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So I stepped out of the bus station into the streets of New York and nothing could prepare me for what I saw. I knew New York was a mega city but I just didn't expect it to be that HUGE and with THAT many people!!!!! Of course it didn't help that the bus station was located in Times Square, known as the busiest place in the city.
My first night in New York consisted of beer and pizza on a rooftop, overlooking the Manhattan Bridge on one side and the Empire State Building on the other. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my first night here.
The next day, my first official day in New York I walked up Fifth Avenue. This is the main, central street in the city which divides the East from the West. It was a very long day filled of walking, shopping, more walking and even more walking!!! Along the way I visited the Library- known for its role in the movie "The Day After Tomorrow," Grand Central Station which is amazing, Macy's- the Largest store in the world apparently, The Palace Hotel- Serena's home on Gossip Girl, The MOMA- Museum of Modern Art, FAO- the largest toy store in America, the Flat Iron Building, and of course the Empire State Building. I couldn't come to New York and not go up this famous iconic building so up I went to the eighty sixth floor. I was up there for about an hour just standing in awe of how big the city was. As far as my eyes could see there was skyscraper after skyscraper. Fun fact for you: NY is made up of approximately 8 million people, 2.4 million trees, 1.2 million buildings, 12,184 taxis, 6509 miles of streets, 5811 subway cars, 4373 busses and 53 bridges. Now that sounds a lot... But standing on top of The Empire State and seeing it all from up there, those figures seem totally underestimated! I reckon the most interesting thing I saw that day was that people actually had to line up to go into shops like Prada and Hollister. I was quite amazed. I also had my first New York subway experience and ended up getting on an express train which flew past the station I had to get off at. I redeemed myself though and am now pro at the subway :)
On Saturday I went for a walk through Chinatown, Little Italy and SoHo but considering Hurricane Irene was headed straight for New York, everything was closed, including the subway and all busses, therefore eliminating most transportation which was super annoying. I couldn't do much else so instead went to a "hurricane party," which consisted of a bunch of people sitting around watching updates of the impending storm, chatting and of course drinking (a Saturday night and not even any bars were open). To be honest the category 1 hurricane disappointed me. Where we were there was barely any wind, just rain. I woke up Sunday morning expecting at least some wind or something but it was actually still. Apart from a tree down and lots of branches and rubbish everywhere, that was it. On Sunday most things were closed again. I went for a walk over the Manhattan bridge into Dumbo, Brooklyn, a rich town known for artists. It ended up been a three hour walk and that is the longest bridge I have ever walked over by far!
By Monday, everything in NYC was back to normal. Hurricane Irene certainly ruined my weekend but there was more sight seeing to be done starting today. I caught the subway to Central Park where I spent half a day walking around it. For a park right in the middle of the city, it was a quiet and still atmosphere, perfect for escaping the busy and chaotic streets not to far away. I then found a few gossip girl filming sites, including the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art which is where Serena and Blair used to eat lunch and also The Museum of New York which was the entrance to Constantine and St Judes, they're high school. I then caught the subway back down to fourteenth street where I headed to "The High Line." This is a 2.3km park built on the former elevated freight train line which ran through the West Side. It's pretty cool, you walk on an elevated train line through and above all the buildings and where the train tracks used to be, there are now all gardens planted in amongst the tracks which are still there.
The next day I headed back to Times Square and once again was amazed at how much detail there was. Everywhere you look there is just advertising!!! I then caught the subway down to Lower Manhattan and jumped on the Staten Island ferry which took me past The Statue of Liberty. I thought it would be bigger then what it was but I'm sure if I was standing right next to it, then it would be pretty huge. That night I went to a Mets game, aka baseball. I could not leave the States without going to a baseball game so I'm pretty happy that I got to go to one! We caught the water taxi to Citi Field (also where the US open is currently been played). It was so beautiful and relaxing cruising up the river while watching the sun set over the city. We got to the game, found our seats, sung the star spangled banner (national anthem) and then the game began. I was quite surprised. I thought they would've made more home runs and actually hit the ball. Instead there seemed to be a lot of strikes, balls, fouls and barely anyone even made it to first base. But it was still fun. They really get the crowd going by doing things on the big screen like the kiss cam, dance cam, giveaways, playing lots of music and just starting general chants on it. Was all good fun :)
On wednesday I went down to Wall Street. Was disappointed that I couldn't see the stock exchange all taking place, they actually have the building barricaded off. I also saw the big bull :) While down that end, I also went and checked out the site of the World Trade Center. It's was all blocked off as they're now doing construction and building another building, however I could still see through the fence and see a big hole. It kinda gave me chills thinking about what happened there and how it still has an impact on peoples lives today. For example, I noticed on the subway the other day that they have signs up that if you still suffer from medical conditions caused by September 11th then you can claim money. Anyway continuing on, I also walked over the Brooklyn Bridge then that night went and had dinner in Brooklyn also and then went and saw a band playing. It was only in a small and scummy place that looked like a garage but it still had a good atmosphere. I definitely felt like a local. It was good not to do touristy stuff for once and really experience local life which is pretty awesome I must say. I really liked New York. It's a place that I can see myself coming back to one day, maybe even living.
Well that's it for America. Hard to believe I've been here for three months now!!! Quite simply put, it really has been amazing! I didn't think that I would end up loving The States this much and find myself not wanting to leave!!! The people I've met and the places I've been were all so different and have taught me so much!!! From the mountains in North Carolina, to the beaches in Florida, to the Captial in Washington, to the Ghetto in Atlantic City, to the history in Boston, and lastly to the Megacity in New York, they've all given me so many fond memories and experiences which I'll never forget! Goodbye America!!! <3
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Jo-anne Fantastic blog, lot of memories and experiences. The end of another chapter. Enjoy Europe