Okay New Yorkers, I need some help. You see, when I think of New York, I think of New York City. But, I know there's a lot more to your state than just Manhattan. Don't get me wrong, I love Manhattan! It's great! My sister nearly killed me on a Manhattan vacation. We were going to be at 1 and 2 am and getting up at 4 and 5 am. And we weren't partying. We were seeing everything! I've never walked so much in my life. And on vacation! But I have never seen so much in my life and it was fun. I like razzing my sister about it though. She's a super hero when it comes to sight-seeing. I've compiled some pictures from my trip below.
Okay, so Manhattan is grand. You've got everything from Time Square, Rockefeller Plaza, Broadway, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Chinatown (great purses), Soho, Museums (i love the Met), Museums, Museums, and so, so, so much more. I love it but it's just not fair, is it? So much packed into one city! It's amazing and should be on everyone's bucket list- twice.
But wait. New York has mountains. I know. I was there, too. I spent one summer working at a sports camp for kids in the Catskills. I was 21 or 22 years old. I spent the summer bunked with 9 nine year old girls and an 18 year old "co-counselor". It was hell. I mean FUN! Okay, it was both. But, it wasn't Dirty Dancing for sure! Can I just tell you how beautiful the camp was. Or still is, I'm sure. Warm days, cool night air, starry nights, a cute New Zealand boy to kiss under them. I mean... never mind. Maybe it was a little like Dirty Dancing.
On our days off we would explore the nearby area. It is the one and only time I have hitch hiked. I was with the Kiwi so I felt safe. Kids, your Cruise Director instructs to not do that! We went to the town of Woodstock where the festival was not. I still had fun looking around. I just saw on CBS Sunday Morning that a museum dedicated to Woodstock (the festival) is opening up on June 2nd (that's next week) and if you are in New York I think you should go and report back to us. It looked like you could actually experience the event minus the mud. Their very cool site is here. Being in this area is such a contrast to being in Manhattan.
So, from Manhattan to summer camp. New York has it all. What about Niagara Falls? Okay call me stupid but did you know they have casinos there? What else is there? If you want to go to Niagara, hit this site.
Before I move on, some fun facts are the state flower is the rose and the state bird is the bluebird. Aw, pretty.
Of course, I can't make it through New York without mentioning the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. I know it wasn't the first attack but it's the one that I remember. I can't even imaging the pain the city felt. I was being completely selfish that day but that's another story for another time. I wanted to embed the video by Ryan Adams, New York, New York but they have removed the code. So the link is here and you can see it on youtube. He filmed the video on September 7, 2001 and the towers are in the background along with other cool moving traffic scenes. We will always love you New York.
JB & Drew sporting their I Love NY tshirts
Okay, so there's my take on New York. Yay! I've actually been there. Twice. And need to go back! So, all New Yorkers meet on the Empire Deck, Friday May 30th and tell us what you think makes New York the Taste of USA!
8 comments:
I love New York!!! I have many memories there as my mother's parents lived in Monsey for a number of years and we took vacations to visit them. One summer in particular, I got to fly up by myself and spend the week with my grandma. Monsey is a great little town right along the NJ border. They have a great amish population with the best road side stands of fresh fruit, vegetables, etc.
Also, they did not live far from NYC either so I have been to the city a handful of times. My not-so-favorite memory is the time we went to the Empire State Building. My mother is terrified of heights so she did not go up with us and promised to go to the corner where my grandpa had dropped us off so he could come pick her up (she has a history of getting lost). Well, one empire state building view of the city and four hours later- we found my mother hidden under a canopy (as shelter from the rain) on the wrong corner. Let's just say my mom has NEVER lived that one down- we were all terrified...driving around looking for her!
My grandparents also lived in Buffalo at one point (they are in the Salvation Army and move around a lot) and we took a trip to Niagra Falls. However, I was about six at the time and all I have to remind me of it is pictures! The pictures are great though!
Go New York!!!
I just want to say hi to my cousin Dianne who is in the Kew Gardens area!
How do I pass up the opportunity to talk about my home state? I sure hope we get a good showing from our New Yawka's today. Maureeen and co. where are you?
Hmmmm... my memories of New York are plenty. My parents live in a place that feels like one of the most perfect places on earth. It is 35 minutes from the city, by train, and yet the entire town (Douglaston Manor) sits on a peninsula of water. The Little Neck Bay is filled with sail boat, a quaint little dock. In the summer families gather at the dock, Mr, Softee (the ice cream man) makes frequent visits, and neighbors gather in community. It is a special, special place.
My mother and father are some of the reasons why the Manor remains the special little onclave that it is. They are the epitome of what it means to live in community and have spent the better part of their lives working to preserve the neighborhood and all the wild life that lives in and around the bay and the surrounding marsh.
To the business-minded, the Manor looks like a god mine. It is close to the city (with two train stations close by), but still has all the charm of a small, suburban town. My parents and their friends have worked tirelessly to assure that new roads and subdivisions do not overtake the small town charm.
So, yes... I love the city. We traveled their frequently as kids and I am vigilent about bringing my kids back, so they have an appreciation for the arts. Both of my sisters attended the High School of Performing Arts (from the movie Fame). Ann was ballerina and Ellen played the piano. All my other extended family lives in Manhatten (including my sisters). But still, my favorite thing about NY is 340 Hollywood Avenue. The beautiful and loving place where I grew up.
I have lived in New York all my life. I have never thought about living anywhere else. I grew up in Little Neck which is the town next to Claudia's parents. We lived about a mile away from each other. Little Neck has changed and I don't live there anymore. In Little Neck and Douglaston Manor you can't purchase a home that is in decent condition for less that a "million" dollars. Where Claudia lived is more of a small secluded town with only one road going in and out of it. Where I lived it was more accessible. It was then and still is the best school district in Queens. It was just a little too city like for me. I moved to Long Island 18.5 years ago. I love NY because its always "alive". I can be to NYC in 30 minutes or at the end of LI "Montauk" in 1 hr. NY is the most diverse place I have ever visited. We are know more for the city but I really don't like NYC much. I go there for shows and museums and that is about it. Long Island is beautiful, my husband and son go fishing every day that they can. We live about 6 miles from the Long Island Sound and it is beautiful. The houses, boats and villages you see are picture perfect.
I love upstate NY but can only take the quiet for about 3 days then I start missing home. I vacationed on Lake George for most of my summers every year of my childhood. We canoed over to the small islands. I loved it.
I must say that over the years I have noticed that New Yorkers are thought to be nasty, stressed, people. Who isn't stressed? As for nasty I am not nasty. I am a very nice person unless you leave me no other choice (ha ha) Everywhere I go out of NY people "peg" my accent. Im proud of being a New Yorker. I love everything about it "except the fact its a terrorists favorite target" but even then NY stood strong. We took something so horrible and learned from it.
Hey Claudia stop making fun of New Yorkers pronunciation of NY...... Apparently your parents thought it was a great place to raise you "BRAT" also for the record I had this friend that kept me in line with my english and I pronounce New Yorker like this NEW YOURKER"!!!!! I wasn't a Staten Island or Brooklyn girl.... Stop picking on me!!!!!
NY is so diverse! There is somewhere for everyone!! As long as you're not wearing purple boots "Cassie". If you come here I will show you NY just leave the boots in Texas. Unless you want to visit the "village" in NYC....
Claudia,
Can you talk to your "FRIEND" about purple boots?
I think she missed the memo!!!
Maureen, no texan in his/her right mind would even think to buy much less wear purple boots but New Yorkers LOVE them. That's right I said New Yorkers LOVE them. Get With Maureen! OH and watch your mail their many be a pair in your future!
Maureen,
I have to agree. My sister - a native New Yorker for 48 years - owns more than 25 pairs of "cowboy boots." And, dare I say... more than one pair is purple!
She sports them all over the city with jeans and a studded belt and has actually lived to talk about it.
When you come to Texas, we'll at least get a picture of you wearing them.
First off I wont comment on Claudia's sister. Anyone with a terminal for shoes isn't gonna be choosy about color. Second off I would NEVER be caught dead in a pair of cowboy boots..... I know this may surprise you but I have NEVER worn anything that even barely resembled a cowboy boot. In fact I never wear boots. If you send them I will find a creative way to use them in a piece of art. Ha Ha!!!
Claudia has a better chance at wearing a bikini in public than I do wearing purple boots.
Thats an idea me in purple boots and Claudia in a bikini!!!!!!
Maureen,
It's on now BABY!
Check your mail....you never know!
How about Claudia in her suit with purple boots on???
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