Two summers ago, year 2013, Dominic and I decided that we would meet halfway, between Germany and Hawaii, for our 1 year Anniversary. Close enough to halfway for us was New Jersey. We then drove around the North Eastern, Midwestern, and Southern States for 3 weeks. We planned reunions with family and friends and had a genuinely good time driving around in a massive motor home, but before we met up in New Jersey I spent a few days with my friend Marina in “The City That Never Sleeps”, New York, NY. I’ve been to New York several times, but not at an age I could appreciate what the city had to offer, or to remember all that I did. This trip was different and I was able to photograph my memories.
I was on a budget, so I looked into doing more price appropriate activities and that included lots of walking. It may sound morbid but we explored cemeteries. We also explored parks, the different boroughs, amazing outside markets with delicious ready made foods, respected those lost in 9/11, said hello to lady liberty, and enjoyed the night lights. We were fortunate with good weather with only one hazy rainy day in the early morning. Unfortunately, I was still very new using my camera so not all the pictures I took are worthy of being posted.
I was on a budget, so I looked into doing more price appropriate activities and that included lots of walking. It may sound morbid but we explored cemeteries. We also explored parks, the different boroughs, amazing outside markets with delicious ready made foods, respected those lost in 9/11, said hello to lady liberty, and enjoyed the night lights. We were fortunate with good weather with only one hazy rainy day in the early morning. Unfortunately, I was still very new using my camera so not all the pictures I took are worthy of being posted.
The Green-Wood Cemetery isn’t a site many think of when they want to explore New York City, but for me it had interest. Not only is it free to enter, but it has historical significance and it’s a green space in an otherwise very urban landscape. The cemetery was one of the first in the nation, and was a location for the battle of Long Island, during the revolutionary war. I enjoyed the day walking in the well manicured grounds and looking at the dates and names of the dearly departed. Time flew as we walked between history and present day. Definitely a good stop for a budget conscious traveler to NY. |
When we were walking around Brooklyn my father happened to call me and I found it interesting that he called right as I was walking in his old neighborhood. From it seems that part of Brooklyn my father knew and the one I was walking in were vastly different, that may be due to gentrification, the movement of wealthier people into poorer neighborhoods because of affordable property, then increases the cost of property and pushes out those in the lower tax bracket out of the neighborhood. The neighborhood I walked in was very family friendly and had many cute eclectic shops. There were many young families and hipsters walking the streets and many of the brownstones and buildings looked renovated. My friend explained that not all neighborhoods of Brooklyn are similar to the area we went to for coffee. But many are slowly changing to be more so.
Another hip neighborhood in Brooklyn we checked out was Williamsburg. We went to smorgasbord Williamsburg and it was fabulous. Like many outdoor food markets they had a variety of culinary dishes in small expensive portions, but very good. The View of the Manhattan Skyline is also excellent to see on a warm summers day.
Another hip neighborhood in Brooklyn we checked out was Williamsburg. We went to smorgasbord Williamsburg and it was fabulous. Like many outdoor food markets they had a variety of culinary dishes in small expensive portions, but very good. The View of the Manhattan Skyline is also excellent to see on a warm summers day.
Manhattan, has the famous skyline, the action, the sadness, the pride, the park pretty much everything. When Marina headed to work I walked around a bit in Manhattan, had a Bagel and round my way to the 9/11 memorial. It wasn’t completely finished when I went but it was open to the public and it was still emotional to see all the names. Some of the churches and buildings around also set up free memorials to pay respects to the fallen. |
I knew Central Park was huge but I really didn’t realize its size until actually walking through it. I think one could spend several days in Central park and still miss quite a bit. I did see the alice and wonderland statue and I sadly was the creepy person who took pictures of other peoples kids, but to be fair they wouldn’t get off the damn thing. |
Took a few snapshots of the Grand Central terminal as well as Times Square. Both locations are excellent for people watching. It’s a nice little mixture of lost tourists and cranky locals just trying to get from one place to another without running into lost tourists.
We also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was a bit confused by the entry cost. From my understanding it’s free but they have recommended donation prices based on what you are, child, adult, student, etc... Although it could have been free I ended up paying because I had this guilt wash over me... that and the ticket lady was good at being subtly disappointed in those who didn’t pay the recommendation. We were lucky that the collection of Punk style was on exhibit. Unfortunately, pictures were not allowed in many of the exhibits that interested me, so I didn’t take many pictures. I did take a s nice snapshot of some realistic glass eyes.