Newwww Yooorrrrrk!

My flight was delayed two hours, but at least Knoblauch kept me company.



I looked out the window at the bright lights of the city as I descended into JFK airport with $150 in my pocket .
New York looked beautiful.
Danielle met me outside the baggage claim and we drove straight to a local bar in her town where it was $5 pitcher night.

I barely had a chance to blink before I was immersed in the Guido subculture.
Danielle's friends were very nice, even if one of the boys kept talking about his workout routine and NYPD status. All in all, it was a good night.
And yes, a did see a bit of fist pumping. What a welcome!
I stayed with Danielle's family in the suburbs; a beautiful family with a lovely home. I was immediately stuffed with amazing New York bagels, followed by a lunch of New York pizza.

Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous to step on my scale after all the ambrosia I've devoured this past week, haha.

My second night in New York, Danielle, Tina, Ashley and I made our way to the prestigious nightclub, Greenhouse. This club not only is posh and fun, but is eco-friendly with its flashing LED lights and efficiently flushing toilets. Usually the club is difficult to get into, but since the girls knew some male models and promoters, we walked right in and had free table/bottle service all night.

The next day, Danielle, Tina and I went vintage window shopping in SoHo, and discovered that New York has the most expensive vintage items I have ever seen, including in London. I saw a poncho I liked; $225. A pair of boots? $325.
I guess the shops can charge that much because people are willing to pay for it.
I much prefer flea markets.












Jeff and his friend Daryl ended up meeting me in Soho, and we ventured off to 5th Avenue to play at F*A*O and explore Central Park. We were going to go to a Man Man show at NYU, but it ended up selling out. Oh well.























On Friday I went to Canal Street to find a ridiculous gold chain for Brett, but it exceeded my $5 gold chain budget. I was so tired from the week, and feeling a little sick, so I had to pass on the Buddha Bar and clubbing for Danielle's friend's birthday, and went back to New Jersey with Jeff. I met his family, and we went out to an amazing restaurant called Veggie Heaven; I have never tasted better fake meat in my life! I could swear the Sesame Chicken was real chicken...I wish we had a place like this in Tahoe. We met up with some of his friends, and watched Daryl's TV show, The Tester.

Saturday, Jeff showed me around his hometown of Montclair. We visited the 911 memorial in Eagle rock, and looked at the panoramic entirety of New York City.





Following that, we went shopping, ate, met some of his friends, and stopped to pick up my suitcase.
With my suitcase in the boot, Jeff and I drove to Brooklyn for a crazy metal/grindcore show, and picked up his friend Alex in Hoboken on the way. We thought we were going to be late until we saw the venue closed and all the bands outside the door. After about an hour, the promoter showed up, opened the club, and the bands started setting up. What a perfect time to grab some Brazilian food!
mmmm, fried bananas....
The show ended up being crazy, and finished with Jeff's old band at 2:00AM. Ears still ringing, I got dropped off at JFK at 3:00AM for a 6AM flight, no sleep, no change of clothes; I was covered in Brooklyn.




I couldn't sleep on the plane because I sat next to a muffin woman. A muffin woman, you ask? I don't mean that this lady had delicious baked goods to give out. Oh, no. What I mean is, somehow she shoved her rather large bum in the seat while the rest of her expanded over each armrest into my lap and shoulders. My personal bubble got popped! Even though we were in Economy Plus with five inches more room, you wouldn't have known it. She wouldn't even get up when I had to use the bathroom; her husband would get up and I'd climb over her to get to the aisle. Apparently my climbing skills were impressive, and justifiably complemented, so I informed her that I am a monkey.
Stian picked me up at 12:15, 3:15 New York time. I was ecstatic to take a shower when I got home, and even happier to finally get some sleep after over 36 sleepless hours.

New York is a beautiful city, and I cannot wait to get back. For my friends that I did not see, especially Alex R., Alex B, Kendall and Sarah, maybe we'll reunite this summer? I didn't take many pictures, I don't know why, but at least there are a few posted above.

Only a month left until my next adventure in London and the Middle East.I cannot wait!