Travel diary: USA 2011

I have been toying with how to combine the photos I took whilst on holiday with the memoirs scribbled in a travel diary - then voila - I remembered the blog I have. The right place to start is the beginning - leaving Australia on a coldish Saturday morning in Sydney's spring, bound for L.A.. But the places and experiences fresh in my mind were from the last week - spent living it up in New York. So backwards I will write.

 

Exploring: Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan

 If there was one area in New York outside of Manhattan that I was desperate to see, it was Brooklyn. So many people I had spoken to prior to the trip raved about getting "out of Manhattan" and experiencing the art, culture and outdoors that Brooklyn is known for. And it didn't disappoint...when I got there!!
My navigation skills hadn't improved, and instead of ending up on a train to Brooklyn's Prospect Park (near 8th Ave and 1st street) I got off the Subway to discover I was at 60th street! Back-tracking a fair way, I eventually discovered a green, quiet oasis - with autumn colour just starting to descend. It was such a lovely contrast to where I had left off at the start of my day - only a couple of cyclists, runners, new mums pushing strollers and dog-walkers were my company on a clear warm sunny day.

The aptly named Long Meadow at Prospect Park

Wet Wet Wet

No not a reference to the band (although don't mind me a bit of their Scottish rock-pop).
More a description of my Wednesday in NY.

At first I was excited - the rain polished the streets a different way and provided some interesting fashion dilemmas for many people (of course fashion has moved to encompass a wellington/gumboot that would not look out of place on a fashion week runway).

I had luckily heeded the weather-man's advice for forecast showers all day, and made sure I had some "indoors" activities lined up. I did pack my umbrella, so was even entertaining some puddle-hopping and adventures down the less-hectic streets in search of yet another little surprise. So out I stride into the early morning drizzle...straight away regretting my decision not to invest in some stylish galoshes from Vermont (they have a reputation for 6 months of "mud-season" so surely a necessity if you live up north). Within several blocks of walking - despite my best impression of the puddle-dodge dance - I had soaking wet socks. Squelch, Squelch, Squelch.
(I then discovered when I got home in the afternoon I had literally worn the sole of my boots - hence the lack of water-tight footwear!!)

My Visit to the World Trade Centre

The events of 9/11 have changed each of us - no one can argue this fact; it made the world a smaller and more complicated place. I'm pretty sure everyone can remember what they were doing, where they were when the news filtered through about the tragedy.
For me, living on the other side of the globe and having no direct connection to the events in 2001, I wondered exactly what my reaction would be visiting the site during my time in NY. Would I be overwhelmed by the emotion? I initially was reluctant to buy into the "hype" surrounding the construction site, a little hesitant to be swept up in all the emotion as I feared it would either be a "show" of American power or a "shrine" tainted with hatred and anger.

In the end, it was none of that.

Getting lost in Midtown....

If you're like me, you read up on the "must-do" things in a guide book before you even set foot in a city. But time and time again, I am reminded that the real stand-out moments are the ones we cannot forsee or plan. Cue, my adventures around Midtown on the way to Times Square and Broadway.

You probably sleep in a little, maybe wander to the nearest coffee/breakfast location.
Then, with your walking shoes on, you head down Park Ave. through Grand Central Station, past Waldorf-Astoria, and turn onto W49th St.

View down Park Ave. to Metlife Building @ Grand Central.

Central Park

There's no way I can narrow down my "highlight" to just one day, or even one location! But perhaps one of the most memorable days was exploring Central Park and Times Square. Iconic NY - yes!! But so much more than a tourist hot-spot.

 It's like the gateway to a different universe...alternate "horse-power" wait patiently to take you rolling through the park. Or you can hire a bike, roller blades - I chose to do it on foot. There is so much to see I don't think you can do this Park justice without planning at least a day there.