So, after spending a bit of time over the weekend taking in a last bit of San Francisco, I packed up my stuff from the frat and headed out to SFO airport.
I had an overnight flight, leaving San Francisco at quarter to eight at night and reaching JFK airport in New York at about 7:30 the next morning. In the end, due to various delays, the trip turned out to be somewhat longer - but in the end, I left the airport a little before ten this morning. Hopped a taxi to my hostel, which is in a very cool part of town, Brooklyn is on Long Island, across the river from Manhattan, and I'm staying in East Williamsburg. For the Melbournites amongst us, this area is a bit like a less gentrified Brunswick - lots of galleries, converted lofts and creative types, spotted by low-income housing and a few industries and warehouses which are still running. Except that Williamsburg is on a much greater scale than you'd find in Melbourne. The Hostel I'm staying in is a converted loft, and they've done an amazing job. My room sleeps 12, but the space is so huge, you're not cramped in with everyone, as you get in many hostels. It's all very new, and there's a cool lounge/kitchen space, with new appliances and fittings.
Anyway, after dropping my stuff of at the hostel, I had some time to kill before I could check in. So I hopped the subway (like a block and a half away from the hostel) and did what I always do when I arrive in a new city - walked around - so a bit of a photosummary is in order.
So, after a 15 minutes ride to Union Square on Manhattan, I took a walk up the famous Park avenue - no photos of this, I'm afraid, I was still in cold-shock at the time, and was more focused on getting something hot and breakfasty (two eggs and bacon on a roll saved my morning today :P). Made my way up to Grand Central Terminal, which is probably the most impressive train station I've ever seen - and it's not just a pretty face - there are dozens of trains which arrive and depart from here, and hundreds of people at a time coming and going.
The great thing about actually being in New York is that something spectacular and iconic is always just around the corner - case in point, I walk out of Grand Central, and run into this baby.
Not one to quickly move on from unhealthy obsessions, I soonfound another building to fawn over - this time, one that I had missed out on during my first trip here. The UN secretariat building, as well as being pretty and architecturally significant, is also a place where a whole lot of good work goes on - which lend the whole thing a certain gravitas, I reckon.
(see the gravitas :P)
Plus, there's an amazing view down the street (42nd? I think.) from outside - there are not very many places in the world where you can have a view like the following, with such a variety of buildings in all different styles, shapes, ages, heights and sizes.
Next, I took a walk across the island from East to West, ending up on the Hudson River, where I saw the aircraft USS Intrepid (Which I only knew about because I'd seen Will Smith use it as a driving range in I Am Legend).
Again, I feel compelled to point out that, no matter where you are in New York, there always seems to be an amazing view just around the corner - this one's taken at the West Side train yards, with the new New York Times Building at left, and the Empire State in the middle there.
Anyway, I made my way back to the subway via the East Village neighbourhood (nice, but far too many hipsters/yuppies/fashionistas) and hopped on a train back to Brooklyn.
So, that was my eventful day - got a few things planned over the next few days - Roosevelt Island, Wall St/Downtown, Central Park, the Rockerfeller Centre, Museum of Modern Art, Coney Island etc - but mostly I'm just looking to spend a bit of time doing exactly what I was up to today - wandering, exploring and being in awe of this crazy, crazy city.
'til then,
Jono
3 comments:
Wow Jon, what an amazing time already -I can't believe how busy Union station is. I think a Christmas in New York is in order some time soon. Have fun, be safe and keep warm.
Mum
Hi Jono, Great atmosphere in the pictures and you are so right about the Chrysler Building and the Grand Terminus railway station, out of one great icon and down the street to another. I wonder who owns the Chrysler Building now? Chrysler is in so much financial trouble it may not survive. Can you go in the Chrysler Building? It was closed to the public when we were there.
Christmas is coming to Melbourne tomorrow,but you will have to wait another day. Has it snowed yet? No snow here! Merry Christmas and stay safe.
Dad
hey jono!
wow. i love it and miss it and can't wait to be there soon. your blogs are so evocative. ok it's the Grand Central Station, parent-folk and what i wanna know is WHAT is that old man holding up to that other old man in a baggie in the middle of the station? those crazy geriatrics. East village full of hipsters? never. it's full of people like Kate Winslet pushing strollers around and i love it. Speaking of celebs, Williamsburg is where Hetah Ledger lived and Michelle Williams and their kid still do. you should stalk her and also find the bar he owned which is still running somewhere around there. glad the rockafeller (sp?) gave you some xmas joy, I can also reccomend buying your older sister soemthing shiny from Tiffanys on 5th ave as a great way to spark the ol Xmas cheer :P
will miss you tomorrow bruv and hope to speak to you during the day. x
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