This will be briefer than previous entries (few sighs of relief) as I am packing in what I can before Friday! It's finally setting in that I'm coming home and to be honest... I don't want to :( Apart from seeing family and a few friends, I would much rather be seeing the world... You start to take it for granted a little bit and I know when I'm back in a normal routine, I will be reminiscing about these days! This is going to be my last entry whilst away, but I will be doing a sort of summary when I get back (I can hear your groans from here.) Last few days have been great. I love New York. Like I have loved everywhere. I'm genuinely happy that I went to every country I decided on. Not one has let me down and in that sense, my travels have been a success :)
Tuesday was a bit disappointing down to the weather :( I can't complain because I haven't had a really wet day for the 8 weeks I've been away. But tuesday, rained and rained and it didn't stop. Coupled with that, I decided that Tuesday would be the day to see Central Park (cracking planning). Despite the rain, and the serious lack of people and atmosphere; I loved it! It's truly a lovely setting, right in the heart of the city. It's not all the same, like you get in some parks like this. I entered from the southern entrance and got a glare from the waterproof bicycle taxi man when I said I didn't want a ride... I walked through and came across various huge parks (all empty of course.) I was sure I recognised some. Sounds weird but so many films have been shot here... Spiderman 3 sprung to mind! (It didn't, cheers google.) Further on, was the huge lake which spread far and wide with a bridge connecting me over to the other side. The trees, in front and behind the water with the skyscrapers in the background was quite a sight. It was such a contrast to the chaos of the city, and the urban landscape. I kept thinking that in the summer, it must be really lovely. Likewise if it was snowing, it would be amazing. Unfortunately the weather got worse so I made a dash for the art museum!
So, the Museum of Modern Art in New York has quite a reputation. It cost me $25 to get in and the place was heaving. It was absolutely huge... To see it all, it would have taken hours. So I just saw the bits that interested me, plus anything that I came across. I'm not a connoisseur of art as you are aware... This museum was both art pieces as well as old artifacts and relics. I saw old Roman statues, old armoury from the tudor times, old firearms and spears and medieval furniture. So quite a mix. Some of it was fascinating, particularly the old armour (including Henry VIII's customised piece) and the old weaponry. However, there is only so many Roman statues of Goddess' you can look at before they blend into one. Maybe it was just me... Some of the information next to them didn't give the context of it, so it didn't really interest me. On the 2nd floor, were the more traditional art pieces. There were plenty of paintings from the French renaissance which didn't particularly bother me. I have decided I'm a fan of oil paintings. By far the most interesting. Also, one section was exhibiting modern photography with the influence of technology. For example, one picture was put together entirely from small pictures of people from the google image search 'photo'.
To be honest, most of it was probably lost of me... I enjoyed some of it but some wasn't my cup of tea. After, I walked up to the Guggenheim (I liked the name). I didn't go in as I had heard that would be even more lost on me. I enjoyed a man singing 'aint no mountain high enough, aint no mountain low enough' (not the lyrics is it?!) for about 10 minutes and then ventured into the rain again... Later that day, I went to 'Ellen's Stardust Diner' on Broadway. I was recommended this place by Chloe and her mum and it was great! It's fairly small, but it's a good atmosphere inside. All the waiters and waitress' are aspiring singers and Broadway performers. They rotate and take turns in performing in the diner as you eat! At one point, I had two blokes standing on the table in front of me, whaling out a classic. It was certainly an experience! I had a pork sandwich with fries, coleslaw and 'Mac n Cheese' bites... (Don't ask.) The food was good, but I particularly loved the milkshake. They even served it with the metal shaker they mixed it in. Small pleasures and all that...!
Today I walked across the famous Brooklyn Bridge and then wandered round Brooklyn Heights ( a very wealthy part of Brooklyn.) The bridge itself it no Golden Gate but it's very old and it gives great views of Manhattan behind you. They are doing a lot of reconstruction work there at the moment so the views were restricted which was a shame... Once I got across the other side I walked around and tried to get a feel of Brooklyn. It's a big place and I saw a tiny, tiny part of it. I walked down to the promenade which was lovely and very posh. The views were amazing looking back. I took a load of photos, grabbed some lunch and then got the subway back to New York.
This wasn't as brief as intended (sorry guys)! But I didn't want to ramble on too much with the lack of time left! Wasn't my best but oh well... But that is it! My last blog abroad. I will do a summary once I'm back and then that will be it. Don't worry, I'm not going to blog my travels into Bournemouth or my ventures do Castlepoint. After seeing 5th Avenue and Broadway, Castlepoint might as well be the Hampshire center again. I hope to do some last minute shopping tomorrow and generally relax! Friday I get picked up from the hotel at 2PM before my flight at 7PM local time. It's been a fantastic two months and I'm sad to be leaving here, but also leaving behind the life I've had for 8 weeks. It's been the best thing I've ever done. I will summarise more in my next entry, but thank you all for reading and sharing my experiences with me...I never expected over 2000 views, so thank you! See you all soon!
