Well, It all began with a suitcase. I went travelling last Fall for 4 months and I just had too much luggage and wasn't able to bring it home with me. Hey, when you pay 1Euro for a flight from Germany to Scotland, you can't really weep over leaving something behind. Anywho, back in Canada I realized that I did indeed need things that were in that suitcase. It would be 700CDN to ship it by boat and for that, i said I would fly back and get it.
Then my cousin rang up to say she was going to NY for a course and she could bring it with her. So little ol' green suitcase got on a bus from Bonn to Munich and then hopped a plane from Munich to somewhere in Europe and then landed safetly in Noo Yawk City! Well I thought to myself .. I will just have to drive down with one of my best friends and have a little weekend away. Why? Well, said best friend loves martini's and has gotten me hook on the ini's as well and - we heard the best place for a martini is Manhattan! Off we went.
The drive consisted of an 11 hour drive there - we stopped for a sandwich and gas and met Flo - our Subway Sandwich Server (say that ten times fast):) and Flo - she just luuved our earrings! honey pie, darlings - she was a highlight for the drive there. Upon arrival we hooked up with Patz- (my cousin) and went for a drink at the Manhattan Diner- where we were well served by our very friendly waiter - who's name has just slipped my mind. I will have to ask Fifi. The next day we walked for 16 hours - trying to squeeze in every nook and cranny we could. Saw a whack of celebs in Soho- and ate scrumptious food at the Dojo- where for 7.95 you get champagne with your brunch! Ooh! we felt very Sex in the City.:)
The day was overcast and rain loomed in the near future- but we were able to get some great photos with the fog hovering over the skyscrapers- i like to think everything happens for a reason - and although it was foggy it created atmosphere in the photos that wouldn't have been there otherwise. It reminded me of old
Art Deco posters from the 20's. Walk, walk, walk, walk,.... and around 10pm after another martini and some grub we started to walk home and the sky opened up and just about washed us away - i loved it- Something about storms makes me feel very alive- though soaked it was fun! fun!
Our stay in the hostel also wasn't so bad. Luckily when we arrived Friday night one of our beds was taken and we were moved into a room with only one other person. Saturday night we crashed around midnight - i know we're getting old- but don't forget the 16 hours of walking! Around 3am a bunch of people came in and in the morning there were some very large feet sticking out from under some covers to which Fifi and I looked at each other and said - are those boy feet! - because they be scary if they're not. I guess when they moved us they didn't mention that they moved us to a co-ed room- no problem - just a wee surprising.
Sunday was full of sunshine and we walked through Central Park again- I am dying to go back and see more of the park - it was so lovely. Fresh spring green and blossing flowers and trees and more joggers than I have ever seen! Grabbed a nice breakfast with horrible coffee and then hit the road to come home. We drove up to the Cloisters, but sadly it is another thing we will have to go see next time - we were tired and it was getting late, plus there was still an 8 hour drive home to confront.
To cut this short- the highlight of the drive home was when i choked on the apple I was eating - it's funny - really :) I was driving and eating and singing all at the same time, which can only spell disaster - and I began to choke - now Fifi swears she didn't say it like this- but this was all i heard. "Give me the Aapple, Pull Ovah! Are you Choking!" You have to say it with a thick New Yawk accent- this made me laugh, choke, and drive- maybe you had to be there. I almost forgot the little old lady that had yelled at us to OPEN THE DOOAH! the accent was killing me - you hear it on tv and think naw it can't be that strong - but it really is. :) Too much fun.
I have to say- that I am one lucky bean this year. Travelling is in my blood, and I needed to go and boy have I gone far. Germany, Lanzarote, Scotland and now New York! If you are wary if travelling- I have to say kick any doubts out of your head and just go! There is no better way to get to know yourself, see the world and meet fascinating people.
Ok - well babbling brook here is going to stop. I keep saying I am not a writer - which I stand by - but sometimes you just have to write down some adventures. Thanks to Fifi and Patz for making it a fun excursion. :)
