Christmas Time in the Big Apple

Christmas in the Big apple is what many Brits come to NYC for, and it's not hard to see why, when it's not too cold, it's fun to see the tree, the ice rink in the middle of the city and the middle of the park, they do chestnuts like we do on Oxford street. 

The lights are amazing this time of year, shop fronts and window displays at Sak's and other 5th ave stores are fun and inspiring. But one thing that still facinates me coming from a predominately Christian country and where the story of Christmas was taught to me from as far as I can remember from school. Is that in this melting pot of a city, and indeed across the US, the sense of political correctness and also community goes beyond recognising the may other celebrations of this time of year- Kwaanza- an African celebration, Channuka- a Jewish celebration and Eid- a Muslim celebration. So here it is more appropriate to wish 'Happy Holidays' or "season's greetings'.

Top of the tree at Rockerfella Center

Although I'm Hindu, growing up in London, I still cant stop myself wishing people A Very Happy Christmas...

So to you my blog readers, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwaanza, Happy Channuka, Eid Mubarak.. or just Happy Holidays-- phew.. I'm starting to see why that's the chosen greeting!

Skating at the Rockerfella Ice rink

Hark the herald angels sing.. ooh there's my C of E primary school again..

Merry Christmas!

Hailing a New York Taxi

So..
It sounds simple doesn't it.. I'm sure it is for the less self conscious New Yorker.
But I needed to meet my beau downtown (look I'm using the lingo ;)) for dinner last night. Despite my wanting to use the Subway- I've been a public transport girl all my life. I was told that I needed to get a taxi if I was to make it on time. So I gave in.

The thing is I was a little bit worried to be standing on the sidewalk/pavement sticking my hand out as if stopping a bus, when no bus was coming...
Anyway I got my thermals on bundled up and took a deep breath as I went out to hail my first ever New York Taxi alone.
Two passed me... not one, two... yes, they had their 'I'm available ' light on, no they didn't have the side one's on saying 'off duty'.
I started to feel a like a right twat, standing there while available cabs just drove on, trying to keep my head down hoping no-one was watching.. and I couldn't understand it...
Why would they drive past a fare? Maybe because it was dark? It seemed so much easier in London..
Thankfully soon after a yellow cab stopped to drop a neighbour off, and I just ran up to take advantage of the serendipity of it all.. perhaps I am too British and polite about it all, not standing in the road enough, politely putting up my hand, only when I see a light on top??All I know is I don't wanna be doing that again soon... it was embarrassing!!

Dhol drumming with Jazz infusion plays Christmas

Outside the religious church stood this bloke

For all the fun things to do in New York for free, we found this one.
We went to a very cool Winter Festival near the Lincoln Center, near our 'hood' last week,

Streets were lined with food from local restaurants doing cheap deals, to entice people to have a taster and then go eat at the restaurant properly.

Nice Ice Sculptures- Nutcracker bloke I think?

There were Ice Sculptures courtesy of the religious folk of Lincoln Center, and saw some very fun dancing and singin around the Christmas Tree, done cheerleader style.

People of New York giving Bhangra a go.. bless em

while the band play

It was also a harvest, so we bought tins of food and we also got to see a Dhol player with a five piece brass band for free for a good long while! I know it sounds odd, but it worked. T'was fab.

World Aids Day in the Big apple

The temperature has dropped since the summer and we are having a good rainfall here December 1st, World Aids Day.

Many buildings, including the Empire State Building, the JFK Control Tower, the NASDAQ Marketsite Tower in Times Square and Brooklyn Borough Hall will be lit in red to draw awareness to AIDS prevention.  The Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum  will also be lit in red. For information, visit www.joinred.com.


 Lights on the Washington Square Park Memorial Arch will be switched off during a "Light for Rights" media event from 5:30  p.m. to 6:30  p.m to remember those who  have died of AIDS.  Fifth Ave. at Washington Square Park North.)
Such an amazing tribute by so many buildings, keeps aids in the minds of everyone, young and old, living with it, affected by it or not, it'd be good if we followed this example in London.
This day has always been important to me, as it has been a illness of our time as it were.
Finding out a good friend lives with it, has made it all the more important.
Wear your red ribbons today.

Back in the USA

Well I'm back into this land of Uncle Sam, as it is known. Back into NYC soil. The weather is MUCH cooler but the sun still shines.. I made it in time for Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is the festival where the American's celebrate the early pilgrims who settled here making it through the winter with help from the Native American Indians- taught the settlers to plant, hunt fish etc, basically survive ...perhaps they even gave them a Turkey?

Mini Big Ben- at least that's what I call it

We had to do our food shop for the Turkey, Stuffing, Veg and Cranberry - traditional Christmas dinner I hear the Brits say, but no, this is traditional for Thanksgiving here, Christmas is a free for all apparently, though some do choose Turkey again.


The vibe was really friendly in the supermarket, if not incredibly crowded and no space at all for the shopping trolleys, but that's NYC supermarkets I've learned. Everything else in America is supersized, but not NY, apartments/flats and even the supermarkets are small but they have a fantastic parade of gi-normous proportions! Balloons as big as buildings, check out the picks and enjoy. Not really sure in what they pertain in regards to Thanksgiving traditionally but it was a lot of fun.

Again not sure what sports has to do with it?

We had enough Turkey for 3 days, and we chose a small one!

These ones were created by an artist from Japan, they were weird and scary

Shrek, comin through the crowds!

Have to mention the Cranberry, because it's so different from home, we have sauce, basically come pre-made in a jar and you stick a spoon in and help yourself- like a pickle or a jam, well here they buy it in a can, when you shimmy it out- carefully you have a mound of what looks like a jelly (UK Jelly). Then you're supposed to slice it in rounds and each person takes a round for their plate. No chunks of Cranberry in there, but it does the trick. (you can appently but cans with the chunks) but the point is all the Cranberry sauce comes in a can.

Gem of New York

So.. this is my final post for this part of the blog, as I'm three months in! and it is time to head back to English shores.. and I have to say, I was just getting used to it!!
There are things about New York that are very cool, and not found anywhere else in the US, like the fact you can order delivery from ANY restaurant, including places like Cipriani's, and a slice of Pizza from Joe's!
They'll come to you rain or shine, and quite late at night.. eating like that is cheaper than eating in, and given all the heat the kitchen gives off in a small apartment, in the heatwave it's better to order in..
Or take their 'Subway' (i keep calling it the Tube) runs all night.. they have to write engineering works posters from 12am-5am... when most Londoners wouldn't expect the tube to run anyway..

During this trip I've been quite ill, and so haven't been able to enjoy as much of New York as I might have wished.. but for now my gem in New York has been Central park.. every time I step in there, I find another wonder. First time it was little turtles popping their heads out of the green alge water, the second a Hawk -no kidding just perched high up on a branch looking out, apparently Central Park is the place where you'll find the largest variety of birds in the whole of the US. Then there's just the enormity and beauty of the park, the rambles where you can quite literally get lost.
Yesterday I got caught in the rain with no umbrella, and in the humid heat the rain was welcome, I took shelter by a tree, and watched another woman do the same..
As I watched the joggers continue past I started to see steam coming off the tarmac.. I know it sounds insignificant, but it was almost mysterious, and a little bit of magic..

Now that we have an apartment and settled, I cant wait to have people visit.. I'm looking forward to returning.. and continuing this blog.. there's so much more to write about!!
Adios for now Big Apple!

thoughts on the people of NYC

Okay, so let me just start by saying that this is not an exhaustive list/post by any means.
I've been here for almost 3 months and my time here- for this part- is near an end.
But I have to say, being a tourist in New York and living here are really completely different things.

As a tourist, you mix with other tourists and rarely participate in the average New Yorker way of life, that said.
I have to say even coming from London, and having lived in California, I have found New York to be a particularly tough city.. perhaps because I'm getting used to so much here, but also the experiences I've had in a relatively short amount of time.
I am loathe to base my whole opinion of a whole city on just a few people, so am still being open.
But to give you an example...
When I arrived and taken aback with people- strangers- yelling,  (I'm sure thought they were simply 'talking with passion') on the street at each other, describing exactly why, with profanity, that they were angry with each other, I was constantly being issued a cliche line by my boyfriend and his friends 'welcome to New York' as they laughed it off.
I was adamant that not all New Yorkers, surely would be that way.
Then the guy who set up my cable/telephone and Internet, who is a born and bred New Yorker, told me himself, after we got talking.. that if I went to other parts of the US people will be much more polite, much kinder and life is that much nicer (this is my experience of California, Nantucket, Miami and Boston).. he said  "there's a reason why Frank Sinatra sings, 'If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere', it's because this city is so damn rude and people are so tough"... he wanted to move to San Diego, but his wife's family was here.
Since then I've had a very jumped up 'super' the maintenance man who manages my building, that I'd rather avoid than deal with the manners of the lazy urchin that he is, the stroppy unkind nurse who was supposed to understand people who are ill, and incredulously, the woman who pushed my back to get past me in the laundry room because I moved a second too slow for her to get the machine. (reminded me of the episode in friends- with Rachel having to get mean with that woman who was stealing her basket). Add to this extremely arsey sales people, pharmacists, waiters, etc..living here can feel like you have to have your guard up all the time.
I have met one very kind New Yorker too, who I talked with for the first time three hours non-stop, she's a fellow journalist and was introduced by another mutual friend/journalist, so perhaps this is why she seemed the exception.
I'll add more 'people' stories as we go.. 
But I'd be interested to hear other people's stories..as a local, rather than a tourist..

Boston for the 4th!

I was surprised by my lovely boyfriend with a trip to Boston, where, I am told is the best place to see the fireworks in America for Independence Day.  Its no surprise that Boston is a city steeped in Historical significance to the fight with the British for Independence and like London a river runs through it.

I loved Boston, a small walking city, that had a breeze even though it was mad hot.like  I was in for a treat this weekend to re-enactments of the 'Red coats' (the English) shooting at the out numbered looking for Freedom!

We did the 'thing' of picnic-ing all day to secure our place to see the fireworks, and I mean all day. It's like queuing for Wimbledon tickets, and instead of camping out from midnight we sat from 10am- till the fireworks began at 10.30! It being my birthday too, it was a fun day out in the sun, but not sure I'd repeat it.
After a nice tranquil beginning, the place filled up, till-honestly- not one patch of grass was left. People were stepping over people. We saw a family of 5 fill a patch the size of a large welcome mat, so we decided to schoch over on our big picnic blanket and offer them some room.

Turns out the 'Dad'- Dave worked for the FBI and gave me a badge, (that's a 'Pin' in American), for the FBI, which is a little smaller than a 10p coin, but I thought even at my age it's a pretty cool gift.



He told me they are impossible to get, which made it all the more unique! I'll admit it I was chuffed. He pointed out the irony of me being British, and my birthday is their Independence from my country and I was the butt of a lot of jokes this weekend, freedom from the British and all.
But they were all so lovely in Boston, and keep so many UK things around in their city, I cant help thinking that they love us really.
When I heard them play the opening of God Save the Queen to the incredulity of the FBI guy- Dave- and myself, I was sure they love us. Haha!

Hot, hot, hot with melting cables

Over heating on the tube/subway stations and water shortages and restrictions, are familiar in London.
Temperatures in NY today were  40degrees! (103F) - it gets hotter when you add the humidty into the mix.
It's so hot that electric cables are melting and the electric company have issued guidance on using less electricity, short showers and run the dishwasher only at night.

But more importantly they've advised people not to go outside into these temperatures unless you really need to - a 'Heat advisory' -I've only ever heard this about cold weather! Who knew..

Footie Art

I did manage to check out some footie art here (above) at Columbus Circle, on the Sunday before I fell to the fever, check out the pictures, below is a painting of England 3 Lions, tied to the victory of 66. In the exhibtion it explained how us Brits had invented football, but find it hard to win. humm..

 

Nigeria shockingly knocked out so early and the hosts South Africa, always smiling..

Above the USA picture, presumably in choppy water and not on a pitch is symbolic?

The Netherlands and New Zealand below. Interesting &nice to see the US getting into the spirit,when I lived in California they insisted on calling it Soccer and had no idea or interest in a World Cup.

Sick as a Dog, in the height of Summer

Apologies for the lack of posting! I have been very poorly, as if it all caught up with me at once, after moving in for only 3 days, I fell to a fever.. of course being sick and confined to your bed is the same as anyone might imagine.
After 8 days of being ill though, I finally conceded to seeing a Dr.
As the US currently lack an NHS we had to find somewhere they took the uninsured, and ended up at a rather large Boots or Superdrug type place called Duane Reade, the waiting room was just a row of chairs basically in the shop, and a room for a 'nurse' and another for the Dr.
Suffice to say the waiting time and the Nurse care was very much NHS, she wasn't able to spell Beclamethazone and asked me, I wasn't really able to talk due to lack of coughing and breath. She got irritated, said nevermind.
He was as my GP was, friendly and proffessional. Prescribed me my medicine and sent me on my way.
In a matter of minutes. But then came the crushing part of having to part with $135 plus $16 per prescription!

I have a way to go before I'm really on form, but as if on purpose, I saw 'Taube' from House a few minutes later walking up the street...a actor Dr after seeing a real Dr.. this must be the perks of NY.

By the way it's blazing hot outside, and still not on form to go chill in the park..still World Cup is on..happy days..

World Cup Footie in the Apple

Despite the fact I am in the land of the people we were up against for our first group game in the world cup, I proudly bought an England shirt- (prob never would if I was in England!) and wore it to the Beer Garden in Queens where we were meeting up with a couple of friends.

It's well known the Americans are not really into football and instead call it Soccer. Football to them is that helmet donning Rugby like game that I cant really say I ever got my head around, but the atmosphere and the sheer number that came out to support thier country in this beer garden was in the hundreds!

They had flags, costumes, Uncle Sam's.. they even had a woman who had bought her face paints with her and painted the Stars and Stripes on peoples cheeks.

They also had a chant 'U-S-A! U-S-A!'
to which a couple of English supporters and I mean two, stood up to sing 'You've only got one song, you've only got one song, you've only got-one-song'
It was really funny and a great atmosphere.

Just when the game was about to start, a woman who had been chanting USA leaned over to me and said you will win, and we both just laughed! after I arrogantly said "I Know!' It was really fun and I thought it was great how two opposing teams could have a laugh and share banter, whilst watching it miles away from South Africa- the true meaning of the World Cup.
Then they went mental when they scored! Mental! Like they were so surprised- as were we! It was funny, but I'm sure the 12 of us English in the place were thinking we'd score again!
Then the mood changed, there were about 4 guys, rather big burley blokes, yelling '*uck the British!" many times, of course they weren't even playing the British, but to point this out seemed like risking my life.
These guys were very loud, a small minority but spoiled the game for me a bit none-the-less.. I saw it as pointless, racist and bordering on US hooliganism. They had a lot more people join them in shouting '*uck BP' which is equally pointless and little to do with the people of England. This is the first time in my life in the US I've ever felt anti- British sentiment, and never felt so keen to defend my country and it's people in all my life.

This guy (on the right of this picture) at the end came up to me and said 'Boo to this woman, Boo!!' right in my face.. I was a little taken back. But when I realised he was so jubilant, I had to point out (much to the chagrin of my boyfriend who wanted me to ignore him), that the USA team didn't win.. it was a Draw.. a Tie, whatever they call it here, and I wouldn't be too proud of that goal really, it was hardly the mastery of football.
Me and my big mouth, though he was drunk and an English guy was standing next to him winding him up long before I got there!
Then.. the next day, this was the headline of the New York Post?!?!

Do they know the game at all???? I think this says it all.. Come on Eng-ger-land! I'll be watching again this Friday this time, probably at home on the couch! Oh and feel free to post comments if you think I'm a chicken and should brave it out there again.. in the city that misinterprets scores...

New Yorker ways..

We finally have the keys and bought the basic furniture for our new home, and we move in officially on Friday :) happy days! We will move from the very noisy neighbourhood of the Lower East side, and up by the park in the Upper West!!
Though I will need to live without my creature comforts like a dishwasher (I guess I am spoiled) and even a washing machine in the house. I'm gonna have to go to the base of our building to get it done... feels a bit like a student. So instead of boring you with my week of waiting for furniture to arrive and buying mattresses and other such exciting events I thought I'd include some of the things I've noticed that are culturally different, sometimes traffic conscious, sometimes funny, sometimes fashion focused....

Crossing the street

London-
Wait on the pavement for the green man to show when it's time to cross.
Or leg it quickly with a decent gap in the traffic.
New York-
Walk into a road, where traffic is coming thick and fast, straight past you one option is to wait for the 'white man' signal (I've no idea what else to call it -we call it red and green man!) and cross safely.
Another is to stand in the road- literally the road- even if the flashing red hand is going-walk across anyway, and if there is a car coming then wave it away with your hand (as if this is going to stop a hunk of metal crashing into you) whilst finishing with a run- I saw someone do this- the shock stopped me from getting my camera out in time.

But it has to be said with the traffic rule of it being 'OK to turn right on a red', Car's will not always adhere to giving way to the pedestrians, so you need to kinda stand in their way- I saw a man get nudged by a van the other day..

Messages on the Tube/Subway
London-We have posters that say please mind the gap between the train and the platform or announce 'Mind the gap'
New York- Have a poster that says 'Stay stylish, stay aware.. no matter what your footwear is, step over the gap' such a fashion conscious city, not really warning you of getting mangeled between the train and the platform, but first order of the day is to 'stay stylish ;)'

Bars
London- You sit with you mates and have a few Beers enjoy the evening bantering with your group, get hammered, you go home.
New York- You might start sitting with your mates, then start chatting to the table next to you, then perhaps the whole bar (if right layout) and have a great laugh with total strangers. You'll also add a dollar to every drink you buy to 'tip' the barman to kinda do his job, but on the plus side he'll buy you drinks back if you're at the bar long enough, and that's a nice few free beers..you get hammered, you go home.

I'm sure I'll be adding to this! more pictures to follow..

A little get away to Nantucket and the beer drinking Squirrel

To ease our transition and to get more acclimatised, the boyfriend suggested we take a long weekend down to Nantucket. Amazing dosen't even begin to describe it.

It's tranquil, idyllic and peaceful. People are friendly and the isle being only 14miles wide make it small enough to while away the time just looking onto the horizon.

In case you had more in mind to get you going you have that option too, hire mopeds or a Jeep as we did and drive up along the sand road in a 4 wheel drive, the mopeds took us up to trails, and the Jeep took us into the beach, where Seals were swimming just meters from us just as curious about us as we were about them, and then more amazing scencs of wildlife surrounds you birds nesting and Hare's running around, horse shoe crabs and snapper head turtles.


Course we were there when FIGAWE was happening, a boat race for 200 miles from Hyannis - a nearby port to Nantucket and back, the race is over three days so particpants arrive into Nantucket Saturday night get truly bevvied up.. well plastered is more like it, to return on the Monday, and the tranquil island turns into party island, people are in great spirits and really friendly, we were at a bar downing a few beers and fried jalapeno rings- who knew you could fry the little rings into batter- when a nice lively group came in and were encouraged by our bar maid to do a dance of the 'squirrel', he said he'd do it when he was more drunk, but she persuaded him by changing the music and a tad jeering from his mates, and well pretty much the whole bar.. then course, he showed everyone his squirrel- that'd be yes, the squirrel in his pants! Thank heaven the bar was quite high up where we were sitting, so I got away with no visuals, though it put me off those Jalapenos!

Week Two - The house search

So I met our Estate agent this week- otherwise known as our Broker in these here parts.
Lovey spry blonde woman, my first native that I've had contact with.. in the first ten minutes I learn that she also is looking to move into Manhattan - upper west side infact- which is where we were looking, and she needed a three bedroom, this was because she was divorcing her husband and taking her two daughters with her.
She apologises for getting personal, then proceeds to tell me that she's met someone else who also happens to live on the upper west side and that she isn't quite divorced yet, and 'Oh that probably seems really bad to you' then continues with what a great time she had with her husband, but they argue too much and besides this new guy is so connected to her, oh and they're celebrating their one year anniversary this weekend, going to a spa, her husband can look after the girls...She tells me she wont be available at the weekend due to her trip...but later changes that to my boyfriend to say she has another client...
I still have my English politeness on, the way you are when you first meet someone you hardly know- smiles and nods and the idea that people here are not at all worried to share their personal lives, even on a mobile (cell phone) conversation in the middle of the street.
She puts me through my paces. She is 10 years my senior and she can walk up those brown stones as if it were a breeze, I am puffing and panting my way up the numerous staircases and catching my breath as we look into yet another flat/apartment which has little room to swing a rat, nevermind cat.

She shows me 10 more the same. I start to doubt if she knows the area at all, we double back many blocks many times.. I am exhausted and she hasn't even stopped for a drink. I need to.
So we have a short stop for a drink and she wants to do more. I have taken photo's of all these apartments but now think I am not sure where one starts and another ends.

She finally conceeds to pick this up again tomorrow and I come back to fall asleep on the temp apartment couch and totally oversleep meeting the boyfriend. With only UK mobiles/cells I begin to panic that he is waiting and it will cost me a fortune to tell him I just woke up...

Week Three the Cuban contingent

Well, for the main part of this week I have been in Miami, doing some errands for the flat there and picking up stuff, whilst also having a fellow journo stay, which was great as we talked incessantly about everything and nothing and connected.
On the way over I was accosted by this lovely 70 year old Cuban man, sat next to me on the plane because his seat was broken, who told me my country had let 'the enemy in' and that we needed to 'kill them all, before they come kill you in your sleep' he was referring to the Iranians, Pakistani's and Afghanistan people that reside in the UK- I know because he said so, very loudly, as if announcement to the entire plane. That he hates Labour because they had socialist policies and he knew all about that from the good ol Fidel Castro. Clearly he thought it was the same thing. Although not sure if Tony Blair or Gordon Brown would have been able to carry off the cap.

It was clearly pointless to argue with the old man, and surely he meant well enough- as though giving me advice to take back home next time I popped into number 10, but he was so loud about it all. I tried my hardest to be polite and British, and explain that it wasn't like that over there at all, but that religious tollerance and freedom of faith and worship was something that made us Brits very proud of our country. That perhaps he should get on a plane and visit, see it for himself... surprise, surprise he was having none of it. And then the captain told us that take off was delayed for and hour and we would be sitting on the tarmac.... a woman (lil me) was screaming in my head!
Luckily in the row in front was a 20 year old medical student from NYU who jumped into the conversation, the universe was kind because he was of Cuban origin and had just got back from living in the UK for four months and loved traveling around Europe and loved London. Phew, even though it probably hurt his neck, he twisted and talked to us both, he also said stuff in Spanish, which made the guy next to me less domineering.. still I did the polite thing and smiled even though he'd just slated my country and it's politics to the entire plane.

Back in New York mid week and again taking it easy.. the estate agent, otherwise known as 'Broker' had been replaced and we finally had an apartment, things are looking good.

Hairy adventuring in week one

Okay so hairy expedition this week, deep into the lower east side, looking for some 'drug store' or a chemist type Boot's placey for those of the English persuasion for some ibuprofen for the boyfriend who has become a bit poorly, probably from all the stress of the move and then having to hit the ground running at work.
So, I walk into the depths of this neighbourhood, where people constantly seem to be shouting at each other, but perhaps this is just the charm of New York, I find that what should be a 10 minute run as according to our guide book- provided by the corporate apartment people- turns into 45 minutes. Not only this but I walk into a grotty area, complete with brand new flip flops which start to blister my feet... then pass a gun shop. I only know that this is a gun shop because it brazenly has a three dimensional gun hanging from it's shop front!! I thought you only see this stuff in movies!!
In the window are detailed drawings of exactly where your bullet should aim for a deer for instance, there were probably other animals detailed but I rushed on by, looking for the 'Rite Aid'.
Next I come across a man with a rag strapped to his head with what look like are elastic bands yelling at a rather nicely dressed woman as 'Baby!' When she fails to turn to his attention... she quickly becomes the 'hellish *itch' and he's getting irate.
I am now praying that after walking 200yrds the wrong way or 2 blocks, that I will see this Rite Aid soon, and my feet are begining to hurt.
It occurs to me to ask someone for directions would be insane.
And I muster on following the numbers that will surely lead me to my destination, after all it's in this bloomin corporate guide!
I pass what Americans refer to as 'the projects' we'd probably call them council housing estates in the north, Burnley for example. I adopt my London of keep your head down and look like you know where you're going...my feet are really not liking these flip flops any more and the flip flops start to tear into them...
Right at the edge of turning back, I see this woman and she looks okay, glasses, back pack, and suddenly I'm surrounded by a neighbourhood that feels less busy- but a bit eerie and deserted.
I decide to ask her for directions... but before I have a chance to finish my question.. she has placed her hands in the air, and says in a accent other than American that she has never been here before.. and scurry's past me... now I'm thinking perhaps it's me who looks like the scarey one, but thank heaven I persisted because I see it!!
I buy my ibuprofen and other nic nacks- it's been a long walk!and walk home as though I've really achieved something, really accomplished something...I made it through!! But you can bet I wasn't walking the same way back!
I moved up a block to a street that looked a little more leafy, and to my surprise I was stopped by a woman asking me directions! Wow, been here two weeks and people think I look New Yorker enough to as me directions, I was flatterd, but I'd forgotten my map and of no help.
I felt very wistful for her when I passed the street she was looking for in the opposite direction to the way she was walking.

I finally made my way back up what was now newly known to me as my grotty street, to the park side to hear an exchange between two local men about holding the baby correctly, and the other responding 'you better shut yo mouth'.. at this point it was full immersion to the American or New York psyche, I have yet to find out... but I dont rember experiences quite like this in California...
For the rest of this week, I'm taking it easy....adventure and exploration can wait....

Landed

Well, this is my first blog entry, I've touched down into JFK, and pulled aside by immigration asking why I'm staying so long.. when I told them I may move here with my boyfriend permanently they told me to 'get him to give you a ring!' Bless em.
Now even immigration approve of my potential nuptuials!

So we are in our temporary flat which is nicely if not plainly furnished with a amazing view of the Empire State, the Chrysler and another tall nicely sculpted building of which I have yet to find the name of.
I soon found out that we are staying in the Lower East side, which is full of bars, restaurants and clubs, great to go out in.. not so great to sleep, when you're jet lagged and dealing with 'emotional moving syndrome' the fire trucks, the police cars and ambulances all dutifully come past with their sirens all times of the day and night which seem to be right below the window despite being on the eleventh floor.
But add to this the yellow Taxi's and even the normal cars adding their horns as if it were going out of fashion..let me know... I have arrived in New York...