New York, New York

Monday 28th August

Since the last time I blogged I have travelled halfway around America, so I'll start from where we parted.

San Antonio was lovely, despite the fact that Greyhound lost my bag for 24 hours, leaving me in the same clothes I'd put on 2 days before. Eeew, I can hear you say. Luckily I had a small bottle of perfume and my toothbrush with me. I also had two showers that day and washed the clothes on my back for those who thought double eeew at me walking around the city in 4 day old clothes. My visit to the Alamo was insightful into the history of not only the beautiful building but the foundation of Texas. I won't bore you with the details in case history isn't your thing. Just know that it was a fight of 200 Americans against 2000 Mexicans. Only five women and children survived, no men. It made me patriotic and I'm Australian. People involved in the struggle which I'd heard of was Jim Bowie ( the man that inspired the knife - Dad I didn't see THE knife - just replicas) and David Crockett (the dude with the racoon hat).
I then travelled to Houston (by bus - my knees remembered and were sore after 5 minutes of sitting down). I stayed in a hostel in the Museum district (but the boondocks if you consider distance from public transport) The $15 per night fee and helpful staff more than made up for it. After a call to my mum to let her know I was still alive and had my bag (I'm ashamed to admit it but I went into a panic at the absense of my camera battery charger - triple eeew!), I went to bed as I had a 5am wake up call to make my flight to Savannah. Three hours of flying time (ahh-bliss) later and I was in 'The South'. Meeting up with Jess was awesome. Her parents paid for us (thanks David and Sonia!!) to stay in a gorgeous inn. It was very upscale and had lots of Southern charm.
Savannah is magnificent. It had a small town feel with fantastic gardens and architecture. We walked and walked and then did a Ghost Walking tour that night. Jess and I had to do what Savannahians do and walk around town with a drink in hand. (It is legal to street drink - almost required - as long as it is in a plastic cup and you have only one) We were facinated but a teensy bit sceptical about the stories of Savannah's haunted history. But by the end of our tour, Jess and I were walking close to each other and made sure there was Spanish moss dripping from the trees around the Gastonian Inn before we got tucked in for the night. (Guides theory: No Spanish moss = supernatural activity)
The humidity in Savannah was draining. Jess and I did a whole lot of un-Southern-ladylike sweating. Especially when we had to run a kilometre (sorry - in America) MILE, to catch her airport transfer. We had a great time together and I was sad to see her go. Especially when I had to get on a Greyhound bus and go to Washington D.C. overnight.
The drive ended up being not too bad ( I knew I would have a bed for the next night somewhere) and I met Robert who had finished up a summer camp over here (I've met heaps of people like that!) and was going home to London. He had some great stories, making me appreciate the people I meet as well as the places I see.
But now I am New York. I was ready to be scornful of New Yorkers arrogance of their town and proclaim that it is over-rated. But I can't. I love it.
I was lucky to get an extra night at a hostel in Chelsea and so began exploring the Big Apple about 4pm Sunday. It was raining but still many of people around. I got plenty of strange looks as I had a clear plastic poncho protecting my backpacks (thanks nan - a lifesaver!). I wasn't sure if the third degree was because of my 'look' or the backpack. New Yorkers probably have more cause to be tense about such things than most. Especially when I visited the World Trade Centre site/Ground Zero today. It was haunting when I imagined what it would have been like on the streets on that fateful day.
I have done so much today that I can only list all the things I've seen (thoughts and impressions would take me hours to write and you hours to read). So, Monday in NY: Ground Zero, Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty (which is actually smaller than I imagined), Fifth Ave, Wall St, City Hall, Macy's, Union Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Empire State Building (which is taller than I expected) and so many more things.
When I set out this morning there were a lot of police cars on the street and I wondered what kind of neighbourhood had I landed myself in. Don't panic mum, I saw later a sign saying 10th Precinct. Phew! Overall I feel comfortable walking around by myself. I have been blessed to be kept safe thus far. One thing I love about New York is the smell. No really, it's good. Really!! It is the smell of a dozen different kinds of food, car exhaust, humidity and a hundred thousand bodies. Really it is nice!! There are more food choices within a two block radius than in the whole of W.A. (Ok a teensy bit of exageration - but you get the picture) I'm having some beautiful food. And if you are wondering where the Amazon is - it is in New York. With every take away you get at least 20 serviettes (oops another embellishment), but it is keeping my costs low by me not having to buy tissues.
I have one more day in NY and hope to get to Central Park and maybe the upper West/East sides. I am meeting a Big Apple Greeter tomorrow who is a local and will spend 2 or 3 hours showing me THEIR side of NY.

All in all I'm having a blast. There are times when I get home sick for family and friends and Perth life, so much that it is an ache. But, thank God, I get re-vitalised by something new. This time it is New York.
Thank you for sharing my journey with me so far. I'll be sure to back soon to bore you with more details!!

Love to you all,

Kym