I Still Call Australia Home: Twentieth Day

I do walk up and down the footpaths singing “New York, New York”, well wouldn’t you?

Well, today was the first full day at New York City and I gotta say, someone needs to teach New York people how to drive. These are my top three tips:

1. A one-lane street does not accommodate three cars

2. A red light means stop

3. A horn is not a pillow

But anyway, I’m glad we’re not having to drive too often.

Last night, we went to see Wicked as I said, and on the way home went to Times Square. I’ve gotta say, that place is pretty amazing. It’s filled with neon signs, plasma screens and LIGHTS! It is so bright in their it could be daylight. And, yes, we were up on the screen. We are like so totally famous. Us and everyone else in front of the screen…

But after being the party people we are and staying out on the town until 11:30pm at night (yes, I know, we are that cool), we had a slower start today before heading out to The Empire State building.

I have learnt something about the cold. Don’t be afraid of it, and don’t fight it – because it won’t get any warmer by complaining. This is a skill Jonathon, Auntie Mandy and Mum are yet to learn. I like the cold, though. I don’t feel it too bad. I don’t like hot weather.

The other thing about the cold is you get to wear awesome mittens I bought in Canada. They are from the pink ribbon foundation. Mittens are amazing. You can play games like “I’m a lobster”, “My hands can talk” and my personal favourite: “OH MY GOSH MY FINGERS ARE GLUED TOGETHER”

Anyway… moving on, in attempt to preserve whatever shards remain of my dignity.

The Empire State Building was pretty cool, outside on the 86th floor with a 360 view of the city is great. We could see Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Ground Zero and the Chrysler Building. There was also a simulation ride in Empire State Building, but given my previous experience on simulation rides, I chose to skip it. Afterwards, Mum said that skipping it was probably a good choice.

Then after, in true New York fashion we went to a sandwich shop for lunch. Because Auntie Mandy and I are boring, we both had ham and cheese but Mum had Philly cheese steak, Jonathon had turkey, swiss and slaw, and Dad had pastrami on rye – like a true New Yorker.

Unfortunately, from there the details get a little hazy. I hadn’t been well all day and after lunch, I had to retire for the day – electing not to go on a boat ride (good choice). So Dad and I went back home, leaving the three “Leamings” by themselves, to find their own way home – heaven help us.

So I could tell you about my afternoon sleeping, but that would be pretty boring. I will upload some photos Mum took from the boat. But on the way home (yes the three Leamings did get home!) they were completely grid-locked, on the bus, and saw 27 police cars zoom by. After I did some Googling, I think it was because of a police hunt for a man who killed three people and car-jacked someone, where we were today. Scary stuff goes down in NYC.

Tomorrow, we have a “greeter” who’s going to show us around. I still feel very sick, so I’m apprehensive, but we’ll see what will be.

“The sun will come out tomorrow”

Some photos of New York, New York: