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Ah, New York. New York should be and adjective.
(Side Note: Here is a poem that I had written this semester in Grad School, of one's first experiences with New York. The jarring, disconnected feel reflects one's sensual conception of being placed inside of New York's playground-- Times Square. The lack of punctuation indicates a face-paced read overall mirroring the New-York-standard. Moving from a small Palm Tree-filled town in Boca Raton, I was easily lured into Manhattan's enticing smells, sounds and lights leaving no time to marinate in one particular sensation.)
Home
For the turn of 2008, Andres and I had made a commitment to stand in Times Square. We wanted to charge into the New Year, and what other place offers such a widely-renowned performance like Manhattan? Our trip was planned for December 28th-January 2nd.
The first batch of honey roasted nuts
I bargained a street vendor down fifty cents
Steam potholes, “Goach” purses, Buddha figurines
Did you know Times Square could be seen from space?
Pizza by the slice and taxi horns
Horse drawn carriage, police on horse
I had never seen orange leaves before
Nor a roasting duck in a Chinaman’s window
Newspapers stands over subway grates
Real Uggs (not Fuggs), a Houndstooth scarf
No, I don’t want a double-decker tour
Gelato, Yolato with elephant-ears
White Castle was always a frozen food
Until palm trees turned to seeds at high altitude.
For the turn of 2008, Andres and I had made a commitment to stand in Times Square. We wanted to charge into the New Year, and what other place offers such a widely-renowned performance like Manhattan? Our trip was planned for December 28th-January 2nd.
During our stay, we had purchased the double decker tour. I highly recommend this form of transportation for city newcomers, considering taxi cabs and subways cannot provide you with the ultimate New York experience. During our stay, we had chose the Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn Loop, and during Christmastime, they offer a City Lights Tour which takes you around to view the Christmas lights. Click on the link below for descriptions and prices.
During our New Year's stay, we chose Best Western due to pricing and location.
Best Western President Hotel at Times Square
Here are Andres and I standing in the midst of Times Square on Broadway and 45th street. Even during the day, the colors and lights are outrageous and provide one a sense of wonder. Walking around the city is an event itself. Daytime activities were spent viewing the different buildings and sites.
The flat-iron building for example is a marvelous site to see. Standing at 21 stories high, the flat iron building is one New York's most photographed landmarks. It might have something to do with the fact that it is either shaped like an iron, or merely because it is otherwise known as Spiderman's "Daily Bugle." Either way, it makes for a great photo-opt.
Here are Andres and I hailing a cab right in front of the Flat-Iron Building.
Here are Andres and I hailing a cab right in front of the Flat-Iron Building.
The empire state building is always a fascinating landmark to see-- both day and night. At nighttime, the top of the building changes to a different color and illuminates the skyline. Many of the double-decker tour buses include a trip up to the top, but if you decide to pay separately, it costs around 30 dollars. Depending on the time of the year, the wait-time ranges. Wait time during Christmastime for me and Andres: 2 hours in the cold. Despite the lines, once up on the 86th observatory, it makes your trip that much worthwhile. I am not a fan of elevators or heights, but I highly recommend going up to the top, even though I had to stop at the first elevator transfer and walk up a disclosed amount of flights by myself.
Last elevator goes up at 1:15 am.
(Fun Fact: Did you know that you could get married for free at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentines Day?... How Romantic!)
One of my favorite things to do there is the ferry ride around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park. Another long wait-time, but very well worth it. I ended up contracting the flu after our hour wait in line to board the ferry. Make sure to get on the correct ferry, because some do NOT stop and let you get off to walk around. I recommend booking your tickets online to save yourself the purchasing line.
(Fun Fact: There is no ancestry book like the one featured in the movie "Hitch." It was just a prop. Do not bother asking an Ellis Island attendant where it is.)
Madame Tussauds New York. For approximately 30 dollars, this is the closest we will ever get to being next to our favorite celebrities. Online tickets can be a little bit cheaper. Definitely a must-see experience! Do you see any resemblance?
I enjoyed the Radio City Christmas Spectacular as a perfect, nighttime, New York experience. You are prohibited to take any pictures inside, therefore, the fabulous Rockette performance can only be retrieved through memory. It was such a sight to see! I purchased my tickets through the hotel I was staying in, which ended up being a disaster--we were given the wrong seats and ended up having to get a refund for the difference. I highly recommend orchestra seating. Although you do what you can afford, people are only so big on stage and unless you have super-vision, it might be difficult at times to see clearly. Besides, artificial snow falls from the ceiling at the end of the show, and only the front section of orchestra seating is privileged to sit under it.
I recently purchased my second round of Radio City tickets for December 29th of this year. Unless you have better luck than me, I suggest purchasing tickets through the official website. Click link below.
One of the most celebrated Christmas traditions is ice-skating at Rockefeller Center. 150 skaters at a time can enjoy one of the most incredible New York experiences of all time. Depending on how far into the holiday and what time of the day (or night) you go, the prices range from anywhere to 30 dollars including skate rentals. It is a pricey adventure, but well worth it!
If you do not mind a little hustle and bustle in order to capture an astounding photograph, I thought the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was worth the pushing. Here are Andres and I photographed after being shoved around being heaves of tourists. The tree is illuminated on a daily basis from 5:30am until 11:30pm, all day on Christmas Day, and 5:30am-9:00pm on New Year's Eve. The tree is up until January 7th.
Here are a friend and I outside of a Forever21 in Times Square. Shopping around that area can stay open until as late as 1am!
Our New Year's in Times Square was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have to admit, I was ill-prepared coming into this commitment, and if you plan on spending a New Years out on the streets, here are some factors to consider:
1. There is no restroom use-- unless you would like to loose your spot in line. Keep fluids far away. You might have to roll in the New Year sober.
2. Dress accordingly-- you will be standing still outside in the around 20 degree weather. Thermal clothes- highly recommended.
3. Get there early-- we happened to be roaming around the area at 6 o clock at night and found the line of people to be wrapped down the blocks. This is an all-day event, so start lining up around lunchtime.
4. Bring cards-- you will be surprised how many people you end up meeting and talking to for the hours that you will standing in line. At some point during the night, you will all be sitting down on the floor, bored. Concerts are held at the front of the line, and if you are lucky, you can hear them faintly in the distance.
5. Pack a cooler-- you are going to be out there all day and have to eat.
6. Bring a bright umbrella-- you are on national television and your family and friends will be searching for you on T.V. It is no use trying to explain your exact location among millions of tourists. Therefore, whenever the helicopters come around for video shots, wave your bright umbrella high.
7. Make provisions afterwards-- believe it or not, the whole ball-dropping experience is over once the ball drops! Although it looks more festive on television and provides one with illusions of after-parties, the streets literally clear off once everyone has made their rounds of "Happy New Year's"
8. It is extremely organized-- although it looks as if there are stampedes of people trampling over each other. A certain amount of people are sort of quarantined into little barracks surrounded by metal bars. There are police stationed to each little barrack of people, and they clear the streets in an organized fashion.
Andres and I waiting for the ball to drop.
The best part of Christmastime in New York, is the prospect of snow. Now that I moved back to Queens, I finally saw my first white Christmas last night.
Do not forget to pick up your souvenirs in Chinatown!
Enjoy your trip and happy holidays!
Enjoy your trip and happy holidays!
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