Because, New York Part 2

That right there is my very first glimpse of the city from my cab!

At this point, as you can imagine.  I am screaming.  I don't care that I got an hour of sleep, and it wasn't even REM cycle sleep, it was sitting up, in an airplane, sleep.  NO BUENO.  But that could not take away from how gleeful I was feeling.  If my cab driver spoke more english I would have been very obnoxious and asked a billion questions, instead I texted my friend, who was at our hotel, getting ready to go to work as he was there for work until Friday.  I am sure he was laughing at my excited texts as he has been to New York several, yes SEVERAL times.  Ahh, this city could never get old though.  Much like LA, many areas, towns and places to explore and see.  I had an agenda, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to see.  I just had no idea where anything was but I am just fine heading out and seeing and doing.  Unlike LA, you can walk to most everything in NYC or hop on a Subway, which I refused to do until my other friends landed.  I FINALLY got into the actual CITY, bumper to bumper taxis, people shouting, honking, people bundled up. Holiday decorations on every, single, corner. I couldn't believe I was here.  I saw NBC filming the Today Show, I saw New York.  I was dying.  Finally, 55th and 7th next to Broadway, The Dream Midtown was my final destination.  A $69.00 cab fare and I was out and being ushered by the door man out of the FROZEN weather into the hotel.  I promptly gave the front desk my name and they handed me a key to our room as my friend had already headed to work.  I had no time to waste! I showered, re-dressed, re-makeup'd and made myself look alive as much as I could!  I bundled BACK up, we are talking, Uggs, gloves, scarf, puffer coat, and hat!  I charged my phone and had my back up charger as well and I went out onto the street.

I mapped to the nearest Starbucks, snapping photos of buildings and taxis and Christmas decorations left and right.  

Christmas Ornaments, buildings, Cabs, HEAVEN!

First building that caught my eye, right out of my hotel

Central Park Statue!

I got a Gingerbread Latte, which I never do because I like my coffee black, with two splendas, but I thought, why not a treat since I am in New York.  Then I headed outside.  My first place to see? Central Park obviously. It was empty! I mean after all it was 10:00AM on a Thursday, I assume New Yorker's are at work.  It was snowy, cold, crisp and I couldn't have asked for a better first experience.  I definitely drained my battery from 80-60% in the park, taking photos of everything I could see, including a large number of selfies, shameful I know, but when exploring alone, do as the alone explorers do. 

Bridge in Central Park

Shameless Selfie and 100% Exhausted

NEW YORK!

The Plaza- highlight to see this!

Me & The Plaza, clearly a match made in heaven

I probably walked a mile around Central Park, snapping photos, taking it all in.  I definitely needed to pick up my pace as this LA girl was used to a light jacket in 65 degree winter weather.  Hello 30 with wind!

I then hit the streets, the things I saw next I was not even remotely prepared for.  I next ended up on 5th Avenue, don't ask me how.  I just went where my feet took me.  This was GORGEOUS.  The decorations were beyond what you can imagine and hope for.  The stores were all Christmas and decked out, Henri Bendel, Cartier, Versace, Tiffany's, Harry Winston, I mean... The list continues.  I was in heaven.  I had to duck into The Gap to buy a hat that covered more of my head.  My skull was legitimately aching!

Tiffany & Co.

After I walked for what seemed forever on 5th, but a forever full of wonderful, (let me know if you are throwing up yet) I ended up at Rockefeller Center out of no where, no big deal.  Popped in there walked around, saw the tree.  All was fine.  Who was I? Just exploring New York City like I had been there 100s of times.  Never worried about where I was going, no agenda, not a care in the world except for my frozen body.  But who needs to be warm! Because, New York.

To be continued....