What I Love About NYC

I decided to take a vacay (is that what you kids are calling it nowadays?) to New York last summer, all by my little self. I do have friends, I swear. I made it back alive, somehow, and with some cool pics that I now want to show off in a post where I'll tell you what I love about this spectacular city.

The breathtaking view... used in every movie ever made, ever.

So big. So bright. So beautiful. This city looks like it goes on and on forever. It's full of stories and dreams and tall, good-looking rich guys I unfortunately didn't get the chance to hang out with. You can just see it all in this iconic skyline photo of the Big Apple.

'Taxi!'

Another iconic image of New York. Cute, happy, joyful, yellow cabs (if cars had feelings, which I'm sure some people argue that they do).

The (free!) ferry

That is correct. A free boat ride which takes you from Manhattan to Staten Island. FOR FREE. You don't get such privileges here in London.

Wow, New Jersey...you look pretty sad sat there opposite NYC.

Central Park

My favourite place in New York and possibly the entire world (although I have yet a lot to see). I love everything about this place; the scenery, the atmosphere, the fact there are TURTLES everywhere! I visited Central Park every day I was in the city, and still didn't walk through all of it because a) it's so bloody big like everything else in New York, and b) I'm sort of lazy (I did take a nap in the park and it was wonderful).

This cute little old man

Who probably thought I was quite creepy for taking a few snaps of him. But I just found this whole scene so sweet; an adorable and very talented old fella spending his retired days painting pictures in the park. He is everything I aspire to be when I'm an old lady.

Times Square

There were things I loved and also hated about this place. It's lively and colourful and literally impossible to run out of things to do here, but my god is it hectic. I constantly felt like I was in the middle of a stampede, fearing for my life as I had visions of being crushed to death by all the big scary humans. Okay it wasn't that bad, but this place is never not very very busy.

FOOD

I am a foodie, big time. I don't think there is actually any kind of food I wouldn't eat and New York has it all; giant pizzas, hot dogs, overly cheesy quesadillas, Syrup covered pancakes. Mmmm. Imagine the most American-type food and it's there, in every street and corner.

That is me feasting on a pepperoni pizza. Probably the worst photo I have of myself (after a long day of having fun) but who cares, look how happy I am!

The architecture

I always say to people how New York makes London seem like a little old fashioned town. The buildings in this city take the meaning of skyscraper to a whole other level. Our English buildings are cute and historic but they wouldn't stand a chance in a fight-off against the towering ones of NY.

This right here...

Bold move. He's honest but I'm not so certain he had many dollars thrown his way. I thought it was picture worthy at least! I also love how the guy on the right is not so keen on a photo as he swiftly exits the frame. I gotcha!

World Trade Centre

I visited the World Trade Centre memorial on the anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks and got talking to many people surrounding the area (I'm a chatty one). They told me their stories and what they experienced that day which was very interesting to hear. This place is stunning and I'm so impressed by how all the names of the victims are carved upon the memorial.

Brooklyn Bridge

I loved walking across this bridge entirely just for the view, not because I love walking. it's a very very very long bridge (or maybe all the bridges in London are tiny?) and I felt like I could be somewhere back in England by the time I had got to the other side. But the skyline view down by the river in Brooklyn is so worth it.

Art

If I had a quarter for every time I walked past somebody selling artwork of the city, I would have got rich enough to stay there. I loved seeing all drawings, paintings and photographs and regret not buying one. I'll add that to my list for next time because I definitely will be going back to this amazing city.