Noo York
Before I begin, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Sorry I forgot to say it before, I kinda neglected LiveJournal nightly reading. Anyways I went to New York City on the 24th. It was beautiful...
Saturday, December 24th, 2005:
Got to La Guardia at 4pm. The plane ride was awsome because it was not full at all so I got extra seats! Love it when that happens. Then went to the hotel. The taxi driver was cool, my dad kept on asking him questions about India. We stayed at the Hilton Times Square (on 41st between 7th and 8th). Strangest hotel entrace; because the lobby was on like the 10th floor, we had to go throught this really narrow hallway and take an elevator jus to get to the check-in area. And then from there take another elevator to get to the rooms. So annoying. Anyways we unpacked and went to the this Brazilian Grill place on 8th and 50th. Basically it's an all you can eat salad buffet and then waiters come around with stacks of differently roasted meats and ask you if you want any. It was good. The food was like this really famous restaurant's called Fogo de Chao (http://www.fogodechao.com/index.htm). We have to go! Then after I stopped by the Virgin Megastore and picked up the Keane and Jack Johnson Concert DVD (a must have)!
Sunday, December 25th, 2005: Christmas Day!
Christmas was an interesting day. We had dim sum (or Yum Cha) with my mom's uncle and his side of the family. We had to go to this really random Chinese restaurant at Canal and Bowery. The food was pretty bad, but my great uncle was like "this food is like the food in Hong Kong!". I was like "oh hell no". LOL. So yes, the food was pretty bad but then we walked around Canal Street because it was the only place that was open and busy. All the other tourists were there as well. And then I suddenly remembered last year's Art Trip and how people were amazed by the stuff you find on Canal St (cheap knock-offs) and telling me how I'd love shopping there. Then I realised that it wasn't special at all, it was just like Hong Kong. So yeah, we walked from Canal to the Financial District so my brothers and mom could see Ground Zero. Last year when I saw the area it was still a giant hole in the ground. But now it looks like there's construction already. Still sad though. After, we went to Starbucks (seriously, there's like a Starbucks on EVERY block, it's crazy) and I got an Egg Nog Latte. Didn't taste really egg noggy. Took the cab to Rockerfeller Center to see the ginormous tree but went back to the hotel because it started pouring. Took a nap at the hotel and then proceeded to the Quicksilver. I bought this really warm and comfortable Zip-Up hoodie with a wool interior. Quicksilver's awsome, it's rocking. Then we walked to the Rockerfeller again and took pictures! We then took a cab to South of Houston (SoHo) and went to this really random Italian restaurant. It was so scary, they had to sit us in the basement because the main floor was full. The people who were running the restaurant seemed Mobby. So scary. But then there was this other family with 3 daughters who were trying to define the term "emo". I started laughing so much because two of the daughters seemed actually emo and one was JAPpy and so they got into an argument. Then we took to the Hilton and retired.
The Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree decorated by Swarovski
Up Close (yes I know it's horizontal)
Monday, December 26th, 2005: Day after Christmas Sale! (a.k.a Boxing Day)
This day was fun. We had decided to do what our family was best at: mega shopping. We decided to start off in SoHo because all the cool kids were there. We took the cab (again) and had no idea where to go for lunch. The cabbie dropped us off on Spring St, right in front of Balthazar! This restaurant
is extremely popular for its wickedawsome french food and for celebrities dropping by. I read on the website that reservations were required 30 days in advance so before I was like to hell with it. My dad decided to go in anyways and we got a table with no waiting time! It was so cool! The restaurant is jam packed with tables and people so everything was close and claustrophobic. We had a table parallel to the wall in between other tables and so in order to get into our seats, the waiter had to drag the table so we could get through. I had Duck Foie Gras for appetizer and Macaroni au gratin. So friggin good. After, we walked on Broadway, shopping. Stopped by the Apple Store (omfg it was so packed there, the lineups for paying were at least 15 minutes long) and other stores. Went to this Urban Outfitters but more rocker store called Yellow Rat Bastard and bought some cool shirts. Then went to the Bloomingdale's to look for Rock & Republic Jeans. Did not find any because all the washes were ugly. So then I walked to Atrium NYC, known for jeans but still did not find anything. I sort of got pissed and so we decided to go back to the hotel. After dropping off our stuff, we walked to 5th and walked up to 57th to the newly opened Abercrombie. It was orgasmic. Knowing me and my obsession with the store, and since this was a flagship store (meaning the mother of all Abercrombie & Fitch on the US East Coast), I basically came in my pants when I realised it was 4 floors. Spent 1.5 hours there. It had everything; stairs, paintings, sculptures, elevators etc... They even had a glass display with people to help you choose a pair of jeans! OMFG. After much trying on and squirming through the mosh-pits of people, I got a Zip Up Hoodie with fur interior, a henley, a pair of jeans and a bracelet for $400. Money well spent (in my opinion anyways). I came out of the store, got a lecture from my dad saying that I should be considerate and pay attention to the time, we took a cab and went to SoHo for more Italian food. The food was Ok. I had veal.
Balthazar, SoHo
inside Balthazar
A&F on 5th
the stairs of A&F (first of its kind)
picking your own jeans at A&F
Tuesday, December 27, 2005:
Last day in NY. Went to Roxy's for lunch (you know, the restaurant with the big "Roxy" sign in Times Square with all the different brownies and cheesecakes...). All I can say is that the sandwiches are HUGE. I ordered a meatball sub, which was ok but my dad's club was actually 4 inches. Dude, that's a big sandwich. We then walked to 5th again and went to Saks. It was so pretty! They still had their Christmas decorations up and were all shining and sparkeling. I went to the men's section with my dad and found a shitload of stuff I wanted to buy but had no room for since I had already packed. Saw some Christian Dior Homme stuff (you cannot find the men's like anywhere else), saw DSquared (had a brief Canadian pride moment hehe) and so much Juicy Men. I also saw Tom Ford's new sunglasses line and was tempted to buy a pair, but was evily-glanced at by my mom. Oh well, next time. At 4ish, we got bored and so went to the hotel and picked up our luggages. We then went to the airport and came back here. Scariest part of the plane ride: Canadian Customs. They would have probably confiscated all my new clothes if they searched my luggage and found out that I lied on the customs form (my limit is $250 canadian, I went overboard 3 times). Oh well, we passed them without any problems, which is totally awsome.
Saks Fifth Avenue with the sparkeling lights
Times Square
view from my hotel room
view of 42nd from my hotel room
Times Square hectic-mode
Broadway and 42nd, looking at 7th and Broadway
Overall my trip was awsome, can't wait to go back soon.
I <3 NY. True that.