If New York doesn't have it, it's not worth having.

My afternoon was spent at baseball watching the boys play in the stinking heat and from here I had to run for the train tonight. The heat is still swirling at 6pm. Bag swung over my shoulder, full of 18 different options (give or take) and no make up for the first time. It would just slip right off. I will have to find a bathroom in the city to apply, mind you thats a challenge of its own. There are hardly any toilets/restrooms for public use in manhattan. For obvious reasons of homeless and drug use. Howeverrrrrr  inconvenient for me. I'm off to Long Island for the weekend and it's supposed to be hot. Perfect. 

Out of the train and into Penn station in search of the subway. 67897 million degrees. I literally feel like I am inside an oven. Literally. I see signs for the restrooms and immediately seize my opportunity. Who knows when there will be one next. As I enter I realise this will be a challenge. Trying to find the "cleanest" spot to place my bag on the floor, in-between my feet and then to balance my large handbag on top and then to carefully place my makeup bag on the sink. I'm getting a few strange looks by a rather large old lady, wearing big round cookie shaped glasses, short curly grey hair and a lip that turns up like she's smirking (or maybe she is just smirking at me). She goes in and out of the toilet 3 times, as if each time she's hoping I'll miraculously disappear when she closes and reopens the door. Perhaps I'm invading her spot. As weird as this is and as uncomfortable as I am, makeup needs to get done. I'm staying here. 

I'm absolutely starving and food on the run doesn't offer many options other than pizza, pretzels or cakes, especially in the train stations. I get a mini Pizza Hut pepperoni and charge for the subway. Do you remember that game called traffic? It's on a small tray and it's filled with cars and you have to move each piece carefully to successfully release your car. Well that's what the subways like tonight. Dodging and weaving everywhere. Men who are forced to wear suits, now have their sleeves rolled up, ties pulled loose, buttons undone and big wet patches decorating their shirts. This heat stinks (I know I know I shouldn't complain). I'm trying to figure out how I can start avoiding the subways when summer really kicks in. I don't know if it's possible. Walking the streets in the crowds is unbearable, especially if it's 20 blocks but the subway is like one giant jelly oven bath party. Bearable once, but not twice. 

I hop on the subway. I need to get across to 3rd Ave to catch the bus to Long Island. I'm standing holding onto the rail and I hear Spanish male voices behind me and then a whistle. I turn around and they are looking at me and wink. Ew, no. But I can't move now because I'm on a subway and fighting to hold my balance with an overnight bag, handbag and pizza in hand. It also appears this driver is in a hurry as we sway from side to side. I'm definitely not one for conflict or rudeness but I'm trying my mighty best to ignore them and look 'serious' but as I catch their reflection in the windows I realise I could be in a scene from a Mexican Mafia movie. Hurry up subway, it's only 7pm. 

I jump off the subway and here I am on 3rd ave, now to walk a few blocks. I see a man running through the traffic "out of the way, it's Friiiiiiday people!" Yes, yes it is. I look up and see the Chrysler building staring back at me. I haven't seen that up close before, beautiful. 

As I walk across the street I get a kiss blown at me by a rather tall, pretty, pink dress wearing, blonde wig flowing transvestite. And it's not even 8pm. I was told last night by an Australian in his 60s "if New York doesn't have it, it's not worth having". Well New York, you certainly have a lot but for now, I'm off in search of the sand and water for the weekend xx 

Sensory overload.

It really is like a love story. You have these wonderful expectations of the magnificent concrete jungle. The bright lights, the people, the music, the food... How can it let you down? It can't! right? You put all your excitement and trust into it. It gives you that needed confidence boost you need. It's like your boyfriend holding you tight and whispering "you got this". And then all of a sudden, it doesn't matter what anyone says now, you got this. And that's manhattan. 

You see the skyline and you feel the buzz and you know... you got this. This past weekend Manhattan hurt my feelings a little. I can't put my finger on it exactly, too much time, not enough time, or too much chaos, all maybe all of the above. I mean spending time in Midtown can at times be exhausting, you're continuously dodging people, running for the lights, avoiding crazy people (literally) and the smiling but "no thank you" to people shoving brochures in your face". After a while its like sensory overload. Way too much for way too long, so I think my mistake was too much time in Midtown. It's just like spending a little too much 'one on one' time with your partner, you kind of want to kick them in the shins and put your head phones in with a coffee after a while. That's how I felt about NYC this weekend. It was like our first argument after our honeymoon period. Didn't expect that one but I knew I would just need to reassess things. 

BUT it's Thursday night and I am going into the city earlier than usual. 

My host dad said tonight, where are you off too tonight? It's 32 degrees and so hot. Staying indoors in the aircon would be nice but I'm off to the city to meet my Uncles for dinner in Manhattan. He says "do you know where you're going?" I reply while cooking the kids dinner, "yeah yeah the train pulls in at 34th and ill just jump on the A subway up to 42nd and walk to 44th and down 8th" he says, "Look at you, you New Yorker!" Huh. Look at that. 

On the train on my way in, I'm so excited, once again. Look at that, that didn't take too long after all. Don't upset me again NYC please, at least not for a little while. 

Three days long.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Today is Thursday. I had to wait until Thursday to write this, Thursday at least. This week I felt like I needed time to regather my thoughts and have a mental break from the city before writing. This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend, similar to ANZAC day in Australia. This meant that I had one extra day off work and therefore one extra day in the city. Maybe one day too many? Just needed to take a breath after this one.

Friday night, the train speeds up. The images start to blurr outside the window. I can see green. I can see grey. 6 weeks ago I hated trains, I would drive everywhere and even walk if it were possible rather than taking a train. But now, I love the Friday night train ride into the city. Especially with this rain. A lot of flash flooding alerts have come onto my phone today so I imagine the roads and buses to be blocked up. Thank goodness for trains (did I just say that!?).

From Manhattan I board at Penn Station and I am now on the LIR (Long Island Railroad) on my way to Southold. Southold is located almost at the tip of Long Island, about a 2 hour drive or train from Manhattan. As the Island splits, Southold is on one side, Shelter Island (where Lara Bingle just was) is in the middle and the Hampton's are on the right, all nestled in beautifully at the end between water, trees and vineyards. 

Southold. New York.

It's funny how time changes so many things. 5 months ago I was riding this very train on Christmas day, on my way to spend Christmas with friends on Long Island. My gut was full of nerves, I was unsure how to buy the tickets, what platform the train would go from and what stop I should get off at. But now, I almost forget to look out the window, this just feels normal now. Although this weekend is supposed to be marking the start of summer, the streets are filled with puddles and the sky with clouds. I have a big coat on and my toes are freezing inside my flats. Where are you summer!? 

Just waiting for a mate. At the train station.

My best friend in Australia sends me a photo of her waiting at the train station in Melbourne. Grrr sun!

I arrive in Ronkonkama and then it's another 30 minute drive to Southold. I'm far out of the city now, but it actually feels nice. This place reminds me of Tasmania. Tonight people are starting to celebrate Memorial Day weekend so we are going out in Greenport. The streets are quiet but the bars are full. There are roughly 5 or 6 options. Each slightly different to the other. This place is like Tasmania or maybe even Manly. Everyone knows everyone. The friends I'm with who grew up in Southold recognise nearly everyone at the bar and everyone in the street, even the local policeman. I think I'm identified as an outsider, I got some looks haha. I'm with locals though so I think I'm safe. As we walk down the street I feel like this is the set of 'Revenge' (this may or may not be my favourite show). The water is right there, full of boats, almost like they are parked in the street. This place is beautiful. 

Mexican bar. 

Noah's. 

Greenport.

With my locals. 

Saturday morning and summer still isn't here. The rain is being persistent. We drive down to the marina to see my friends boat (this is sure to be fun for summer). Looking out across the water, Shelter Island to the left and the Hampton's straight across. This place will be beautiful when the sun is shinning. At first I wasn't sure if I would like it out here, I mean anytime I spend here is time taken away from New York City. But.... I really really like this place. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed the coast. Living on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, the water is always so close, rain or shine you can always drive along or walk along the beaches. This feels refreshing.

Southold. New York.

Southold. New York.

Southold. New York.

There are American flags flying from everyones houses and also down the streets. I'm not sure if it's because of Memorial Day weekend or perhaps just strong patriotism. Either way it does look wonderful. As we are driving I think I spot something in the bushes! "Oh that's a... oh never mind, I thought I saw a deer but it's just a garden statue". My friend laughs, "that's not a statue Rachel thats a real deer, they are everywhere!". Oh! What! Now I want a picture! Next time. I realise that there are no snakes and no spiders that will bite and kill you or at least make you look like you belong on an episode of the gremlins. Maybe that's why people get so freaked out about the Australian bush. There is nothing here to harm you. Weird. 

Southold.

Then came 4pm Saturday afternoon and into the car for the drive back into the city. Still windy outside but at least I was in the car and not driving.

Saturday Night

Good evening Manhattan.

Of course I had to go into the city. It was Saturday night and I hadn't seen her yet! Felt a little strange but oddly I wasn't in any rush today. Although coming out of the subway and seeing the empire state building right in front of you never gets old. What a sight. I met Bek in the city, she had optimistically work sandals but unfortunately, still no summer. We were having a simple Saturday night in Manhattan. Pizza and a movie. But not just any movie, Hangover 3 (I was sooooo excited!). We line up in a ridiculously long (self serve) line to buy our tickets early to secure our seats. After 3 failed attempts, two different cards and 3 swipes 'transaction declined please see desk' are you kidding! Now to line up in another line. We line up and success with our tickets (although later found out Beks bankcard was blocked because of that stupid movie theatre). Next time straight to the desk.

New York city Pizza.

The line to Hangover 3.

After getting pizza we came back to quickly go into the movies as we had already bought our tickets, only then to be told our line is outside. What! This is the longest line in the world and in the cold! I was grumpy, stomped my foot a few times. After waiting and then finally getting inside in the warmth, the movie started. Wasn't the funniest film I've ever seen, but still enjoyable and had a lot of laughs.  

Empire State building. American flag colours.

Goodnight Manhattan. xx

Sunday 

Starbucks.

Sunday morning. So many days this weekend! With the extra day on Monday too! Of course my morning starts with a coffee from Starbucks. Although I'm starting to lay off them a little, after a week of migraines I think I'm having too much caffeine (I can hear my friends saying "surprise surprise!"). I met T and Bek in Starbucks and another Au Pair M joined us today. The sun was shinning today, thank goodness. We set off walking through the city. Times square, along Broadway and into Central Park.

Times Square.

Columbus Circle.

An afternoon in Central Park.

This park is honestly so beautiful and has an endless amount of things to do and see. I feel like I've spent a lot of time here already and I've barely explored this place. There are boat rides, bike rides, horse rides, parks, lakes, performers to watch, an aquarium and a zoo!! What an amazing creature you are central park. A living and breathing and forever changing creature. 

Central Park.

Bubbles.

Amazing violinist and opera singers.

Performers jumping over some people.

Sunday Night

Sunday night. Lucky me. My Uncles who live in Florida are here to visit. SO happy and excited to see them both. They are staying in the Marriott Hotel in Times Square so we met there first to have a drink in the hotel. Wow what a beautiful place with an amazing birds eye view of the crazy chaos that is Times Square. 

Family in the Marriott.

The Marriott.

The Marriott. 

From here we make our way to our dinner reservation in Hells Kitchen. 44 & X. A really beautiful restaurant. Thats the amazing thing about New York. The pavement is lined with restaurants and cafes, all with their own amazing style and food.

Uncle Bill and Uncle Barry.

44 & X. Hells Kitchen.

44 & X. Hells Kitchen.

44 & X. Hells Kitchen.

Dinner was perfect. The restaurant was so beautiful, flowers everywhere. Above is a picture of the bathroom, still filled with flowers. All the waiters and waitress's are actors or models or singers. Our waiter has just finished a show on broadway and he does this in between jobs. I felt like I was in LA. 

From here we walked to the bar called 'Don't tell Mama' where tonight was Open Mic and my friend Mila would be singing with her friend. This bar was hidden down some stairs and as the time reached 9pm, the place was full. Not only could people come and sing tonight but the waitresses also took in turns of singing. Really amazing too. 

Dont Tell Mama. 

My friend A, had heard about a good club near Spring Street, this is way way waaaaaaay downtown Manhattan. Further than I had been at night. But with a group of us we decided to jump on the subway and head down. As soon as we arrived I instantly regretted it. I had no idea where I was. Canal Street in China town. Sunday night, the streets are nearly empty and as we walked a rat ran out in front of us and A screamed so loud we all laughed (but I ran as fast as I could to the next corner). I can deal with possums, but NOT rats.

China Town.

China Town.

We arrived at the club. The line was so long. And it was 1145pm and Beks birthday was fast approaching. I didn't think it would be a good idea to be standing in a line when it hit her birthday so we gave up and started walking back to the subway (thank goodness!). Since then I've been told you need to be with someone who knows where they are going in China town. Ok ok messaged received loud and clear.  

As the clock strikes 12. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Bek.

1:30am in New York city we find a little Deli that's open 24 hours. What better way to celebrate a birthday right?? I buy Bek a tub of chocolate ice cream, some cheese cake and T buys a bottle of Fanta. Happy Birthday Bek.