CX: Barely Breathing

I lasted 0 whole days before acquiring internet access in the Big Apple. And I will tell you why.

The flight wasn't so bad, except that I only slept for an hour. Half of it is my fault because I wanted to watch "An Education", which was an okay movie. By the time I arrived I was exhausted but very much looking forward to getting into the city. My commute was easy enough -- however, when I reached my hostel around 9:00am, I was told that check-in wasn't until 3:00pm! I decided to change clothes (it's so warm and sunny here! I should've brought sunscreen, I already have a sunburn!), leave my luggage there, and walk around and explore. I walked a few blocks to Harlem Meer (right), the northeastern tip of Central Park. I could hear the birds' mating calls and they sounded like wolf whistles.

Then I strolled around the park for a couple of hours, eventually hitting the Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. I was surprised by how many joggers and cyclists there were, but then again, it's pretty much the same on the Seawall at Stanley Park back home.

I crossed the park to visit Zabar's, a famous NYC deli/supermarket in the Upper West Side. I wasn't hungry but decided to buy a pack of chocolate rugelachs to bring back home to my parents. I also shopped, which luckily burned through my time faster. My energy low was not fit for touristy things today unfortunately!

On the search for a magenta pair of peep-toed shoes that Bandolino didn't have in my size, I took a very slow bus ride across 86th St, taking me back east of Central Park. During my walk, on 84th between Madison and Park Ave., I witnessed the most beautiful scene. Children were streaming out of a beautiful school. On the right was a doorway labelled "Girls", on the left "Boys". The sounds of laughing and excitement could be heard as they rushed toward their awaiting parents. One girl yelled "GRANDPA!", as if she was surprised to see him, and ran into his arms. She made him swing her around and I watched as they enjoyed each other's company.

I managed to buy a sweater from Filene's Basement, a top and a skirt from Loft, and my pair of magenta shoes. The debate was whether to use cash vs. credit card. When I travel, I have the habit of paying with Visa for everything and then being stuck with leftover cash, so I decided to spend my USD today. Now I'm thinking that wasn't such a great idea.

I got back to my hostel around 4pm and checked in. I was exhausted but my godsister, who happens to be in NYC on business for a few days, was free to see me in the evening so I met her at Rockefeller Center for a brief juice and quiche break. I walked by St. Patrick's Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, the famous Atlas sculpture, and where the ice rink is. But I didn't stop much to take pictures because I won't be able to do all these places justice until I get a proper night's rest.


On my subway ride home, I was sandwiched while standing between two interesting characters: a very vocal crazy African-American man who preached to himself (or an invisible person?) about how Jesus was black and that everything evil is associated with white, like ghosts and the moon; and a guy singing out loud, or rather rapping, to the music on his iPod.

I came back to the hostel by 7:15pm and decided to shower and go to bed. I only got an hour's sleep when one of my five roommates came in and shuffled around for a long time. I stayed where I was because I wanted to fall back asleep, but Sleep, how you eluded me still! And here I am now blogging in the basement of my hostel. There is a rec room upstairs that is buzzing with activity. I will really need to break out of my shell of shyness. That was one of the things I wanted to accomplish on this trip. Not today though. Today I will try to get some rest.

PS. I know I sound ranty--it's because I feel quite alone right now. It's the tiredness talking, but I would be lying if I didn't say that the thought crossed my mind a few times today that I shouldn't have come here at all. I know it will get better when I start getting acquainted with the city and its people. The same thing happened on the first night of my first trip sans parents with Nicky in Madrid, and things progressed dramatically the next day. I'm going to try to pull myself together and make the most of this vacation.
PPS. All I had to eat today was a chocolate croissant, orange juice, and a small cheese and mushroom quiche. I didn't feel hungry.