English (wo)man in New York

So the angry Brit visited the angry state a few weeks ago. Yup, I finally did it. I visited THE place I've been wanting to go ever since childhood. Growing up on a diet of American sitcoms and cartoons Id been like a dog with a bone for years telling myself that next year would be the year I would finally cross that big pond.

It was actually a spur of the moment decision. Faced with yet another year of longing and having pretty much  zilch to look forward to in 2013, I banged the whole thing on the credit card and thought fuck it!

Over the years with my various internet antics I have met a large group of people who have been a huge part of my life over the last 8 years especially so figured this was a good time to go and possibly get murdered down a dark alley in the middle of Manhattan. I have to say that I'm very disappointed that not one of them were freaks!

Let me say firstly that a week isn't long enough to see and do everything. As a honorary American, I'm not a typical ignorant Brit that assumes that all Americans live in a 10 mile radius and everyone knows each other but I just couldn't get over the size of the place. In my travels over the week I visited the city to do the typical touristy stuff, I stayed on Long Island (aptly named) was in New Jersey at one point, Brooklyn for a very short space of time, Queens which I loved (I know I will get the piss ripped out of me for that one) The Bronx (big shout out to D!) and a few other places I just kinda drove through.

Oh yeah, did you know they drive on the wrong side of the road??? I kept getting in the wrong side of the bloody car which amused my yank friends no end. After 35 years of getting in on the opposite side of the car this became frustrating but funny non the less.

The city, was amazing. I didn't see everything that I wanted to and some places I loved so much I went to several times. I had been warned that it was smelly and dirty and the people were rude but my experience was far from that. The only thing that was smelly and dirty was the bathrooms in Macys. Really Macys I expected more from you!!! Grotty just isn't the word. And what is the deal with the bathroom stalls across the pond??? The doors have gaps. I felt like I was on show every time I needed to go pee.

I loved it though. Rockefeller Center was everything Id hoped and more. Ok, I didn't get to experience my childhood dream of skating under the huge tree but now good ole NY just doesn't seem that far away so I know I will get to do it eventually. The Empire State Building was fantastic and thank you to my very knowledgeable tour guides (much love to M and F) I learnt a lot about the city that I've probably already forgotten.

Ok so the flying is a bit of a ball ache and I think next time I might just do a direct flight (I flew to Ireland then to JFK) but that huge pond now feels like a puddle although I may need to sell a few of my organs to fund the next trip. Its relatively cheap to eat and do stuff but I bought a lot of souvenirs.

I could continue. I could list everything I did but I wont bore you any further. I know this blog is a complete departure from my usual blogs but I wanted to note it.

But before I go and normal programming resumes...

The best thing though were the people. Without the friends I visited it would've just been a trip to the states. With them it was an experience of a lifetime that I will repeat soon.

Watch out New York, the Redcoats are coming again!