The second bite out of the Big Apple

Why do they call it that anyway? I have no idea. I mean, sure, it's big, but it's not apple like at all.

Right, so, round two in NYC thus far has been a mix of old and new experiences. I'm staying a few blocks from where we were staying for Xmas/ New Years so now I'm pretty much an expert on the area surrounding around 110th and 101st and Broadway but not really anywhere else. That's about the extent of my knowledge of Manhattan.

So the things we re-visited thus far are central park (though it was covered in a thin layer of snow this time), the Guggenheim (but they were in the process of taking down the exhibits that were on during Xmas/ New Years so there wasn't much to see). And sort of the Statue of Liberty although we took the actually ferry instead of the Staten Island one.

New things pretty much include the Met, Battery Park and UN Headquarters.

Also, I'm pretty much running out of things to do here. I mean, really, who would have thought you could run out of things to do in NYC?! Well, sure, there's still the Empire State Building, a Broadway show and a taping of David Letterman but these all cost money. Again, money that I don't have.

Also, on another note, the other day I was just randomly looking on Hostelworld.com for accommodation in DC for the 19th to the 21st (for Obama's inauguration) sort of already knowing that there wouldn't be anything there. But no! Something had come up! And was reasonably priced! That to me is pretty miraculous. So that's it then. I'm gonna be a part of history. Excellent. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do about it though. I mean, I'm going to experience such an important moment in history but what am I gonna do to commemorate it? I suppose I should do something... journalistic seeing as that's what I'm meant to be after this year...

Wow, I'll be finished uni next year. That's kinda nuts. I'll be out on my own. No more studying, well, not necessarily but y'know. My plan is to go traveling in 2010 but I'm not sure where or when. Probably Europe seeing as that's where I have a high concentration of friends now. Hopefully that works out slightly cheaper. I dunno. I'll worry about this at a later date I suppose. Not sure why any of this paragraph is in here actually. I just kinda rambled on for a bit. I think I'll stop now.

Start spreading the news - Xmas in NYC

I'm assuming you've read the post directly below this so you know how difficult it was for me to get to where I am now. I'm writing this in true New York fashion, sitting on the window sill of my room by the fire escape. The only thing missing really, is the cigarette. Too bad I don't smoke. Besides that, I think I've got this New York lifestyle down-pat. It's not so hard.

But seriously though, NYC is pretty massive. The people here are really friendly too, contrary to popular belief.

Since arriving (late, well, not that late, but still, later than I was originally meant to be there) we've just been wandering around. Xmas day was pretty uneventful as well, only got one present - a bar of chocolate from Grenada which I am still yet to open. We also went to an Italian restaurant for a late lunch/ dinner which was pretty cool. It didn't snow either which was sort of disappointing but there was still snow on the ground which I suppose sort of counts... I didn't really feel like xmas though, to be honest. Sure, there were lots of xmas decorations around but I just couldn't get into the spirit. I don't know why, I guess family makes xmas. That's pretty much all I can put it down too. Also, the fact that I didn't need to buy any presents for anyone this year. I hope you'll all forgive me for that, I kinda can't afford it right now.... (see exchange rate below)

We also checked out part of Central Park and Times Square and had a museum day where we visited the Guggenheim and MoMA which were extraordinary. Some of it wasn't really my kind of thing but I mean, you can't be expected to like EVERY piece of artwork, right?

Also, the exchange rate is killing me right now. As of this morning it's 1NZD to 56 US cents so I'm pretty much paying double. For EVERYTHING.

On a brighter note though, my fake ID is working. 3 out of 3 bars and 1 out of 1 nightclubs (which wasn't that great by the way - drinks were super expensive and everyone was super old. I suppose that's what happens when the drinking age is 21 huh? Also, for those of you who think that me having a fake ID (sorry, a souvenir ID) is wrong, I can justify it by saying that the drinking age at 21 is just stupid.

Bloggin at the airport

So, I’m sitting at Toronto airport. Y’know, just chillin as I usually do. I had a flight to New York City this morning. It went well. The flight was delayed three times and then cancelled, after sitting on the plane for about 2 and a half hours. Now I’m sitting at the baggage carousel, waiting for my luggage. Nothing new has come out for about 20 minutes. Best Christmas ever. The next flight out is at 6pm which makes things better though. Hopefully I’ll be on it, luggage and all. This is the first time I’ve had any trouble at the airport and it just happens to be on Christmas Eve; a Christmas present and congratulations on your first Christmas away from home from Toronto. Thanks. Thanks a lot.

Right, so after about two hours of waiting at the luggage claim, my bag finally comes though. It’s covered with wet spots from the rain/snow but I don’t care. I don’t care about any of this shit at this point. By now it’s about 3pm. I’ve been at the airport since 6. Now I have to go in search of a new ticket. Hauling my recently acquired 20kg bag around (cos I can’t afford the $2 for a trolley) I literally walk from one end of the terminal to the other trying to find the ticket counter. I manage to get another ticket for a flight which at 5.15 which isn’t too far away, no guarantees it’ll be taking off though. So now I have my new ticket, I’m back at square one. I need to go back through customs and do all that shit. Again. I got a bit hungry as you can probably imagine and airport food isn’t that cheap. Especially for what you’re getting.

It’s been a long day, and I still haven’t left the country yet! I need a drink. ....Fuck!