new york, new yuck, new love

the first time i set foot in new york city, i knew i would develop a love and hate relationship with the city. we took the bus going there and the ride did not seem that long. while we were on the freeway, the sights remind me so much of nlex back home. the fields, the road, the cars, the buses and all that made me think i was going home to pampanga instead of going to new york.

maryland, delaware, philadelphia, new jersey then finally, new york. the drive was around 4 hours and within that time span, we went through four states.drive for 4 hours in california, it will only take you past L.A. if you drove up from san diego.


I new york city.

it reminds me so much of manila that all the trash on the streets were endearing. when we got off the bus and into the port authority, i thought i was in tutuban or greenhills! we walked around and the streets remind me of cubao. we stayed in a hotel right smack in the middle of seventh avenue, infront of madison square garden. we were in the middle of all the action. liked and hated it at the same time. new york is so different from maryland and d.c. the streets were so crowded and everybody was in a hurry to get to wherever they're going, pushing and shoving everybody in their way. *sigh* just like manila. like home sweet home. shopping was good. they have a lot of independent stores that sell cheap but good stuff. i bought a couple of i heart new york shirts for me and my co-teachers. can't wait to wear them to the gym. we walked to times square and it wasn't that great. it was so crowded that you won't be able to appreciate the beauty of the billboards. well, the crowd is what makes new york city, new york city right?
















Welcome to Times Square. Welcome to Chocolate Heaven

At night, the streets are teeming with people. it really is the melting pot of usa. Different kinds of people, different nationalities, different colors, different personalities all walk the same streets.

we decided to go to little italy for a little before-midnight snack. it was a freakin 5 mile walk but we sucked it all in and walked all the way there. we ate at pomodoro ristorante. all four of us ordered our own mini pizza which wasnt "mini" at all! we had 4 12-inch pies cut into 4 big-ass slices, buffalo wings, lasagna and cold beer. it was all good. walking through almost half of manhattan was definitely worth it. when it was time to go home, we all didn't want to go through all that walking sh*t again so everybody decided we should just take our chances and take the subway. i was so freakin nervous. i am a seasoned traveller and i take the metro regularly but there was something about the ny subway that intimidated me. it was complicated and scary. but the lights don't turn on and off when you go through the tunnel like in the movies. as malas as i am, we took the wrong train and went all the way to coney island at the tip of the island (and madison square garden is in the opposite direction!) but of course, we got home din. i wouldnt be writing about this if i didnt survive that right?

i would looove to go back and do more sightseeing. but this time, il be ready for the subway and all that walking!