The trip in which I was comforted by a fictional character..
I'll start with the flights. All were fine, I'd recommend American Airlines. Very comfortable and the in-flight entertainment was fab. We'd been with Continental previous trips and just, well, no! so yeah very good. I'm not sure if the pilot sounding like John Sheppard sways my opinion. I was actually comforted by the thought of a fictional character flying the plane, I am very strange indeed.
New York was, New York! It’s mental. Going from NY to Toronto gave me a sense of how insane it is. I loved it, more than last time. It's not a pretty place, it's not San Francisco with the beauty but it has it's own identity.
Disappointed with the hotel, shower was insanely small and the fridge made the craziest sound every hour but I guess it made it interesting or whatever. Was supposed to sleep on the sofa bed but couldn’t take it after the first night. Location was fab, opposite Madison Square Gardens and views of the Empire State. It’s in desperate need of updating.
We did the usual touristy things, did Brooklyn. I really fell for Brooklyn, so pretty. Nothing like I'd assumed it would be, it's a pretty good deal. The place itself is nice and you get the views. Score! We then walked back over the bridge, would have been better had my shoes not been killing me. I made such a mess of my feet on this holiday. Shoemakers of the world? I hate you.
Did the museum, there was so much to see. We weren't prepared to spend a day there so we just skimmed it. I was quite interested but it really was just a fly by visit prompted by Night at the Museum. Disappointed by that angle but impressed by others.
I adore Central Park, we tried to spend an afternoon there but my dad isn't much for sitting around. I'd have loved to have taken a towel and laid on the grass listening to my music. It was so picturesque, a little kid was flying a kite. Babies crawling, sports being played. Just lovely. Cardiff has an equivalent but it's just not as spectacular or as peaceful. Just awe inspiring.
One of the people in work suggested a diner to me so we checked it out on the last night. I loved it personally, all the waiters/waitresses sing. The atmosphere is really good and the food was nothing to complain about. Sat there eating while they sang The Wizard and I. A weird duet version of The Wizard and I but I loved it. Recommend to anyone if you're looking for a not quite ordinary place to eat.
Other time was taken by bus rides and boat rides. I felt more at ease with this visit, the weather helped. Not as cold. I just love everything about the City. I love the buildings, I love how it's set out, I love the look and feel of the diners and I even love the traffic lights. Being a non-driver I love how easy it is to walk places there, we never had the need to get a taxi or the subway. We weren't waiting for the walk signal for 5 hours like I do here. We walked everywhere and it's how to enjoy the city. I'd go back every year if I could.
More photo's here
Toronto was quieter. Took a while to get used to. Had a bit of a joke with my dad about the places he takes us to when we walked past the second strip joint but we had a laugh and got used to it after the hustle and bustle of NYC.
Hotel was better, I had my own room but again was in with my Mum the second night due to a room 2 floors up leaving water running, I was concerned the room would cave in so did what any girl would do, send her dad in there. After that it was fine. So much more comfortable for me. Getting ready in my own time. Falling asleep to Jon Stewart and waking up with him aswell, I love Canadian television. Stargate, mixed in with Jon Stewart followed by Stephen Colbert. Heaven.
Found a nice little food place the first night, we had the usual “English?” question. Which my dad countered by asking if the waiter was Italian. Reply..“Spanish”. Then we got the feeling he thought we were Scottish so we had a giggle.
Second day we did the hippo tour. Made more interesting by the hotness of the guide but hey, I'm shallow. The bus then turned into a boat which was super cool. I don't think we saw all that much really but it combined the land and the sea so it was value for money. I did notice the amount of WWRY banners though, sheesh! can we say overkill?
Third day was Niagara. Oh my Lord! absolutely stunning. Best day of the whole trip. We started off at about 12:15 I think. We went to a wine tasting thing first, which wasn't that interesting to me but it was partly owned by Dan Aykroyd so that was kinda cool. We then went through Niagara on the Lake which was a strange little village but we went through the most amazing storm. Thunder, lightening, hail everything. Fun. We then worked our way down and did the maid of the mist which takes you through the mist of the falls, amazing experience. I really have to say that. Was quite concerned about teh camera but the poncho was stylish yo! Then had lunch in a swanky hotel overlooking the falls. Then went to see the falls by night, all lit up but that didn't quite happen. We saw about 1 or 2 seconds of it lit before having to run for the bus but all in all it was an amazing trip with good company. Drive back to Toronto was peaceful. It's a must see.
We then took a trip to the Islands or Island as we found out. We thought they were separate but we started off on one and walked and walked and walked and found ourselves on the other. Strange, huh?. It's absolutely gorgeous there though. Stunning. Weird little place that had a few old peoples homes, a theme park, a fire station and it's own weather forecast. We did a lot of walking but it was nice, we were just unprepared for what we got.
After that we had dinner at the revolving restaurant at the CN Tower. Too fancy for me. The whole revolving thing was cool but I just don't feel comfortable in those situations, or even less comfortable than I usually am. The food was so overly priced for what we got, the meat was gorgeous but I'd had a pretty yummy burger hours earlier that was also gorgeous and less expensive but I guess you're paying for the overall experience. I must say though if you have trouble coming out of the toilets and remembering where you're sat, I'd miss this one. They give you a number but by the time you've come out it's all moved so you have no clue which way to go. Going round in circles pretty much describes it.
Last day we went to, um I've forgotten but it was a nice little place. Again strange. It was kinda in the middle of nowhere and just became a photo op for me. Not a lot there, art galleries and the such. A shoe exhibit was interesting, people left there shoes and wrote a story about where they've been in them.
I was amazed at how much interest the football was getting, every game we saw suppoters from that nation being very vocal. I did actually think it was the same group of people just latching onto the winning team though after a while but it was nice. I don't see that here. That produces many Wales jokes so I'll stop here but it was nice. I'm also quite bitter about it now as Germany were my team in the works sweepstakes but that just makes it easier to dislike them when Wales play them next.
More photo's here
Curtains
I've had a jokey grudge against David Hyde Pearce since he stole won the Tony but this did kinda squash those feelings. He was very good. I adore him in Fraiser so I knew it would be good. I very much enjoyed it. The songs aren't so memorable but the story and the acting made up for that. It was very well acted by all, great entertainment and I didn't guess who did it. Very happy I got to see it as it's now closed but yeah, a very good show.
Avenue Q
I umm'd and ahhh'd so much about seeing this. Firstly the "You can see it in London" thing and second the "seeing it with my parents" thing but both things didn't really matter once I was in New York and seeing a Broadway show. Who cares where I see it and seeing it in New York makes it more special than it would be in London. I very much enjoyed it, all the cast were fantastic. Fell a bit for Christian Anderson. Laughed a whole lot all the way through.
I actually identified with the puppets at one point. I'd also never seen puppets have sex before so that was new. I went lower into my seat at that point but my parents seemed to enjoy it. It was different but very much enjoyable.
I couldn't leave without taking this picture. It was the last I took in NYC.
Goodbye Love.
A very enjoyable holiday, a holiday that has been harder than normal to get over. I feel very privileged to have seen the amount of places I have done in my 23 years.