So as I started to say in my first post, on my first day in the city I decided to go on one of those hop-on hop-off, open top tour buses. I figured this would give me a chance to understand the layout of the city and to see little bits of all the areas (and geekily make notes of where I wanted to go back to!)
So day 1 tour started out in Times Square, where else?! And travelled in a loop of Downtown Manhattan, stopping at "key hot spots" as the tour guide liked to keep saying. It was a really good chance to see all the things that you are kind of expected to see whilst being here. First stop: Macy's and The Empire State Building:
I have to say, I was pretty disappointed with Macy's. I've been in a couple in Chicago a few years back and it just felt like a big Debenhams, but a bit run down. It's weird for a store that has such a hype about it, and such a staple American store, to be actually very unimpressive. Especially this one, it is the Macy's. It takes up an entire block! Anyway, rant about Macy's is over. Unfortunately I didn't go up the Empire State, I'm not a huge fan of heights so I might wait and go up with one of the girls I know that are also out here. On the way to the next stop we passed a memorial to 9/11 made up of tiles with beautiful messages:
The next stop, that I didn't actually get off at on Monday, was Greenwich Village and SoHo. An area that is just beautiful, and looks full of amazing shops! I can't wait to explore it more, and eat in beautiful little cafes like Olio.
Next stop was the World Trade Centre site. I don't think the jetlag had me in the right mental state to actually go into Ground Zero and see the memorial. (And without sounding too insensitive, there was a pretty long queue and I had lots of exploring to do...) But I definitely will try to go to the memorial before I leave; I just didn't want to be filled with this sadness, that I imagine would overwhelm you, on my first day here. I did wander around the area, and look at the new building that's taking progress.
I walked the next bit of the route, down to Battery Park which is the very tip of Manhattan looking out at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Again, I didn't go out on another tour as the queues for a ferry were ridiculous; site-seeing on Easter Monday may not have been the wisest move!
Battery Park has a fair few memorials in the site, but I won't over load you all with them. (I'm sure I'll show you all my pictures when I'm back!)
Whilst in the area, I noticed the National Museum of the American Indian. Pretty intrigued, I went in not knowing what to expect. A fairly small museum, but full of extremely eye catching and powerful, if not rather sombre imagery. An interesting, and welcomed quiet, retreat from the hustle and bustle.
The rest of the tour included the South Street Seaport (which has some exhibitions I hope to visit in my time here) Chinatown, Wall Street, Little Italy, East Village, United Nations, Rockafella Centre, a quick peak at Central Park and then back to Times Square.
I spent the early evening window shopping, and saw the City as darkness fell and the bright lights were more powerful. (Unfortunately I didn't get any good photos)
I will end it there for now, and leave you with my first lesson of NYC. Day 2 coming soon...
NYC Lesson #1 : Wear a hat.
Or don't bother doing your hair. Or carry a hairbrush (rather than a comb, combing wind swept hair just makes for a static mess!) I always thought Chicago was the windy city, but New York must be rivalling it the past couple of days. I've learnt that carrying a big but thin scarf, or a hoody, is pretty essential as although it looks lovely out, there's definitely a spring chill in the air.
Weather report over, and out.
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