NYC, Day Number One

Highlights of the day? Running in the Central Park of course! That was my first run after more than one lazy month. And the second thing I did in NYC. Curious what was the first one?

Let's start from the very beginning. My roommate Ondra took me to the airport, which was really kind of him, since I needed to be there at 5. 5am! So we left Manhattan, KS at about 2am and of course, got to the Flughafen waaay earlier than I needed. Okay, I know this is not exciting at all, but actually for me it is kinda exciting just to type in English so, please pardon me. Back to my story. Since then, it was just me with myself for the next couple of hours. I felt asleep on the plane, where I almost destroyed the tiny flip out table while sleeping. I had a really good sleep, so I missed all the I am sure beautiful aerial views of NYC.

My first contact with the city was exploring the Harlem. I got there by a city bus M60! and it was amazing just to watch how people are changing while you're approaching 125th Street. I was so amazed that I forgot to get out of the bus at my stop (Even though I really wasn't that sure which one it was). So, finally, a couple streets and minutes later, I was somewhere, didn't know much where, with my giant heavy backpack (books to send home), no more quarters for bus and a lonely planet city map, which wasn't that much helpful. Well, in the end it was. Usually I don't like wandering in a city with a map and guide book in my hands, but there, me, little eastern European girl with a big backpack, there was no way that someone could ever possibly think that I was NOT a tourist. Ok. So it took me a while to walk back all the way I rode by bus. But what I must say. I didn't feel unsafe at all. There is always someone in the streets. Even in Harlem. So, after couple minutes walking and wandering in the streets, I made it to our hostel and the big surprise of the day! It was as nice and as clean as it is described online (L-Hostel). So. Go for it! I have never ever been to such a clean hostel. Oh yes, maybe once, in Berlin (Generator Hostel, I loved their breakfast so much), but that's Germany, everything is super clean in Germany! And this was Harlem New York City! So far so good. What's next?

I had couple hours left till my sister was supposed to arrive, so I decided to try a small run in Central Park. That made my day, absolutely. Even though I wasn't that fit at all, it was the best thing I could have ever done. The weather was beautiful, nicely warm and sunny. I didn't take a map, so I just got lost in the Park, trying to explore as much as I could and as much as my legs could bare. I spent like 10 minutes just standing at the edge of Jaqueline Kennedy Reservoir and staring at all the beauty around me, my mouth open, of course. In reality everything was even more awesome and fabulous than in pictures or films. So now you know, how much I've enjoyed the Central Park, let's move on!

Big shift in time and place: Standing on the Times Square to meet my sister. In the beginning I was pretty sure that I was standing on the right place she told me to wait for her. After 20 minutes I wasn't that much sure anymore. But, eventually, we found ourselves (and it was me who was waiting on the right spot!). Almost forgot to mention how fascinating it was for me, see that many people in the streets. It was really refreshing after couple months spent in a small scale town. Actually I think for that twenty minutes, I was the only person standing in there, people were walking in every possible direction. Just amazing. But you've got sick of it really quickly. At least I got sick of it really quickly. Times Square is just too much. Too many people who have actually no idea why they are where there are. More than 50% were tourists taking pictures of every possible thing. Underground it was different and way more exciting. Musicians and performers in between streams of New Yorkers and others, rushing to catch their trains to work/home/wherever.

We decided to spend the first evening in the Meatpacking district. Walked a bit, explored the district a bit, we went to the giant apple store because it got a little chilly outside. I have never seen that many I-things at once! I resisted and didn't buy anything. They have quite nice glass staircase structure. I was surprised it was pretty solid when walking on it. No shaking or moving. We got hungry quickly (and it was chilly and windy outside), so we ended up in some nice and cozy dining place. My sis got her first 2009 real american burger (sorry but, So Long burger is better) and I got pretty delicious wrap stuffed with many things. And a beer! Brooklyn pilsner. Not bad at all, but not really significant flavor to remember. Even though the day number one was short, it was intense and I think I've got most impressions and excitement from this very first day. Uuh, I love this city so much!