New York City!
A real change from what I usually dish up to you. This is all about my first real big thing that I've done since I retired a few months ago. I was always planning to travel overseas this year, but as one son and his wife and the two grandsons moved over to NYC a few weeks ago, I decided to bring my trip forward and wander over there to see what the the big deal is about The Big Apple.
I must have been in a daze the day I booked my flight to New York. A few options had me changing flights twice, with long layovers. In the end I just opted for a flight that flew via Singapore, 2 hour layover then a hellish 17+ hours to New York. It took me just as long as most other options presented to me, but that long flight was a killer.
What was I thinking!!!!!!!
After about 7 or so hours to Singapore, then a layover I boarded for the next flight to New York. I have done the long haul flight from London to Melbourne a few times, even Vancouver to Melbourne a couple, but this one just seemed to take FOREVER !!
A few times I nodded off and was thinking that when I woke the in flight map would show that we were only a few hours out, or about to land. As If !!
A couple of times I woke up and checked the map only to see that we still had 11 hours to go, then 9. We were only half way! I'm sure that the more I watched the flight map, the slower we went and the longer the trip was becoming. And to make matters worse I was seated in between two other passengers, so I had to lan my toilet visits around when they were going too, as it was too hard to climb over them due to how they had set themselves up. Still, a very pedantic thing to worry about, as I am just so fortunate to be able to do these things.
So I land in New York at Newark Airport, and now I have to find out how to get to my digs in Manhattan. I had absolutely no idea which train line to take, what sort of ticket I needed or where to buy one, but I found an incredibly helpful attendant on the platform who did everything but hold my hand as he organised me with everything.
"Just keep this ticket in your pocket and wait for the next train in 30mins on Platform A"
There was no way I was going to forget that, and I must have chanted it over in my head a thousand times!
Imagine my surprise when another person came up and asked me a question about the train system. As if I knew anything!
My first view of the NYC skyline from Newark.. If you zoom in you'll see the Empire State Building
After getting off the train in Manhattan, the next challenge was getting out of the station. I had absolutely no idea which exit was best for me so I just took a guess and went the way in which most people were walking. After a few missed turns and walking the wrong way for 10 mins I was soon at my digs, dropped off my bags early and started to find my way to see our son, his wife and the two grandsons.
This was a pretty straightforward trip along 8th Avenue for about 20 mins, then a slight turn at a roundabout and I was there. For the entire walk I was fascinated by the sights, sounds and smells of NYC. I haven't been here before, so to see some buildings that I had only seen on tv or read about was just a treat. Picture one of those rubberneck tourists standing on the corner and just looking around and turning circles, that was me!
Some things I learned quickly.
- Crossing at traffic lights. The lights are just a guide. If no cars are coming and it is red, you just go!
- Escalators. Stick to the right, and leave the left hand side clear for those in a hurry.
- There are just as many of those New York City souvenir shops as there are people in New York. They are everywhere. In one block I saw two side by side and another directly across the street.
- Everyone rides their horn in their cars on the street. No matter if the traffice is blocked and not moving, they'll still honk at the person in front to move, even if they are blocked. The tooting is constant!
- No-one will starve in NYC. If the shop isn't a souvenir shop, it sells food of some sort. If you can't find a slice of pizza here you have not looked at all!
- You are never far away from a policeman/woman. They are everywhere
Not the biggest of police cars, but I'm sure it gets the job done!
- If you can't handle the smell of marijuana, stay indoors. It is everywhere, probably the most common smell that I have encountered. Not only are there shops that sell it legally, it is openly for sale from sellers on the street. I was at the playground with the kids and even there it was rife. I'm hoping it wasn't the kids using!!
I could go on and on about the multitude of other things that I have noticed, but where would I stop.
A quick digression here Readers.
I'm currently at the airport waiting to board a flight, and the lady beside me has a little dog in a small case. It is obviously going on the plane!
The way that she is pampering it, talking to it etc is driving me nuts. Think of those over the top types who speak to their pooches in baby babble, and she is this plus more. Now the little rat is yapping and snapping at her. Heaven help me if we are placed beside each other on the plane as one of them might not make it off safely!!
And just now a second dog has appeared, a border collie. Be interesting to know where they will be sitting.
The next few days Readers have been just a blur of rushing around this amazing city.
As I was just looking through my photos, although I see quite a few that were taken at various landmarks and tourist attractions, the majority are photos of being with the family. I feel that these attractions will always be there should I want to look at a photo of them, but the memories created can never be created again. Random shots taken in the street, at the playground or in the apartment will bring back memories of the stories behind those shots, whereas shots taken of the Empire State Building or Times Square are just a reminder that I have been there. I know for sure which photos I will keep gong back to look at.
I hope this clip from Times Square opens!!
Times Square is just always buzzing.
The obligatory shot of the old girl.
The 9/11 Memorial. Seeing the names made it really hit home.
My daily highlight was the time spent with the Grandsons.
Who wouldn't want to live across the road from Central Park, we just had so much to do there.
And some obligatory shots of some attractions...
From the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
Ditto
Grand Central Station
Looking towards Central Park and where the family is staying.
Great tour done here.
Brooklyn Bridge
Not the Brooklyn Bridge, but a great shot.
My last night in NYC
Well Readers,
A fantastic week in NYC highlighted each day by the time I was able to spend with my family. While seeing NYC for he first time has been great, seeing them was my main reason for being here, and it gave each day a real focus.
As I sit here at the airport contemplating the next part of my trip which I will be doing on my own, it is starting to feel so different as this will be the first time that I have undertaken such a trip since losing Jen. There will be no-one to do the "Ooohs and Aahs" with, no-one to express reactions to when being amazed by something experienced, and no-one to make sure the bookings and organising is done properly!!!
This is my new reality, and it's just something that I will learn to cope with, I'm sure I won't get lost or deported!!!
Stay tuned for he next destination Readers, not sure when I will make the time to sit down and write as I'm just too stuffed each night and bomb out at my digs. Lots of train time in the next few legs, hopefully I'll use that time wisely.
And my apologies for not checking for typos!!
Until my next post ,
Cheers😁
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