Sendiri's Journey "Around the World in 70 Days"
New York/Boston (Days 23 to 25)
Day 23 - New York City!
Day 24 - NYC to Boston! (Amtrak)
Day 25 - Boston!
Back to Map Index
Day 23 - Saturday 23 August
New York City!
I walked my little feet off today. I was still feeling quite low though. I was all alone in this big city and I hadn't really talked to anyone since leaving Saint Petersburg. I guess I was still adjusting to being alone.
I walked out of the hotel without any real plan except to make my way north towards Central Park. I walked up 7th Avenue looking for somewhere to have breakfast. It was quite early and most of the shops were still closed. In fact it was rather quiet on the streets. I found a corner cafe and ordered cereal and french toast (without really knowing what it was - it just sounded nice!). Well! I don't eat eggs do I! The french toast was soggy and served with syrup. I tried to eat it but I nearly vomited! Not much luck with my food so far!
I continued up 7th Avenue to Times Square! I felt quite emotional standing on the intersection of 7th Avenue and Broadway surrounded by such familiar sights. However, seeing this place in movies did not show the size of the buildings and the bill boards, nor the clutter which was almost overwhelming.
I walked north to Central Park and then spent a while just wandering around, although I was still generally heading north. I enjoyed the green trees and fields and the peace in the park after the noise, clutter and greyness in the streets. Being Saturday morning, the park was extremely busy. There were thousands of joggers, walkers, cyclists, roller bladers and tourists.
A couple of pictures taken in Central Park.
Click for bigger picture!
I left the park at about 72nd street and walked west and then south back to Columbus Circle via the Lincoln Centre. I passed some of the more exclusive apartment blocks in well kept streets - quite a contrast to the area around my hotel. I found my way to the Rockefeller Centre and joined hundreds of other tourists enjoying the unique architecture so typical of NYC. After browsing for a while I walked south along 5th Avenue, calling into the Waldolf Astoria Hotel (very classy!).
Waldolf Astoria.
Click for bigger picture!
I found my way to the New York Public Library to try for an Internet site! What a magnificent building! Seeing the stone work, high roofed corridors and massive rooms was well worth the visit. It was also very peaceful there. Unfortunately, I had no luck with the Internet. I found an Internet site not far away at the NY Business and Technology Library and sent off a message to Sue.
I then went to the Empire State Building but the queue was long (about 90 minutes wait) so I decided to give the observation deck a miss. I made my way to Macey's Department store and bought myself a very tasty foccacia for lunch. By this time it was about 2pm and I was feeling quite tired. I made my way back to the hotel and packed some clothes and books to send home.
My Helicopter and a view Manhattan Island.
A bit later I bought a ticket for a helicopter ride around Manhattan Island. About 4pm I went down to the helipad at the 33rd street terminal. This was my first ride in a helicopter and it was quite an experience. Unfortunately, I ended up with a middle seat and it was quite difficult to see out and almost impossible to take photographs. The views of New York were magnificent. I especially enjoyed seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and the other bridges. Although the ride was quite short, it was worth every cent and more of the $70 it cost. This was another of the highlights of my trip so far.
Click for bigger picture!
A couple more views of Manhattan Island.
I walked back to the hotel and collapsed! I fell into a deep sleep for an hour or so. It was about 7pm when I awoke. A bit later I walked up to 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues - Restaurant Row. this short stretch of 46th street is wall to wall restaurants for the Broadway theatre crowds. I had an Indonesian meal which was quite nice. I was on a budget in the USA because of the rotten exchange rate.
Click for bigger picture!After eating, I called into a piano bar ("Don't Tell Mama" I think) for a couple of hours. This was entertainment plus! All of the staff were performers and they took turns in doing various numbers. The place was packed and I had a great time.
I was very tired - exhausted in fact! I walked back to the hotel and collapsed into bed for a second time!
Day 24 - Sunday 24 August
New York City to BostonI was still feeling quite depressed. Here I was in NYC, a place I had wanted to visit all my life, and all was not well. I decided that I needed to get out of the city and find some open space. Before I left on my trip, my cyber friend Bonnie from Louisiana (who we'll meet later) had suggested I visit Martha's Vineyard. I had no idea what this place was but I worked out that I could get there from Boston. I spent most of this morning trying to arrange accommodation in Boston but without much luck. After a couple of hours, a person at the YMCA there said they had accommodation and I should just turn up. I went to Penn Station, bought my Amtrak ticket, and then returned to check out of the hotel.
I had quite a few hours before the train left at about 3pm. I checked my bags in and then caught the subway south to the World Trade Center. The infamous NY Subway! It was similar to the London Underground. The most impressive subway so far was the Moscow Metro. One thing they all had in common though was that they were all hot and muggy!
I alighted at the World Trade Center and stepped into the courtyard of the twin towers - the tallest buildings in the world (or very close to it). Unknown to me was that there was an observation deck on top of one of the towers - and it was open. I bought my ticket and made my way straight to the top - 107 floors. What an awesome view of Manhattan Island! The World Trade Centre is at the southern tip of the island and the view to the north takes in the whole of Manhattan - and the sun was shining from behind which made the view even better. There were also excellent views to The Statue of Liberty and Stratton Island to the south.
Views from the World Trade Centre building.
Click for bigger picture!
My spirits had lifted! I walked to Wall street which was near by. It was a erie feeling walking through the narrow, canyon like streets which were lined by the tall "sky scrapers". Being a Sunday meant that there were only tourists on the streets. I had missed Wall street during the busy office hours. I was impressed by the Federal Hall National Memorial where George Washington took the presidential oath of office.
I made my way to the South Street Seaport and found a quiet spot with a spectacular view of the Brooklyn Bridge. I had wanted to walk the bridge but I was tired, my feet were sore, and time had run out. However, I enjoyed just sitting there taking it all in while sipping a nice hot coffee.
Brooklyn Bridge!
Click for bigger picture!
I caught the 2:55pm Amtrak to Boston. This marked the start of my 30 day USA Rail Pass. I really enjoyed this trip - the houses, the gardens, the coastal towns, the rivers and inlets with boats everywhere. It was green and very picturesque - some of the prettiest countryside I had seen on my trip. I had always wanted to visit New England in "old America" and here I was passing through Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts on my way to Boston. I didn't see any mansions from the train but there were plenty of beautiful New England houses.
The train arrived in Boston just after 8pm. I was without a map so I caught a taxi to the YMCA. Guess what! No beds! "Oh just a minute! There might be one single with private facilities - only $56!" What choice did I have? $56 for a very (and I mean very) basic room (which was really just a converted corridor) with a hard bed! The TV didn't work either (not that I wanted it). I went out for a meal and then crashed!
Day 25 - Monday 25 August
Boston
I had my complimentary breakfast at the YMCA - cereal in a plastic throw-away pack and tea in a foam cup. I fetched a banana from my bag and bought some toast. I threw away more plastic than the food I ate!
The priority for today was accommodation. I made my way to the Irish Embassy Hotel just to join a queue making its way up stairs. It was full! Apparently every available bed in Boston was taken up by students as this was orientation week. Student accommodation became available after the Labor Day holiday next weekend.
The people at the Irish were very helpful. They made some arrangements for us at the Farrington Lodge across town. By this time there were about 20 homeless backpackers milling around the Hotel. We walked on mass to the train and caught the Green Line to the Farrington.
Guess! They didn't have any beds! Only the chance of some later at $30 each. I spoke to the owner by phone and offered an alternative - an apartment not far away - but with a catch! There were no beds! We could sleep on the floor for $10 (plus tax) each. I was appointed spokesperson for the group (24 by now) probably because I was the grand dad of the group! The vote was a unanimous 'yes'! (We were all happy for a roof over our heads and a bathroom!). We all trouped over to the apartment - quite a sight! It was actually quite a nice place - two floors of a three story house. The upstairs rooms were carpeted and that's where I made my bed.
Once I had claimed my spot I made my way back to the YMCA to collect my bags. By this time it was after noon (check out time was at 10am) and I had been locked out of my room! I pleaded that I had become lost and the staff let me off without penalty!
A Mural
Click for bigger picture!I spent the rest of the day walking around Boston. I was quite weary after the morning's activities and probably didn't appreciate the city as much as I should have. Nevertheless, I liked Boston - Commonwealth Avenue, Boston Common, the cafes, and the magnificent library. I wandered around the city, found an Internet place and sent off a few messages. I then went to the tourist information centre to seek information on Martha's Vineyard. I decided to leave Boston next morning so I booked two night's accommodation at the Martha's Vineyard HI Hostel.
Friends
Click for bigger picture!
I returned to the apartment and spent a night in with the mob consuming copious amounts of Bud Light, playing cards and talking. I enjoyed being with all the young people - it was good to be talking to people at last!
Top
