Settling in New York

Outside the Grand Central Station

Here I am writing at last! Some of my friends think I’ve found the edge of the world and fell off. Sorry to all for the delay but better late then never! I’ve been very busy settling in New York.

Vyna’s friends seem to like me and are very friendly and warm. Plus they let me get a word in, even though I can’t speak American! We have a lot of fun trying to understand each other. In the beginning, most of her friends had difficulties in pronouncing my last name, but don’t fret, it works both ways. The surroundings where we live is dominantly Spanish speaking, so we can be out for hours and meet only a few folks, which English is their first language.

Queens

Queens, New York is the largest borough in size, and boasts an extreme diverse population (unlike Manhattan, where we work and play). In short, it is a true melting pot of cultures. Reading this week’s New York Magazine, I find a survey on who were the happiest with their neighborhood. Out of the 5 boroughs, 51% voted for Queens. What exactly I’m suppose to do with this bit of news I'm not too sure.

Brooklyn Bridge

What can I say about New York, apart from my favorite neighborhood - Brooklyn Heights? If Brooklyn were a separate city, it would be the country’s fourth largest with a character all of its own. One only has to view the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline at nighttime, and realize why New Yorkers love this town.

I’m making the rounds, even though in April of 2008, I had an operation on my ruptured Achilles tendon. My leg is still slowly healing (although few weeks back I fell down the stairs). Ouch!

Lincoln Center

Balanchine’s American Ballet 

Vyna is now showing me The Big Apple. Last Sunday, we attended the Ballet at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (“The Mets’ as they say). Accompanied by two of our friends, we watched Balanchine’s American Ballet, and it was simply stunning. One of the most spectacular show I’ve seen. They tell me it was ballet at its best. Innovative styles, a cultural dance that resemble architectural, form, and balance! What a true and memorable performance that was! This was my first time to the ballet (I know what you’re thinking).

Brooklyn Museum

Next Saturday, we’ll be visiting the Brooklyn Museum, to meet several of our friends at 5 pm (First Saturday of the month is gratis!). We enjoy the Brooklyn Museum. It contains impressive examples of American and Egyptian art. At the moment, they are exhibiting African Art. Vyna loves taking me to the museums in NY - The Morgan Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the museum of Modern Art, to name but a few. So the next time you see me….

New York never sleeps

New York is indeed a city that never sleeps. If you wake up in the middle of the night with a craving for fresh bread, or an urge to watch the sun rise over the Manhattan skyline there are always plenty of options to choose from. Believe me, if you want something, anything – it’s open!

The Subway Station

The Subway (Underground) operates 24hrs a day but be warned, it is designed for New Yorkers, not for people like you and I. Before embarking on the metro adventure, first seek help! If you get lost (and you will) asking for directions can be fun. New Yorkers (Americans, in general) have this inbuilt compass. Europeans will never have it. So their directions will be punctuated with north, south, east and west etc, etc.

Once I was directed after leaving a subway station, I was told to travel in the eastern direction before heading north! The station had two exits so which way was east? In the end, I had 3 choices surrounded by those tall buildings, which disappear into the clouds. I thought I would use my deduction skills and turned right/east, get it? After a few blocks (remember between streets are called blocks), I found someone who looked “normal”, and asked for directions. New Yorkers are quick in detecting if you mean them physical injury, or just mad. Sometimes it is safer just to answer the question! Anyway he pointed the opposite direction and said ‘go east’ for a few blocks and turn north. I smiled and thanked him. He returned a, ‘have a nice day’.

Like I said, New Yorkers love helping out, if you seem “normal”! One last thing to remember is that they drive on the wrong side of the road and a couple of times, Vyna had to pull me back. I’m glad she still loves me!!

London Skyline

Missing UK?
So do I miss little old UK? Yes and no. I miss my friends, the green, green grass of home, but not the high cost of living. I do miss the NHS (national health service). With all its faults, it still treats you once you’re in the hospital without raiding your bank account (btw, that in itself, should be counted in the crime statistics).

English Countryside

Being in New York is great. We have met so many new friends but more of that later. Some of you have encouraged me to start a blog, that’s great but I’m not a writer! (Write and let me have your views). In New York, the material is rich as it is colorful, that’s for sure.