Alone in the Big Apple

To say New York wasn’t amazing would be a massive lie.

I loved it. I spent a total of 7 days & would go back in a heart beat. There is just so much in one place & so many different cultures to observe.

So it started at JFK, where I got interrogated like I was going to drop a bomb or something. The fact that I was a lone female traveler who had just been all around Europe & Thailand raised their guards a bit I think. Once I got out of there- which was a long time later, I headed into Manhattan Island where I was staying. I found the BEST hostel. It is literally on 34th & Maddison, which is super central & 3 blocks over from the Empire State Building.

What blew my mind was the snow. It was a fluffy white powder in the middle of New York City! Considering I’d been travelling for well over 24 hours I was super restless & hungry so decided to venture out & wander the streets. I figured Times Square wasn’t too far so heading up there. There was hardly any people! Probably as it was 8pm on a Wednesday & also snowing, but I thought NYC never sleeps. Needless to say that is a memory that will forever be etched into my brain.

The following day was just to explore the area closest to me including Washington Square, Flatiron & do a bit of shopping. Nothing too exciting. But man the people in New York are something special. I was just walking along the footpath looking in my bag for my phone when a guy must have tried to walk into a store right in front of me. I didn’t notice him in the slightest and must have cut him off, to which he shouted rather loudly ” F*ck you too, you white B*tch!”. Very much taken by surprise by that one. Here in New Zealand we are a bit more polite and do not expect people to give way to you but are thankful when they do. I also found an amazing Crossfit gym close to my hostel. Solace is probably the best gym I’ve ever set foot in. Super friendly & helpful staff & they made me feel at home, hence why I stayed and trained there for the entirety of my stay in NYC.

The following days I spent exploring the cliché spots- The Freedom Tower, Wall st, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Maddison Square, Central Park, National Library and Grand Central Station. All special in their own way. I literally walked to each of these places as I was too scared to even go near the subway as I’d be forewarned that it’s a lot harder to navigate than the tube in London. Also wanted to minimize the chance of being stabbed. Went to the Chelsea markets & Soho, walked along the high-line which is a massive walkway which stretches from 34th down to like 12th, which is full of artwork and plants. I loved Soho with all the old buildings which have all been reverbed. The day I went up to Central park was such a gorgeous blue sky warm day. I was ecstatic. I went into the Central Park Zoo & I’m not going to lie I was a bit disappointed. There was no Lions, Zebras, Hippos or Giraffes like the movie Madagascar made out there to be. There were however many Penguins & some seals. One seal was hilarious and was propped up on the edge of the enclosure trying to soak up the sun which was pounding down. She was very posed, almost like she was photo ready. The snow leopards were just the most amazing animals- rather lazy but stunning none the less. The Snow by this point hadn’t fallen since the first day I got there and had almost melted completely. All the lakes in Central Park were still frozen over & large mounds of snow sat to the sides of the paths.

Another day I felt super adventurous and decided to walk over Williamsburg bridge to Brooklyn. Now, looking at the map on my phone was fine, but actually walking took around a good hour & a half. She was a bit of a trek & I had to walk through the lower east side (which I more so spent pooping my pants & walking as fast as I could). I fell in love at the bridge. The walkway to my ideal home. Graffiti everywhere, plastered all over the walkways & walls, lighting up the area. Once across the bridge much more larger bombings on every corner & building. Many cute little cafes scattering the streets and then even cuter apartment which were old and tall, done to suit any young 20 year old. If I could afford it I would live there in a heartbeat! The hardest & worse part of that day was leaving and having to walk all the way back to 34th. Contemplated going North rather than South to get across but quickly realized it’d take me through Queens, which as a young blonde lone female who knows no one in New York would have been a terrible idea.

I didn’t get the change to go out in NYC or into a club. I felt very much alone in a city full of people. Not having someone to talk to was hard for me as I’m very much one for words & company. My roommates were nice enough and chatted away but never wanted to go out and do something. That is my biggest regret with this part of my trip. Not going out. As lame as that sounds it would have been awesome to say, “this one time I was drunk in NYC”. I got so bored one night I even went to a movie alone. I went and saw “how to be single”, which at the time seemed like a good idea. Until I walked out crying because I felt so alone. Also at this point realizing I wasn’t in love with my boyfriend at the time. SO just an emotional wreck.

And of course when in the Big Apple you HAVE to go to Broadway. I went and watched Finding Neverland which is a musical about the man who wrote peter pan & the production of said play. I was up on the second floor with an awesome view! I’m not one for musicals normally but its amazing! I defiantly think it topped Moulin Rouge, not just because I could actually understand what they were saying, but I was just engrossed into it. I even was able to watch Kelsey Grammar. Not many people can say they’ve seen him perform in front of them!

All & all New York was an experience of a lifetime. Although I was lonely I wouldn’t take back anything I did. It was a complete and utter culture shock as it is so different to little old Hamilton, as Manhattan Island alone nearly has a bigger population than New Zealand as a whole.

I will never forget it. Until next time New York. I promise to embrace you fully & live it up like a true young single gal in a big bright city!