We arrived. The big apple. Both excited and raring to go. We caught a taxi to our hostel. I was very apprehensive. It was the first hostel I have ever in my life stayed in. Moore Hostel, Brooklyn. We proceeded to check-in, the guy at reception advised we had a short wait until we could go in our room and gave us a bunch of info on what to do and where to go.
We began to organise payment. I then realised I had taken out a new credit card and completely forgot the pin code to pay. I had no idea what it was and had stupidly hadn’t wrote it down anywhere. I was so unorganised, I felt like kicking myself at how stupid I could be. Lauren had forgot her pin too. What a pair we were. The guy said not to worry and to sort out our finances and come back to pay. Whilst we waited for 3pm we called our banks and mums. Mum to the rescue. She found my paperwork and text over the details. What a babe.
Once we got settled in we decided to venture out for food. I had heard before that Brooklyn was not a safe place. However it didn’t seem so bad in our area and I didn’t feel threatened at all. We took the recommendations from our hostel reception to walk down to the end of the road where there was a hidden Italian restaurant/bar. Through a secret door, down a few stairs was a rustic themed restaurant with an open wood fire pizza oven. We both ordered pizza and a few cocktails. On the menu it had an option to add a few drops of CBD oil. We decided to try it. I am not sure if it was the oil or alcohol that had an affect on us but we were definitely giddy by the end of the meal! Our short walk back to the hostel we walked passed an African American who put his hand up with the peace signal shouting “Power to the people”. I definitely felt like I was in an American film. We just smiled politely and said hello. Retreating through the hostel doors.
The room was basic with two single beds and a bunk bed. There was a girl in the room who we chatted to. I can’t really remember her name or if we ever got that far to finding out. It is small details like this I have forgot over the years that I have trouble remembering. This is why I have decided to document and blog as much detail as I can remember. I have a lot to get through.
The next day we grabbed the underground train into Manhattan where we explored the streets and avenues. We ended up in a cosy bagel shop, we stopped and had a bacon bagel and cup of tea. The bagel was unbelievably good, wrapped in newspaper style paper packaging. We headed to Times Square with its thousands of screen advertisements and lights. It was full of traffic. The iconic yellow taxis and tourists everywhere you turned. We decided to walk trough the M&M, Disney and a few other big stores. Our feet began to tire so we grabbed a huge slushy drink and sat on top of the ticket box stairs. Another iconic area with the red seats. We watched the world go bye as we slurped on our drinks.
Our next stop was Central Park. On our walk up we found a bike shop and hired bikes. We pedalled our way to the closet right corner of the park. We turned right and cycled freely around. I never realised how big Central Park was and also the right side had many hills which were very challenging but we made it fine. We stopped half way. Parked the bikes and had a breather. Lauren is a type 1 diabetic so we made sure her levels were still ok and sat on the side of the pond admiring the skyline. We were worried that we hadn’t hired the bikes long enough and rang the company to extend the time. I am pretty sure we were charged for going over our time. We didn’t realise how vast the park grounds were and it took us a few hours to ride the full loop. The bike road in Central Park was well maintained and a smooth journey. The warm breeze in the summer New York heat. Lush green trees lined the cycle road. Whilst we cycled I got chatting to an older guy cycling. He asked me where I was from. He told me he had lived in New York his whole life and loved it. He had a strong New York accent. We made a few stops along the way. Saw the famous Alice in wonderland statue.
We were at the hostel for two night before moving to a hotel called One Hotel. Part of my farewell from my company in London was to stay in this hotel for a couple of nights. I have never stayed in such a beautiful hotel before. When we arrived. Scruffy backpackers walking into this paradise. The lobby area smelt of a beautiful perfume smell. I could have honestly stayed in the lobby the whole two days because it smelt so good. The inside was designed like a green eco paradise. Living walls, high scaled ceilings with fountain features. We had our bags taken from us and taken up to our room while we explored the beautiful lobby.
The room was huge with a beautiful bamboo design. As you walked in you had a bamboo lush green bathroom area with vanity mirrors, wet room shower and little beds of grass lined the sinks. Slight views of the Brooklyn bridge from our window. The most comfy twin double beds and all appliance you would need. We were in heaven.
That night we decided to go up to the roof top bar and watch the day fall into night and the city lights began to shine. It was the most incredible view. We only had a few drinks as it was so expensive. 20 dollars a drink. Ouch. That night we also decided to head to China town and get some food.
Feeling refreshed. The next day we headed out again. The hotel was next to the road leading to Brooklyn bridge. We walked down and wandered along the river up to Manhattan bridge. Found a quick place to eat lunch. This area was very busy and touristy. We planned a good walking route through the last of the main sights we wanted to see. Walked over Brooklyn bridge. Through to ground zero and the freedom tower. We never went into the museum however as we walked up to the memorial. It’s two square holes symbolising where the twin towers stood and water rushing out the sides into the dark below. Around are the names of individuals who had tragically lost their lives that day. Each morning pure white roses are laid along the sides. The whole area seem to have an eerily but tranquil feeling in a fast past city that never stops. Back at the hotel we grabbed our swimwear and headed to the rooftop pool. However, only managed to dip ourself in once as the water was icy cold. The views were unbeatable. The Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. The sun was shinning.
That night Mike had met up with us. He had drove from his hometown Buffalo to meet us. We decided to go out for dinner. Mike showed us a place down in the Dumbo area. A sushi restaurant called Sugarcane. I have never tasted sushi like it, such amazing food. The place was completely full with people. A beautiful bar on one side and seating on the other. It was a great night, we laughed, joked around and chatted. On the way out we had a photo in the iconic street with the bridge in the background. Whilst I was in New York that night. My director from my company in London was also in town with two other colleagues. The company was trying to open another office in New York and were in town for business. After our meal we headed to the Meatpacking district to meet with them. I don’t remember much of the night however I know we first started out in a German beer festival, tried to get in a club and end up in a place called Tao. What a crazy night.
Sarah’s Voyage 