In concrete jungle.

Now, here in New York for only 2 days we’ve managed to visit Times Square and 5^th Avenue on a regular basis. Our subway route consists of using the express train to 42^nd street in Times Square and using our walking shoes to the best of its ability to roam around. The first day we arrived, we made it a mission to see Times Square and the moment I saw the bright lights, my jaw dropped – nothing in the world could be so flashy. My neck started cramping because I couldn’t stop looking up. It is true when they say NY is a city that never sleeps.

If you ever decide to visit NY, we strongly recommend you take the Manhattan Movie Tour. Our tour guide knew movies/shows back to front and for the entire tour all you could hear in the bus were tourists saying ‘Oh, that’s where it was’ hehehe. Of course, my highlight on this tour was the FRIENDS apartment at Bedford St – you can’t imagine how excited I was only because this is one of my ticks of the trip (if you are a FRIENDS fanatic, you’d know what I mean). I was really disappointed to hear the ins and outs of filming a show set in NYC because they can really fool you to believe many things (one which I will not mention here for you FRIENDS fans) so don’t believe everything television tells you? Oh yes, a giddy moment was when we were driving down 5^th Avenue and the tour guide quickly says, ‘And on your left is the Trump Tower’ – Ryan and I immediately grabbed each other by the arm and shook each other like maniacs!! Lol …we love The Apprentice, that’s all.

A FRIENDS fanatic dream.

After the tour, we decided to walk down 5^th Avenue in time to go to mass at 5.30 pm at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. What a great homily, very affirming. The priest gave us homework, he said ‘Remember, this season is about the obedience of faith, applying faith in every aspect of your life’. : ) During mass all I could think about was ‘how did we ever end up here, in this Cathedral, in this city together? And even until now it’s hard to imagine how an idea of coming here is now our reality and God has affirmed us– He will grant your hearts desire : ) I am in awe at God’s goodness and peace.

After mass, we roamed 5^th Avenue in search for the most-awaited NBA store, but before we actually got there, we were pushing through hundreds of shoppers, tourists and bystanders on this crazy season. It kinda reminded me of the rush at the Easter Show showbags hall. Police had to close pedestrian crossings to let cars through because this crazy crowd would just not stop. Ah, pre-Christmas madness. Eventually, we managed to get to the NBA store where I was shopping with an overly excited boy. So much merchandise to buy – this is definitely the gate to heaven for basketball fans, like this one.

Remember, when in New York, always wear comfortable shoes, a beanie and gloves.