Galveston vs. NYC

I recently came back from visiting 2 great friends in NYC. I had been there before about 5 or 6 years ago but this was definitely a much different experience. Last time I went we stayed in a hotel located in Times Square. This time I stayed at my friends' apartments; one in Midtown and the other in the Upper West side. I was lucky enough to stay at both their new homes and get to see a lot of NYC! This was also much more fun than staying in a stuffy hotel.

I had so much fun with my friends! We ate at some awesome restaurants -- dinner at Cafeteria in Chelsea and Sunday brunch at Red Rooster in Harlem. I must reiterate that I am no foodie, but these restaurants were really unique and I would definitely recommend them to a novice New York City visitor like myself. I mean, Cafeteria had macaroni and cheese egg rolls with cheese dipping sauce...how can you say no to that?!

Walking around Bryant Park

New York City kicked my ass. I will go ahead and say I could never live there.  I give lots of credit to my friends who can hack (and love) that sort of citylife. I thought Houston was a big city...but NYC is a just on a different level. I cannot keep up with the pace and the legit city people. One of the friends I was visiting couldn't handle how slow I walked around the city. To be fair, I had to consistently remind her that I live in the absolute anti-city of NYC -- the island of Galveston. Thus, where we (she) coined the phrase Galveston vs. NYC. NYC won this round.

With that being said, I think the culture in NYC is fascinating..hence why I almost died -- people watching and pausing to look up at the huge buildings while cabs and businessy men were staring me down and sooo ready to run me over.

We went to an antique/flea/art market

On my last day in NYC, my friends had to go to their big girl jobs (mine is just 4 weeks away now...eeek!), so I went to the 9/11 Memorial. The two huge fountains in place of the twin towers were so neat and very well done. I suggest going here (it was free) if you haven't been yet. My pictures cannot do it justice. The museum wasn't open yet but should be opening sometime this year. I am sure it will be amazing.

One of the memorial fountains with the soon to be tallest building in the US in the background

On my way back from the Memorial, I got lost about a dozen times trying to find the right subway. This is yet just another reason why I could never live here...I am the absolute WORST navigator ever. I could not tell you which way is North or South if my life depended on it. And I think if I lived in NYC, my life would consistently depend on my direction solving abilities. For now, I think I'll just call Houston home. It is the 3rd largest city, and I've signed my life away to live there for the next 4 years anyway.

Htownlove,
germs