Sunday 26th November 2012 will go down in history
as one of my favourite days, I had the best time exploring the city like a
local [and a bit of a tourist!].
I started the morning with a trip down to Greenwich
Village with the premise of visiting SATC’s Carrie’s brownstone. I
popped up out of the subway [which reminds me of a mole coming up for air] with no
sense of direction but, as corny as this may seem, I heard music, so followed
the sound; which led me to Washington Square Park where a pianist was playing.
As a fellow piano player I was most thrilled to sit and listen whilst watching
the world [and squirrels] go by. After my mind had been lulled and my fingers
frostbitten I decided it was time to get moving. Wandering around I stumbled
across the New York
University campus before
finding my way to Carrie’s iconic brownstone at 66 Perry St. Whilst I was there snapping
pictures, a garbage collector came up to me and said “I’ve been collecting
rubbish down this street for years and every time I pass this place there are
people taking pictures, why?” I explained to him about SATC to which he gave a
big smile, before hopping back in his truck, pulling out his phone and snapping
some photos himself!
Moving on I went to the end of Perry St where Bleeker St lies. I headed this way with
two main goals: to pick up my Marc Jacobs headphones and grab a couple of Magnolia Bakery
cupcakes (again, another SATC thing). After doing that I wandered up and down
the street popping into a variety of great designer and local based boutiques.
Marc Jacobs has four stores all within two blocks, so if you don’t find
something in one, you are sure to in another – I purchased three things from
three of his separate shops! I also spent a little time [and money] in Coach,
which I highly recommend, I love their accessories!
By this point, despite my cupcake, my tummy was rumbling so
it was off to find Joe’s Pizza (7
Carmine St ). Supposedly Joe’s has the best slice
in the city and after trying it I would have to agree. The place is absolutely
tiny (6 people inside and it’s packed) but the pizza is incredible, it’s the
best I’ve ever had!
By now it was afternoon so I figured it was time to switch
neighbourhoods, so off to Brooklyn I went. I spent
some time wandering the streets, appreciating the beautiful homes and lack of
crowds (definitely a pleasant change!) before finding my way up onto the Brooklyn Bridge . The view walking across was
spectacular, I thought of every movie featured there as I made the 25 minute
walk. I can’t wait to do it again.
I headed up to Times Square for a quick peek before heading
home – nothing's changed in the five years since I was last there: it’s still
packed, bright, full of people trying to sell you things and smelly.
I went home (my hotel) to rest my weary legs and by 6pm I
was feeling recharged so it was off to Central Park
for ice-skating. I thought I was a bit of a pro having skating in my local rink
on the Gold Coast many times, but oh no, that phony indoor ice has nothing on
the real New York
stuff. It was horrendously slippery and it took a good 30 minutes for me to
stop my legs shaking… but then I was off! I highly recommend skating there, it
was just beautiful looking through the trees towards the skyscrapers of Manhattan ’s skyline. And
to make my experience even more beautiful, whilst I was skating, there was a
marriage proposal! A fellow dropped to one knee in the middle of the rink, she
said yes and everyone stopped skating, cheered and clapped, it was incredible.
Finally it was time for some dinner: P.J. Clarks at the
Empire Hotel. The place was gorgeous and the food was delish, so keep your eyes
peeled for a review very soon.
Well, that’s it! My perfect day, congratulations for
sticking with me this far, it has been a long entry but I hope you’ve gotten as
much joy out of reading about it as I had experiencing it.
Much love from the Big Apple x
Photos by Krissie.