The Big Apple! The train from Newark Airport landed us at Penn Station. As we exited, there was our hotel, the Stewart Hotel. We had a one bedroom apartment with two bathrooms In midtown New York on 7th Avenue near West 34th street. I’ve always wanted to say that but I never knew what all those bloody numbers meant but now it makes so much sense. I’ve got to hand it to travel agent Ruthie, she’s delivered again. We’re here for 8 days so should see a bit and we’ll be so comfortable.

New York is like London or Paris on steroids. Everyone seems to be on a mission, the locals, the tourists, the homeless, the police. Sirens and honking going on all day and night. People everywhere. I’ve never seen so many police (38,000) in New York. Every event we went to, we were security checked, bags and metal detectors. There are over 8 million residents and over 54 million tourists annually with never a dull moment in the Big Apple.

I don’t think they have red light cameras on their many street crossings as there is always a vehicle that sneaks through after the lights have turned. The weather is cold at the moment and you’ve got to feel for the homeless. A lot of them travel up and down the subway or sleep in Starbucks to get some warmth. The wind chill factor seemed to make it feel colder than when we were in the Arctic Circle. It is true, the city never sleeps.

The building architecture is different to anywhere we’ve been in Europe. Straight lines and square. There is low lying scaffolding everywhere. I’m not sure if this is new building, renovation or just to stop older buildings falling down. An American we got talking to said it felt like the whole of America was under construction!

We’ve explored uptown, midtown and downtown. Some things were in walking distance, others we used the Subway. The food from the Deli’s and street vendors is quite yummy and cheap. At least we knew what we were paying as they don’t seem to add tax, unlike everywhere else. By the time you add tax and tip and take into consideration our low exchange rate it gets quite expensive.

After 9 weeks of travelling it was time for us both to pay a visit to the Hairdresser. Having a haircut with an Italian barber in New York was an experience. I think Vincent may have cut Fat Tony’s hair at some stage. He was a master with the scissors. Add to that the cut throat razor, the clippers, the warm cloths and though the end result may have been a bit abstract, it was a worthwhile experience. Ruthie had a great experience too. Listening to all the New York women talking about the fashion at the Oscars and other gossip in the life of New Yorkers. You just knew you weren’t in Wonthaggi having a hair cut.

This blog wasn’t meant to be a detailed list of everything we’ve done but in the case of New York, I feel I need to just for us to look back on and remember as we’ve ticked off so much.

Central Park by bicycle including a few TV show film sites and John Lennon memorial, Strawberry Fields. Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre, Times Square (many times) and oh so many tourists. No wonder New Yorkers avoid this area.

Madison Square Garden Basketball (Knick’s vs Magic.) Rooftop bar at Hyatt Times Square, Hillsong Church (gave us the courage to take on New York!)

5th Avenue shopping, King Kong on Broadway, Penn Station, Chelsea Market,

The Hi Line elevated walk. The new World Trade Centre, Ground zero 9/11 memorial, Tiffany’s, Wall Street, walked Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island ferry, Statue of Liberty and topped of with Greenwich Village original food tour which was so much more than a food tour. We learnt about the architecture and how the streets originated in this area which was the original Bohemia. TV shows often use this area as it is less costly to hire and close off a block here than in other parts of New York. So Ruthie squealed with delight when she saw the cafe used in Friends and Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment and a street regularly used in SVU. We were also told Hugh Jackman could be seen regularly jogging along these streets when he was training for Wolverine and had the home pointed out where Taylor Swift once lived. This area was also once home to and inspired Hendrix and Dillon. So much history! Can’t wait to watch some New York TV and try to spot some of the places we’ve visited.