I wasn’t going to write anything on my blog today as I figured I had written loads about the Big Apple in the past couple of days, however… so many exciting things have happened today I can barely contain myself!
Hannah and I set off this morning in the direction of the Empire State Building. We had a bit of breakfast at a local café and then continued on our journey. Due to the Pride 2011 parade/ festival we couldn’t very easily reach the Empire State as loads of the roads were blocked off unfortunately. We decided instead to stay and watch some of the preparations for the parade. There was music, fancy dress, drag queens, dancing, baton routines etc etc! After we walked a few blocks and mingled with the parade people we headed back to The Y so Hannah could pick up her luggage and head for the bus station to get her bus to D.C. It was sad to wave goodbye as we have been fairly inseparable for the last couple of days hitting all the sites and becoming really good friends. I decided to try and reach the Empire State Building again but instead watched lots of the Pride Parade on the streets on NYC.
Eventually after lots of Pride fun I made it to the Empire State Building and rode the elevator up to the 86th floor to the observatory where I looked out all across New York and over to New Jersey. I had been given an audio tour handset which was really good and taught me loads about the city. I walked round and round the observatory deck and took lots of touristy photos including ones of myself being a lone tourist.. ha!
After this I was unsure what to do and was summing up a few options in Starbucks when my family rang. Although the ESB was absolutely amazing and the views incredible I was quite sad that had seen it alone and everyone else up there seemed to have family with them. Speaking to my Ma and Pa cheered me up though and I headed to Central Park.
Just as I arrived at Central Park and The Plaza Hotel I saw a massive shop and went inside. It was the most incredible toy shop I have ever seen, giant life size stuffed animals, thousands of dolls, dolls houses, Willy Wonka bars and a giant piano, like the one in the movie Big. I was leaving the piano area when they said a show was about to start so of course, I had to stay! It was super cool and two trained piano dancers danced all of the songs featured in the Big movies plus a Mozart song most commonly used as a ring tone these days!
After this I bought a painting from a street seller and went to The Plaza Hotel. I had taken photos from outside previously in the last few days but hadn’t been inside. I explored the very posh Plaza in my converse, stripy shorts and vest top (lowering the tone massively!) It is SO BEAUTIFUL! I ever went up a few floors in the elevator and had a little walk around. I tried to get into the Grand Ballroom and one of the staff said he would escort me there later as a wedding was taking place at the time. Unfortunately when I returned the wedding was still on however I still went up and saw the Grand Ballroom floor which the leads to the ballroom.
I finally reached my destination of Central Park and walked through the beautiful park, I saw a couple having a picnic on a picnic blanket with a hamper and champagne, how sophisticated. I took a few photos for people and then was called over by a man playing a violin. He asked if I fancied a go playing his violin! He taught me how to do some basic things and made me play a couple of rhythms over and over, slowly and then more quickly. A passing couple took some photos and a small crowd formed to watch and have a laugh. It was such a hilarious experience, the guy was very amusing dancing around and shouting that I was famous. So, I have played the violin to an audience in Central Park, that’s something I wont forget in a hurry.
After a return trip to The Plaza instead of going to a café/ restaurant for dinner I bought a chicken shish kebab in a warm pitta bread wrap from a street seller and made my way back to the Y as darkness fell across Manhattan. Today has been incredible although sad when Hannah left. Tomorrow I’m flying out to Detroit which I’m really looking forward to although I will miss this amazing city.
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