Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Ashley's American Adventures
New York:
My plane got delayed again an hour, so I arrived in New York City about midnight on the Thursday (after getting the air train, plus another train).
So when I arrived - I went onto the streets of New York and just stood in amazement at the place. I was blown away!
My plan had been to sleep in the airport that night then get a place to stay the next day (as I had only been able to book a hostel from the 3rd to the 9th and had 2/3 nights with no where to stay), however the airport was closed so there was no where to sleep.
So, I wondered round the streets for rather a long time. I walked from 34th Street Penn Station, all the way up to 128th Street (where I saw a racoon climbing up to tree). Along the way I was walking up past central park, and I was so incredibly tired, so I took a nap on a bench for 30 minutes. It was like I was a homeless person hahaha. So anyway, I went to the hostel which I had booked at from the 3rd and asked if they had any room. They were able to give me a place to stay that night, but gave me another hostel on the next block to stay at for the next two nights ('jazz in the villa'). This hostel was brilliant - just like a hotel, and it was only about $20 a night.
So the first day (Friday), I walked around Harlem, which was the place I was staying in. There was such a great atmosphere - a really close community feel. Churches were found everywhere, and it is meant to be the jazz centre of New York. I had been told that Harlem was a bad place to stay, but I have never felt safer anywhere else than here. I was like the only white person there, and it just reminded me of 'Sister Act' the movie. Groups of people on the streets listening to their stereos, perhaps with a BBQ. But not once did I feel intimidated by anyone - even though there were a lot of homeless people.
I had to remember to contact the hostel I had booked at - as if you don't, then they would sell your room on to someone else.
I walked through Central Park, and down to the Metropolitan Museum - which is this amazingly vast museum with collections of everything from around the world, from Egyptian tombs, to photography from 20th Century. Usually you have to pay to enter, but it was free as it was a Friday, and people can enter museums and galleries for no cost on Fridays (or at least the first Friday in each month).
I felt like I fit really well into New York straight away. I found it to be more laid back than I expected - people going about their own business as they please. People are so much more approachable here than other places in the UK. You could be sitting next to someone and they would just start speaking to you, or you could be looking at a map and someone would come over and help you. It is such a great place to be in.
On the streets - it is just full of culture. Artists, musicians, dancers, foods stands, etc, etc. Everywhere you turn there is something new. Something for everyone.
I visited the Trump Towers where there are some shops inside.
I felt like I knew my way around here, even people would stop and ask me for directions - and I could point them in the correct direction. It almost felt like I was at home - that I had been to Miami on a holiday and come home. I would love to live in New York.
Afterwards, I visited to Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The lines were so long to get in because it was free to get in, but it only took about 30 minutes to enter. It is such an amazing place - so many pieces of artwork which I have always wanted to see were displayed there. There was simply too much to take in.
Walked past the Empire State Building, down to the Flat Iron building, up Broadway, and through Times Square.
The Central Park Film Festival 2006 was on at 8pm. I went to see the showing of 'Stuart Little', as it was free, but outside, and it was raining, so I just went back to my hostel.
Saturday 2nd September:
Walked through Central Park and down to the American Museum of Natural History, it cost about $30 so I didn't enter. Looked round some shops and went to test out the American food at Wendy's. Later on I wondered round the Broadway theatres, and managed to get a ticket to see Rent. It cost $50, but he upgraded me for $5 extra to the front row centre on the balcony (these tickets are meant to be at least $120, but as I went 15 minutes before it started at 2pm - I got them much cheaper).
'Rent' was too good for words to describe. It gave me constant chills as the music and the singing was just so incredibly powerful. It even made me cry a few times as it was such a moving storyline.
Later on I went to Starbucks, which are located on practically every block, and I got very addicted to it. Visited Macy's store and some other shops. I tried the subway for the first time, but my ticket wouldn't work - so I walked home. It took about 1.5 hours - in the rain! I got drenched.
I kept getting double takes in New York - people would stare at me and look at me again, and I would hear people saying 'ask for his autograph'. I wonder who they thought I was.
When I finally got back to the hostel - my rooms had been mixed up, but I eventually got that sorted out too.
Sunday 3rd September:
I visited a gospel church in Harlem. It was so good. This one guy came over to where I was sitting in the service, and shook my hand and said 'welcome'. And indeed I did feel welcomed. Different people stand up and offer their thoughts and prayers, and give thanks. As people were saying their prayers - others would shout things out which was just great. The music reminded me of 'Ray' - everyone was like one big choir. Unfortunately, there wasn't a gospel choir there until later that day, as the service lasts all day. I stayed for about an hour, and when I was leaving they asked me to stay for lunch and the other services.
Managed to get a railcard sorted for the subway - it only cost $24 for a 7 day unlimited pass. So it is so much quicker and easier to get around. Again, I went around the Broadway theatres, and bought a ticket for Beauty and the Beast (cost $40).
Walking around you can find all sorts of festivals going on. I found a Brazilian festival happening, with a concert, and street markets. It is just fantastic walking around New York City, the beautiful smell of foods, the heat coming from food stands - nuts, pretzels, etc.
In Times Square the 'Naked Cowgirl' was there so I managed to get a photo taken with her. Then I took the subway downtown to the City Hall. I visited the African Burial Ground, St Paul's Church (which has all the remembrances for 9/11), World Trade Centre Site (a real sombre feeling, there are 2010 plans for memorials), Battery Park City Esplanade (by the Hudson River, and in the distance you could see the statue of liberty, and Ellis island), into the Financial District, Trinity Church, down Wall Street (saw the Stock Exchange), overlooked Brooklyn Bridge, went to the piers which had massive traditional ships docked there, through more markets, and took the subway up to Times Square, down to the United Nations Buildings, more markets (atmosphere was electric - music, food, dance, clothes, smoothies), saw some theatre stars signing autographs so I took some photos of them - even though I don't know who they are, and finally I went to see the second Broadway show. Beauty and the Beast was such a magical performance - it was so much like the Disney movie - the characters were the same, the costumes were great, and the set was amazing too.
Monday 4th September:
Got on a random subway and got off at the Yankee Stadium. There wasn't a game until the 12th September so I couldn't see a real American game unfortunately. Again I went downtown to the promenade, and bought a ticket for the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island boat ($11.50). The lines took about an hour but there were plenty of things around to keep my mind occupied, like music, break-dancers, artists, stalls. The security to get onto the boat was higher than it was coming through the airport. I wasn't allowed up the statue that day as it was too busy, but I stayed on Liberty Island for about 20minutes, and then went to Ellis Island. I walked around the immigration building of registry, and there were so many rooms filled with people's belongings, passports, photos, people's stories, and the processes you had to go through to enter New York. I hunted for my great-grandfathers name - but needed more information in order to find the correct person.
Back on land - I walked to Southsea Port, across Brooklyn Bridge, and back over Manhattan Bridge (which took about an hour in total for both). Through China Town towards Broadway again. Then I just did what I love - sit down with a coffee and cake and people watch. All the lights, sounds, and smells and just so inspirational.
The Virgin Megastore is a great place to spend time - you can just go and listen to music all night. So I used to go and listen to the music people played to me at camp - ahhh the memories!
Back in Harlem, there were these old ladies who called me over and said 'he's a cutie', then one woman stated 'your wife just called me, and told me to tell you to get home right now'. It was so funny.
Tuesday 5th September:
Subway up to 42nd Street and Broadway, found this really cool café, got a coffee and brownie, sat in Bryant Park and took in the kinds of people who live in New York City - from retired, artists, people on their lunch breaks, homeless, tourist. It is such an excellent way to relax during the day - sitting at a table in the park - surrounded by trees, plants and laid back passers by, surrounded again by traffic, noise, skyscrapers, and building work. It is an extremely inspiring place to be - giving me many ideas for photographic projects (again giving me time to think about things). It gave me a New Yorker.
There are so many delis and groceries full of all kinds of foods, and cafes. I found once computer shop which allowed free internet access for 10 minutes - so I took advantage of that every day.
New York Public Library is such a beautiful building, but unfortunately you aren't allowed to take photographs inside. Went down to the Flat Iron District. One bookstore had every book you could possible need - stacked really high - it was great. It was raining so I went inside to Grace Church. I love religious places - they offer a place to sit, and keep warm, calmness and quietness, giving time to chill out and think. There was also a children's choir practicing for a show - it felt just like 'Home Alone' the movie.
Later walked through SOHO - with all the fantastic designer shops. I found one great Chinese shop which had everything you could think of. Travelled back to 42nd Street, and the Information Centre also offers free internet - if you are prepared to queue up. Going back home to the hostel - I got on the wrong subway - so ended up in Brooklyn.
Wednesday 6th September:
As my usual daily routine - a coffee and brownie in Bryant Park. There were so many film crews about in New York, so I may feature on some documentaries, movies, and other programmes, hahaha.
I took a trip to China Town today and down Canal Street. I managed to visit a Buddhist Temple there too. Again, what an exciting place to visit. The smells from the flowers and incense, the colours, calmness, fruits - all came together for my experience of a different culture. I bought some beads from the temple too.
I was trying to find some other sights in China Town so I took out my map - and someone came over to help me with my direction. It is like being in a different country - not America. It is great that u can go from one place to the next; it is almost like a mini world of its own with so much happening in each place. Perhaps my next trip should be to China as I loved the feel of China Town so much.
So China Town, Little Italy, and Soho all visited.
Once again, I went to the Broadway theatres - and managed to get a ticket for The Phantom of the Opera ($26.25) for the 8pm show. The show was really good - but it was rather difficult to understand at certain stages. I was perhaps not as good in some parts as I kept comparing it to the movie - which was an incredible portrayal of the script. However saying that, some parts were fabulous - and really powerful too.
Thursday 7th September:
The US Open was on outside in Madison Square Park on a large screen, so I sat with a beautiful fresh smoothie and watched the game for a while. I then went up to pier 83 - as I had a free pass for a boat ride - but I had to wait 2 hours till the next ride. I was so tired so I just walked past the Sea, Air, Space Intrepid Museum, down to Battery Park City again. It would be such a great place for a child to grow up in. Everything is secure. Although New York City is a built up place (an understatement) there are always other secluded places to visit - like parks, etc. By the Hudson River, it is all being re-designed, most probably due to the Twin Tower disasters.
Back at Times Square; there was a Shakira dance competition - which was absolutely hilarious to watch.
Friday 8th September:
Just wondered around the city today. The Whitney Museum was on my plans, but I went but it was such a lovely day that I didn't enter. So instead I just went to Central Park and sunbathed for a while. Found where Barney's and the Waldorf Astoria were. Also I went to the Empire State Building in the evening - it was about $16 to enter and go up to the observatory. It had been such a nice day, but up at the top was rather misty (about 7pm). The batteries in my camera packed in when I got to the top - but luckily there was a shop. We went up to the 86th floor, but you could actually go up further to the 102nd floor. So I waited till 8pm to take some photographs as everything was lit up and New York was at its finest.
Fashion week started around this time too. So there was a massive tent set up with fashion shows going on and paparazzi outside. So that was rather exciting to watch.
Saturday 9th September:
Again, just wondered around the city. So much to see and do.
There was a parade going on, on 5th Avenue, so I watched some of that, and spent a few hours in Central Park - the most incredible park I have ever visited. Music of all kinds - live bands, dances, etc. Weddings being photographed, people being serenaded on gondolas, jazz bands.
Visited John Lennon's 'Strawberry Fields' which Yoko Ono designed. There was one guy there playing 'imagine' on the guitar. Such a peaceful place to be in.
And once again street markets took up the rest of my day.
Sunday 10th September:
Walked around much more of Central Park, the 'race for life' was on - raising money for cancer charities. Down on Broadway, the concert which I had been waiting for was on. What a way to end my stay in America. The 'Broadway on Broadway' show. This is were all performers from all of the Broadway shows come out for one day only and sing some songs from their shows. It was incredible. Just what I wanted! It ended by confetti falling from the skyscrapers and the casts singing 'New York New York'. It was just so surreal.
Later I found a Muslim festival going on down in Madison Square Park which was interesting to see too.
Coming back through Central Park around 8pm was fantastic - so many groups of people - some on drums and bongos, some with R&B music going on, Africa music, etc. Anyone can go along and join in, and people ask you to join in too. They are all there for fun, music, and socialising. It was the best feeling ever! I'm sure if you sit alone and start singing or tapping, you will soon have a group around you joining in.
I caught the train around 11:30 to the airport as my flight was 8pm on the 11th September, so it was pointless to stay in a hostel that night, so I just stayed at the airport and reflected on my time in America.
In four words, America is: incredible, culture, Starbucks, expensive.
- comments