A Bite of The Big Apple
Finally. After being on the top of my To-Go List for a long long time, we made it to New York City. It was like a dream come true to get to roam the streets of Manhattan, strolling by the lake in Central Park & catching a glimpse of Lady Liberty. Went window shopping on 5th Avenue. Gazing up the huge billboards at Times Square. Walking amidst the towering skyscrapers in the financial district. Admiring the view of the sprawling metropolis from high up on Top of The Rock. Just like my sister tweeted "macam dalam movies!". Exactly.
Most of all, I loved the experience living like a New Yorker. Even if for just 4 days. Staying in an old walk-up apartment on the Upper West Side (just across the street from Central Park!). Walking blocks & blocks with srtroller and kids in tow. Taking the (at times dingy & dodgy looking) subway rides across the island. Grocery shopping at Duane Reade. Catching Wicked on Broadway. Dealing with grouchy yellow cab drivers. And dropping off the laundry at an old apek's place in true NYC style (nobody seems to do their own laundry in Manhattan!).
Oh and of course, buying hot dogs from those street cart vendors (and then eating them tepi jalan). We were very pleasantly surprised to find many halal food carts all over Manhattan.
Good times indeed. Snippets of memories I hope to never forget.
But despite all the glamour you see on TV, there's that darker side of New York that was evident from Day 1. I could easily see how the city could be hard on people. Those coming with big dreams, with hopes of getting a slice of that big apple. Yet the exorbitant cost of living here makes it a struggle for the lower income, the immigrants striving for a better life here in the States.
See now I understand the bitterness some feel about New York. Visiting as a tourist is one thing. But the harsh reality of building a life there is another.
Most of all, I loved the experience living like a New Yorker. Even if for just 4 days. Staying in an old walk-up apartment on the Upper West Side (just across the street from Central Park!). Walking blocks & blocks with srtroller and kids in tow. Taking the (at times dingy & dodgy looking) subway rides across the island. Grocery shopping at Duane Reade. Catching Wicked on Broadway. Dealing with grouchy yellow cab drivers. And dropping off the laundry at an old apek's place in true NYC style (nobody seems to do their own laundry in Manhattan!).
Oh and of course, buying hot dogs from those street cart vendors (and then eating them tepi jalan). We were very pleasantly surprised to find many halal food carts all over Manhattan.
Good times indeed. Snippets of memories I hope to never forget.
But despite all the glamour you see on TV, there's that darker side of New York that was evident from Day 1. I could easily see how the city could be hard on people. Those coming with big dreams, with hopes of getting a slice of that big apple. Yet the exorbitant cost of living here makes it a struggle for the lower income, the immigrants striving for a better life here in the States.
See now I understand the bitterness some feel about New York. Visiting as a tourist is one thing. But the harsh reality of building a life there is another.
felt loved at 9:56 PM
