USA Day 25. Getting to the Airport!

(be warned, this is a monolithic read so feel free to skip it and wait for tomorrow's pictures!)

Today definitely didn't go quite as planned. Santander blocked my card yesterday, and when I went into a branch they claimed they couldn't help me, I had to ring. I wasn't too concerned as they've blocked my card countless times before and a quick phone call typically solves the problem.

Only when I got back to the hostel the phones available would only accept $5 phone cards, and I had $6.50 on me with no access to more money. At this point I was definitely starting to panic and get nervous, as if the phone card didn't work I would have absolutely no way to get to the airport tomorrow.

I figured I didn't have much choice though so i bought the card. After an hour of trying different numbers and combinations (do I add the 0 or remove it, does this number need the 44 etc.) I got through.

I'm still so mad about this, so I'm going to keep it short. One of the security questions was a 'recent cash withdrawal'. I explained I was abroad so my transactions would have been in dollars so I couldn't give an exact amount (with the exchange rate varying on an almost daily basis) but that I withdrew around £40 the day before yesterday at Times Square. She told me this was wrong and from then basically couldn't help me, I had to fax photocopies of my passport and card and ring back

Now aside from not having access to a fax machine (who even uses faxes anymore?!) I had used all of my money on that phone call. I managed to photograph my passport and card and email, but I had absolutely no money to ring Santander back.

I was in New York City with $1.50, with no way to catch my flight leaving in a few hours. 

Stressed doesn't even cut it.

I went back to a Santander branch to see if I could ring from there but they can't ring internationally. A Santander Branch isn't able to contact it's own departments. They just couldn't contact people with their so company. I'm getting annoyed thinking about it now it was just so ridiculous. 

All I can say is thank god for mum. 

Lots and lots of trial and error later and some improvisation thrown in for good measure we got my card unblocked but it's definitely not an experience I'm in any rush to repeat!

The first thing I did was book a shuttle to airport (well actually I bought breakfast since I hadn't been able to afford to eat anything for about 18hrs so I was pretty hungry). 

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The driver to the airport was insane. He hadn't a clue where he was going so I had to direct him how to get to certain streets (?!), he was constantly shouting and getting aggressive with the other passenger as he was incredibly impatient and the best bit was while we were driving he turned his window down, leaned out and started having a conversation with a driver in a taxi in the next lane about changing his job! Infact he spent the whole 2hr journey moaning about his job! He ignored red lights and narrowly avoided a few accidents, then when I got out he was very obnoxious about a tip (I know for a fact the company has a strong policy about their drivers not being allowed to actually ask for tips).

So I didn't tip him. 

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JFK was an incredibly unorganised airport, I'm not even going to go into how bad. They had a Wendy's though which i got really excited about! I'd planned to go on my last day in the States but with the card trouble I obviously couldn't, so I took it as fate that I was meant to try them!

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We landed early in Toronto (despite leaving JFK half an hour later) but everything was closed. I've never seen an airport so dead, lots of flights were still arriving but it was deserted so I couldn't exchange my money and the only taxis were the 'limo' ones. And the ride was… 'interesting'. 

The driver wasn't as unsettling as the one in NYC, in fact he was very friendly. Weirdly friendly. 

He kept bringing up the fact that he liked British women, before mentioning how he didn't' think british guys were that great. And then repeatedly asked me if I liked British men or American men…

That was weird but I figured I'd be at the hostel soon so I wasn't too concerned. That was until he pulled into a deserted parking lot and got out the car?! Apparently the boot had popped open but that didn't stop be figuring out the best escape route…

10 minute down the road he pulls into yet another deserted road and tells me to get out the car… He wanted me to get out and look at the sky, and whereas before I was contemplating how to get out the car as quickly as possible now there was no way I was leaving my seat!

I made it to the hostel in one piece! Not before the driver gave me his card, wrote he personal mobile number on it and told me several times how he would be more than happy to give me a personal tour of the city, or to help me out if I needed anything… 

But yeah, the hostel receptionist was lovely and despite getting into the room at 2am and trying to make my bed (which is on the top bunk) in the dark, without waking up 5 other people, my first night in Toronto hasn't been too bad!

But yeah, I'm at the hostel so all's good :)

USA Day 24. Empire State Building

Today was another day where I could have titled this post a 101 different things, but I think the Empire State building was perhaps the highlight - closely followed by the West Village!

Today turned out to be the cloudiest day so far, and obviously sunshine is always preferable, but I can't complain, especially with the amount of walking I did the cooler temperature was quite welcome! First stop of the day was the beautiful New York City Public Library! It's such a beautiful, and iconic building that I couldn't leave NYC without having a quick stop by

Sadly one of the main rooms (and the one I really wanted to see) was closed, but despite that the other rooms were lovely and that fact the Rose Reading Room was closed simply means I'll have to come back to New York to see it, which is obviously going to be a very difficult chore.

The ceiling in one of the rooms - so much detail it was beautiful. 

On the steps outside as I was leaving I saw this! I just thought it was so cute I had to get a photo!

After walking the meandering halls of the Public Library I set off to 30th street W to hunt down the High Line which was right at the top of my list of things to do and see while in New York. 

This was NYC Post office, I thought it was worth a photo!

I also saw this on the way! Not entirely sure what to make of it but I just had to take a photo!

And onto the Highline!

The Highline is basically disused railroad tracks converted into a garden. So there's a beautiful green walkway running above the streets of Manhattan turning what was once an eye-saw into a usable, eco-friendly green space

I have to say it wasn't what I was expecting at first, but there are quite a few different 'sections' which all cater for different things. Most of the walkway was like this, wild looking plants providing a great juxtaposition against the rigid steel lines of the tracks and the rugged urban buildings.

While other areas were clearly being refurbished because of the Highline itself with new skyscrapers dotting the walkway. There were also the occasional lawn and even some 'look out' points

Some vibrant art work I saw walking along!

(I also got free wifi as I walked along so I randomly skyped on my kindle which was fun!)

At one point there were even some trees providing a lovely sheltered path 

I actually really liked the Highline, I wasn't too convinced at first since it didn't seem to be anything too special but the further along you walked the more there was to discover!

I really love this photo with the meat-packing district in the background (such a horrible name but it's the new 'up and coming' district in Manhattan)

At one point I turned a corner and found this 'ultra-modern' seating area where a selection of local arts, foods and drinks were being sold. 

I also loved this idea - they had water sort of running over half the path and the children absolutely loved it, and there was plenty of comfy seating opposite for the parents to sit

After the Highline I walked through the Meatpacking district which wasn't really my 'scene'. I can completely understand why so many people love it and why it's the new place to shop and while away some time. There was certainly an abundance of bars and pubs and some boutiques thrown in too. But I personally didn't find too much to detain me instead heading on over to the West Village

Abingdon Market!

A Marc Jacob's Book Store! Marc Jacob's had like 4 shops on this street, a book shop, a make up store, a guys clothes shop and then a women's shop - craziness!

I LOVED the West Village! It's classic New York and I fell in love with the streets!

The West Village is definitely somewhere I could imagine coming back to with an empty suitcase and a full bank account some time as all the stores looked amazing and they were just in such a perfect location!

After dallying about in the West Village for ages I walked over to Washington Square Park, where I found some 'professional' chess players. A lot are homeless but they ask if you want to play a game, saying if you in they'll give you $5 (then then usually let you win the first two rounds and then when you're feeling confident win the third in a handful of moves. I was tempted to play for the sake of it but it started drizzling so I thought I'd better get a move on!

The arch at Washington Square

The park was lovely, and after strolling it's leafy pathways I cut down through Soho (which is everything you've pictured it to be) to catch the subway up to 42nd Street!

Then it was time for the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!

Because it was drizzling there was no queue! Yesterday the queue was out the door, and the day before Sam (a girl in my hostel room) queued up for 4hours! So I was feeling pretty smug since I'd already booked my ticket and got to bypass what queue there was

They certainly try to give you your money's worth. There's an exhibit as you walk in all about the refurbishments of the buidlings and how they're trying to save energy and be a leading building for environmentally friendly energy usage etc. 

And then there's another one on the 80th floor about the history of the building. It was OK, nothing too interesting. But they provide you with a little touch screen phone thing that you plug the earphones into and gives you dialogue on each exhibit.

I actually thought it was quite a nice idea, particularly on days when there are queues, it gives you something to do while you stand in line!

I did eventually get up to the Observation Deck and get to see the pretty special view!

After taking a few photos during daylight I set about waiting for the sun to set. I decided to come up early so I'd definitely have time (I didn't know if there would be a queue) and I also wanted to make sure I got a good spot to take photos! 

This is how I spent most of my time at the top, earphones on listening to the commentary. And then when I finished the commentary I sneakily plugged the earphones into my kindle and listened to my music while I watched the sun set

There's something a little unreal about looking down and seeing people as tiny dots!

Once the lights started to come on the view really came to life and it was so beautiful

(it was incredibly windy though, but I managed to get one or too good photos where my hair isn't all over my face!)

I'm going to let the pictures talk for themselves mainly as I don't think there's much I can really add! 

ignore the rather tousled looking hair that I'm sporting in this pic!

The view was INCREDIBLE and so, so, so worth the wait at the top for the sun to set. particularly because it was getting crazy busy when I was leaving!

USA Day 23. Statue of Liberty

(I saw so much today I'm not sure what to call this update: Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial, Chinatown, Little Italy, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station?)

Today was another jam packed day where I managed to fit in an absolutely ton of stuff. However I made sure to take the morning easy with a lovely stroll along the river walk which runs along the west side of Manhattan and is a little slice of greenery that is much quieter than Central Park

 I sipped my morning chai tea (which I picked up from a local coffee shop - not Starbucks, despite their over abundance) and just took in the greenery and mentally planned what I wanted to do today

 You can still see the sun rising! Thats how early I got up today so I'd be ready to take on a big chunk of the city

 I walked about 20 blocks before I hopped on the subway as I figured the easiest route for today was to start at the bottom and walk my way up! I jumped on the red line and stayed on right to the end before getting off at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal!

 massive sign incase you weren't sure where you were

 I'd say 95% of people who catch the ferry do it get a look at the statue of Liberty for free. It runs from Manhattan to Staten Island roughly every half an hour and you get pretty close to the Statue of Liberty

 Or at least close enough for a quick photo or two. I did think about taking one of the tours to Liberty Island, but to be honest I was quite content with just seeing her and grabbing a photo

 The view of the Manhattan Skyline from the ferry wasn't too bad either!

 Once the ferry lands you have to get off and wait for the next one to leave, so I popped to the Statue of Liberty Deli and decided to pick up a Large Iced Tea (since I was dying of dehydration)

 I wasn't quite expecting it to be the size of my head though! I actually finished it all before I got back on the ferry so it's probably a good thing it was so massive...

 While waiting for the ferry I whipped out my map to figure out where I was walking to once I got back to Manhattan and took in the view of the skyscrapers in lower Manhattan 

 I have quite a few photos of me in front of the statue of liberty but on the way back the upper deck was much quieter so I managed to get one without other people's limbs sneaking into the shot

 Once we landed I headed up Broadway trying to hunt down Wall Street!

 I loved Lower Manhattan with the beautiful buildings and bustling atmosphere.

 There were also a mountain of museums and plaques to stop and look at

 Including this giant Bull that I found hilarious 

 I'm not too sure what to make of Wall Street itself, but I'm glad I stopped by and saw all the security milling about!

 Looking West up Wall Street towards Broadway

 After stopping at Wall Street it was off to find the 9/11 Memorial that I'd heard so much about

 The memorial was packed with hundreds and hundreds of people gathering around. 

I have to say though, the atmosphere wasn't what I was expecting at all. I saw so many people taking 'selfies' and getting their friends to take photos of them looking 'sad' in front of the memorial. I just found it weird and distasteful.

The memorial tiself I think is quite lovely and can be pretty poignant, but the intense crowd and 'touristy' element kind of detracted from it's purpose. Apparently the 9/11 museum is much more touching with an appropriate tone but I didn't really want to go into a museum on such a life-changing terrorist attack. So I took my own photo, and after trying to reflect I just left as despite being a memorial it's filled with people wanting to take their photo and just move onto the next tourist attraction. 

  After the memorial I carried on up Broadway, stopping in Sephora where I tried on some make up, and headed further East to City Hall Park.

 The fountain was beautiful and apparently the first decretive fountain in the USA!

 After enjoying the sun in City Hall Park I carried on northward to the Municipal Building - which was pretty massive!

 The Municipal Building was a lot bigger than I was expecting and certainly dominates the area

 A few more twists and turns later brought me to Chinatown!

Yes I know I've been to tons of Chinatowns now, but I still like shopping by as there's always so much going on and just so much 'life' crammed into a tiny area. NYC's Chinatown wasn't what i was expecting but I'm still glad I made the time to dawdle down the busy streets. 

 There's fruit stalls dotted all over the city (which I loved) but they were definitely congregating in Chinatown selling all sorts of random fruit 

 The streets certainly packed a lot of character into them, with every inch celebrating a chinese heritage

 you don't want to know what these are.

 I thought this was hilarious. There obviously has to be a McDonalds (presumably for tourists who don't want to try the Chinese food) so they attempted to make it blend in with Chinatown!

 massive jack fruits for sale

 I popped into 'Beautiful Memory Desserts' to get something for lunch and it was a great pick (if i do say so myself!) It was a tiny family run little store with lovely service and quite a wide selection of traditional, and fusion desserts for you to try out. 

I can't remember what mine was called but it was iced mango stuff with green tea ice cream and it was completely delicious! And perfect after spending the morning in the hot and humid New York streets!

 From Chinatown I crossed the road into Little Italy!

 Although the two have definitely got very blended edges there is a distinct difference as soon as you cross the road! Italian flags, bistros, wineries and bars line the streets and I definitely heard a lot of people speaking italitan! 

 I still love the fire escapes that adorn so many of the building here - it's just such a 'New York' thing!

 Then it was another ride on the Subway (thought I'd take a photo so you can see the beautiful stations..) up to Macy's!

This department store is the biggest in the world - so I obviously had to pop in for a browse!

 It was definitely impressive, although weirdly I didn't see a single thing I wanted!

 right outside there were, obviously, some religious people with posters and banners - I've gotten used to it as they really are all over the USA. Although I've noticed a few more in NYC than San Francisco

 There was also a guy teaching people to dance for a donation! it looked really fun and he had a pretty long queue of people waiting in line to take part!

I walked up to Bryant Park where, unbeknown to me, there was a music festival thing going on! So I got a free bag of cheesy popcorn and some water. Oh and some hand sanitiser which is always nice!

 The park was also hosting a few stalls selling different food, all of which looked delicious

 I got incredibly excited when I saw this particular stall though! Firstly it's a Dana's bakery Stall. I was reading about them the week before I came to NYC and I really wanted to go but their main shop isn't in Manhattan and I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it out there. I figured I just wouldn't get to try some of her legendarily pretty andtast macaroons!

 So it felt a bit like fate when I stumble across their stall and they have one, ONE, macaroon left in the flavour I wanted to try the most! Try and tell me that wasn't fate.

So… I bought a Birthday Cake Macaroon that was beautiful, and had glitter on it. And it was delicious

 I thought this gave you a little idea of just how busy NYC is - this isn't even particularly busy, nor is it the heart of the busy district!

After eating my macron I had one more thing on my to do list before I headed back to hostel and curled into a tired ball and slept - Grand Central Station!

Although, not before I had a look at the stunning Chrysler Building that is just gorgeously art deco!

Grand Central Station!

 Inside was stunning, and a little bit of a labyrinth! To get an idea of the scale look at the people walking at the bottom of the photo!

 After wandering about a bit I did eventually find the main hall and it was very beautiful!

 Obviously I needed a photo of myself in Grand Central Station!

 After soaking up the hectic atmosphere of grand Central Station I wearily headed back to 103rd st W where I proceeded to climb into bed and pass out I was so tired! Another super busy day planned for tomorrow! I plan of fitting in as much as possible while in NYC!!