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It was with a heavy heart that I left Europe behind after a life changing month which truly reconfirmed my love for all things european - food and beer. Oh and the people. Was wonderful to see my relatives in Belfast after almost 3 years since last being there. Many a pints were consumed, and the craic was good as always. I feel pretty lucky to have somewhere I can call a second home, and feel so comfortable and welcomed there. With my Irish passport its also much more legitimate to call it "home". Although there was a teary goodbye it wasn't long until I rekindled my love with the most intoxicating place that I've ever been, New York.
New York. You really are the ultimate city. It was so different to experience New York in the sweltering summer time. The last time I was there it was in December, freezing cold, just before Christmas, magical and unforgettable. This time was just as amazing if not more so. It was also great to visit the city without feeling the need to do all the touristy stuff, which I got out the way last time, and just experience New York in a different way.
Staying in Brooklyn was fantastic and such a different feel to the hectic pace of Manhattan. On the first crazy night I didn't even make it back to Manhattan. Met up with my UTEP roomie Nicole, then on to meeting up with my main man Chris and his friend Rob for a night of drinking, dancing and all round love. This pattern was repeated for the next three nights, and it was brilliant to experience the club scene of New York which I missed out on last time only being 20! It was a teary goodbye with Chris on 8th Ave which broke my heart a little, until I got lucky and met Lucky.
My lovely Tamara told me to meet up with her friend Lucky whom she met in New York in January this year and I'm so glad we did. We bonded over our love for New York, Mohitos, Mexican food and Tamara. Lucky's friends from Melbourne Paul and Matt were also visiting NY at the same time, so we had quite the Aussie posse. The first night we went out for some yummy Mexican and many drinks, ending up at maybe my favourite place ever, Gallery Bar. Tamara and Lucky basically dominated this place and made friends with the owners and bar tenders back in January. This paid off with us all receiving free drinks all night long. Needless to say it was messy. The next day was spent trying to figure out what happened to Lucky (she was MIA for a while) and chilling out in Brooklyn's Prospect park for the day, followed by some French food. The next few days were spent exploring more restaurants, visiting New Jersey, walking the length of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and pretty much dying in the heat. The temperatures reached the 40's a few days, with humidity at about 80%. It was actually unbearable, especially in Manhattan with the heat of all the taxis, subway, buses and buildings. Thankfully the place is air conditioned brilliantly and you could avoid the heat unless walking somewhere. Which I had to do a lot.
But nonetheless I truly do love the place. It has some sort of a hold on me, and most people that I've met feel the same. I have no doubt that it will be a place that I will continue to visit throughout my life, and have different and unique experiences every single time. New York you have my heart forever.
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