Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Happy 4th of July America.


Happy Birthday America


Times Square.

When I thought of Independence day I would think of the movie, when earth was invaded by aliens...



but apparently there is another Independence day not involving aliens...



This day is commonly known as the Fourth of July, and it is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. It's similar to Australia Day, families and friends spend it together, usually at home having a BBQ or going for lunch and then only the crazy tourists actually venture into the city and want to watch the fireworks.



And I was one of those crazy tourists who thought it would be a great idea to spend the day in Manhattan "while I'm still young" were my exact words. I don't even know what that means, I think I have this internal fear that I'm getting more and more boring as each month passes!


I was ready. Red, white and blue. I had my outfit planned along with my patriotic flag bandana.

Off I set into Manhattan and the weather was holding up. The sun was shinning and the heat was fierce at roughly 30 degrees Celsius (87F). I met my friend M and we decided to 'stroll' through Times square and see if anything was happening. As we were walking a woman stopped me "your hair is beautiful, who does it?". I was a little confused as my hair hasn't been coloured in 3 months and today I had it thrown up in a bun so what was this woman talking about? But I was also kinda chuffed and responded "oh it hasn't been done in a while but thanks!" and I went to keep walking but then out of no where BAM! she pulls out a brochure "I work for a salon on the east side and we are offering a special deal today!", gosh darn I had been tricked! Well played lady, well played. And yes, we kept walking.

From Times square we walked to Bryant park which is on 6th ave right next to the New York public library. The city was very quiet today so it was nice and easy to get a seat. We sat, drinking water, having an ice cream and chatting for a few hours.

Bryant park with M and A.


As I said, the day was hot, really hot but there is nothing to make you realise that you're not on the northern beaches anymore than seeing children swim in a public fountain in the middle of the city. Is that even legal? Is that safe? clean? Well you definitely know you're in Manhattan when you see this happen. 

From Bryant park we decided to go to central park. Normally it is in walkable distance 15/20 blocks roughly but in this heat we got the subway. And right at the entrance gates to the park were snow cones!! We walked around and it's of course full of people for Fourth of July and performers everywhere (one of my favourite things of the park).

Central Park
Central Park
Central Park

Turtles in the water.

From the park we walk through the east side and I stumbled across these steps. Instantly thought of Carrie Bradshaw from the Sex and the City show. And of course I had to get a picture.

Carrie from the show, Sex and the City.

Me on the steps.

Wednesday night I got a surprise email from a friend of mine who I went to University with for 4 years in Australia. She emails me and tells me she has just arrived in Manhattan and would be here until July 9! I was so stoked and of course met up with her the very next day (July 4). We decided we would meet at a bar called Lucy' which is a mexican bar/restaurant in midtown, which has a rooftop sitting area and has the best happy hour with $6 margaritas. 

Beerarita. Corona and margarita mixed together.
A and I with her beerarita. 
Mega-nachos (everything is mega in America).

Chillidog.
Considering I have been here for nearly 3 months, I thought my accent hadn't really changed. Although there have been moments that I've been concerned some of my words are starting to 'twang' but that's usually after spending time with Americans (which I guess is pretty often). Anyway, I run up to my Australian friend Suz and I didn't even get a sentence out before she says "ohhhh my gosh you're American!", I instantly slapped by hand over my mouth, "no I'm not! don't say that!... oh my gosh listen to me!". I hadn't realised but now sitting with her and talking to her friends (all strong Australian accents) I'm realising I am sounding considerably different. Then my friend A says "Rachel you don't sound like them at all". We definitely had a laugh about it but after an hour or so talking with them, everyone reassured me I was 'back' to 'speaking' Australian again. Phew! 

Suz, me and A.
After perhaps a few too many frozen margaritas and realising it was now 8:30pm (fireworks are at 9) we left and headed to greet the crowds and commence the push and shove to find a good viewing spot.
By this time the city was really humid and the deeper we got into the crowds, the hotter it got.

Hot and sweaty.
I had never seen so many people all tightly squished into the same space in city streets. There were literally thousands of people in 30 degree heat (87F), at 9pm at night all trying to catch a glimpse of the July 4th fireworks (I'm thinking these better be good!). At this point my feet are really starting to blister from walking all day and I feel like someone has thrown a bucket of hot water over me. 


My friend M and I were persistent. We kept pushing (politely) through the crowds, hoping to get just a little further. And all of a sudden a huge opening appeared, it was like people just couldn't be bothered walking any further, luckily we were bothered. All the way to the end we walked and although we were still a bit far back, we would be sure to have a good view. 

The water ahead. So close

People all the way back.
Crammed in between thousands of people.... 9 o'clock came and went with no fireworks, it appeared the organisers hadn't factored in day light savings and at 9:30pm the sky was still light. So we stood, waiting, waiting, waiting. I remember thinking, what makes thousands of people stand shoulder to shoulder with strangers in 30 degree heat, dripping in sweat that probably isn't their own, just to see fireworks? Why was I there? I guess because it was an 'opportunity'? Because I'm a tourist? BEcause it's fun? Because that's what you do?


But finally, at roughly 9:45pm the fireworks began




The fireworks lasted 30 minutes. They were really beautiful and I'm glad I saw them... but 30 minutes is a long time and I realised I don't like fireworks THAT much. But I'm definitely glad I braved the crowds of New York for my first July 4th in Manhattan and although I had blistered feet and a lot of pushing to get back out... we made it.

Happy birthday America. Thanks for sharing xx



Tuesday, 9 July 2013

...reminds me of swimming.




"Lets imagine for a moment that you could be anywhere you wanted to be, where would you be?"...

I thought for a moment and replied "right here". Saturday June 29, that's what I said. That was my answer. Did I, Rachel, the restless, busy, moving, over analysing, future planning person juuuust say this!?




Why am I restless? Because I'm always searching. What are you searching for? I'm searching for a smile, a laugh and warmness in my heart. Why are you searching for that? Because anything less is not an option. And have you found it?

I think I have. 

What have you found?

Well, of that, I am not quite sure yet.

September 1st I will be 24 years young. I'm a baby, right? Although I feel that I've lived many lifetimes already. From a young age I've been told "oh you are mature aren't you?" I would sit in the chair at the hair dressers and have some very deep philosophical life pondering conversations with the women and each minute that went by I would be dreading that question "so what do you do for work anyway?" Ugh "I'm actually still in high school" and "oh! really?!" they'd reply with a surprised and slightly embarrassed look on their face. But thats always been me. Deep, thoughtful, pondering life type of person. So I moved to New York to further ponder 'life'.   




The weekend of June 28 & 29 I went to Southold, which is one of ten towns in Suffolk CountyNew York. It is located in the northeastern tip of the county, on the North Fork of Long Island



I was up bright and early and decided to go for a run. It really is beautiful here, the breeze from the bay, animals and the bush. I set out, although by 9am it was already humid. I instantly regretted the running route I had taken, realising the country roads don't have much room on the side and combining that with blind corners, I was finding it difficult to run at a steady pace without stopping to dodge cars and this heat was already testing my commitment to rid myself of jiggly thighs.  


I don't get the opportunity to visit Southold often, and although I was only first introduced to this beautiful place a month or so ago, I absolutely love it here. Manhattan is a bright, busy and bustling place. Queens and Brooklyn have their own beats that follow closely behind Manhattan and exploring these are a lot of fun, you'll find endless things to do. But (and yes you know there was a BUT), summer has hit New York city with some muscle (humidity, sun and sweat) and I usually spend summer on the northern beaches in Sydney, in fact my whole life I have always spent summer by the beach, whether it be in Tasmania or Sydney. I am missing the ocean. Southold is a great place to get out of the chaos, the heat and the stinking subways to enjoy a real summer weekend. 

Southold, NY.
The beaches are still fairly empty in certain areas (early mornings). This is a rare moment these days, finding a spot outdoors on the beach that's just yours. I never had previously thought about it so much, back home I would just drive to Avalon, Palm Beach, Mona Vale headland or even Shelly beach... find a spot and just sit and take it all in. New York is fast and busy. But I think I found it here.


Sand. Water. Summer.


Below are pictures of the Long Island Sound. Long Island Sound is where the tide meets the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound.


Hello my pretty.
And yes, I went all the way down. 



I got to experience a few American firsts. Smores (which you'll read about later), poison ivy (pictured below) and.... a racoon!!! Well.... I was completely misled my entire childhood by my cute little fluffy racoon teddy and all the stories I had read. I expected to see something similar to a walking teddy bear? Well, I was actually scared and contemplated running back to the car when I saw this racoon. Besides the fact I was told the day before that I should never approach them and if I ever saw one in the day and to go straight back indoors as it probably has rabies... (yes, rabies) this thing was like a mini gorilla. No I am not exaggerating (ok maybe a baby gorilla). It was dark but I saw something in the trash can and then it jumped out and just stood and looked at me (sizing me up I'm sure!), my friend clapped loudly and it ran about 20M and then stopped again and just watched us and then finally ran off. Racoons are not my next pet, noooo thank you. 


Poison ivy (above). Ouchy. Within days of arriving in the US I was warned to stay far away from this thing called poison ivy. I don't really know much about it. I know it's name has poison in it (so that's obviously bad) and I know my best friend dressed up as poison ivy off Batman for Halloween one time but that's about it. Well turns out poison ivy is a poisonous North American plant that is well known for its production of urushiol, a clear liquid compound found within the sap of the plant that causes an itching, irritation and sometimes painful rash in most people who touch it. Moral to the story, stay away from poison ivy.


Afternoon clam digging. Clam digging is a North American term for a common way to harvest clams from below the surface of the tidal sand flats or mud flats where they live. 



Although these pictures are of the boys, I did get in myself and did dig for clams (and catch a few). You wait for low tide, this way the boats in the water and you can just jump off into the water at hip height.I was slightly concerned that jaws might creep up on me, but lucky me, no jaws.


This was a lot of fun. Although my patients did begin to wear thin when my clam catching skills were not being so successful. 




"Pull me out the water, cold and blueI open my eyes and I see that it's youSo I dive straight back in the oceanSo I dive straight back in the ocean
Take a deep breath, suck the water in my chestTake a deep breath, suck the water in my chestAnd cross my fingers, and hope for the best
Then all of a sudden, I heard a noteIt started in my chest and ended in my throatThen I realized, then I realized, then I realizedI was swimming,Yes, I was swimmingAnd now I'm swimmingYes I am swimming".
Florence and the Machine, swimming.








After successful clam digging, it was time to learn how to open the clams and also to try my first s'mores. When I told my friend T that I hadn't ever had smores, I was sure he nearly had a heart attack (we will get to smores soon). 




Now, opening a clam is not easy. It feels similar to stabbing a knife into a rock and expecting it to open. You have to get the knife in the perfect position on the clam and then push your fingers down onto the knife and push (making sure you don't cut yourself). It took a few attempts but I was determined and success! I did it! I was convinced it would be theraputic or something but it's not, it's just stressful and hard.



My first ever clam. Butter, onion, green capsicum (or green pepper as they call it here), bacon and breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan and then baked in the oven. Also know as clam casino apparently. And WOW! Really good!! I'm not sure if I would go through opening the clams again, but the rest was totally worth it. 



It was time to have my first ever s'more. S'more (sometimes spelled smore) is believed to come from "some more". It is a traditional nighttime campfire treat popular in the United States and Canada. 



It consists of a roasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate (Hershey's) sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. AND believe it or not there is actually a National S'mores Day, which is celebrated yearly on August 10.


So we got some sticks from the bush and roasted the marshmallows (at 100 calories a piece!). And I was impressed. Usually I don't like Hershey's chocolate but when it's melted with the marshmallow, delicious! Good job America. 



Summer, summer, summer. Time to be a little adventure. Time to go kayaking! 


It was really hot and rather than 'just' swimming, we decided to go kayaking and paddle boarding. It had been a while since I had been kayaking and I still wasn't convinced that jaws wasn't out there somewhere but in I hopped. The wind was really strong and there were times I was paddling and not going anywhere, but thankfully I didn't fall out :) But I did share the water with some ducks for a while. 




Welcome to the Hamptons

When I would think of the Hampton's, all I would think of was Emily Thorne off the television show, Revenge. So of course I HAD to go. Although it turns out a lot of the scenes are shot with a green screen and in parts of North Carolina (I know right!), I did discover the beauty of the Hampton's. 


Ferry to the Hampton's.
Hermes bracelet. Loui Vuitton handbag. Prada sunglasses. A holiday house in Miami. Houses being knocked down and reconstructed. A month long trip to Italy. Diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond watches. All this in just 15 minutes waiting for my fish and chips in the Hampton's. 

Sag Harbour.



The Hamptons are a group of villages and hamlets in the townships of Southampton and East Hampton, which form the South Fork of Long IslandNew York. They have some of the most expensive residential properties in the U.S (and truuuust me, they look it also). As you drive down some of the streets, I'm certain I've just seen a castle or a museum, but no, it's someones house.In particular, Sagaponack, Water Milland and Bridgehampton were cited by Business Week magazine as being the 1st, 6th and 8th most expensive zip codes in the nation. SO I'm thinking of buying a house or two up there. Thoughts?

The real divide. As I was informed by someone.  
This is what I imagine the Hampton people to look like. Don't walk your dog, walk your horse.

Other places in the area include Sebonack Golf Club, the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, National Golf Links of America in Southampton and the Maidstone Club in East Hampton. The Shinnecock and National golf clubs were recently voted as the #3 and #10 ranked courses in America by Golf Digest magazine. Exclusive private clubs provide additional recreational resources to the very affluent in the area. These clubs include The Bathing Corporation of Southampton, the Southampton Bath and Tennis Club, and the Meadow Club in Southampton Village and the Maidstone Club in East Hampton.


Montauk

Here is Montauk, which is at the very very end. 






You cannot see so well in this photo but the water is filled with surfers. Boys, men and grandpas all competing for the best waves. For a moment I could have been in Mona Vale. 



Navy Beach

The prettiest place I've seen thus far. We stumbled across this beauty by chance "let's so what's at Navy Beach", ummm ok? Well what a surprise when we found this. 


A gorgeous restaurant/bar perched on the ocean. White tables, chairs, day beds and bean bags. Absolutely coming back here. 




Main Beach

Last but not least, I of course visited Main beach. This is where I had my moment of "oh my gooooshhhh this is where Emily Thorne lives!".


Next time I'll be sure to bring my white dressing gown.

Main Beach.
A really beautiful beach. Voted the best beach in the US (even after the Sandy hurricane). In an article it states, "the thing about the Hamptons is that people are so proud of their beaches out there... people pick up their litter there, the bathrooms are clean; they provide good services."


I didn't swim this time as it was just a liiiiittle too cold. But I did dip my toes into the Atlantic ocean.


The Hampton's. You did not let me down.


And finally, to end a wonderful weekend, an American friend of mine who is a chef dared to tackle the Australian Lamington.



 I was so excited to taste it AND..... PERFECTION! Made from scratch by an American but tasted just as good as the real Australian ones :)



xxxxx