Summer in USA – New York

Hey. As my summer in the USA continued, our family friends Frankie and his wife Sue gave us another incredible trip – Day in New York. Franks nephew Kevin took us there and was our personal NY instructor.

Day one

Our day started by driving from Avon to NJ where we took a boat to NYC. We went through a security checkup and a lot of tourists were getting on that boat with us. Our first stop was Ellis island after a few minutes of ride. We weren’t getting off at this harbor as our journey continued further and this island contains an Immigration museum. It took few minutes till everyone who was visiting Ellis island got off the boat and other tourists entered the boat deck and we went on.

We could see the Statue of Liberty in distance (took photos) and this Liberty island was our next stop. I must admit I was very seasick on the boat and I was very glad we got off on solid ground. We took a short walk trough the island and struggled our way through tourist groups. Naturally, we took pictures and since we weren’t getting on the statue (tickets were sold out a long time before our visit) we took the boat to NYC (with another additional stop at Ellis island to exchange tourists).

We went off at Battery park at New York harbor and the NYC adventure began.

Kevin showed us all of the famous NY attractions.

Of course, we saw Charging Bull, Wall Street, Trump tower, 9/11 memorial, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, went on Top of the rock building, and many more. We ate at famous places and saw everything we could only see on TV.

We meet up with one of Kevin’s friends who works in NYC and she gave us a list of what to see in New York. ( she was so nice to us and we’re Facebook friends till today)

We used all forms of transportations.

We took the NY subway to get to Brooklyn bridge. I must say the subway wasn’t as bad for me as I was expecting from the tv shows or movies I saw. Sure it smelled bad but I was expecting much worse horrors. Brooklin bridge was beautiful, but because of many people, we couldn’t take as stylish pictures as you can see on Instagram all of the time. I expect those people to get up very early to take empty Brooklyn bridge photos.

Of course we got New Yorks’s pizza at a place Kevin’s friend recommended called Joe’s pizza and went to little bakery at Soho street called Dominique Ansel Bakery.

I assume this place is quite popular as we were waiting in a queue for over 30 minutes to order food. We got cookie shots – basically cup is made out of cookies and it’s filled with milk. It looked incredible and tasted just as good. We also got Frozen S’mores which was also new to us but delicious.

We took a taxi cab to get to Soho but it would be much quicker if we would just walk there. Most of the time we were just standing still and I remember the cab being so hot and sticky – but still an experience:

Visit to Central Park was also a surprise to me.

I was shocked by the tons of people running there. I was blinded by the American stereotypes therefore seeing so many people sporting was a nice surprise for me. (even in Avon there were so many people sporting in the morning and at all ages  – you couldn’t see that in my country) I especially loved the view of Central Park from Top of the Rock.

We meet up with another Kevins friend there and took a short walk through the park:

We took an aimless wander across the city and saw many incredible things and many weirdly dressed people. Eventually, we ended up at times square, which was exactly as the movies show – full of colors and people (in funny costumes). Visited the famous Rockefeller center where we made a quick stop for drinks and continued in our tour.

The best attraction for me ever (not only just from New York but all around the world I’ve been to so far) was Top of the rock.

We got our tickets and went to the top by elevator to the 70 floors to the observation deck. (it took like 30 seconds to get to the top) We got there in evening time when the sun was setting down and it was the most incredible experience to me – seeing the sunset and the whole panorama of New York City right in front of you. Lot of tourist were there with us but I was so stunned by the view not even huge crowds could destroy it for me. We took the most incredible pictures and even bought official photos from Top of the rock’s photographer too. The view was spectacular and I would 100% recommended this trip to everyone. It was but expensive but it was worth every dollar.

By the time we got out off Top of the rock, it was late evening so we took train back home to town next to Avon and then called uber to get us directly home. The train was exactly same as we have in Slovakia, what was quite disappointing for me.

The first day in New York ended but this wasn’t our last day.

Day two

Few days later Frank and Sue took us to New York again. We arrived bit sooner so we went shopping first and then to see Broadway show called “On your feet!”

It was about the life of Gloria Estefan and it was incredible, so rhythmical, sad, and vivid at the same time. We borrowed Sues dresses, as when we were packing for America we were in no way expecting us to end up on Broadway. We were sitting right in the front -like 3rd row from the stage !!! Amazing and unforgettable experience. After the show we went to a fancy dinner. It was like living someone else life. Surreal. I could never express enough thanks to our generous hosts.

This day we got to NYC by car so altogether we took every transportation NYC offers and for me, the train journey was most acceptable. Car ones took forever and you need to have nerves made out of steel to drive there at all. Boats are a strict no for me.

Day zero

I have been to New York one time before when I was a kid –  i was 5 years old and it was 9.9.2001 – just 2 days before 11/9 so i even saw the twins before the attack . It was our family’s last day in the USA and we were just getting to the airport to fly home. As we got home and turn up the tv we could see what happened in New York.

in conclusion

For me, New York is my favourite town. My cousins didn’t like it there because of how crowded, small, and concentrated the city is but I found beauty in it.

Skyscrapers fascinates me and I find a diversity of city attractive and I would love to live there one day.

But again i was just stunned by the view of the city from Top of the rock and everything looks better from distance.
Than you for your attention
xo Natalia