Gone upper west side

On Wednesday, we woke up early as well to go an try to catch the sights around Grand Central station before going upper west side and crash at our next pad.

So we walked to Grand station shorty after 9, and admired the high ceiling, the lights, and the big clock. I personally love the echo in that station. A stage was being set up for a concert in one of the aisle of the station. it is the kind of echo that makes me want to sing out loud.

 

Outside the station, we got tempted by a shop selling caps and other American sports. We each bought a Yankees cap, and posed like oblivious tourists in front of the station, capturing the Chrysler building in the background at times. The fog was still a constant drag, and the weather was a bit sticky. 

Then we crossed over to 5th avenue, and actually had to wait for the library to open. This is my favourite library, as I love libraries in general, but this is my favourite as I feel so cozy hanging out there. I enjoy the sunlight coming in softly, and the big decorated ceiling, and the romantic atmosphere that results in all those books and serious readers. I remember how I got myself a library card there and used to come often to get internet!

Walking back to the hotel, we stumbled on the Empire State building to being hidden by fluffy fog, so we finally got to see the top of it. After many many failed selfcam, we finally got to picture ourselves with the entire building

So pretty much before 11, we already walked for quite a bit. Finally, we had to check out of the hotel and make our way to the Subway to go to the flat I managed to rent for 2 days. While dragging our luggage towards 6th Avenue, I decided to take a cab to avoid transferring. So we hailed a cab not far from Macy's and got dropped in front of 2xx West 81st Street, Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue right at noon as decided with the flat's manager. It was literally 2 blocks away from the 81st street entrance of Central Park. It cost us $330 for 2 nights, for 2 people, with all included, even the soaps and shampoos in the bathroom.

The flat was a 1 bedroom apartment rented by owner while he was away on holidays or work, and the person giving us the keys was a musician managing other similar flats in the area. We goofed around, taking pictures and video before rushing out again to catch a clipper cruise from pier 17 at 2pm.

 

Alas, the weather was supposedly expected to get thunderstorms and the cruise was cancelled. After much arguing, I gave up and opted for another company, the watertaxi, that was still running. It would also bring us back west side, around 42nd street.

The weather was dry until then, but 10min into the cruise, we got soaked and had to leave the upper deck to dry in the lower cabin with the other passengers. We couldn't take many photos but could only admire the skyline through line of raindrops on the windows. Once we passed the beautiful rain clouds, a somewhat black and white world contrasted with the vivid colour of the vessel.

 

I am glad this was a different experience than expected, as the light and clouds in the sky gave a totally magical feel to the skyline. As we came up the west side of Manhattan, we could even see clearly all the landmarks: Empire State building, Chrysler building.

 

 After getting off the watertaxi, we still got some drizzling rain, so we hurriedly walked into Westway diner (on 9th Ave. between 43rd St. & 44th St) for some well deserved food. 

New York is full of artists and aspiring artists, so this diner was surely a watering hole for some celebrity or other. We took our time on strawberry milkshake (yum, my favourite), sandwiches with pepper-jack cheese, and waited for the rain to stop.

Eventually, we managed to get to Times Square, and we hit the shops. I needed some change of clothes as everything I had were dirty or soaked. Then N. rang me up and we decided to meet up in Times Square before going for dinner. We waited for her in Levi's shop, and I probably learned by heart all the prices in that shop waiting for her. A. was exploring Toys R us in the meantime. Finally we all met up...

I had asked her to grab Indonesian food together, so off we went to Queens, to Minang Asli in Elmhurst. It is a family style restaurant that probably sits 20, and there seemed to be 4 regular ladies chit-chating inside with the owner when we came in. We took 2 tables and N ordered like the full menu by the looks of it. Nevertheless, we ate everything, from cartilage to satay to krupuk to very spicy rendang to....jus thinking of it makes me hungry. We ate happily.

 

 

We were drunk on es teler and other sweet summer drinks and I personally cannot remember how or when we got home. All I know is we got home quite late again, and we both just crashed in this really comfy bed.  If only I could cook such delicious food....