Well, I couldn't come back and not write a post about my 2 weeks in New York. The picture above was taken in Manhattan, after watching the 4th July fireworks. That was one of the very few tourist-y things I did.
See, I didn't go with the purpose of taking loads of photos, or getting my mojo back. The 2 weeks there were for a more important reason: connecting with family. I have an older sister and 3 nephews - one my age! - who I'd never met before. Both my sister and I were worried about how we'd get along - after all, we didn't really know each other. Long story short - it was fine. And I got on famously with my nephews as well - when it came for me to leave, it was clear they weren't ready to let me go yet ('Mom, we're going to kidnap her so she misses her flight'). And to be honest, I wasn't ready to come back. The New York summer is glorious! Wall-to-wall sunshine and heat, sometimes so bloody hot that residents are warned to stay indoors and stick on the A/C. I wore booty shorts and skimpy dresses, not feeling out of place. Just hot. And sweating like a bastard.
I stayed in East Flatbush, a district of the borough of Brooklyn. This place in particular isn't that different to Tottenham or Brixton; maybe just a few more Americans, but plenty plenty Caribbeans, Haitians and Mexicans. Aside from going up to Manhattan (which is NYC proper), I went up to Long Beach, Long Island, to sample the joys of a paid-for beach. Mean bastards.
Other highlights include:
- Being called 'Queen of London' by a love-struck sales assistant.
- Talking to my sister for hours, without the minutes running out
- Splashing about in the freezing waters of the Atlantic, on Long Beach
- Buying approximately 6500 pairs of Apple Bottom jeans
- Getting the chance to hang out with my nephews - and being glad that they liked me!
- Being complimented on my toes by random men. What's up with that?
- Spending hours and hours and dollars and dollars shopping... and loving every minute.
- Sampling the 'joys' of the Metro. Ice-cold trains, bastard-hot platforms.
- Eating ribs the size of Texas on the 4th July.
- Slowly getting my mojo back. Yeah!
New York is a brilliant place - yes, it's hard-nosed and surly at times, but it has this energy that's infectious. The wide open spaces, even in the city, give a feeling of freedom. So will I be going back? Hell emphatically yes.
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10 repeat after me:
you bum! two weeks? you should have contacted me!
I am from the area and so miss going to NY. Your report was spot on about the hellish platforms and the freezing trains...Did you at least eat a NY hotdog? Americans LOvE a british accent! I wish I had some Apple Bottom jeans, too.
Blimey - I hadn't even realised that you were abroad! NY is a balm to the restless spirit, I loved the two days I spent there and long to go back. Americans loved my accent, but my skin colour confused them, and they couldn't figure out where I was from.
Btw, that sales assistant was right: Long Live the Queen of London!
Yay! Glad your back and glad you had a lovely time. As for the comments about your toes, you'd be surprised how many American men have a foot fetish. ;-)
t - I should have, shouldn't I? Next time I'm in town, I'll definitely look you up, since I have my bearings now. Problem is, my nephews never let me out of their sight... how close are you to Flatbush?
jerseytjej - no, I've made it a rule never to eat street 'dogs anywhere :-)
PJ - I found the same thing. I got a few weird looks, but being the contrary madam I can be, I just talk even louder! As restless as the city is, it's possible to find some peace there. What a place!
Heather - where does that come from? It's just so random!
Sounds pretty much like my ideal holiday...shopping and sun.
Although the heat must have been oppressive, it is nice to wake up in the morning and know it's going to be sunny. Makes such a difference to your mood; having the choice of whether to be hot or cold. Sounds wicked. I want to go to NY.
Luckily, the heat wasn't too bad. A little sticky in places, but waking up to find out HOW hot it's going to be is a refreshing change from 'it's going to be crap again, ladies and gentlemen'.
My nephew managed to lose me in downtown Brooklyn and while I was waiting for him to pick me up, I was roasting in the sun, knowing it would be ages before I felt that kind of heat again.
And welcome to revenge on that exchange rate ;-)
Glad you enjoyed yourself, babydoll
I never really wanted to go to NY, until recently... now I want to go even more! So glad you had a good time, and it went well with your family :D
Interesting that the Metro is a bit like the Tube, but with cold as well as hot!
You must have great toes is all...
Thanks for popping by my blog; appreciate the comment CB
Rn xx
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