New York

Over the Easter Break, Aidan and I went on a five night trip to New York City . We were very excited, as neither of us had been before, and we anticipated great shopping, food, and lots of famous sights.

All present and accounted for, but what we didn’t expect was freezing cold weather, icy winds and snow on Easter Sunday. Never mind, it just has taught me that next time I go, I will go when it is warmer (I advise you to do the same, unless you want to be stuck inside in the shops all the time!).

On the first day, we arrived in from London at about midday, and then thought we would get a bite to eat, followed by some shopping. Now, I hate cosmetic departments at the best of times (they may as well be screaming out to you that you are all ugly and not good enough and no one will ever love you etc.), but I was outright offended at the amount of makeup some woman forced on me. (I did not volunteer, she forced me into the chair, and when I said I didn’t wear much makeup, she said she would just show me ‘this one thing’). Half an hour later she was writing out a list a mile long of all the stuff she had slapped on me…the only reason I stuck around so long was because she was like a caricature of an American woman…highly entertaining. (I tried to explain to her repeatedly that I had just come on a crack-of-dawn flight from London and that I wasn't normally so hideous looking, but apparently this is no excuse).

The other ‘American caricature’ type highlight of that day was our lunch. I just wanted a ham and cheese sandwich, and I seriously probably got a whole pigs leg. Such massive portions. I am not going to say that is why they are so fat. Because from my experience, Americans don’t seem too much fatter than Australians or English people, but you can’t tell from cities, you always have to go out to suburbia or further, before you get to see the real…ok, I am going to stop now before I get in trouble. But all throughout our trip, the portions were huge, and everything came with a choice of multiple ‘sides’. I quite like the ‘macaroni and cheese’, which comes as a side everywhere, but it seems like it could kill you without too much effort. Delicious though.

To continue on the theme of food, we also checked out the new food hall in Central train station. It showcases a couple of local restaurants by having ‘kiosk’ stalls there. So there is a great variety of food to choose from, not too dear, and not deathly busy. Highly recommended. I got something from some kind of 'Southern' resaurant, called Cousin Jimmy's or something. And I got a side of macaroni cheese. The meal was delicious, but so massive that I took the left overs back to the hotel room for breakfast.

The worst food I had was when I was trying to be cool and told Aidan we should go to this Peruvian restaurant. On the menu, I ordered “Prawns, calamari, Octopus and fish in lemon”…which sounds like a delicious mixed grill or something, right? No. So so wrong. First it was cold. Yuck. Cold wet seafood can make your brain believe you just might be eating cold raw seafood. and not in a nice sushi/sashimi colourful presentation way, but in a wet grey lumped together way. Nightmare of nightmares, it wasn’t a grill at all…it was a SALAD – my arch nemesis of all foods. Not only was it cold seafood in salad form, but it was excessively garnished with two of my most hated flavours – chilli and coriander. Really, it was the nightmare of my life. Bizarrely, Aidan, who is way fussier than me, loved it. I gave it to him, and on the way back to the hotel grabbed some BBQ chicken with macaroni and cheese ‘side’, and sat watching Idol eating it. Surely that is partaking in American culture.

But that was the only bad experience of food, the rest of the food was beautiful, and we went to some quite nice and funky restaurants. However, I must say, that everyone told me food was cheap there, but once you add tax and tips, well it is like a horrible little surprise at the end of every meal.

As it was so cold, we didn’t spend as much time outside as I would have liked, but we did explore Central Park on the one nice warm morning we had, and we walked a lot rather than take the subway (the Tube is so much better, and less scary). I did not get in any Taxi/cabs. We spent a lot of time in shops, but I didn’t buy any clothes or shoes, although Aidan bought quite a bit.

We went on a boat ride around Manhattan (circle line cruises – highly recommended by me, super informative, and the man on the loudspeaker tells people to sit down if they get up and stand in your view), the top of the Rockefeller Centre (so we could have a view of the city AND the Empire state building), Ground Zero (not too much to see there, but what they are planning looks amazing), and all the department stores and shops you hear about (Macy’s, Saks, Bloomingdales). I tried to go and get those Sex and the City cupcakes, but there was a big fat line, and even I don’t need cake that much. (well, I probably do, but I don't need THAT specific cake that much).

As we went at Easter, we were around for the famous ‘Easter Parade’ on Fifth Avenue . Where they cordon off a couple of blocks along that street, and people wander around wearing Easter hats they have made. It was something I have heard of forever, thanks to George and his musicals, and so I was very excited. There weren’t that many people partaking, but those that did put a massive amount of effort into the things. There was also some singing and dancing type things going on, but not very Easter-y (break dancing and calypso music…I like it, but it isn’t Easter related).

Then, as you probably all know by now…as we walked past Tiffany’s Aidan told me that he wanted to buy me some jewellery, because he never has. I told him that he knows I don’t wear jewellery, but we went in and wandered around, and found ourselves on the second floor with all the rings, and so we got engaged and looked at Engagement rings. (not really that spur of the moment, we had talked about it before).

So there you go. That is some pretty big news I suppose. However, after trying on all different types of rings, picking one, counselling ourselves over two days on whether or not it was worth the price, we finally put our bank cards down on the counter to buy my ring…and found out that Tiffany’s doesn’t accept debit cards, only credit cards…boo! So no ring yet. The same ring in the UK Tiffany's is much more expensive, and no way would we get that one. More than a third of the price more! And we coudl get it made elsewhere, but then for the rest of my life I would be looking at it thinking 'This is such a nice copy of the ring I really wanted'. Now, I know everyone thinks I am very spoiled, but I'm not, despite the next sentence: Aidan has flown back to NYC this weekend to get me the Tiffany's ring. I am not spoilt! He had to convince me to let him go, and I am paying for half the ring. It is ridiculously expensive, but can you put a price on something like this? Think would regret forever if I scrimped on this one piece of jewellery I am ever going to wear. Ok, enough self-justification.

The return flight home was easily my best flight ever. We flew out of Newark Airport at around 9pm, and flew past Manhattan island, which was the most amazing panorama view, better than on the boat cruise, or from the top of the Rockefeller Centre. Amazing, dark sky and bright sparkling city. I had the window seat…hooray! Then, I promptly passed out, waking only when we began out descent over London at 9am the next morning, and out the window that time was early morning London, clear skies, and I had a great view of the Thames winding its way through the city (if you have ever seen a horrid show called Eastenders, you might know what the view was like). That flight was easily the best ever.

Next vacation may be a while away due to lack of funds, due to extravagant ring purchase...but thats ok. Don't want to escape London in the summer anyway...it is fantastic already. Everyone smiles more, you can stay out later because it is light and warm, and I have a big backyard and bbq!!! Last weekend was spent lying in the sun with drinks and snacks watching McLeods on my mini-dvd player (excellent purchase).

rambling now. so this is the end.