As I sit down to write my second ever blog post the one thing that keeps coming to my mind to write about is New York City and the short time I spent there. This is strange because anytime in person when I try to describe my time there I can never seem to find the words, nor when I do find some words do I feel like they do the place justice. However, I will give it a go.
In a city that never sleeps, I never slept. How could I when being here was something I fantasied over in my dreams for as long as I can remember. It seemed to be a distant dream, one that I never knew would come true so quickly and at the tender age of 21. The television and a movie with NYC in it was the place I’d go to get there on a weekly basis. Once I got there and hopped off the bus it was clear that neither my dreams nor the television ever came close to what it was like actually being there.
My cousin Micheal and I at Times Square
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. I will advise you on what not to do though if you are going to walk it. Don’t do it with a hangover and don’t do it in near 40® C heat, it’s a bad combination. This is the most important one, do not under any circumstances bring your luggage consisting of two kit-bags and a full suitcase across it with you. If you can’t check in like us then just do yourself a favour and ditch the luggage. You’ll be doing yourself a favour and taking in the views will be a lot more enjoyable. Also do not dress like a white trash hillbilly like this guy below. There are thousands of people walking across that bridge and they will all give you that same dirty look. I blame Patron Tequila from the night before for the fashion mishap that day.
Hillbilly gets picture on the Brooklyn Bridge with all his luggage
Visit Ground Zero. This is where the famous Twin Towers once stood and where the new Tower One stands, dwarfing all the other buildings in the city. Standing and taking in the atmosphere around the footprints of where the Towers once stood before the cowardly attack took place was one of the most surreal things I have ever done. It is hard to describe but everyone just knew to be that little bit quieter. Standing where thousands of people lost their lives would have that effect on people and that little show of respect by the thousands gathering at a time was something I will never forget.
9/11 Memorial site
Get to the top of the Empire State Building. I wouldn’t recommend climbing it quite like King Kong did but each to their own I guess. I’m easy going so I took the elevator. It is a long ride to the top but the elevator music was good. I was in the elevator for a good length of time and could almost hum the tune exactly how it was six months on. The long elevator ride was worth it though, the view was stunning. The sheer size of the city was almost incomprehensible. The fact that I once again had a slight hangover didn’t help with me trying to get my head around this head staggering view that was Manhattan. It’s starting to sound like I have an alcohol problem but I promise that’s not the case. It was one weekend away in New York and I turned 21 that Friday, so cut me some slack.
Top of the Empire state Building
There are many more famous things to do that I could tell you about but a personal recommendation and one you’ll not get anywhere else is what I’m about to tell you.
Accommodation. When booking a place to stay in New York try to avoid hotels and well known apartment spots. Narrow your searches down to apartments that you haven’t heard of as much but still have a look at the pictures of the place to make sure it isn’t a dungeon. Once you’ve found the spot do not book it online or over the phone. Instead go to the premises and try to bargain with the owner. If you pay cash you’ll be sure to get a massive discount. Also be sure to ask for a top floor room, if you are lucky like me and my friends were you’ll find the exit to the rooftop. No need to go to a rooftop bar when you can have your own. Get a speaker, put on the tunes, crack open a beer and take in your very own rooftop view. It will be hard to find one as good as this spot below but here’s to me hoping you do and that you make it to New York. It is safe to say I will be back and that I found some words to describe my time there. I hope you all take something from this.
Apartment rooftop views. Two blocks away and standing above was the Empire State Building lit up in French colours on the day they won the 2018 World Cup.
NYC, As You Were. CL x
Connell Lemon is a final year BSc in Communication Management & Public Relations student at Ulster University. He can be found at: Instagram – connell_lemon97 ; Facebook – Connell Lemon.