Friday 8th – Saturday 9th November 2019

Start spreading the news, we’re leaving today, but first, we went to Hugo’s school for a concert, all the grade 5’s pleading allegiance to the flag and singing songs about how great America is. Don’t get me wrong, it was sweet to watch Hugo up there singing, just makes you realise that from an early age, American children are taught to be ridiculously patriotic, but that’s a good thing. Think we need more of that in Australia! After the bright start to the day, we were off to Baltimore airport to be a part of it!!

So a little back story on New York. The place holds a special place in my heart, my first visit to the Big Apple was with my boyfriend Brett, who on that trip would become my fiancé and would help me celebrate turning the big 3-0. Needless to say there was a fair amount of trepidation returning, the place held so many happy memories of a person that had since passed away and a time in my life when I was probably at my happiest. But if I was ever going to go back, it needed to be with someone who understood the importance of the place. Katie was literally one of the shoulders I cried on when that all went down so I was very grateful it was her that I would make the adventure back to New York with.

Now back to the good stuff! Katie and her Wonder Woman powers had organised parking at the airport and the train to NY. Thinking we’d get lunch while waiting for the train, it was mighty disappointing to find only a small news stand with a few packets of chips… but no one wants to travel with a hangry Holly so chips for lunch it was. Or do they call them crisps in the US? Or is that the UK? Getting my lingo all mixed up. Anyhoo, these salami stuffed deep fried heart attacks in a bag were surprisingly delicious!

Waiting for our delayed train out on the platform, we got a taste of what was to come, a farkin freezing wind that chills you to the bones… thank F for the jacket I picked up at Marshalls. Maybe I’ll call my first son Marshall?? Luckily for us, well me, Katie is friendly and got chatting to other people waiting, which helped when a train pulled up that the signboard said was ours, but wasn’t! They made sure we didn’t get on and also gave us a tip to head to the first carriage, apparently the most empty seats. Winning on both accounts.

On board and into our seats, we had a peaceful 4 hour journey to New York. Well, usually having with 3 kids, guessing it was peaceful for Katie. Also got a glimpse of Phildelphia, the city, not the cream cheese!

Once in NY, walking out of Penn Station is like stepping out into a crazy smack you in the face world of lights and people, so so many people.

With no time to get our bags to Williamsburg and back before our theatre date, we navigated the herds of people and freezing cold with bags in tow. Having had a mediocre lunch, there was a quick stop at a noodle joint for dinner, kinda expensive but when the box of noodles came out, there was more than enough in each box to feed two adults but of course we ate a box each, cos we can.

Stuffed full of oodles of noodles we legged it to the theatre. At some stage in Maryland, we had a browse of shows on in NY and found one we were both super excited to see, Jagged Little Pill. If you’re a child of the 90’s, you’ll know and love Alanis Morrisette. If you’re a parent of a 90’s child, maybe not so much!

After snaps in front of the theatre which made us even more excited, we wandered down the line, down and down and down and down… was one hell of a line, kinda surprising considering the show was due to start in 15 minutes. Around the block and then some, we joined the queue and only then started to wander if the theatre had a cloak room… hmmm. As if the universe heard us, a dude from the theatre wandered down the line and offered to take us directly to the cloak room, uh, yeah! No guilts at all heading upstream past the queue of people and into the theatre, realised after why he was doing us a favour. The dude behind the overflowing bar had to tag our bags and by the time he did that, it was minutes until showtime. Having booked pretty last minute, our seats were in the back row but damn, they were good. Nice little intimate theatre. Too bad the chick next to Katie didn’t share the feeling of intimacy and glared at her when the show started and Katie sang along. Oh, so it’s not a like a concert where you can join in???

Hands down, one of the best shows I’ve seen. Maybe a close second to Hamilton. As Katie said, it was like the music was made for the play. It was a story about a family in the US, each member with their own challenges, my description makes it sound average but by god it was good. The chick that sang You Oughta Know got a standing ovation. Just amazing, would defs go see it again, you can’t help but smile the whole way through. Also downloaded the album as soon as I had WiFi. After such a high, you’d think we’d hit up a bar or something but now you know my real age, you get that we were ready to find our AirBNB and chill, ok, go to bed. We did get one last touristy act in for the day, a wander through Times Square. Not really planned, turned a corner and there it was, hard to miss the crazy bright lights and billboards bigger than King Kong!

So here’s where I feel vindicated. Katie is one of the smartest people I know, so when Google maps even confused her, I didn’t feel like it was just me. Unfortunately it meant we walked about half hour in the wrong direction in -1 degrees but had to work off the heart attack in a bag somehow. We did give in after a while and catch an Uber, finally getting to the AirBNB around 1.30am, and you thought we couldn’t party!

Waking up Saturday morning, pretty sure it was the first sleep in Katie had since moving to the US. I’m a glutton for sleep ins, although pretty sure we were up and ready by about 9.30am. So what to do with a weekend in New York?? Well every weekend should start with an awesome brekkie so we wandered over to the alt joint Mountain Province, when I saw smashed avo on the menu I think I drooled. And happy to say, was not disappointed! Usually too hungry to take pics of food but this was such a beautiful site I had to!

So when I say this place was an alt joint, I mean alternative Mum! Williamsburg itself is supposed to be a hip alternative part of NY, trendy and still affordable, for another year or so. And alternative as demoed by the dude with pink hair and ripped white jeans that said EAT SHIT on the back pockets. Each to their own. After a taste of home (referring to the avo, not the shit!), we decided to make the most of the winter sunshine and wander across the Williamsburg Bridge to Manhattan. Just a casual 2.5km walk across the bridge, on the wrong side as we learnt half way across as cyclists pelted at us head on. But we tourists, we don’t care!! The sights from the bridge were worth endangering our lives, a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River, as well as some inspirational words, Empathize don’t criticize… not sure about the spelling but got the point!!

Having decided our first stop in the Big Apple would be the Highline, we made our way down the infamous Bleeker Street to get there. These streets are the reason NY is so damn awesome, kick ass street art, cute little shops and an underground boxing gym Katie and I both wanted to check out but our attire said No.

The Highline was something I hadn’t done on the last visit, and didn’t really know what to expect. An old train line raised above street level, now a walk for tourists?? That was what I thought, what I got was something else so very cool, so very New York! The entrance was kinda inconspicuous unless Google maps pinpointed it (correctly this time), and once up there it was a massive walkway that meandered through high rises with eclectic art, market stalls and views over New York, I swear I saw Stark tower…

Having already hit over our 10K steps we exited in Chelsea to hit a local coffee joint for a dirty chai, apparently that sounds different with an Aussie accent, cos we got one instead of two and not sure they were even dirty?!? But quick shout out to parking garages in NY, this is how they do it…

Being a current student of psychology, I know that we pay attention to and notice things we are already thinking about. For example, thinking of buying a certain model of car? Guarantee you’ll start seeing them everywhere on the road. Likewise, with thoughts of Brett always in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but see signs of him everywhere. The hotdog stands with umbrellas are all named SA Brett, we walked down an Allen Street and a Smiths Party Supplies truck went past. And of course certain little spots I had memories with him, all of which made me smile. I guess you really do get to that point where memories can make you smile instead of cry.

Soooo, wandering up 5th Avenue, as you do, we were in desperate need of food. Luckily Katie had been to NY more recently and had found an epic rooftop (but enclosed, still cold remember!) bar that did food as well as being dressed to the nines in winter decorations. Unfortunately everyone else in NY (or just the tourists) thought it would also be a good spot for an afternoon rest cos it was packed, people in every nook and cranny, couldn’t even secure a sneaky standing spot at the bar!! BTW, it’s called Serra bar if you’re ever in NY!

Usually missing out on a lunch spot would make a hangry Holly next level, what’s that?? HANGRIED?? anyway, usually it would not help the situation but when there’s a food market downstairs called Eat Italy, it’s water off a camels back, the smells from the place were heaven, when do you reckon iPhones will capture smell??? Anyhoo, after wandering around and wanting a piece of all the things we settled on a pizza slice, some kind of mushroom magic (not the psychedelic kind!) and let out all kinds of mmmm’s as we stood and ate, stood cos the place was just as busy as the rooftop! Yep, too hungry to take a picture of that one!!!

Feeling like we deserved a treat for all our hard work being tourists, we wandered into the dessert section of Eat Italy. Imagine getting all the yummiest desserts in one place and then having to choose only one! Ok, could have had more than one but we’re not that piggy, today. While there was build your own cannoli, gelato and all kids of cakes and tarts, I settled on this little gem of yumminess… hazelnut moosey chocolate cake, tastes even better than it looked if possible!

Having lucked out at the last rooftop bar, we tried another local on 5th Avenue, which unfortunately was more like a seedy nightclub on the inside, but once on the deck, fantastic views of the Empire State Building!!

Having well and truly walked our butts off, it was on our stroll to the Rockefeller ice rink that we managed to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, another NY icon!!

Wandering up 5th Avenue (need to keep writing that cos it’s super cool!), there were some stunning buildings, this white church that stuck out like a sore thumb, in a good way, was breathtaking…

As was the site of the ice rink wrapped in Christmas lights and a million and one American flags, cos patriotism! It really was a beautiful site and it was definitely starting to feel a lot like Christmas!!

With some browsing in a little Tiffany’s and other fancy pants stores while adventuring on 5th Avenue, the ice rink was the icing on the cake, we were absolutely exhausted and ready to wind down. Katie the Wonder Woman had found a local place in Williamsburg with good reviews we had decided to take a chance on and book for dinner. After a costume change at the Air BNB, we walked, possibly trudged cos my feet were so sore, through town to our dinner location, I want to say the name had something to do with a Mary but really can’t recall! What I do know is that the place was super funky, the food was amazing and the company even better! Once again don’t expect photos of the food, it was way too good to wait! It may not sound delicious but think Brussels sprouts sautéed with bacon, tempura broccoli, sweet potato mash and brisket that just falls apart, if I could remember the name of the place I’d definitely go back!!

So cheers to 32,000 steps in a day, friendship and an amazing first few days in New York. Side note, our ears were ringing when we got back to our Air BNB, like we’d been to a rock concert but realised that was just the side affect of a day of horns honking, crazy traffic and the sound of thousands of people pounding the pavement, welcome to New York!!