New York, New York (Part II)

The next morning, I woke up at 9 to shower and get ready. Once I was fully prepared for what the day had in store for me, I realized that everyone else was still sleeping. And being the introvert that I am, I surely did not turn down an opportunity for a bit of alone time. I decided that nothing could be better at this moment than a morning stroll through Central Park! I packed my wallet, camera, and winter gear, then happily headed downstairs to enjoy my first ever morning in New York City.

It was about a ten minute walk from my hotel to the south entrance of Central Park. Everywhere I looked, there were joggers, dog walkers, bikers, and groups of children running around. My goal was to explore every inch of the park! But little did I know, it is a lot bigger than what the movies make it out to be. I walked around the south half of the park for almost two hours, hoping to finally make it to the tourist locations in the north end. However, when I was looking at the ice skating rink for the third time, I realized that I was simply walking in circles. I wanted to blend in with the NY natives, but I finally caved and bought one of those $2 maps of Central Park from a street vendor. I told the man the main places I wanted to go, and he was very helpful in directing me!

As I started on my way, I heard someone call out to me, “Excuse me, ma’am?” I turned, not knowing what to expect. “You dropped your wallet.”

Sure enough, there it was lying on the ground. He bent over, picked it up, and handed it to me. I was baffled – weren't New Yorkers supposed to be selfish, rude, and pompous? I smiled at the man, mumbled a “thank you”, and then headed on my way.

These are the bathrooms in Central Park!

I walked around for hours, my camera in one hand and the map in the other. I saw the Belvedere Castle, Loeb Boathouse, Children’s Zoo, Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields with the Imagine mosaic, the mall (which isn’t actually a mall…), and much, much more!

Finally, I hit the most northern point of the park. From there, I exited to the east and walked the straight length of the park down Fifth Avenue. It was the best workout I could ever ask for! By the time I reached the golden Sherman statue and the glass Apple Store, my phone was completely dead. Lovely… Now, my main goal was to find an outlet. I headed into many stores and was repeatedly unsuccessful. I then trekked down a narrow street and into a bagel shop.

Now, I hear New York bagels are good, but they were all under exaggerating! As I sat down at a table, eating my bagels and charging my phone, I was experiencing pure food bliss. I have no idea what this bagel shop was called, but it was just south of the Museum of Modern Art, and west of Fifth Avenue. So delicious!

Next, I walked south down Fifth, looking at all the shops and clothes that I could probably never afford in my lifetime. I passed Trump Tower, Tiffany’s, Bergdorf, Dolce & Gabbana, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, St Regis, and finally stumbled across Rockefeller Center. 

I saw the statue of that man holding the world, the ice rink, the flags, and even the Christmas tree! Although they were still in the process of decorating, so the tree was still covered…  But all I could think of was that scene from Elf when Buddy and Jovie have their first kiss on the ice. Perfect! Right there, I promised myself that I would have an ice skating date on that rink one day. Haha!

After taking enough pictures to satisfy any tourist, I decided to do the unthinkable. I headed down the stairs (after getting lost trying to find the right ones) and into the rumbling, rat-infested abyss. 

To be continued...