So, finally a first blog from me in the Big Apple (still don't know why they call it that, maybe I should ask!)

I arrived around 10pm on the Wednesday night and decided to brave a guy who told me that there was a bus going to my hostel for $15, wow bargain! As soon as I was on it I started to get dubious, I mean I was staying in a hostel that probably wasn't well known, and there were so many people on it who also looked a bit like they were wishing they'd got a taxi! It dropped us off by Grand Central Station, so not having a clue where abouts to go I asked a businessman looking New Yorker for the way. My backpack was EXTREMELY harder to carry now it had stuff in it, and I got a sweat on quickly, but he told me it was safe around Midtown so I trusted him. So he'd said to me about 7 short blocks and 3 long blocks away (about mile and half)..it seemed to go on forever, and finally I arrived at 320 East 49th. It seemed really quiet and out of the way, when it called itself Times Square hostel I thought maybe it was misleading? I checked my phone again as it just looked like flats to me and I started feeling really confused (and in need of a drink!)...IDIOT!! It was 320 WEST 49th!! Another half an hour in the other direction! I swear I could have cried!! But the night was nice, and I wasn't paying for a taxi so off I went. I came accross Times Square on my way & the Chrylser building, both beautiful at night. That's pretty much the only drama I've had really!

My hostel isn't as bad as I imagined, and I got a spot on the bottom level of a bunk right by the window..later learning that maybe thats the noisiest and coldest spot (+ the brightest for the first night as I didn't realise I could shut the blind!!). Sharing with another 5, who chat to me a little, but they are Turkish and Slovenian so keep to themselves alot and don't go out at night -what?!!

Spent my first few days trying to take it all in, walking to Central Park, drinking coffee, walking to Times Square, drinking coffee, walking to the Rockefeller, drinking more coffee...generally a lot of coffee and walking!! It's just as amazing as they say, but it feels like a weird movie set (Times Square especially), reminds me of a mix between Vegas and London. I still intend to go jogging on one of my last days in Central Park like the other 1000 a day joggers there..I say intend because anything can happen here! I already had to buy a belt today because my jeans are loose (YAY!).

Had a Sausage & egg McGridle for my first breakfast (muahaha Stu),and spoke to more people. People are really friendly, and anyone is up for a chat here, not just New Yorkers, but other people travelling/on 'vacation' too.Other than that, I've not had too much amazing food, pretzels are disgusting which was a disappointment, just waaay to salty. I did find the Magnolia Bakery though and have a red devil cupcake like off Sex & the City, just another thing I can say I've done! Strolling around in certain areas I felt a little like Pretty Woman without Richard Gere, I'd like to know when he'll arrive actually to show the stuck up shop assistants on 5th Ave to kiss his ass! I'm a traveller after all so they can kiss mine actually. Bloomingdales is the only 'big' shop i've braved. After that I don't think I'll do Macy's or Saks, its just too overwhelming! 8 Floors and people constantly asking 'How can I help you today maam' Erm I don't know?! I did give in in Aldo and buy a black pair of patent heels. I realised I left mine at home, and going out at night I'm not sure any of my nice tops/dress would look right with trainers!!..thats my excuse anyway, and I did take the cheaper transport option so I downright deserved them heels, I don't need to explain myself!!

On 2nd day I did a little tour of the NBC studios, which was interesting..but a little pointless. Its the kind of thing you get in Florida for free, I guess it would also have been more interesting if it was things we watch back home..but it wasn't. Located in the Rockefella plaza I also tried to make it to the Mariah Carey free concert thing which they are apparently doing every Friday at the moment. I hate her I do, but it was free! The crowds were so big I could only hear her whiney voice anyway (yes Claire I still hate her). Had a meal out that night at planet Hollywood (yes I did the 'table for one please, yes one' thing), and dressed up, then sat at the red steps that overlook Times Square for a while after as the view is so nice. 3 guys laughed at my accent and continued to mock me and my British charm, even though they were from Brooklyn so I tried laughin at them, and possibly the funniest thing I've heard was that they thought our 'president' (I corrected them) was Chris Brown...CHRIS BROWN? As in the R'n'B star, I laughed..a lot. It opened up my eyes a bit as I walked back though, over the 3 streets we passed, the guys were offered Marajuana and Cocaine on every corner. It's the first I'd heard it. They didn't even drink though, so were nearly as shocked as me. I also learnt that fishskin (i'm sure thats what he said!) is a slang for cocaine, as I said that I'd probably have thought he was offering us sushi!!

I wanted to see a show that night, but the que at the TKTS place (where you can get 50% off the tickets for that night) was waaaaay to long. Got a tour bus 3 day pass thing, which you can hop on and off all up and down town which is good value at $84 including a ticket to Liberty Island and Top of the Rock. So that last 3 days thats what I did. I could explain everywhere but there's too much to explain! Pictures tell a thousand words, and get a little boring I know..as I'm not in all of them and clearly I make the photo better! Although I have got a little more confident at asking others to take my photo. The worst, and best of that was probably seeing Harlem, I was surprised at how much more vibrant it seemed compared to mid and downtown, yet it has a bad reputation its found hard to shake. The worst of all was the fact that it rained the whole time I was there. Apart from that I've had glorious sun the rest, and even caught it on my shoulders!

I also saw a show on Saturday night called Burn The Floor. It was amazing. World class dancers from different countries basically putting on a show of many different dance types and telling a story throughout each one..mainly love, sex, orgies, etc etc. I'd probably say the most 'in time' dancing and energetic stuff I've ever seen..although I'll probably say the same about West Side Story (which I'm seeing tomorrow- yay:)).

I've seen the major sites now, like Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge etc. All really exciting to take in. The most breathtaking was the View of the Manhattan Skyline from accross the water in Brooklyn at night. And I think I've possibly seen every street festival and parade going whilst I've been here; Manhattan Bridge 100yr anniversary fireworks, Oktoberfest, Polish day parade, Diwali, and today was a Fire Safety Education day thing, which was really cute as there was about 2000 kids all in a fire helmet crammed into Rockefeller plaza!

The exciting thing I did today was walk all the way from MidTown (about 3 miles) to Greenwich Village/West Village, where alot of famous people live. Its where Sex & the City's very own Carrie Bradshaw's apartment is shot (66 Perry Street really), and the real Sarah Jessica Parker lives only a street away on Charles! The best thing was as I went to find it I stumbled on Matt Damon shooting a New Film!! Apparently an every day occurance pretty much in this area! I stayed for a bit and talked to one of the stewards who gave me more information & a local who said he see's filming all the time. He said SATC2 was being filmed 2 weeks back, and said he'd just seen Hugh Jackman in Starbucks round the corner..I tried but was too late!

It's really easy to feel lost here though, especially alone, so i'm trying to take my time. I'm even getting lost trying to remember all the things I've done and write them here! I'll try and blog more regularly to stop it being so hefty! I could live in NY, maybe West Village, it's really pretty and not so high rise like everywhere else..although the rent they pay I'd never afford it. In terms of rent, I was told that the highest ever big was placed this year for a hotdog stand (you have to bid for your spot each year) outside the Museum of Modern Art...$450,000 for the year!!! Thats a lot of hotdogs!

Sorry for rambling on, but as you all know I do it all the time! Next time i'll try and add more structure! Should be more original stuff to tell you about in Fiji too, woohoo.

Love and miss you all,

Kirsty.xxxx