Verrrry early Sunday morning (4am to be precise) I woke up to leave little Jenkintown for the big city - New York, baby! I walked to the train station, train to Philly, bus to New York and arrived at 8.40am (not bad considering the bus left Philly at 7am). I was so excited seeing glimpses of the city as we drove in. I took my first subway ride to the Museum of Natural History - with a little help from my first New Yorker! The subway had construction going on so she helped me out with with new directions and we chatted on the way to the museum.
The American Museum of Natural History was amazing! It had four levels and every nook and cranny had an exciting display. There were animals from Asia, Africa and North America. People of Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia and America with displays of their costumes, toys, tools, homes and more. Minerals and Gems, Human Origins, Ocean Life, Biodiversity, Earth and Space - I was so overwhelmed. I was there for 5 hours and still didn't see everything!
I made my way back to the hostel - which was surprising clean, safe and warm! I was home by 6 but that was okay because I didn't want to stay out at night until I knew my way around the city more.
The next morning I decided to explore Central Park (which I originally wanted to do on the Sunday, I just didn't realise the museum would take so long!) so after walking to the park, I got out my trusty map and got going!
My first stop was the Swedish Marionette Cottage. It was beautiful on the outside, such a sweet little cottage, but unfortunately due to the public holiday (President's Day Weekend) there was no puppet show :( Next onto Shakespeare Garden, which was actually quiet dull - just a few plants and benches and one Shakespeare quote. Up from that was the Belvedere Castle which was awesome (if you've seen Stepmom, you'll remember it from the photo shoot with Rapunzel where Julia Roberts loses the lil boy). You could see the Delacorte theatre from the castle, which is where they hold performances of Shakespeare in the summer. I was surprised how big the theatre actually was, and I just can't wait to go back and see a performance of Hamlet. The castle offered a great view of a nearby lake and part of The Great Lawn (big patch of green in CP) and nearby Upper East Side.
Those three were all within a metre of each other, so for my next stop I had to investigate a bit (no signage in Central Park, except at the actual sight). After a stroll past the MET, under a beautiful bridge and I ran into the statue of Alice in Wonderland. It was bigger then I expected and had some quotes from the book around the perimeter.
Next a hunt for the Hans Christian Anderson statue (where they do readings in the summer) but I couldn't find it :( I found the Bethedesa Fountain which was lovely but not as exciting as everything else.
I walked to Strawberry Fields, and ran into a couple from Britain. They were so lovely and recognised my accent (yay) and turned out the woman had worked on the Gold Coast and actually lived in Nerang! Wooh! I was so excited and we talked for a few minutes about our adventures in the city. Strawberry Fields wasn't as I expected. It was just a sectioned off hill and garden with the famous 'Imagination' mosaic. There were lots of English tourists paying tribute to John Lennon.
Afterwards I walked down 'Literary Walk' which is the famous path you see with all the big oak/elm/etc trees down either side, and it always looks so beautiful with the changing seasons. It wasn't as beautiful today because there was no snow, only leafless trees, but it was still good. I can't wait to go back when it is snowing and during the autumn (although these damn americans call it 'fall').
I took a ride on the Carousel, which was inside (how odd) but it played the best music with that carousel twang - wizard of oz, disney, musicals. So magical.
I got lost trying to find the Zoo (officially called 'The Central Park Wildlife Conservacy') and by the time I got there they had stopped selling tickets, but I got a sneaky glance at the seals being fed.
Before I taxied home (yay first american taxi ride!) I took a quick peak at the Balto statue, which I remember from the movie as a kid. Another amazing day - I loved Central Park and can't wait to go back! An early night for me (after a slice of the BEST pizza EVER) again.
The next morning was a meeting with a potential host family in Hastings-on-Hudson. They seemed like a great family. By the time I got back to the city it was 1pm so I just saw the rest of the museum before heading downtown to catch my bus. It was CRAZY down there! People rushing everywhere, you couldn't even stop because you would get bowled over! You almost had to put a blinker on to merge out to do anything!!
After the bus arrived (late, grrr) and I got safely home in my beddy byes (11pm) I was exhausted but satisfied - I just loved the city and had truly the most amazing time. The only thing that could have been better would be sharing it with my friends and family! Miss you all xxx
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Awwwww I wish you could have spent it with me :) It would have been a brilliant and fun time with you, ur so cute! It sounds like you had a wonderful time though. Thats a pitty about the zoo but at least you got to see a little of the seals. Wow the muesums sounds great, especially the one who were in for 5hrs. Thats a far while and you hadnt seen it all yet...it must of been huge. Hopefully the potential host family liked you :) fingers crossed. ANd oh thats really cool how you were talking to those Britsh people and she had work in QLD, freaky hey! Hopefully I can see you before I leave, that would be awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteTake Care, and I always get excited to read your blogs, they are just so much fun. I'll continue to keep in contact and read them when im in Australia ok :)
Lots of Love, and I'm glad i met you :) ur so gorgeous
xxx sarah