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Good afternoon from San Francisco, I have just arrived after an early doors flight this morning - I woke up at 4am after 2 hours sleep! Now seeing as the internet is free at this new hostel I am taking the opportunity to reflect on my stay in New York City.
Flight over was amazing, Virgin Atlantic provided free beer, free food, choice of about 30 current movies - was very relaxing. Sat next to a RNG (really nice guy) from Bournemouth who looked remarkably like David Snowden (former colleague at Tower Hamlets). First night wasn't great, flight was delayed so didn't get to the hostel until Midnight NY Time (5am UK time). Shared the room with one other dude who arrived at 4am and proceeded to play the same song for 24 hours (and I'm not exagrating either), it was a Christian song and although it was quite relaxing I was quite sick of it after 100 plays!
In the day it rained a stupid amount most of the morning and afternoon, took the subway to Times Square and had a look around. Subway is just like the London Underground, except it is cheaper and more reliable! Went to Madison Square Garden in the evening and watched the New York Rangers in an ice hockey pre-season game which was pretty cool, they won in the shootout after an epic 4-4 draw!
The weekend was much nicer weather and I decided to go up the Empire State Building, unfortunately everybody else had the same idea and I proceeded to queue for 2 hours to spend only 15-20 minutes up there looking (it was definitely worth it, mind). Had a wander around Central Park too which I have to say is better then Clifton Downs, contary to what a American tourist said when visiting Bristol. Did a few other activities like the Liberty Cruise and Guggenheim museum which I enjoyed. However I didn't like the hostel as it had the atmosphere of a library.
This all changed when I arrived at Jazz on the Park where I proceeded to meet lots of fellow travellers (some solo) although many were German! The social activities were good in the evening, had a Comedy evening on Sunday and drinking games on Monday - which I hasten to add was my first beer since arriving in New York! Met some cool people like the two French girls from Quebec, Francesco from Mexico, Taylor living and working in the hostel from Canada and a fellow Brit called Victor.
Starting to get in the swing of this travelling malarky, managed to find a couple of bargains like $1 slice of pizza, $1 guide on Singapore and Malayasia (useful for later) and a cool new hat for $7. Have got caught out a couple of times by paying over the odds but am definitely learning quickly!
So to sum New York up, a decent first stop with some amazing tourist attractions and an interesting city. Bit on the pricey side though and not exactly geared up for travellers but still glad I went, very much looking forward to the rest of the tour and with the sun shining in San Francisco as I type I am excited to look around today!
Speak soon,
Phil x
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