Okay so I've cleared the first major hurdle of my adventure. I hit my $10thousand target on Monday July 21.... 3 months and 5 days after I started fundraising! http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=426709 It's a pretty significant thing for someone who has never really done any fundraising before. I mostly depended on the kindness and generosity of my friends, colleagues, business associates, but I also held a yard sale that helped a bit.
Unfortunately I also had an injury that interupted my training for about 5 weeks! I had pinched nerves in my neck that radiated down my arm and around my shoulder blade. Now with just a week and a half to go, I'm back working out full tilt!
Thanks to everyone who helped me reach my goal!!! Now bring on Kilimanjaro!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
My Next Adventure
April 16,08
I've decided that my next adventure is to raise $10 thousand dollars for the Arthritis Society by August and then to climb Mt. Kilimimanjaro in Tanzania as part of the group Joints In Motion. Both are huge undertakings, and a little overwelming, but it's now well underway and i can't turn back now.
I've decided that my next adventure is to raise $10 thousand dollars for the Arthritis Society by August and then to climb Mt. Kilimimanjaro in Tanzania as part of the group Joints In Motion. Both are huge undertakings, and a little overwelming, but it's now well underway and i can't turn back now.
After the death of my mother last Christmas, I felt like I needed to do something big. Since I had spent most of my vacations for the past several years going home to see her, I felt like I needed to see some of the world. This is helping me get through my grief by giving me something else to focus on... and it's all positive. I'm helping a worthwhile charity, I'm in training for a major challenge, which is boosting my health, and I'm going to Africa which has always been a dream of mine.
But so far so good. 8 days into my fundraising I hit 42% of my goal $42hundred and all i did was send out letters and emails to friends and family.... I have such wonderful supporters. And most of those I approached say they have to wait until the next payday etc, so it's bound to climb!!! Here's a copy of the letter I sent out:
April, 2008
As some of you know, I am planning a trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in August of this year. I am doing it for two reasons – to raise money for the Arthritis Society of Canada and to achieve a personal milestone – conquering Africa’s tallest mountain… but I need your help and support.
In the past few years, I have radically changed my lifestyle – focussing on diet and exercise. As a result, I have been able to enjoy a more active life – hiking, cycling, parasailing, wakeboarding (couldn’t get up though!). But there comes a time when you have to face a more significant challenge. That’s when my co-worker Deborah Creatura suggested a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro to benefit the Arthritis Society; a Herculean feat but one I feel ready to tackle, with an extensive training program.
After checking out Joints In Motion online, my biggest concern was raising the $10,000 required to participate in the trek. But then I remembered how significant Arthritis has been in my life; it affects me, as well as, several of my family members: my sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, my Dad had Osteoporosis so bad he lost nearly 10 inches in height by the time he died, and my grandmother spent the last 14 years of her life in rehab hospitals, having had most of her joints replaced.
This is where you come in. If I’ve ever helped you before – I’m asking you today to return the favour, by sponsoring me in my trek. All the money raised goes to the Arthritis Society, and donations over $50 are tax deductible.
I will be dedicating my trek to my sister Lynda Wait who suffers from severe arthritis, as well as, Lupus. Also, in memory of my father Neil Weir who had extreme Osteoporosis, and the rest of my extended family who suffer with this debilitating disease.
Thank you for your support.
Darren
Donate to Darren online: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=426709
Or to Deborah online: > http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=426464
As for my physical training. That is well underway too. My trainer Dena is working at building up my cardio and leg strength in time for the trek. Saturday I ran the steps in my building - 17 floors. Today we ran the steps at Casa Loma 5 times!!! and then jogged 5.25km home. Casa Loma jog Other trainers have also said they are willing to help me. And Homeopathic Doctor Bryce Wylde has been an amazing support. He plans to develop a
supplements plan for my entire trek. He also put a banner on his website supporting my walk and encouraging others to do the same.
Stay tuned for more!
But so far so good. 8 days into my fundraising I hit 42% of my goal $42hundred and all i did was send out letters and emails to friends and family.... I have such wonderful supporters. And most of those I approached say they have to wait until the next payday etc, so it's bound to climb!!! Here's a copy of the letter I sent out:
April, 2008
As some of you know, I am planning a trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in August of this year. I am doing it for two reasons – to raise money for the Arthritis Society of Canada and to achieve a personal milestone – conquering Africa’s tallest mountain… but I need your help and support.
In the past few years, I have radically changed my lifestyle – focussing on diet and exercise. As a result, I have been able to enjoy a more active life – hiking, cycling, parasailing, wakeboarding (couldn’t get up though!). But there comes a time when you have to face a more significant challenge. That’s when my co-worker Deborah Creatura suggested a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro to benefit the Arthritis Society; a Herculean feat but one I feel ready to tackle, with an extensive training program.
After checking out Joints In Motion online, my biggest concern was raising the $10,000 required to participate in the trek. But then I remembered how significant Arthritis has been in my life; it affects me, as well as, several of my family members: my sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, my Dad had Osteoporosis so bad he lost nearly 10 inches in height by the time he died, and my grandmother spent the last 14 years of her life in rehab hospitals, having had most of her joints replaced.
This is where you come in. If I’ve ever helped you before – I’m asking you today to return the favour, by sponsoring me in my trek. All the money raised goes to the Arthritis Society, and donations over $50 are tax deductible.
I will be dedicating my trek to my sister Lynda Wait who suffers from severe arthritis, as well as, Lupus. Also, in memory of my father Neil Weir who had extreme Osteoporosis, and the rest of my extended family who suffer with this debilitating disease.
Thank you for your support.
Darren
Donate to Darren online: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=426709
Or to Deborah online: > http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=426464
As for my physical training. That is well underway too. My trainer Dena is working at building up my cardio and leg strength in time for the trek. Saturday I ran the steps in my building - 17 floors. Today we ran the steps at Casa Loma 5 times!!! and then jogged 5.25km home. Casa Loma jog Other trainers have also said they are willing to help me. And Homeopathic Doctor Bryce Wylde has been an amazing support. He plans to develop a
supplements plan for my entire trek. He also put a banner on his website supporting my walk and encouraging others to do the same.Stay tuned for more!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Taking My First Bite Out Of The Big Apple
Nov 15, 2007
This was going to be a short blog about my trip to New York City for the first time... but as you will see it's kind of turned out to be an epic... I'm warning you now.
'I can't believe I'm finally on a plane headed to NYC. I've dreamed about it for so long... that it sort of feels like deja vu.
As we make approach to Newark International Airport you can seen Manhattan in the distance. It was tough to make out because it was quite a distance away and was quite hazy. On the express bus into the city, a big tour bus, there was just me and one other person on board. I was kind of nervous about going in at 8:30am, and while traffic was backed up for miles headed to the Lincoln tunnel with all the toll booths, we are in our own express lane. The Lincoln Tunnel is actually very nice... clean white tiles, brushed stainless steel. But it takes forever to get through and it's not really the best place if you are claustrophobic. Though when you emerge out the other end, you are suddenly in the middle of it all - Manhattan!!!.. even the apartment buildings are huge. One of the first landmarks is the Javits Convention centre.
I called Lindsay from Grand Central Station
around 9:45 (about an hour from the airport) and she told me she had a meeting in 10 minutes. I figured out exactly where I was going while chatting with her on my cellphone - and immediately felt like I was already blending in. Packing my duffle bag , crossing against the lights when it was clear, and really moving with a strong stride. Got to Lindsay's office and dropped off my bag and hit the ground running.
I walked past the New York City Public Library,
and then to Bryant Park. There is a restaurant in the park that is called Celsius
and is a "Canadian Lounge". There's also an ice skating rink, that was open even though the temperture was over 50 degrees farenheit that day.
Walked over to Times Square, which was still overwelming even at 10:30am.
Times square day
As I wandered around there were all these guys in red jackets and I recognized the Grayline logo, both my sister and new boss recommended i try it. So I bought a 48 hour on off downtown tour for $39. It was great. Instead of always taking the subway where you miss everything because you are underground, this is an above ground bus... double decker so you can see everything from a birds eye view,
NYC horses
Look out
great for taking pictures except you can't stand up, and you don't want to either when you see how close the overhead signs are. You also have an announcer telling you about different buildings, that you might miss if you were just walking on your own.
Madison square garden from the double decker
Empire state building base
I didn't go far at first, just to the Empire state building. Security was tighter than I expected. You have to empty your pockets, take off your belt and go through a metal detector. Guess it makes it safer?!? Got to the observation deck (weird pigeons sitting on the wires way up there).
Pigeon on empire state building
I took quite a few pictures as I walked around the building.
Beautiful rooftops
Chrysler Building from Empire State Building
South Manhattan
Tried taking a few of myself, and then a woman offered to take one of me.
Darren on Empire State Bldng
I ended up doing the same for lots of people throughout my trip to New York. You really get an idea of just how small Manhattan is, but how absolutely huge it is. So many highrises, and so many beautifully designed buildings. It really is amazing.
As I wandered up 34th street to Macy's
Macys storefront
I started thinking about that movie, 'Miracle On 34th Street' and turns out the windows at Macy's are a tribute to the movie.
Macy's Xmas window1
Macy's Xmas window2
Macy's Xmas window3
Hopped back on the bus, one thing to remember make sure you wear something warm, especially if it's a chilly day, because riding around on the top of the bus, is extremely windy. It might be nice in the summer, except for the smog. Went through Greenwich Village,
Bleeker street in the village
Soho,
Chinatown, Past Ground Zero; too fast to really see anything, plus all the crowds around ground zero weren't very enticing. The architecture was really spectacular and the guided tour really helped, although I can't remember which building is which anymore.
Beautiful building
I wandered over to Battery Park, took a picture of the statue that used to sit in the square at the World Trade Center and the eternal flame there,
and another picture of the Korean War monument. Then when I went to take a picture of the statue of Liberty in the distance, my camera battery died. In all the time I`ve had my camera that has never happened. Guess I`m giving it a good workout. So I hit the subway and headed uptown (no problem figuring out the subway, just like the TTC only quite a few more lines to remember. It feels safe, I didn`t feel threatened, I love the old wooden benches everywhere.
Lindsay on wooden subway bench
Got to Lindsays place to recharge the camera battery. Also fell asleep for an hour to recharge myself, and then headed out again. When I got to the 86st. station I had to ask someone if I was gettting on the right train to go Downtown.... when she steered me in the right direction I said, “can you tell i am new?”.. and she said “we all were once”.
I went to Bryant Park again, watching the ice skaters,
Bryant Park skating
it is crowded like New Years Eve at Nathan Phillips Square..and instead of playing rock music, like Rockefeller Center, they were playing big band music like ‘42nd Street’. I am really disappointed my camera isn’t working because the city looks so different at night especially with all the Christmas lights up everywhere. I will have to go out again after dark and take more pictures.
I met up with Lindsay and we hopped in a cab at 42nd street... and it was crazy. I thought Hong Kong cabbies were nuts, these guys were unbelievable... zipping through traffic jams, riding up on the curb at one point - squeezing through when there’s barely an inch on either side - definately wear a seatbelt! We got out at Columbus Ave and walked up a block or two when we found a great little Italian restaurant, Pappardella's Zagat rated, and a huge menu. Our waitress was fun, she’d just moved from New Jersey so she and Lindsay commisserated about living in the big city.
In the Times Real Estate section there was an article on current prices and it is out of this world... the AVERAGE price for a co-op (least expensive housing) is $1.37M or $1021 a square foot... condos $1.64M while luxury condos go for $5.085M, lofts $2.07M and townhouses go for an average of $4.08M although they average $9.3M on the east side!!!
When I headed out on day two, I headed to the subway, and just like Toronto, sometimes you have to wait a few minutes longer for the train, and when it comes everyone jams in. I decided to wait for the next one, and about a minute later it arrived and was empty, so I got a seat. The trains shake rattle and roll a lot more than the TTC subway, 4 tracks with express trains in the centre rails.
I got out at Christopher Street to explore the gay neighbourhood. I was approached by a guy from the Human Rights Campaign - so we talked about the differences between Canadian and American gay rights. I gave him 20 bucks for the fight. Walked past the Stonewall Inn, where it all began,
Where it all began
and past Gay Street,
Gay Street
and Christopher Park, dedicated to the fight for gay rights.
Christopher Park
Christopher Park2
I got turned around on one of the side streets and ended up at the Hudson River,
Hudson River park
so I turned around and stopped at a great little diner called Sweet Love. Everybody seemed like they were regulars, and they all knew the waitress (owner) by name. She had a heavy New York, Puerto Rican accent... so cool. There's also a wire mesh fence on Christopher Street that is covered in ceramic tiles, all made by children and dedicated to the victims of 9/11.
I headed to Washington Square Park and took a ton of pictures...
of course I had to check out the off leash dog areas. I was asked 4 times if I wanted to buy pot.... was it the park or the way I look?? I walked over to the East Village and had to ask directions a few times, but everyone was very friendly and helpful. St. Marks was great, very cool. Every few stores were tattoo and piercing parlours. I checked out Trash and Vaudville, a store that has been there since the 70s - all punk rock and memorabilia. I bought a Siouxie and the Banshees T-shirt with Robert Smith from the Cure who was with the band at the time. When I got back on the subway this time it was late afternoon, and much busier… but we had this subway announcer with attitude. She kept yelling out orders over the PA... “DO NOT block the doors”... “DO NOT hold the doors open”... “Use ALL the doors”.... all said with a heavy New York accent... hilarious!!!
When Lindsay got home we headed out to the Zipper Factory Theatre in midtown for the Margaret Cho show. We had front row centre tickets
Front row at margaret cho
and went with two of her friends from work. It was absolutely hilarious - I was laughing so hard, especially in the first set of her doing her standup. It was a mix of standup and comedy skits that were all very risquè. Her main message was that everyone is beautiful whether you are big or small. I really loved it. Afterwards we made a run for it in a torrential downpour, to a nearby restaurant and had a nice meal before heading home. I realized it is true that New Yorkers work hard and play hard. At least the PR people I was out with. They all complained about the ridiculous hours they have to work... extremely long and stressful days.
Next day we got up and Lindsay and I headed over to the Chelsea Market.
I loved it. Reminded me of St. Lawrence market only a lot cleaner and better organized. The cake and cupcake stores were amazing.
There was one shop called The Fat Witch Bakery! The Food Network is upstairs - some of the produce is even more unique than what you find at St. Lawrence and I thought you could get everything there.
We continued to stroll through the Chelsea neighbourhood, a great little area, with gay couples everywhere, and tons of great stores... like Filene’s Basement. Thats where they have that huge wedding dress sale every year when women go crazy for the amazing bargains. You get all kinds of designer clothes there for really good prices.
The one bad part of the day is the Broadway stage hands have walked out on strike, and we have tickets tomorrow for The Grinch. It looked like it would be a really great show, but does not look like they will settle in time.
That evening I headed out for a picture taking adventure… Rockefeller Center,
Times Square, Radio City Music Hall.
Radio City Music Hall 2
- so many people- it must be because of the Broadway strike… everyone is out and about on Times Square. And they are all SLOW walkers . I settled into a groove, pushing through the crowds, yelling “we’re not all tourists ya know…. Move it!” kind of like Toronto but more so. Anyway as I tried to escape from the square headed up 45th Street and a few meters from the corner,
Cock Lounge
my phone rings and it’s Vivian. She says “ just wondered where you are and what you are doing?” I said “ I’m in Times Square” she says “ where in Times Square? I’m in Times Square!” It turned out we were across the street from each other… she was just pulling in to set up for a live shot for the 11 o’clock news and to edit her story.
So we had a great happy reunion and managed to squeeze in a quick 15 minute update, getting caught up on the past 5 years. Grabbed a quick bite to eat at…. McDonalds… blah! Decided to head back to Lindsay’s place uptown… but the ‘c’ train was cancelled for the weekend and the ‘a’ and ‘b’ lines weren’t operating evenings and weekends… so I had to exit the station (Bryant Park)
Bryant Park subway wall
and ask the guy what I was supposed to do… he told me ‘take the ‘d’ train to 59th street and then transfer to a 1. I decided to just walk to the Times Square station and hop on the 1… but I arrived at the 86th street station (which I have already been to a few times now) but it was night time and things looked different and I ended up walking the wrong way to Riverside Park instead of Central Park! Finally got home, and Lindsay, Peter and I sat around listening to albums, and drinking (them not me) . Then Viv called and we decided to head over to her place for a drink. We got out in her Chelsea neighbourhood and as we walked to her building Peter found a pink sequinned gown in a planter… in perfectly good condition…
Peter finds dress outside vivs
we picked it up and carried it to Vivian's, where we ended up leaving it at the end of our night. We had a great visit for a few hours, they were reminiscing about Canada and it turns out all 3 had gone to Carleton at different times but had the same instructors but different experiences. Small world.
Got up Sunday around 10:30… looks like the stagehands strike is going to continue so looks like the Grinch isn’t going to happen tonight. So sad :(
Lindsay and I headed out to Central Park… here it is half a block away and I haven’t even been over here yet!. It’s beautiful a real oasis in the middle of this mad bustling city.
It’s so HUGE…and pretty unbelievable that they were able to protect such a large tract of land in the centre of Manhattan. We made a stop at Strawberry Fields,
Strawberry Fields
and admired the peace sign made from flower petals… we both wondered who does that… is it the city? A fan? Yoko?
Hopped back in a cab to take a few quick pics of the Guggenheim… I have always wanted to see that building…. But guess what, it’s under exterior renovation…
we did go inside though and checked out the beautiful interior design. No time to dawdle… had to zip off to Bath and Body Works for some quick shopping… then back in a cab to get to brunch with Viv at Pastis at 1:00. It was 12:40 and a Sunday, but turned out it’s also Veterans Day and there are parades everywhere. The cabbie decided to take the FDR and OMG it was the most amazing death defying roller coaster ride I have ever been on, and I’ve been on some of the best! We hit one bump or pothole that sent us flying… definitely a good thing we were strapped in… don’t forget!
We got to Pastis for brunch but were told it would be a 1 hour and 45 minute wait. Plus earlier we had checked out the menu and it was outrageous… 10 bucks for a bowl of oatmeal, 15 bucks for an egg on toast with beans and a tomato slice!!! We decided to check out this place across the street, a Canadian tavern and restaurant. We had baked eggs that were delicious… too bad they had run out of poutine (or maybe that was a good thing). Before we left we took a photo of Viv and I in front of a gorgeous white Lamborghini on the cobblestoned streets of Chelsea.
Darren and Viv outside Pastis
We took the L Train to Brooklyn – Williamsburg… very quaint neighbourhood – a bit like Queen Street West. We walked and shopped for a couple of hours and saw a cool bar called The Surf Bar
Surf bar in Williamsburg
and the floor was made of sand. Also went into a record store and found this album called Fuggin Jaggoffs and thought of Mike Kostiuk (who calls everyone a Fuggin Jaggoff) so I had to get it for him.
We took the subway back to Union Square
and Lindsay bought a couple of dvds at the Best Buy. Then we stumbled on a street fair, and wandered along smelling the most delicous street foods, and checking out the bargains. I found this one T-Shirt place that had some very unique Ts.. turns out the guy designs them himself, so I got one for $10. (http://www.rockstarrevolution.com/) Walked back to Macys and shopped some more… until we were both ready to drop.
When we were on the subway ride home, we heard this absolutely amazing street performer in the 59th Street station. He was singing the blues and it was bone chillingly amazing. If I was a record producer I would sign him up immediately. Instead he sits underground begging for a few cents. So sad. We stopped for dinner at the Vynl Café for pad Thai and then home to watch Barefoot in the Park and pack… a perfect way to end my 4 day New York adventure.
The next morning, got up bright and early at 6:30 grabbed a cab at Central Park West and 87th street at 7:30, got on the FDR and it was smooth sailing.,.. past Harlem (a series of dark brown tenement buildings) we went over the Triboro Bridge (the big suspension bridge) and got to La Guardia in less than half an hour… 2 and a half hours before the flight!!! I have a long wait.
Final Thoughts:
I had the most fabulous time in New York City… it is a high energy, beautiful city… with sky high buildings and a chaotic frenzy on the streets below. It’s combined with it’s own distinct smell… a smoky combination of tobacco, smog, and street vendors barbecues, and it’s a cachophony of sounds. All the honking horns is hard to get used to… even Montrealers are tame by comparison. The pace is unbelievable… a good piece of advice for someone who “wants to punch slow walking people in the back of the head” walk on the right side of the sidewalk… if you are walking slow, walk as far right as you can go… if you have to stop to tie a shoe, check a map or take a picture, stand behind a fire hydrant or mailbox don’t stand in the middle of the sidewalk. And you will notice that New Yorkers don’t wait for the light to change to ‘walk’… just make sure when you step off the curb you check for traffic. I saw one family almost get mowed down by a cyclist who proceeded to scream at them until they were humiliated, which they deserved, because they were crossing against the light and didn’t bother to check (I watched them do it) they are just lucky it wasn’t a car or truck that couldn’t stop in time. I can only image how stressful it must be to live here. It’s also an extreme contrast of rich and poor – bargains and ostentatious luxury (so many Lincoln Town Cars and SUV’s) For those with money, it would be an exciting and fabulous place to live and work. For those without a lot of money it would be a constant struggle, just trying to make enough money to survive and improve their lot in life. It’s also the American way to be constantly chasing the dream for wealth. Racially and culturally it is definitely a mosaic of cultures – you are always hearing other languages being spoken… like Toronto only LOUDER! Unfortunately there is also a polarization of various ethnic groups. You see it and you feel it. It’s not like Toronto where people don’t just ‘tolerate’ each other and their differences, but actually blend together relatively effectively. It’s like the prevalent philosophies have flipped: Canada is the melting pot of various cultures and America (New York) is the mosaic with each group very distinct and separate. The weird thing for me personally is that I haven’t felt this comfortable in a city other than Toronto. I love the energy, though it would be tough to experience over a long time, especially if you can’t afford the time or money to get out of town regularly. But I didn’t have any trouble getting around and blending in to the city. I can throw New York attitude with the best of them. I can’t wait to come back. I LOVE NYC!
PLACES I VISITED:
Times Square (and the Virgin Store)
42nd Street
Madison Avenue
5th Avenue
Park Avenue
Avenue of the Americas
Broadway
34th Street
Macy's (and check out the cellar for lunch)
Bryant Park
Empire State Building
Battery Park
Christopher Street (and the gay village)
Greenwich Village
Hudson River Park
East Village
Washington Square Park
Soho
NYC University Campus
Chelsea Market
Meat Packing District
Chelsea Neighbourhood
NYC Library
Filenes Basement
Rockefeller Center
St.Patrick's Cathedral
Central Park
Strawberry Fields
Guggenheim
Brooklyn -Williamsburg
Union Square
Triboro Bridge
This was going to be a short blog about my trip to New York City for the first time... but as you will see it's kind of turned out to be an epic... I'm warning you now.
'I can't believe I'm finally on a plane headed to NYC. I've dreamed about it for so long... that it sort of feels like deja vu.
As we make approach to Newark International Airport you can seen Manhattan in the distance. It was tough to make out because it was quite a distance away and was quite hazy. On the express bus into the city, a big tour bus, there was just me and one other person on board. I was kind of nervous about going in at 8:30am, and while traffic was backed up for miles headed to the Lincoln tunnel with all the toll booths, we are in our own express lane. The Lincoln Tunnel is actually very nice... clean white tiles, brushed stainless steel. But it takes forever to get through and it's not really the best place if you are claustrophobic. Though when you emerge out the other end, you are suddenly in the middle of it all - Manhattan!!!.. even the apartment buildings are huge. One of the first landmarks is the Javits Convention centre.
I called Lindsay from Grand Central Station
around 9:45 (about an hour from the airport) and she told me she had a meeting in 10 minutes. I figured out exactly where I was going while chatting with her on my cellphone - and immediately felt like I was already blending in. Packing my duffle bag , crossing against the lights when it was clear, and really moving with a strong stride. Got to Lindsay's office and dropped off my bag and hit the ground running.
I walked past the New York City Public Library,
and then to Bryant Park. There is a restaurant in the park that is called Celsius
and is a "Canadian Lounge". There's also an ice skating rink, that was open even though the temperture was over 50 degrees farenheit that day.
Walked over to Times Square, which was still overwelming even at 10:30am.
Times square day
As I wandered around there were all these guys in red jackets and I recognized the Grayline logo, both my sister and new boss recommended i try it. So I bought a 48 hour on off downtown tour for $39. It was great. Instead of always taking the subway where you miss everything because you are underground, this is an above ground bus... double decker so you can see everything from a birds eye view,
NYC horses
Look out
great for taking pictures except you can't stand up, and you don't want to either when you see how close the overhead signs are. You also have an announcer telling you about different buildings, that you might miss if you were just walking on your own.
Madison square garden from the double decker
Empire state building base
I didn't go far at first, just to the Empire state building. Security was tighter than I expected. You have to empty your pockets, take off your belt and go through a metal detector. Guess it makes it safer?!? Got to the observation deck (weird pigeons sitting on the wires way up there).
Pigeon on empire state building
I took quite a few pictures as I walked around the building.
Beautiful rooftops
Chrysler Building from Empire State Building
South Manhattan
Tried taking a few of myself, and then a woman offered to take one of me.
Darren on Empire State Bldng
I ended up doing the same for lots of people throughout my trip to New York. You really get an idea of just how small Manhattan is, but how absolutely huge it is. So many highrises, and so many beautifully designed buildings. It really is amazing.
As I wandered up 34th street to Macy's
Macys storefront
I started thinking about that movie, 'Miracle On 34th Street' and turns out the windows at Macy's are a tribute to the movie.
Macy's Xmas window1
Macy's Xmas window2
Macy's Xmas window3
Hopped back on the bus, one thing to remember make sure you wear something warm, especially if it's a chilly day, because riding around on the top of the bus, is extremely windy. It might be nice in the summer, except for the smog. Went through Greenwich Village,
Bleeker street in the village
Soho,
Chinatown, Past Ground Zero; too fast to really see anything, plus all the crowds around ground zero weren't very enticing. The architecture was really spectacular and the guided tour really helped, although I can't remember which building is which anymore.
Beautiful building
I wandered over to Battery Park, took a picture of the statue that used to sit in the square at the World Trade Center and the eternal flame there,
and another picture of the Korean War monument. Then when I went to take a picture of the statue of Liberty in the distance, my camera battery died. In all the time I`ve had my camera that has never happened. Guess I`m giving it a good workout. So I hit the subway and headed uptown (no problem figuring out the subway, just like the TTC only quite a few more lines to remember. It feels safe, I didn`t feel threatened, I love the old wooden benches everywhere.
Lindsay on wooden subway bench
Got to Lindsays place to recharge the camera battery. Also fell asleep for an hour to recharge myself, and then headed out again. When I got to the 86st. station I had to ask someone if I was gettting on the right train to go Downtown.... when she steered me in the right direction I said, “can you tell i am new?”.. and she said “we all were once”.
I went to Bryant Park again, watching the ice skaters,
Bryant Park skating
it is crowded like New Years Eve at Nathan Phillips Square..and instead of playing rock music, like Rockefeller Center, they were playing big band music like ‘42nd Street’. I am really disappointed my camera isn’t working because the city looks so different at night especially with all the Christmas lights up everywhere. I will have to go out again after dark and take more pictures.
I met up with Lindsay and we hopped in a cab at 42nd street... and it was crazy. I thought Hong Kong cabbies were nuts, these guys were unbelievable... zipping through traffic jams, riding up on the curb at one point - squeezing through when there’s barely an inch on either side - definately wear a seatbelt! We got out at Columbus Ave and walked up a block or two when we found a great little Italian restaurant, Pappardella's Zagat rated, and a huge menu. Our waitress was fun, she’d just moved from New Jersey so she and Lindsay commisserated about living in the big city.
In the Times Real Estate section there was an article on current prices and it is out of this world... the AVERAGE price for a co-op (least expensive housing) is $1.37M or $1021 a square foot... condos $1.64M while luxury condos go for $5.085M, lofts $2.07M and townhouses go for an average of $4.08M although they average $9.3M on the east side!!!
When I headed out on day two, I headed to the subway, and just like Toronto, sometimes you have to wait a few minutes longer for the train, and when it comes everyone jams in. I decided to wait for the next one, and about a minute later it arrived and was empty, so I got a seat. The trains shake rattle and roll a lot more than the TTC subway, 4 tracks with express trains in the centre rails.
I got out at Christopher Street to explore the gay neighbourhood. I was approached by a guy from the Human Rights Campaign - so we talked about the differences between Canadian and American gay rights. I gave him 20 bucks for the fight. Walked past the Stonewall Inn, where it all began,
Where it all began
and past Gay Street,
Gay Street
and Christopher Park, dedicated to the fight for gay rights.
Christopher Park
Christopher Park2
I got turned around on one of the side streets and ended up at the Hudson River,
Hudson River park
so I turned around and stopped at a great little diner called Sweet Love. Everybody seemed like they were regulars, and they all knew the waitress (owner) by name. She had a heavy New York, Puerto Rican accent... so cool. There's also a wire mesh fence on Christopher Street that is covered in ceramic tiles, all made by children and dedicated to the victims of 9/11.
I headed to Washington Square Park and took a ton of pictures...
of course I had to check out the off leash dog areas. I was asked 4 times if I wanted to buy pot.... was it the park or the way I look?? I walked over to the East Village and had to ask directions a few times, but everyone was very friendly and helpful. St. Marks was great, very cool. Every few stores were tattoo and piercing parlours. I checked out Trash and Vaudville, a store that has been there since the 70s - all punk rock and memorabilia. I bought a Siouxie and the Banshees T-shirt with Robert Smith from the Cure who was with the band at the time. When I got back on the subway this time it was late afternoon, and much busier… but we had this subway announcer with attitude. She kept yelling out orders over the PA... “DO NOT block the doors”... “DO NOT hold the doors open”... “Use ALL the doors”.... all said with a heavy New York accent... hilarious!!!
When Lindsay got home we headed out to the Zipper Factory Theatre in midtown for the Margaret Cho show. We had front row centre tickets
Front row at margaret cho
and went with two of her friends from work. It was absolutely hilarious - I was laughing so hard, especially in the first set of her doing her standup. It was a mix of standup and comedy skits that were all very risquè. Her main message was that everyone is beautiful whether you are big or small. I really loved it. Afterwards we made a run for it in a torrential downpour, to a nearby restaurant and had a nice meal before heading home. I realized it is true that New Yorkers work hard and play hard. At least the PR people I was out with. They all complained about the ridiculous hours they have to work... extremely long and stressful days.
Next day we got up and Lindsay and I headed over to the Chelsea Market.
I loved it. Reminded me of St. Lawrence market only a lot cleaner and better organized. The cake and cupcake stores were amazing.
There was one shop called The Fat Witch Bakery! The Food Network is upstairs - some of the produce is even more unique than what you find at St. Lawrence and I thought you could get everything there.
We continued to stroll through the Chelsea neighbourhood, a great little area, with gay couples everywhere, and tons of great stores... like Filene’s Basement. Thats where they have that huge wedding dress sale every year when women go crazy for the amazing bargains. You get all kinds of designer clothes there for really good prices.
The one bad part of the day is the Broadway stage hands have walked out on strike, and we have tickets tomorrow for The Grinch. It looked like it would be a really great show, but does not look like they will settle in time.
That evening I headed out for a picture taking adventure… Rockefeller Center,
Times Square, Radio City Music Hall.
Radio City Music Hall 2
- so many people- it must be because of the Broadway strike… everyone is out and about on Times Square. And they are all SLOW walkers . I settled into a groove, pushing through the crowds, yelling “we’re not all tourists ya know…. Move it!” kind of like Toronto but more so. Anyway as I tried to escape from the square headed up 45th Street and a few meters from the corner,
Cock Lounge
my phone rings and it’s Vivian. She says “ just wondered where you are and what you are doing?” I said “ I’m in Times Square” she says “ where in Times Square? I’m in Times Square!” It turned out we were across the street from each other… she was just pulling in to set up for a live shot for the 11 o’clock news and to edit her story.
So we had a great happy reunion and managed to squeeze in a quick 15 minute update, getting caught up on the past 5 years. Grabbed a quick bite to eat at…. McDonalds… blah! Decided to head back to Lindsay’s place uptown… but the ‘c’ train was cancelled for the weekend and the ‘a’ and ‘b’ lines weren’t operating evenings and weekends… so I had to exit the station (Bryant Park)
Bryant Park subway wall
and ask the guy what I was supposed to do… he told me ‘take the ‘d’ train to 59th street and then transfer to a 1. I decided to just walk to the Times Square station and hop on the 1… but I arrived at the 86th street station (which I have already been to a few times now) but it was night time and things looked different and I ended up walking the wrong way to Riverside Park instead of Central Park! Finally got home, and Lindsay, Peter and I sat around listening to albums, and drinking (them not me) . Then Viv called and we decided to head over to her place for a drink. We got out in her Chelsea neighbourhood and as we walked to her building Peter found a pink sequinned gown in a planter… in perfectly good condition…
Peter finds dress outside vivs
we picked it up and carried it to Vivian's, where we ended up leaving it at the end of our night. We had a great visit for a few hours, they were reminiscing about Canada and it turns out all 3 had gone to Carleton at different times but had the same instructors but different experiences. Small world.
Got up Sunday around 10:30… looks like the stagehands strike is going to continue so looks like the Grinch isn’t going to happen tonight. So sad :(
Lindsay and I headed out to Central Park… here it is half a block away and I haven’t even been over here yet!. It’s beautiful a real oasis in the middle of this mad bustling city.
It’s so HUGE…and pretty unbelievable that they were able to protect such a large tract of land in the centre of Manhattan. We made a stop at Strawberry Fields,
Strawberry Fields
and admired the peace sign made from flower petals… we both wondered who does that… is it the city? A fan? Yoko?
Hopped back in a cab to take a few quick pics of the Guggenheim… I have always wanted to see that building…. But guess what, it’s under exterior renovation…
we did go inside though and checked out the beautiful interior design. No time to dawdle… had to zip off to Bath and Body Works for some quick shopping… then back in a cab to get to brunch with Viv at Pastis at 1:00. It was 12:40 and a Sunday, but turned out it’s also Veterans Day and there are parades everywhere. The cabbie decided to take the FDR and OMG it was the most amazing death defying roller coaster ride I have ever been on, and I’ve been on some of the best! We hit one bump or pothole that sent us flying… definitely a good thing we were strapped in… don’t forget!
We got to Pastis for brunch but were told it would be a 1 hour and 45 minute wait. Plus earlier we had checked out the menu and it was outrageous… 10 bucks for a bowl of oatmeal, 15 bucks for an egg on toast with beans and a tomato slice!!! We decided to check out this place across the street, a Canadian tavern and restaurant. We had baked eggs that were delicious… too bad they had run out of poutine (or maybe that was a good thing). Before we left we took a photo of Viv and I in front of a gorgeous white Lamborghini on the cobblestoned streets of Chelsea.
Darren and Viv outside Pastis
We took the L Train to Brooklyn – Williamsburg… very quaint neighbourhood – a bit like Queen Street West. We walked and shopped for a couple of hours and saw a cool bar called The Surf Bar
Surf bar in Williamsburg
and the floor was made of sand. Also went into a record store and found this album called Fuggin Jaggoffs and thought of Mike Kostiuk (who calls everyone a Fuggin Jaggoff) so I had to get it for him.
We took the subway back to Union Square
and Lindsay bought a couple of dvds at the Best Buy. Then we stumbled on a street fair, and wandered along smelling the most delicous street foods, and checking out the bargains. I found this one T-Shirt place that had some very unique Ts.. turns out the guy designs them himself, so I got one for $10. (http://www.rockstarrevolution.com/) Walked back to Macys and shopped some more… until we were both ready to drop.
When we were on the subway ride home, we heard this absolutely amazing street performer in the 59th Street station. He was singing the blues and it was bone chillingly amazing. If I was a record producer I would sign him up immediately. Instead he sits underground begging for a few cents. So sad. We stopped for dinner at the Vynl Café for pad Thai and then home to watch Barefoot in the Park and pack… a perfect way to end my 4 day New York adventure.
The next morning, got up bright and early at 6:30 grabbed a cab at Central Park West and 87th street at 7:30, got on the FDR and it was smooth sailing.,.. past Harlem (a series of dark brown tenement buildings) we went over the Triboro Bridge (the big suspension bridge) and got to La Guardia in less than half an hour… 2 and a half hours before the flight!!! I have a long wait.
Final Thoughts:
I had the most fabulous time in New York City… it is a high energy, beautiful city… with sky high buildings and a chaotic frenzy on the streets below. It’s combined with it’s own distinct smell… a smoky combination of tobacco, smog, and street vendors barbecues, and it’s a cachophony of sounds. All the honking horns is hard to get used to… even Montrealers are tame by comparison. The pace is unbelievable… a good piece of advice for someone who “wants to punch slow walking people in the back of the head” walk on the right side of the sidewalk… if you are walking slow, walk as far right as you can go… if you have to stop to tie a shoe, check a map or take a picture, stand behind a fire hydrant or mailbox don’t stand in the middle of the sidewalk. And you will notice that New Yorkers don’t wait for the light to change to ‘walk’… just make sure when you step off the curb you check for traffic. I saw one family almost get mowed down by a cyclist who proceeded to scream at them until they were humiliated, which they deserved, because they were crossing against the light and didn’t bother to check (I watched them do it) they are just lucky it wasn’t a car or truck that couldn’t stop in time. I can only image how stressful it must be to live here. It’s also an extreme contrast of rich and poor – bargains and ostentatious luxury (so many Lincoln Town Cars and SUV’s) For those with money, it would be an exciting and fabulous place to live and work. For those without a lot of money it would be a constant struggle, just trying to make enough money to survive and improve their lot in life. It’s also the American way to be constantly chasing the dream for wealth. Racially and culturally it is definitely a mosaic of cultures – you are always hearing other languages being spoken… like Toronto only LOUDER! Unfortunately there is also a polarization of various ethnic groups. You see it and you feel it. It’s not like Toronto where people don’t just ‘tolerate’ each other and their differences, but actually blend together relatively effectively. It’s like the prevalent philosophies have flipped: Canada is the melting pot of various cultures and America (New York) is the mosaic with each group very distinct and separate. The weird thing for me personally is that I haven’t felt this comfortable in a city other than Toronto. I love the energy, though it would be tough to experience over a long time, especially if you can’t afford the time or money to get out of town regularly. But I didn’t have any trouble getting around and blending in to the city. I can throw New York attitude with the best of them. I can’t wait to come back. I LOVE NYC!
PLACES I VISITED:
Times Square (and the Virgin Store)
42nd Street
Madison Avenue
5th Avenue
Park Avenue
Avenue of the Americas
Broadway
34th Street
Macy's (and check out the cellar for lunch)
Bryant Park
Empire State Building
Battery Park
Christopher Street (and the gay village)
Greenwich Village
Hudson River Park
East Village
Washington Square Park
Soho
NYC University Campus
Chelsea Market
Meat Packing District
Chelsea Neighbourhood
NYC Library
Filenes Basement
Rockefeller Center
St.Patrick's Cathedral
Central Park
Strawberry Fields
Guggenheim
Brooklyn -Williamsburg
Union Square
Triboro Bridge
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