster and a character that I have no idea of…looked like a Cone head! And people got so excited they would run over, take photos or have someone take a photo of them, only to have the characters demand $1… it was quite funny hearing Elmo swear!! I guess people didn’t know that they were canvassing for money!
I jumped on the subway to head to the shop, only to discover when walking around a little lost, I had written the directions correctly, but interpreted them very incorrectly! Plus I got myself confused with the magnitude of subways I could have caught. So instead of being at 51 W 14th Street (between 5th and 6th) I ended up at 51st Street between 5th and 6th Street! Thankfully getting lost in NYC can prove a good adventure as I landed on the steps of Radio Music Hall and Rockefeller Centre!
By this time, I was feeling the heat a bit and thought given the clear day I would head up to the Top of the Rock for a view from Rockefeller Centre.
“Excuse me, can you please tell me whether there is a wait for the Top of the Rock,” I enquire at the ticket booth
“Are you paying by credit card” says the very disinterested girl (another girl with talons! Clearly these sweat shops in the US don’t cut nails!)
“Ah, I will be, if you could tell me if there is a wait?”
“Oh sure, sorry, yes, no there is no wait as the elevator runs every 5 minutes.”
“Okay great, so I could get a ticket then please?”
“Sure, it will be $21 and the next viewing is at 3.40pm”
“Hmmm, its 3.05pm now, so does that mean I can’t get in until 3.40pm?”
“No”
“No?” I enquire, “Sorry, so the elevator runs every 5 minutes, but next stop I can’t get into 3.40pm, is that what you are saying?”
“Yes, so $21 thanks”
Oh boy! I am so confused… “That’s okay; I don’t really want to wait on the sidewalk for 35minutes so I’ll come back again”
“Okay, then see you at 4pm when the next viewing is!”
Boy, I was really confused! I’ll leave the top of the rock viewing until I am actually in Manhattan I think!
I managed to find a subway that connected me to a point (have no idea how and where) that didn’t need for me to exit the subway, but enter another platform where the famous 7 ran into Flushing. Was quite pleased with that fluke and would take it, as by now I was pretty hot and needed to sit down for a bit!
I had read that the #7 train took an iconic path along the boroughs from the Manhattan skyline to Queens. Sunnyside (Romanian, Turkish), Woodside (Irish), Jackson Heights (Indian, Filipino), Corona Heights (Italian, Peruvian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Mexican), and then finally Flushing (Korean, Chinese) I tried to sit at a window so I could take some picks. The journey took about 25 minutes, and although it was pretty to see the skyline (although by now it was a bit hazy) I couldn’t get a decent picture, and I didn’t notice anything too outlandish other than seeing the tops of buildings and the suburbs but didn’t notice that I was traveling between the immigrant neighbourhoods' as outlined in the lonely planet guide. Perhaps because the rest of the subway is underground, the ‘iconic’ part is seeing the sun!
Stepping out of the subway at Flushing was like walking into Hong Kong or Bangkok! The smell of Kimchi prominent (as a little chuckle left my lips from having not smelt Kimchi since my AQIS days – and boy did I NOT miss you!) as walking down main street I was struck with boxes of mushrooms, herbs, soups, and the most random array of smells I have ever experienced! I was struck with excitement when I saw Duck Pancakes for $1.00. I let out an accidental little squeal of delight and bought one on the spot! (it naturally features in my NYC Munch & Bevies picture) http://picasaweb.google.com.au/BunkyBee/NYCMunchBevies#
I had read about southern Corona being a quaint Italian neighbourhood, but I failed to get a bus guide, and as they were unsigned, I had no idea how to get to my destination. That may be a later on, or if not this trip, perhaps in the future?
Given I had no real good sense of direction; I wandered around Main Street and a few streets and watched a game of Handball and Basketball and just took in the sights and sounds.
On the subway trip I had seen the Unisphere is a beautiful, giant steel globe that sits in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in and thought I would walk in its general direction. After wondering around for a bit, I realized that it was perhaps a bit further than I first thought, and given I had seen it just passing the Willets/Met’s point I thought I’d jump back on the subway and head in that direction.
Thankfully I did, as Flushing Meadows – Corona Park is the other side of the stadium! From looking at the Unisphere (put in Queens for the 1964-1965 World's Fair for a symbol of world peace), watching a wedding, watching a game of soccer, watching some kids get told off by a Mounted Policeman and watching squirrels being terrorized by kids, before I knew it I had been there for a few hours! Had I known that the park was there, I would have bought some cheap Asian delights to sit and eat in the park. Instead I munched on my Muesli bar and drank another bottle of water and read my book for a while.
By this stage it was close to 6pm and although not hungry I thought I’d jump back on the train to Main Street and grab some dinner. Funnily enough, walking out of the station I saw an unkempt man on crutches begging for money. I had seen him the first time round, and he noticed me as he looked at me like “haven’t I seen you before?”
Up Main Street I snacked on another duck pancake and tried to head into one of the restaurants. It was so Korean/Chinese that I couldn’t work out how to buy the food, and there was nowhere to sit. Sadly this was going to have to be skipped as I needed something easy and quick before the concert. Next door was McDonald's, and considering I have been here a month, this was the first American Burger I had eaten I thought why not. At least they had seats.
So back to the subway, and back past my man on the crutches and this time he said out loud, “You walk past me enough times lady you could make me rich!”…hehehe, he had a point!
Back to Citi Field. I had noticed on my walk earlier that there was an additional train service and that was direct to Penn Station. This was much easier to catch than getting the subway to Times Square or Central station and then a shuttle to Penn so I joined a little line and grabbed a one way to Penn for after the concert! Boy was I glad that I did that, after the concert the line snaked around and had close to 30 people! Had I waited I would have missed the train, and goodness only knows that would have been disastrous!!
So into Citi Field, pass the merch stand (yes I got myself a DMB Citi Field T-Shirt! Woot woot) and heading around to left field there was a sense of excitement in the air that wasn’t just me!
My seats were left of stage and perfect! I could see the arena and the stage brilliantly and was undercover (in case it rained, although I did have my Iggies Poncho!)
Zac Brown Band started the concert. Not my cup of tea as they were very country, although I did like them when they sang Killing in the Name Of (Rage Against the Machine) Cover.
The concert itself was insanely brilliant. I sang, I grooved, and not even the annoying people two rows in front didn’t put me off. (okay, well the girls signature dance move of arms up lunging, arms mid length lunging, arms up lunging…ALL NIGHT… did make me cringe, but I was having too good a time to let her or anything annoy this monumental moment!) I read a review which had an excerpt which was spot on… Dave Matthews' strengths remain his band's mastery of briskly intricate rhythms and unusual melodic structures. The music they put on display last night wove elements of funk, jazz fusion, rock, Cajun music, country and pop into something that, for better or worse, sounds like no one else.
Having been a fan of DMB for 13 years, this was only the second time I had seen him. The first only a couple of years ago when he finally toured Australia and Adelaide which was brilliant, but nothing compared to seeing them in Citi Field.
Dave sang and danced with his usual quirkiness, Carter banged those drums like nothing I had ever seen, Stefan sexed up the bass and Boyd simply dazzled that electronic violin better than I could have expected. It was also the first time I had seen LeRoi’s replacement Jeff (LeRoi died a few years ago after complications of a quad bike accident) and seeing Tim Reynolds with his political Stop Wars t-shirt (in Star Wars fashion) made me laugh!
I snapped and recorded a number of pictures and movies. Sadly the movies are in a format I haven’t been able to convert and hope the Panasonic disc at home will help me there… I did find two good You Tube links, one of Don’t Drink the Water (the first song of Dave Matthews I had ever heard and fell in love with) followed by Dave’s little jig for the Corn Bread song.
Don’t Drink the Water = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8achXELDCO4
Cornbread Dance = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knqBG_P7CD0
They played for 2 hours and 50 minutes, and I caught the last part of the song downstairs as I was like a despondent 36er fan waiting at the edge for the game to finish…only I was not despondent and was still on such a high I could have peed my pants!
The journey home was almost as epic as this blog! While waiting for the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) I was able to book my taxi from Short Hills Train Station to the Hotel. Thankfully, they were happy to pick up at 1.23am when the train was due in! The LIRR trip was like being part of a Fraternity House. There was singing, there was hand slapping, there were hook ups (not me, I got stuck sitting next to a geek who had to ‘wait one more goddamn hour until the next train because of this stoopid drive, ah man, aren’t you browned’…) not sure what browned is but don’t think I was!! It was a very funny ride to Penn Station.
At Penn there was one moment of panic when my scheduled LAST train to Short Hills at 12.34 didn’t display which gate it was leaving from. At 12.31am I certainly think my heart skipped a beat or two, but then it was the only train at that time, and when it finally showed the track and not the name Short Hills but a series of other I trusted it was the right one. That train ride wasn’t as unique as the earlier one, but I did enjoy the conversations between 4 girls who had been to ‘Hunk-a-rama’ to celebrate a 20th birthday explain to a group of boys exactly what it is they saw and did…only for the boys to react well as boys do!
Jumping out of the train and seeing the blinking lights of my van at 1.27am were somewhat sad….it meant that my date with Dave was coming to an end. But oh what a date it was and what a memory I have! (With a big special shout out and love and thanks to my Wingman! Xx)
(as photographed in the NY Post)
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxxo
Nothing Flat about the Flat Iron District
The signs for me to head to Coney Island had been pretty poor weather wise and I had already postponed the trip on two other occasions due to inclement weather. Given that it was very dark and overcast yet no rain, I continued on the path to Manhattan and then onto Coney Island and had my Iggies Poncho packed and ready should the need arise.
The path to Coney was pretty simple, the N train all the way from Times Square/42nd Street to the last stop Coney Island. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, and covers about 33 stops. It travels along the Manhattan Bridge with beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Skyline before ducking and weaving back underground until popping back to the Cosby houses in Brooklyn!
Along the journey a voiceover came on that I just couldn’t make out. Given that I am ‘a local’ the man sitting next to me enquired what was just said and what line were we crossing to. I had to apologize as I had no idea what was said, not that I didn’t know! The voiceover came again and all around me there were groans, moans and out popped the berries and iPhone's!
The ‘N’ train was becoming the ‘D’ train and would not be stopping at all the stops. At one point, half the subway commuters jumped off. Only myself, and those carrying beach gear, fishing rods, and bibs and bobs were not concerned.
About 15 minutes into the journey I had my first skip of the heartbeat moment on a Subway. There was a very tall angry man in socks and flip flops (that alone was scary enough) starting to kick the train doors and punched the glass just to my right. Fortunately I didn’t yelp, or make any sudden movements but I did have a moment of “oh oh.” The lady on my left moved, a man in front of me shook his head, and I just kept my sunglasses on and averted any eye contact. The man was clearly unstable and even in his angry state his ‘inside voice’ was on maximum volume. He got on his phone and screamed down the line about having “expletive nothing”, “expletive expletive rich dead parents”, “I’m not staying at any expletive shelter” and so on. Not being selfish, but he was pretty distracting to my otherwise pleasant journey and stayed right to the end of Coney.
I’m not quite sure what I expected of Coney Island. I had read about it in my trusty guides, but the main recollection of this iconic place the black man and Jared Leto from the movie Requiem for a Dream dragging a television set along the Boardwalk!
The weather was still overcast and dark, but for the first time since being here it was the first time I felt a true breeze without the humidity. It was refreshing coming across the ocean, bringing with it the smell of salt, sand and…HOT DOGS! The first thing you see when you head out the Subway is Nathan’s Hot Dogs, home of the July 4th Hot Dog eating competition. This year’s winner Joey Chetnutt won this after consuming 54 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes! Mind you, they had it on the news here, and they dip the dogs and buns in water and shove it down their faces. There is nothing pleasant or glamorous about it at all. (The winner gets 10k though) and while thinking of that as I was walking towards the boardwalk, I had a chuckle as the barf-a-rama moment in the movie Stand by Me with the Blueberry Pies came to mind!
Given the weather and it was mid week, it was pretty quiet save for a lot of summer camp kids. All clearly distinguishable with their camp t-shirts and ratio’s of about 20 kids to 1 adult screaming for attention. My teacher friends would shudder in their undies with that thought!
I wouldn’t feel too comfortable walking towards the boardwalk at the end of the evening. There are a lot of arcades boarded up, and sadly not a lot of movement. I imagine on weekends and perhaps even in its heyday it was awash with colour and a lot more atmosphere. (And probably the Mermaid Parade Day!) Having said that, walking along the boardwalk the noise is a mix of carnival sounds, music blaring from the one or two basketball arcades, shooting arcades, throw the ping pong ball in a glass to win a fish type places open and the faint shouts of Pina Colada, get your Pina Colada, Daiquiris…free refills here…from the booths operating on the boardwalk.
I was able to have my Requiem for a Dream moment when I saw the Parachute Jump on the boardwalk.
The ride was based on real parachutes which were held open by rings as you floated up and down. Looking it up when I got back: the ride was made of twelve steel arms sprout from the top of the tower, each of which supported a parachute attached to a lift rope and a set of surrounding guide cables. Riders were belted into a two-person canvas seat hanging below the closed chute, and then hoisted to the top, where a release mechanism would drop them, the descent slowed only by the parachute. Shock absorbers at the bottom, consisting of pole-mounted springs, cushioned the landing.
Advertisements for Burlesque and Freak Circus Shows are adorned on every pole and area between Coney Island Boardwalk and Brighton Beach. Perhaps if I was with someone I would have popped into a show, but knowing my luck, going by myself would’ve resulted me ending up on stage!
After a few hours and after the sun made its appearance, I headed back to Manhattan, with a goal to stop at Union and 14th Street towards Madison Square Park and the Flat Iron District.
The Flat Iron building is uncannily pretty. After nudging my way past the ethnic student groups and taking a few pictures, I opted for one of the free steel table and chairs to just sit and look at the general area and building. After sitting for a while and people watching, I heard the panic voices of a couple of English tourists behind me. They were discussing whether they should call the police about the “jumper.” I let them talk about it for a bit longer, before I leant back and advised them that there wasn’t one “jumper” but several, as I pointed out the various bronze statues a top not only the Flat Iron building itself, but many in the area.
“So how long’ve you lived in New York” Daffyd…the only gay in the village asked me (I swear he was a dead ringer for him!!)
“Um, just over a month” ... not a lie…
Mrs. Bucket thumps Daffyd and says “well thank goodness for this lassie, least she stopped us from lokin ike pillocks”
I chuckled and took that opportunity to say goodbye to the cute English couple who thanked me again as I was leaving!
Look at the very top slightly to the left…
The artist Antony Gormley has created this art called Event Horizon. A series of bronze statues based on his own figure which he has placed on building tops and sidewalks adjoining Madison Square Park and the Flatiron District. Apparently there are 20 – 30 of these statues and I look forward to keeping my eyes out next time I am out that way. He has set up a competition on his website to spot the statues and take some creative photos.
On my visit Friday, I was asked for directions on three separate occasions! Once when I was heading out the PABT towards Times Square, the second in Times Square itself (asked by an American so that was even better) and the third time on the subway, whether the subway went to a particular spot. I was very excited to be able to help on all three occasions! Well you could imagine then, how much of a goof I felt after walking up and down 49th and 8th Street looking for the Crumpler shop, only to find when I got back that it is located at shop 49 on 8th Street! Ho hum… still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! I know Times Square and surrounds better than the Naked Cowboy. (Okay maybe I best not get too cocky! :)
The paths of errands were in the same general direction give or take an avenue, but between 5th – 8th. Despite my misgivings of having gotten the details for Crumpler wrong, I was still happy to continue on my merry way to 55th and 8th to see if Jerry was right…would my knees buckle as I ate the soup?!
After receiving my fancy little package (haha George…I got my free bread….and grapes, a strawberry and a lindt chocolate!) I literally gave a little whoop and headed across the road to some vacant tables and chairs. I love the fact that in a big city like New York, there are always aluminum or wooden chairs and tables about the place! Awesome!
I ordered the Shrimp Corn Chowder and I wasn’t disappointed. Big chunks of shrimp in a chili infused corn chowder. I thought I might regret not getting the gazpacho given the weather but I was not disappointed. Like Elaine, I was pretty pleased to be sitting down to eat my soup!
Maybe it was the soup, maybe it was the satisfaction that there was soup for me, but I continued to walk and walk and walk. All in all I had walked 19 blocks and before I knew it I was at Columbus Circle admiring Trump International Hotel and Tower and one of the many entrances to Central Park. Given there is so much to see in and around the area, I only walked past the Time Warner Centre and didn’t even peek into Central Park.
In the distance I saw my first Gossip Girl haunt. The Empire Hotel purchased by the ever sexy Chuck Bass. For non Gossip Girl fans the hotel is sexy anyway! Not only does it feature in the series, in Sex and the City 2 Movie, but in real life, the rooftop bar has hosted people like Beyonce, Jesse Metcalfe, after parties from the Tony Awards, and recently a Maroon 5 Concert. The day I snuck in to take some pictures, Macy’s were holding a launch of products. It is very swish, and for me is the epitome of New York style hotels. Sadly no celebratory spotting, but alas it was lovely to have a quick look before the security man with the plastic hanging out his ear spotted me! As I had to be back near Union Square by 5pm to get my permanent reminder of the NYC dream, and given it was after 4pm I headed in the direction of the subway. Like a seasoned pro, I jumped on the first Downtown Yellow line.
On Friday’s, they run a Farmers Market in Union Square. These markets have everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, cured meats, fresh farmed cheeses, artisan breads, jams, pickles, an abundance of cut flowers and plants, wine and ciders!
After seeing the beautiful basil, I was salivating at the picture in my head of a Caprese Salad mmmmmmmmm!
My bargain was a wedge of cheese for $1 (sorry no photo as I got it handed to me and put it straight into my mouth!!) and two bottles of Organic Country Juice for $2.75 (Cranberry and Raspberry Cider, and Apple and Raspberry Juice). Both the juices were deliciously amazing.
By the time I got home Friday night after 7.30pm, I couldn’t believe how far I had walked and can only begin to imagine how much more I will do next week when I move home for the next 10 days before the journey home.
Next update will be from my new home Holiday Inn Express Madison Square Garden. At the tip of the Chelsea district, I am definitely looking forward to discovering the borough that I had initially hoped to sublet in. To celebrate my move, I have booked myself into dinner at Les Halles. Anthony Bourdain’s signature restaurant and hopefully home to a beautiful meal. This week’s plan will also be to line up for some Broadway cheap tickets, and hopefully get a call from one of the many TV taping's I have tried to book into see.
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
The path to Coney was pretty simple, the N train all the way from Times Square/42nd Street to the last stop Coney Island. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, and covers about 33 stops. It travels along the Manhattan Bridge with beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Skyline before ducking and weaving back underground until popping back to the Cosby houses in Brooklyn!
Along the journey a voiceover came on that I just couldn’t make out. Given that I am ‘a local’ the man sitting next to me enquired what was just said and what line were we crossing to. I had to apologize as I had no idea what was said, not that I didn’t know! The voiceover came again and all around me there were groans, moans and out popped the berries and iPhone's!
The ‘N’ train was becoming the ‘D’ train and would not be stopping at all the stops. At one point, half the subway commuters jumped off. Only myself, and those carrying beach gear, fishing rods, and bibs and bobs were not concerned.
About 15 minutes into the journey I had my first skip of the heartbeat moment on a Subway. There was a very tall angry man in socks and flip flops (that alone was scary enough) starting to kick the train doors and punched the glass just to my right. Fortunately I didn’t yelp, or make any sudden movements but I did have a moment of “oh oh.” The lady on my left moved, a man in front of me shook his head, and I just kept my sunglasses on and averted any eye contact. The man was clearly unstable and even in his angry state his ‘inside voice’ was on maximum volume. He got on his phone and screamed down the line about having “expletive nothing”, “expletive expletive rich dead parents”, “I’m not staying at any expletive shelter” and so on. Not being selfish, but he was pretty distracting to my otherwise pleasant journey and stayed right to the end of Coney.
I’m not quite sure what I expected of Coney Island. I had read about it in my trusty guides, but the main recollection of this iconic place the black man and Jared Leto from the movie Requiem for a Dream dragging a television set along the Boardwalk!
The weather was still overcast and dark, but for the first time since being here it was the first time I felt a true breeze without the humidity. It was refreshing coming across the ocean, bringing with it the smell of salt, sand and…HOT DOGS! The first thing you see when you head out the Subway is Nathan’s Hot Dogs, home of the July 4th Hot Dog eating competition. This year’s winner Joey Chetnutt won this after consuming 54 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes! Mind you, they had it on the news here, and they dip the dogs and buns in water and shove it down their faces. There is nothing pleasant or glamorous about it at all. (The winner gets 10k though) and while thinking of that as I was walking towards the boardwalk, I had a chuckle as the barf-a-rama moment in the movie Stand by Me with the Blueberry Pies came to mind!
Given the weather and it was mid week, it was pretty quiet save for a lot of summer camp kids. All clearly distinguishable with their camp t-shirts and ratio’s of about 20 kids to 1 adult screaming for attention. My teacher friends would shudder in their undies with that thought!
I wouldn’t feel too comfortable walking towards the boardwalk at the end of the evening. There are a lot of arcades boarded up, and sadly not a lot of movement. I imagine on weekends and perhaps even in its heyday it was awash with colour and a lot more atmosphere. (And probably the Mermaid Parade Day!) Having said that, walking along the boardwalk the noise is a mix of carnival sounds, music blaring from the one or two basketball arcades, shooting arcades, throw the ping pong ball in a glass to win a fish type places open and the faint shouts of Pina Colada, get your Pina Colada, Daiquiris…free refills here…from the booths operating on the boardwalk.
I was able to have my Requiem for a Dream moment when I saw the Parachute Jump on the boardwalk.
The ride was based on real parachutes which were held open by rings as you floated up and down. Looking it up when I got back: the ride was made of twelve steel arms sprout from the top of the tower, each of which supported a parachute attached to a lift rope and a set of surrounding guide cables. Riders were belted into a two-person canvas seat hanging below the closed chute, and then hoisted to the top, where a release mechanism would drop them, the descent slowed only by the parachute. Shock absorbers at the bottom, consisting of pole-mounted springs, cushioned the landing.
Advertisements for Burlesque and Freak Circus Shows are adorned on every pole and area between Coney Island Boardwalk and Brighton Beach. Perhaps if I was with someone I would have popped into a show, but knowing my luck, going by myself would’ve resulted me ending up on stage!
After a few hours and after the sun made its appearance, I headed back to Manhattan, with a goal to stop at Union and 14th Street towards Madison Square Park and the Flat Iron District.
The Flat Iron building is uncannily pretty. After nudging my way past the ethnic student groups and taking a few pictures, I opted for one of the free steel table and chairs to just sit and look at the general area and building. After sitting for a while and people watching, I heard the panic voices of a couple of English tourists behind me. They were discussing whether they should call the police about the “jumper.” I let them talk about it for a bit longer, before I leant back and advised them that there wasn’t one “jumper” but several, as I pointed out the various bronze statues a top not only the Flat Iron building itself, but many in the area.
“So how long’ve you lived in New York” Daffyd…the only gay in the village asked me (I swear he was a dead ringer for him!!)
“Um, just over a month” ... not a lie…
Mrs. Bucket thumps Daffyd and says “well thank goodness for this lassie, least she stopped us from lokin ike pillocks”
I chuckled and took that opportunity to say goodbye to the cute English couple who thanked me again as I was leaving!
Look at the very top slightly to the left…
The artist Antony Gormley has created this art called Event Horizon. A series of bronze statues based on his own figure which he has placed on building tops and sidewalks adjoining Madison Square Park and the Flatiron District. Apparently there are 20 – 30 of these statues and I look forward to keeping my eyes out next time I am out that way. He has set up a competition on his website to spot the statues and take some creative photos.
On my visit Friday, I was asked for directions on three separate occasions! Once when I was heading out the PABT towards Times Square, the second in Times Square itself (asked by an American so that was even better) and the third time on the subway, whether the subway went to a particular spot. I was very excited to be able to help on all three occasions! Well you could imagine then, how much of a goof I felt after walking up and down 49th and 8th Street looking for the Crumpler shop, only to find when I got back that it is located at shop 49 on 8th Street! Ho hum… still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! I know Times Square and surrounds better than the Naked Cowboy. (Okay maybe I best not get too cocky! :)
The paths of errands were in the same general direction give or take an avenue, but between 5th – 8th. Despite my misgivings of having gotten the details for Crumpler wrong, I was still happy to continue on my merry way to 55th and 8th to see if Jerry was right…would my knees buckle as I ate the soup?!
After receiving my fancy little package (haha George…I got my free bread….and grapes, a strawberry and a lindt chocolate!) I literally gave a little whoop and headed across the road to some vacant tables and chairs. I love the fact that in a big city like New York, there are always aluminum or wooden chairs and tables about the place! Awesome!
I ordered the Shrimp Corn Chowder and I wasn’t disappointed. Big chunks of shrimp in a chili infused corn chowder. I thought I might regret not getting the gazpacho given the weather but I was not disappointed. Like Elaine, I was pretty pleased to be sitting down to eat my soup!
Maybe it was the soup, maybe it was the satisfaction that there was soup for me, but I continued to walk and walk and walk. All in all I had walked 19 blocks and before I knew it I was at Columbus Circle admiring Trump International Hotel and Tower and one of the many entrances to Central Park. Given there is so much to see in and around the area, I only walked past the Time Warner Centre and didn’t even peek into Central Park.
In the distance I saw my first Gossip Girl haunt. The Empire Hotel purchased by the ever sexy Chuck Bass. For non Gossip Girl fans the hotel is sexy anyway! Not only does it feature in the series, in Sex and the City 2 Movie, but in real life, the rooftop bar has hosted people like Beyonce, Jesse Metcalfe, after parties from the Tony Awards, and recently a Maroon 5 Concert. The day I snuck in to take some pictures, Macy’s were holding a launch of products. It is very swish, and for me is the epitome of New York style hotels. Sadly no celebratory spotting, but alas it was lovely to have a quick look before the security man with the plastic hanging out his ear spotted me! As I had to be back near Union Square by 5pm to get my permanent reminder of the NYC dream, and given it was after 4pm I headed in the direction of the subway. Like a seasoned pro, I jumped on the first Downtown Yellow line.
On Friday’s, they run a Farmers Market in Union Square. These markets have everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, cured meats, fresh farmed cheeses, artisan breads, jams, pickles, an abundance of cut flowers and plants, wine and ciders!
After seeing the beautiful basil, I was salivating at the picture in my head of a Caprese Salad mmmmmmmmm!
My bargain was a wedge of cheese for $1 (sorry no photo as I got it handed to me and put it straight into my mouth!!) and two bottles of Organic Country Juice for $2.75 (Cranberry and Raspberry Cider, and Apple and Raspberry Juice). Both the juices were deliciously amazing.
By the time I got home Friday night after 7.30pm, I couldn’t believe how far I had walked and can only begin to imagine how much more I will do next week when I move home for the next 10 days before the journey home.
Next update will be from my new home Holiday Inn Express Madison Square Garden. At the tip of the Chelsea district, I am definitely looking forward to discovering the borough that I had initially hoped to sublet in. To celebrate my move, I have booked myself into dinner at Les Halles. Anthony Bourdain’s signature restaurant and hopefully home to a beautiful meal. This week’s plan will also be to line up for some Broadway cheap tickets, and hopefully get a call from one of the many TV taping's I have tried to book into see.
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
NYC Food Coma
Saying goodbye to Hotel Westminster was like saying goodbye to a well worn pair of undies. You are comfortable in them, they fit just right, and you don’t really want to say goodbye. My purchasing of donuts and chocolates for the staff didn’t go unnoticed with a number of staff making a point to get my contact details as well as specifically ringing or tracking me down to say goodbye. But saying goodbye to my friends at the hotel was met with excitement at knowing my new home would be in Manhattan.
Funny how the drive in took such little time compared to the bus. Within 35 minutes we were driving the streets of midtown going around, and around, and around the same block. Up until then I had remained quiet, but I enquired with the driver where we were in fact going?
“I keep missing the hotel, must be small huh?” says my too cool for school driver
“Sorry driver, but you are mistaken. You need to cut over 7th and head down towards 29th street otherwise you will have to go around again as they are one way down that street. Once you have cut over you should be fine…” know it all I am!!!
He did apologies and felt quite embarrassed he got it wrong so the bonus was he went and got me a trolley to help me with my beast of a bag! (Another story which I will spare you the details….but I have since discovered rolling clothes, although saves room, in some suitcases…mine…it makes it twice as heavy!!)
Fortunately, my room was ready early and so I didn’t need to store any bags and was able to head up to the room. The room is clean but small. I was very spoilt in Jersey. But given its NYC, and all I need to do is sleep it thus far proving to be perfect.
As mentioned in the earlier blog, to celebrate my arrival to Manhattan, I had booked in for dinner at Brasserie Les Halles, owned by Anthony Bourdain. Fortunately one of his restaurants is a 15 minute walk. Given I had booked for 7pm, I kept Monday pretty low key. I familiarized myself with the surrounds, did a spot of window shopping at TJ Marxx which happens to be in my ‘borough followed by a scope down to Times Square to look into Broadway tickets.
Al Pacino is currently performing in the Shakespeare in the Park free concerts held in Central Park. People have been lining up as early as 6am to secure tickets, and have remained in the line for most of the day. Given my timeline this was not feasible, so I spent Monday registering for a virtual ticket whereby you log on between midnight and 1PM on the day of the performance you want to see to submit a request for two tickets through Virtual Ticketing. An email will be sent to you by 5pm that day if you have received tickets, or you can re-log on to see if you have any. I figure this will be the best chance, as even lining up will not secure a place. As with many of the ticketing options here, although they are free some shows and performances are harder to get into than others. In hindsight I should have booked in advance for some of the TV taping's, as even submitting requests and ringing when I first arrived over a month ago hasn’t proved too successful.
By 6.30pm I was not only pumped for dinner but ravenous! This would be my first big dinner treat in over a month and I was so excited. I walked in no time, and was excited to see that the restaurant had both inside and outside dining. As I had booked online I wasn’t sure if I had a preference, but my rock star Maitre’D had me on an outside table in a jiffy! She had on the shortest skirt I have ever seen, Ruby Rose style hair and big chunky hunka boots! Not what I imagined and even more surprising, when a svelte black woman escorted another couple to a table in what can only be described as a ball gown minus bling but with bling on her ears, neck, and fingers!! Dress code clearly not required with Anthony!! It was a great people watching spot, and I enjoyed watching the myriad of people and people with dogs walking down the street!
Monday nights are half price bottle wine nights, but sadly this didn’t reflect on the wines by the glass. As most were French, and the others American I had no idea about, I asked my waitress for a nice Rose. She offered me a French Bourgogne Rouge Rose which wasn’t too bad at all. Not too sweet and quite nice for the humid evening.
I watched my waitress prepare and serve at the table a Steak Tartar…something I would like to try one day I think.
I enjoyed the tenderest and succulent Escargot I’ve had to date. Served in a cute little plate with garlic butter with a hint of basil I think, I was able to mop up every last bit of buttery, garlic goodness with my nice crusty bread. My main was a Filet de Boeuf with Bearnaise sauce, Pomme Frites and Mesculin Salad. I could honestly cut my meat in the same fashion you would cut butter! I hoovered this dish like I was in a race! It was scrumptious! For dessert I had (my favourite dessert of all time) Creme Brule which had the most perfect baked custard with a perfectly burnt toffee on top. With hints of caramelisation, and then hints of sugar, it was to die for. Before falling into a food coma I had this photo taken…
The dinner would be rated as one of the best dinners I have had. I was not disappointed, and the dinner was everything I could hope for and more. I was also pleasantly surprised that it didn’t break the bank considering what I ate, and considering the StripHouse restaurant back at the Westminster would have cost me twice the amount for just the meat!!
I needed the long walk back, and enjoyed spotting the Flat Iron Building and the Empire State building as my neighbours at night. (Photos have been posted) I was so excited when I went to bed, that I couldn’t help but let out a little yip!!
Carrying on the tradition of food, allow me to work backwards from yesterday with last night’s dinner experience! A dear friend had recommended her and her boyfriend’s most favourite diner in NYC called USA Brooklyn Diner (The Finer Diner) which is a traditional New York diner with a slightly more costly fare but big portions and big variety. Given I was in a diner, it would be sacrilege not to indulge in a traditional burger or a Rueben. After consulting with the waiter, he suggested the burger so I ordered the Brooklyn Diner Cheeseburger Deluxe. Oh my it was beautiful. Prime ground beef cooked to my liking, with cheddar cheese, hickory smoked bacon, frizzled onion rings & French fried potatoes. They weren’t a chip; they were a shoe string potato! And a side of mayonnaise and tomato sauce. The 4kg I lost in the last month has been put back on in just two days!!
(Yes, all food picks have been added!)
After all the running around I did yesterday, finishing off on the burger was an excellent way to end the evening. From my investigations on Monday, I noticed the Broadway show’s I was interested in seeing where not on the board (Jersey Boys and American Idiot) so after jumping on the internet Monday before dinner, it suggested an alternate ticket booth at The South Street Seaport Booth (near Financial District) sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance, and matinee tickets the day before so I thought I would try my luck there after doing some sightseeing at Battery Park and surrounds.
I found the Charging Bull at the Bowling Green Park, only to see the bull being manhandled and molested by a group of Japanese tourists. I kid you not, every and I mean EVERY member of the group had his or her photo taken, and every other person took the photo…so all in all I watched them for a good 20 minutes before pushing in and taking a snap! Maybe they had been told it provides medicinal support! Hehe
After walking the 10-15 blocks to the Ticket booth, I was devastated to see that Jersey Boys only have a 10% discount, and American Idiot was only playing twice at 50% off! So back to Times Square and on the way have a think about what I want to do.
So I walked in and around the Financial District, Fulton Street and the Pier 17 and caught the MTA back to Chelsea for an appointment at Halo Spa. I registered with a website called Groupon. This website emails daily deals for goings on in New York. It has ranged from cheap foods, to memberships, to spa treatments and alas to an opportunity for 2 x 1 hour visits at Halo for $25 (instead of $69 per session!). Halo Air calls themselves a revolutionary solution for Spa and Wellness. Designed to cleanse and restore, Halo Air uses proprietary technology to generate the world’s purest microclimate, the salt cave. Relaxed in a pristine atmosphere, visitors seek wellness by being exposed to and breathing the dry salt aerosol. It has been researched that the effect of salt particles is a profound cleansing of bacteria and pollution. Known in Europe as Halotherapy, continuous sessions in a natural salt cave have shown to be beneficial with numerous respiratory and skin discomforts. City life has many virtues, but living in a sea of pollutants is not one of them. Fortunately, the solution is at hand.
The walls, ceilings and floors are covered with salt, (apparently dug from a European Salt Cave 300 meters below ground) while you sit for an hour either watching TV, listening to music or reading a little hole in the wall shoots (atomizes) salt and fills the room with salt particles.
Excuse the pose, but I needed to make sure no ‘bits’ came out my paper kimono!
It was a pleasant yet weird experience. You can either wear clothes or go without and pop the paper kimono on for the ‘complete experience.’ The room was cold, but not unpleasantly cold, and you could feel the salt on your lips. The hour went pretty quickly, and I have another appointment on Friday. Not sure I noticed it did anything, but I did seem to smell more dog wee on the footpaths!! Hehe could have just been a dog ignored the vast array of PLEASE CURB YOUR DOG signs in and around the city but particularly Chelsea!
After jumping back on the MTA to Times Square, I happened to walk down a side street to avoid the taping of a Coca-Cola advertisement and stumbled on the Minskoff Theatre, home of the Lion King. There was my sign, rather than pay for two half price shows; I would pay for one excellent full priced show. Given that the Lion King sells out nightly (first available I could get was this Sunday 8 rows from the front) and the cheaper Mezzanine Tickets are sold out until later August, I think the decision has been a perfect one!
As you all know, I have always been a ‘planner.’ To some extent I have gone askew with this adventure as far as not having too many plans, however when it comes to the hustle and bustle that is New York, it has been imperative that I keep a plan of the things I want to do, as well as the list in my pocket that I carry daily. This list has become quite iconic and I only wish I had kept them rather than throwing them away at the end of each day, they would have made a great scrapbook! This list takes a lot of work to prepare and as a result keeps me moving and continues to make it look like I am a local who knows where I am going, which trains to catch, and be able to provide directions! (Yes the Map is still tucked in my bag for occasions when I get overwhelmed or overheat!! Lol)
So in planning this week I have had to factor in the weather. I wanted to see Top of the Rock at both day and evening which you can buy the pass for. Sadly after consulting with the newspaper, weather channels and the front desk, the weather isn’t going to be in my favour this week to do that. It is going to be hazy most of the week with brief patches of sun, and rain and thunderstorms for the later part of the week. It will still be super hot and humid, hence the storms. Given that, my plan was slightly changed to do top of the Rock day pass combined with a ticket to MoMa (Museum of Modern Art) both tickets at a discounted price and bring forward the cruise. So today I did the 3 hour Circle Line cruise and visited the Top of the Rock. As you can see from the pictures, it was extremely hazy and very little sunshine. Fortunately I met a lovely man Bill at the Top of the Rock who actually is a weather enthusiast so was there today taking photos and doing some measurements. He emailed me pictures from last week when he visited. (He goes once a week to Top of the Rock and once a week to the Empire State. He thinks Top of the Rock is far more superior to Empire State views) so glad I opted for that. Despite the weather, both the cruise and view were still spectacular today and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Tomorrow at this stage is MoMa as the weather looks poorly. If it looks better, I may swap it for Central Park Zoo but will see. The days are flying past and I still have so much to see and do!
Keep your eyes out on the photos. I will change the update status if they are updated but new pictures will generally be put into new folders where possible.
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
Funny how the drive in took such little time compared to the bus. Within 35 minutes we were driving the streets of midtown going around, and around, and around the same block. Up until then I had remained quiet, but I enquired with the driver where we were in fact going?
“I keep missing the hotel, must be small huh?” says my too cool for school driver
“Sorry driver, but you are mistaken. You need to cut over 7th and head down towards 29th street otherwise you will have to go around again as they are one way down that street. Once you have cut over you should be fine…” know it all I am!!!
He did apologies and felt quite embarrassed he got it wrong so the bonus was he went and got me a trolley to help me with my beast of a bag! (Another story which I will spare you the details….but I have since discovered rolling clothes, although saves room, in some suitcases…mine…it makes it twice as heavy!!)
Fortunately, my room was ready early and so I didn’t need to store any bags and was able to head up to the room. The room is clean but small. I was very spoilt in Jersey. But given its NYC, and all I need to do is sleep it thus far proving to be perfect.
As mentioned in the earlier blog, to celebrate my arrival to Manhattan, I had booked in for dinner at Brasserie Les Halles, owned by Anthony Bourdain. Fortunately one of his restaurants is a 15 minute walk. Given I had booked for 7pm, I kept Monday pretty low key. I familiarized myself with the surrounds, did a spot of window shopping at TJ Marxx which happens to be in my ‘borough followed by a scope down to Times Square to look into Broadway tickets.
Al Pacino is currently performing in the Shakespeare in the Park free concerts held in Central Park. People have been lining up as early as 6am to secure tickets, and have remained in the line for most of the day. Given my timeline this was not feasible, so I spent Monday registering for a virtual ticket whereby you log on between midnight and 1PM on the day of the performance you want to see to submit a request for two tickets through Virtual Ticketing. An email will be sent to you by 5pm that day if you have received tickets, or you can re-log on to see if you have any. I figure this will be the best chance, as even lining up will not secure a place. As with many of the ticketing options here, although they are free some shows and performances are harder to get into than others. In hindsight I should have booked in advance for some of the TV taping's, as even submitting requests and ringing when I first arrived over a month ago hasn’t proved too successful.
By 6.30pm I was not only pumped for dinner but ravenous! This would be my first big dinner treat in over a month and I was so excited. I walked in no time, and was excited to see that the restaurant had both inside and outside dining. As I had booked online I wasn’t sure if I had a preference, but my rock star Maitre’D had me on an outside table in a jiffy! She had on the shortest skirt I have ever seen, Ruby Rose style hair and big chunky hunka boots! Not what I imagined and even more surprising, when a svelte black woman escorted another couple to a table in what can only be described as a ball gown minus bling but with bling on her ears, neck, and fingers!! Dress code clearly not required with Anthony!! It was a great people watching spot, and I enjoyed watching the myriad of people and people with dogs walking down the street!
Monday nights are half price bottle wine nights, but sadly this didn’t reflect on the wines by the glass. As most were French, and the others American I had no idea about, I asked my waitress for a nice Rose. She offered me a French Bourgogne Rouge Rose which wasn’t too bad at all. Not too sweet and quite nice for the humid evening.
I watched my waitress prepare and serve at the table a Steak Tartar…something I would like to try one day I think.
I enjoyed the tenderest and succulent Escargot I’ve had to date. Served in a cute little plate with garlic butter with a hint of basil I think, I was able to mop up every last bit of buttery, garlic goodness with my nice crusty bread. My main was a Filet de Boeuf with Bearnaise sauce, Pomme Frites and Mesculin Salad. I could honestly cut my meat in the same fashion you would cut butter! I hoovered this dish like I was in a race! It was scrumptious! For dessert I had (my favourite dessert of all time) Creme Brule which had the most perfect baked custard with a perfectly burnt toffee on top. With hints of caramelisation, and then hints of sugar, it was to die for. Before falling into a food coma I had this photo taken…
The dinner would be rated as one of the best dinners I have had. I was not disappointed, and the dinner was everything I could hope for and more. I was also pleasantly surprised that it didn’t break the bank considering what I ate, and considering the StripHouse restaurant back at the Westminster would have cost me twice the amount for just the meat!!
I needed the long walk back, and enjoyed spotting the Flat Iron Building and the Empire State building as my neighbours at night. (Photos have been posted) I was so excited when I went to bed, that I couldn’t help but let out a little yip!!
Carrying on the tradition of food, allow me to work backwards from yesterday with last night’s dinner experience! A dear friend had recommended her and her boyfriend’s most favourite diner in NYC called USA Brooklyn Diner (The Finer Diner) which is a traditional New York diner with a slightly more costly fare but big portions and big variety. Given I was in a diner, it would be sacrilege not to indulge in a traditional burger or a Rueben. After consulting with the waiter, he suggested the burger so I ordered the Brooklyn Diner Cheeseburger Deluxe. Oh my it was beautiful. Prime ground beef cooked to my liking, with cheddar cheese, hickory smoked bacon, frizzled onion rings & French fried potatoes. They weren’t a chip; they were a shoe string potato! And a side of mayonnaise and tomato sauce. The 4kg I lost in the last month has been put back on in just two days!!
(Yes, all food picks have been added!)
After all the running around I did yesterday, finishing off on the burger was an excellent way to end the evening. From my investigations on Monday, I noticed the Broadway show’s I was interested in seeing where not on the board (Jersey Boys and American Idiot) so after jumping on the internet Monday before dinner, it suggested an alternate ticket booth at The South Street Seaport Booth (near Financial District) sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance, and matinee tickets the day before so I thought I would try my luck there after doing some sightseeing at Battery Park and surrounds.
I found the Charging Bull at the Bowling Green Park, only to see the bull being manhandled and molested by a group of Japanese tourists. I kid you not, every and I mean EVERY member of the group had his or her photo taken, and every other person took the photo…so all in all I watched them for a good 20 minutes before pushing in and taking a snap! Maybe they had been told it provides medicinal support! Hehe
After walking the 10-15 blocks to the Ticket booth, I was devastated to see that Jersey Boys only have a 10% discount, and American Idiot was only playing twice at 50% off! So back to Times Square and on the way have a think about what I want to do.
So I walked in and around the Financial District, Fulton Street and the Pier 17 and caught the MTA back to Chelsea for an appointment at Halo Spa. I registered with a website called Groupon. This website emails daily deals for goings on in New York. It has ranged from cheap foods, to memberships, to spa treatments and alas to an opportunity for 2 x 1 hour visits at Halo for $25 (instead of $69 per session!). Halo Air calls themselves a revolutionary solution for Spa and Wellness. Designed to cleanse and restore, Halo Air uses proprietary technology to generate the world’s purest microclimate, the salt cave. Relaxed in a pristine atmosphere, visitors seek wellness by being exposed to and breathing the dry salt aerosol. It has been researched that the effect of salt particles is a profound cleansing of bacteria and pollution. Known in Europe as Halotherapy, continuous sessions in a natural salt cave have shown to be beneficial with numerous respiratory and skin discomforts. City life has many virtues, but living in a sea of pollutants is not one of them. Fortunately, the solution is at hand.
The walls, ceilings and floors are covered with salt, (apparently dug from a European Salt Cave 300 meters below ground) while you sit for an hour either watching TV, listening to music or reading a little hole in the wall shoots (atomizes) salt and fills the room with salt particles.
Excuse the pose, but I needed to make sure no ‘bits’ came out my paper kimono!
It was a pleasant yet weird experience. You can either wear clothes or go without and pop the paper kimono on for the ‘complete experience.’ The room was cold, but not unpleasantly cold, and you could feel the salt on your lips. The hour went pretty quickly, and I have another appointment on Friday. Not sure I noticed it did anything, but I did seem to smell more dog wee on the footpaths!! Hehe could have just been a dog ignored the vast array of PLEASE CURB YOUR DOG signs in and around the city but particularly Chelsea!
After jumping back on the MTA to Times Square, I happened to walk down a side street to avoid the taping of a Coca-Cola advertisement and stumbled on the Minskoff Theatre, home of the Lion King. There was my sign, rather than pay for two half price shows; I would pay for one excellent full priced show. Given that the Lion King sells out nightly (first available I could get was this Sunday 8 rows from the front) and the cheaper Mezzanine Tickets are sold out until later August, I think the decision has been a perfect one!
As you all know, I have always been a ‘planner.’ To some extent I have gone askew with this adventure as far as not having too many plans, however when it comes to the hustle and bustle that is New York, it has been imperative that I keep a plan of the things I want to do, as well as the list in my pocket that I carry daily. This list has become quite iconic and I only wish I had kept them rather than throwing them away at the end of each day, they would have made a great scrapbook! This list takes a lot of work to prepare and as a result keeps me moving and continues to make it look like I am a local who knows where I am going, which trains to catch, and be able to provide directions! (Yes the Map is still tucked in my bag for occasions when I get overwhelmed or overheat!! Lol)
So in planning this week I have had to factor in the weather. I wanted to see Top of the Rock at both day and evening which you can buy the pass for. Sadly after consulting with the newspaper, weather channels and the front desk, the weather isn’t going to be in my favour this week to do that. It is going to be hazy most of the week with brief patches of sun, and rain and thunderstorms for the later part of the week. It will still be super hot and humid, hence the storms. Given that, my plan was slightly changed to do top of the Rock day pass combined with a ticket to MoMa (Museum of Modern Art) both tickets at a discounted price and bring forward the cruise. So today I did the 3 hour Circle Line cruise and visited the Top of the Rock. As you can see from the pictures, it was extremely hazy and very little sunshine. Fortunately I met a lovely man Bill at the Top of the Rock who actually is a weather enthusiast so was there today taking photos and doing some measurements. He emailed me pictures from last week when he visited. (He goes once a week to Top of the Rock and once a week to the Empire State. He thinks Top of the Rock is far more superior to Empire State views) so glad I opted for that. Despite the weather, both the cruise and view were still spectacular today and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Tomorrow at this stage is MoMa as the weather looks poorly. If it looks better, I may swap it for Central Park Zoo but will see. The days are flying past and I still have so much to see and do!
Keep your eyes out on the photos. I will change the update status if they are updated but new pictures will generally be put into new folders where possible.
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
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