My first time in New York

First time in New York City... First time in America... Oh sorry, I should better say my first trip ever abroad. Hours of flight and understanding what jetlag really means. At first, I had no friends around so I talked to myself a lot! I Would be more than happy if you would like to read about my first time in NYC... First thing to learn- Don't even try!! A monday night, the night of Presidents Day so seems no one around 110th West. I really need a cigarette. Oh there is the starbucks, a familiar brand. Smokers do know, cigarette with a tasty coffee after a long day helps a lot. "Thank you for the latte, so where can I smoke?". "Out" replied the manager. "Sorry to offend you I have just arrived to New York City (so I will smoke outside in the cold) So for your sake, do not even try to smoke any where and may be you can even quit smoking in this city or otherwise the amount you paid for the city taxes will increase.

Subway and 1 train Next morning my first work day and have to take 1 train to Times Square. That's all I know. I am really excited that I will see Times Square, is it really that shining like we saw on TV? Some people are passing to 2 and 3 trains on 96th Street. This is something I will try like one month later. The express trains to Times Square. My everday stop was Village 38 just at the corner of 38th street and 8 th avenue. Starting the day with its bagels and coffee and sometimes with fresh fruits helped me a lot to wake up. The first time I had bagel in my life. Despite many varieties, I always tried cream cheese and tomato as in the picture. Times Square “My first Saturday in New York City, everything seems so fine just the trains are not as crowded as it is in week days so its even better, what may go wrong?” I asked to myself. “Well, who closed my exit? Where can I exit now? Nobody told me there was an ongoing construction between the lines. Anyway, I have the address with me. 330 West 38th Street and I know the office is between 8th and 9th avenue. I know the way from Port Authority so if I could just find the exit to there, I can find where the office is. I am on 41th street so I am really close to office. I am not sure if it was only me or all the new New Yorkers who can not decide which way to go to the next avunue or next street. I am sure it is one of the best constructed cities in the world but so easy to go to wrong direction for me. My first time in Times Square was at the day time so going up exit, me as a dumb have not realised I was just in the middle of Times Square. I thought there was going to be lights everywhere how can I know J I know the closest train exit to our office and I have the address too so ofcourse I can find Port Authority. Ok after walking around one hour but I have found, right? St Patricks Day vs Central Park OK this Saturday I have so many plans cause it is the Saturday of St Patricks day and I can not miss the parade, I have heard so much of it. I left the office at the right time and Well there seems nobody here but I can see a few Irish people so I should keep walking I am on the right way.... (after an hour) Have no idea where am I? I know the address and in which station to take off the train.

(After 15 min) Oh great I am in central park. I saw people coming out of the parade. It should have finished already. I know the parade can not wait for me to come. Anyway central park is also nice and I can smoke with a coffee.... Having a seat and watching how the children were having fun took me to my childhood too. Luckily I have my book with me, childrens voices. The deep white what would I want more?

I am not sure but this bridge always seemed to me the bridge where Mary Jane and Spidey met in Spiderman 3. I watched the film later I took this photo but walking over the bridge and seeing everywhere in white was one the feeelings you should live. Staten Island and Statue of Liberty One of the most common questions I have from the people I met was whether I have been to Statue of Liberty or not? Ofcourse I went to the battery park and wait for a long queue to take the ferry to Staten Island. When you are waiting you can have your picture be drew for 5 bucks but you should better be careful as if you do not specify they drew an caricature of yours and with the frame the total can come up to 20 bucks. Oh we are leaving the battery park and will be with Lady Liberty in 20-3o minutes. The weather is nice so no need to be inside. There is the New york city with all its glory. The road in the island gives you a lot information about the colour and the construction of Lady Liberty besides there is a museum within the island where you can have more information and Staten Island Cafe with special statue of liberty glasses. She was just gorceous and the announcement made in the ferry when going back to NYC gave us some more information about the history of statue of liberty and freedom of America.

Going back to the city, be careful about not taking the ferry to New Jersey. Of course I took the New York City ferry but I was just about to take the New Jersey one so just warning in case

Hairspray - The great Broadway musical http://www.gtahotels.com/activities/productdetails.php/SIC.3242NYCHAIR_CXL0.htm

My best night in New York was absolutely the night I have seen my first Broadway show. Hairspray. If you people have not seen yet, buy the ticket right know. It is the best musical winner with 8 Tony Awards in 2003 You would be taken to Baltimore at 60 s and meet great guys who have great passion for dance and friendship. I believe this show is satisfaction guarantee show. IT gives you the feeling for the good and humanity. You should not miss GEORGE WENDT as big mama but I can clearly say every single person in the show was faboulous. MoMa: The Museum of Modern Art http://www.gtahotels.com/activities/productdetails.php/SIC.2174MOMA_TR.htm The first day I have been to New York, I have heard about MoMa and I believe New Yorkers are proud of that huge modern art museum. I got MoMa to my things to do list and I was definately going to go. One weekend taking the bus from 152 broadway to Manhattan, I used E5 bus instead of train and I realised the route of that bus is like a hop on hop off tour bus so you do not need to pay for a tour in the city (just kidding J) and the last stop is penn station on 34th street so the famous shopping mall Macy s is just at the corner. Anyway I have passed like with the bus E5 American National History Museum FAO Schwarz Toy Shop I regret to say this is a toy shop. No it is absolutely not. It is a total attraction and experience. If you really want to see some funny stuff you should visit the store and have a closer look to the giant creatures made with Lego. If you apply before you might have the chance to enter the constructing of it. Even the planning took like one month and they were completed in 6 months. Coney Island and Nathans If you are a fan of hotdogs, you should absolutely try Nathans near Coney Island. There is a lot fun there and you can also win some toys by filling the balloons with water. Not only your children but you will also enjoy yourself a lot. Wonder Wheel was also seen in Joan Osbournes video clip for what if god was one of us. Just try it is really safe so you wont fall. Being at the top, you have a view of Manhattan on one side and the ocean on the other so you can sing what if god was one of us at that point. If you like bookstores in a city try Barnes and Noble and Borders Book store definately. http://www.bordersstores.com/index.jsp http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ After all... Walking down 5th avenue and listening to Sting’s Englishman in New York despite the fact I am neither an English nor a man made me feel so nice. Payless shoe store and Duane Reade was everywhere so I am safe So New York is the city of "hope" and "culture". A real cosmopolite with all the people fom all around the world. It is a city that you can not explain with words cause you have to experience it. So I should better stop here but before I go, one more thing to mention... I believe, there is no other city in the world where the bus drivers are such polite and friendly. They do welcome every single person taking on bus. I would like to give my special thanks to Frank Sinatra for '' New York New York..." Ayşenur - Our New York office director