A post inspired by Travel Penguin.
It's interesting. I don't know what I expected of New York City. Maybe it was the terribly hot and humid weather that put me off.
There some things I really liked but there was swindle that happened to us when catching a subway, although we didn't lose money, I think that being I guess the train operator.
The cloying service where we ate with half a dozen checks to see if we were happy with the food, and almost exposed tits under our noses by a waitress.
One man with a vacant seat next to him on the subway to Brooklyn has some serious manspreading happening. I sat, he did not move his legs, I gently pushed back and made my space.
Some very poor subway platform directions, and then the kindness of strangers kicked in.
Our two attempts to see Central Park were thwarted by the heat and humidity. We saw a little.
We did enjoy The Highline, seeing Matilda on Broadway, The Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, MOMA, and also a smaller museum (NYC Museum?), the train museum in Brooklyn, the cruise on the Hudson River, passing by the now tearful Statue of Liberty, and travelling along the shores of New Jersey. Also the friendly barman at Port Authority who gave us shot glasses as souvenirs.
Our apartment accommodation was adequate but far from flash, and three storeys up. We were fitter after we left NYC after climbing up and down three sets of steep stairs. The price was cheap and we did stay near the corner of West 40th and 8th Avenue.
The Hop On, Hop Off bus was not bad, although I remember a live commentary error. We visited all NYC boroughs. We visited the gay area in Greenwich Village and walked along Christopher Street.
We observed and learnt how to leave a $1 tip for each serve on the bar at a gay bar.
We had the best meal at an Irish themed pub.
I can't say exactly why as I don't know, but NYC just did not feel right to me. It isn't a city I want to revisit, let alone live there. Friends were surprised at my opinion.
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It can be disappointing when places don't turn out to be as they are hyped.
ReplyDeleteJayCee, I thought I knew what to expect but maybe it was very different to what I expected.
DeleteNYC isn't my cup of tea either. It's way too big for me.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra, I am fairly used to big cities but NYC is in a room of its own.
DeleteI haven't been into the city in ages but I used to go frequently to see art and museums, not really into other sights. A bit narrow in my interest. October is best month for New York.
ReplyDeleteBoud, that would be autumn. Yes, that probably would be.
DeleteWhen I was last there, I did not enjoy giving out so many tips that I try to save in my younger years
ReplyDeleteRoentare, tipping did our head in. We hated it. We only ever gave 10% but now I hear it can be 20 to 30%.
DeleteWe loved NY the subways the friendliness of the people. Central Park was wonderful, squirrels everywhere . We stayed on Broadway and saw the campiest performance of Cabaret. Went to an old time record store where we bought the original recording of Cabaret , caught the train down to Madison Square Garden to see Bette Midler perform. The crowd was a performance in itself. Some NY cops hailed a taxi for us because they heard our Aussie accents . I guess we were lucky . We also visited a few Art Galleries. . We did realise however that their brewed coffee was a cure for constipation!
ReplyDeleteOne stranger and the barman at the Port Authority were nice, the latter hoping for tips no doubt. I would love to have seen Cabaret, let alone a very camp version. Like it's not camp enough. I can't remember what I did for coffee. Just suffered probably. While the Subway is very efficient, it is rather grim.
DeleteNot a city I have seen or been tempted by.
ReplyDeleteSeeing some historic and iconic locations was pretty good EC. I forgot to mention the very solemn 9/11 memorial, which was as excellent as it was sad.
DeleteWhat happened to the Statue of Liberty??
ReplyDeleteEvery single thing she stands for is being erased.
DeleteDebby has it in one, Hels.
DeleteI loved NYC. It surprises me that the heat and humidity bother you. Is it a different heat from Melbourne?
ReplyDeleteDebby, yes our heat is mostly a dry heat, and the usual pattern is one day warm, one day hot, one day a stinker, and then a cool change. We do at times get humidity, but not that often and its normally brief and at lower temperatures, even if feels killer hot.
DeleteDidn't live up to the Frank Sinatra song, I take it.
ReplyDeleteYou could very well say that, Kirk.
DeleteHave never been there. I bet I'd feel claustrophobic in such a crowded city.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, Times Square was crowded but I don't remember anywhere else being crowded.
DeleteI love NYC, it reminds me of Melbourne maybe 20 years ago. I have been several times, but won't go again while Trump is in power, or Vance.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting J. Thinking about it, it did seem rather old fashioned, and while there were works everywhere, it didn't seem to be well maintained.
DeleteThe High line and Broadway despite the heat and hiccups. Not every city clicks for everyone, and that’s okay travel’s all about learning what works for you.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is.
DeleteWhen did you go? I have only seen bits of NYC in movies and tv shows and that's enough for me to know I would never live there. Far to many people. As for hovering waiters, I'd give a bigger tip to one who served me, said enjoy your meal and backed away until I'd finished.
ReplyDeleteRiver, it was after Canada, June 2015. I think the media portrayal is fairly accurate, but of course we never experienced the high life of the rich and famous. One thing I've learnt about living in big cities is that you form your own village, exactly where you live, the shopping areas you visit and where you like to visit. It may not be a connected village but they are spaces you like.
DeleteI've never wanted to go there at all.
ReplyDeleteI guess many like yourself wanted to experience it.
Margaret, I don't regret visiting the city, which was tacked on to the end of our magical Canadian holiday. We also had a credit card fraud committed there, which the bank sorted out after a while. Very annoying and we don't know how it happened.
DeleteI never wanted to go to New York until I fell in love with a New Yorker.
ReplyDeleteThese days I'm not sure if I am interested or not.
Kylie, blogger Steve Reid is a passionate New Yorker reader. I should try it, but as always, only so much fits into my day.
DeleteErr, Kylie, maybe I read that wrongly. You said a New Yorker, not the New Yorker.
DeleteI am glad I inspired you. I have been in Central Park twice, the first time was a horse drawn carriage ride, expensive but elegant, the second time was a very long walk in a drizzling rain. The NYC subway system is a maze, with very poor directions.
ReplyDeleteMy experience with Amsterdam is similar to your experience in NYC, I have been there twice and both times have left me wondering why anyone likes the city.
TP, yes directional finding on the subway wasn't great. The best thing I found in Amsterdam was the walking on the soft carpet of cigarette butts. But don't judge a country by its major city...or its current leader.
DeleteI could easily live there though I don't have the coins!
ReplyDeleteYes, property is very expensive and you don't get much size, which can be a disappointment.
DeleteI haven't been there since the 90s and we tended to go to all the small streets in Soho looking for the art scene. Did go one New Year which was magical.
ReplyDeletePat, I am sure there are some great areas to investigate, and what an occasion NYE in NYC must have been.
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