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Published: September 12th 2012
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Time Square
There were billboards, bright lights and advertising signs everywhere, it was exactly like what you would see in the movie. Saturday
My flight landed at 12:30pm at JFK airport Terminal 4, I was so tired from previous sleepless night but also was full of excitement for New York City. The queue at the custom went very quickly, I went to collect my bag and tried to find my way out of the airport. JFK airport wasn't as big as I expected, there were an Express Bus to NYC counter and a few rental car agents, accomondation reservation and a customer service desk. Having said that I flew with Virgin Atlantic, I may have landed at the budget terminal. I went to the Express Bus counter to check if they go past my hostel in Queens, unfortunately the bus doesn't go there. The guy told me it was better of for me to get a taxi which cost approximately $30, the air train and metro cost about $10. I was quite tired so I opted for the iconic yellow taxi.
As the taxi pulled out from the airport, I was quickly fall asleep. I woke up and stared at the meter, it read $29.80 so I thought we were close to my hostel. It quickly became apparent to me that
New Year's Eve Ball
A large version of the famous Waterford Crystal New Year\\\'s Eve Ball display at the Time Square Visitor\\\'s Center we were no where near my hostel. The taxi driver must have seen my face, he told me that NYC always has traffic jam. At this point ($32.00) I was comtemplating whether I should ask him to stop the taxi now and find the closest train station. I can't really affort to pay that much for a taxi ride. Finally, we arrived at the hostel and it cost me $50.50. I was pissed off with the guy that told me to take a taxi.
I checked into my hostel room, so far this is one of the best hostel room I had and one of the most expensive bed ($50 per night). It has only four beds (female) with en-suit, air conditioning and free towel yaaay. I was going to go to bed early but decided to go into Manhattan instance. Afterall I am in New York City, I can sleep later :-)
I went to the train station and bought a 7-day metro pass, it is cheaper than buy a ticket for individual trip. The ticket cost $29 and has unlimited ride for 7 days. I got out at Time Square Station, the first sign I saw was the usual souvenir shops galore, I managed not to buy any of the junk. Time Square is everything you would see on TV or movie, I was amazed by the size of the buildings, the height of the buildings and the unforgettable view of all the skyscrapers in Manhattan. This place is crazilt busy 24/7, it never sleep.
I found a cheap chain food restaurant to have dinner, I thought this wouldn't break my bank too much. After the taxi ride today, I have to be more carefully with money before it runs out :-) I ordered the typical American giant piece of pizza. It was supposed to cost me $3 but when I got to the counter I have been told that it was about $5. I was a bit disappointed but didn't react over a $5 bill. I checked the receipt later and realised that in America on top of your normal price, you have to pay tax and tips even if the food was shit you still have to pay. The waiters and waitresses get pay minimum wages and relied heavily on tips from customers.
At around 7 pm I decided to go back to the hostel, it was my first day in New York and still didn't know my way around and haven't familiar with the train system yet. I wasn't sure whether it was safe to come back to the hostel in Queens late at night. Time Square was still buzzling with tourists and locals, affterall it was a Saturday night.
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