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All the Critics Love U in New York

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

It's taken me a while to get to actually write this blog entry but I hope it'll be worth it! If you read my short posts last week you will know that my trip to New York was eventful to say the least, what you don't know is the rest of the story!

The big day (turning 32!)

My birthday started very early due to the time of our departure from Heathrow, this wasn't too bad but it did feel a little odd opening my cards and gifts at 4 am (thanks to everyone who sent me cards, your lovely messages and my presents).

The flight was fairly average to begin with, a slightly bumpy ride that was easily ignored thanks to "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and some in flight food and drink. Unfortunately shortly after the film ended we started to hit some major turbulence, turbulence that last for two hours. I have been on a number of long haul flights before and have never had any problems flying (even when considering flying out of the Caribbean above a hurricane), but this flight was a real roller coaster which made me very ill. I wasn't the only one being sick either and all I can do is commend the stewards and stewardesses for their support.

Our choppy adventure into America did not stop there, we hit further problems at immigration.

All was going well, I was feeling a little groggy but nonetheless I passed through the security checks, was ushered through to the baggage hall and by the time I spotted the carousel carrying our bags and turned around Richard (who was behind me in the queue), disappeared. Now I try to understand why the Americans are so damn worried about security but I completely lost my patience when I realised Richard had been taken for questioning.

He wasn't the only one either, after I had made a couple calls to try to reach him I noticed there were other people on the flight who were without companions and I started to think about what was unfolding.

After much stress and worry (and nearly an hour sat in the baggage hall alone), Richard reappeared from a door at the far end of the security arena. He hadn't been told what was going on or why he was being detained. He was simply shoved into a room with a desk and subjected to a number of questions about who he was and why he was visiting. Richard has never done anything wrong, had no reason to come into the gaze of the law and yet he was being cross examined like a criminal. Apparently the USA "USA Visit" system had a glitch and they informed Richard that his finger prints did not match those that he gave last year!!! I shall reserve any right to comment at this point for fear pf offending! All I shall say is that Richard managed to keep his cool when they let him go and asked him to submit a Customer Satisfaction Survey!

As you can tell my birthday ended up being really eventful, when we eventually got to the hotel I flaked out for a couple of hours, took advantage of the free Wifi and VOIP access, made a few calls home then we headed out for dinner.

We continued our theme for evening meals from last year by using diners as a way to experience the real New york whilst still getting a reasonably priced, freshly cooked meal away from the tourist traps. Two of our favourites we The Sunflower DIner (great Chicken Fingers) and The Hollywood Diner.

Niagara

We had pre arranged to fly to Buffalo early in the morning and I am sure it is safe to say we were both a bit apprehensive about security checks etc following on from our experience the day before.

We had no need to worry though, apart from removing shoes, coats and belts we breezed through the security gates and were soon whisking our way across state to Buffalo.

After the short drive to the USA park at Niagara we started a chilly walk across the observation tower to admire the USA falls... Everyone has told me that the Canadian side is much better and more impressive and I was sure Richard was eager to get me into Canada to show me. What I hadn't anticipated was what was to follow.

For anyone who has been you will know its a short walk across Rainbow Bridge, through Canadian immigration (which is much more relaxed that the USA immigration services) and then about a 2 mile walk down the road to the horse shoe falls. Every view and every angle offered an opportunity for a great snapshot of the falls both American and Canadian and indeed I managed to capture 203 photos and a series of videos throughout the day.

(Incidentally I will upload more photos on Flickr when I have the opportunity and plan to put the videos together into a video pod cast at some point).

We spent the morning wandering around the site, taking in the view before deciding to set down in the restaurant that over looks the falls. Lunch was very nice but Richard was very quiet...

When we left the restaurant we had another wander around the crest of the falls and Richard guided me to a spot right where the edge of the falls and the water cascade. What follows absolutely blew me away.. I don't actually remember what Richard said nor do I remember my response (although I know it was positive), what I do remember is that Richard proposed and I accepted. I was absolutely elated and completely on cloud nine. I do remember Richard reaching over and kissing me and for the rest of the afternoon I was really really elated (and still am). Typically I felt the need to broadcast text my news, with little consideration for the local time at home and was amazed by the rapid responses and congratulatory messages from all our friends.

The rest of the day was honestly a bit of a blur...

We took the tour behind the falls and I was totally amazed by the noise, the feeling and the spectacle of the water cascading in front of us through the tiny port holes. Certain attractions such as the Maid in the Mist etc were not running due to the wintry conditions but that didn't hamper our day.

I think we took in every view possible falls before heading back to Buffalo airport for our late flights back to JFK.

New York Darlink' No Capes!

As ever we went away with a planned itinerary (I cannot help it I am a born organiser) and as ever the plan sometimes fails and sometimes works to our advantage.

I had planned for us to experience the "Top of the Rock" but this morning was very misty. You couldn't actually see the top of the Rockefeller Centre so it seemed pointless trying to gain a view from it.

We had a look around the complex though and I have to admit it was my first and only disappointment in NYC. I adore Art Deco but there was something very foreboding and depressing about the Rockefeller Centre. I just feel the interior is very dark and claustrophobic.

After a very quick browse around we headed over to MoMa where we spent a couple of hours trying to take in the very eclectic collection. I really enjoyed the gallery and was surprised by the difference in the exhibits, ranging from the visiting Pixar exhibition, Monets, Van Goghs and the odd Jonathan Ive inspired Apple creation!

We walked the short distance to Grand Central Station and we were both amazed at the scale of the building. It really is a lovely monument to Americas railway pioneering history. Sadly all I could think about was the scene in Madagascar when they popped out of the subway screaming "All hail the New York Giants" - which I did say when I entered the building! ;0)

Cheesecakes in Brooklyn

We spent the day browsing around, keeping our plans loose, just seeing where we ended up.

As planned to start the day we took the Metro the China Town before walking through Wall Street and across the Brooklyn Bridge. You really do get a lovely view of Manhattan, the Harbour and Brooklyn from the bridge and it's also quite exhilarating to be so high up with the traffic speeding along underneath you.

We found a nice diner in Brooklyn stopped for "breakfast". I wasn't quite expecting half a cake when I ordered a slice of Cheesecake but that is what they served! There are time when you do forget the USA portions are much bigger than anywhere else. At the end of the day or when enjoying a hearty meal this is fine but for breakfast it's a little much (and to be honest I am not letting on that we did have breakfast (Bagels and Lucky Charms) at the hotel!)...

We spent the rest of the morning at Pier 17 and paid a second visit to Abercrombie. We had visited the day before but decided to go back. a) to purchase another shirt and b) to check out this F*cking gorgeous sales assistant who was happily stood in the store propping up the goods, flexing his pecs, keeping his butt perky and flashing his eye brows. Both Richard and I noticed him and we felt the need to go past A&F when we left just for a final glance ;)

We then headed onto the Metro and went for a wander around Soho, browsing in many shops (and of course making the odd purchase).

I have seen my fair share of odd buskers and street acts but the dwarf Michael Jackson impersonator at Prince Street station was something else!

I did make my first trip to Macys late in the afternoon and ended up with a number of purchases to fill my underwear drawer ;)

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Before too long it was time to think about packing (a thankfully expandable suitcase) and check out of the hotel.

As ever we left our bags behind and enjoyed another full day in the city.

We enjoyed a stroll along Sixth Avenue, making the odd stop in a shop or to (or three) before finishing up in Central Park where we managed the ice skaters and the joggers sturting there stuff.

We stopped by the Rockefeller Centre again, this time to admire the people ice skating in the atrium before heading into the NBC shop to see what tacky gifts were available!

On the way back we stopped in Trump Tower to have a coffee. I cannot believe how garish this place is! All that opulence and brass. Sadly none of it executed with any taste. I dread to think what the apartment looks like at the top of the building!

The walk back to the hotel led us to Times Square where I got a number of shots on the camera and had a look in a couple stores. I cannot say I was very impressed with the guy outside Toys 'r Us inviting punters to take photos' of his dog and cat tied down and trussed up in the Stars and Stripes. The dog looked very dopey but the cat look monumentally pissed off!

Considering the size and weight of our cases and the pain in our feet we decided to get a cab back to JFK. He made excellent time but I had no idea what route he took as he ended up going through the 'burbs to avoid problems on the freeway.

We did have a final surprise in store at JFK as the lovely lady from Virgin Atlantic bumped us onto an earlier flight which meant we got into the UK much earlier on the MOnday morning.

I can happily report the return flight was fairly painless, so much so I spent most of it asleep.

Well that's it - that was our NYC adventure (06!) - I hope you stuck with it, I hope you enjoyed it and I look forward to hearing what you think of our adventures and all the photos.

As you can tell we certainly had a great adventure in the Big Apple and now Richard and I can move forward, looking towards are next and biggest adventure together.

All The Critics Love U In New York from the album "1999" by Prince


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