| Days 1 - 7 : New York |
| Day 1 - London Heathrow - New York Quite possibly the longest day ever - up at 7am (Ed was surprised to find that Kara was well on time, despite leaving everything to the last minute, as usual!) and gained six hours on the flight, due to the time difference. Just doesn't seem real, feels like we will be back in a week. Took a yellow cab to our hostel, which was very basic but clean. Needless to say, we had an early night. |
| Day 2 Poured down today! Ended up drenched through. Went up to Madison Square Garden, then on to Macy's - floor upon floor upon floor of trashy clothes... Headed to Times Square, which isn't actually a square! (much more impressive at night though, with all the neon lights), then onto Grand Central Station (very pretty), past the Chrysler Building (not as impressive as it looks in pictures), and past the U.N. Buildings. Had a nice hot shower back at the hostel! Ventured into the gay district for some food. |
| Day 3 Freezing cold (got my gloves out!) and raining again today, so decided to go out to Brooklyn on the subway and walk back to get a taste of life outside NYC. Didn't see a white person for miles! Got a great view of Lower Manhattan from the west end of Brooklyn and realised how much more amazing the skyline must have been with the twin towers. Walked over the Brooklyn Bridge into Lower Manhattan, then up Broadway (kind of the main street). Despite having little money for the trip, Kara couldn't resist and bought some shoes and a coat, and we found t-shirts with Sesame Street, the Care Bears, and Thundercats on them! Ache all over, too much walking. |
| Day 4 More walking today - must have done 30 miles the last 3 days. Went down to the World Trade Centre site. Couldn't see much, but popped into the little church just over the road, which had become a centre for the helpers after the disaster, and has become a kind of shrine now. It's quite shocking yet unimaginable what must have happened here. Caught a ferry to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. Kara got accused of having a lethal weapon....a pair of scissors from her first aid kit! Couldn't go up (need to arrive before midday!), but nice views of Manhattan. Went on to Ellis Island, first stop for all the immigrants into New York. |
| Day 5 Gorgeous day today, sunshine at last. Headed up to Central Park for a nice stroll. Ed claimed he saw all the Friends Characters, whilst Kara got burnt sunbathing next to the terrapins. Went to New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Basketball at Madison Square Garden. Sat right at the top in the cheapest seats which still had a great view, until Kara started banging her blow-up cheer sticks together! |
| Day 6 Another gorgeous day. Went down on the free ferry to Staten Island, hoping to visit a greenbelt area, which actually turned out to be a woody bog followed by a golf course! Did some random exploring though, which scared Kara as the woods resembled Blair Witch project. Went up the Empire State Building at dusk to see Manhattan in the day and at night. Ed felt sick after looking down, silly boy! |
| Day 7 - To Baltimore Caught Amtrak train to Baltimore - about 3 hours south west of NYC. Staying here for a few days with Kara's friends. Journey was pretty nice - big comfy seats and lots of leg room. Even saw 'Shane' and 'Rachel'! - must have been famous, as there were loads of screaming girls! |
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