The City that never sleeps..

I have just arrived back to the ymca (1AM) from a long day out in NYC. Started with another visit to Times Square so Hannah could see it. I bought a lovely pic-a-mix bag of M-and-M's, the beginning of my obesity in the USA! And spent a lot of time trawling round gift shops to try and grab some cheeky nyc goodies. Times Square is absolutely amazing and incomparable to anything else I've ever seen. After this I grabbed a cab to have brunch at a nice bar downtown with someone Dad worked with once. Jess and I had such a super duper time together and I enjoyed some lovely local food and great company.

I have been unsure about where to head after NYC, switching from Ocean City, Maryland, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Detroit. It has been a little bit stressful having no set in stone plan but thankfully Jess invited me back to her apartment and helped me search for transport, jobs and accommodation. In the end I have decided to head to Detroit and see my friend Cory rather than travel to an unknown place by myself. I am flying out Monday so one more day of the Beautiful Big Apple and then heading back to my former home, exciting stuff!!!

After brunch I grabbed another cab (I feel like a true New Yorker in all these cabs!) and met Hannah at Staten Island Station. Whilst I waited I was approached by a friendly New Yorker called Duwon who I chatted to for ages. His wife is English so we had lots to talk about, comparing cultures, prices, security etc amongst many other general topics like his skateboard customising company and his 11 year old daughter conning him into swapping his Sidekick phone for her Blackberry. He was very friendly and when Hannah arrived and couldn't find the station he pointed me in the direction to meet her. The Staten Island ferry boat is so cool, it's free, goes past the Statue of Liberty, runs 24- hours and takes people (thousands every boat trip) to Staten Island (the fifth borough of NY). Awesome!

Once we returned from the island we walk around a bit and found the Ground Zero site which made me feel very sad. They are building the memorial currently and some reflective pools to remember the awful event. There were lots of American flags hanging from the cranes. After this we walked towards the Brooklyn Bridge and discovered a cute little mini village area with shops, restaurants and bars, it was packed! After walking what seemed like a VERY long way we eventually found the walking entrance to Brooklyn Bridge. We walked the entire way across in the moonlight and saw the beautiful skyline lit up with loads of lights. The Statue of Liberty was illuminated too. When we got to the other side they had closed the bridge for cars to do some maintenance work so the cab went back across the Manhattan Bridge instead, very exciting!

Finally I should sleep, Empire State Building to visit tomorrow plus High Line Park (tip off from Jess) and very excitingly... GAY PRIDE!! The law has just been passed to allow gays to marry in New York so it should be a fantastic event for my last day in NYC.