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Published: September 9th 2008
Yankee Security
Love this shot, guard looking over the outfield. Bronx, NYC. Well I had huge hopes for this place, and I am thrilled to report it is certainly Fun to be a part of it!
In homage to one of the best shows on earth this entry shall be dedicated as promised to the gods down at HBO.
As we stepped off the plane, greeted by the first light of that particular New York day:
I couldn't help but wonder.....
"Will New York really be that great?"
We received some excellent advice from our first Noo Yoiker accent. We didn't have a clue how to get to our digs, so approached a guy at the airport information station. Do not ask me why but I remember him, in my minds-eye, as being dressed in a broadway-fabulous outfit of bold stripes down to his waistcoat/vest, and I think said minds-eye has embelleshed this by giving him a show biz straw hat. I distinctly remember him making Thom swear to him that we would not "Step awoff the subway at Jamaica", as we would be "Lambs to the slaughter", and with this we proceeded to make our way into the bowels of Queens to our accomodation based in Flushing's YMCA. My next New
Times Square
Midtown, Manhattan. Yorkesque recollection is watching in shear amazement as the hispanic receptionist at the YMCA dealt with juveniles in both English and Spanish, answered and juggled several calls - which seemed to include one to her boyfriend whom she was definatley not pleased with - AND buzzed the correct people in and out of 2 different entrances. She managed to welcome us to the centre and explained all the rules with breakfast and such like whilst doing all of this. A sublime New York welcome! She was like Janine from Ghostbusters only she had lucious black curly hair.
After overcoming the juvey/street vibe of the YMCA, we maintained focus through our Rose tinted glasses as we successfully jostled through an aggressive Late-night Launderette experience and gradually got used to being in the cold.
As I awoke the next day, I couldn't help but wonder....
"Is there any chance that all those New York food big-ups in pop culture today are accurate?"
As I mused over this on our way into the City for the very first time I was thrilled to climb up the Subway steps of 59th Street, Colombus Circle and have my first city-crane-neck twag with the Golden
Trump Tower. After walking down the street not looking at all where I was headed I then noticed Central Park was on my left side and just in front of that was an Italian themed Coffee Stand. It was time to test Pop Culture. I bound towards this stand and possessed the essence of Miranda as I ordered my Soy Mocha regular with a Cannoli as fast as I could - just to blend in to the pace of the city. I'm pleased to report this was another charming New York encounter, I received my coffee in record time, delighted at earwigging into 2 Wall Street types complaining about work as their shaking hands hung into the stand ready to recieve some pre-ordered espresso's as I waited, and was told "You av a great day Sweetcheeks!". What happened next is nothing short of a Mills and Boon extravagansa............
..... That Cannoli rocked my world. Thom agreed with me but he was only given some cannoli crumbs to sample.
Cannoli's became part of a daily mission for Thom and I (Just like the iced coffees in the Outback). We now find ourselves confirming with each other which cannoli experience is nearest
to the story the other is recounting, before the storyteller is allowed to proceed. I have also started a list of cannoli preparation tool's - of which, some may appear on this year's Christmas List if my search is in vain.
I couldn't help but wonder......
"How will we ever be able to fit all this culture into 10 days?"
Answer to this question was simply that we could not! We did however take in the spectacular art at the Museum of Modern Art (along with a billion other's might I add) on their Free Entry Friday evenings. Apart from the tourists queuing up to have their picture taken next to the traditionally famous pieces it was brilliant to see textures and the real size of it all with naked eyes. Why on earth would you get a picture taken next to art? I really don't get it - yes, I'm sure you may be thrilled that you are in the flesh next to something that is famous but what can result of it? Another crumby print - with you in the way of the art itself! It truely baffles me. And to go with this were some turbo-art
Trump Tower & Central Park
First day out and we end up in a chilly but sunny Park. This is also the first day of Cannoli. Yum!
Central Park, Manhattan. absorbers, who literally marched through all the museums and galleries we saw taking pictures with their mobile phones and not even looking at anything for more than a couple of seconds. Why leave the house? You'd get more fulfillment from going online to see it all! I really liked the Boccioni Collection - something I hadn't seen before. The famous ones like Picasso, Klimt, Van Gogh, Cezanne and so on were all very interesting to take in. Sadly we didn't think too much to the photography section I think it was mostly closed off for cleaning or something - a wonderful excuse for another visit.
The Met was brilliant - so much to review and comment on but I won't bore you all. One little gem that put a smile on my face was all of the immense vases filled with flowers they have there in the reception, did you know, there is one woman in the city of New York who has taken it upon herself to cover the costs of these floral displays. What a lovely idea for a donation. I had an image of a Bunny-esque New York Socialite commanding that her assistant ensure that "Those good
Penthouses & Park
It would be awesome to have one of these old style Penthouses over looking all the tourists and locals that use this huge space everyday. Ive seen photos looking down on the park, so weird in the built up area that is NYC. Central Park, Manhattan. folks down at the Met need never worry about the lack of blooms in their Grand Entrance".
We visited all of the main sites like the Statue of Liberty - in the freezing cold wind, Brooklyn Bridge in some very atmospheric fog. We walked the length and breadth of the place and still didn't get to see it all.
We will most definatley have to visit the place again.
As this is the final entry to this adventure, we'd like to apologise for it's lateness in getting it on here. We are clearly both victims of being sucked straight back into UK society. We are both living in Geordieland, Laura is set to get on a Photography course in September and we are both working. We have a lovely place to live in Jesmond and are already getting all set for the harsh UK winter, we will be in touch to meet up with you all and have you visit us.
We hope you enjoyed our blog, and sharing our adventure. This is by no means the last time we will be out on the road, so we will be in touch again with the next chapter of
"Under the Bridge, Midtown"
Small Red Hot Chilli Peppers joke. Anyway, there are many individual bridges throughout the Park, allowing walkers and carriages to navigate around. 3 days later there was a TV news report on 'Love', and they had filmed us walking arm-in-arm under the bridge. True Story. Central Park, Manhattan. travelling, when jet-set next time.
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Vanessa
non-member comment
I don't think I coud possibly love New York any more than I do. What an amazing city. I LOVED LOVED LOVED it there. Next time you go back you have to go at Christmas time. It's the most amazing feeling. xxx