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I know its been awhile since my last blog but unfortunately the USA has not been kind with internet. I have gone from spending 50 cents - $1 per hour on internet to $2 for 20 minutes - what a nice way to be welcomed back into a modern country where you would think that I would have technology at my fingertips. Not only is it expensive but I cannot download my photos, cannot access Skype or find an internet cafe on every street corner. But after 2 1/2 weeks things finally got a little better as I have discovered FREE yes FREE internet at Manhatten's Public Libraries which is saving me a bomb (unfortunately though I cannot download photos onto my site -YET- but I am determined to find a library where I can).
In my last update I was leaving Colombia in a matter of days. I experienced before I left the best dining experience EVER in the most craziest resturant EVER and the biggest Mojito cocktail EVER. If EVER you are in Colombia then this is a MUST DO.
From Colombia I travelled to the north of California to San Francisco. Wow what a beautiful city. This would have to be one of my all time favourites. The houses are just stunning and my jaw was continually hitting the ground as I ventured around the neighbourhoods. My week there was kept busy with a bike ride across The Golden Gate Bridge, a day visitng wineries in the Sanoma wine region, a walk through the massive Golden Gate Park, shopping in Haight-Ashbury and of course trundling up down the streets of San Fran in their famous cable cars. I also encountered my first bout of sickness with a head cold. Nothing to bad that stopped me from doing anything (except maybe hitting the town) but it wasn't pleasant having a runny nose with a newly pierced nose.
Then it was on to Las Vegas for 3 days where I ventured into sooo many casinos I lost count. Fortunately I am not a gambler and my money stayed in my pocket well at least I tried to keep it in my pocket but of course there is so much more to Las Vegas than just gambling so I managed to put a big dent in the CC with a show at The Bellagio called 'O' and a sunset helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon. 'O' is a show by Cirque du Soleil. Have always meant to go to one in Melbourne but just never got around to it. They have many shows in Las Vegas but this one is actaully performed over and in water. It was amazing!!! It was like a crazy 18th century carnival and there were so many things happening that you didn't know what you should be looking at. There were acrobats, synchronised swimmers, divers, clowns and much much more.
A trip to Las Vegas wouldn't be complete without a journey to the famous Grand Canyon. It was cool to be flying out through the desert where there is just a lot of nothing and then landing down in the Grand Canyon and par-taking in a glass of bubbles.
From Las Vegas I zipped back to LA and spent one night in Hollywood (I had to spend a night in LA as my flight to New York was earlier than than the first flight out of Las Vegas). What a dump!!! Walked along the famous Hollywood Boulevard of Fame and did some shopping and it's amazing how things always look better post happy hour.
Now I am in New York!!! Arrived on Saturday night (20 Oct)What a city. I absolutely hated it the first two days I was here and now I am in love with the place. The weather from Sunday through to Tuesday was exceptional. Skies were blue and the temperature was HOT HOT HOT!!!! So hot I thought I was back in Central America. At least I got to wear my summer clothes one more time as now it has turned cold and I am layered in as many layers as I can possibly put on. Have pounded the pavements and visited areas such as Greenwhich Village, Meat Packing District, Hells Kitchen, Soho, Little Italy, China Town, Theatre District, Financila District, Upper West and East Sides and Garment District and there are many more for me to explore. Caught up with my old flatmate Kim which was a lot of fun and we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and had pizza and beer for lunch in Little Italy. Have been to a Knicks Basketball game at Maddison Square Gardens, and a Broadway Show, The Colour Purple which was brilliant. I rocked up to the Theatre in the morning and was able to get what they call a rush ticket for that evening's performance. I got a $116 ticket for $26.50. What a bargain. It wasn't the best seat but it was still really great and plus it helps the credit card hold up for a bit longer.
Last Friday I moved hostels. From being close to Maddison Sqare Garden, Empire State Building, Times Square I headed to the Upper West Side just 3 doors off Central Park. A much quieter and nicer area and I was planning to do a bit of jogging. Have only jogged once in the past 6 months and I thought what better place to start than Central Park. Well it was a good idea at the time not realising that I would spend 6-8 hours or even more each day walking so my poor little legs can't also take a 45 minute to 1 hour jog as well, plus the weather has turned freezing, not cold but freezing so its hard to get up early in the morning to go for a jog.
On Saturday it turned from freezing to warm, it was like someone had put on a heater and turned the fan temperature up high but it was still raining. Raining heaps so I like every other person in Manhatten went to the museum of Natural History. It was really good and I spent a good 3 hours wondering around. After that I went to Central Park to check out the Pumkin Festival and luckily the rain had cleared and the sky was cloudless. At the festival there were hundreds of pumkins lined up along the paths that people had carved out during the day. As it was just getting dark it looked really pretty with them all lit up.
On Sunday the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky so I set off for a day in Central Park. Wow what a fabulous park and in the middle of such a big city. It was nice hanging out with several thousand other people as it gave it a great atmosphere. Listened to a Jazz Band, saw a wedding and just hung out. Have also been since during the week and its like you are nearly the only person there.
Monday I had a late start but finally managed to make my way to the Guggenheim Museum which has a fabulous collection of one of my favourte artists, Pablo Picasso. I then made my way to the Aerial Tramway that take you to Roosevelt Island and then back into town for a it of shopping at Bloomingdales. I didn't buy anything as there is no way that my credit card would be able to sustain the pressure. Dresses where around $300 - $500 and those on special around $200 were pretty ordinary. After this I went to the Rockerfeller Centre and to the 'Top of the Rock' Observatory to see New York by night. It was stunning and photos can never do justice to such a view.
Tuesday - Walked from 122 Street to 43 Street through Riverside Park (took 2 hours). NYC has so many beautiful parks (other than Central Park). Went on a 3 hour river cruise that took me all the way around Manhatten Island. It was great to see the city from another view point. That night I went to a Broadway Show called Xanadu. It was very cute and the takeoff of the Aussie accent was just histerical.
Wednesday was Holloween. Spent the morning in MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). They have an amazing collection of Pablo Picasso, Matisse, Miro etc. The afternoon shopping and drinking coffee and then I met a friend in Washington Square Park and we headed off to find ourself a spot for the Holloween Parade that is held every year in Greenwhich. It got off to a slow start but soon there was every freakish fool in New York parading down the street in their costumes. It was a bit of a laugh and people really go to big efforts to dress up.
Thursday - went for a walk down Wall Street, popped into Tiffany's (just because a visit to NYC is not complete without a visit), strolled through Battery Park and then hit the shops. Poor credit card got another workout.
Still have a few more days yet to continue to explore this fablous city and to hit the shops just a little bit more.
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