After a very long and stressful time flying that just happened to begin at the exact morning at which Tullamarine customs decided to go on strike, we finally arrived in the beautiful and constantly shape-shifting New York. Every corner has something new in building design, sprawl and character.
(FYI this is a photo of L.A as we had to stop over at LAX before running to catch our flight to New York as well).
One of the most common things in New York are fire escapes, and to be honest having fire escapes on the side of buildings creates some of the most beautiful architecture and unique patterns.
Everywhere, throughout every street, there are beautiful buildings with incredible facades just jutting out of the not so unique street line up.
We made our way to Union Square. There was an amazing farmer’s market with some buskers playing jazz. We saw the George Washington statue and walked around Union Square which was beautiful in the sunlight.
The Flat Iron building. Quite frankly the most amazing example of a very interesting type of building unique to New York city: the corner building.
Madison Square park. Beautiful art covering most of the walkways right next to the flat iron building and Eataly (a great gelati shop), and even had a really cute little dog park section (which really made me miss my dogs…)
Empire State.
We went to Macy’s, which is basically a better and slightly cheaper version of Myer. Inside, they still had the old escalators made from wood. That’s right wooden railings, and one even had wooden steps.
Another interesting thing about Macy’s, and somethig that I think should definitely translate to our stores, is the fact that each brand of makeup on the ground floor (at least on the day we were there) had their own DJ.
It really lifted the mood, although it was interesting because each area was a different competeing sound.
We then went on a ‘mum-fuelled tour of famous buildings that had been prominently featured in films’, starting with the New York public library, in such films as The Day After Tomorrow.
It is a truly magnificent building with a lot of interesting free events in and around the building.
Next up on the tour, Grand Central Station. Featured in pretty much every Hitchcock film ever (or at least North by Northwest and Strangers on a Train, so the two train themed ones).
The old building is so huge and beautiful, and to be honest being in the middle of this old beauty it finally hit me where I was. The grand majesty of this place is just so old and grand, and yet so present, like the whole of New York pretty much. It breaths life through its age and history as the old becomes adapted into the new.
The roof has beautiful designs of star signs, which are actually upside down.
We went to Times Square after walking around all day and went and sat on the stairs in the center (yes, the same ones in The Amazing Spiderman 2). It was incredibly calming and interesting just watching people go by and being above and detached from the huge crowds of Times Square. We actually wound up spending just over 30 minutes sitting down and people watching, while we rested our feet.
Darrel Lea is here too, which was surprising…
There’s no mistaking it’s Australian-ness.
In true American fashion, we went to a convenience store and bought bucket loads of junk food. And of course we laid it out on the counter ritualistically for the slaughter.
And for all the Mad Men fans among you…
THEY STILL EXIST! And with pretty much original packaging too.
PUPPIES!!!
Burger… Vegan NYC style.
And Finally…
… Ice Cream….
… Sandwiches…
And a vegan carrot cake for dessert. Its like christmas, but with food. Wait, what am I saying. That is christmas!
Day one is over and I’ve already learnt so much from this city. I can feel its diversity and confidence leaching into my bones. Let’s just hope it’s a permanent thing.