DAY 1
“What makes New York New York? Money, diversity, density, creativity” - museum of the city of New York
We arrived the night before with enough time to get groceries, have dinner and set up for the next day. Our hostel (Chelsea International Hostel) is an interesting one. The dorm rooms only have two beds which was a huge bonus since this makes my sister and I basically have a private room for cheap. I would describe the place as grungy but in a way you can still feel comfortable. In a way that I even pulled out my disposable and took a few snaps before we even head into the city.
We head out towards Times Square of course. Not too far of a walk from our hostel the city
blew up around us in a hurry. Everyone knows what Times Square is about so I won’t go into much detail, but it is definitely overwhelming with ads! My sister who is a graphic design student was in her glory.
From here we went on to the Plaza Hotel on the edge of Central Park. Why the plaza hotel? My fellow gossip girl fans might know - the iconic fountain where Blair and Serena took their photo shoot with stolen designer clothes from Blair’s mothers brand. From here we went through the park to the Empire hotel - once again a gossip girl icon of a location.
We had lunch nearby at a Mexican restaurant that was probably a bit too nice for our class and then headed back into Central Park. We walked the entire length of Central Park, which is about 5km long and took us almost into the evening. The most memorable parts of the park being the strawberry fields (John Lennon memorial) and Angels Tunnel - which was absolutely panoramically stunning beyond words. There was a man singing beautifully, only for tips (he should be famous). The walls and ceilings where marvellously detailed and the arched pillars created stunning silhouettes to gaze out through to where the famous friends fountain sat.
From here, we walked onward all the way to the top of the park and went to the museum of the city of New York. This museum blew us away. We started with the 20 minute film on the history of New York, which was a stunning 3 screen summary of the bringing up of New York City to today. We then went to the exhibition on fourteen major activism pieces that took place in New York. Inspired and shaken we walked the whole way through including watching an un-narrated film on the exhibit without speaking. We then walked through a stunning local photography exhibit and finished through an exhibit on the masses. The masses of New York - the data collection of New York citizens. Incredibly interesting, a little bit of paranoia and artfully represented. We even got to take a quiz that designed a button of who we are which was amazingly fun and irresistible (pictured).
18km of walking later we took the train back, had dinner and it was already time to settle down. First day of New York City was highly successful and looking forward for the rest of the week. I can’t believe how much there is to see all so close together.
DAY 2
A train down to Battery Park was where our day started. A misty Starbucks visit as we waited until the 11 o’clock free walking tours began. We spent 2.5 hours learning about the city. Starting with the natives of New York and slowly learning the story of New York City as we walked a loop around the area - ending at the 9/11 memorial. Some highlights included seeing visual representations of the growth of the land space out into the ocean throughout the years. Naturally from building New York has actual been man- expanded outward. Of course we got to learn the entire story of the Statue of Liberty, a tour of Wall Street and the finance district which was entirely fascinating. Hearing our guides personal story of living in Brooklyn while 9/11 occurred was enough to send shivers through your skull as we peered into the memorial; where the water trickles downward to a bottomless pit. Yet the seven world trade buildings appearing around it scraped the sky as they disappear into the mist and create stunning shapes.
It was a chilly, misty morning turned afternoon and we decided to train back to the hostel for lunch. From here we strolled to the flatiron building - which I was enraged to find the entire front was under construction. We still engulfed the amazing architecture that changed shape as you move around it - took semi decent pictures that proved brilliant memories and had a great time.
This took us into an easy going evening back at the hostel where they served free pizza for dinner. An enjoyable (bloated) night in was well deserved as we rest up for the next several days!
DAY 3
We started the day slowly, enjoying our daily bagel, banana and coffee from our hostel. We began out the door making it to the train and back to Central Park around eleven o’clock. We came back this time for a skate. Little did we know until we were paid and in the building that they only rent out figure skates... neither of us have been on figure skates since we were about 7 years old...
Nervously we head out to the ice having already paid and were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to pick up on. I would say that especially Emma was one of the best skaters out there. We did circles for hours, it felt so wonderful to move my body.
Unfortunately the picks got to Emma (since she is heavily conditioned to hockey skates) and she had a few fast falls. It wasn’t until after skating that we realized she had badly hurt her knee as she was limping down the streets of Manhattan. We picnicked a packed lunch in the park and head off into the city once again.
We first walked by the Trump Towers... where there was a man just out front holding a cardboard sign reading “shit hole” and selling anti-Trump merch. I took a photo with my disposable and I really hope it will turn out. From here we went to the Rockefeller centre where we went to “Top of the Rock”.
Top of the rock was a cheaper way of seeing the city from above (compared to the Empire State Building) AND you got to see the view OF the Empire State Building. The wind was strong but the view was unbelievable. They had three stories of 360 degree look out points. Thankful for the indoor areas in the middle, we went in and out getting warm and then re-emersing ourselves to 13k taxis, 237 skyscrapers and over 8 million people (statistics given by the Rockefeller centre).
Next was the public library. I thoroughly enjoyed this place. The building itself is an art piece inside and out. We viewed the photograph collection - a place where artists, researchers,
designers, etc come for inspiration. Folders amongst folders of collected photographs all organized neatly alphabetically into themes. Upstairs we viewed multiple study rooms. With high, decorated ceilings, famous paintings on the walls and stunning small details. I envy the people studying there. Imagine coming to such a beautiful environment to study - I would get so much done (seriously I strive on my surroundings).
We were going to walk home from here but were worried about Emma’s knee so trained back. We were back earlier than usual but took this as a good thing to rest and ice Emma’s knee. A yummy veggie dinner in and a FaceTime with mom finished our day 3.
DAY 4
Today we finally go to Brooklyn. We trained to lower Manhattan where we could start with the walk over Brooklyn bridge. The bridge is long and the arches are tall up close, as you can imagine. The wind through the middle section however was hellishly freezing. Braving the wind we took some of our best pictures of the trip and continued over the long arching walkway.
Making it to Brooklyn we walked the Brooklyn heights promenade, with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and a panoramic through Brooklyn bridge. We walked through Brooklyn bridge park and then stopped for lunch at the Time out market. The cutest market with endless options for delicious dinning. We did Janes famous carousel which was luckily in a glass building keeping the cold out, then we walked dumbo.
I was really looking forward to dumbo as it has more of a rustic feel. We walked circles and viewed the old abandoned train tracks, street art and many cobblestoned roads. Of course we found the famous road with the picturesque view of the Manhattan bridge and managed a stunning photo-opp.
Back to Manhattan we had a few hours to rest before our dinner and drag show we had booked for 7. Lips is a dinner and show place where you are served by drag queens who then perform a show. Lit up with purple and red lighting, maybe 20 disco balls and frilly decor, It was brilliant. this was my first live drag performance I had been to and I had a grand time. We were laughing and dancing and felt like we were a part of the show. Honourable mention being before we were even served Emma got motor-boated by our waitress.
Today I told my sister “remember a few days ago when we took the demographic test at the museum of NY and I said ~ no I don’t live in New York City and I would not move here~ ? Well I would change that now to YES I would move here”.
Day 5
We slept in a little bit later this morning due to a later night last night. Today we were finally touring Chelsea - the region our hostel was located. Of course we started with the Chelsea market. The market was filled with beautiful local art and businesses where you want to buy something from everyone but don’t necessarily need anything that they are selling.
From here we walked the high line. The high line is an abandoned railroad that instead of tearing down they made into a walkable art piece. It was wonderful other than it became quite cold. But that’s just part of travelling in February I guess! The high line ends at the vessel which I don’t know much about other than it is mesmerizing to look at. It does not move however at every angle it looks different. A masterpiece of art and architecture.
We arrived back to the hostel for a late lunch - I made a Starbucks run and we made some vegan sandwiches. We took the rest of today to rest up a little bit. As we have had all full days so far and Emma’s knee was quite sore.
Day 6
The alarm didn’t go off this morning, so when I rolled out of bed proudly thinking I woke up naturally before 8, I was startled to see we had missed the complimentary breakfast today.
Un-phased we began a walk towards Washington Square Park, first stop the “Friends” apartment. Yes, we visited an apartment building that looks like every other apartment in New York just because it IS the friends apartment. As we were taking pictures a woman even exited her car, looked at the building and said “so this is where they lived? That’s it?”. We had a laugh.
Washington square park might have been one of my favourite stops. We sat in the empty fountain enjoying the sunshine and watching the skate-boarders practice going around in the middle. It was both relaxing and amusement.
We then noticed a strange man covered in pigeons. Calling them, talking to them, holding the pigeons. We watched for a minute then decided to approach. The man continued petting, kissing and feeding the birds. At one point they flew off and sat on top of the Washington arch. He whistled and yelled at them “get down here!”. Then he jumped, he sprung forward and pointed to the sky, “THE HAWK” he yelled, “they always see him before me”. Before we moved on he introduced himself as Larry the bird man. Turns out he is fairly well known, and I would highly recommend searching for him on any media platform.
We took pictures with the famous arch and then went a few streets over for some vegan pizza. We ate at double zero and it was absolutely delicious. Our appetizer was a bowl of olives ... a dream come true for my sister and I (not to mention one of the best glasses of wine I’ve ever had).
From here we did some thrift shopping. There are the neatest thrift shops in east village but most of them are out of our price range. We had a great time browsing and I did go home with one beautiful top.
We finished our day back at Washington square since we loved it so much.
There were so many skaters at Washington park and this second time we walking through the one guy said to his buddy “I thought u were gonna do a trick for the girl in the beige trench coat”. I looked at them raising my eyebrows, since they were exactly describing me. He then went around us and did a jump onto a step and then another trick (I don’t know skate lingo). He turned back and blew a kiss, flattered I smiled and gave a thumbs up to them both. Another who saw the whole thing happen started singing “he was a skater boy she said see ya later boy” - it couldn’t have been more perfect.
Day 7
Today is finally MET day. As a fashion (and gossip girl) fanatic, I was very excited for this visit. I had felt like I had waited years for this moment. We trained to mid Central Park and crossed over to the east side. We crossed the corner and those famous steps came into view. The building is stunning in person. White arches and details all very pleasing to the eye. The building stood out, and many locals (or visitors) were enjoying the sun on the steps. I had my red tights on and had my Blair Waldorf moment - sixteen years old me was screaming.
We went inside to discover an evenly beautiful interior, after finding the washroom and the closest cafe in the museum we spent hours visiting as many exhibits as we could (keeping in mind emma had a bum knee still). Firstly I had to rush to the fashion exhibit as this was what I was most excited for. Beautiful garments and gowns straight from the runway or with real life stories to tell. Shivers from a dress by Alexander McQueen in tribute to his friend who committed suicide, a Paris Hilton style dress with images on Twiggy, and possibly my dream wedding dress (although it was black?) were included.
Another feature that was in my personal favourites included the statue section. I had never been to a museum with so many sculptures. The floors and the natural light pours in and a fountain trickles in the background. It felt like an 1800s fairytale. Of course we got a few photos matching the statues (even one of emma holding her sore knee just like the sculpture). The painting collection is uncanny at the MET as well. Some of my favourite Van Gogh were there, I’m always mesmerized by Monet (and there were so many) as well as artists I am less familiar with but blown away by. I could live at this museum. So much inspiration all in one place, it’s beautiful.
We viewed the mind boggling abstract exhibit and even witnessed artists in action throughout the museum. What an incredible thing to be apart of.
Once we were finished here we were quite exhausted. We were going to stop at grand central on the way back to the hostel but ended up pushing it for our last day.
Xoxo
Day 8
Our final day we decided to go back to a neat place that was a shared favourite. Washington Square Park. We couldn’t resist the easy access (about a 10 minute train ride) and easygoing vibes of the park. Artists, scholars, skaters, photographers, models, influencers, stoners all come together in harmony.
I was hoping to meet up with Larry the Bird Man again to hold a pigeon and talk a bit more. Curious man. And we saw him - with his girlfriend, a day off for the bird man with his own little bird.
We went to a Goodwill nearby and thank goodness we did as we finally found the New York thrift finds we had dreamt of. Great prices - emma got the coolest 10$ Levi’s and I got a trendy Micheal Kors top.We then had the cutest lunch at “le pain quotidien” and filled up with quinoa, greens, pea soup and avocado toast.
This time we made it to grand central before heading back - and I’m so glad we did. Believe me this place is over talked but WORTH IT. It is some how prettier in person than in the movies. The gold walls arch over the shining windows and meet in an oval, turquoise ceiling, sparkling with paintings of astrological constellations.
Day 9
4am. Time to wake up. The streets of New York are hardly dark. We wait in the subway station a little too long. We saw possibly ten rats scurrying around. We connected to the airport shuttle bus. Finally sitting in the airport the sun rose. A beautiful orange glow through neon pink clouds. It was daylight when our flight took off. I watched as Manhattan, Brooklyn, one world trade centre, the Empire State Building, and Central Park, all disappear behind us.
New York I love you.
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