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allygoeseuro-blog · 11 years ago

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New York, New York

New york, what a place. The Big Apple, where big things happen on a big scale, so naturally i like it. There is grunge factor, with a touch of business and of course some tourist action here and there. You can find dribs and drabs of all kinds of cultures, where the hole in the wall places and pop up events is what really won me over.

I arrived in the afternoon and caught the subway to the city, where lucky enough to see some awesome ‘subway preformers’ on my first journey. They carried a boom box and impressed the whole carridge with their sweet moves, definitely tip worthy. I checked into my hostel and went straight to Time Square, the heart of New York and that bucket list attraction. I was in a daze trying to decide if i was under or overwhelmed. The billboards were high and bright, sinking deep into my subconcious, working hand in hand to force me to buy something, any of the unessecary consumer goods that has made america what it is today.

Pascalle and I at Time Square

There are tourists everywhere taking far too many photos for their own good and getting their fill of this famous place. In this sense i was overewhelmed buy the sheer size of consumerism and hectic push of the city but at the same time underwhlemed because i thought it would be something more then just people trying to sell you things. Despite this Its a beautiful layout of architectural cluster, literally jamming as much as possible into your field of view in every direction and you feel a little star struck standing where so many others before. However Time Square was so overdone with tourist attractions it put a damper on the whole place for me, I went by at different timrs of day to see if my impression would change, but it didn’t, but hey this is just my opinion, dont let my view turn you off visiting! I tend to like the hidden gems of a city much more then the must go attractions anyways and now i can tick this one off my bucket list.

Time Square

After my ultra tourist encouter i decided to stroll until nightfall through the different and wonderful districts of the city. After spending a week here, this quickly became my favourite passtime and a great way to see what the city really has to offer. I didn’t make it to all the districts I would have liked but I can tell you a little about the ones i did get to see.

Garment district

I spent alot of time gawking at the amazing hand embellished fabrics and rich silks found inside one of the many specialty stores. There are boutiques and major label stores dotted around the neighbour hood which are fun to window shop. If you have any sewing to do or have been dxing to get a custom coat made then this is place to go as tailors and seamstresses are on evewry corner just waiting to measure you up.

Silk shop in the Garment District

Maddison square

I was looking for maddison square park to sit and relax after a long day site seeing. Much to my delight when i arrived there was a pop up Street food festival called Eat Your Heart Out. I have a huge soft spot for food markets and they would have to be one of my favourite things ever, from festivals to day long events to your weekly growers market, if theres food on the street that i can eat, im there.

Eat Your Heart Out - Street Food Festival

I had some sangria and a couple korean tacos which were none other than delightful. I sat under the night sky with fiary lights acting as a wonderful substitute for the lack of stars, in the middle of manhattan enjoying some fresh, local, one off goods and chatting to some new people. I had found a little slice of heaven.

Central Park

Not sure if this really relates to being a district, but its big enough to be one so I guess it counts as it's own. Central Park really is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city, with barely any straight paths its easy to loose yourself in this green place.

The famous Bow Bridge

New Yorkers visit to escape from the thrall of everyday life, here you can do plethora of activities in a natural picturesque environment. I took a tour and then jogged through the huge park, I saw Yoko Ono's house, the famous bow bridge, the duck ponds and had a simply wonderful time.

Romantic row in Central Park anyone?

The scenic tree arches casting shadows on the pedestrians below

Upper East Side

A must see for all those Gossip Girl fans out there. Walk up Fifth avenue and soak in the prestige, the fashion and the food. Who knows you might spot sipping on a skinny latte on the corner of Maddison and E 79th or maybe your just waiting for the next scandal to unfold. GG xoxo

Noho

NOrth of HOuston street, is where this district gets its name, and easy walk through when visiting the surrounds. here you will find NYU and some great venues like the Malt House, which sells some extraordinary local craft beer. I had a NY brew called Flower Power, served in a jar and rather delicious, I definitely recommend!

Ithica Beer Co. Flower Power, Delicious!

Soho

Shopping through Soho is an absolute must when visiting New York, you'll find a wide variety of trendy boutiques, large chain stores. art galleries and small restaurants. Even if you don't have the budget to buy anything its worth wandering through.

Cast Iron District

This is arguably also in the Soho district, but I thought it was a little section of its own. The name comes from the cast iron architectural elements which embody most of the structures found in the district.

Here you can see some of the gritty structures in the Cast Iron District

Meat Packing District

I went here to hit up the night life, and it was none other than incredible! There are many great clubs in the Meat Packing District and my friends and I chose to go to Le Souk Harem which is a Middle Eastern style club with an amazing intimate interior, sheisha/hookah bar and VIP tables with Grey Goose Vodka. We had just been to a Yankees game so were dressed quite casually, but made an agreement that if we went VIP we would be allowed in. We proceeded to have an incredible night, where everything is a little bit of a blur, but a great blur at that!

Friends at the Yankees Game

Hell's Kitchen

A magnicificent array of restaurants line the main street of Hell's Kitchen, where you can find a variety of different cultural specialties at a range of prices. On Saturdays they have flea markets in the centre of the district where you can find a few vintage goodies, but usually just old random things that people don't want anymore, but who knows what you might stumble upon.

Flea Markets in Hell's Kitchen

Ground Zero

You get a high impact of emotion when visiting this national memorial. The footprints of the two towers are so effective in their design, making you really reflect on the world that we live in and all the lives lost on that tragic day.

Not a great photo, but you get the jist

HIGHLIGHTS

The People I Met

Nothing is better than forming a new group of friends when traveling in a foreign city, and I was lucky enough to find quite a great group of people. Pascalle (Boscola hehe) from Amsterdam, was staying in the bed above me and we instantly became friends when deciding we were going to go clubbing on Saturday night. This is where we met Nico and Zac, twins from Sydney who have more stories than you can remember, which mostly involve being being drunk and doing stupid things, making them hilarious company. Then there was Jason, a Canadian from Calgary who has a passion for karate, solving problems and working on his party tricks. We spent the rest of our time together hanging out, seeing sights, being drunk and then being hungover.

Nico, Pascalle, Zac and Myself on the top of the Rockerfeller Centre

We had an awesome day at MoMA, followed by a a rainy trek to the Yankees game, which is a pretty fuzzy but great memory in my mind, due to our vodka orange juice cocktails and some other homemade vodka drink that sent everyone a little over the edge.

Friends at the Museum of Modern Art

Poured rain on our way to the Yankees, we improvised

This photo should give you an idea of our progression of state at the Yankees game

The night didn't end here as we made our way to Le Souk Harem in the Meat Packing District where a Sheesha, bottle of Grey Goose and a VIP table made for one hell of a night! Thank you guys for the best time, you made New York extra special!

Having the best night at Le Souk Harem Night Club

Katz's Deli

Food is one of my greater pleasures in life so coming to New York I had to try some legendary Pastrami that I've heard so much about.

The line out the door at Katz's Deli, it's worth the wait!

I decided to go to the Famous Katz's Deli which I had seen on 'Adam Richmond's Best Sandwich in America' and 'Anthony Bourdian: No Reservations', these are two of my favourite food travel shows, so I was sold on trying Katz's.

Upon arrival there was a line out the door and around the building, the line moves quickly though and you receive a pink ticket which you take to the counter and proceed to order what you want. There is a hustle and bustle of people with live music and smiling faces everywhere, the walls are covered in pictures of the famous faces that have dined at Katz's like Barbara Streisand, Bruce Willis and USA Vice President Al Gore. I ordered the classic Pastrami on Rye with a side of pickles. I couldn't believe the size and amount of moist delectable meat piled high!

Oh My God. Sandwich.

Is your mouth watering yet?

After my first bite, I was in sandwich heaven, the layers and complexity of flavours in the meat are just insane! So good that it only needs mustard to make it complete, and a bite of pickle every now and then to compliment the whole thing. I could only eat half and took the sandwich to go so I could enjoy it for another 2 meals and enjoy it I did. All in all Katz's did more than deliver the best sandwich I have ever eaten, but gave me an entire experience I wont forget!

Inside the Deli

Rockerfeller Centre

For the best skyline views of Manhattan this is the destination you want to visit. Don't bother with the Empire State building as its even more full of tourists and you cant see Central Park, so skip that and go here. Breath taking 360 degree panoramic views of the city that cant be matched.

View of Central Park

Top of the Rockerfeller Centre

All in all, New York as an absolute blast! There are a couple of places I didn't get to see like Brooklyn, Little Italy and the Art Gallery Districts, but this gives me all the reason to go back! New York, I will see you again I can promise you that!

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