Greenacre Park

We made it across the border!! Just a close call when the sniffer dogs found something suspicious in Aidens bag... his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The overnight bus ride was seamless, apart from a crazy man who definitely wins world's worst father award (again, he was sitting next to us). And no more dodgy tummy for Aiden! We arrived in a very wet New York at 6 in the morning and took refuge in a McDonalds. We tried a cheeky attempt to check in to our apartment 7 hours early, that didn't work but we did manage to check in our backpacks. We thought we'd try and see New York but the rain just meant that we just got a pretty good overview of all the different coffee shops lol, Aiden was not impressed by my green pistachio muffin, but was rather delighted with the hot ciders they like to make here, which is just hot apple juice. We had a little walk round and found the public library and grand central station, which everybody must see because its amazing to go look at. Finally we managed to check in our hostel an hour early...and proceeded to nap for the next 3 and a half hours, whoops!! We then took a wander to Time Square where I saw another great wonder, the Disney shop! Times Square is just mental. No other way to describe it. TV screens everywhere, rammed with tourists and just a bit insane. Aiden took me to Planet Hollywood for a meal, also mental. The loudest place I think you could ever eat, and you are surrounded by movie memorabilia. Luckily we couldn't finish all our pizza so they boxed it up for us for our breakfast, yum.
After a good night sleep we saw the weather has turned our way. Clear blue skies and 13 degrees, so we took a long walk to central park. The park is beautiful, probably because it is so surreal. It's a little haven on tranquility in a city that just seems manic. So nice to see everyone jogging through the park. We also saw a couple get engaged, we were walking over the bridge that crosses the boating lake when I nearly walked in front of the camera that was videoing it, we thought they were just taking a photo... So when he watches his romantic proposal back (with the biggest blingiest ring I have ever seen...no wonder she was happy) they will be able to listen to me rant saying what idiot leaves their go pro on a tripod at the edge of a bridge unattended, oops. After a stroll around the entire park with a pretzel and some peanuts we left and went to the place I'd always wanted to go, Tiffany's!! There are 7 floors, and I want all of it!! We saw all the grand jewellery on the 1st floor, the affordable jewellery on the 3rd and then I thought we'd go look at the engagement rings, I wanted to show Aiden the size of the ring we'd just seen in the park. As the elevator doors opened everyone that worked there turned and stared at us. We were the only ones on the floor and it was bloody awkward. I thought everyone would be there, no. Aiden maintained his cool, mainly because it turned out he was oblivious we were the only ones there. After we managed to run out of Tiffany's with all of our savings in tact we went to the Rockefeller Centre. The view of the Manhattan skyline from the top is just breathtaking. I would definitely recommend it as you get an amazing view of the empire state building and can just about make out the statue of liberty. We managed to sit on top of the roof and just stare at the view, listening to chilli peppers for a while, best memory ever! We then dragged our tired feet home, sat in our hotel room and ate cheap yet delicious pizza while watching Thor. Aiden learnt another lesson for the day. I asked him for suntan lotion out of his bag before we went out for the day, he mocked me and said noone could get sunburnt in 13 degree heat and wouldn't get it out, he now has a girlfriend who's face looks like a tomato. The suntan lotion is now out of the bag ready for tomorrow.
Today was another day to see what our feet can handle, a walk to the Brooklyn bridge. They hurt just getting out of bed. We saw a cyclist going past who had the right idea. He was just holding on to the back of a lorry and letting it pull him along. He took the meaning of drafting to a whole new level. We walked through China town which had the most amazing food markets, wish we had a kitchen in our hotel to cook in. The Brooklyn bridge I didn't think was going to interest me much, but it was also very beautiful and has a fantastic view over Manhattan and Queens, as well as being able to see the Statue of Liberty better. We took a long walk back, mainly because I took us miles in the wrong direction, into downtown New York. Luckily there was a trusty Burger King to offer us food and water. They have a deal 5 for $4. You get a bacon cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, chips, a drink and a cookie for $4, that's under £3, we get ripped off in Britain!! No wonder people are fat over here though, its so cheap to eat bad food. We had doughnuts for breakfast, free, 5 of them, each! Burger king for lunch and pizza for dinner...this was also free. This has mostly been our meals for the last 3 days, I'm hoping all the walking it going to stop me from turning into the size of a house.

So most things are booked now for our trip down the West coast... We've even hired a car, eek!!! I'm sad to leave New York though. The city has a charm all of its own. Yes it's mental... But even that's quite charming here. The sky line of the city is beautiful, I'm in love with the park and luckily... I've already started planning with my friends to come back here next year so I can actually spend money... Rachel if you're reading this, get on it. By the way, me and Aiden have proved that it doesn't have to be expensive to come to NY, we spent around £350 between us - that includes accommodation for 3 nights. I just urge you all to go.Read more