We got some cheap flight deals and decided to head of to New York with Arti's brother Dipesh for the first week of March, thinking that it would be a pretty warm destination.
It was a bit of a nightmare trying to get a hotel sorted but eventually we settled for a time square location. The view was not too bad, shame about the bloke checking us into the hotel. Totally and utterly useless. Gave us the wrong types of room and did not confirm the rest of our booking hence we had to rebook later on in the stay. Fool!!!
We had arrived pretty late and were tired so after a decent nights sleep, we managed to get a good breakfast, after walking in the opposite direction away from everything.
We had a whole week so spent the first day doing a load of shopping as it was Dipesh's first time there. It didn't help that it had snowed a couple of weeks prior and now there was a strong cold wind blowing around all day, getting icy cold in the evenings.
We managed to spend a lot of time walking round manhattan and checked out all the different parts from the village, soho, chelsea to the upper east side...We checked out some pizza at this place up near soho but it was not as good as the first time I went there a few years back. Still, managed to stuff ourselves and went looking for somewhere to have a drink after. After deliberating where to go, we decided on this little place just near the restaurant where everyone was dancing and looking pretty happy. As we sat down on a sofa with our drinks, the music stopped and an english couple got up onto a table and gave an engagement speech to 'all their dear friends who had turned up for their engagement party in their favourite bar.' They also gave thanks to the bar staff for giving them private use of the bar that night.....???~!boik!!!! We drank up and breezed out of there, like we had never been in there.
Another good breakfast and then we were back out doing some more shopping and general walking about town.
I had never been to the chinatown in new york before. Arti had been there on her trek across the USA. It was pretty grimey but we managed to buy some good jasmine tea flowers and some of the restaurants looked like you would eat in there. Otherwise, I think I'll stick to China.
One thing about New York is that the skyline outdoes other ones I have seen. I think Arti and I have gone past the phase of wanting to work in New York but we know plenty of people who have done it; are doing it or want to do it for the experience. It's a seriously cool city, the people can be very abrupt, but if you want cool bars and restaurants then it's well worth the trip. Only tip is to do so in the hot months. Last couple of times I've been there, way toooo cold.
THe place to the right is a New York institution on the upper east side. It's a deli and coffee shop called Zabers. Its the informal seating the location where you can just see all types of New Yorkers going about their business on a sunday. The bagel sandwich was pretty good. Not the place to go if you want a fry up (these are pre-packaged in microwaveable trays). Hit a proper diner for that stuff.
I forgot to mention that my uncle and his family lives in new york, in a place called Westchester. We had arranged to go see them for a couple of days. He picked us up from Zabers and we had a quick stroll in central park before heading towards his homestead
Smiley picture is Raj's cousin Raj. Looking very happy.
Grand Central. Great architecture in the station itself. Lots more security now. Great little food court downstairs. We did a lot of walking that day including catching the staaten island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty:
Bloody cold but Arti loved the michelin effect on her jacket.
We managed to walk up to wall street to Ground Zero. The whole area was boarded off to visitors as there was some new construction underway. There were some shots showing the plans for the new building. For now, it was a huge gap in the landscape.
On Brooklyn Bridge Arti stuck her tongue out at the camera.
Back at Sulu Mama's house, Dipesh made a new friend.
Spending a week just staying in the city would have been good but it was a whole lot more enjoyable for us to meet up with family and have some good home cooked food and catch up on what's been going on rather than sending emails back and forth.
We also went to the Botanical Gardens with Rajen and Alice Auntie. It was cold outside but once we got inside the Orchid show, the humid conditions were perfect, for an hour or so at least. There were all different colours of Orchids on display, the types of which you cannot buy down at Sainsburys or Marks and Spencers.
WE had a top time with Sulu Mama, Alice Auntie and Rajen. Shame the weather was so cold and poor Arti got quite ill, so she could not make it to the orchid show. That night, we went to watch the Knicks and it was a close game. They lost by a point. The only thing with watching the basketball match was all the breaks..Otherwise, it's quick and creative. Loved it.
Arti felt much better once she got some ben and jerrys:
And that was the end of New York. We did a whole load of other things and shopped and ate some made meals but there just isn't enough space or time to put it all on the blog. We'll be back but in a summer month.....
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