So the village was were we ended up. Or at least I think it was, without getting the map out and being a complete tourist.
BLEECKER STREET (that Sus decided to shout in response to a suggestion from a Bouncer!)

Underground comedy clubs, they are meant to be funny, aren’t they?
I understand that sometimes the comic is nervous and it’ll be new material, but I assumed it would have something to fall back on!
Free entry always good. 4$ Bud Lite, sounded good too. We weren’t told that this was pre-tax and there was a two drink minimum. Two bottles, 15$… Ouch.

After escaping before reaching our two drink limit, (Bad ass!), we rolled into Wicked Willies, after being I.D’ed by Lurch of the Adam’s family and flattered the door staff so we would get free entry. It’s a great place, however I don’t think we’ve ever ordered a drink that we have regretted so much as Frozen Margaritas. They had no taste, just pure alcohol, of which was a challenge to drink without almost gagging. The live band however, made up for the horrifically horrible drinks just a shame it didn’t play songs that we knew so that we could ‘beautifully’ sing along too.

Wicked Willy’s had over twenty different types of Rum, not that I’m a massive Rum lover, but still, along with beer pong, flip cup and various TV’s posted around the bar showing sport, not that I’m a massive sport lover either.

A jug of beer later, we decided we had another of Willy’s and left to a bar that we passed earlier, which to Sus’s pure excitement sold Strongbow!

Me: ‘You are drunk’
Sus: ‘No I’m not, Ask me a maths question’
Me: ‘7 + 5′
*Almost instantly*
Sus: ’22’

Sus: ‘Why do I recognise this film?’
Me: ‘…. It’s not a film, it’s an advert.’

Cheeky MaccyD to finish the night.

Central Park, as mentioned earlier, it is one of my most favourite places in NYC, so much so that after we arrived and walked passed the small boating lake (that features in Stuart Little!!!) and past the Alice in Wonderland statue (that features in Remember Me) we sat down – which turned into a mini nap in the sunshine.

The Met, probably the most amazing museum in the world – or at least that was my opinion! Sus on the other hand detested every minute of it. If anybody has a rainy day, and that being a completely free day with nothing else to do – then the Met should be your only destination.
It really is a ‘whole-day’ thing, but that shouldn’t stop you – the artifacts are truly amazing and just didn’t have enough time to appreciate the whole of it, let alone read every bit of text. If I ever return, (to NYC), I’ll definitely go there again.
Best thing is, it’s only a suggested donation… of approximately 33$ … pah.

The Met is on the upper East-side of Central Park, so re-crossing the park, via Kennedy reservoir to lead to the American Natural History.
Another amazing museum to be honest… I would add that to my ‘if I return to NYC’ list.
The American History museum includes dinosawrs, space discussions and everything between. If you are able to get a ticket to the planetarium, then do so, the voice-over is done by Whoppi, not only amazing for that reason, but it’s a 3D projected movie on the ceiling.
Dakota building… I really think it needs a little bit of a memorial to John Lennon. I know of Strawberry Fields, but a small plaque would be adequate.

Dylans – the most amazing candy shop in New York City… was closed.

Serendipity.

As TGI was extremely over priced, we ate at ‘Midtown restaurant’, where Sus fell in love. Not with the food, that would of been a challenge, but with our Hungarian waitress who gave us a 10% discount. Her back story, of how she came to New York for a holiday, and now ten years on, is still here…
Sus decided to  write a love letter (on a napkin), outlining his pity for her and that he hopes that she soon gets ‘home’ soon. He then decided to wait outside, staring inside for her to read it, whilst I walked into the distance.
I don’t understand why I ordered stir-fry, I dislike it back in the UK, so why order it here!?

Top of the Rock – pretty good views from the top. Was able to point out all the sights, just a shame that you can’t take a ‘decent’ photograph.

Walk back through Times Square, to see the big flashing lights and the New York buzz as well as to get the best New York cheesecake!! Yeah, that’s right, we raided Juniors, of which we stuffed our faces! Amazing!

Rats again! What has New York become?!

Today is a day of break-through! We rode the Subway like the other big boys! I don’t know how much we’ll be allowed to use it. But I don’t think this method of transport was really appreciated for it’s time-saving ability. The subway is obviously a little shady at times and I wouldn’t travel late in the evening, but during working hours it truly makes a part of New York (just like with the Tube in Landan!).

A brief disagreement as to our current location (that I had to ask a tour-guide to prove that I was correct), we were outside the Empire State.
Once again, the phrase of ‘The buildings aren’t that big’ is aired, with my reply of a unapproved stare.

Through our CityPasses, we had access to the Empire State building along with a free audio tour. The audio tour was actually amazing; pointing out spectacular viewpoints, abit of history (Nom) and answers to what we were actually looking at. I would quite like to see the view from the 102nd floor (86th floor is the observation deck, 102nd is an extra), but then I’m not sure what you’d actually be able to see as it is the tallest building in Manhattan (WTC were prior to 9/11).

5th Avenue is still an impressive stretch of shops, ranging from the biggest names to the nitty-gritty, and shops that even I won’t shop in, but then I’m pretty picky anyway! Learnt today that Tiffany’s has six floors… of which I somehow over-looked last time, not that it’s my kind of shop…

Bryant Park is probably one of my favourite places in NYC other than Central Park, both on par with each other. For those who don’t know where it is, it’s hidden behind New York Public Library and I really think it’s one of NYC’s best points.
Just a large section of greenery surrounded by skyscrapers!

New York Public Library; it a shame that my local library isn’t as impressive as this. If it was I would definitely go everyday, the ceilings, furnishings and just general atmosphere is inspiring.

Another amazing ceiling is obviously Grand Central, along with it’s hustle and typical New Yorker manic commuter.

Got bullied into purchasing a CD. Regardless of how much you say no, you are still trapped in it. So I’m now an owner of somebody’s rap demo CD. At least I’ve helped a brother from another mother, [Nigga] (his words) and it’ll apparently help me get some ‘pussy yo’…

CRUMBS. Really good cupcakes, especially when they are free ! Apparently the village is the place to be too.

TGI is expensive !

Sus: The building’s aren’t as big as I thought they would be
Me: *facepalm*

The day of Dowwwwwwn-Town. Walking from our hostel into Little Italy and then further into China Town (Did you know that China Town is constantly growing and increasing into Little Italy….).

Whilst walking, we stopped at a set of lights (one of many throughout the day). However, our of the corner of my eye, I noticed something by my feet… I say by, I mean nearby, otherwise I would of freaked out as much as the woman in-front.
Mr. Rat decided to be noticed and ran out in a line of traffic – of where the New York taxi came to hand and flattened him.
The woman next to us, absolutely freaked. And well, I’m not surprised. The rat was sniffing around her feet, before making a run for it.
*WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO NEW YORK?*
*OMG, DID IT TOUCH ME*
*WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO NEW YORK* (Repetition necessary)
*OMG OMG OMG*

So after leaving this memorable experience, Wall Street was the place to be.
We are a little in-experienced with protests, but it was quite interesting to see what was going on from the American, non-news-biased viewpoint. I had heard rumours of potential trouble surrounding Wall Street; and to be honest, those rumours were pretty true. It is a current issue that is likely to be moving across America – should really look it up before commenting on anything more. [Not to self!]

It’s hard to convince somebody to go and see ‘Wall Street’, when there isn’t actually alot to see, other than some (amazing) buildings and building names. And of course the bronze bull, [which apparently appeared one day in 1989 in front of the New York Stock Exchange].

The World Trade Center was a strange place to be – with the construction of the memorial and a rebuild project for five new skyscrapers. To be honest, this isn’t what I expected for ten-years on, especially as we were only a month after the 9/11 memorial day. Currently, there is only one skyscraper almost completed, though it is estimated to be finished in 2013. [Reading up on Wikipedia, apparently there is another skyscraper that was finished in 2006…] So, yeah. Unfortunately, the World Trade Center area is still a mass building site. You can however, just about, accept how small the site actually is.

Lady Liberty, ain’t she a babe. Still as good looking as ever, and made out of copper – which is why she’s green, due to oxidization.

Didn’t get to Subway it today. Somebody is too scared!

[Brooklyn Bridge, Downtown Area]

London Heathrow, always an exciting journey – usually involving the guessing of whether the M25 is to play nicely or not.

The 7 hour flight was entertaining, with a constant nagging and borderline anxiety / breakdown during take off and landing, as well as each time the plane tilted or the seatbelt sign appeared, it went by quite fast.

By bonding with a senior American who was sitting next to us, we both shared the almost constant freaking out and fidgeting, along with a brief life-story.

Once arrived, we power-walked the flat escalators, Sus sweating and burping and then experienced a shuttle bus and the arrogance of NYC’s taxi / bus drivers. I understand that they must work with tourists 24/7, but we don’t need to be tarnished with the same brush.

A 26 block walk with our bags (luckily it had wheels) and Chelsea Hostel was our destination and accommodation for our four nights in NYC. For me, this was my first experience of something that didn’t have any stars…. *snob* But, yeah. I’ve never needed to find cheap / low-cost accommodation!

Chelsea Hostel is great to be completely honest. At 65$ per person per night, it was a little expensive – but not a bad location at all. Located on 20th street on 7th Avenue, so just 20 or so blocks from Times Square… Breakfast included too!

The hostel is located opposite a Police precinct, so you’ll be able to hear noise throughout the night, but that’s what New York is meant to be, isn’t it? The city that doesn’t sleep (read: shut up). The sirens seemed to be entertaining for Sus, who invented a dance to each siren variation…. classy.

Times Square was the main hot-spot for tonight. The lights, the hustle, the bustle, the etc…

I honestly am.
I never know what to exactly write and my memory is terrible.

So, currently I have days worth of one word notes, of which should prompt my memory.
This is unlikely. But, I could just rip Sus’s off… It is tempting afterall.