Hello Hello

Central park is pretty much the best place I have ever been jogging. As I ran through the trees looking up at the skyscrapers, stopping occasionally to drink from a water fountain (very very very hot here) and listen to a busker, I thought perhaps it couldnt get more surreal. Then a christina aguilera wannabee teenage girl warbled her way badly through the 'star spangled banner' before some teenage football game began. Only in America.

We visted the 'new museum' near little italy, the latest art gallery in New York, full of bizzare films, sculptures and installations. Some ridiculous woman was writhing around on the floor slowly, not impressed but other than that it was great. Particularly enjoyed a horse stuck into the wall head first - like the opposite of a hunters trophy head, I was amused.

My previous knowledge of NYC was based on two things - 'open letter to NYC' by the Beastie Boys, and parts of 'Hip Hop' by Dead Prez (Maybe not even from NYC?!). For these reasons we spent the afternoon exploring places of little interest other than my recognition of their names - so we went past city hall, wall street, battery park, all in a long round-a-bout kind of way owing to our confusion with the NY street layout and our stupid rough guide map scalings.

We took the Staten Island commuter ferry for a free tour of the Manhattan skyline and to see the Statue of Liberty. Its well small. Not like kate-small you understand, just a lot smaller than id expected after all the films and stuff. Must have been pretty impressive for all the immigrants as the first thing they saw upon entering New York though. Staten Island ferry asks that you stay and explore the island not just go straight back to Manhattan. We tried, spent two hours riding buses to nowhere looking at nothing, and then went back to Manhattan, im not sure this is what the tourism board wanted us to do, but nevermind.

We found some tasty Falafel in the lower east side for our tea but had to admit defeat to the weather, by this point you could actually feel the layer of city grime/sweat/suncream build up and so we really needed to return for a shower. the subways here are odd - the trains are icy cold but the stations are so ridiculously hot you can barely breathe, its like having a sauna with all of your clothes, trendy money belt, walking trainers and backpack on. we look good.

Later today we are going to the Museum of Modern Art, and then heading over to Queens (where American Gangster was set) and are going to Mets v Phillies baseball game tonight. Tomorrow; San Francisco.

ttfn

Matt x