From the couch, the window in Justin's apartment looks towards uptown New York, the Empire State Building nestled amongst others. From the other side of the room, it overlooks the Hudson river, and over to New Jersey.
Last night I sat on the top of the apartment building, eating my rice and greens, admiring the view at sunset. Others were up there too, splitting six-packs and eating dip. There was a warm wind. Twas lovely. I then went for a walk along the Hudson. There's a parkway along it designed for runners, boarders, walkers, skaters, bikes. Dogs. Everyone was out last night and the colours of the sky against the buildings and water were wonderful. I stumbled across a jazz band 'George Gee and his big band' (appropriate) who were at the end of a pier, pumping out tunes to the city. They had also done a swing dance workshop prior so the place was abuzz with couples of all variety getting their doo on.
This city is incredible. It's funny though, one thing that is very evident in being here is the emphasis on money. Perhaps it's just who I've been with, or what I've been around. Times Square was at first full of energy, amazing, buzzing. Then the amount of people, of tourists, of trashy paraphernalia, people bugging you to buy their new gangster hiphop album or bus rides or bicycle tours got to me. It's just a bit too intense.
New York is expensive and the experience I'm after- somewhere undiscovered, honest, raw- differs largely from the experience of Times Square. The 3-storey M&M building, for one.
If I lived here (which would be nice, sometime) I would grow to find these places and find the city that I'm seeking.
I wonder if the city is this full of tourists all the time. It's the height of summer here now, so maybe not.
For the meantime, exploring the place on foot is going wonderfully.
Talk soon.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ho-tel Mo-tel Holiday Inn
Well Hi!
Indeed it has been quite the while.
I meant to do a finale blog for my time in Melbourne, but it seems that time passed by.
Currently I am sitting amongst 1 of 3 computers available for internet use at the Manhattan Holiday Inn. Hooley, Dooley. I arrived in NY on Monday night, flying from San Fransisco. Rentals caught their plane 1/2 hour before mine, so they greeted me at the baggage counter and we began our time on the east coast.
I feel though, it may be better to start at the beginning. So lets see.
I arrived in America after a big night out with some friends in Melbourne. My friend Kat's band Lionhead Staple had a gig at the Tote, and after we headed out to one guy's house in the outer south-eastern suburbs for some funs. I got a couple of hours sleep before catching an early train back home to sort out some last-minute preparations.
There was a bit of a kerfuffle with my debit card, which I was only able to activate 1/2 hour before leaving Dudley St indefinitely. Luckily though, this happened without a problem - thanks to some smart manoeuvering by my cousin J- and all was settled.
Emma and Rosie took me out to the airport at 10am Monday 22nd. It was a nice way to depart, I had an absolute ball living with them folk (and the absent Kath-dizzle) and they bade me adieu.
Then, the same time on Monday 22, I arrived in San Fransisco, into the arms of parents and older sister. It was exciting to see Lee Lee after so long. That day we lazed around, ate some amazing Vietnamese food and slept on the lawns of San Fransisco's town hall. That night we saw Wicked which was wunderbar. I was so tired but it was a great show.
Then I hung out with Leah for two weeks, indulging in ferry rides, gay pride festivities, exploration, meeting her co-op pals, eating great food. All this has been very pleasant.
I THEN spent 5 days with a cool bloke Caius, camping and hiking in the Kings Canyon National Park. Unbeknownst to many, the Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the WHOLE of the States. Whopper eh. So Caius conned me along with the claim that we'd be walking 25 miles. Turns out it was 40 miles, over the course of 3.5 days. Now, for all youse aussie boags, that's a good 60 kilometres. Up and down mountains. Through snow! Through valleys! Through mountains! But it was great. Tricky, at times, but great. I had a flight to catch the next monday morning, so that definitely kept me going. We had to hitchike from Fresno into the canyon, which was probably 60 miles each way. We did this with ease upon arrival, it was a lot of fun. Coming back we got stuck in the forest due to a fire, which kind of mucked up our plans a little bit. I shan't focus on the rest of the detail but rest assured we did make it back in San Fran in time for the flight.
I will upload pictures onto facebook.
And I've spent two days here with the parents. This has involved exploring the amazing Central Park, visiting the Met, eating Ruben Sandwiches, going to Times Square, and walking. We caught a ferry past statue of liberty around the bay (free!, hooley dooley) which was lovely. The weather here is very beautiful and the city seems to come alive in the summer. There are also lots of tourists.
We caught the musical 9-5 on Broadway which was pretty il speco, with Alison Janney in a lead role. My my my, CJ.
Parents nicked off to Washington this morning, which leaves me free here for a week before catching up with dear ol' chum Donell in Canada. Last night we caught up for dinner/ beers with Cousin Justin and family friend Pete. Justin's office building is right above Times Square, which is pretty amazing. What's also radicool is that he's offered me a bed at his place until I leave. Yes please! So that will be fantastic.
After this I'm gonna take my old trusty backpack there and then explore parts of Chinatown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village. It's amazing to just bump into places with so much cultural history. Ex- The 59th St. Bridge (anyone feelin' groovy?, Chelsea Hotel, yada yada. New York City Cops,
Dylan, and the folk and jazz that has come from here.
Tonight Matisyahu is playing for free in Central Park. Count me in, rangas!
Love for all, hope youse are kicking bums.
xoxoxo GG
Indeed it has been quite the while.
I meant to do a finale blog for my time in Melbourne, but it seems that time passed by.
Currently I am sitting amongst 1 of 3 computers available for internet use at the Manhattan Holiday Inn. Hooley, Dooley. I arrived in NY on Monday night, flying from San Fransisco. Rentals caught their plane 1/2 hour before mine, so they greeted me at the baggage counter and we began our time on the east coast.
I feel though, it may be better to start at the beginning. So lets see.
I arrived in America after a big night out with some friends in Melbourne. My friend Kat's band Lionhead Staple had a gig at the Tote, and after we headed out to one guy's house in the outer south-eastern suburbs for some funs. I got a couple of hours sleep before catching an early train back home to sort out some last-minute preparations.
There was a bit of a kerfuffle with my debit card, which I was only able to activate 1/2 hour before leaving Dudley St indefinitely. Luckily though, this happened without a problem - thanks to some smart manoeuvering by my cousin J- and all was settled.
Emma and Rosie took me out to the airport at 10am Monday 22nd. It was a nice way to depart, I had an absolute ball living with them folk (and the absent Kath-dizzle) and they bade me adieu.
Then, the same time on Monday 22, I arrived in San Fransisco, into the arms of parents and older sister. It was exciting to see Lee Lee after so long. That day we lazed around, ate some amazing Vietnamese food and slept on the lawns of San Fransisco's town hall. That night we saw Wicked which was wunderbar. I was so tired but it was a great show.
Then I hung out with Leah for two weeks, indulging in ferry rides, gay pride festivities, exploration, meeting her co-op pals, eating great food. All this has been very pleasant.
I THEN spent 5 days with a cool bloke Caius, camping and hiking in the Kings Canyon National Park. Unbeknownst to many, the Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the WHOLE of the States. Whopper eh. So Caius conned me along with the claim that we'd be walking 25 miles. Turns out it was 40 miles, over the course of 3.5 days. Now, for all youse aussie boags, that's a good 60 kilometres. Up and down mountains. Through snow! Through valleys! Through mountains! But it was great. Tricky, at times, but great. I had a flight to catch the next monday morning, so that definitely kept me going. We had to hitchike from Fresno into the canyon, which was probably 60 miles each way. We did this with ease upon arrival, it was a lot of fun. Coming back we got stuck in the forest due to a fire, which kind of mucked up our plans a little bit. I shan't focus on the rest of the detail but rest assured we did make it back in San Fran in time for the flight.
I will upload pictures onto facebook.
And I've spent two days here with the parents. This has involved exploring the amazing Central Park, visiting the Met, eating Ruben Sandwiches, going to Times Square, and walking. We caught a ferry past statue of liberty around the bay (free!, hooley dooley) which was lovely. The weather here is very beautiful and the city seems to come alive in the summer. There are also lots of tourists.
We caught the musical 9-5 on Broadway which was pretty il speco, with Alison Janney in a lead role. My my my, CJ.
Parents nicked off to Washington this morning, which leaves me free here for a week before catching up with dear ol' chum Donell in Canada. Last night we caught up for dinner/ beers with Cousin Justin and family friend Pete. Justin's office building is right above Times Square, which is pretty amazing. What's also radicool is that he's offered me a bed at his place until I leave. Yes please! So that will be fantastic.
After this I'm gonna take my old trusty backpack there and then explore parts of Chinatown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village. It's amazing to just bump into places with so much cultural history. Ex- The 59th St. Bridge (anyone feelin' groovy?, Chelsea Hotel, yada yada. New York City Cops,
Dylan, and the folk and jazz that has come from here.
Tonight Matisyahu is playing for free in Central Park. Count me in, rangas!
Love for all, hope youse are kicking bums.
xoxoxo GG
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